American Dream (L&O)

"American Dream"
←	L&O, Episode 4.08	→
Production number: 69018 First aired: 9 November 1993
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Written By Sibyl Gardner Directed By Constantine Makris

The discovery of a decomposed body at a Manhattan construction site leads to a new trial for a prisoner who is serving time in the victim's murder.

Cast

Main cast

• Jerry Orbach as Detective Lennie Briscoe
• Chris Noth as Detective Mike Logan
• S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
• Michael Moriarty as Executive A.D.A. Benjamin Stone
• Jill Hennessy as A.D.A. Claire Kincaid
• Steven Hill as D.A. Adam Schiff
• Carolyn McCormick as Dr. Elizabeth Olivet (credit only)

Recurring cast

• Bernie McInerney as Judge Michael Callahan
• Josh Pais as Assistant M.E. Borak
• La Donna Mabry as Dubief
• John Fiore as Detective Tony Profaci
• Norma Fire as Appellate Judge Pamela Jensen

Guest cast

• Zeljko Ivanek as Phillip Swann
• Scott Sowers as Billy Doyle
• Mark Tymchyshyn as Chip Rafferty
• Sophie Hayden as Beverly Dorfman
• Bernie Passeltiner as Harry Schuman
• Margaret Hilton as Mrs. Whitaker
• Guy Davis as Russell Bobbit
• Jeff Robins as John Ross
• Stephen Payne as George Mazlansky
• Charles Major as Peterson
• Paul Hoover as Peabody
• Tanny McDonald as Appellate Judge Ellen Fraser
• George Bartenieff as Appellate Judge Fred McNamara
• Chester A. Sims II as Appellate Judge Gordon Humphrey
• Stephen Myles Berger as Liebowitz
• Jane Caldwell as Jill
• Vic Noto as Parking Attendant
• Matt Malloy as Crime Scene Unit Technician #1
• Joel Blake as Murphy
• Kay Walbye as Jury Forewoman

References

• Buckley v. Fitzsimmons

Quotes

Phillip Swann: So, who makes the first move?

Stone: I want a confession. Not only for the murder of Russell Bobbit, but for the murder of Sid Cohen as well.

Swann: And give away my greatest victory?

Stone: Take this man back to his cell.

Swann: You give up so easy? It doesn't make any sense, Ben; you're being totally impractical… and it's not like you.

Stone: Obviously you don't know me...you never did.

Stone: I guess you just weren't clever enough...

Swann: I got this far, Ben.

Stone: A lot of effort to wind up right back where you started. And in polite society, sir, you don't call people by their first name unless they ask you to. I didn't do that. You're not a friend, and you're certainly not a colleague.

Swann: I spent eight years earning the right to call you whatever the hell I want.

Swann: Mr. Swann, do you routinely list killing people as part of your daily calendar?

Stone: Mr. Stone, do you routinely lack a sense of humor?

Swann: About murder, I have none, sir.

Background information and notes

• This episode is based on the Ron Levin case, which was also the subject of a 1980s telemovie, The Billionaire Boys Club. The plot even includes a scene of Swann making a note in his planner to commit the murder, just as Joe Hunt penned "Kill Ron Levin" in his daily agenda. (Source: Billionaire Boys Club at Wikipedia)
• This episode was later adapted into the Law & Order: UK episode "Unsafe".

Episode scene cards

1	2	3
Queen Anne's Buttons 518 Madison Avenue Monday, May 17	Apartment of Beverly Dorfman 2327 Park Avenue Tuesday, May 18	Chip Rafferty Former V.P. Swann's CO. Wednesday, June 2

4	5	6
Forensics Laboratory One Police Plaza Friday, June 4	Supreme Court Trial Part 73 Tuesday, July 20	Supreme Court Trial Part 73 Monday, August 9

7	8	9
Swann V. Stone Deposition Monday, October 4	Ossining Correctional Facility Tuesday, October 5	27th Precinct Interrogation Room Wednesday, October 6

Previous episode: "Apocrypha"

"American Dream" Law & Order Season 4

Next episode: "Born Bad"