Law & Order Season 21 Episode 1 revolves around questions of legal ethics.

When Henry King is found shot dead soon after his release from prison, few people mourn. King raped 40 women and was released on a technicality. Bernard tells Cosgrove that they have to respect every victim, even the ones who did horrible things in life, but Cosgrove appears to be a hothead who is going to have a hard time sticking to this.

Cosgrove almost loses it with a Black suspect, causing him and Bernard to butt heads, but there are more important things going on. The investigation soon leads them to a possible suspect: the first woman who came forward about the rapes. There is circumstantial evidence connecting the woman to the murder, and after Cosgrove feeds her a false story about how she won't get in trouble if she tells the truth, she confesses.

After Nicole's arrest, protesters gather around the courthouse and the defense attorney wants the confession squashed. ADA Nolan Price agrees that the confession was gained under questionable circumstances and McCoy allows him to agree to squash it as long as he's willing to live with the consequences of his decision.

To find out what happens, watch Law and Order Season 21 Episode 1 online.