Ep 4. Soldier of Fortune

In Law & Order season 12 episode 4, entitled "Soldier of Fortune," the detectives of the Major Case Squad investigate the murder of a young woman who was found strangled in her apartment. The victim, a former fashion model, had recently returned from working as a war correspondent in Bosnia and had been struggling to readjust to life in New York. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that there are multiple suspects with motives for the killing.

The detectives begin their investigation by questioning the victim's ex-boyfriend, an aspiring actor who has a history of domestic violence. They also interview the victim's landlord, who had been involved in a protracted legal dispute with her over unpaid rent. The landlord proves to be a particularly intriguing figure, as he is a former mercenary who had served in various African conflicts in the 1980s and 1990s.

As the detectives dig deeper, they discover that the victim had been investigating the landlord's past and had written a series of articles exposing his crimes in Africa. It becomes clear that the landlord had a vested interest in silencing the victim and had hired a hitman to carry out the murder. The detectives race against time to catch the hitman before he can strike again.

The episode is notable for its examination of the issue of mercenary warfare and its consequences. The character of the landlord, played with sinister charm by guest star Christopher Meloni, is a complex and disturbing figure, a man who has committed unspeakable acts in the name of money and who sees nothing wrong with hiring a killer to protect his reputation. The episode raises uncomfortable questions about the ethics of private military contractors and the accountability of those who profit from war.

Another theme of the episode is the trauma suffered by war correspondents and other journalists who cover conflicts. The victim, played with sensitivity by guest star Marley Shelton, is a woman haunted by the horrors she witnessed in Bosnia and struggling to find a place in a world that seems indifferent to her experiences. The episode portrays the toll that exposure to violence can take on the psyche and raises important questions about the responsibility of media organizations to provide support and care for their employees.

Overall, "Soldier of Fortune" is a gripping and thought-provoking episode that explores complex issues of violence, war, and justice. Its provocative themes and nuanced characters make it a standout installment in the Law & Order franchise and a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and social commentary.