Sam Waterston Bids Farewell to Law & Order After 400 Episodes
After an impressive run of over 400 episodes, Sam Waterston has bid farewell to the iconic television series Law & Order. In his final episode, Waterston’s character, District Attorney Jack McCoy, found himself back in the courtroom for one last case.
The episode centers around the murder of Veronica Knight, whose body was discovered in Central Park. The investigation leads the police to Scott Kelton, a local tech billionaire with powerful connections, including the mayor. McCoy takes over the case from assistant DA Nolan Price, who had planned to call the mayor’s son to the stand due to his knowledge of Kelton’s past relationship with the victim.
However, McCoy’s pursuit of justice doesn’t come without consequences. The mayor threatens Price’s position in the DA’s office and vows to withdraw support for McCoy’s potential re-election. Undeterred by these threats, McCoy presses forward and secures a guilty verdict against Kelton.
Despite his victory, McCoy decides to resign from his position as district attorney. He explains his decision to Price, stating, “I’ve been thinking about this for a while. It’s time. It just is. Look, the mayor is a vindictive son of a bitch. He’s going to call in every chip he has to make sure my opponent wins the election, and he will succeed. And he’s going to bury everyone who wronged him, including you. If I step aside now, the governor will be able to appoint someone. Someone with integrity.”
That someone turns out to be Tony Goldwyn, who was announced as the newest cast member of Law & Order back in February. With McCoy’s departure, Goldwyn’s character will step into the role of district attorney.
Waterston’s final scene on the show is a poignant one. As McCoy strolls alone outside of the courthouse at night, viewers can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the character’s journey over the years.
Waterston first joined Law & Order in its fifth season premiere in 1994. He has since reprised the role of Jack McCoy in various spinoff shows, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Trial by Jury.
In a statement released when his departure from the show was announced, Waterston expressed his gratitude to the dedicated audience of Law & Order. He said, “The time has come for me to move on and take Jack McCoy with me. There’s sadness in leaving, but I’m just too curious about what’s next. An actor doesn’t want to let himself get too comfortable. I’m more grateful to you than I can say.”
As fans bid farewell to Sam Waterston and his beloved character, Jack McCoy, they can’t help but reflect on the incredible legacy of Law & Order. The show’s enduring success is a testament to the vision and talent of creator Dick Wolf, as well as the unwavering support of its dedicated audience. While Waterston’s departure marks the end of an era, it also opens the door for new stories and characters to captivate viewers in the seasons to come.