Jack McCoy leaves the NYPD: how will the character say goodbye to the series after 405 episodes?

SPOILER ALERT! This article shows the plot of NYPD season 23 episode 5.

It’s official: After more than 400 episodes, Jack McCoy, chief prosecutor of the NYPD (or Law and order (for fans of the original version) and “the ultimate conscience of the series” according to its creator Dick Wolf, bid farewell to the court.

His interpreter, Sam Waterston, 83, left the series on February 22, during episode 5 of season 23, after eighteen seasons and 405 episodes of good and faithful service.

Fittingly, his final chapter is titled “The Last Dance” and brings him to court to try one last case and prosecute one last criminal. Here is his story.

A woman named Veronica Knight is found dead in Central Park and clues lead the police to Scott Kelton, a local billionaire who has friends in high places, namely Mary (Bruce Altman). McCoy takes the case from Senior Deputy District Attorney Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy), who tries to call the mayor’s son to the stand to testify about Kelton’s past dealings with the victim. The mayor not only threatened to oust Price from the district attorney’s office, but also promised to withdraw his support for McCoy if he ran for office.

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Undeterred, McCoy eventually gets a guilty verdict for Kelton. Rather than deal with the mayor’s wrath, he decides to resign.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while– he told Price. “It’s time. It’s just. Hey, Mary is a vindictive bitch. He will use all his chips to make sure that my opponent wins the election and he will succeed. And he’s going to bury everyone who wronged him, including you. If I resign now, the governor can appoint someone else. Someone honest.“

We already know that someone will be played by Tony Goldwyn (Scandal’s President Fitz), who was announced for casting earlier this month. The actor is no stranger to the world of forensic television Dick Wolf Since he has already appeared in the criminal division of New York, in 2006 and 2007.

“It was quite an adventureMcCoy concluded.

In his final scene, he walks alone outside the courthouse at night…

Sam Waterston made his debut New York Judicial Police at the start of Season 5 in 1994 and reprized his role in various projects, notably the spin-off series NYPD and NY Courthouse, as well as Kill or Be Killed. Police against police in 1998.

For his now iconic role, he has received eleven nominations at the Screen Actors Guild Awards (and Best Actor in 1999), three Emmy nominations and another Golden Globe nomination.

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His last message to his fans

When his departure from the hit NBC series was announced, the actor explained his reasons to fans of the series In a press release issued by Variety :”It’s nice to be able to speak so directly to the absolutely incredible Law & Order audience. It was time for me to move on and take Jack McCoy with me. It’s sad to see you go, but I’m very interested in what’s next.“

“Thank you more than I can say. L&O’s long, incredible career and stunning comeback is a credit to you and Dick Wolf, but without your vision, patience, tenacity and unique combination of creative and business talent, none of it would have happened.“

“I feel very lucky. I hope to see you all on the other side. thanks.“

Therefore, the rest of the 23rd season continues without him, every Thursday on NBC.