L&O: A psychotic man defends himself in court...and it's heartbreaking

Law & Order S6 E21 “Pro se”

“You think I’m crazy? Did you know my sister is Aunt Lydia from ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ for Christ’s sake.”

“You think I’m crazy? Did you know my sister is Aunt Lydia from ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ for Christ’s sake.”

A triple murder leads Briscoe and Curtis to a psychotic homeless man (Denis O'Hare). Claire is feeling the heat from Schiff for letting James Smith off with a fine in an earlier case. Jack finds that Smith is a legal wiz when back on his medication. It takes the testimony of his sister (Ann Dowd) to finally break his spirit.

We're talking about one of the most acclaimed episodes of Law & Order, season 6 episode 21 "Pro Se." Our special guest is writer and blogger Charlie Pierce.

This episode takes cues from the real life story of David Riggins.

Click here to read Charlie's article on L&O's 25th anniversary.