Ep 5. Wedded Bliss

Wedded Bliss is an episode from the third season of the crime drama television series Law & Order. It follows the detectives of the New York City Police Department's 27th Precinct as they investigate the murder of a young bride on her wedding day. The episode originally aired on October 20, 1992.

The opening scene of the episode shows the murder victim, a young bride named Jackie Kellem, being stabbed to death by an unknown assailant in the bathroom of her hotel room. The detectives are soon called to the scene and begin their investigation.

The first suspect is the victim's husband, Jeff, who had a history of domestic violence and had argued with Jackie on their wedding day. However, it is quickly determined that Jeff was in another part of the hotel at the time of the murder and is cleared of suspicion.

Next, the detectives focus their attention on the victim's ex-boyfriend, who had been stalking her in the days leading up to the wedding. However, they also clear him of suspicion when his alibi checks out.

The investigation takes a surprising turn when it is revealed that Jackie was not the intended target of the killer. Instead, the killer had been hired to murder the father of the groom, a wealthy businessman named Ronald Dorning. The killer mistook Jackie for Ronald when she entered the bathroom.

The detectives then turn their attention to the Dorning family, who were desperate to keep a scandal from coming to light. It is revealed that Ronald Dorning had been involved in a land deal with the city that was under investigation for corruption. He had hired the killer in an attempt to cover up the deal and protect his family's reputation and finances. In the end, both Ronald and the hired killer are brought to justice.

Throughout the episode, the show highlights the pressures and stresses of a high-profile wedding, including the expectations placed on the bride and groom, their families, and the vendors involved. It also explores the lengths that people will go to protect their reputation and financial interests, even if it means resorting to murder.

The episode features the usual Law & Order format, with equal focus on the police investigation and the legal proceedings that follow. The detectives work closely with the district attorney's office to gather evidence and build a case against the suspects, while the legal team faces challenges such as a hostile witness and an uncooperative suspect.

Overall, Wedded Bliss is a tense and suspenseful episode that keeps viewers guessing until the very end. It offers a glimpse into the darker side of weddings and the extreme lengths that people will go to protect their interests. Like all Law & Order episodes, it provides a nuanced look at the criminal justice system and the people who work to uphold it.