Virginia Sherwood/NBC
SPOILER ALERT! This story contains plot points from Thursday's episode of Law & Order.
After more than 400 episodes, Sam Waterston left the courthouse for the last time as District Attorney Jack McCoy.
Fittingly, Waterston's final episode brought him back into the courtroom to try one final case. A woman named Veronica Knight was found dead in Central Park, and clues led the police to Scott Kelton, a local tech billionaire who has friends in high places – namely the mayor (Bruce Altman).
McCoy ends up taking over the case from Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy), who wanted to call the mayor's son to the stand because he knew about Kelton's previous relationship with the victim. In addition to threatening to fire Price from the district attorney's office, the mayor promised to stop supporting McCoy if he ran for re-election.
Undeterred, McCoy pushes the case forward and ultimately ensures that Kelton is found guilty. Instead of waiting to see what kind of turmoil the mayor tries to spread through the district attorney's office, McCoy instead decides to resign.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” McCoy tells Price. “It's time. It just is. Look, the mayor is a vengeful son of a bitch. He will use every chip he has to make sure my opponent wins the election. and he will succeed. And he will everyone “Bury those who have wronged him, including you. If I resign now, the governor can appoint someone. Someone with integrity.”
That someone is played by Tony Goldwyn, who was announced as the newest L&O cast member in February.
“It’s been a hell of a ride,” McCoy tells Price.
In his final scene of the drama, McCoy walks alone in front of the courthouse at night.
Waterston made his L&O debut in the fifth season premiere (1994). He also reprized the role in various other projects, including spin-off shows: Law & Order Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Trial by Jury.
At the time of the announcement that he was leaving the NBC show, Waterston issued the following statement: “Greetings, wonderful people. It's a joy to speak directly to the backbone of Law & Order's absolutely amazing audience in this way. It's time for me to move on and take Jack McCoy with me. It's sad to leave, but I'm just too curious about what's next. An actor doesn't want to get too comfortable. I'm more grateful to you than I can say. L&O's continued and amazing longevity and amazing comeback is thanks to you and Dick Wolf, but none of this would have happened thanks to his vision, patience, perseverance and unique combination of creative and business talents. I feel very blessed. I hope we all see each other on the other side. Thank you very much.”