Law and Order
"Over Here"
L&O, Episode 17.21
Production number: 17021
First aired: 11 May 2007
  th of 456 produced in L&O  
th of 456 released in L&O
  th of 1271 released in all  
Written By
William N. Fordes

Directed By
Constantine Makris

Plot[]

The investigation into the brutal beatings of two homeless men leads the detectives to a disturbed young war vet and a filthy ward in a local V.A. hospital. McCoy learns that the young man, Bobby Cole was injured in Iraq and didn't get the treatment he needed, causing him to have mood problems that led him to snap and kill the two men. While McCoy tries to introduce evidence of the deplorable conditions at the hospital, the federal government institutes a cover-up and blocks it, but in doing so, also negates the defense attorney's case. McCoy prepares to plead him out, as instructed by Arthur Branch. Van Buren approaches McCoy and points out how horrible it is for wounded vets to come home from war to face that sort of treatment. McCoy seems to understand that this poor treatment needs to be exposed and the trial continues. He puts one of the hospital doctors on the stand and, after some consideration, he uses the opportunity to expose the conditions at the hospital. The doctor claims that they weren't prepared for the sheer number of wounded veterans coming home from the war and they were well over budget as it is. Afterwards, McCoy offers Cole a deal of 25 years to life in prison, explaining that while he's sympathetic to what the young man went through, it doesn't mitigate the fact that he knew he had a problem and what he had to do to treat it. Cole decides to take the deal, stating that at least he'll get his medication now. The federal prosecutor plans to bring McCoy up on contempt charges, and even jail time for his actions, but Branch promises to represent him at the hearing and not to worry.

Cast[]

Main cast[]

Guest cast[]

Guest cast[]

References[]

Iraq; Office of Veteran Affairs; United States Army

Quotes[]

Vet: First human I work on and he dies.
Ed Green: At least you tried.
Arthur Branch (to McCoy): I just got off the phone with the U.S. Attorney's office. They're seeking contempt charges against you. Talking about jail time.
Connie Rubirosa: I'm gonna go bake you a cake. Put a hacksaw in it.
Jack McCoy: Make it chocolate.
Arthur Branch: I wouldn't worry too much about jail. You'll have the very best legal representation at the contempt hearing.
Jack McCoy: You?
Arthur Branch: And at a reasonable fee. But, Jack, don't do that again. Not on my watch.
Jack McCoy: When we send our soldiers, no, strike that. When we send our children to fight in a war of choice don't we have the moral obligation, the patriotic duty, to care for those who come home alive, whatever the cost?

Background information and notes[]

Episode scene cards[]

1 2 3

Hudson Fines Autos
851 Madison Avenue
Wednesday, March 15

Delancey Hotel
363 East 2nd Street
Thursday, March 16

Magazines Now
Newark, New Jersey
Tuesday, March 21

4 5 6

Rikers Island
Correctional Facility
Tuesday, March 21

Supreme Court
Motion Hearing
Monday, March 27

Linden V.A. Hospital
Brooklyn, New York
Tuesday, April 4

7 8 9

Rikers Island
Correctional Facility
Thursday, April 6

Supreme Court
Trial Part 70
Monday, May 8

Supreme Court
Trial Part 70
Monday, May 8

Previous episode:
"Captive"
"Over Here"
Law & Order
Season 17
Next episode:
"The Family Hour"
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