CORRECTION: Conspiracy does NOT MERGE under MPC and modernly not under common law either.  The episode incorrectly states that it does.  A particular source I referenced appears to be incorrect, but I cross-referenced with four other reputable sources and they all indicate that conspiracy does not merge with the completed crime.  Under very old common law, conspiracy was a misdemeanor and it did merge, but all jurisdictions now consider it to be a separate crime which never merges.  They want to discourage agreements to commit crimes as is evident by Pinkerton and hearsay exception.  Of course, attempt and solicitation do merge.