The DA's office has to deal with a drug-related murder by two young teenage boys who have been trained as assassins by a Mexican drug cartel.The DA's office has to deal with a drug-related murder by two young teenage boys who have been trained as assassins by a Mexican drug cartel.The DA's office has to deal with a drug-related murder by two young teenage boys who have been trained as assassins by a Mexican drug cartel.
Photos
- Rafa Alvarez
- (as Mario Quinonez Jr.)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSean Nelson has played three different roles over the course of the series:
- Episode 20.7 Boy Gone Astray (2009) - Van Buren's Son
- Episode 20.3 Great Satan (2009) - Van Buren's Son
- Episode 15.13 Ain't No Love (2005) - Steven 'Four Strike' Foreman
- Episode 4.19 Sanctuary (1994) - Damon Fox
- GoofsThe "El Vaquero" club shown to be in Vineland, NJ does not exist. In addition, the scene was not shot in Vineland as there are no downtown areas with more than 2 story buildings. New Jersey State Police are shown investigating the crime. Vineland has its own police force; they would have investigated any crime within the city.
- Quotes
Chief of Detectives Laird: Word came back to me that someone in the building smelled marijuana on you. Are you out of your mind? You have twenty two years in, a pension.
Anita Van Buren: Chief, I can explain.
Chief of Detectives Laird: Save it. These mints could take bark off a tree. They'll take care of your breath.
Anita Van Buren: [Hesitantly] Okay.
Chief of Detectives Laird: Shower and change your clothes after you smoke. This guy sells medicinal dope. He's careful and discreet. We clear?
Anita Van Buren: Yeah, sure. Chief?
Chief of Detectives Laird: Ball cancer. Three years ago. That stuff got me through it. Just keep it square, Lieutenant. Don't go to pieces on me.
- ConnectionsFeatures Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
While not one of the best episodes of Season 20, "Boy Gone Astray" is still very good, in fact very nearly great and quality doesn't go astray. Like a number of episodes, one half is better, or at least more riveting, than the other. Don't get me wrong, despite how this sounds, it's compelling throughout but is even better in the second half. Which is not unheard of in 'Law and Order', in fact it's very common. If asked whether "Boy Gone Astray" is recommended, the answer would be yes.
"Boy Gone Astray" isn't perfect. It does try to cram in too much in too short a space of time towards the conclusion, not an uncommon problem in 'Law and Order' episodes.
Perhaps a bit on the ordinary side to begin with.
On the other hand, so much is good. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction is sympathetic but also alert. All the other regulars are absolutely terrific, particularly in the legal portions and in the debates. Linus Roache is confident and authoritative and Mario Quinonez Jr gives an intensely moving performance. Jonathan Cake chills the blood as someone one doesn't want to get on the wrong side of to put it lightly.
Furthermore, the episode has a thoughtful script that like a lot of 'Law and Order' episodes raises interesting questions worthy of debate with somebody, the moral dilemmas of the case treated intriguingly. The story is tactful but also pulls no punches and has tension in the second half. Nothing is too simple or too complicated and the second half even is riveting and keeps one guessing the more complex it gets. The character writing and interaction are near-on point and the conflict, with Cutter having to go through a lot to even get a trial, has tension.
All in all, very good. 8/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 28, 2023