Ep 9. Happy Family

In Law & Order: CI season 3 episode 9, titled "Happy Family," we see detectives Robert Goren and Alexandra Eames investigate the death of a wealthy businessman named Walter Weeks. Weeks was found dead in his bed with a gunshot wound to the head, and his wife, Audrey, claims it was a suicide. However, Goren and Eames believe there is more to the story, especially after learning that Weeks had recently changed his will, leaving everything to his wife and cutting out his two adult children from his previous marriage.

As the investigation unfolds, Goren and Eames discover a web of lies and deceit within the Weeks' family. Audrey, who had a history of cheating on her husband, had been having an affair with her stepson, Mark, who was desperate for money to keep his struggling business afloat. Mark's sister, Diane, also had a motive for wanting her stepfather dead, as she was angry that he had cut her out of his will.

As the detectives dig deeper, they also discover that Weeks had been involved in illegal business dealings with a man named Moses Grimes, who was now asking for his cut of the profits. Grimes becomes a suspect in Weeks' murder, but his alibi checks out.

As Goren and Eames piece together the evidence, they realize that Audrey and Mark had conspired to kill Weeks and make it look like a suicide. Audrey had convinced her husband to change his will, knowing that his children would be angry and resentful, giving her and Mark the perfect motive for murder.

In the end, Audrey and Mark are arrested and charged with Walter Weeks' murder. The episode ends with Goren and Eames reflecting on how the pursuit of money and power can corrupt even the closest of families.

"Happy Family" is a classic episode of Law & Order: CI, showcasing the show's signature mix of intricate investigations and compelling character studies. With its complex web of deceit and betrayal, the episode keeps viewers guessing until the very end, while also offering thought-provoking commentary on the darker side of the American dream. As always, Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe deliver standout performances as Goren and Eames, injecting depth and nuance into their characters' relentless pursuit of justice.