Thursday, April 30, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” & Chicago PD “The Number of Rats” Recap & Review


“In the criminal justice system, some killers are so depraved that it takes multiple 
police agencies to bring them to justice. This is one of those investigations.”

This time, when New York’s Special Victims Unit joins forces with Chicago Fire and Chicago PD, we saw a much meatier crossover and a story that had some serious teeth to it. Some SVU fans may not be thrilled that some of the Chicago PD stars were given so much attention in the SVU segment of the crossover, but in my opinion the nature of the kidnapping and eventual murder of one of Chicago PD’s own people (Nadia) made it necessary,  and I think it blended very well. It was also a great chance for those who are SVU fans but not too familiar with Chicago PD to get a real taste of the dynamic of the Chicago team and how they operate. Voight was true to his hot-headed form and clearly he thinks the detectives at SVU are a bunch of weaklings. Using force is his method of operation, but in this case, the SVU detective tempered and methodical manner of interrogation helped to get that one nugget of information that helped to find Nadia.

Having Jay Halstead checking out his brother Will’s alibi was a mistake that helped the defense. I can understand that Halstead was leery of letting Will do any talking with the police, but someone outside of Intelligence should have independently verified Will’s alibi. And I can’t quite put my finger on it, but the legal segments of SVU episodes seem a little weak as of late and I echoed Voight’s displeasure with the way Barba was handling the case. I don’t have Barba’s legal acumen either but it seems Barba has lost some of his spark.

If we compare Greg Yates’ rapist/serial killer persona with SVU’s William Lewis, we can assume that all serial killers like to keep their victims duct taped in the back of the car, under a tarp, while the killers play silly/campy music. With Lewis, it was “Ain’t We Got Fun” and with Yates it was “Daydream Believer.” It seemed intentional that they made both perps have similar behavior. (Or maybe the writers only can think up one kind of serial killer?)

Dallas Roberts does creepy very well, and he pulled out all the stops for this role. Dallas is a Law & Order “repeat offender,” having been on Law & Order (3 times), Law & Order Criminal Intent, and already on SVU in season 6 in the episode “Weak.” I may never be able to look at him again and not see “serial killer.”

Overall, this crossover was excellent. Personally, I find Chicago PD a more compelling series than Chicago Fire. Chicago PD’s method of storytelling is far more intense and the characters far more complex. Chicago Fire seems to cater to the under 20 crowd, with the story lines and character relationships that are more fitting to a soap opera. I felt the Chicago PD segment of this crossover was the best out of all three hours and I also think Chicago PD has a good foundation - in both their stories and the cast – for some real staying power. They just need to pull in more viewers, and I hope this crossover helps in that regard.

A side note: On April 23, The Hollywood Reporter teased a clip from the Chicago Fire episode “We Called Her Jellybean” – the first part of the crossover event – with the headline “Benson's Visit to 51 Elicits an Emotional Stabler Flashback from 'SVU'.” The article showed a video where Benson looks at a victim’s photo and she flashes back to Stabler consoling her over a victim in New York from years back. That flashback clip was taken from Law & Order SVU “Soulless” (season 4, episode 25). But, the actual Chicago Fire episode used an altered/edited version of that preview clip, and Stabler is not present at all. The body in the Chicago Fire clip has also been changed (from the original SVU episode) and ME Warner’s dialog has been dubbed from the original episode to change her assessment to fit the Chicago Fire storyline. The case from the original episode had nothing to do with this current case. Bottom line: NBC/Chicago Fire teased the clip with Stabler to get viewers to turn in, and then did a “bait and switch” and wiped him from view. Many viewers were insulted and have every right to be. This is a clear case of false advertising.  The reasons why Meloni was cut likely deals with $$$, but it should have never gotten to the point that NBC/Chicago Fire used the clip and actively promoted his presence. That’s just sloppy. And using a clip from an episode for a gratuitous flashback scene when we all know the case in the flashback scene had nothing to do with the current case is another case of sloppy. I can’t quantify how much this kind of stuff annoys me and makes me believe that there is little concern for quality and accuracy in their story telling. It also confirms to me that they think the fans are idiots and won't notice or won't bother to check.


