Law & Order (season 2)

Law & Order
Season 2
Season 2 U.S. DVD cover
No. of episodes	22
Release
Original network	NBC
Original release	September 17, 1991 (1991-09-17) – May 12, 1992 (1992-05-12)
Season chronology
← Previous Season 1 Next → Season 3
List of episodes

The second season of Law & Order aired on NBC between September 17, 1991, and May 12, 1992. This season marked the first death of a main character, as George Dzundza had departed the series after the conclusion of the first season. The death of his character Max Greevey is shown in the season premiere. Carolyn McCormick makes her first recurring appearance as Dr. Elizabeth Olivet.

Cast and characters

Main article: List of Law & Order characters

Phil Cerreta (played by Paul Sorvino) replaced season 1's Max Greevey (George Dzundza) in the role of senior detective. The cast was otherwise unchanged.

Main Cast

• Paul Sorvino as Senior Detective Sergeant Phil Cerreta
• Chris Noth as Junior Detective Mike Logan
• Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen
• Michael Moriarty as Executive Assistant District Attorney Ben Stone
• Richard Brooks as Assistant District Attorney Paul Robinette
• Steven Hill as District Attorney Adam Schiff

Recurring Cast

• Carolyn McCormick as Dr. Elizabeth Olivet
• John Fiore as Detective Tony Profaci
• Leslie Hendrix as Medical Examiner Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers
• Donald Corren as Forensic Technician Medill
• Christine Farrell as Forensic Technician Arlene Shrier
• Richard Venture as Defense Attorney Douglas Greer
• Tovah Feldshuh as Defense Attorney Danielle Melnick
• George Grizzard as Defense Attorney Arthur Gold
• Joanna Merlin Defense Attorney Carla Bowman
• David Lipman as Arraignment Judge Morris Torledsky
• Barbara Spiegel as Arraignment Judge Harriet Doremus
• Sam Gray as Trial Judge Manuel Leon
• Bernie McInerney as Trial Judge Michael Callahan
• Tanya Berezin as Trial Judge Rosalyn Lenz
• Joan Copeland as Trial Judge Rebecca Stein
• John Ramsey as Trial Judge Walter Schreiber
• Ben Hammer as Trial Judge Herman Mooney
• Susan Blommaert as Trial Judge Rebecca Steinman
• David Rosenbaum as Trial Judge Alan Berman
• Roger Serbagi as Trial Judge Robert Quinn
• Fred J. Scollay as Trial Judge Andrew Barsky
• David Rosenbaum as Trial Judge Alan Berman

Notable Guest Stars

• Jerry Orbach made his initial appearance in the series in the episode "The Wages of Love", playing defense attorney Frank Lehrman; he would become a member of the principal cast beginning the next season after Paul Sorvino left, playing Senior Detective Sergeant Phil Cerreta’s replacement Senior Detective Lennie Briscoe, and remain with the show for twelve seasons.

In addition to above, Law & Order season 2's notable guest stars included: Maura Tierney, Cynthia Harris, Alan Feinstein, Alberta Watson, Jerry Stiller, Shirley Knight, James Rebhorn, Kate Burton, Lewis Black, Robert Hogan, Joe Grifasi, Marian Seldes, Richard Venture, Daryl Chill Mitchell, Tony Lo Bianco, Vyto Ruginis, Kelly Bishop, George Dicenzo, Finn Carter, Daniel Von Bargen, Frank Converse, Rutanya Alda, Michael Constantine, Dylan Baker, George Martin, Victor Argo, Allison Janney, Allen Garfield, Henderson Forsythe, George T. Odom, William H. Macy, Harley Cross, Eli Wallach, Richard Bright, David Spielberg, Bruce MacVittie, Joanna Merlin, Rocco Sisto, Kate Burton, William Prince, Molly Price, Kelli Williams, John McMartin, J. Smith-Cameron, Nancy Marchand, Stanley Anderson, Tony Roberts, Richard Hamilton, Werner Klemperer and Blanche Baker.

