The return of Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler in Law & Order: Organized Crime has been a long-awaited and exciting moment for fans of the Law & Order franchise. Since its premiere in April 2021, Organized Crime has explored the personal and professional life of Stabler as he investigates the complex world of organized crime, all while dealing with his troubled past and family dynamics. However, as the show moves into its fifth season, a significant shake-up has left fans wondering what the future holds for Stabler and his team. The show is making a major shift, leaving NBC for Peacock, and bringing back a familiar face as the new (or rather, returning) showrunner: Matt Olmstead. Let’s dive into what this change means for the future of Organized Crime and what fans can expect from season 5.
The Big Change: Organized Crime Moves to Peacock
The Struggle with Low Ratings on NBC
When Law & Order: Organized Crime first premiered, there was a lot of anticipation. After all, Stabler’s return after leaving SVU back in 2011 was bound to be a huge draw for both new and old viewers. And in many ways, it was. However, despite initial excitement, the series struggled to maintain strong ratings on NBC. Critics and audiences alike found the transition from the procedural format of SVU to the more action-packed, cinematic style of Organized Crime to be jarring at times. The show’s unique blend of Stabler’s personal life and gritty crime drama set it apart from other Law & Order franchises, but it also made it harder to find a broad audience.
Season 4 saw Organized Crime hit a bit of a plateau in terms of viewership on NBC, and the network’s struggle to find an audience for the show led to a decision that has major implications for the series’ future. For season 5, the show is moving to Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service. This shift allows Organized Crime to cater to a more dedicated fanbase, who are more likely to engage with the series on a streaming platform where they can binge-watch episodes at their own pace.
Moving to a streaming platform can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, streaming services tend to attract viewers who are highly invested in their favorite shows, and the show will no longer have to fight for a spot in NBC’s crowded primetime lineup. On the other hand, it’s always a gamble when a series moves away from its traditional network home. Will it thrive with streaming viewers? Or will it lose some of its audience in the process?
The Pros of Moving to Peacock
For Organized Crime, streaming may actually be a blessing in disguise. The series has seen stronger viewership on Peacock compared to NBC, which is a big reason why the decision was made to move the show to the streaming platform. Moving to Peacock means that Organized Crime no longer has to compete against traditional network TV’s scheduling constraints, allowing it to experiment with storytelling and film at a more relaxed pace. The longer filming schedule and greater creative freedom could ultimately work in the show’s favor, especially with the return of Matt Olmstead as showrunner.
Streamers like Peacock are typically more open to darker and grittier content, which is a hallmark of Organized Crime. The show’s edgier storylines, focusing on organized crime and Stabler’s internal struggles, may find a more receptive audience in a streaming environment where viewers are more inclined to watch intense, serialized content.
Matt Olmstead Returns: The Key to Organized Crime’s Revival?
The Return of the Original Showrunner
One of the most significant changes for season 5 of Law & Order: Organized Crime is the return of Matt Olmstead as showrunner. Olmstead is no stranger to the Law & Order universe, having worked alongside Dick Wolf for years. He co-created Chicago P.D. and worked as a producer on several hit shows, including NYPD Blue, Prison Break, and Chicago Fire. Olmstead was also originally tapped to be the showrunner of Organized Crime before its premiere in 2021 but had to step away due to scheduling conflicts.
His return comes after a tumultuous few seasons where the show has had multiple changes in leadership. Over the years, Organized Crime has seen several showrunners come and go, including Ilene Chaiken, Barry O’Brien, Bryan Goluboff, and Sean Jablonski. Most recently, John Shiban was brought on for season 4 but left before completing the season. Olmstead’s return is a positive sign for the future of the show because he’s an experienced producer with a clear vision for gritty police procedurals.
As someone who has worked on crime dramas with a similar tone, Olmstead knows how to balance action with emotional depth, and his track record suggests that he’s the perfect person to reinvigorate the series. Fans are hoping that his return will allow for more character development for Stabler, as well as a return to the show’s darker, more suspenseful storytelling that made it stand out in its early days.
Can Olmstead Fix What’s Broken?
The question remains: will Olmstead’s return be enough to turn Organized Crime into a must-watch show again? While his past experience and familiarity with the show’s characters give him an edge, it’s going to take more than just a change in leadership to revitalize the series. The shift to Peacock, coupled with Olmstead’s vision, could finally give the show the freedom it needs to explore Stabler’s character in greater depth and tackle more complex, multi-episode storylines.
One of the key elements that fans are hoping Olmstead will address is the dynamic between Stabler and Sergeant Ayanna Bell, played by Danielle Moné Truitt. While Stabler’s relationship with Olivia Benson is a cornerstone of his character, his partnership with Bell offers a fresh and exciting take on his work within the Organized Crime Task Force. The potential for a stronger, more meaningful partnership between these two characters could be an avenue for Olmstead to explore, as well as Stabler’s ongoing struggles with his family and his need for redemption.
The Struggles and Successes of Organized Crime
Breaking Away from Traditional Police Procedurals
One of the reasons why Law & Order: Organized Crime has struggled to find its footing is that it’s not a traditional police procedural. While shows like SVU and the original Law & Order focus on solving individual cases each week, Organized Crime tackles larger, long-term investigations that span multiple episodes. The show has a more cinematic feel, with action sequences and complex storylines that often focus on Stabler’s personal demons.
The decision to focus on Stabler’s family life and emotional baggage has set the show apart from its predecessors, but it has also made it more difficult for fans to connect with the show on a week-to-week basis. While the darker, more serialized approach is refreshing, it’s not always the easiest type of show to follow for casual viewers. Fans who enjoy procedural dramas may find Organized Crime’s pace a little slow or difficult to follow without a dedicated commitment to watching each episode.
That said, Organized Crime has found success with a loyal fanbase, particularly on Peacock, where viewers can binge-watch episodes and appreciate the deeper storylines. The shift to streaming could ultimately be the boost the show needs to continue growing and experimenting with new content.
Conclusion: The Future of Law & Order: Organized Crime
As Law & Order: Organized Crime moves into its fifth season, the show faces a pivotal moment. The decision to move to Peacock and bring back Matt Olmstead as showrunner could help the series regain its footing after years of shifting creative leadership. Olmstead’s return promises to give the show a fresh sense of direction, allowing it to explore Stabler’s character and his relationships more deeply.
While the move to streaming may be a risk, it also opens up opportunities for darker, more serialized storytelling that could find a better home on Peacock. As the series evolves, it’s clear that Organized Crime is a show that is still searching for its true identity, but with Olmstead at the helm and a new chapter ahead, fans are hopeful that season 5 will be a turning point for the series.
