re: Sam Waterston Exits ‘Law & Order’ After 400+ Episodes....

Watched Waterston’s final episode tonight. It wasn’t a particularly “good” one as basically they had a murderer (Calvin from waiting) who they knew was guilty but had trouble establishing a motive for during the trial. The guy was politically connected and the mayor’s son was the witness, but reluctant to testify as it exposed him as a philanderer. The mayor threatened to ruin the normal exec ADA Nolan, so Jack stepped in and finished the case. Afterward he resigned and withdrew from the upcoming election.

Honestly, it felt a little forced/abrupt and didn’t seem fitting of Sam Waterston’s career with L&O. They should have at least done a two-parter or a crossover with SUV/Organized Crime. There’s no doubt in the reboot he’d been mostly limited to a cameo role (even less than previous DAs imo) but it was still good to see him. Of course, it was apparent too even those scenes were hard on him and in the extended work tonight he looked to be struggling.

Cheers to Jack McCoy. He’ll be missed.