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Prod. code	U.S. viewers (millions)
23	1	"Confession"	Fred Gerber	Michael Duggan & Robert Palm	September 17, 1991 (1991-09-17)	67416	16.4 [1]
Logan forces a confession at gunpoint from Daniel Magadan Jr. the man suspected of murdering Max Greevey and, in the process, endangers Stone's prosecution. Logan is also introduced to his new partner, Phil Cerreta (Paul Sorvino), while he speaks to a counselor, Dr. Elizabeth Olivet (Carolyn McCormick). Guest starring: Vyto Ruginis, Daniel Von Bargen, Val Avery, Nicolas Coster This episode is technically the final appearance of Senior Detective Sergeant Max Greevey, though he only appears from behind and is not played by George Dzundza.
24	2	"The Wages of Love"	Ed Sherin	S : Robert Stuart Nathan; S/T : Ed Zuckerman	September 24, 1991 (1991-09-24)	67405	16.6 [2]
A double homicide of Edward Cullen an older man and Alexandria Beckett his younger lover casts suspicion on both the ex-wife Melainie and the former boyfriend Douglas Phillips of the murdered duo, with the murdered man's son Jamie holding the key to the mystery. Guest starring: Shirley Knight, Geoffrey Nauffts, David Lansbury, Benjamin Hendrickson, Jerry Orbach
25	3	"Aria"	Don Scardino	S : Michael S. Chernuchin; T : Christine Roum	October 1, 1991 (1991-10-01)	67411	18.9 [3]
A lethal drug overdose of Priscilla Blaine a young actress leads the detectives to an aggressive stage mother Elizabeth and a pornographic movie producer Franklin Frome. Guest starring: Tony Roberts, Marilyn Rockafellow, Maura Tierney, Michael Countryman
26	4	"Asylum"	Kristoffer Siegel-Tabori	S : Robert Palm; T : Kathy McCormick	October 8, 1991 (1991-10-08)	67409	20.8 [4]
A victim's stabbing death in front of a coffee shop leads to one vagrant testifying against another. But the conviction is threatened twice based on the lack of a search warrant for a suspect's home - first an SRO hotel room and second a lean-to in the park. Guest starring: Matthew Cowles, Ron McLarty, Elizabeth Lawrence, Lycia Naff, Wendy Radford, Michael Tolan
27	5	"God Bless the Child"	E.W. Swackhamer	David Black & Robert Stuart Nathan	October 22, 1991 (1991-10-22)	67404	15.1 [5]
A couple Nancy and Ted Driscoll, whose religious beliefs forbids medical treatment, is on trial for letting their daughter die of strep throat infection. Stone's prosecution hinges on whether either or both of the parents wanted to call for medical help. The investigation uncovers two other pertinent facts: 1. the night of the girl's death, the mother was drinking (also against the couple's religious beliefs), and 2. the couple had another child that died under similar circumstances. Guest starring: Henderson Forsythe, Marian Seldes, James Noble, Byron Jennings, Caroline Aaron, Joyce Reehling, Kaiulani Lee
28	6	"Misconception"	Daniel Sackheim	S : Michael Duggan; S/T : Michael S. Chernuchin	October 29, 1991 (1991-10-29)	67410	18.5 [6]
The mugging of Amy Newhouse a pregnant legal secretary leads to a charge against her employer of assault, which is upgraded to murder when the baby dies. Time span confirmation of the baby's conception and the employer-secretary affair eliminates the employer as a suspect. Suspicion shifts to the secretary and her boyfriend Christopher Baylor (a disbarred lawyer) when a wiretap reveals that the couple intended, first, to have the employer held criminally responsible for the baby's murder and, second, to sue the employer for wrongful death. Initially, the primary issue appears to be the fetus age at which a murder charge can be leveled. The primary issue proves to be two-fold; 1. whether the suspects can be held accountable for knowing both the law and its meaning, and 2. even if the suspects cannot legally be convicted of the baby's murder, whether they can be convicted of a lesser crime, i.e. attempted murder. Guest starring: Molly Price, Reed Diamond, Stanley Anderson, Gordana Rashovich, Nicolas Surovy
29	7	"In Memory Of"	Ed Sherin	S : Siobhan Byrne; T : Robert Stuart Nathan; S/T : David Black	November 5, 1991 (1991-11-05)	67413	18.1 [7]
The renovation of a brownstone uncovers the remains of Tommy Keegan a young boy who disappeared thirty-one years earlier during the 1960 presidential campaign. The discovery revives a wrenching and long-suppressed memory in a childhood friend and neighbor Thad Messimer-and the suspect's daughter Julie Atkinson. Guest starring: Mary-Joan Negro, Michael Higgins, Rosemary Murphy, Tresa Hughes, Richard Hamilton
30	8	"Out of Control"	John Whitesell	S : David Black & Robert Stuart Nathan; T : Jack Richardson	November 12, 1991 (1991-11-12)	67403	19.3 [8]
The detectives investigate the gang rape of Andrea Fermi a college student during a fraternity Halloween party, but when her own testimony can't be supported by the evidence, it becomes hard to prove rape. Guest starring: Noëlle Parker, Cynthia Harris, Brian Tarantina, Geoff Pierson, Joe Grifasi
