Ep 15. Encore

The Law & Order season 6 episode 15, entitled Encore, centers around a well-respected Broadway producer, Leo Whitaker, and his wife, an actress named Karen. The couple's marriage is on the brink of collapse when Karen starts to suspect that Leo is having an affair with his assistant, Nora, who is half his age. Karen confronts Leo about her suspicions, but he denies them vehemently.

The next day, Nora is found dead, and the police officers investigating the case quickly discover that she was strangled. Leo becomes the prime suspect in Nora's murder, and his wife Karen hires a prominent defense attorney to defend him.

Detectives Lennie Briscoe and Ed Green are assigned to the case, and they soon discover that Nora had been working on a new play with Leo, which was supposed to star Karen. Nora had pushed Leo to take more risks with the play, which had led to tensions between the two. It is also revealed that Leo had been sexually harassing Nora and had made unwanted advances towards her.

As more evidence is gathered, it becomes clear that Leo was in fact having an affair with Nora and that she had threatened to expose him if he did not commit to giving her a bigger role in the play. This new information puts a damper on Karen's defense strategy, and it becomes increasingly difficult for her to defend her husband.

Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy and Executive Assistant District Attorney Claire Kincaid work to build a case against Leo. They also discover that he had been embezzling funds from his production company and had several affairs throughout his marriage to Karen. This information further erodes any sympathy that Karen might have garnered for Leo during the trial.

As the trial progresses, tensions between Karen and Leo boil over, and Briscoe and Green work tirelessly to gather the evidence needed to convict him. In a dramatic twist, the trial comes to an abrupt end when something unexpected happens, leaving the fate of Leo and Karen hanging in the balance.

Overall, Law & Order season 6 episode 15, Encore, offers a captivating and thrilling story of deceit, betrayal, and murder. It is a testament to the show's ability to tackle complex legal and moral issues while also delivering compelling characters and plotlines. Fans of the Law & Order franchise will not be disappointed by this episode.