How 'Law & Order' Says Goodbye to Sam Waterston
Sam Waterston
Sam Waterston's Jack McCoy has officially left the building on Law & Order. Thursday night's episode, titled "Last Dance," featured one of TV's most iconic legal eagles making his very last case.
The episode centers on the investigation of an early-morning murder of a woman in Central Park. The victim, Veronica Knight (Shay Guthrie), not only smashed her head on some rocks but she was also strangled in cold blood.
It doesn't take long for the detectives to discover that a tech billionaire named Scott Kelton (Rob Benedict) was at the scene and had a motive to commit the crime, since he'd allegedly sexually assaulted her on a tropical trip with his friend Jordan Payne (Jeremy Gabriel), and she was demanding an apology from him. However, the prosecution's key witness, Knight's therapist, refuses to testify for ethical reasons, which leaves them with only one choice. They must subpoena Jordan, even though he happens to be the son of Mayor Robert Payne (Bruce Altman), who has threatened retribution against McCoy and the entire Manhattan DA's office if that happens.
Related: 'Law & Order' Sees Another Cast Change as Sam Waterston Exits
Though EADA Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy) is tempted to offer a lesser plea in the face of this intense political pressure, Jack McCoy is unsparingly dedicated to seeing Kelton get more serious time for the defendant. Even if it means exposing Jordan for his infidelities during the trip and earning the mayor's ire—and vehement support of his opponent's campaign—McCoy decides to take matters into his own hands. He forces Jordan to testify against his buddy and, as expected, the mayor's son is humiliated as he is cross-examined on the stand about his affairs by the defense.
McCoy is unbothered by the response of the mayor, who is staring daggers at him from the courtroom gallery throughout the trial, and delivers an incredible closing argument that serves to both convict the defendant and offer a proper send-off for McCoy himself.
After noting that the defendant's philanthropic generosity and other behaviors prove that "by all accounts, he is a decent person most of the time," McCoy insists that on the morning of the murder, "he was not; he was a killer. That's all that matters."
McCoy's speech then continues, "When I was elected District Attorney, I gave a pledge to the citizens of New York to act fairly and ethically without bias or favor, to always act with integrity. During my time as District Attorney, I've tried my best to uphold that sacred oath in the pursuit of justice. And now, members of the jury, it's your turn to act fairly and ethically, without bias or favor, and to find the defendant Scott Kelton guilty of murder."
How does 'Law & Order' write off Sam Waterston's Jack McCoy?
The jury ultimately returns a guilty verdict, notching McCoy yet another victory. However, when he joins Price for a drink, it's not so much a celebration as goodbye, as he announces, "I tendered my resignation 20 minutes ago."
Though Price tries to talk him out of it, McCoy won't be dissuaded: "I've been thinking about this for a while. It's time. It just is. Look, the mayor is a vindictive son of a b---h. He's going to call in every chit he has to help my opponent win the election. And he will succeed. Then, he is going to bury everyone who wronged him, including you, especially you. If I step aside now, the governor will be able to appoint someone—someone with integrity," he says, adding with a smile, "It's been a hell of a ride." From there, he dons his cap and coat, takes one more look at the building, and walks away with a grin.
The person who'll replace him is incoming DA Nicholas Baxter portrayed by Scandal's Tony Goldwyn. "Some very large shoes to fill!" Goldywn recently wrote on Instagram. Tonight's triumphant final salute to Jack McCoy proved that once again to be true.
Law & Order airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
