Ep 22. Admissions

Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) investigate the murder of a high school guidance counselor, Nancy Hartwig. They interview students, teachers and Hartwig's co-workers, but their initial leads go nowhere.

After some digging, they discover that Hartwig had been forgiving grades in exchange for sexual favors from several of her male students. The detectives are shocked and disgusted, but their investigation gets even more complicated when they discover that Hartwig had been blackmailing the students to have sex with each other.

The case takes a turn when they find out that one of the male students, who was expelled from school for cheating, had been stalking Hartwig. They arrest him, but he insists that he's innocent and that the real killer is still at large.

Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Assistant District Attorney Jamie Ross (Carey Lowell) prosecute the case against a college admissions consultant, Carol Fitzsimmons (Marian Seldes), who is accused of helping wealthy parents cheat their children's way into Ivy League schools.

During the trial, McCoy and Ross uncover evidence that Fitzsimmons had been funneling money to an admissions officer at Yale in exchange for admission slots. The detectives realize that this is connected to their murder investigation when they discover that Hartwig had also been helping her students cheat their way into college by forging recommendation letters.

The detectives and prosecutors work to untangle a web of lies and deceit surrounding the cases of cheating and murder. They must convince the jury that Fitzsimmons is guilty of the charges against her, while also searching for the real killer of Nancy Hartwig.

The episode explores themes of academic pressure, entitlement, and the lengths people will go to in order to achieve success. It shows the consequences of cheating and the effects it can have on both individuals and society as a whole.

As the case unfolds, the detectives and prosecutors must navigate the complex social dynamics of the academic world, revealing the pressures faced by students and administrators alike. They must also confront their own biases and assumptions, as they struggle to uncover the truth and deliver justice.

In the end, the episode leaves the viewer reflecting on the justice system and the role it plays in holding individuals accountable for their actions, even in cases that may seem harmless on the surface. It also highlights the importance of moral integrity and the value of doing the right thing, even when it may be difficult or unpopular.