Ep 20. Empire

In Law & Order season 9 episode 20, titled "Empire," the team at the 27th Precinct Detective Squad is investigating a case involving a brutal attack on the daughter of a wealthy businessman. The victim, Cassie Germaine, is the heir to her family's vast empire, and the attack has left her in a coma.

Detectives Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) are assigned to the case and quickly discover that Cassie had a number of enemies. Her father, Charles Germaine (guest star James Rebhorn), is a ruthless businessman who has made many enemies in his quest for power and wealth. Cassie's ex-boyfriend, Ryan O'Hara (guest star Shawn Hatosy), is also a suspect, as their breakup was messy and he has a history of violence.

As Briscoe and Green dig deeper into the case, they uncover a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal. They discover that Cassie's father was conducting illegal business deals, and that Cassie herself was involved in a secret project that could ruin her family's reputation and legacy. Ryan, meanwhile, has his own motives for wanting Cassie dead, and the detectives must race against time to solve the case before he strikes again.

Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) is dealing with his own set of problems. He's assigned to prosecute a case involving a man who's accused of murdering his wife in a fit of jealous rage. McCoy is frustrated by the fact that the defendant's lawyers are trying to use his history of mental illness as a defense, and he's unsure whether he'll be able to secure a conviction.

As the two cases progress, the detectives and prosecutors must navigate a complicated legal landscape that involves family dynasties, corporate greed, and mental illness. The stakes are high, and the team is under intense pressure to solve the cases and bring the perpetrators to justice.

"Empire" is a tense and gripping episode of Law & Order that explores themes of power, wealth, and corruption. The episode is notable for its complex plot and multi-layered characters, as well as its twist ending that will keep viewers guessing until the very end. Fans of the show will find much to love in this episode, which showcases the talents of the show's cast and writing team.