Long-running crime drama Law & Order has been so successful largely because it has a formula that emphasizes story over character. This collection contains the show's entire first series, and it is evident how well the formula works from the outset. Each show begins with the police discovering a crime and for the first half-hour two detectives (here it's Chris Noth and George Dzundza) 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 DA's point of view, allowing the show to dissect the intricacies of the U.S. legal system. Staying topical by often 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 and its intelligent and involving writing.