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Law & Order is an American television drama series created by Dick Wolf. It first aired in 1990 and provided the benchmark for crime television by utilizing a specific framework: the first half representing police investigations and the remaining half court proceedings.
Vanessa Ferlito is an American television and film actress known for performing in several crime dramas. She guest-starred as Tina Montoya in Law & Order season 13 episode 14, titled Star Crossed, which aired on February 19, 2003.
In Star Crossed, Tina Montoya is a fashion design student caught up in a life of crime. The plot follows detectives investigating a murder that leads to Tina's manipulative behavior, and her conspiring to commit crimes.
Tina Montoya's role in the Law & Order episode
In Law & Order season 13 episode 14, Tina Montoya is a talented fashion student who strives to look affluent and successful, though she hails from a modest background. Her father, Pablo Montoya, is a restaurant cook and verbally abusive, which contributes to Tina's deep-seated need for social validation and material prosperity.
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Tina is defined by manipulative behavior and ambition. She uses her charm to influence people around her, especially Robbie Delgado, a friend from the past and an individual who is intellectually disabled.
Tina convinces Robbie to participate in armed robberies to help her fund her fashion dreams. To advance herself further, she manipulates Hal Garber, a luxury car dealer. Tina sets up the murder of Hal, planning the crime so that Robbie would unknowingly help her.
After being arrested, Tina tries to manipulate defense attorney Dean Connors to divert all legal culpability to Robbie. Her moves are ultimately revealed throughout the court proceedings, with her being convicted of murder and sent to prison.
A brief recap of Law & Order season 13 episode 14
The episode began with the discovery of Hal Garber's corpse in Harlem. Luxury car dealer Garber was beaten to death, and the case was given to Detectives Lennie Briscoe and Ed Green. Initial evidence uncovered Garber's association with a hijacked car and financial dealings, suggesting a deeper motive.
Detectives discovered Robbie Delgado's involvement from witness testimony and security footage. However, the investigation indicated that Tina Montoya was the main person behind the events. Tina had enlisted Robbie to do the robberies and then orchestrated the murder of Garber to get herself a luxury vehicle for her fashion show.
Prosecutors Jack McCoy and Serena Southerlyn moved to bring Tina to trial. Tina's plan for defense was to seduce and manipulate her defense attorney so that she could shift the blame to Robbie.
Unfortunately for her, the prosecutors revealed her plans, and she was convicted. The show demonstrates the weaknesses of people like Robbie whenever more clever people manipulate them, and how Tina allowed herself to commit grave offenses due to her ambition.
Vanessa Ferlito's career beyond Law & Order
Following an appearance on Law & Order, Vanessa Ferlito had significant roles in various television shows. She played Detective Aiden Burn on CSI: NY from 2004 to 2006.
In 2013, she played FBI Agent Catherine "Charlie" DeMarco on the show Graceland, continuing the role until 2015. Most recently, from 2016 to 2021, Ferlito starred as Special Agent Tammy Gregorio on NCIS: New Orleans, joining the show for season 3.
Aside from television appearances, Ferlito also worked on films. She acted in Spider-Man 2 (2004) and appeared as Arlene "Butterfly" in Death Proof (2007), directed by Quentin Tarantino. Ferlito also featured as Cassie for the 2009 production of Julie & Julia.
Catch new episodes every Thursday on NBC at 8 pm ET. The episodes will be available to stream on Peacock the next day.
