Branch quotes from Law & Order

Serena

My father. The only one of my tennis matches he actually came to, he spent doing paperwork. It didn't make me love him less, it just made me try that much harder to make him love me more.

Were you successful?

Serena

You should see my backhand.

I think you're giving the Feds way too much credit. They ain't that clever.

McCoy

Still, lucky break for them. Now they roll up the whole crew, starting with Peter Righetti for the murder of his uncle...

Good riddance.

Your problem was too many blue-collar jurors. They identified with Kenneth Silva.

Serena

How do you know who the holdouts were?

The people who escape jury duty? Same people who escape active duty.

So I suppose Sonny Keane will have plenty of time to work on his next book.

McCoy

A few years in prison should provide him with many interesting real-life experiences.

The covenant the father broke was with both of them.

Serena

Even after everything he did to her, she forgave him. Asher didn't.

McCoy

He felt more betrayed than she did.

He may have married into the family, but he'll never be blood.

Serena

We could've just ducked the whole issue instead of trying to set policy.

And I can't believe I have pusillanimous pussyfooters on my own staff.

McCoy

I don't think Spiro Agnew is the person to be quoting here, Arthur.

If the shoe fits.

Serena

I was doing catch-up on discovery.

Discovery? You're halfway through trial.

McCoy

The defense disclosed dozens of boxes of paperwork. They're trying to drown us.

Serena

They have nine paralegals, and we just have me. But I don't think they meant to disclose this. [hands McCoy a piece of paper]

McCoy

[reading it] Miss Southerlyn, you've outdone yourself.

Do I get to see it? [McCoy hands him the paper, he reads it] Well, let's see if Dr. Cedars can wiggle his way out of this one.

Since when do gun dealers surf the Web?

Serena

Everybody surfs the Web, Arthur - everybody but you.

Cosmetic surgery. It's an epidemic in this country. Whatever happened to aging gracefully?

Serena

Only a man would say that without a trace of irony. Men age gracefully, Arthur. Women just age.

Why would anyone take up with a man accused of murdering his lover?

Serena

You're not a woman. I get it - he's charming, attractive, he's an outlaw. He's a classic bad boy.

Serena

What?

You know, Serena, if you were right, you were right for the wrong reasons.

Serena

Meaning?

Emotions, not facts. What was it you said, everyone you talked to said they couldn't have killed that man?

Serena

My emotional responses make me...

...an advocate. You're a superb attorney; you ought to be involved in cases that feed your passion.

Serena

Well, that would be wonderful.

Serena, you must know, that will not happen in this office. It can't. Now, a prosecutor can be zealous, but not passionate. Advocacy is warm-blooded, enforcement's got to be cold-blooded, and blind, and even angry.

Serena

Does Jack feel as strongly about this as you do?

No, but it's my office and my decision, and he accepts it.

Serena

A decision? You've already made a decision?

Yes. I have. You're fired.

Serena

Is this because I'm a lesbian?

No. Of course not. No.

Serena

Good. Good.

McCoy

If you want to fire me, Arthur, go ahead. I'm not going to apologize for what I did.

Well then, you just don't get it, Jack. You know, you're a great prosecutor, but you'll never be a district attorney.

Religious fervor.

McCoy

The nitroglycerin of the 21st century.

He tormented his family, he battered his girlfriend. Danny Ashburn wasn't a victim, he was an argument for birth control.

McCoy

He's not the one on trial here.

You oughtta put his pregnant girlfriend on the stand. The jury will admire the mother for not killing him sooner.

Listen to yourself. Your whole plan is fueled by outrage.

McCoy

Outrage is all we have right now.