31	9	"Renunciation"	Gwen Arner	Michael S. Chernuchin & Joe Morgenstern	November 19, 1991 (1991-11-19)	67414	16.0 [9]
When a gambler Lawrence Kealey is killed, the hit-and-run investigation leads to the discovery of a schoolteacher Jenna carrying on an affair with one of her students Roy Pack jr. Cerreta and Logan suspect that she may have manipulated him into killing her husband. Guest starring: Ashley Crow, David Seaman Jr., Victor Arnold, Dan Desmond, Cheryl Giannini
32	10	"Heaven"	Ed Sherin	T : Nancy Ann Miller; S/T : Robert Palm	November 26, 1991 (1991-11-26)	67415	19.1 [10]
The investigation into an illegal social club fire which claimed 53 fatalities leads to a connection between arson, illegal immigrants and the sale of green cards. Guest starring: Jose Perez, Lisa Emery, Luis Guzmán, Victor Campos, Robert Hogan Based on the Happy Land fire.
33	11	"His Hour Upon the Stage"	Steve Cohen	Robert Nathan & Giles Blunt	December 10, 1991 (1991-12-10)	67407	18.3 [11]
The discovery of Joshua Foster a frozen corpse in a dumpster leads to rival Broadway producers. Guest starring: Finn Carter, Frank Converse, John Cunningham, Alan Feinstein, Alberta Watson, Bruce MacVittie, Mike Starr, Dylan Baker
34	12	"Star Struck"	Ed Sherin	S : David Black & Alan Gelb; T : Robert Nathan & Sally Nemeth	January 7, 1992 (1992-01-07)	67406	21.3 [12]
An obsessive fan Jesse Unger pleads temporary insanity when he is charged with attempting to murder the soap opera actress Lucy Nevin who is the center of his life. Guest starring: Blanche Baker, Stephen Joyce, Bradley White, Jordan Charney, Lenka Peterson, Werner Klemperer
35	13	"Severance"	Jim Frawley	S : Michael Duggan; T : Michael S. Chernuchin; S/T : William N. Fordes	January 14, 1992 (1992-01-14)	67418	17.4 [13]
Stone faces Arthur Gold an old rival in court as he tries to link a hit man and three murders to a sleazy lawyer and a powerful man behind bars. Guest starring: Maureen Anderman, Sam Groom, Steve Rankin, Joe Urla, Elisabeth Ryall, Ralph Bell, J. Smith-Cameron
36	14	"Blood Is Thicker"	Peter Levin	S : Robert Nathan; S/T : Ed Zuckerman	February 4, 1992 (1992-02-04)	67422	17.6 [14]
An apparent mugging ends in the death of Lois Ryder a wealthy woman but the case comes to hang on a silver pin that may have been in the victim's possession. Guest starring: Nancy Marchand, John Bedford Lloyd, Joel Polis, Sam Freed, Kim Hamilton, Alan Manson
37	15	"Trust"	Daniel Sackheim	S : Michael Duggan; S/T : René Balcer	February 11, 1992 (1992-02-11)	67417	17.6 [15]
Stone is determined to see that Jamie Maser a teenage boy does not get away with murder twice when the young man is brought to trial for the shooting death of one of his friends. Guest starring: Tom Mason, Michael Constantine, Lizbeth MacKay, Harley Cross
38	16	"Vengeance"	Daniel Sackheim	S : Peter S. Greenberg; T : René Balcer; S/T : Michael S. Chernuchin	February 18, 1992 (1992-02-18)	67420	19.2 [16]
The parents of a murdered woman Judy Bream contest Stone's prosecution of her killer Albert Lawrence Cheney so that he can be extradited to their home state, where the death penalty still exists.
39	17	"Sisters of Mercy"	Fred Gerber	S : Robert Palm; S/T : René Balcer	March 3, 1992 (1992-03-03)	67423	16.4 [17]
Cerreta and Logan investigate the accusation that a nun sister in charge of a shelter for teens molested a young addict.
40	18	"Cradle to Grave"	James Frawley	Robert Nathan & Sally Nemeth	March 31, 1992 (1992-03-31)	67424	18.1 [18]
The discovery of a dead baby leads to a case involving a slumlord who would not provide any heat and who defends her actions by blaming the rent laws.
41	19	"The Fertile Fields"	Ed Sherin	Michael S. Chernuchin & René Balcer	April 7, 1992 (1992-04-07)	67425	17.5 [19]
The brutal murder of Ezra Shore a Jewish jeweler appears to be a hate crime, but the investigation soon leads back to the man's brother and his shady business deals. First appearance of Leslie Hendrix as Assistant Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers.
42	20	"Intolerance"	Steven Robman	Robert Nathan & Sally Nemeth	April 14, 1992 (1992-04-14)	67426	14.9 [20]
When Tim Chong a Chinese-American honors student is killed, the investigation uncovers a racist mother Marian Borland whose son Randy was competing with the victim for the same scholarship.
43	21	"Silence"	Ed Sherin	S : Michael Duggan; T : Michael S. Chernuchin; S/T : René Balcer	April 28, 1992 (1992-04-28)	67427	11.1 [21]
A politician opposes the prosecution of his son's murderer because it might mean revealing that his late son James Vogel was gay.
44	22	"The Working Stiff"	Daniel Sackheim	S : William N. Fordes; S/T : Robert Palm	May 12, 1992 (1992-05-12)	67428	12.1 [22]
The murder of Marshall McFadden a Wall Street legend begins a case involving ailing union worker Simon Vilanis, and Dwight Corcoran, a former governor and old friend of Schiff's.

