“Folk Hero” – LAW & ORDER, Pictured: (l-r) Maura Tierney as Lieutenant Jessica Brady, Reid Scott as Detective Vincent Riley. Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC @ 2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
On the "Law" side, the story follows the assassination of Logan Andrews (Laird Mackintosh), an insurance company CEO portrayed as a soulless capitalist prioritizing “profits over people.” “Folk Hero” feels like an ode to Luigi Mangione. Both the fictional and real-life cases grapple with the unsettling question: is putting “profits over people” ever a justifiable reason for murder?
Detective Riley (Reid Scott), joined by this week’s guest star Jesse Metcalfe as Sgt. Danny DeLuca, contends with a public sentiment favoring the murderer. The fugitive charms a barista who refuses to cooperate with the police and captivates social media, achieving an almost mythic status as young men dress like him to confuse law enforcement. Lieutenant Jessica Brady (Maura Tierney) notes that there were 37 sightings of men impersonating Weller in what she calls their “I am Spartacus moment.”
“Folk Hero” – LAW & ORDER, Pictured: (l-r) Jesse Metcalfe as Sgt. Danny DeLuca, Reid Scott as Detective Vincent Riley. Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC @ 2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Detective Riley’s chaotic pursuit, enhanced by frenzied camera work, conveys growing frustration as Ethan Weller (Ty Molbak), the suspect, mocks law enforcement. Weller evades capture for a while, turning the investigation into a tense cat-and-mouse game. Eventually, Riley arrests Weller in the act of assassinating another insurance company CEO.
On the "Order" side, ADA Price (Hugh Dancy) resumes his moral and philosophical tug-of-war with District Attorney Nicholas Baxter (Tony Goldwyn). Price remains unwavering in his black-and-white view of justice, arguing that the overwhelming evidence demands a trial without a plea deal. Baxter, however, adopts a more pragmatic and political stance.
Faced with pressure from other insurance company CEOs—fearful that this case could paint a target on their industry—Baxter reaches out to Weller’s attorney, Megan Stratton (Laila Robins), to discuss a plea deal. When Baxter presents the plea option to ADA Price, Price steadfastly refuses, declaring, “This is the strongest case I’ve ever had.”
“Folk Hero” – LAW & ORDER, Pictured: Tony Goldwyn as DA Nicholas Baxter. Photo by: Will Hart/NBC @ 2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Despite Price’s confidence, the courtroom drama quickly unravels. Weller’s attorney introduces a bold strategy: the "defense of others" doctrine. She argues that Weller’s actions were driven by a patriotic need to protect others from harm, a claim that resonates with the jury and public alike.
In Judge Moscatello’s (Benito Martinez) chambers, Price vehemently objects to this unprecedented defense strategy, arguing it is inappropriate for this case. The Judge overrules, asserting that it is up to the jury—not the prosecution—to decide on the defense's validity.
Price’s understanding of justice is further challenged by both Judge Moscatello and his colleagues. ADA Maroun (Odelya Halevi), for instance, takes a more nuanced stance. She empathizes with the public's anger toward the healthcare industry while remaining dedicated to her role. Referring to Weller’s notebook, she comments, “What the insurance company did to his mother was despicable.”
District Attorney Baxter, whose elected position adds another layer of complexity, presses Price to consider the public’s opinion on the case’s outcome. Baxter’s drive to win is fueled as much by optics as by justice, as he weighs the broader implications beyond the courtroom—considerations Price staunchly rejects.
Price doubles down on his approach, emphasizing that public opinion is irrelevant to the prosecution’s duty. Instead, he focuses on securing justice for the victim and the victim’s family. While Baxter admires Price’s resolve, he doesn’t necessarily share his optimism. Ultimately, Baxter warns Price, “Make no mistake, we must win!”
Price calls Detective Riley to the stand, where Riley reads an excerpt from Weller’s notes explaining his motives. Riley recounts to the jury, “Americans spent $7.5 trillion last year on healthcare, which was responsible for two-thirds of the medical-based bankruptcies in the country.” He continues, “OptiShield’s business model is designed to profit off human pain.”
In response, Stratton calls the only other suspect interviewed by Riley and DeLuca: Jerry Waldman (Michael Stewart Allen). Waldman, fired by Andrews for wanting to shelve a flawed algorithm, describes the company’s business model as “delay, deny, defend.” Stratton gets Waldman to testify that his statistical model contributed to the deaths of 46,456 people, bolstering her “defense of others” strategy. Price counters during cross-examination, getting Waldman to admit that these deaths were “guesstimates” and that none of the victims had met Andrews, making it impossible to claim the CEO personally killed them.
“Folk Hero” – LAW & ORDER, Pictured: (l-r) Ty Molbak as Ethan Weller, Laila Robins as Atty. Megan Stratton. Photo by: Will Hart/NBC @ 2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Stratton’s final witness is Weller himself, who shares the heartbreaking story of how OptiShield refused to cover a potentially life-saving drug for his mother due to its high cost. As Weller’s emotional testimony sways the jury, Price, fearing the risk of acquittal, approaches Stratton with a plea deal: second-degree murder with a 15-year sentence. Stratton laughs, replying, “Half of them are ready to grab a pitchfork and join the revolution.”
This forces Price to admit to Baxter, “I may have underestimated…” to which Baxter asks, “Can we still win?” Price responds, “If people still believe in the rule of law.”
The episode’s climax centers on the jury’s verdict—but the scene fades to black before it is revealed. This bold storytelling choice leaves viewers in suspense, mirroring the unresolved real-world case. While the ambiguity heightens the intrigue, it also raises ethical concerns about dramatizing recent tragic events.
“If people still believe in the rule of law” is the episode’s central, complicated question. The writers explore not only public perception’s influence on justice but also the moral gray areas defining what many see as an increasingly eroding legal system. Price’s unyielding stance is admirable in theory, but his character arc subtly but powerfully highlights the limitations of his ideology. This unsettled me deeply.
“Folk Hero” – LAW & ORDER, Pictured: Hugh Dancy as A.D.A. Nolan Price. Photo by: Will Hart/NBC @ 2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
While the Luigi Mangione-inspired persona sets the stage for the plot, it is the philosophical debate about the rule of law—between Baxter and Price, in Judge Moscatello's chambers, and in the courtroom—that elevates this episode from a standard procedural to a profound exploration of justice. “Folk Hero” is a “watch at your own risk” experience for both fans and casual viewers.
What do you think about the show’s decision not to reveal the verdict? Let us know in the comments.
Overall Rating:
8:10
Lynette Jones
