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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Mother's Day (''Law & Order'')}} |
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{{Infobox television episode |
{{Infobox television episode |
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| series = [[Law & Order]] |
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| image = |
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| season = 13 |
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| episode = 10 |
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| airdate = {{Start date|2003|01|08}} |
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| production = |
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| writer = Janis Diamond |
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| director = [[Jace Alexander]] |
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| music = [[Mike Post]] |
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| season_article = List of Law & Order episodes (season 13) |
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| Music = [[Mike Post]] |
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| episode_list = List of Law & Order episodes |
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| prev = [[The Wheel (Law & Order)|The Wheel]] |
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| next = [[Chosen (Law & Order)|Chosen]] |
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"'''Mother's Day'''" is the 287th episode of |
"'''Mother's Day'''" is the 287th episode of the American [[legal drama]] television series ''[[Law & Order]]'', and the tenth episode of the show's [[Law & Order (season 13)|thirteenth season]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbc.com/law-and-order-special-victims-unit|title=Law & Order: SVU|last=NBC Universal Media, LLC|date=2018|website=NBC|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> The 45-minute episode was filmed in New York City, was written by Janis Diamond, was directed by [[Jace Alexander]], and originally aired on [[NBC]] on January 8, 2003.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0629347/technical?ref_=ttrel_ql_6|title=Law & Order: Mother's Day|last=IMDb|date=2018|website=IMDb|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> |
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A mother kills her own son, who has [[schizophrenia]] and issues with his medication. She kills him as she feels compelled to stop him from killing anyone else. |
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== Setting == |
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The episode is set in [[Washington Heights, Manhattan|Washington Heights]]. Contextually, Washington Heights is considered an area with a low socioeconomic level in America.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=An Economic Snapshot of Washington Heights and Inwood|last=New York State Comptroller|publisher=Office of the State Comptroller|date=June 2015}}</ref> The demographics consist of immigrants;<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Washington Heights/Inwood Demographic, Economic and Social Transformations 1990-2005 with a Special Focus on the Dominican Population|last=Bergad|first=Laird|publisher=Center for Latin American, Caribbean & Latino Studies|year=2008|location=New York}}</ref> making up 48% of the population as of June 2015.<ref name=":0" /> Although, there has been a 'steep reduction in crime'<ref name=":0" /> it is still an issue of 'concern.'<ref name=":0" /> Rent is low in the area relative to the rest of Manhattan.<ref name=":0" /> Despite this affordability is an issue due<ref name=":0" /> to the relatively low household income level.<ref name=":1" /> Furthermore, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the unemployment rate for the area is 4% higher than the citywide range.<ref name=":0" /> |
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== Plot == |
== Plot == |
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<ref name=":2">Alexander, J. Diamond, J. 2003. Law & Order: Mother's Day. Episode 10, season 13. NBC TV Network.</ref> |
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{{long plot|date=April 2014}} |
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[[Lennie Briscoe|Briscoe]] and [[Ed Green|Green]] are called to the scene of a hit-and-run accident in [[Washington Heights, Manhattan|Washington Heights]]. |
[[Lennie Briscoe|Briscoe]] and [[Ed Green (Law & Order)|Green]] are called to the scene of a hit-and-run accident in [[Washington Heights, Manhattan|Washington Heights]]. When arriving at the scene; the victim is identified as high school student Emily Milius. From the tire marks on the road, the detectives suspect Ms. Milius was deliberately run down. |
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| ⚫ | The Miliuses are a wealthy family and when Briscoe says Emily Milius may have been deliberately targeted |
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| ⚫ | The Miliuses are a wealthy family and when [[Lennie Briscoe|Briscoe]] says Emily Milius may have been deliberately targeted, the victim's father Ronald Milius reveals he is [[Chief financial officer|CFO]] of a [[Fortune 500]] pharmaceutical company and a [[witness]] in an [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] [[fraud]] investigation into the company's directors. He thinks his daughter was killed as threat to him. |
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| ⚫ | At this stage the detectives think Danny Payton was hired to kill Emily Milius |
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A suspect green Saturn is discovered and [[Forensic science|forensic]] evidence proves the car struck Emily Milius. The car is registered to single mother Diane Payton, who tells [[Lennie Briscoe|Briscoe]] and [[Ed Green (Law & Order)|Green]] she lent her car to her son Danny a few days earlier. The detectives are forced to break into Danny Payton's apartment where they discover his body. He has been stabbed to death. |
