Law & Order

Warning : SPOILERS ahead forLaw & Orderseason 24 , episode 15 , " Crossing Lines . “I’m shocked by the gadget in Baxter ’s ( Tony Goldwyn ) recusal storyline inLaw & Orderseason 24 , sequence 15 , titled " Crossing Lines . " In the year since Baxter replacedLaw & Order ’s Jack McCoy(Sam Waterston ) , the adjective has not often shown his personal life . He abut head with his then - wife in the season 23 stopping point , but no further honorable mention has been made of the status of their relationship since he win re - election to the territorial dominion attorney position . Thus , it is surprising that he is involve in the type of kinship that requires recusal .

" Crossing Lines " draws Baxter into the action when a utter John Doe is foundwith the district attorney ’s line card in his scoop . Baxter before long identifies the man as the son of a senator whom Baxter has a personal connection with . While that connexion could make a conflict of interest for Baxter , that is not the reason he chooses to recuse himself — it is because of his relationship with the defence lawyer on the typeface . This gobsmacking equipment kept my interest and may be the type of writingLaw & Orderseason 24 needs to save the series .

Baxter’s New Relationship Forced Him To Recuse Himself From Law & Order: SVU Season 24, Episode 15 Case

He Is Dating The Defense Attorney

When Brady ( Maura Tierney ) visits Baxter ’s home to postulate him about the John Doe , she learns that he is date — and potentially be with — Kate Norris ( Maggie Siff ) , a well - known defence attorney . Baxter explains he and Kate have known each other since practice of law schoolhouse and recently reconnected . Soon , it is let on thatKate is the defence lawyer in the current grammatical case , so Baxter ’s loyalties will be divided if he endeavor to guide his attorneysin how to counteract Kate ’s scheme . This compelling turn makes for one ofLaw & Order ’s expert episode , as it provide a meaty dispute for Baxter .

Law & Order and Law & Order : SVU missed an opportunity for connection despite Baxter being an crucial graphic symbol in both show ’s stories .

I was n’t sure what recusation would await like since Baxter does n’t try cases , but subsequent events in the installment demonstrate that it intend Kate has to contribute her business organisation about prosecutorial strategy to Nolan Price ( Hugh Dancy ) , not Baxter . at long last , Baxter ends up in the middle despite recusation , with Kate squeeze him to talk over the case at home and Nolan inform him that he think Kate intimidate a prosecution witness into forswear their statement . Furthermore , when Nolan deliver the goods his case , Kate takes it personally and storms off from Baxter , leaving the future of their relationship in doubt .

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Baxter’s Recusal Means He Has Quietly Separated From His Wife

They Were Together But Arguing In Season 23

It was also unmanageable for me to fathom Baxter ’s attraction to Kate . At right , she straddles ethical line , while he is a straight shooter who believe justice and morality are more important than win a chip in case . Thus , itis unsurprising that the human relationship looks like implode throughout " Crossing Lines"and is likely over given Kate ’s response to Baxter after she lose the vitrine .

This interesting development is more shocking than it otherwise would have been because Law & Order so seldom delves into Baxter ’s personal sprightliness .

However , this twist also control a large surprisal . While Baxter is married inLaw & Orderseason 23 , that relationship is now over . The procedural never note this before , or else leaving the story thread hanging after the argument between Baxter and his married woman in the season 23 finale . This interesting ontogeny is more shocking than it otherwise would have been becauseLaw & Orderso seldom turn over into Baxter ’s personal life . Thus , there were no indications that his union was over until the reveal that he was now date stamp someone else .

Law & Order Baxter standing by the courthouse wearing a scarf, coat, and tie

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Law & Order Brady brings an evidence bag to Baxter and asks him about a victim

Law & Order SVU Baxter sits in the back of a car looking out the window

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