The WORST episodes of Law & Order
Every episode of Law & Order ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Law & Order!
A blended police procedural and courtroom drama which employs a two-part approach: The first half of each episode focuses on NYPD homicide detectives investigating a crime—often derived from a real-life headline—and apprehending a suspect. The second half takes place in the courtroom, with the district attorney prosecuting the defendant.
#1 - In Harm's Way
Season 23 - Episode 13 - Aired 5/16/2024
When a sports star is killed, Shaw and Riley suspect the shooter missed their intended target. Baxter's daughter comes forward as a witness, but her public testimony could impact his re-election campaign with the confession of a family secret.
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#2 - Bailout
Season 19 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/11/2009
As detectives investigate the death of a bank executive's mistress, they uncover a kidnapping and extortion plot.
#3 - The Corporate Veil
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/14/1992
A teenager's fatal heart attack is traced to fraud and greed on the part of the manufacturer of his pacemaker and their supplier.
#4 - Mother Love
Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/24/1993
The absence of a murder weapon complicates the investigation into the murder of a drug addict who stole from her family to support her habit.
#5 - Panic
Season 10 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/16/2000
Briscoe and Green investigate the shooting of a best-selling mystery writer and the death of her accountant, with a love triangle as a possible motive for the crime.
#6 - Crimebusters
Season 19 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/11/2009
An unconscious war widow and her lifeless infant are found in the rubble of a bombed army recruitment center; Jack McCoy is forced to make one of the most unpopular decisions of his career.
#7 - Burden
Season 8 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/24/1998
After a 12-year-old quadriplegic dies at home in his bed, paramedics claim that he was suffocated and the suspects include the boy's parents and sister.
#8 - Subterranean Homeboy Blues
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/20/1990
The shooting of two black men by a white woman in a crowded subway initially appears to be a case of self-defense, but further investigation reveals revenge as a possible motive.
#9 - Sundown
Season 10 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/15/1999
A patient is found beaten to death in a hospital lounge -- and the resulting case involves infidelity, Alzheimer's disease and a ladies' man.
#10 - Conspiracy
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/30/1992
The assassination of an African-American leader leads to the arrest of a man whose ex-wife was suspected of having an affair with the victim.
#11 - His Hour Upon the Stage
Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/10/1991
The discovery of a frozen corpse in a dumpster leads to rival Broadway producers.
#12 - Happily Ever After
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/23/1990
Greevey and Logan have a hunch that robbery is a cover for the real motive in the death of a millionaire in a parking garage.
#13 - Disciple
Season 9 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/24/1999
After a teen is found dead in the emergency room, the investigation leads to a case involving a religious ritual and a defendant who claims that the action taken was dictated by a saint's voice.
#14 - Angelgrove
Season 18 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/19/2008
A terrorist organization seems to be tied in with the violent death of an art dealer, until the victim's troubled son with ties to a fanatic religious group is investigated.
#15 - Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/11/1990
Stone has difficulty prosecuting a privileged preppie with a history of abusing his girlfriends after one of them dies at his hands.
#16 - Doubles
Season 4 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/18/1994
An assailant breaks the wrist of a tennis player prior to a tournament, and a competitor is among the suspects.
#17 - Haven
Season 9 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/10/1999
Briscoe and Curtis probe the murder of a popular Harlem community leader while McCoy and Carmichael struggle to prevent a chaotic situation.
#18 - Star Struck
Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/7/1992
An obsessive fan pleads temporary insanity when he is charged with attempting to murder the soap-opera actress who is the center of his life.
#19 - Endurance
Season 11 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/18/2000
After a disabled boy dies of smoke inhalation during a fire, his parents and a building tenant with a history of "accidental" fires become suspects.
#21 - Harvest
Season 8 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/29/1997
A discrepancy concerning the time of death of a drive-by shooting victim leads McCoy and Ross to initiate prosecutions against both the shooter and the doctor who harvested her organs as transplant donations.
#22 - Sisters of Mercy
Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/3/1992
Cerreta and Logan investigate the accusation that a nun in charge of a shelter for teens molested a young addict.
#23 - Snatched
Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/12/1994
A millionaire friend of Schiff's won't cooperate with the police following his son's kidnapping.
#24 - Wedded Bliss
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/21/1992
The discovery of a young woman's body in the river leads to an investigation of illegal sweatshops and the enslavement of young immigrants.
#25 - Black Tie
Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/20/1993
The police suspect a cover up when they receive an anonymous tip that a wealthy man was murdered by his wife, who refuses to allow an autopsy after a physician declares that the death occurred from natural causes.