Here is the recap:

Cast:
Mariska Hargitay – Sergeant Olivia Benson
Ice-T – Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Danny Pino - Detective Nick Amaro
Raúl Esparza - ADA Rafael Barba
Peter Scanavino - Detective Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Jr.

Guest stars:
Tamara Tunie – ME Melinda Warner
Jason Beghe – Hank Voight
Sophia Bush – Erin Lindsay
Jesse Lee Soffer – Jay Halstead
Marina Squerciati – Kim Burgess
Brian Geraghty – Sean Roman
Dallas Roberts - GregYates
Stella Maeve - Nadia Decotis
Jenna Stern – Judge Elana Barth
Mary Bacon - Susie Frain
Jaqueline Hendy – Attorney Crane
Jen Ponton - Layla
Darryl Knight – Bo
PJ Powers – Glen
Rachel Neiheisel – Renee Walden
Ozzie Stewart – Lisa
Aja Frary – Nila Green
Fiona Horrigan – Forewoman

Chicago PD  Episode Cast
Jason Beghe - Hank Voight
Jon Seda - Antonio Dawson
Sophia Bush - Erin Lindsay
Jesse Lee Soffer - Jay Halstead
Patrick John Flueger - Adam Ruzek
Marina Squerciati - Kim
Elias Koteas - Alvin Olinsky
Laroyce Hawkins - Kevin Atwater
Amy Morton - Trudy Platt
Brian Geraghty -Sean Roman
Stella Maeve - Nadia Decotis
Jesse Spencer – Matthew Casey
Eamonn Walker – Chief Wallace Boden
Rachel Melius – Charlotte Reegan
Laura Lapidus – Janine
Jeff Parker – Dr. Smith
Tiffany Bedwell – Victoria Lewyn

Previously, in the first episode of the crossover, Chicago Fire “We Called Her Jellybean,” a woman is sexually assaulted and her apartment set on fire. She is badly burned. Benson contacts Hank Voight of Chicago PD Intelligence regarding that incident as she noticed similarities with that case and one she had ten years prior. She heads to Chicago and gets more information from Voight and Battalion Chief Boden. She flashes back to a previous case from 10 years ago that was very similar. She thinks these cases are connected.

Chicago PD “The Number of Rats” airs second, with SVU’s “Daydream Believer” airing as the third part of the crossover with a dual introduction: “In the criminal justice system, some killers are so depraved that it takes multiple police agencies to bring them to justice. This is one of those investigations.”

Benson is waiting at a hospital to talk to the rape victim - Victoria Lewyn - who was also burned. Hank Voight brings Benson some coffee. The doctor tells them the victim has 3rd degree burns over 70% of her body; the damaged went through to the muscle and her nerves are completely gone. The only good news is that she can’t feel anything. She is coherent and Voight and Benson want to talk with her. Benson stresses the situation, saying if the woman is able, she would want to talk to them. The doctor goes to check. Jay Halstead explains the victim’s sister is there and Voight tells him to have Olinsky and Atwater talk to her.

Halstead speaks with a doctor – who is his brother Will – about Victoria’s condition. His brother knows her as she is a nurse in maternity.

The other doctor returns and lets Benson and Voight in to talk to Victoria and tells them to keep it short. Victoria recalls taking out the trash and saw a man wearing hospital scrubs out of the corner of her eye and she turned. She then woke up in her apartment and it was on fire. She did not see his face but he was white and a little under 6 feet. She begins to code and the doctor rushes Benson and Voight out of the way.

Meanwhile, Olinsky and Atwater speak with Victoria’s sister who says Victoria was not seeing anyone and doesn’t know anyone would do this. As she sobs, they try to console her.

