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A heads-up! The eighth episode of the fifth season on Law & Order: Organized Crime, titled “Fail Safe”, is now streaming. To watch it, you’ll need a subscription to Peacock.

Surprisingly, we’re nearing the end of the first season of “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” which is known for its intense, profanity-laced episodes on streaming platforms. With just two episodes left after “Fail Safe,” it seems that the ongoing storyline might not bring back Jet, raising questions about her return before the conclusion of Season 5 in the 2025 TV schedule. This new plotline has introduced a fresh detective character who partnered with Stabler and even hinted at the possible demise of Bernie.

Essentially, these final episodes seemed as if they belonged to a different series or perhaps served as a trial run for Detective Frances Tanner (Olivia Thirlby) and Tate Ellington (the latest addition to Season 4, Tate Ellington). Although the format of Organized Crime was altered, I found these last two episodes to be particularly engaging.

What Happened In “Fail Safe”

After the last incident, it was clear that AG wasn’t finished with his lethal campaign against technology. Having eliminated Skye before she could share information with Tanner, Stabler, and the NYPD, his list of victims expanded to include Tanner herself. He eventually captured her by using artificial intelligence to mimic Stabler’s voice, tricking her into falling into his trap.

The plot point in the narrative brought to mind a case that deeply affected Remy on the show “FBI: Most Wanted” before its recent farewell, and yet I found myself more apprehensive about Tanner as a new character than I was for that case on “Most Wanted”.

AG and their group managed to apprehend Tanner, bound her to a chair with an explosive device attached, and planned to detonate it at the right moment. Luckily, there was enough time for Vargas to perform some technical wizardry, and he successfully disarmed the bomb before it could cause harm to Tanner.

In the plot of “Fail Safe”, the Stabler family became more central and intensified the overall tension. After Joe Jr.’s return at the end of the last episode left Bernie in a state of shock, she suffered a cardiac incident, but fortunately, Randall managed to get her to the hospital just in time. As the Stablers gathered, they cycled through their unique phases of grief – denial, assurances that things would be fine, and expressing their deepest fears about the worst-case scenario unfolding.

Being a devoted admirer of Ellen Burstyn’s portrayal as Bernie Stabler in “The Exorcist,” I found myself on the brink of excitement whenever the episode returned to the hospital setting during her first appearance on “Law & Order: SVU.” Fortunately, Bernie Stabler managed to pull through, and her suspicions about Joe Jr. were later confirmed when she contacted Elliot, proving her intuition spot-on.

Joe made a troubling remark about something imminent, which has raised some red flags, especially considering that just recently, Elliot informed Randall of their youngest brother’s intention to become a criminal informant in Season 4. This could be setting up a complex and challenging final two episodes for the Stabler family.

Why “Fail Safe” Felt Like A Different Show

In “Fail Safe,” Danielle Moné Truitt and Rick Gonzalez were not present in the latest episode, possibly still in Italy following Truitt’s voice role in the previous one. This week, I felt less of a void left by Bell and Reyes compared to last week. Tate Ellington excelled as Vargas, while Olivia Thirlby impressed me as Det. Tanner.

In essence, they didn’t bring in new investigators like Bell and Reyes, but the episode felt different, making me frequently check and anticipate the arrival of the typical Organized Crime team. If you had hinted that this was a trial run for a potential spin-off, I would have found it plausible and likely welcomed the idea.

In the alternate narrative of “Fail Safe,” I found myself deeply engrossed in the Stabler family saga, which surprisingly took center stage. As a devoted fan of this universe, I usually appreciate the character-driven approach of “Organized Crime” compared to shows like “SVU” and “Law & Order.” However, the extensive hospital plotline had me on the edge of my seat, fearing for Bernie’s life. Her heartfelt speech to her sons and granddaughter was so poignant, I thought it might be a tragic farewell. Thankfully, she pulled through, but for a moment there, it seemed like we were saying goodbye.

Fortunately, so far, one of my beloved secondary characters in “OC” remains safe. However, it would be wise for Randall and Elliot to shield her from any updates regarding Joe Jr., unless his situation resolves positively.

Why The Shift From OC’s Usual Stories Worked

In the narrative of the show, it was inevitable that a tale blending technology and artificial intelligence would unfold when Bell and Reyes were written off by the Organized Crime team, giving Vargas more screen time for several episodes. I truly believe that “Fail Safe” wouldn’t have been as effective without Danielle Monê Truitt and Rick Gonzalez contributing to it. As the story progresses, Vargas becomes the central character, and I must admit, Detective Tanner has quickly become my favorite fresh addition to the police force since Sam Bashir in Season 4. (Here’s hoping her time on the show doesn’t follow the same path as Sam’s!)

It seems this was the final episode of Organized Crime’s Season 5 not linked to a main character’s storyline. Although the plot didn’t immediately address the cliffhanger from Season 4 regarding Joe Jr., I anticipate an impactful narrative to compensate for the delay. The first time Joe conversed with Stabler since their Season 4 encounter, over the phone, Joe Jr. commented on Elliot’s baby brother:

Hey Elliot, listen carefully. Regardless of whatever transpires next, which is imminent, let me assure you that my affection for you remains unchanged. I’ve chosen my own path… Just remember that I hold a deep affection for you.

From personal experience having brothers, an unexpected “I love you” might feel less like a heartfelt sentiment and more like a hint of trouble brewing. Joe’s phone call, coupled with his frequent checks on Bernie, suggests that perhaps his new lifestyle hasn’t hardened him entirely, and I eagerly anticipate seeing Michael Trotter in the final two episodes of Season 5.

I’m equally eager for news to surface promptly regarding the renewal of Season 6 for Law & Order: Organized Crime. Ever since its shift to Peacock, I’ve been hooked on the series, however, with two Dick Wolf shows being axed on CBS this spring, I find myself feeling apprehensive about OC’s future.

Speaking of the future, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for more appearances by Olivia Thirlby as Det. Tanner in crime dramas! In the meantime, fans can catch up with her on the latest episodes of Organized Crime, which airs every Thursday on Peacock.

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2025-06-01 02:09