Part of what made Jack McCoy such a great character on Law & Order was his relentless zeal in not just prosecuting but truly punishing defendants. But ever since he was promoted to D.A., he's shown a kind of lily-livered cowardice that makes Adam Schiff look like Abbie Carmichael. Michael Cutter reminds me a lot of a young Jack McCoy. But whereas that young McCoy tended to get a long leash from Adam Schiff, even when they disagreed; it often seems like D.A. McCoy is actively trying to cut off Cutter's prosecutions at the knees. What happened? Where'd my bloodthirsty Jack go?
^ I think it seems that way because Jack's not in the courtroom anymore, but it's not as bad as it looks. Jack can still be badass. He's cut Michael Cutter off at the knees on more than one occasion. I wouldn't want to piss Jack off, not by a longshot. I'd wager that Jack is more ruthless than any DA this show has had, Adam Schiff included.