Later, back in the Chicago PD Intelligence squad room, Benson explains the 3 other possible related cases from New York in 2004 who were nurses, were raped murdered by blunt force trauma or burned. Two had green nail polish applied sometime during the crime. Witnesses all saw a man in medical clothing with his arm in a sling who was seen approaching the victims. They do not know if the current victim had green nail polish applied as her hands were severely burned. There was no DNA on the New York crime scenes. They wonder why the killer stopped for 10 years and Benson is not sure that he has. Benson recaps that the suspect is a male white, 5’9”, about 40 years and old and either in the medical field or posing as someone who is. There is nothing distinctive about him but witnesses were consistent as describing him as average looking and normal. Chicago PD explains the action they have taken so far and what they will also be doing next. Halstead gets a phone call who says Olinsky called and said Victoria didn’t make it. Lindsay tells Benson they will get him.

Sgt. Platt works the phones at the front desk and tells Burgess and Roman to start taking statements from people waiting in the lobby area. Nadia arrives and apologizes for being late and asks Platt to hold some stuff behind the desk for her. Platt is annoyed that because Nadia came late that Platt had to take all the hot line calls and tells her to plant her ass upstairs and start taking notes.

Meanwhile, Benson speaks with Amaro and Fin about what she needs them to do on cross matching cases and getting files. Voight suggests they bring the stuff out themselves and Benson agrees. She also tells them to have Rollins and Carisi work the case from New York.

At the apartment of Victoria Lewyn in Chicago on Saturday, April 11, the Chicago PD work the case along with Matthew Casey from the Chicago Fire department. Inside the apartment, Casey explains how the fire started. They suspect there is no DNA. Lindsay finds a bottle of green nail polish. Outside, Dawson and Ruzek talk with people in the area

Back at Chicago PD, Nadia fields calls and Halstead reviews what they are doing with Benson and Voight,  who tell him what else he needs to check. Benson gets a call and it is Carisi in New York who tells her he is going over the witness statements for one of the victims in New York who was a med student who knew one of their victims and he was named Will Halstead who is a doctor at Chicago Med and his brother Jay is a detective in Voight’s unit. When she gets off the phone, Benson says it was her son’s nanny checking in.


Later, Benson meets up with Voight in a bar and tells him what she heard about Will and she wants to question him and “check his temperature” without telling Jay. She wants to ambush Will. She explains she has been carrying around the case for 10 years and just wants to see the look on his face. She does not want to disrespect Voight as she knows this is his house. He says he will think about it.

Meanwhile, Amaro and Fin arrive at Chicago PD Intelligence and when they make themselves at home, Platt says Voight likes things just the way they are and they shouldn’t be moving things around. Amaro quips he is glad she told them because he was planning on stealing the copier. She glares at him and Amaro says he was kidding. She glares at him again and leaves.

Law & Order SVU “Perverted Justice” Promo

Here is the promo for Law & Order SVU, Perverted Justice” which will air on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC. Dann Florek and Andre Braugher guest star.

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Perverted Justice” can be found at this link.





Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Perverted Justice” Photos

Here are advance photos for Law & Order SVU Perverted Justice” which will air on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC. The photos feature Mariska Hargitay,  Danny Pino, Dann Forek, Andre Braugher (as Attorney Bayard Ellis), and Robert Sean Leonard (as ADA O'Dwyer).

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Perverted Justice” can be found at this link.






Photos by: Michael Parmelee/NBC 2015 NBCUniversal Media, LLC



Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.


Friday, April 24, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Parents’ Nightmare” Episode Information



Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order SVU, “Parents’ Nightmare.”

Law & Order SVU “Parents’ Nightmare” Air Date May 13, 2015 (9 PM ET/8C Wednesday NBC)

SVU DETECTIVES RACE TO FIND A BOY KIDNAPPED FOR RANSOM

8 year-old Owen Fervid (guest star Keened Ruparel) disappears from school and his mother Dana (guest star Brooke Bloom) receives a ransom request. When surveillance footage shows that Owen recognized his abductor, Detective Amaro (Danny Pino) works with Dana and her ex-husband Sam (guest star Navid Negahban) to find and arrest the suspect, but tensions between the estranged couple obstructs the investigation. Meanwhile, Sgt. Benson (Mariska Hargitay) is asked to take the Lieutenant's exam to formally take the lead over her squad. Also starring Ice T (Det. Odafin Tutuola) and Peter Scanavino (Det. Sonny Carisi). Also guest starring Frankie Alvarez (Javier Rojas), Carmen Cabrera (Fabiana Caldera), Robert John Burke (Lt. Ed Tucker), and Toni D'Antonio (Principal Stanwick).

