The plot thickens as we approach the finale of Law & Order: Organized Crime’s exhilarating fifth season, with the nail-biting eighth episode titled ‘Fail Safe’ leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. The new season has made its mark as a dramatically intense and expletive-laden spectacle. With just a couple of episodes left in its arsenal, characters have been reshuffled and storylines rerouted. Will Jet be making a comeback after her recent departure is yet to be seen.
Recent episodes have thrown Stabler into the forefront, teaming him up with a detective who’s new to viewers. These episodes had us on the edge of throwing in the towel on Bernie’s survival. It seemed as if the creators were preparing us for a potential new series revolving around Detective Frances Tanner, portrayed by Olivia Thirlby, and the fresh addition from Season 4, Tate Ellington. Surprisingly, shaking up the usual formula of Organized Crime these episodes have proved to be a standout success.
The curtain opens in ‘Fail Safe’ with A.G. unabated in his tech-fueled assassinations after eliminating Skye before she could divulge important information to Tanner, Stabler, and the rest of the NYPD. His hitlist broadened, baiting Tanner with Stabler’s voice mimicry, courtesy of AI, and ensnaring her. A storyline that harkens back to a case from FBI: Most Wanted. The capture left us concerned for Tanner’s safety, even more than we were during the former.
In the gripping plot, Tanner is seized by A.G. and The Collective, and engineered into a ticking time bomb primed to detonate at the most opportune moment. Just when we thought all was lost, Vargas swoops in with his technological prowess to buy them time, defusing the bomb just in time to spare Tanner.
Another storyline in ‘Fail Safe’ that was higher on the feasibility scale had a focus on the Stabler family. The surprise return of Joe Jr. in the previous episode brought upon Bernie a cardiac emergency, the Stablers rushing her to the hospital in time. As tension builds, the Stablers cope with their grief in their individual ways, trying to assure each other while dreading the worst outcome.
Viewers who remember Ellen Burstyn’s captivating role as Bernie Stabler since her debut on Law & Order: SVU, were kept on their toes, their hearts pounding each time the scene shifted back to the hospital. However, the ordeal ends on a hopeful note as the Stabler matriarch pulls through and foils Joe Jr.’s intentions just after receiving his call.
Joe cryptically hints at a major occurring ‘soon’, the consequence of his choices and his love for his family causing waves of concern. Considering that it follows closely behind Elliot updating Randall about their youngest brother turning into a criminal informant in season 4, it could signify a complex conclusion for the Stablers.
In a surprising twist, ‘Fail Safe’ lacked the presence of Danielle Moné Truitt and Rick Gonzalez, presumably still stuck in Italy after Truitt’s cameo in the previous chapter. However, Tate Ellington as Vargas and Olivia Thirlby as Detective Tanner stepped into the gap. While I spent fewer hours worrying about the absence of Bell and Reyes this week, there was a noticeable change in the series dynamics.
In fact, the fresh combination of talent made for such compelling viewing, it felt as though I was witnessing the inception of a fresh series. If this is a test for a potential spinoff, it may well pique many interests.
The Stabler family drama forms a considerable portion of ‘Fail Safe’. While I generally appreciate the emphasis on character evolution in Organized Crime, which distinguishes it from SVU and Law & Order, the narrative’s heavy focus on the hospital scene had the audience believing that Bernie’s end was nearing. The warm speech she delivers to her loved ones was almost coded as a goodbye, adding to the illusion.
However, Bernie continues to be a key part of the Organized Crime family. Although for the time being, Randall and Elliot might want to shield her from any updates on Joe Jr., unless things find a way to sort themselves out.
The restructured storyline works in favor of Organized Crime, drawing on the themes of advanced technology and artificial intelligence. It also created an opportunity to introduce Vargas in a more prominent role while Bell and Reyes were written off for a few episodes. ‘Fail Safe’ might not have been as impactful had Danielle Monê Truitt and Rick Gonzalez been present, thereby validating the reshuffling.
Detective Tanner quickly became my new favorite addition since the emergence of Sam Bashir back in season 4. The culmination of season 5 seems to be veering from isolated incidents to crimes directly tied to the main characters.
Joe Jr.’s conversation with Stabler might have been a promise of plot twists waiting to unfold in the following episodes. The unexpected brotherly love coming from Joe was more unsettling than comforting. This communication, coupled with Joe’s consistent check-ins with Bernie, could indicate that life as a fugitive didn’t harden his heart. We are left hoping for the return of Michael Trotter in the upcoming final episodes of season 5.