"The Troubles" examines the murder of a Lebanese Drug smuggler who was being transported to a courthouse under Federal custody. What begins as a homicide investigation (and mini-turf war between the NYPD and the FBI) evolves into a complex courtroom trial involving the Sinn Féin and IRA, U.S.-British relations, and the legal issues surrounding international terrorism. The final minutes of the trial feature a particularly memorable performance by Michael Moriarty as Executive DA Stone (one of his most interesting from Season One).
There are certainly characterizations of the Irish and Ireland on this episode, as "GusF" very specifically lays out in his review (the Lebanese and Cubans are not portrayed very positively on this show either). And as most Americans after September 11 already know, inter- agency police cooperation does not always exist in the USA as it is eventually portrayed in this episode. But "Law and Order" generally succeeds in this episode in what the show does best: providing a riveting combination of police and courtroom drama.
Overall, this was one of my favorite episodes from Season One (along with "Subterranean Homeboy Blues").
There are certainly characterizations of the Irish and Ireland on this episode, as "GusF" very specifically lays out in his review (the Lebanese and Cubans are not portrayed very positively on this show either). And as most Americans after September 11 already know, inter- agency police cooperation does not always exist in the USA as it is eventually portrayed in this episode. But "Law and Order" generally succeeds in this episode in what the show does best: providing a riveting combination of police and courtroom drama.
Overall, this was one of my favorite episodes from Season One (along with "Subterranean Homeboy Blues").
