Out of Order

Scott Hardie | January 12, 2008
Any Law & Order fans here? I'd like to ask about the Jack McCoy character, who is new to me as I catch up on old seasons on DVD, but is still on the show today so he must be popular. Does he become less repugnant as the show progresses? Less smug and contemptible? Someone please say yes. I'm not even halfway into his first season and I'm already about to give up on one my favorite shows because I can't stand this freewheeling asshole who breaks the law to punish lawbreakers. I can't imagine Det. Briscoe planting evidence or coercing a confession, especially over the objections of his junior partner and supervisor, so why would I want to root for McCoy doing the equivalent? Stone was not just an ethical paragon but a gentleman with class; McCoy is a shitbag who likes to break the rules even when he could get a conviction anyway. I've heard he becomes something of a "social defender" in later years, twisting the law to achieve moral victories, but I don't know if I can wait that long.

Tony Peters | January 12, 2008
I like Jack, it's been so long since he first came onto the show that I had forgotten that he was a bit "outgoing and passionate" at first. Balancing between his up bringing (Irish catholic) and his conscience (more liberal) brings out a lot of interesting things as the series progress. This season as steps into the district attorney job vacated by Fred Thompson. And his replacement is very much like he was early on which is kinda funny to see Jack managing a younger version of himself