Ep 2. Shangri-La

The episode "Shangri-La" in season 13 of Law & Order is a gripping installment that centers around a missing mother and her young daughter. The episode begins with police detectives investigating the disappearance of Alison Long (played by Liza Weil) and her daughter, Jenny. Alison is a single mother, struggling to make ends meet as a waitress. She relies on her ex-husband, Mike, to take care of Jenny while she works. When Mike calls the police to report Alison missing, the detectives begin a search for the two missing women.

The detectives, including Lennie Briscoe (played by Jerry Orbach), and Ed Green (played by Jesse L. Martin), quickly discover that Alison's disappearance is connected to her past involvement in a drug ring. They learn that she was previously involved in a drug deal gone wrong, and that her life has been in danger ever since. The detectives track down several of Alison's former associates, including her former drug dealer and ex-boyfriend, Tommy. They also speak with Alison's mother, who reveals that Alison was planning to move to a new town and start over.

As the investigation unfolds, the detectives discover that Alison's ex-husband, Mike, may have had a role in her disappearance. They discover that Mike has a gambling addiction and may have been involved in a scheme to sell Alison's daughter to a wealthy couple. The detectives work tirelessly to uncover the truth, and eventually discover the shocking reason behind Alison's disappearance.

In addition to the main storyline involving Alison's disappearance, the episode also includes a subplot involving Briscoe and his struggles with alcoholism. Briscoe has been struggling with alcoholism for years, and he has been hiding his addiction from his fellow detectives. In this episode, Briscoe's addiction begins to catch up with him, and he is forced to confront the reality of his situation.

Throughout the episode, the detectives use their skills of investigation and interrogation to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding Alison Long and her daughter. They employ a variety of tactics to gather evidence and uncover witnesses, including surveillance, wiretapping, and undercover work. Their work is compelling and suspenseful, and viewers are left on the edge of their seats as the truth about Alison's disappearance is slowly revealed.

Overall, "Shangri-La" is an intense and thrilling episode of Law & Order that will keep viewers engaged from beginning to end. The combination of the main storyline and Briscoe's struggle with alcoholism brings a depth and complexity to the episode that is sure to resonate with viewers. With strong performances from the cast and a well-crafted plot, this episode is a standout in an already impressive season.