Sects

"Sects"
←	L&O, Episode 15.19	→
Production number: E5324 First aired: 30 March 2005
	{{{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 Frank Pugliese Directed By Richard Dobbs

Plot

Fontana and Green investigate a woman's murder and uncover a cult that involves the sexual abuse of children.

Cast

Main cast

• Dennis Farina as Detective Joe Fontana
• Jesse L. Martin as Detective Ed Green
• S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
• Sam Waterston as Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy
• Annie Parisse as A.D.A. Alexandra Borgia
• Fred Dalton Thompson as D.A. Arthur Branch

Recurring cast

• Fran Lebowitz as Arraignment Judge Janice Goldberg
• Connie Winston as Judge Shirley Taylor
• Selenis Leyva as Detective Mariluz Rivera

Guest cast

• Austin Lysy as Richard Ranson / Daniel Shelby
• David Thornton as Defense Attorney Lionel Granger
• Marisa Ryan as Stacey Ranson
• Deborah Hedwall as Mrs. Shelby
• Merritt Wever as Sunshine Porter
• Clifford David as Oswald Jackson
• Robin L. Taylor as Jared Weston
• Drew McVety as FBI Agent
• Richard Robichaux as Coworker
• Antony Hagopian as Surgeon
• Erik Frandsen as Clerk
• Robert Funaro as Uni
• Stephen Berger as Judge Thomas Huse
• Sarah Louise Lilley as Young Woman
• Bryant Richards as Young Man
• Brandon Cusma as Uni #2
• Robert Bizik as Chief Executive Officer
• Doris Skisdopolus as Foreperson

References

• Argentina
• Belgium
• Gautama Buddha
• California
• Jesus Christ
• The Children of the Divine
• Delores Diamond
• FBI
• Saint Francis
• Galileo Galilei
• IRS
• Mary, Queen of Scots
• Maryann Miller (victim)
• Mexico
• Muhammed
• Philippines
• David Shelby
• Joseph Smith
• Texas

Quotes

Jack McCoy: Then you're not interested in a plea?

Mother Shelby: What would I plead guilty to, Mr. McCoy? Trying to bring my children closer to God? Making them aware of the divine spark that burns within? And now I'm being persecuted for it? Hm?

Background information and notes

• Goof: This episode aired March 30, 2005. However, the episode scene cards correspond to the days and dates of 2004.

Episode scene cards

1	2	3
Travel Planet 71 West 19th Street Saturday, March 13	Apartment of Stacey Ranson 6 Cornelia Street Saturday, March 13	Bellevue Hospital 462 First Avenue Monday, March 15

4	5	6
District Attorney's Office Conference Room Tuesday, April 6	Supreme Court Trial Part 18 Monday, April 26	Supreme Court Trial Part 77 Tuesday, May 4

7
Supreme Court Trial Part 77 Friday, May 7

Previous episode: "Dining Out"

"Sects" Law & Order Season 15

Next episode: "Tombstone"