References

1. Donlon, Brian (September 25, 1991). "New faces try to save 'One Life to Live'". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
2. Donlon, Brian (October 2, 1991). "'Roseanne' comes out on top". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
3. Donlon, Brian (October 9, 1991). "Cable pulls network's plug". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
4. Donlon, Brian (October 16, 1991). "Hearings score a win for NBC". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
5. Donlon, Brian (October 30, 1991). "Close Series wins big for CBS". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
6. Donlon, Brian (November 6, 1991). "Ratings contest narrows". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
7. Donlon, Brian (November 13, 1991). "NBC's hurricane windfall". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
8. Donlon, Brian (November 20, 1991). "'60 Minutes' clocks a 3rd win". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
9. Donlon, Brian (November 27, 1991). "CBS scores a strong win". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
10. Donlon, Brian (December 4, 1991). "The nut at the door on 'Seinfeld'". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
11. Donlon, Brian (December 18, 1991). "St. Nick arrives early for CBS". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
12. "Pigskin plays in to CBS win". Life. USA Today . January 15, 1992. p. 3D.
13. Gable, Donna (January 22, 1992). "Brooks ropes ratings for NBC". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
14. Donlon, Brian (February 12, 1992). "CBS mines Olympic gold". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
15. Donlon, Brian (February 19, 1992). "CBS wins, but ABC gets silver". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
16. Donlon, Brian (February 26, 1992). "CBS' all-around Olympic win". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
17. Donlon, Brian (March 11, 1992). "'Indy' boosts ABC". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
18. Gable, Donna (April 8, 1992). "Oscar sweep extends to ABC". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
19. Gable, Donna (April 15, 1992). "CBS' historic jump". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
20. Gable, Donna (April 22, 1992). "'Roseanne' leads ABC's way". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
21. Gable, Donna (May 6, 1992). "'Cosby' goes out on top". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
22. Gable, Donna (May 20, 1992). "Weddings blissful for NBC". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.

External links

• Episode guide from NBC.com

Preceded by Season One (1990-1991)

List of Law & Order seasons (1990-2010)

Succeeded by Season Three (1992-1993)