# # #

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Parents’ Nightmare” can be found at this link.






Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

SVU Crossover: Chicago Fire "We Called Her Jelly Bean" B-Roll

Here is a behind the scenes video for Chicago Fire "We Called Her Jelly Bean" which will air on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 10PM ET on NBC. This is the first part of the Chicago Fire/Law & Order SVU/Chicago PD crossover event.

The video features Law & Order SVU’s Mariska Hargitay,  Chicago Fire’s Eamonn Walker and Monica Raymund, and Chicago PD’s Jason Beghe and Jon Seda.

The Law & Order SVU and Chicago PD episodes will air on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 on NBC.

Update April 24, 2015: I’ve added the actual episode clip – enjoy!


Chicago Fire SVU Chicago PD xover april 2015 by tvwatchr



CF_Xover clip by tvwatchr



Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” Previews

Here are preview clips for Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” which will air on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 10PM ET on NBC. This episode is part of the Chicago Fire/SVU/Chicago PD crossover event. The videos feature Mariska Hargitay, Raúl Esparza, Sophia Bush, Jason Beghe, Jesse Lee Soffer, Brian Geraghty, and Marina Squerciati.

These previews have a limited life so catch them while you can!

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” & Chicago PD “The Number of Rats” can be found at this link.





SVU_XoverClip2_16x9 by tvwatchr


SVU_XoverClip3_16x9 by tvwatchr


SVU_XoverClip5_16x9 by tvwatchr



Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

SVU Crossover: Chicago PD “The Number of Rats” Previews & B-Roll

Here are preview clips and a behind the scenes video for Chicago PD "The Number of Rats", part of the Chicago Fire/Law & Order SVU/Chicago PD crossover event. This episode will air at 10PM on April 29, 2015 on NBC. The videos feature SVU’s Mariska Hargitay, Danny Pino and Ice-T; Chicago PD’s Jon Seda, Jesse Lee Soffer, Laroyce Hawkins, Jason Beghe, Patrick John Flueger, and Sophia Bush, and Chicago Fire’s Taylor Kinney and Monica Raymund. Also featured is guest star Dallas Roberts. The SVU episode begins at 9PM. (Note - there is also a clip from the Chicago Fire episode with Mariska and Jason Beghe.)


B-roll CPD xover by tvwatchr

The preview clips have a limited life so catch them while you can!


CPD_XoverClip1_1 by tvwatchr


CPD_XoverClip3_1 by tvwatchr


CPD_XoverClip4_16x9 by tvwatchr






Chicago Fire clip




Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” Cast Interviews

Here are cast interview videos for Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” which will air on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 10PM ET on NBC. This episode is part of the Chicago Fire/SVU/Chicago PD crossover event.  The videos feature Danny Pino, Raúl Esparza, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino, Sophia Bush, Jason Beghe, and Dallas Roberts.

Also included is an interview with Ice-T and Laroyce Hawkins for the Chicago PD crossover episode.

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” & Chicago PD “The Number of Rats” can be found at this link.



SVU Daydream Believer Interview Danny Pino... by tvwatchr








For Chicago PD segment




Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” B-Roll Video

Here is a behind the scenes video for Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” which will air on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 10PM ET on NBC. This episode is part of the Chicago Fire/SVU/Chicago PD crossover event. The video features Mariska Hargitay, Raúl Esparza, Sophia Bush, Jason Beghe, and don’t blink or you'll miss Danny Pino and Kelli Giddish.

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” & Chicago PD “The Number of Rats” can be found at this link.




Same video using Dailymotion:

Law & Order SVu Daydream Believer Behind The... by tvwatchr


Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Friday, April 17, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Perverted Justice” Episode Information


Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order SVU, Perverted Justice.”


