they were the only people on camera interacting with one another. and that sounds like, "so?" but as late as the '90s, that wasn't done on television. - when a cop shoots somebody, he stands by it. he picks up the radio mic and he calls it in. he stands by the body. if not, cops are no better than anybody else. - in the '90s, television was getting more complicated, stories were starting to become more episodic, characters were starting to develop and change. none of that happened on "law & order." ["law & order" dramatic sting] - this was a show that completely delivered on its formula every time. [siren wails] you'd get a crime. - all right, let's roll. - you got the investigation into the crime. - you better be packing more than a dirty mouth. - you got an arrest. - what's the charge? hey, i'm asking you a question. what's the charge? - ah, there's no charge. this one's on us. - and then you had a trial. - he's badgering, your honor. - sit down and shut up, mr. fineman.