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Diane Payton is brought down to the 27th precinct for further questioning, as Emily Milius's mother, Caroline, is pressing [[Anita Van Buren|Van Buren]] for information regarding the case (mother-child relationships being a theme of the episode). Briscoe and Van Buren play [[Good cop/bad cop|good cop / bad cop]] with Mrs. Payton. Briscoe aggressively questions her over the alleged breakfast with her son (Payton: "Maybe I got the day wrong" Briscoe: "And maybe I'll run for Pope"). Van Buren enters the room and admonishes Briscoe for his "rudeness", before inviting Mrs. Payton for a coffee and a private chat. Van Buren empathizes with Mrs. Payton over the difficulties of being a mother ("You're only as happy as your unhappiest kid") and reveals her emotional trauma when her son was diagnosed with [[scoliosis]] at age 6 (he recovered and is now 13). Eventually, Diane Payton admits she stabbed her own son to death. She is arrested. |
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When [[Ed Green (Law & Order)|Green]] and Dr. Rodgers establish Danny's likely time of death, the detectives realize Diane Payton lied to them about the morning after the victim's death. Diane Payton is brought down to the 27th precinct, the police station for the detectives featured on ''Law & Order'', for further questioning. [[Lennie Briscoe|Briscoe]] and [[Anita Van Buren|Van Buren]] play [[Good cop/bad cop|good cop / bad cop]] with Mrs. Payton. [[Lennie Briscoe|Briscoe]] aggressively questions her. [[Anita Van Buren|Van Buren]] timely enters the room and admonishes [[Lennie Briscoe|Briscoe]] for his rudeness, before inviting Mrs. Payton for a coffee and a private chat. [[Anita Van Buren|Van Buren]] empathizes with Mrs. Payton over the difficulties of being a mother ("You're only as happy as your unhappiest kid"<ref name=":2" />). Eventually, Diane Payton admits she stabbed her own son to death. She is arrested, and later [[Arraignment|arraigned]] to the court and enters a [[plea]] of not guilty. |
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| ⚫ | Mrs. Payton's attorney, Kay Hartley, approaches [[Serena Southerlyn|Southerlyn]] and identifies herself as an old college friend. Later, in a discussion with [[Jack McCoy|McCoy]], [[Serena Southerlyn|Southerlyn]] reveals she remembers Hartley as a highly competitive student set upon becoming a high-earning [[Wall Street]] lawyer. Hartley says her firm has asked her to take on Mrs. Payton's case ''[[pro bono]]''. McCoy is surprised a [[tax lawyer]] would be asked to try a criminal case. |
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| ⚫ | Southerlyn is approached by Hartley while exercising in [[Central Park]]. Hartley reveals Danny Payton was her cousin and Diane Payton is her aunt. Hartley has taken a [[leave of absence]] from her firm to defend her aunt. Danny Payton had [[schizophrenia]] and Hartley wants to introduce his medical records into evidence, but Diane Payton refuses to allow this. Hartley wants to |
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| ⚫ | Later, [[Serena Southerlyn|Southerlyn]] is approached by Hartley while exercising in [[Central Park]]. Hartley reveals Danny Payton was her cousin and Diane Payton is her aunt. Hartley has taken a [[leave of absence]] from her firm to defend her aunt. Danny Payton had [[schizophrenia]] and Hartley wants to introduce his medical records into evidence, but Diane Payton refuses to allow this. Hartley wants to make a [[Legal motion|motion]] to enable this new evidence to come to life. Partially through sympathy, the DAs agree not to oppose the motion, which is granted. |
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| ⚫ | In the trial, |
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| ⚫ | In the trial, [[psychiatrist]] Dr. Trask testifies Danny Payton was diagnosed with schizophrenia several years earlier and was held in a [[psychiatric hospital]], but was eventually released, as medication proved effective in controlling his condition. He confirms Mrs. Payton recently requested her son be re-admitted to the hospital as his condition had worsened. However, Dr Trask refused his readmission once he established Danny had stopped taking his medications. When Diane Payton takes the stand to be questioned by Hartley, she admits her son had stopped taking his medication as it made him feel extremely [[Clinical depression|depressed]] and [[nauseous]]. Subsequently, he began [[Auditory hallucination|hearing voices]] urging him to kill. Following the refusal of the hospital to take Danny in, Mrs. Payton lent Danny her car ("long drives calmed him down.")<ref name=":2" /> It was on this drive he hit Emily Milius. This was the final straw. Diane Payton felt compelled to murder her son to prevent him from killing more people. |
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| ⚫ | McCoy demands a hearing in chambers. He is outraged the defense is effectively changing their plea from not guilty to [[Justification (jurisprudence)|guilty by justification]] |
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| ⚫ | [[Jack McCoy|McCoy]] demands a hearing in chambers. He is outraged the defense is effectively changing their plea from not guilty to [[Justification (jurisprudence)|guilty by justification]]. He demands the defense case be thrown out, but the judge refuses. [[Jack McCoy|McCoy's]] position begins to look weak. [[Serena Southerlyn|Southerlyn]] confronts Hartley, angry that Hartley played on her sympathy to get the medical records introduced. She accuses Hartley of being less motivated by love for her family and more by the boost it would provide to her career. |
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In [[Arthur Branch|Branch]]'s office, he agrees their position appears weak and suggests McCoy make a deal with the defense, but McCoy responds Hartley already turned down an offer for [[manslaughter]]. The next day McCoy [[cross-examine]]s Diane Payton and asks why she didn't inform the police of her son's suspected actions, or call the police herself after she killed him, rather than attempt to conceal evidence of the crimes. Finally McCoy asks that if Diane Payton knew her son was a homicidal schizophrenic, why did she willingly give him the keys to her car? Hartley demands a recess. McCoy points out Mrs. Payton's statement claims her son "took" her car keys, but when first interviewed by Briscoe and Green, and now [[Oath#In law|under oath]], she has admitted the truth. He asks Mrs. Payton if Hartley even conveyed the offer of manslaughter proffered earlier, but Hartley hustles a confused Diane Payton out of the room before she can answer. |
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The next day [[Jack McCoy|McCoy]] [[cross-examine]]s Diane Payton and asks why she didn't inform the police of her son's suspected actions, or call the police herself after she killed him. Finally, [[Jack McCoy|McCoy]] asks that if Diane Payton knew her son was a homicidal man with [[schizophrenia]], why did she willingly give him the keys to her car? |
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The [[jury]] finds Diane Payton guilty of [[second-degree murder]], but the [[jury foreperson]] asks if any jail time is necessary. The scene cuts to the DA's office, where McCoy says "fortunately, the [[statute]] demands prison time." Branch says "I think it'll be a good while longer before Kay Hartley gets her corner office." "Shame," responds Southerlyn, with a smile on her face. |
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The [[jury]] finds Diane Payton guilty of [[second-degree murder]], but the [[jury foreperson]] asks if any jail time is necessary. |
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== Themes == |
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* Mother and child relationship |
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* Self-interest being a motive before the welfare of others at all cost |
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== Guest stars == |
== Guest stars == |
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In 2004, ''TV Guide'' suggested Charissa Chamorro replace Elisabeth Röhm in the role of ADA to Jack McCoy.<ref>[http://www.tvguide.com/news/elisabeth-rohm-law-40168.aspx]</ref> The role eventually went to [[Annie Parisse]]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [ |
* [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0629347/ "Law and Order" Mother's Day at imdb.com] |
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* [http://www.tv.com/law-and-order/mothers-day/episode/219155/summary.html Law & Order: Mother's Day at tv.com] |
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{{Law & Order}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mother's Day (Law and Order)}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mother's Day (Law and Order)}} |
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[[Category:Law & Order episodes]] |
[[Category:Law & Order episodes]] |
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[[Category:2003 television episodes]] |
[[Category:2003 American television episodes]] |
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[[Category:Washington Heights, Manhattan]] |
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[[Category:Mother's Day]] |
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[[Category:Television episodes about murder]] |
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Latest revision as of 18:59, 24 December 2024
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
| "Mother's Day" | |
|---|---|
| Law & Order episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 13 Episode 10 |
| Directed by | Jace Alexander |
| Written by | Janis Diamond |
| Featured music | Mike Post |
| Original air date | January 8, 2003 |
"Mother's Day" is the 287th episode of the American legal drama television series Law & Order, and the tenth episode of the show's thirteenth season.[1] The 45-minute episode was filmed in New York City, was written by Janis Diamond, was directed by Jace Alexander, and originally aired on NBC on January 8, 2003.[2]
Summary
[edit]A mother kills her own son, who has schizophrenia and issues with his medication. She kills him as she feels compelled to stop him from killing anyone else.
Setting
[edit]The episode is set in Washington Heights. Contextually, Washington Heights is considered an area with a low socioeconomic level in America.[3] The demographics consist of immigrants;[4] making up 48% of the population as of June 2015.[3] Although, there has been a 'steep reduction in crime'[3] it is still an issue of 'concern.'[3] Rent is low in the area relative to the rest of Manhattan.[3] Despite this affordability is an issue due[3] to the relatively low household income level.[4] Furthermore, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the unemployment rate for the area is 4% higher than the citywide range.[3]
Plot
[edit] | This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (April 2014) |
Briscoe and Green are called to the scene of a hit-and-run accident in Washington Heights. When arriving at the scene; the victim is identified as high school student Emily Milius. From the tire marks on the road, the detectives suspect Ms. Milius was deliberately run down.
The Miliuses are a wealthy family and when Briscoe says Emily Milius may have been deliberately targeted, the victim's father Ronald Milius reveals he is CFO of a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company and a witness in an FBI fraud investigation into the company's directors. He thinks his daughter was killed as threat to him.