Law & Order SVU “Perverted Justice” Air Date May 6, 2015 (9 PM ET/8C Wednesday NBC)

DANN FLOREK AND ANDRE BRAUGHER RETURN TO "SVU"

Bayard Ellis (guest star Braugher) takes on the case of a man incarcerated for incest and rape, whose daughter Michelle (guest star Samira Wiley), the victim and star witness when she was a child, wants to recant her testimony and set her father free. When a judge refuses to reopen the 17 year old case, the SVU turns to retired Captain Cragen (guest star Florek), who remembers the investigation and provides evidence that could change the convict's fate. Starring Mariska Hargitay (Sgt. Olivia Benson), Danny Pino (Det. Nick Amaro), Kelli Giddish (Det. Amanda Rollins) and Peter Scanavino (Det. Sonny Carisi). Also guest starring Robert Sean Leonard (ADA Kenneth O'Dwyer), Glenn Plummer (Derek Thompson), Kia Joy Goodwin (Audrey Jones) and Leslie Odom Jr. (Reverend Scott).


# # #


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Perverted Justice” can be found at this link.






Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” Photos

Here are advance photos for Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” which will air on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 10PM ET on NBC. This episode is part of the Chicago Fire/SVU/Chicago PD crossover event. (Some photos are from behind the scenes.)  The photos feature Mariska Hargitay, Danny Pino, Ice-T, Dick Wolf, and Chicago PD’s Jason Beghe and Sophia Bush.

Special bonus: included is a photo from the May 6 episode Law & Order SVU “Perverted Justice" with Dann Florek and Andre Braughner. (Photo by: Michael Parmelee/NBC)

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” & Chicago PD “The Number of Rats” can be found at this link.















Photos by: Michael Parmelee/NBC and
David Giesbrecht/NBC
2015 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Five photos added April 22, 2015






Photos by: Michael Parmelee/NBC and
David Giesbrecht/NBC
2015 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

SVU Crossover: Photos from Chicago PD "The Number of Rats"

Here are photos from Chicago PD "The Number of Rats", part of the Chicago Fire/Law & Order SVU/Chicago PD crossover event,  which will air at 10PM on April 29, 2015 on NBC. The photos feature SVU’s Danny Pino and Ice-T, and PD’s Jon Seda, Jesse Lee Soffer, Laroyce Hawkins, Elias Koteas, Jason Beghe, Patrick John Flueger, and Sophia Bush.  (The SVU episode begins at 9PM.)








Photos by: Elizabeth Morris/NBC 2015 NBCUniversal Media, LLC


Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” Episode Information (Crossover Episode)


Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer”, which is part of the Chicago Fire and Chicago PD crossover event. (Also included are the details for the Chicago Fire and Chicago PD episodes.)


Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” Air Date April 29, 2015 (10 PM ET/9C Wednesday NBC)

CHICAGO AND NEW YORK POLICE CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION INTO AN UNSOLVED RAPE AND MURDER CASE

Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Voight (Jason Beghe) lead their teams in the investigation of a rape/murder case that is frighteningly similar to a case from New York a decade ago. When forced to release their main suspect, the Chicago PD joins the SVU in New York in pursuit of Yates (guest star Dallas Roberts). Featuring Sophia Bush (Det. Lindsay), Ice T (Det. Tutuola), Danny Pino (Det. Amaro), Kelli Giddish (Det. Rollins), Raúl Esparza (ADA Barba), Peter Scanavino (Det. Sonny Carisi), Jesse Lee Soffer (Det. Halstead), Marina Squerciati (Ofc. Burgess), Brian Geraghty (Ofc. Roman), Stella Maeve (Nadia Decotis), Tamara Tunie (M.E. Warner) and Mary Bacon (Susie Frain).



