Recently we reported that
Sept. 7th would see the DVD releases of
Law & Order - The 14th Year/2004 Season,
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - The 5th Year/2004 Season, and
Law & Order: Criminal Intent - The 3rd Year/2004 Season.
Many fans expressed disbelief that Universal Studios Home Video would do this: the original series has the first 2 seasons already out, and the 3rd was expected next. Likewise, both spin-offs had the rookie season in release, and the second season was expected to be the follow-up, especially where
Criminal Intent is concerned, since it's only just finished airing its third season.
Not to worry, our sources say! Retail sources have confirmed what our thoughts were here all along: that NBC-Universal is trying to market on DVD the just-finished seasons of each show at the beginning of the Fall Premiere timeframe, to help promote the new seasons of each series. But for the next release of each show, current plans are to return to the in-order lineup of series, picking up where each show left off. The thinking is that there are fans who want the entire set of episodes from the very beginning of the run, but that there are also fans who want to see more of what's been happening recently with their current favorite characters.
So relax, sit back, and enjoy the latest that these fine shows have to offer. Here's a first look at the cover art of all three, clearly promoting that these are from the 2004 Season of the show. Hopefully we'll be back soon with full-size versions of each package:
