Law & Order Season 24 Episode 16, titled Folk Hero, serves as a distinct fictional interpretation of the Luigi Mangione case. While there are several frustrating aspects of Folk Hero, the more pressing concern is the apparent trend that suggests Law & Order may be preparing to write out one of its key characters by the conclusion of Season 24. Detective Jalen Shaw, played by Mehcad Brooks, is notably absent from this episode, with the explanation that he is unwell.
This episode exemplifies the NBC drama’s signature “ripped from the headlines” style. While it doesn’t directly replicate the murder of Brian Thompson by Mangione, astute viewers will recognize the parallels almost immediately.
While opinions may vary regarding the writers’ decision to draw so openly from Mangione’s narrative, this is not the sole concern surrounding this episode.
Is Law & Order Preparing To Bid Farewell To Mehcad Brooks (Jalen Shaw) ?
The absence of Jalen Shaw (Mehcad Brooks) wouldn’t raise eyebrows if it weren’t part of a concerning pattern. In Episode 15, Shaw was largely absent as well, appearing only briefly with the rationale that he was “tied up in court.”
This marks two consecutive episodes where Shaw has been sidelined, and given that both episodes have focused on providing significant screen time to Riley’s temporary partners—first Violet and now DeLuca—it raises questions about whether Law & Order is attempting to make some major changes.
There may be a valid reason for Mehcad Brooks’ absence from the show, much like when Chicago PD sent Adam Ruzek undercover years ago while actor Patrick John Flueger was busy filming The Super.
However, if that’s not the situation, both he and his character deserve more recognition. Mehcad Brooks stepped in to stabilize the series following Anthony Anderson’s exit, and he has excelled in that role. Alongside Reid Scott, they have emerged as one of the standout detective duos in Law & Order.
While Shaw did receive a spotlight episode in Season 24 Episode 14, indicating he hasn’t been entirely overlooked, the series will face a significant hurdle if he doesn’t make a full return in Episode 16.
Law & Order Dramatizes One of The Most Controversial Murders In America
Folk Hero opens with the shocking daylight murder of Logan Andrews, the CEO of the made-up health insurance firm Opti Shield. A significant portion of the narrative focuses on the frantic chase for the suspect through the streets of New York, featuring a sequence of thrilling pursuit scenes.
As the story unfolds, the legal aspect highlights Ethan Weller being hailed as a hero, but soon, the situation begins to unravel.
Anyone familiar with Law & Order understands that the series built its reputation on a “ripped from the headlines” strategy. This knack for transforming current events into engaging fictional narratives has propelled the show to its 24th season. It has even enabled Wolf Entertainment to leverage the brand for a true crime podcast.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that Folk Hero draws from the Mangione case, which captured national attention in 2024. The writers are typically quick to incorporate such timely topics, as seen when they referenced Ukraine in the Season 23 premiere.
What stands out, however, is the minimal level of fictionalization. This adaptation is more transparent than usual. While names and certain details have been altered, it’s much easier to connect Episode 16 to its real-life counterpart than with most Law & Order episodes.
The show does take some liberties with its typical format by dedicating the initial segment of the episode to Riley and Sergeant Danny DeLuca, portrayed by Jesse Metcalfe from Dallas and Desperate Housewives, as they literally chase Weller around town instead of engaging in the usual investigative activities.
It becomes somewhat comical how their path is consistently blocked by various vehicles. Furthermore, when other citizens quickly attempt to hinder their chase, these characters come off as overly exaggerated, making it hard to view them as credible threats.
The interaction between Riley and the woman in the coffee shop is particularly awkward, as the woman’s insistence on her point feels excessively forced.
The episode Folk Hero could have been more impactful if it had taken a step back from reality and dialed down the drama. While the “ripped from the headlines” approach is effective, it doesn’t require the writers to adhere too closely to the real-life case that served as inspiration.
The audience can grasp the concept without that tight connection. By introducing a greater degree of separation and enhancing the development of guest characters, viewers would have been able to engage more deeply with the fictional narrative.
Law & Order Season 24 Episode 16 Delves Into Intense Dramatic Challenges
Regardless of the audience’s opinions on the source material, the main takeaway is that Law & Order Season 24 Episode 16 is not particularly well-crafted. Folk Hero opts for certain dramatic choices that feel forced and relies on several clichés that have plagued the series throughout the season.
In contrast, Season 24 Episode 15, Crossing Lines, effectively challenged norms to convey its message about the media, but this script takes it a step further. The overt characterization of the pro-Ethan characters serves as a prime example, and this issue persists into the latter part of the episode.
Benito Martinez’s portrayal of Judge Moscatello in American Crime feels underutilized, as the character engages in perplexing actions merely to maintain narrative intrigue. He permits Ethan, who confesses to shooting Andrews after Opti Shield denied his mother’s cancer treatment, to deliver an emotional monologue to the jury.
He also allows Ethan to testify about his mother’s potential survival, despite Nolan Price highlighting Ethan’s lack of medical knowledge. Additionally, Price later criticizes Moscatello’s inconsistent responses to the jury’s inquiries.
This character lacks credibility, which detracts from the audience’s immersion in the story. While Ethan’s defense—claiming he was protecting others from the fallout of Opti Shield—requires a leap of faith, it could spark meaningful discussion if it weren’t overshadowed by these other implausible elements.
Episode 16 revisits familiar narrative elements that fans have encountered previously. Price remains focused on enforcing the law strictly, while Samantha Maroun steps in with her empathetic perspective towards the defendant.
Once more, Nicholas Baxter has a personal connection to the case and seeks to discuss the public perception with Price. If Nolan Price could channel his frustrations—often stemming from his own team—he could truly become one of the standout attorneys in the Law & Order franchise.
When it comes to frustration, the most challenging aspect of Law & Order Season 24 Episode 16 is its abrupt ending, cutting to black without delivering a verdict or any form of resolution. The writers ignite a lively debate but leave the narrative unresolved.
This open-endedness is likely to persist, as the official synopsis for Episode 17 introduces a completely different storyline. While the intention may be to spark conversation, leaving the conclusion to the audience feels like an easy way out.
It invites viewers to engage deeply, only to leave them hanging. Just because the real-life case remains undecided doesn’t mean Law & Order should shy away from taking a stance in its fictional narrative, even if it concludes with the lawyers contemplating the righteousness of the outcome.