Chicago Fire “We Called Her Jellybean” Air Date April 28, 2015 (10 PM ET/9C Tuesday NBC)

A FIRE REVEALS EVIDENCE OF A POTENTIAL SERIAL ARSONIST WHO HAS BEEN ON THE LOOSE FOR MORE THAN A DECADE AND DEMANDS THE ATTENTION OF THE CPD AND SVU-STORY ARC CROSSES OVER INTO "LAW & ORDER: SVU" AND "CHICAGO P.D." THE FOLLOWING NIGHT

An apartment fire linked to a case of rape and attempted murder calls for members of the CPD to team with the Special Victims Unit, which had a similar unresolved case that has eluded them for more than 10 years. This prompts Sgt. Benson (Mariska Hargitay) to come in from New York to assist with the investigation in which she is all too familiar. Meanwhile, doubts among the squad towards one of their own causes Severide (Taylor Kinney) to lay down the law and Dawson (Monica Raymund) puts her life on the line during a call. Jason Beghe, Jon Seda, Warren Christie, Eric Mabius guest star.



Chicago PD “The Number of Rats” Air Date April 29, 2015 (9 PM ET/8C Tuesday NBC)

SVU DETECTIVES JOIN CHICAGO INTELLIGENCE TO CONNECT A CASE IN CHICAGO TO AN UNSOLVED CASE ABOUT RAPE AND MURDER FROM NEW YORK A DECADE PRIOR.

Continuation of Chicago Fire, "We Called Her Jelly Bean" episode. Benson (Mariska Hargitay) has traveled into Chicago to help Voight (Jason Beghe) and intelligence with a rape/murder case that is frighteningly similar to a case from New York a decade ago. She calls in Fin (Ice-T) and Amaro (Danny Pino) to assist. The prime suspect, Yates (Dallas Roberts) is let go after rigorous questioning. He then requests a meeting with Lindsay (Sophia Bush) and he warns of unintended consequences from what intelligence is doing. Featuring Jon Seda, Jesse Lee Soffer, Patrick Flueger, Elias Koteas, Marina Squerciati, LaRoyce Hawkins, Amy Morton, Brian Geraghty, Eamonn Walker, Nick Gehlfuss, Stella Maeve and Samuel Hunt.


# # #

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Daydream Believer” & Chicago PD “The Number of Rats” can be found at this link.






Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Granting Immunity” Recap & Review



If there was ever a vaccine to protect oneself from wasting an hour watching a lackluster episode of any television show, this episode begged for it. The problem with kids spreading photos from their “rainbow party” could have been an episode all its own and gone many different ways. Instead, it took a turn to focus on a case that really was not in the purview of the Special Victims Unit: vaccinations. In this case, it WAS personal. Had Benson’s own foster son Noah not been directly affected by the measles outbreak, I can’t image a case like this would ever be on the radar of a Special Victims Unit. If the episode was going to focus on a topic that had no special victim, it should have at least included a substantive debate of the core issue. This episode did not. Instead, it glossed over the same tired pro and con arguments or vaccinations.

Editorial comments: I can speak from personal experience that vaccines can both help and harm. I had a severe reaction to my smallpox vaccine in the 1950s, and 2 bad reactions from tetanus shots. (Clearly I lived to tell about it.) I have a nephew with severe autism and have seen many more children affected by this condition. It does make one wonder what exactly is causing what looks like an explosion of autistic boys? All that said, vaccines do work and do serve to keep many dangerous diseases at bay. I have many memories of those years when measles, chicken pox, mumps, polio, etc. spread easily and I wouldn’t want that for any child today.

If I followed the dates correctly, Noah was in the ICU for about a month. I know he has a compromised immune system, but that seemed like a awfully long time to be in pediatric ICU. We didn’t really see Benson at the office at any time during that month so we can only guess how she was juggling her job and Noah’s hospitalization at the same time. It also wasn’t until near the end of the trial that Benson told Barba that Noah’s fever was spiking and he may need a spinal tap, sounding as if after all that time in the ICU, Noah was not improving. We don’t know exactly how long it was after that that she told Fin and Amaro that Noah may be home soon. Bottom line is that Noah’s health will likely continue to be a problem area and will continue to put stress on Benson. Can she handle it long term?

