Law & Order Season 25 Episode 1 recap: Carter Mill's murder case delivers a shocking twist

NBC's long-running police procedural legal drama Law & Order premiered Season 25 on September 25, 2025. Created by Dick Wolf, this series delves into the lives of New York's police and detectives as they strive together to deliver justice and keep the city safe from deadly crimes and notorious criminals.

Previously, in Law & Order Season 24, Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun (portrayed by Odelya Halevi), in the finale, hinted that Maroun might have been involved in something that could end her career. Detective Jalen Shaw and Detective Vincent Riley's investigation into the death of a 19-year-old model led them to a suspect who might have killed Maroun's sister. In the finale episode, Maroun tries her best to ensure that the killer is caught and justice is served.

When Riley and Shaw were investigating the model's death, they found out that someone named Carter had abused her and brutally killed her. In the process, a cold case resurfaces, involving Maroun's sister. Turns out, Carter was involved in it. Even though Maroun was barred from working on this case because it involved a family member, she did not back off; however, she ultimately paid a high price for it.

She takes matters into her hands; she speaks to an eyewitness, a doorman who had a conversation with the defendant on the night of the murder. She even tries to manipulate the unsure doorman to present a testimony. Her motive? Get a testimony that led to the defendant's acquittal by hook or by crook. The finale ends on a cliffhanger when the defendant turns up dead, and all fingers point to Maroun since she was desperate for justice.

Law & Order Season 25 Episode 1 finally answers whether ADA Samantha Maroun is found guilty of killing her sister's murderer. The episode begins right from where it left off, Maroun shuts the door on Executive ADA Nolan Price's face. Price then tells DA Nicholas Baxter that Carter Mills had been shot dead. Baxter asks Price whether Maroun was involved in the murder, to which Price answers that he isn't sure.

Law & Order Season 25 Episode 1 recap: Is Detective Shaw leaving?

As Detective Riley is busy investigating the Carter Mills murder case, the investigators find surveillance footage and a potential eyewitness. Lt. Jessica Brady tells Riley that Shaw is taking the case at the 88th precinct. Riley answers that he's happy for him, but he's going to miss him.

As per reports, Mehcad Brooks, who played Jalen Shaw, left the series in July to explore new opportunities.

Law & Order Season 25 Episode 1 recap: Did Maroun kill Carter Mills?

Returning to the case, Riley, based on the evidence and his theory, concluded that the suspect was a brunette with Maroun's physique. Things turn messy for Maroun since she owned a gun that was similar to the one used to kill Carter.

While talking to Nolan Price about the case, Maroun tells him that she didn't commit the murder and reveals that she threw the gun in the river. She finally admits that she wanted to scare Mills and had initially headed towards his apartment, but on the way, she realized it was not a good idea and dropped the plan.

When the eyewitness comes forward with the statement that the shooter is taller than Maroun, the investigators begin looking for the real culprit. Thus, it's proven that ADA Samantha Maroun didn't kill Carter Mills. Soon, they find out that Carter's ex, Julia, broke up a couple of days before his verdict, had gone to Pennsylvania to buy a gun.

During the trial, Jules reveals that Carter Mills had abused and physically tortured her. She acted in self-defense since he was almost on the verge of killing her. Maroun tells Price that Julia should be charged with first-degree manslaughter because she was both emotionally and physically vulnerable at the time of the murder. Baxter approves the plea, and Julia accepts the deal.

However, the Law & Order Season 25 premiere episode ends on a cliffhanger when Julia confesses to Maroun about certain things, while Maroun asks her to mellow down. Turns out, Julia killing Carter Mills was a premeditated plan. This new information could land Julia in trouble since now she could be charged with murder. Maroun tells Nolan that they should move forward with the plea and keep the premeditated part a secret.

Law & Order Season 25 Episode 1 is available to watch on NBC and Peacock.

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Also read: Law & Order Season 25 adds a Star Trek: Discovery alumni in a series regular role

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