With only two episodes left in season 5, Bernadette (Ellen Burstyn) recovers from her fall, Elliot (Christopher Meloni) reveals a major secret to his brother Randall (Dean Norris) in the story of Joe Jr. (Michael Trotter).
Elliot reveals that Joe's been working with him as an informant for the Organized Crime Control Bureau, seemingly to help them unravel and take down Redcoat, the villainous organization Joe got himself wrapped up with in season 4. With this reveal, Joe's story continues to take a dark turn, one that puts him and the entire Stabler family in jeopardy.
Joe Jr. Took The Risk To Infiltrate Redcoat
He Knew The Risks But Did It Anyway
Before the return of Joe in Organized Crime season 5, episode 7, we last saw him in the season 4 finale, attached to a suitcase full of biological weapons that belonged to the drug kingpin leader of Redcoat, Julian Emery (Tom Payne). Joe's intentions are unclear as the episode ends, and he looks uncomfortable being handcuffed to Emery's weapons and unsure what is next.
Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5, Episode 8 Teases A Devastating Character Exit
A subplot in Law & Order: Organized Crime season 5, episode 8 suggests that one beloved character might soon be getting a devastating exit story.
Elliot's clarification to Randall comes with his theorization that Joe is trying to make good to both himself and his brothers for all the trouble he caused, which makes Joe's story and his intentions much muddier. Stuck between the criminal underworld and law enforcement, Joe finds himself in a potentially unwinnable situation, one that could cause ripples throughout the Stabler family.
Joe Jr's Proximity To The Criminal Organization Puts Him In Even More Danger - And Possibly His Brothers
A Precarious & Dangerous Situation That Could Hurt Those Around Him
The reveal of Joe's informant status is both a surprise and a relief to Randall and adds depth to Joe's story as he works to make things right with his family. His undercover status mirrors that of Elliot's undercover status with The Brotherhood throughout season 2, presented as a creative swerve to the viewers before the true nature is revealed.
At a time when the Stabler family couldn't possibly handle any more heartache or tragedy, it feels impossible to believe that Joe's story ends in any other way.
However, unlike Elliot's dive into the criminal operations of The Brotherhood, Joe's infiltration is cloudier, amplified by his apologetic phone call to Elliot at the end of episode 8. With Joe's allegiance to Emery dating back to 2020 after a chance encounter in Kabul, Emery may ask him to prove his loyalty to him and the organization and could put the other Stabler brothers directly in the line of fire.
How The Joe Jr. Reveal Could Impact The End Of Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5
With Julian Emery Still At Large, Joe Stabler Could Find Himself Sacrificed
Joe's status as both a part of the underworld and an informant for the Organized Crime Control Bureau will likely come to a head, wrapping up this story and the hunt for Julian Emery, as season 5 winds down. With the Camorra in limbo and The Collective disbanded, Redcoat seems like the right call back for the final two episodes as Joe returns to New York.
At a time when the Stabler family couldn't possibly handle any more heartache or tragedy, it feels impossible to believe that Joe's story ends in any other way. Joe's destiny in Law & Order: Organized Crime could have been pre-written, a sacrifice for both his family and himself to make things right one last time.
Enjoy ScreenRant's primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for my weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check "Network TV" in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.
Law & Order: Organized Crime
- Release Date
- April 1, 2021
- Network
- NBC, Peacock
- Directors
- Jean de Segonzac, John Polson, Jon Cassar, Stephen Surjik, Alex Hall, Alex Zakrzewski, Bethany Rooney, Eriq La Salle, Jonathan Brown, Ken Girotti, Michael Slovis, Tess Malone, Gonzalo Amat, Milena Govich, Simón Brand, Sharon Lewis, Carlos Bernard, Cherie Nowlan, Jim McKay, John David Coles, Juan José Camla, Kate Woods, Laura Belsey, Leslie Hope
Cast
Christopher MeloniDet. Elliot Stabler
Frank WoodME Dr. Abel Truman
WHERE TO WATCH
- Writers
- Amy Berg, John Shiban, Liz Sagal, Will Pascoe, Davon Briggs, Katrina Cabrera Ortega, Nichole Beattie, Josh Fagin, Michael Konyves, Alec Wells, Bridget Tyler, Candice Sanchez McFarlane, Emmy Higgins, Rick Eid, Gwen Sigan, Sean Jablonski, David Graziano, Daniel Beaty, Katie Letien, Nick Culbertson, Jean Kyoung Frazier, Christina Piña
- Creator(s)
- Dick Wolf, Matt Olmstead, Ilene Chaiken
Your comment has not been saved