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Law & Order: Season 03
Running Time: 60 min.
Release By: NBC

Another major casting change occurred during the third season of Law & Order, although not until the series had offered eight episodes. In "Prince of Darkness," an undercover police operation goes tragically awry, and Detective Phil Ceretta (Paul Sorvino) ends up seriously wounded. Though Ceretta would recover sufficiently to take up a desk job, Sorvino himself decided to leave the series for good; like George Dzundza before him, the actor felt that the series' format was too confining for his talents. Brought in as Mike Logan's (Chris Noth) new partner was Jerry Orbach as laconic veteran detective Lennie Briscoe, a recovering alcoholic with a multitude of family problems (which, in fine old Law & Order tradition, were only revealed to the audience on a "need to know" basis). At the time Orbach joined the series, there was much speculation (usually tongue-in-cheek in nature) as to how long it would be before he, too, was shot down in the line of duty, just like Logan's two previous partners, Greevey and Ceretta. As it turned out, Orbach not only outlasted Noth as Logan, but by season 13, he had been on the series longer than any other regular. A few stylistic changes marked season three. The "street action" was more or less cut to the bone, as was the background music. Also, in answer to viewer demand, the handheld camerawork became more steady and less distracting. One thing still remained constant from season one: the series' lack of regular female characters. At least Carolyn McCormick, in the recurring role of police psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Olivet, was spotlighted in the compelling episode "Helpless." Once again, Law & Order was honored with several Emmy nominations during the 1992-1993 season. This time out, the series copped the Emmy twice, for Elaine Stritch's guest-star turn in "Point of View" and for Constantine Makris' photography. Ratings remained steady, if not spectacular, but things would change dramatically during the next season. Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Law & Order: Season 03 Cast and Crew:

Richard Brooks - (Asst. DA Paul Robinette)

Dann Florek - (Capt. Don Cragen)

Steven Hill - (DA Adam Schiff)

Michael Moriarty - (Exec. Asst. DA Ben Stone)

Chris Noth - (Det. Mike Logan)

Jerry Orbach - (Det. Lennie Briscoe)

Paul Sorvino - (Det. Phil Cerreta)

Production Credits:
Ernest R. Dickerson (Cinematographer)
Constantine Makris (Cinematographer)
John Beyer (Cinematographer)
Michael Duggan (Co-Executive Producer)
Joseph Stern (Co-Executive Producer)
Ed Zuckerman (Co-Executive Producer)
Michael S. Chernuchin (Co-Executive Producer)
Jill Goldsmith (Co-producer)
Morgan Gendel (Co-producer)
Mike Post (Composer (Music Score))
William M. Finkelstein (Executive Producer)
Rene Balcer (Executive Producer)
Edwin Sherin (Executive Producer)
Dick Wolf (Executive Producer)
Daniel Sackheim (Producer)
Billy Fox (Producer)
Jeffrey Hayes (Producer)
Roz Weinman (Producer)
Lewis Gould (Producer)
Barry Schindel (Producer)
Waylon Green (Producer)
William N. Fordes (Producer)
Robert Palm (Producer)
Arthur W. Forney (Producer)
Lynn Mamet (Producer)
Robert Nathan (Producer)


Law & Order: Season 03 Episodes:
Law & Order: Skin Deep
Law & Order: Conspiracy
Law & Order: Forgiveness
Law & Order: The Corporate Veil
Law & Order: Wedded Bliss
Law & Order: Helpless
Law & Order: Self Defense
Law & Order: Prince of Darkness
Law & Order: Point of View
Law & Order: Consultation
Law & Order: Extended Family
Law & Order: Right to Counsel
Law & Order: Night and Fog
Law & Order: Promises to Keep
Law & Order: Mother Love
Law & Order: Jurisdiction
Law & Order: Conduct Unbecoming
Law & Order: Animal Instinct
Law & Order: Virus
Law & Order: Securitate
Law & Order: Manhood
Law & Order: Benevolence

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