Whew! Maura Tierney’s Jessica Brady pushed Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 into a powerful new era the second she walked into a crime scene for the first time. The way Brady took charge made it clear that this was not the same show that it had been for the past three seasons. Brady’s new leadership, especially coupled with Baxter’s statement to the press at the beginning of the hour, added to the tension in one of the strongest episodes Law & Order has had in the past few years.

Law & Order Was The Latest Dick Wolf Show To Undergo A Leadership Change Brady Established Herself Immediately As A Results-Oriented Boss Who Didn’t Care About Being Liked Dealing with tough, new bosses seems to be a theme on most Dick Wolf shows this season, as Chicago Med and Chicago Fire also have stories revolving around new leadership. In Law & Order’s case, it was badly needed, even though I’m sad to see Dixon go, especially with a disappointing exit story . Stlll, Brady is one of the best things that could have happened to Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1.

Brady was far more hands-on than Dixon was, jumping into both the crime scene and taking on the interrogation of a suspect. It’s not realistic — in real life, heads of police departments do administrative and supervisory work rather than being out in the field — but it helped establish the series’ new tone, so I was all for it. Brady’s desire to close cases rather than make friends with her detectives is symbolic of the b.