Law & Order has finally shed its most detrimental pattern, and it took the addition of a star from another NBC series to make it happen. Ryan Eggold, known for his leading role in the network’s medical drama New Amsterdam for five seasons, nearly steals the spotlight in Law & Order Season 24 Episode 3, titled Big Brother. He portrays Matt, the troubled brother of Detective Vincent Riley. Although the character may seem somewhat clichéd, the dynamic performances from Eggold and his co-star Reid Scott elevate the role beyond mere stereotypes.
Plot & Storyline
Big Brother revolves around the shocking murder of Nick Walsh, the men’s basketball coach at Hudson University. Detectives Riley and his partner Jalen Shaw initially suspect that Walsh’s death was orchestrated by disgruntled boosters unhappy with his potential move to the University of Kentucky.
However, as they dig deeper, they uncover a web of financial motives that complicate the case. To make matters worse, Riley’s brother has a connection to the main suspect, jeopardizing their investigation.
This series stands out for its strong character development, even within the framework of a traditional procedural, making it a compelling watch.
Encourage Ryan Eggold To Race Against The Clock
Ryan Eggold may not be the first familiar face to grace the Law & Order franchise, nor is he the only notable actor in this particular episode. However, he is undeniably the ideal choice for the role of Matt Riley, especially considering his previous collaborations with NBC, which adds an extra layer of excitement for fans.
In this episode, Matt Riley stands in stark contrast to his brother, Detective Vincent Riley. The tension escalates when Vincent is forced to leave the crime scene in Big Brother after Matt is apprehended for attempting to sell firearms to an undercover officer.
Vincent desperately appeals to the arresting officer for leniency, suggesting that Matt could potentially serve as an informant, but the severity of the charges makes it a difficult case to overlook.
In a twist of fate, Vincent ends up relying on Matt as his secret informant later in the episode. Footage reveals that Matt was in the company of the murder victim just before the incident, and he acknowledges his connection to bar owner Jackie Costa, the main suspect. Vincent appeals to his brother’s instinct for self-preservation, persuading him to wear a wire during a visit to Costa’s apartment, insisting that the police are considering him a suspect in Matt Walsh’s murder.
The plot thickens when Matt unexpectedly has a change of heart and cuts off the video feed, leaving Vincent and Shaw in disbelief as he confesses he can’t betray his friend. With Matt being the sole witness to Costa’s statements, Nolan Price is compelled to call on him during Costa’s trial, putting him in a difficult position where his moral dilemma complicates the pursuit of justice.
Matt’s personal life remains largely under wraps during the hour, with only glimpses of his encounters with the law and his role as a caregiver for his ailing father. Vincent remarks that Matt “can’t get out of his own way,” yet he holds a deep-seated belief in Matt that often leads to complications.
This misplaced loyalty is not only frustrating for Law & Order fans but also provides a captivating contrast to Eggold’s previous portrayals of more virtuous characters. In New Amsterdam, for instance, his character Max Goodwin was dedicated to helping others, famously asking, “How can I help ?”
Similarly, throughout the twists of The Blacklist, Tom was a character worth supporting, even earning his own brief spinoff, The Blacklist : Redemption. However, with Matt Riley, there’s little to champion outside of his brother’s perspective, which underscores the episode’s message and showcases Eggold’s ability to bring depth to this complex character.
Performance – Vincent Riley and Jalen Shaw’s Collaboration Tested
Law & Order Season 24 Episode 3 serves as a striking illustration of how family ties intertwine with the cases in Law & Order. A standout moment in this trend occurred in Season 8, Episode 22, titled Damaged, which delivered a gut-wrenching blow to fans as Detective Lennie Briscoe faced the tragic murder of his daughter, Cathy.
While the show often keeps personal narratives on the back burner, when they do surface, the outcomes are rarely positive. This holds true in Big Brother as well, culminating in a tense finale where Riley is forced to arrest his own brother due to the charges Matt faces for failing to act as an informant.
Riley’s unwavering loyalty to his brother may be exasperating, but the resulting tension between him and Shaw creates a dynamic that allows Reid Scott and Mehcad Brooks to truly shine in this episode.
Shaw doesn’t hold back when confronting Riley, culminating in a powerful final scene where he emphasizes the disastrous consequences for both brothers had Costa been acquitted. Brooks has emerged as the standout detective in the new Law & Order, bringing a vibrant energy to every situation, while Scott closely follows suit.
Despite their characters being in conflict, the chemistry between the actors is palpable. This tension is what drives the narrative forward, especially as the story becomes increasingly intricate during the “Order” segment.
Hugh Dancy faces a tough challenge in Episode 3, as the narrative demands that the lawyers take a backseat. When Price does make an appearance, he comes across as perpetually unsure of himself.
During Matt’s perjury on the stand, Price fails to take decisive action; he appears visibly rattled in the courtroom, taking an excruciatingly long time to call for a recess. It’s only when he confronts Matt as a hostile witness that we finally see the true Nolan Price emerge.
In contrast, his predecessor, Michael Cutter, would have approached the situation with much more confidence from the outset. This lack of assertiveness not only diminishes Dancy’s chance to shine but also detracts from the episode’s climax, making the conclusion both surprising and somewhat less satisfying.
Law & Order Shatters Its Most Annoying Pattern With A Brilliant Twist
Price’s battle to handle Matt Riley effectively feels reminiscent of a classic Law & Order twist, introducing a last-minute complication that leaves the episode on a somber note, prompting viewers to reflect as Dick Wolf’s name appears on screen.
It’s a brilliant twist that allows Big Brother to showcase Price snatching triumph from the brink of failure. Costa is found guilty of Walsh’s murder despite overwhelming evidence suggesting otherwise, particularly highlighted by Katee Sackhoff’s compelling portrayal of the defense attorney. More episodes of Law & Order would benefit from concluding in the impactful manner that Big Brother does.
For years, the show has consistently added a twist at the conclusion of its episodes, whether it’s the villains escaping or a lingering plot point raised by the characters. This approach serves as an ideological equivalent to a fourth-act plot twist, often feeling overly contrived.
The protagonists don’t need to triumph in every scenario (and it’s better if they don’t), but compelling narratives deserve to stand on their own without any last-minute surprises or qualifications.
Big Brother maintains an open-ended quality because viewers are left uncertain about Matt’s fate, yet they have enough context to anticipate the likely outcomes. This uncertainty provides a sense of closure for Riley, who has ultimately chosen to hold his brother accountable.
The final scene resonates deeply for Riley, and since his family dynamics and character development are central to the narrative, that’s all the audience truly requires.
Conclusion
Law & Order Season 24 Episode 3 – Big Brother does face certain challenges, particularly in how it portrays Price and the somewhat clumsy integration of college sports’ name, image, likeness elements into the narrative to maintain relevance.
However, it stands out as one of the finest episodes since the revival of Law & Order, thanks to the compelling chemistry among Eggold, Scott, and Brooks, which elevates the storyline beyond a mere “case of the week.” With this episode and the Season 24 premiere, the revamped series is carving out its distinct identity.
Law & Order is broadcast every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. on NBC. Don’t miss out on the thrilling episodes that keep viewers on the edge of their seats!