Law & Order Year 14 (6-DVD)

NBC's long-running crime drama Law & Order has succeeded largely because it allows for an innovative, nuanced view of the American legal system from start to finish. Each one-hour show begins with the police investigation of a crime, and for the first half two detectives (here it's Jerry Orbach and Jesse L. Martin) wade through the evidence to come up with a prime suspect. The second half-hour follows the suspect to trial and is told from the District Attorneys' point of view (here played by Sam Waterston and Elisabeth Rohm). Staying topical by taking cases straight from current headlines, Law & Order is no less compelling when seen long after the real-life events have faded from the headlines, thanks in large part to its terrific cast (which includes S. Epatha Merkerson and Fred Dalton Thompson) and its intelligent, involving writing. This 3-volume set includes all 24 episodes from the series' unprecedented 14th season.