​Jerry Orbach’s Greatest ‘Law & Order’ Episodes

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Briscoe finds some justice (1999)​

The episode: “Hate,” January 6, 1999 ​​

The premise: Briscoe’s family life was marked by tragedy, and perhaps no one had a sadder fate than his daughter Cathy, who struggled with meth addiction and was later murdered by the drug dealer she testified against in court. In this Season 9 episode, Briscoe finds closure when he learns that her killer has died of a heroin overdose — and there’s a subtle hint that the detective may have had something to do with his death.

​Watch it: “Hate” on DirecTV

​​Briscoe fails to nab a killer (1999)

​The episode: “Marathon,” November 17, 1999

​The premise: Orbach earned his only L&O Emmy nomination for his performance in this Season 10 episode, in which Briscoe is frustrated when he fails to put a gang member behind bars after numerous attempts. It’s also notable for the frank talk Briscoe and his partner, Detective Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin, 53), have about race and the criminal justice system. ​​

Watch it: “Marathon” on Fubo, Philo

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​Briscoe has another very busy day

​The episode: “Couples,” May 21, 2003​​

The premise: For its 300th episode, the series took a go-big-or-go-home approach. In this packed installment, Briscoe and Green investigate a kidnapping and three murders over the course of a single day, all of which connect in some way to domestic disputes, and one of the killings ends up being connected to a fourth murder from a decade earlier. Expect some soapy twists, including a faked death and a woman who runs over her husband in broad daylight when he keeps pressuring her to get breast implants.​

Watch it: “Couples” on Peacock

​​Briscoe retires (2004)​

The episode: “C.O.D.” May 19, 2004 ​​

The premise: This Season 14 finale marked the retirement of Detective Briscoe in an episode with killings inspired by Strangers on a Train. When he learns about the murder of a parcel deliveryman at the beginning of the episode, Briscoe deadpans, “When you absolutely, positively have to kill somebody overnight.” Later, after his team successfully cracks the case, Briscoe packs up his box, bids farewell to Green and Lieutenant Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson, 69) and says simply, “It’s nice to go out on a win.” ​

Watch it: “C.O.D.” on Peacock

​Briscoe makes his final appearance (2005)​

The episode: “41 Shots,” March 4, 2005 (Law & Order: Trial by Jury) ​​

The premise: Orbach died from prostate cancer on December 28, 2004, but he had already filmed the first two episodes of the short-lived spin-off Trial by Jury. He was so ill during the taping of his last appearance that he could barely raise his voice above a whisper, so the writers set up a scene that would allow him to speak softly. At the trial of a cop killer, he and the other NYPD members are barred from entering the courtroom. Briscoe looks in during the verdict and whispers back to the other cops, “They got him!” as they all cheer. It’s a sweetly triumphant ending for one of our favorite TV cops of all time.

​Watch it: “41 Shots” on Amazon Prime

​Briscoe delivers crime scene one-liners (1992-2005)​

The episode: Nearly every one he’s in! ​

The premise: Briscoe may have been a great detective, but we have a feeling he might have made an even better stand-up comedian. Over his dozen seasons on the show, Orbach became known for his trademark off-color crime scene quips, which would be jaw-dropping in their insensitivity if they weren’t so funny. Upon seeing a decapitated teen’s body: “Hope his parents weren’t getting him any hats for Christmas.” And when he discovers a pile of discarded frozen embryos, he says, “Hell of a way to make an omelet.” Groan! Orbach is responsible for many of the best zingers. He explained, “Most people don’t realize it, but I ad-lib all of those great lines. In the early days, the scripts were a little staid and too dry, very Dragnet. So I decided to spice things up with some good old-fashioned gallows humor.” ​

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