Law & Order’s Sam Waterston Takes His Final Case as Jack McCoy in a Gripping Hour — Here’s How He Left
Nearly 30 years after his Law & Order debut, veteran actor Sam Waterston has closed his last case as beloved DA Jack McCoy.
In Thursday’s episode, titled “Last Dance,” the seasoned attorney returned to the courtroom for a high-profile case involving tech billionaire Scott Kelton (Supernatural’s Rob Benedict), who was accused of murdering a woman in Central Park.
Things got prickly when Mayor Payne (played by Bruce Altman) threatened to not only bury Price (Hugh Dancy) but also revoke his support for McCoy’s reelection as DA if they subpoenaed his son as a key witness. (Note: Law & Order fans may recognize Altman for his numerous appearances over the years as a multitude of characters, including Season 1 mafia murderer Harvey “Harv” Beigel, Defense Attorney Brad Feldman, attorney Mark Sanford in a Season 3 episode of SVU and fraudster Jack Crawley in Criminal Intent’s Season 1 finale.)
McCoy, however, refused to be strong-armed and, as he later revealed to Price, told the mayor to go to hell before taking over the trial to protect his subordinate.
In a rousing closing argument that dredged up memories of the tenacious prosecutor who had earned the moniker “Hang ‘Em High McCoy,” the DA called on the jury to act fairly and ethically, without bias or favor, to always act with integrity — as he had pledged and done so — by delivering a guilty verdict. That swayed the jury, and Kelton was found guilty of second-degree murder.
But the rightful conviction was bittersweet. McCoy immediately tendered his resignation out of concern that Mayor Payne would retaliate and go directly after Price.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a while. It’s time. It just is,” he said. “If I step aside now, the governor will be able to appoint someone with integrity. It’s been a hell of a ride.”
That someone will be DA Nicholas Baxter (Scandal’s Tony Goldwyn), set to make his debut on Thursday, March 14. See photos of Goldwyn on set here.
In his last shot, McCoy stared back at the building he called home for several decades before walking away, looking content with his decision.
How did you feel about this send-off? What are some of your favorite memories of Sam Waterston’s Jack McCoy? Reminisce in the comments below.
Oh man, I thought he was going to leave at the end of the season. Or at least much later in this one. Boo!
@ Pat D. TVLine announced Sam Waterston leaving a few weeks ago .
I saw another article which didn’t tell exactly when he was leaving, but made it seem like we had more time—I wasn’t booing TVLine nor this article. I was booing in general disappointment.
@ Pat D. TVLine said February 22 was his last episodes.
Sam should send this episode to the Emmys for best supporting actor.
So is the show going DA-less for 3 weeks for the first time ever?
No. There is just one new episode without a permanent DA next Thursday on Leap Day. March 7 most shows are off for State of the Union. Young Sheldon and Ghosts are still new then, but they are not part of a franchise night. Then March 14 is when Tony Goldwyn joins the Law and Order cast.
@ Jared Munson: No, next week is the replacement.
The article states March 14th not next week
Good bye to a great character and the great actor who played him.
Sam Waterston is just one of the greats. And I hope he’s leaving because he wants to (which is not usually the case on L&O). But he’s a great actor and it won’t be the same show without him.
I remember when Waterston joined the show replacing Michael Moriarty. When Steven Hill left – and we got a rotating cast of DA’s and Assistant DA’s – it wasn’t that big a deal because Waterston was always center stage. I always liked him more as the scrappy courtroom lawyer than the DA, if I’m honest. When Jerry Orbach left, the show wasn’t the same. When Jesse L. Martin left, the show really wasn’t the same. Now with Waterston leaving, I know the show will continue, but it’s really not the same. I like the cast now. They’re all fabulous actors I’ve loved from other shows and movies, but they just don’t gel and I don’t enjoy it quite as much.
@ Alan. They had two DAs after Steven Hill left. Dianne West who was on for two seasons. Then Fred Thompson who was on for five seasons.
After that Dam Waterston took over. Who the lead ADA since he joined the shield. Rotating ADAs were the ones who worked under Jack McCoy. Same who was there when Jack’s ADA replacement came in, after Jack became D.A.
So only ADAs were routing, not that many DAs.
I think Reid Scott fits much better than Donovan did, so that’s promising.
Watching this episode . . . it was time. You could tell they were shooting around the difficulty Waterston was having with delivering his lines and even with his physical movements. If you didn’t notice, just watch carefully. He just got too old. It’s sad, because I think otherwise he would have kept going and playing his legendary character forever, but it’s also the way of things. And he was very much still Jack McCoy in this episode, even though it was taking him so much effort to be him. Thank you for everything over the long years, Sam, and I hope you enjoy your well-earned retirement.
Your comment has, “damned with faint praise” all over it.
No thanks.
I re-watched the episode specifically because of your comments. Sam Waterston was great just as he was in Grace and Frankie. I didn’t notice any of the issues you pointed out, at all!
My wife and I were lucky enough to meet Sam, along with Jerry Orbach and Jesse L. Martin, when “L&O” filmed a scene in our neighborhood. It was a treat, especially since Sam so rarely took part in the location shoots. They were all very gracious, and it is one of those great New York memories I will always treasure!
I think Jerry and Sam were both named some kind of “New York Landmark” for their L&O characters, amusingly enough.
What a lovely memory to have. I still miss Jerry Orbach.
Very cool! I guess sometimes it is good to meet your heroes.
Actually, I recognize Bruce Altmam as New York Mayor Frank Russo on Blue Bloods for the first couple of seasons.
That was a fantastic send-off for both McCoy and Waterson. I can’t wait to see where he ends up next.
” It’s been a hell of a ride.”
405 episodes over the last 30 years. WOW.
There aren’t many actors of Sam Waterson’s caliber remaining on television – broadcast or streaming.
Sad that DA Jack McCoy had to go out defending his integrity and that of the DA office.
Hope the Mayor & son are exposed.
Thank you Sam Waterson.
I enjoyed the fact he ended his run where he belongs…. in the Court room getting a conviction
It was such a touching sendoff. Even during Jack’s closing argument in the court room when the camera was on Price for a few seconds you could see he was trying to hold back a smile.
I’m sure that was a genuine reaction from Hugh overcome with emotion just witnessing greatness one last time.
This episode made me almost as sad as when the late Jerry Orbach left. It was great to see Jack McCoy back in action prosecuting a case
It’s odd… when Same came on the show 30+ years ago, he was more known for movie work… Even though they stopped production for over 10 years, it’s like he never left with all the repeats all over cable TV on multiple channels… It’s the weird thing when we see the age of actors change,,, The Sam of 2024 not the one from 1994… are any of us?? Good retirement…
He has always been a class act. He will be missed.
I have stated on many occasions on this site that Jack McCoy is on my top ten list of all time favourite TV characters. Now that it’s over, it’s bittersweet. I’ve come to the conclusion that McCoy reminds me of my own father, who was also a man of ethics and integrity. The send off was truly amazing with Bruce Altman as a member of the episode’s cast. All that was missing were Edie Falco as the defense attorney or a cameo by Dr. Liz Olivet. Great ending to an outstanding thirty year run.
Everything I wanted from McCoy’s exit. He ignores the mayor’s threat, finishes the case himself (loved seeing him in court one more time), wins his case and leaves on HIS terms, as well as ensuring that the right DA replaces him. Great job!
Jack was always my favorite prosecutor. Tony Goldwyn was a good choice to replace him, so I can’t wait to see what Nick is like.
Even though it is sad to see him go.
It is time. He did an excellent job and
will be remembered as a superb DA.
My respects to DA McCoy