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"The Reaper's Helper"
L&O, Episode 1.03
Production number: 66215
First aired (US): 4 October 1990
First aired (AUS): 10 August 1993
  th of 456 produced in L&O  
th of 456 released in L&O
  th of 1271 released in all  
Logan Robinette Greevey The Reaper's Helper
Teleplay By
Thomas Francis McElroy, David Black & Robert Stuart Nathan

Story By
Thomas Francis McElroy

Directed By
Vern Gillum

The death of a man with AIDS appears to be the work of a serial killer who may have been motivated by lust.

Plot[]

Construction worker Bobby Holland is found shot to death in his apartment. Logan and Greevey investigate and soon learn that Holland was gay. After reading a magazine article, Greevey connects the death to another in Los Angeles, which leads them to a similar murder in San Francisco. The detectives arrest Jack Curry, who is connected to all three cases. Curry admits his involvement and claims that each man asked him to help them commit suicide because they had AIDS. The idea of murdering someone with AIDS sounded very erotic to Curry - so he did as they asked. Stone is troubled about prosecuting the case because of his doubts that Curry did anything wrong.

Cast[]

Main cast[]

Recurring cast[]

Guest cast[]

References[]

  • Gay Men Allied Against AIDS
  • Paradise Lost Bar
  • Bobby Holland (victim)

Quotes[]

Max Greevey: Do you think a lot of cops are gay?
Mike Logan: No way, man. The department's got a special test. They look you in the eye, and if your left eye blinks before your right eye, they know you're gay." [Blinks at Greevey with his left eye]

Benjamin Stone: It only hurts when I prosecute.

Jack Curry: What gives you the right to decide how I should live the rest of my life?
Benjamin Stone: Unfortunately, you did. Not once, not twice, but three times.

Max Greevey: Who shoots in the head besides dealers?
Mike Logan: A robber who gets surprised?
Max Greevey: A burglar who's so surprised, he leaves behind a full wallet?

Background information and notes[]

  • During the trial an 'expert witness' claims doctors have the right to assist their patients in dying in the United Kingdom, but this is incorrect. As of 2013, euthanasia still isn't permitted in the UK, but some forms of euthanasia are legal in Belgium, Luxemburg, The Netherlands, Switzerland, the U.S. state of Oregon, the Autonomous Community of Andalusia (Spain) and Thailand.
  • This is actor John Fiore's first appearance as Detective Tony Profaci.
  • The department's fax number is 212-555-8342.
  • The term "Reaper" stands for death, personified as an old man or a skeleton with a scythe, also known as the "Grim Reaper".

Episode scene cards[]

1 2 3

The Home of Mr. & Mrs.
Anthony Holland
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Wednesday, April 15

Paradise Lost Bar
627 W. 57th
Tuesday, April 21

Offices of Gay Men
Allied Against AIDS
533 E. 66th Street
Thursday, July 9

4 5 6

Supreme Court
New York County
Criminal Term
Wednesday, August 22

Supreme Court
Criminal Buildings
New York County
Monday, August 27

Supreme Court
New York County
Criminal Term
Tuesday, August 28

Previous episode:
"Subterranean Homeboy Blues"
"The Reaper's Helper"
Law & Order
Season 1
Next episode:
"Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die"
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