Barba erred when, rather than call the actual CDC or medical expert to confirm that epidemiological testing shows that Noah’s virus came for patient zero, he had Benson relay that information, which was quickly thrown out. Clearly, Carisi is getting on Barba’s nerves and I enjoy Barba’s sassiness in response. On the subject of Carisi, we can only wonder if he is a bit of a hypochondriac or germaphobe as he seemed concerned he had caught something plus his obvious use of hand sanitizer.

We can only wonder what further angst awaits Amaro with Gil and his mother possibly leaving for San Diego. With Zara already in California, are we being led to think if Amaro will make a change in jobs and head there in order to be close to both children? Also, he didn’t tell Rollins about it until weeks after he heard about the possible move from Gil, and that seems like a long time to not share information like this with a close co-worker.

And what’s going on with Fin? His character seems like nothing more than window dressing lately.  This episode felt like a waste of the use of the rare time the whole main cast is present.

Note: the information on this form indicates that Noah was born sometime in December of 2013.  
The form is dated 3/30/15 and Benson lists his age as 15 months.

Here is the recap:

Cast:
Mariska Hargitay – Sergeant Olivia Benson
Ice-T – Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Danny Pino - Detective Nick Amaro
Raúl Esparza - ADA Rafael Barba
Peter Scanavino - Detective Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Jr.

Guest stars:
Missi Pyle - Trudy Malko
Hari Dhillon – Counselor Varma
Jefferson Mays - ME Rudnick
Aida Turturro - Judge Felicia Catano
Julie Lauren - Mia Biel
Marla Sucharetza –
David Margulies - Dr. Eric Setrakian
Christine Toy Johnson - Dr. Celia Lee
Bronwyn Reed - Lucy Huston
Susie Essman - Arlene Heller
Emily Dorsch - Principal Schwartz
Tony Campisi – Counselor Steve Roth
Stephen Bradbury – Judge Colin McNamara
Jaden Matthew Rodriguez - Gil Mancheno
Jack Garrity - Michael Boylan
Kate MacCluggage – Gabriel Dole
Savannah Biel - Hayden Tweedie
Lois Robbins – Jillian McAdams
Dante Palminteri – Leo McAdams
Jackson Stenborg – Jaden Boylan
Joy Lynn Pringle – Chloe Harrington
Dante Bruzzese – Larry Heller
Cliff Samara - Jury Foreperson


Getting ready for school, Gabriel showers. When he sees his step mom with her other son Aidan, he coughs and says his temperature is 99 but says his day says he should go to school.

At her home, Benson readies Noah to see Dr. Lee and later is at the pediatrician’s office filling out a consent form for the MMR vaccine. Aidan and his mother are also there in the waiting room.

In school, Gabriel shows another boy that he has a bag full of vodka bottles, and Principal Hannah Schwarz walks by and tells them to get to class. Later, the kids use the booze during a “rainbow” party at someone’s home. There are many videos and pictures taken on cell phones.

Later, Leo is in class and views some of the photos and decides to forward them along. Afterwards in the school hall, Principal Schwartz catches a group of kids looking at something and takes one of the phones and sees the photos and looks shocked.

At SVU, Benson tells the detectives about the group of kids from a Tribeca going off campus for lunch and having a “rainbow party.” She explains explicit photos were taken and then they went viral at the schools and they have a lot of kids and panicking parents. As they walk to the elevator, Rollins has to explain to Amaro what is a rainbow party and comments she is never having kids.

At Tribeca Academy, 157 Franklin Street on Monday, March 9, Benson confers with Schwartz who has the 9 kids from the party – 9th and 10th graders - involved and their parents waiting in a separate area. Schwartz explains to the upset parents that the police are there to take their statements and there will be time to discuss policy going forward but they need to address the situation at hand. Benson explains that they realize kids are kids and they want to keep this in proportion but they need to determine if any crimes were committed. She says they can be present when they talk to the child and any pictures from the party should not be posted or shared.

