SPOILER ALERT: The following contains spoilers for Law & Order Season 25, Episode 2.

Viewers might think Law & Order Season 25, Episode 2 sounds familiar. That’s because “Hindsight” utilizes one of the same plot tentpoles from Season 24, Episode 15, “Crossing Lines.” However, this episode of the NBC show fares much better. In fact, it’s one of the most satisfying episodes in years.

Both “Crossing Lines” and “Hindsight” feature one of the attorneys discovering that their love interest is on the opposite side, and that relationship making their murder case more complicated. In “Crossing Lines,” District Attorney Nicholas Baxter butted heads with his girlfriend Kate Norris, and the whole episode became polarizing and convoluted. In “Hindsight,” Nolan Price is on the hot seat as his girlfriend Grace Hall turns out to be the suspect’s psychiatrist. The plot is less divisive and as a result, the episode holds together better.

There are still some notes that ring a little hollow. When Cassie Moore is on the witness stand claiming that she killed her classmate Todd Feldman in self-defense, her crying is so over the top that it’s easy for the audience to dismiss it as an act instead of questioning her guilt. And Grace’s spiel about being personally attached to Cassie feels contrived. However, Halt and Catch Fire actor Kerry Bishé is able to make the dialogue work, and it’s lovely that Grace and Nolan are able to interact like reasonable people. That’s a huge and very effective difference from “Crossing Lines,” where Kate became just a one-dimensional antagonist.

Especially since the audience is just now meeting Grace, they have no stake in her or her relationship with Price. The viewer is asked to care about what happens to them cold. That’s a big ask—this episode would have been even better if Law & Order had introduced Grace in a prior episode or two, even if it was just a quick scene. But because the characters don’t turn on each other, fans are able to take their disagreement more seriously. What is most impressive is the final scene, in which Grace still turns up for dinner with Price. Law & Order has often chosen the bad ending, so it’s truly appreciated that their relationship survives and does so in a supportive way.

That goes double because it involves Nolan Price. Hugh Dancy’s character has constantly had the screws put to him, whether it’s in professional disagreements with his cohorts or the Season 24 subplot with his ill father and the return of his brother. He’s always seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. It’s good to see him having a social life and for that social life to work out. Dancy’s performance isn’t to be overlooked either, as he has to sell some awkward moments when Price shows empathy for Cassie. The dialogue doesn’t make it clear enough that his feelings are his own and not because of Grace. But Dancy makes up for that with how earnestly he delivers the lines.

Add in Yellowjackets star Tawny Cypress as the defense attorney, and “Hindsight” is one of the stronger Law & Order episodes since the show was revived. It does preach a little about how hard kids have it these days, but it never feels like it’s trying to get to a point or an ending. Instead, what unfolds feels more like a classic hour of Law & Order, where the story simply gets to breathe. And for once, Nolan Price catches a break.

Law & Order airs Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Photo Credit: Courtesy of NBC.

Article content is (c)2020-2025 Brittany Frederick and may not be excerpted or reproduced without express written permission by the author. Follow me on Twitter at @BFTVTwtr and on Instagram at @BFTVGram. For story pitches, contact me at tvbrittanyf@yahoo.com.