Law & Order Season 25 Kicks Off With “Street Justice”
Law & Order returns with its Season 25 premiere, “Street Justice.” Picking up directly from Season 24’s cliffhanger, the episode centers on Sam Maroun (Odelya Halevi) and the lingering question: did she take justice into her own hands after Carter Mills (Jordan M. Cox), her sister’s killer, walked free?
Sam Maroun’s Vulnerability
The episode opens with Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy) and Nick Baxter (Tony Goldwyn) wrestling with doubts about Sam’s involvement. Meanwhile, Sam struggles to contain her anger. Evidence temporarily points to her: surveillance shows a woman fleeing the scene, and Brady discovers a gun of the same type Sam owns. The search warrant on her apartment raises the tension.
Halevi shines as Sam admits she intended to kill Carter but stopped herself, throwing her gun into the East River. This moment makes her deeply human, showing her vulnerability without reducing her to a cliché.
The Case Gets Complicated
Once Sam is cleared, the investigation shifts to Julia (Christine Spang), Carter’s ex-girlfriend. Surveillance footage shows her buying a gun, and her testimony reveals Carter’s violent actions, echoing Sam’s own trauma. Julia claims self-defense, but the question remains: fear or premeditated revenge?
The tension between Sam and Nolan drives the episode. Nolan wants strict adherence to the law, while Sam emphasizes justice and the system’s failures. When Julia admits she had waited outside, Sam faces a moral choice. She tells Nolan the truth but argues for a manslaughter plea, reinforcing that winning at all costs isn’t justice. Nolan’s agreement underscores the trust and respect in their partnership.
Character Changes and New Dynamics
The episode explains Detective Jalen Shaw’s (Mehcad Brooks) departure: he returns to his preferred Brooklyn precinct. David Ajala is announced as the new detective, promising fresh dynamics in the team.
A Strong Season Opener
“Street Justice” successfully resolves the previous season’s cliffhanger, highlights Halevi’s performance, and balances the procedural and emotional elements that make Law & Order iconic. If the season continues this way, viewers are in for a compelling, morally complex ride.