Nolan and Sam are my favorites on Law & Order. I’ve often appreciated that they balance each other out.
Sam used to be the more openly compassionate one, especially toward certain witnesses or suspects, but lately, Nolan has stepped into that role, too.
It’s honestly giving me whiplash. One week, they show compassion to suspects and witnesses, and the next, they’re downright cutthroat.
It hasn’t helped that Sam and Nolan have switched roles. We’ve witnessed Sam playing the more cutthroat side, while Nolan seemed more sympathetic.
We never thought we would see that.
While I appreciate character growth and evolution and love that Law & Order portrays “gray” cases rather than cut-and-dried ones, Nolan and Sam still need some balance.
Nolan and Sam Switched Roles When Sam Reminded Him of the Law
On recent episodes of Law & Order Season 25, the series has explored the uncomfortable themes of morality, injustice, and citizens’ duty.
It has also explored the topic that sometimes decent people still commit murder, and they still should be prosecuted, and it’s the prosecution’s job to find justice even for scumbags.
Generally, Sam has struggled with that theme more than others.
We’ve seen that at the beginning of Law & Order Season 25, when almost everyone thought Sam would do some vigilante justice on the man who raped and murdered her sister.
She didn’t, but she was put in a difficult position when another one of his victims admitted she planned his murder after Sam and Nolan got her a plea deal. For once, she and Nolan agreed the survivor had suffered enough.
Sam often showed empathy towards both suspects and survivors, which made it surprising when Nolan wanted to plead down a recent case; she thought he should stand firm.
I Appreciate Insight Into Characters’ Lives, but This Gives Me Whiplash
I appreciate that Nolan hesitated to prosecute Carol to the fullest degree, partly because her daughter was dying from cancer, and the victim, Emily, tricked her daughter into taking holistic remedies instead of medication.
Carol only shot Emily so she could help her daughter. Nolan lost his mom to cancer when he was younger and sympathized with Carol.
There was no question that she killed Emily, but her motives were understandable, so he offered her a lesser charge and lighter sentence.
Unfortunately, she refused it, and Sam seemed determined to prove her guilty.
I couldn’t believe Sam refused to reveal that Emily never actually had cancer, especially when Emily had manipulated vulnerable fans into trusting her so-called remedies.
It seemed especially heartless since Nolan had used so many tricks to get witnesses on the stand, but they could not use this testimony.
Sam thought it would give the defense an edge, and even good people must be held accountable.
However, we saw Nolan mess with other good people’s lives when they didn’t want to testify, so where is the balance?
I know the importance of witness testimony, but the DAs could have been more sympathetic or offered protection, especially for the undercover cop, who reluctantly blew his cover to identify a gang shooter.
Nolan only acted like it wasn’t his problem.
He made things even worse when he threatened a witness in a different case with sex-trafficking charges if she didn’t testify that she saw the suspect at a sex party with her. That destroyed her marriage.
While I love Nolan and Sam, their inconsistency and wild swings between compassion and ruthlessness are giving me serious whiplash. It’s frustrating how they change their minds based on their personal lives.
Where Do You Stand on the DAs?
We’ve talked about how procedurals need to delve into characters’ personal lives for us to care about them.
However, that’s a fine line with lawyers when they present their case and let their personal lives and opinions seep in.
I understand Sam having sympathy for survivors who go after their assailants, or Nolan struggling with cancer or dementia cases after his parents.
It makes them human, which is relatable and makes me like them more. But they still need to find a better solution in the courtroom.
Over to you, Law & Order Fanatics. Do Nolan and Sam’s tactics give you whiplash, or are you enjoying the series and finding them more engaging?
We want to hear from you, so drop your thoughts in the comments.
Let’s keep the conversation going — it’s the only way the good stuff survives.
Say something in the comments, share if you’re moved to do so, and keep reading. Independent voices need readers like you.
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