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Aug. 25, 2008 One of my favorite shows is "Law & Order". I
enjoy the original and the spin-offs as well.
Sadly, I have also seen the departure of my
favorite main characters. Last night I saw yet another main characters departure
and it saddened me and brought back many memories of some fine acting and well
loved actors.
My favorite character of all times was "Lennie
Briscoe". When I read that the character played by Jerry Orhbach had terminal
cancer and was departing the show it was heart-breaking. He left in a softly
portrayed last image of a wonderful actor, and long time Broadway performer who
was much loved long before he joined the cast of
"Law & Order". He died shortly after his last
show aired and he is greatly missed. "Lennie" personified the hardened New York
cop with a heart of gold and the show has never been the same without
him.
"Lennie's" replacement (Dennis Farina) was a poor
substitute and didn't last long in the part. It must have been a nearly
impossible task to follow in the footsteps of such a permanent fixture and well
loved character on such a long running show that has become a television
institution.
I didn't mind when Benjamin Bratt left the show but
I loved Jesse L. Martin who became "Lennie's" new partner. He quickly became one
of my favorites and when I saw his last performance on the show last season it
saddened me again.
Finally, "Mike Logan", played by Christopher Noth
(aka "Mr. Big" of "Sex & The City" fame), filmed his last performance and I
watched it last night. "Logan" had a strange and much interrupted run on the
show and even did a movie about how his character was demoted to a lowly
detective on Staten Island after earning a reputation as a "hot head" who bumped
heads with his superiors. When he returned to "Law & Order Criminal Intent"
to share the spotlight with Vincent D'Onofrio, I was thrilled. Although I think
that D'Onofrio is a magnificent actor and a throw-back to the old "method" style
of acting, the addition of the "Logan" character added a new and much needed
dimension to the show and it's plotlines.
I will continue to watch "Law & Order" in all
of it's incarnations because it's well written and has become a staple in my
television viewing menu but the old characters will always be
missed.
They made the shows what they became....a wonderful
two sided, (warts and all), view of both the investigative and legal sides
of the justice system and I doubt that anyone can really replace how they moved
their characters forward and into the hearts of many loyal viewers such as
myself. They were flawed and real and represented everything that I look
for in a good television program. They have held my interest for a long time and
I hope that the rumors that "Law & Order CI" has been cancelled are wrong.
Here's to "Lenny", "Ed" and "Mike"; I look forward
to seeing the latter two in some other venue and I think about the wonderful,
versatile actor who portrayed "Lenny Briscoe" every time I watch the show. He,
above all, will be missed the most from my point of view. From a tap dancing,
Broadway singing performer to the sarcastic and big-hearted "Lenny" with the now
infamous one liners on the show's lead in, Jerry Orhbach was the best of all
worlds.
For your reading pleasure:
------------ About the author: Meri has a Medical/Legal background and is a former forensic researcher specializing in psychological profiling. Visit the Xlibris Bookstore! Email: writers2@cox.net Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com. Please link to this article rather than copying and pasting it onto your site (which would be unauthorized and illegal). |
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