Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Law and Order season 24, episode 7.Law and OrderNicholas Baxter demonstrates his hypocrisy with his decision in season 24, episode 7, “Truth and Consequences.” After joining the Law and Order cast, Baxter promises to be a different kind of district attorney than Jack McCoypromising to put justice for New York City residents above winning or losing any specific case. This stance has often put him at odds with Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price, who believes Baxter makes decisions for the wrong reasons.
Law and OrderBaxter’s change of tone continues with “Truth and Consequences”, when he faces an ethical dilemma. The success of the case against a student for the murder of his teacher depends on the testimony of the teacher’s wife, a judge who fears that his history of opioid addiction will come to light and ruin his career. When the DA’s office subpoenas the judge, the mayor talks to Baxter and asks him to back off, claiming that this scandal would cause all of the judge’s previous cases to be thrown out. Sadly, Baxter decides to follow his recommendation.
Baxter’s Law & Order Season 24 Episode 7 Decision Shows His Hypocrisy
Lying to Price about motives proves it’s not about justice
Baxter likely justifies his decision by focusing on the mayor’s warning that moving forward would lead to hundreds of cases being dismissed. However, there is probably another reason that he won’t admit. Although the district attorney is an elected position, a mayor who is unhappy with him could wage a campaign against him. This would make it harder for Baxter to do his job and could lose him in the next election. That’s why, Baxter’s decision to follow the mayor’s recommendation has more to do with his own career prospects than getting justice.
Price correctly calls out Baxter for his hypocrisy when Baxter claims he is “doing what was best for the people of this city.” As Price points out, no one cares about the consequences of forcing a Palestinian immigrant student to testify, even if it could mean expulsion from school and deportation from the U.S. However, Baxter goes to great lengths to protect a judge from embarrassment on the stand . If Baxter believes he is doing what is best for the city, he should tell Price about the fear of other cases being overturned instead of resorting to empty platitudes.
How Baxter Can Redeem Himself in Law and Order
He will need to face power again
It’s a shame Baxter let the mayor intimidate him and not put the judge on the stand. However, he can still redeem himself by demonstrating a willingness to take on powerful interests in the name of justice. He does this in Law and Order season 23, episode 22, when he ignores his wife’s demands that he step aside from the prosecutor’s race and not allow his daughter to testify against a man who tried to murder him. Such incidents make it clear that he is capable of courage when it suits him.
Law and Order needs to redeem Baxter as quickly as possible, making him find the courage to face powerful people in the name of justice.
It’s quite disappointing that Sam Waterston’s Jack McCoy is one of the characters who didn’t return to the Law and Order franchise for season 24, and Baxter demonstrating that he has less integrity than McCoy makes this even worse. That’s why, Law and Order needs to redeem Baxter as quickly as possible, making him find the courage to face powerful people in the name of justice. This is more important than his re-election prospects.