Ep 4. Standoff

The Law & Order season 11 episode 4, titled "Standoff," is a gripping episode that begins with a brutal shootout in a convenience store, leaving several innocent civilians dead. The NYPD's 27th precinct is called to the scene, where Detectives Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) begin their investigation.

As they dig deeper into the case, Briscoe and Green discover that the gunman, a desperate man named Gavin Bates (played by Tim Daly), was in financial trouble and had taken hostages in an attempt to rob the store. The detectives soon realize that Bates is also responsible for a string of other robberies in the area.

Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) and his team begin building their case against Bates, who is now facing multiple charges, including murder and robbery. However, the case takes a dramatic turn when Bates decides to represent himself in court and takes the entire courtroom hostage.

As the standoff drags on, tensions rise, and the team must do everything in their power to negotiate for the hostages' release and bring Bates to justice. The episode is full of tense moments as the team navigates the delicate balance between negotiating with a volatile criminal and ensuring the safety of the hostages.

Throughout the episode, the team works tirelessly to gather evidence and build a case against Bates. They interview witnesses, examine the crime scene, and work with forensic experts to piece together the events leading up to the shooting and the subsequent standoff.

As the case progresses, the team is faced with several moral and ethical dilemmas. They must balance their duty to serve justice with the need to protect innocent bystanders and negotiate effectively with a dangerous criminal. Through it all, the team remains committed to the pursuit of justice, no matter how difficult and dangerous the situation becomes.

In the end, "Standoff" is a powerful episode that explores the complex nature of justice in our society. It's a gripping, tense, and thought-provoking hour of television that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.