Rick Gonzalez Spills on Law & Order: Organized Crime’s Darkest Season Yet

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heads up: details from the 6th episode of Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5, titled “Red, White, Black, & Blue,” may reveal secrets. You can watch it now with a subscription to Peacock streaming service.

As Season 5 of “Law & Order: Organized Crime” reaches its midpoint in the 2025 TV lineup, the series is advancing beyond the violent turn of events that led to Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio’s exit from the cast. The premiere, titled “Red, White, Black, & Blue”, began with a gruesome scenario that might have been too intense for the drama’s earlier days on NBC, as it involved the murders of four NYPD detectives and one ADA. This grim situation demanded full team engagement. For Reyes, this meant juggling investigations while Stabler teamed up with an old friend from their less than savory past in the NYPD. Rick Gonzalez recently discussed this significant episode and Reyes’ relationship with a key witness with TopMob.

In the 10 p.m. ET slot on NBC, the crime drama series has consistently been darker than both “Law & Order: SVU” and “Law & Order,” airing earlier on Thursdays. However, the gruesome manner in which drug lord Miguel “El Diablo” Olivas killed ADA Anne Frasier to kick off the episode was particularly shocking. When I asked Rick Gonzalez if he’s ever taken aback by the show’s intensity now that it’s in the Peacock era, he responded:

Sure thing!

I disagree, but I’m eager for it. To my mind, this episode has great promise for the series as a whole. In fact, I believe this episode demonstrates the show’s potential in terms of its pace, tone, and intensity in the storyline. Frankly, I think this episode sets the stage for what’s to come. Plus, I can’t wait to hear what viewers think about it.

Since Season 5’s premiere, following the storyline where Isabella Spezzano feigned her death, it’s not surprising that the actor was eager to learn about fan responses! Gonzalez acknowledged that the tension was indeed significant right from the start, and then turned to discuss the fresh character who entered to confound Reyes’ investigation.

Allow me to present Detective McKenna, an old acquaintance of Stabler’s. What intrigues me about this character is that he isn’t a shining embodiment of Stabler’s virtues or a friend who has always acted honorably within the force. This dynamic offers a fascinating perspective on Reyes’ feelings towards Stabler, and given their friendship, it adds layers of complexity to the show that I can’t wait to explore further.

Despite Stabler appearing uneasy about Detective McKenna (Jason Patric) consistently pushing boundaries to catch Olivas, Stabler was still more lenient than Reyes. Rick Gonzalez’s character found McKenna’s presence less than ideal, especially when his tough tactics yielded positive results. However, it’s worth noting that the actor himself appreciates McKenna as a guest star, as he shared in an interview.

Growing up, I admired Jason Patric greatly, and his performances always captivated me. Being on set with him was exhilarating, intensely so, but in a good way. The atmosphere was thick with tension, yet it felt harmonious amidst the intensity. He infused his character with an extraordinary energy that elevated this episode, making it stand out even more and raising the bar for the entire season.

It’s uncertain whether McKenna will reappear following “Red, White, Black, & Blue,” however Gonzalez had nothing but praises for the actor from “Wayward Pines” and “The Lost Boys.” Their characters seemed to have different viewpoints, particularly concerning Lucero. Olivas’ girlfriend was concealing details about him, as McKenna presumed, but Reyes was shocked by how he dealt with the frightened young woman, going so far as to threaten her family.

After Reyes worked hard to ease Lucero’s anxiety amidst the presence of police officers, it was McKenna’s method that yielded results from the young woman. This leads me to wonder just how far Reyes would go to extract information from Lucero. I posed this question to Rick Gonzalez, and he replied:

How far might Reyes have gone to get answers from Lucero? (Rick Gonzalez’s response)

As a movie buff, I couldn’t help but notice the bloodthirsty eagerness within the department to extract answers from this woman, a perspective Reyes effortlessly shifted due to his exceptional perceptiveness. He has an uncanny knack for understanding the nuances of his informants and suspects, making it easier for him to elicit information in unconventional ways.

Time was running out and the situation was tense, but there was a chance that Reyes could have obtained the required information from Lucero honestly if not for McKenna intervening. Although she felt apprehensive around McKenna, she was beginning to trust Reyes more. Gonzalez added:

Additionally, it’s important to recognize that culturally, there might be an obstacle that [Reyes] could potentially navigate, allowing him to convey messages and create a sense of security in a manner that others cannot. In essence, this enables him to achieve his objectives more effectively. It’s clear that he brings unique value to the team, a quality that makes the show compelling.

By now in the series, Detective Reyes has survived longer than many other colleagues in their unit, with Whelan’s sad demise at the end of Season 3 and Jet departing in early Season 5. It’s clear why Rick Gonzalez emphasizes the importance of his character to the team. I was particularly moved when Reyes communicated with Lucero in Spanish, a moment that resonated deeply with the actor as well.

I concur with your point. It was essential for our discussion with the writers that several lines and key aspects be translated into Spanish. This would help me communicate effectively the message: “I recognize you, I understand you too. Let’s have a genuine conversation. I’m not someone else. I am this. Let’s address that first so we can move forward and truly talk.” In my opinion, using Spanish was a concise way to express this sentiment.

In “Red, White, Black, & Blue,” it appeared as if the case had been resolved, leaving us to wonder if Reyes will cross paths with McKenna again this season. It was delightful to see the character take center stage, having played a more background role during the storyline delving into Stabler’s past in Italy. Here’s hoping for more of Reyes in the future.

Every Thursday, fresh installments of “Law & Order: Organized Crime” drop on Peacock. As “Law & Order” and “SVU” bid farewell on NBC on May 15, “Organized Crime” stands alone as the only series from the franchise still running this spring. I’m eagerly anticipating some updates about Joe Jr.’s situation abroad, but with just four episodes remaining in Season 5, we have more questions than solutions.

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2025-05-17 03:38