Ep 6. Stray

The Law & Order: CI season 3 episode 6 titled "Stray" follows the detectives of the Major Case Squad as they investigate the murder of a wealthy socialite in her Upper East Side apartment.

The victim, Anne Marie McNeill, was found strangled to death in her bedroom, and her housekeeper discovered the body after returning from her day off. The detectives, Goren and Eames, immediately notice that the apartment has been meticulously cleaned, and they suspect that the killer may have staged the crime scene.

As they begin their investigation, they discover that Anne Marie had a troubled past, including a history of drug addiction and a stay in a mental institution. They also learn that Anne Marie had recently adopted a stray dog, which she had become very attached to.

The detectives learn that the dog had been with Anne Marie at the time of her murder and had escaped from the apartment after the killer had left. They track down the dog, and it becomes clear that the animal is traumatized by the events it had witnessed.

As they follow up on leads, Goren and Eames begin to suspect that the killer may have been someone from Anne Marie’s past who knew about her weaknesses and vulnerabilities. They focus their investigation on Anne Marie’s former therapist, Dr. Paul Gephardt, who has a history of unethical behavior.

As the investigation continues, Goren and Eames discover that Dr. Gephardt had been treating Anne Marie for her addiction and had been prescribing her medication. Upon further investigation, they discover that Dr. Gephardt had not only been overprescribing medication to Anne Marie but had also been stealing her money.

The detectives believe that when Anne Marie discovered Dr. Gephardt’s behavior, she threatened to expose him, leading him to kill her. They confront Dr. Gephardt with their evidence, and he confesses to the murder.

The episode ends with the detectives returning the stray dog to Anne Marie’s family, who are grateful for their help in solving her murder. The ending scene shows the dog being adopted by a new family, bringing some much-needed joy to the tragic events that had happened.

Overall, Law & Order: CI season 3 episode 6, "Stray," is a gripping and intense episode that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. With excellent pacing and a well-crafted plotline, the episode highlights the skills of the show’s two lead detectives, Goren and Eames. The exploration of the complexities of addiction and mental health is a welcome addition to the show, and the inclusion of the stray dog is a touching element that adds an emotional layer to the story.