Payback (L&O)

Plot[]

The investigation into the murder of a former bookie turned mob informant reveals a disturbing new wrinkle in organized crime involving legitimate businessmen moonlighting as contract hitmen in a battle for mob leadership, and ends with a Federal ploy to nullify the plea bargain in the case, leaving McCoy seething and two more people dead.

Cast[]

Main cast[]

• Jerry Orbach as Detective Lennie Briscoe
• Jesse L. Martin as Detective Ed Green
• S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
• Sam Waterston as Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy
• Elisabeth Röhm as A.D.A. Serena Southerlyn
• Fred Dalton Thompson as D.A. Arthur Branch

Recurring cast[]

• Leslie Hendrix as M.E. Elizabeth Rodgers
• Ben Shenkman as Defense Attorney Nick Margolis
• David Brummel as Judge Gus Stamos
• Pippa Pearthree as Judge Esther Morrow
• Larry Sherman as Judge Colin Fraser

Guest cast[]

• T. Scott Cunningham as Cary Stillman
• Matthew Del Negro as Vinny
• Joseph Ragno as Federico Righetti
• Jana Robbins as Assistant U.S. Attorney Jean Piccone
• Mercedes Herrero as Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Myers
• Brian O'Neill as Eddie Collins
• Dan Ziskie as Joshua Kramer
• Joseph Riccobene as Peter Righetti
• Brienin Bryant as Nurse
• Paul Romero as Frankie
• Eric Hoffman as Albie Sullivan
• Herb Lovelle as Phil
• Debra Wiseman as Bank Officer
• Jerry Dixon as Detective Alvin Roberts
• Gina Bonati as Marie Tortino
• Perri Gaffney as Nurse
• Sal Ranieri as First Goon
• Michael McCartney as Uniform Officer Russell
• Alice Connorton as Jackie
• Larry Gregory as Guard
• Hudson Cooper as Bailiff

References[]

• Masucci Crime Family

Quotes[]

Anita Van Buren: (listening to the surveillance tape) "It's like watching concrete harden.

Lennie Briscoe: (while arresting Federico Righetti) "The guys from 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' are going to want to have a serious sit-down with you.

Lennie Briscoe: (after the murder of Righetti - and his nurse) I could care less about these Mob guys...it's the collateral damage that gets to me.

Arthur Branch: We romanticize these people - make movies about 'em - and they're nothing but heartless scum.

Jack McCoy: You think they knew - the Feds - that Peter Righetti was going to have his uncle killed?
Arthur Branch: They might've predicted...that's a long way from knowing...
Jack McCoy: What if they used us to put Righetti back on the street?

Arthur Branch: I think you're giving the Feds way too much credit - they ain't that clever.
Jack McCoy: Still, lucky break for them...now they roll up the whole crew, starting with Peter Righetti for the murder of his uncle...
Arthur Branch: Good riddance.

Background information and notes[]

Background information and notes

Episode scene cards[]