Greetings,
I am going to do something on the this occasion for the first time, but not the last. Instead of discussing a main character on Law & Order, I will be discussing a recurring character. Of course, in this case, that's a relative term instead of a literal one. She should have been considered a main character, but never truly was. She did get her name randomly thrown up at the end of the beginning credits sometimes with the words "also starring", sans a picture. I guess they liked to adhere to that "only six main characters at a time" rule. Or maybe she wasn't pretty enough. If you've seen this woman, you will understand the sarcasm of that statement. And if you haven't guessed by now, or haven't read the title of this post, we are talking about Dr. Elizabeth Olivet.
Elizabeth Olivet was portrayed by Carolyn McCormick, on and off, for about eighteen years. Yeah, that's right. All that time and still just recurring. But if she's not bitter, then neither am I. Anyway, Dr. Olivet is clinical psychologist who does consulting work for the NYPD. So, in short, her job is to decide if a criminal is legally sane or not. She first came on the show as a grief counselor after Max Greevey died in order to help Mike Logan through this difficult time. One guess as to how he reacted toward her attempts to help. Very good. You've been paying attention. They did become close after a while. Very close, allegedly. And over the years, most of the cops and lawyers came to respect her. With good reason.
In time, we see that Dr. Olivet is very by the book when she practices, and she is quite an expert at seeing when someone is trying to fake a disorder to benefit themselves. People do that a lot, it would seem. She does not shy away from giving a truthful diagnosis, refusing to sway in favor of the prosecutors wishes. This, sometimes, makes them get frustrated with her. If anyone can get these grown-ups to act like they are an inch away from a legit temper tantrum, it's Olivet. She is also very compassionate to those who she believes are troubled for real, often wanting them to be institutionalized, not imprisoned. That also has the potential to frustrate her colleagues. Still, she sticks to her guns.
Though, as I said, she was never technically a regular cast member, Dr. Olivet did have an episode centered around her in Season Three, "Helpless". What transpired there was something that left her with some serious scars, but, as devastating as the experience was, she got through it. She would always come across as a very strong woman and this just proved it.
I must say, I always loved it when I saw Carolyn McCormick's name in the credits. She never disappointed, even in the smallest of tasks she was called upon to perform. And that goes for every leg of the Law & Order franchise, all of which she has appeared in. Sometimes, characters like this can become quite generic, and it takes a gifted actress to bring them to life. Carolyn McCormick certainly fulfilled that duty.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
