User Reviews

What a fabulous episode for Michael Moriarty to go out on. Sure, it deals with the Russian mob being "silent partners" in a baby food company - sounds a bit ham-fisted, right? But the Russian mob is a real thing, and so is their involvement in legitimate businesses around the globe. This show plays it straight, and treats them as the terrifying force they are.

In addition to featuring Moriarty's final turn as prosecutor Ben Stone, this one has a phenomenal supporting performance from Allison Janney as a co-founder of the baby food company. She is very raw, very real. Though L&O usually has pretty good casting, she elevates this one on her shoulders alone - hardly surprising from someone who just won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at the 90th Academy Awards.

It's tough to watch as letter-of-the-law Moriarty pressures Janney to testify, though she's scared for her life.

And you may even shed a tear at the final scene, where Moriarty lingers in Steven Hill's office for a series of pregnant beats - two men who, despite all their conflicts, nonetheless respect each other a great deal.

Brilliant television.

If Michael Moriarty hadn't gotten into that tiff with Janet Reno over TV violence who knows how many episodes more of Law And Order he might have done. Many a good Sam Waterston episode would have been his and who knows what direction Waterston's career might have taken? In any event the show got just as passionate a prosecutor.

The Chief Financial Officer of a baby food company is killed and the investigation by Jerry Orbach and Chris Noth lead to a Russian mob takeover. Allison Janney the head of the company was either clueless or just didn't want to know where that fresh infusion of money that her new partner brought. The partner is Victor Slezak, a Russian with an anglicized name.

The shooter is nabbed and he's caught dead bang with weapon. But connecting him to Slezak is not possible without Janney's testimony. She's frightened, but Moriarty wants to win this one bad. He wins but at a terrible price.

Note the appearance of Bob Dishy in the first several times as defense attorney Lawrence Weaver. Dishy was my favorite as an occasional lawyer for the accused, he even won a couple on the show.

This was Moriarty's last show and whatever you think of the rightness of his quarrel with Janet Reno you have to say he is a man of principle. This was a good farewell for Moriarty.

Season 4 was another very solid season for 'Law and Order', with almost all the episodes ranging from decent to outstanding. The only major disappointment for me actually being "Doubles" and there were a few episodes with rather ordinary cases at times more than compensated by fine performances and dialogue. At the same time, Season 4 also had 'Law and Order' (show and franchise) jewels like "Profile", "American Dream" and "Sanctuary".

The season's final episode "Old Friends" is another one of the jewels. It is a nigh-on perfect end to the season, working very well as a season finale (and feeling like one) and as an episode in its own right. And a more than worthy send off to Stone, who has always been very much missed and really should have lasted much longer on the show (as he was one of the main appeals of Seasons 1-4), but Jack McCoy was a mighty fine replacement once he settled. Not to mention one of the season's finest guest turns.

"Old Friends" production values as ever are slick and with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear and the direction is accomodating yet tight enough.

Furthermore, the writing is truly thought provoking and always flows naturally. No extraneous fat here, and there are some great exchanges (especially between Stone and Schiff, with their very lump to the throat-worthy final scene being particularly beautifully written and played) and lines, the best coming from Stone. Yes the episode really did make the most of the character's final appearance, which didn't feel thrown in or anything, while treating him with respect. The story is riveting throughout, with enough tension and it never feels too simple or convoluted. Personally found Stone's catalyst for departure very plausible even if it possibly would have resonated more in "Sanctuary", which was more personal.

Can't fault the performances with all the characters and interaction beautifully written. Michael Moriarty does conflict and authority so well and has great chemistry with Steven Hill. Allison Janney gives one of the season's standout guest turns in the best of ways, powerful stuff here. Chilling Victor Slezak is just as good though his character isn't as rich.

Summing up, wonderful final episode to a solid fourth season. 10/10

I'm a little ashamed for previous reviewers because of obvious errors in reviewing this episode.

First, the actress's name is Allison Janney. It's not hard to look someone up and get the name right, especially since she went on to a very nice gig on The West Wing.

In further response to a previous reviewer, please do your research before sounding off next time.

Steven Hill has said this episode stands out as one of his most memorable because of the departure of Michael Moriarty. There is no ill will between the actors, and any suggestion thereof is imagined and/or interpreted from a skewed point of view.

The respect and affection Moriarty and Hill had for one another shows in the way their final scene is played. Any fool can see that.

One of the best (and funniest - cracking dialogue -example below) episodes from the Orbach & Noth golden age of this twenty-year old TV show.

"...one of the mistakes you're making is not telling the truth".

Needless to say from the intro that I much prefer Michael to Sam. Sam Waterson, as far as I am concerned, OVER acts. The guy is a ham, and I really do not care for him at all. After Michael left the only reason I ever watched this show were the very good looking ladies.