Under the Influence

"Under the Influence"
←	L&O, Episode 8.11	→
Production number: K2517 First aired (US): [[{{{nAirdateDayUS}}} {{{sAirdateMonthUS}}}]] First aired (UK): [[{{{nAirdateDayUK}}} {{{sAirdateMonthUK}}}]] First aired (CAN): [[{{{nAirdateDayCAN}}} {{{sAirdateMonthCAN}}}]] First aired (AUS): [[{{{nAirdateDayAUS}}} {{{sAirdateMonthAUS}}}]]
	{{{nNthProducedInSeries}}}th of 456 produced in L&O
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Written By René Balcer Directed By Adam Davidson

Plot

A drunken driver kills three people and is charged with first-degree murder in a case that causes strong disagreements between McCoy and Ross.

Cast

Main cast

• Jerry Orbach as Detective Lennie Briscoe
• Benjamin Bratt as Detective Rey Curtis
• S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
• Sam Waterston as Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy
• Carey Lowell as A.D.A. Jamie Ross
• Steven Hill as D.A. Adam Schiff

Recurring cast

• Cliff Gorman as Judge Gary Feldman
• David Garrison as Defense Attorney Richard Billings
• John Fiore as Detective Tony Profaci
• Pat Moya as Deborah Curtis
• Arielle Kaplan as Serena Curtis

Guest cast

• Kathryn Meisle as Susan Young
• Gene Canfield as Detective Fred Norris
• Melanie Rey as Mrs. Galvez
• Claywood Sempliner as Defense Attorney Fischer
• Daniel McDonald as Bernard Dressler
• Augusta Dabney as Mrs. LaValle
• Elana Renderos as Tena Galvez
• Robert Catrini as Carl Pettijohn
• Chuck Montgomery as Bob Gilsdorf
• Rony Clanton as Alternator Jones
• Europe Harmon as Reggie Clanton
• Susan Pilar as Gabrielle Barra
• Joseph P. Dandry as Day Doorman
• Michael Ciulla as Night Doorman
• Matthew Lewis as Judge Dennis Murphy
• Lauren Kaplan as Isabel Curtis
• Joshua C. Stamberg as Mechanic
• Patrick InZetta as Uniform Policeman

References

• Colombia
• Iran
• Claire Kincaid
• Massachusetts
• Carrie Nation
• Colombia
• Russia

Quotes

“	Your car came back from Russia, Bernie, with love.	”
–Lennie Briscoe arresting Bernard Dressler

Jack McCoy: Kills three people and hides behind the bottle.

Jamie Ross: The law says he can.

Jack McCoy: The law. Probably written on a cocktail napkin. Intent follows the bullet. It shouldn't matter if it was fired by a drunk or by Carrie Nation.

Jamie Ross: Has he talked to you about this case?

Lennie Briscoe: McCoy? Eh, briefings, witness preps.

Jamie Ross: I don't mean that.

Lennie Briscoe: You mean, has he said, "This one's for Claire Kincaid"? No. That guy got 12 months at Mount McGregor.

“	This is the District Attorney's office! We prosecute criminals! If you could stop thinking like a defense attorney maybe you'd grasp the concept!	”
–McCoy snaps at Ross

Background information and notes

Episode scene cards

1	2	3
NY County Morgue 540 First Avenue Monday, October 14	One Police Plaza Accident Investigation Unit Wednesday, October 16	John F. Kennedy International Airport Friday, October 18

4	5	6
Office of Bernard Dressler 786 Fifth Avenue Tuesday, October 29	Karl's Exotic Car Emporium 437 West 19th Street Friday, November 1	Chambers of Judge Gary Feldman Thursday, November 14

7	8
Supreme Court Trial Part 86 Tuesday, January 7	Supreme Court Trial Part 86 Wednesday, January 8

Previous episode: "Ritual"

"Under the Influence" Law & Order Season 8

Next episode: "Expert"