A suspect green Saturn is discovered and forensic evidence proves the car struck Emily Milius. The car is registered to single mother Diane Payton, who tells Briscoe and Green she lent her car to her son Danny a few days earlier. The detectives are forced to break into Danny Payton's apartment where they discover his body. He has been stabbed to death.
At this stage, the detectives think Danny Payton was hired to kill Emily Milius. The detectives speculate he took the job to support a suggested drug habit, and then killed himself, as directed by the hirer. But the medical examiner, Dr. Rodgers, reports no drugs in Danny Payton's system.
When Green and Dr. Rodgers establish Danny's likely time of death, the detectives realize Diane Payton lied to them about the morning after the victim's death. Diane Payton is brought down to the 27th precinct, the police station for the detectives featured on Law & Order, for further questioning. Briscoe and Van Buren play good cop / bad cop with Mrs. Payton. Briscoe aggressively questions her. Van Buren timely enters the room and admonishes Briscoe for his rudeness, before inviting Mrs. Payton for a coffee and a private chat. Van Buren empathizes with Mrs. Payton over the difficulties of being a mother ("You're only as happy as your unhappiest kid"[5]). Eventually, Diane Payton admits she stabbed her own son to death. She is arrested, and later arraigned to the court and enters a plea of not guilty.
Mrs. Payton's attorney, Kay Hartley, approaches Southerlyn and identifies herself as an old college friend. Later, in a discussion with McCoy, Southerlyn reveals she remembers Hartley as a highly competitive student set upon becoming a high-earning Wall Street lawyer. Hartley says her firm has asked her to take on Mrs. Payton's case pro bono. McCoy is surprised a tax lawyer would be asked to try a criminal case.
Later, Southerlyn is approached by Hartley while exercising in Central Park. Hartley reveals Danny Payton was her cousin and Diane Payton is her aunt. Hartley has taken a leave of absence from her firm to defend her aunt. Danny Payton had schizophrenia and Hartley wants to introduce his medical records into evidence, but Diane Payton refuses to allow this. Hartley wants to make a motion to enable this new evidence to come to life. Partially through sympathy, the DAs agree not to oppose the motion, which is granted.
In the trial, psychiatrist Dr. Trask testifies Danny Payton was diagnosed with schizophrenia several years earlier and was held in a psychiatric hospital, but was eventually released, as medication proved effective in controlling his condition. He confirms Mrs. Payton recently requested her son be re-admitted to the hospital as his condition had worsened. However, Dr Trask refused his readmission once he established Danny had stopped taking his medications. When Diane Payton takes the stand to be questioned by Hartley, she admits her son had stopped taking his medication as it made him feel extremely depressed and nauseous. Subsequently, he began hearing voices urging him to kill. Following the refusal of the hospital to take Danny in, Mrs. Payton lent Danny her car ("long drives calmed him down.")[5] It was on this drive he hit Emily Milius. This was the final straw. Diane Payton felt compelled to murder her son to prevent him from killing more people.
McCoy demands a hearing in chambers. He is outraged the defense is effectively changing their plea from not guilty to guilty by justification. He demands the defense case be thrown out, but the judge refuses. McCoy's position begins to look weak. Southerlyn confronts Hartley, angry that Hartley played on her sympathy to get the medical records introduced. She accuses Hartley of being less motivated by love for her family and more by the boost it would provide to her career.
The next day McCoy cross-examines Diane Payton and asks why she didn't inform the police of her son's suspected actions, or call the police herself after she killed him. Finally, McCoy asks that if Diane Payton knew her son was a homicidal man with schizophrenia, why did she willingly give him the keys to her car?
The jury finds Diane Payton guilty of second-degree murder, but the jury foreperson asks if any jail time is necessary.
Themes
[edit]- Mother and child relationship
- Self-interest being a motive before the welfare of others at all cost
Guest stars
[edit]- Charissa Chamorro as Kay Hartley
- Ellen McLaughlin as Diane Payton
- Janet Zarish as Caroline Milius
- Martin Kildare as Ronald Milius
- Leslie Hendrix as Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers
- Mark Alan Gordon as Dr. David Trask
- Don Billett as Judge Ed Richter
References
[edit]- ^ NBC Universal Media, LLC (2018). "Law & Order: SVU". NBC. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
- ^ IMDb (2018). "Law & Order: Mother's Day". IMDb. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g New York State Comptroller (June 2015). An Economic Snapshot of Washington Heights and Inwood. Office of the State Comptroller.
- ^ a b Bergad, Laird (2008). Washington Heights/Inwood Demographic, Economic and Social Transformations 1990-2005 with a Special Focus on the Dominican Population. New York: Center for Latin American, Caribbean & Latino Studies.
- ^ a b c Alexander, J. Diamond, J. 2003. Law & Order: Mother's Day. Episode 10, season 13. NBC TV Network.