Law & Order: Season 02 (1991)

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Not yet a hit, though certainly sustaining decent ratings, Law & Order entered its second season with the first of its many cast changes -- and a spectacular one it was indeed, with Detective Max Greevey being shot down and killed in front of his own house. In truth, George Dzundza, who played Greevey, had already left the series, so his "death" largely occurred off-camera. Reportedly, Dzundza felt that the series' format gave his character no room to grow or develop, though some reports indicate that he was asked to leave because of his inability to get along with certain other cast members. At any rate, he was replaced by Paul Sorvino as Detective Phil Ceretta, who, likewise, departed the show early on (a few weeks into season three, in fact). As was the case in the first season, the regular Law & Order cast lineup was still all male, although a few recurring female characters were given sporadic moments to shine, notably police psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Olivet, played by Carolyn McCormick. Again, viewers were given only brief and tantalizing glimpses of the off-duty lives of the detectives and lawyers, in keeping with creator Dick Wolf's edict that the show would be story-driven rather than character-driven. Having received one Emmy nomination during the 1990-1991 season (Michael Moriarty as best leading actor), Law & Order chalked up six more nominations during season two, winning the award for Best Sound Editing (David Hankins). Also, with its move from Tuesday to Wednesday evening, the series increased its viewership, though still not enough to crack the Top Ten -- or even the Top 25. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi