Law and Order – A Price to Pay – Review: Ketamine Dreams and Nightmares

After more than 450 episodes, Law & Order continues to captivate audiences, leaving viewers both entertained and introspective with episodes like “A Price to Pay.” What does it say about us when we find comfort—or perhaps fascination—in the endless exploration of justice, law, and the moral gray areas in between? Whatever the answer, this show knows exactly how to keep us hooked. Let’s review.

A little over a year after the heartbreaking loss of NBC legend Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing from Friends), comes a storyline that feels eerily similar. “A Price to Pay” delves into the tale of an affable actor, Johnny Colvin (Colt Prattes), masking a spiraling ketamine addiction under the guise of treatment. Colvin is found dead in his apartment, triggering Detectives Jalen Shaw (Mechad Brooks) and Vincent Riley’s (Reid Scott) investigation of a staggering array of suspects.

Was the murder committed by the cagey personal assistant, Casey Booth (Gabi Carrubba), who lied to the police about the last time she saw Colvin and used his credit card to buy a ticket to Kansas? No. Was it the ill-tempered director, Noah Winters (Nat Cassidy), who sunk $10 million of his own money into a film that no longer has its star? No. Perhaps it was his superfan and stalker, Brittany Weaver (Marissa Rosen), caught on camera arguing with Colvin. No. Was it the ex-wife, Adalina (Reece Ennis), who left a voicemail threatening to kill him the night Colvin died? Again, no. Nor was it the boy band member, Stuey McIntyre (Louis Anthoni Soriano), who’d been living in Colvin’s home-based rehab. No, again. It must be Colvin’s SoHo psychologist, Dr. Simon Neagle (Bart Shatto), and it was, in part.

Dr. Neagle fed Colvin’s ketamine dreams and nightmares to the tune of $125,000 that Colvin couldn’t pay. In exchange for his testimony, Dr. Neagle agreed to identify his accomplice, to whom Colvin owed an additional $125,000. This led the police to Neagle’s associate and drug shaman Diane Oliver (Amanda Jaros), who was promptly arrested and charged.

In “A Price to Pay,” the moral complexity is heightened by a subplot involving Det. Shaw and his friend and mentor, Darrly Moore (Demetrius Grosse). A marine, Moore buys his ketamine from Oliver. Following multiple tours in Afghanistan, it’s the only effective treatment for his PTSD, but the military won’t pay for it.

Shaw confronts Moore with video evidence that links him to the celebrity’s murder investigation. Shaw encouraged him to tell him what he saw at Oliver’s the night Colvin was murdered. He said Oliver had blood on her Chuck Taylor shoes, which coincidentally matched the bloody shoe print left at the crime scene.

Det. Shaw explained to Moore that he needed to testify. He vehemently refused, explaining: “I have two legs upon which I stand – my job and my medicine (ketamine). Take either away — You might as well put the service revolver in my mouth.”

Shaw shares the raw depiction of Moore’s predicament with District Attorney Nicholas Baxter (Tony Goldwyn). Shaw explains that the privileges afforded celebrities often leave their transgressions safe, while the lives of everyday citizens are shattered. The contrast is stark—the rich and famous receive love and support for their mistakes, while soldiers like Darryl Moore, often crushed under the weight of similar struggles, get no such reprieve. He asked Baxter to find an alternative that wouldn’t ruin his friend’s life. Baxter declined and ordered Executive ADA Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy) to subpoena Moore.

In a moment of camaraderie—and perhaps questionable ethics—Det. Shaw warned Moore about the impending subpoena. I confess to holding my breath when ADA Samantha Maroun (Odelya Halevi) was dispatched to Moore’s house. I was convinced she was going to find him dead from a self-inflicted injury. Fortunately, Shaw’s warning gave Moore just enough time to redeploy to Okinawa.

Moore was the second ‘star’ witness Price lost since earlier in the episode, Dr. Neagle committed suicide. Shaw’s actions dangerously blurred the line between love and justice. Price practically accused him of witness tampering. In the most intimidating way possible, Shaw let Price know that he loved Moore like family. He didn’t regret saving his life so a drug dealer could serve a little more time in jail. He stormed away from Price, saying: “I did what I had to do.”

Price tells Baxter that he lost a brother to addiction. He wanted Baxter to compel the military to return Moore from Okinawa. Baxter had no stomach for this and directed Price to offer a plea deal. Diane Oliver pleaded guilty to manslaughter for a recommended sentence of 10 years. Colvin’s wife questioned him, “Ten years?” Maroun answered, “She’ll probably serve six.” 

The writers masterfully wove layered dilemmas into 42 intense minutes of storytelling. The way they dissected multiple perspectives—drew a bright line between legal obligations and human compassion—added a level of sophistication that sets this show apart. It’s no wonder it has remained a television mainstay for so long. Each episode challenges us, not just with its intricate plots, but with its unrelenting examination of ourselves.

Could this storyline – be – any more reminiscent of Matthew Perry? How did the episode challenge your understanding of the line between justice and morality? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

Overall Rating 

9:10