Everybody's Favorite Bagman
From The Law & Order Wiki
| "Everybody's Favorite Bagman" | ||
|---|---|---|
| ← | L&O, Episode 1.06 | → |
| Production number: 83543 First aired: 30 October 1990 | ||
| 1st of 438 produced in L&O | → | |
| ← | 6th of 438 released in L&O | → |
| ← | 6th of 824 released in all | → |
 | ||
| Written By Dick Wolf Directed By John Patterson | ||
The mugging of a councilman leads the detectives to arrest a mobster, who in turn leads Benjamin Stone and Paul Robinette to corrupt city officials.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
When a city councilman is robbed and his throat slit, the investigation ties the victim to organized crime. Logan, Greevey, and an undercover narcotics officer trace the crime to mob figure Tony Scalisi. Stone and Robinette cut a deal with Scalisi, who in turn leads them to corrupt city officials.
[edit] Cast
[edit] Main cast
- George Dzundza as Sergeant Max Greevey
- Chris Noth as Detective Mike Logan
- Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen
- Michael Moriarty as Executive A.D.A. Benjamin Stone
- Richard Brooks as A.D.A. Paul Robinette
- Steven Hill as D.A. Adam Schiff (credit only)
[edit] Guest cast
- Roy Thinnes as D.A. Alfred Wentworth
- David Chandler as Dr. Goldberg
- Ron Foster as William Jefferson
- Paul Guilfoyle as Anthony Scalisi
- Marcia Jean Kurtz as Alice Halsey
- William H. Macy as Assistant U.S. Attorney John McCormack
- Debra Stricklin as Alicia Heslin
- Anthony Means as Simonize Jackson
- Leo O'Brien as Tremaine Lewis
- Trey Wilson as Eddie Cosmatos
- Michael Wikes as Lasco
- Audrey Matson as Maggie
- Dick Latessa as Conti
- Ronald Guttman as Farber
- Mark Boone Jr as General Manager
- Sully Boyar as Swersky
- Stuart Burney as Wentzel
- Stephen Pearlman as Rosen
- Marc Plastrik as Paramedic
- Steven Zirnkilton as NYPD technician (uncredited)
- Mike Starr as Truck Driver (uncredited)
[edit] References
References
[edit] Quotes
"Are you The Man?"
"We sure are, honey."
- - Little girl and Max Greevey
"You ain't got nothing on me, except what he said. And that's just heresy."
"The word's 'hearsay', genius."
- - Simonize Jackson and Max Greevey
[edit] Background information and notes
- This episode was originally written as the pilot episode of the series and was produced in 1988. The series was initially picked up by FOX, which ordered thirteen episodes. They passed the series on to CBS. CBS then turned it down and finally it was picked up by NBC. NBC made the decision to run it later in the first season and to use "Prescription for Death" as the "pilot" episode. In syndication and on the DVD the episode appears in the order it was originally aired in the season (as the sixth episode).
- This episode was inspired by the 1986 New York Parking Violations Bureau corruption scandal. It was alleged that Queens borough president, Donald Manes, had used political appointments and favors as the source of large kickback schemes involving personal bureaucratic fiefdoms such as the NYC Parking Violations Bureau. Zoning franchises and cable TV franchises were being investigated, and some of Manes’ appointees and associates were indicted or forced to resign. Manes committed suicide when his crimes came to light. (Source: Donald Manes at Wikipedia)
- Steven Zirnkilton, best known as the opening credits narrator for all L&O series, makes his sole on-screen appearance in this episode. He is one of the NYPD technicians conducting covert surveillance of a restaurant where corrupt politicians are dining. He has one line of dialogue: "Look at that. Do you believe these guys?"
- Actor William H. Macy's (credited as W.H. Macy for his appearance as Assistant U.S. Attorney John McCormack) career rose significantly in the years following this episode. Macy has been nominated for an Academy Award, several Golden Globe Awards and received an Emmy Award in 2003. Macy also appears in the Law & Order second season episode "Sisters of Mercy" as Jack Powell.
- Another actor who later rose to stardom is Paul Guilfoyle (Anthony Scalisi). Guilfoyle is known for his role as Captain Jim Brass in the original CSI. Like Macy, Guilfoyle also returned to the Law & Order franchise. He appeared in the movie Exiled as Detective Sammy Kurtz.
- Although listed in the opening credits, Steven Hill does not appear as D.A. Adam Schiff in this episode, because he joined the cast after the pilot was filmed. Hill replaced Roy Thinnes as D.A. Alfred Wentworth. Thinnes was the only member of the original cast not to return once the series was picked up by NBC.
- In this episode the detectives from the Homicide Department are stationed at the 36th Precinct. In later episodes the 27th Precinct becomes the base of operations.
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