Big Bang

"Big Bang"
←	L&O, Episode 4.16	→
Production number: 69027 First aired: 2 March 1994
	{{{nNthProducedInSeries}}}th of 456 produced in L&O
←	{{{nNthReleasedInSeries}}}th of 456 released in L&O	→
	{{{nNthReleasedInAll}}}th of 1271 released in all
Written By Ed Zuckerman Directed By Dann Florek

Plot

A scientist becomes the chief suspect after his wife is the victim of a letter bomb.

Cast

Main cast

• Jerry Orbach as Detective Lennie Briscoe
• Chris Noth as Detective Mike Logan
• S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
• Michael Moriarty as Executive A.D.A. Benjamin Stone
• Jill Hennessy as A.D.A. Claire Kincaid
• Steven Hill as D.A. Adam Schiff
• Carolyn McCormick as Dr. Elizabeth Olivet (credit only)

Recurring cast

• Bill Moor as Defense Attorney Bill Patton
• Rochelle Oliver as Judge Grace Larkin

Guest cast

• Randle Mell as Max Weiss
• Jennifer Van Dyck as Shelly Conners
• Harris Yulin as Edward Manning
• Karen Sillas as Cynthia Thomas
• Vince Viverito as Frank Rossi
• Ellen Lancaster as Alice Weiss
• Jeff Gendelman as Barry Ramsey
• Brenda Denmark as Mary Willoughby
• Jeanne Paulsen as Margaret Chandler
• Steve Boles as Samuel Kessler
• Nancy Bell as Phyllis Schur
• Vincent Pastore as Jack
• Lori Brown as Martha
• Malachy Cleary as Sanders
• Patrick McCullough as Jury Foreman

References

• Bosnia
• FBI
• Geneva, Switzerland
• Florence Manning (victim)
• Elvis Presley
• United States Army Reserve
• Wisconsin
• Proton decay
• God
• Hudson Polytech
• Manhattan University
• Arthur Steadman
• Nobel Prize
• Confetti
• Postmark
• Grand Central Station
• George Metesky (a.k.a "The Mad Bomber")
• Junk mail
• Chain letter
• Cornell University
• Time machine
• Forensics
• RDX
• Firing pin
• Merry Christmas
• Physics
  • Experimental physics
  • Theoretical physics
• Geiger counter
• Uranium
• Radioactivity
  • Cobalt-56
• Isotope
• Nuclear reactor
• Gamma ray spectrum
• Particle accelerator
• Scientific collaboration network
• Scientific experiment
• University of Wisconsin
• Oberlin University
• Blackballing
• Associate professor
• Army reserve
• Scientific experiment
• Attica
• Phone book
• National Geographic
• Scientific misconduct

Background information and notes

• This episode appears to have been based off of the serial bombings committed by the then-uncaught Theodore Kaczynski (a.k.a. "The Unabomber"). Although Kaczynski was arrested two years after the episode aired, he interestingly shares some similarities with the defendant: both were disgruntled scientific geniuses, had thick beards, lived simple lifestyles, and eventually targeted scientists in bombings.
• Another episode in the Law & Order franchise that centers on physicists is the Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode "Inert Dwarf".

Episode scene cards

1	2	3
Hudson Polytech 1200 West 110th Street Chemistry Laboratory Tuesday, January 18	Apartment of Max and Alice Weiss 204 Bank Street Monday, January 24	27th Precinct Interrogation Room Thursday, January 27

4	5	6
Professor Samuel Kessler Taylor University Wednesday, February 23	Chambers of Judge Grace Larkin Monday, February 28	Executive Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Stone Friday, March 4

7	8
Murder Trial of Max Weiss Supreme Court Trial Part 57 Tuesday, March 22	Sentencing Hearing Supreme Court Trial Part 57 Monday, April 4

Previous episode: "Kids"

"Big Bang" Law & Order Season 4

Next episode: "Mayhem"