The detectives split up to interview the kids. One girl says she heard about the party via a text from Jaden. Another parent said he heard the girls were just as complicit as the boys. Another girl, Savannah, along with her mother Mia, states there was pressure to do all the guys but she didn’t and she doesn’t even like Jaden. She said she was mostly with Leo who is her lab partner. Leo tells Fin he doesn’t know where the lipstick came from, they were just playing a kissing game. Benson hears from Gabriel about this kissing game and his step mother, Colleen Dole, recognizes Benson from Dr. Lee’s office. Gabriel is her step son, his father is in Moscow and she’s told him what has happened. Amaro and Fin continue their interviews and when Fin senses reluctance from Leo he suggests they bring the kid in and have CSU do a body scan.

While Benson hears Gabriel whine about the matter, his mother Trudy Malko arrives and said she heard about this from his father in Moscow. Colleen explains they share custody. Trudy says she heard Savannah hosted the party and Mia is an engaged parent and is sure she did not know about this. Gabriel continues to cough.

Later, at SVU, Amaro brings Colleen Dole and Michael Boylan into Benson’s office. They want to apologize and they are upset about the party and the kids messing around. Amaro states this wasn’t just kids playing spin the bottle. Colleen replies that they know, she had Gabriel show her the photos and his father is flying back tonight. Benson states they still need to conduct their investigation. Colleen says there are rumors going around that the boys might be arrested, and Boylan adds the girls were just as complicit. Colleen stresses these are good kids but Amaro reminds them there are age of consent issues and when the kids post those images it crosses the line. When they get worried, Benson says she is glad they came in but there is no need to panic. When she explains she has two of her detectives at the DA’s office now, Boylan begs them to keep this in perspective and their boys will not do this again.

In Barba’s office, Rollins and Carisi review the issues. Carisi explains in detail and Barba quickly said he gets it, and asks that there were no teachers. Rollins confirms they were all minors from 14 to 16 and no one is claiming coercion. Carisi adds he does not see statutory and Barba, looking annoyed, states it is not Carisi’s call but then quickly says he is right. The bigger issue is the photos and he asks Carisi how explicit did they get? Carisi brings up the photos on his tablet and shows them to Barba, Barba looks at them and then asks Carisi if he realizes that Carisi just showing him the photos could constitute a Federal crime and if that is Carisi’s personal tablet he would get rid of those. When Barba asks how viral has this gone, Rollins said in the school, pretty far. Carisi says the parents have circled the wagon on the privacy issue. Barba states they have to track these images down and remove them from the Internet by contact tracing. He tells them to confiscate everybody’s phone and go from there. When Carisi gripes about it, Barba emphasizes they have to protect these kids: with facial recognition and geo-tagging and photo tagging there could be pornographers and predators honing in on them now. When Rollins asks if he wants to explain that to the parents’ Barba dryly states that is SVU’s job, and to have fun.

At the school with a lot of police, phones are being confiscated. When Schwartz tells Benson of the complaints she is getting from parents. Benson says to tell them if they don’t contain this now, there will be images of their children on the Internet for eternity.


Rollins asks Chloe what is her pass code, and Chloe asks if Rollins is going to wipe her phone, as she just got to level 386 on Candy Crush. When her mother glares at her, she then gives the code as 10971097. Carisi asks Leo for all his social media passwords and when he grips his mother orders him to write them down. Fin gets Jaden’s information. When Amaro asks where is Gabriel Dole, his mother says he is home sick and he has the cell. When Amaro says he will need his passwords, he calls her Mrs. Dole, but she counters her name is Trudy Malko and she is happily uncoupled. Amaro asks if there is a landline where her son is, and if she can call him and come back when she’s filled the form out. When she walks off with the paperwork, she walks into Principal Schwartz who is there with Benson, and Trudy says she tells her she is finding this very invasive. Hannah counters that she is sure that Trudy does not want to find sexually explicit images of Gabriel going viral on the Internet. Benson emphasizes it is for her son’s protection. Trudy thinks that should be her call, and Benson counters not if it involves child pornography charges. Trudy comments that is must be stressful to spend so much time in such a dark world, and she walks off. Schwartz comments to Benson that Trudy has a lifestyle website and she reviews holistic treatments and herbal therapies - she is the queen bee of the Tribeca moms. Benson comments there is one in every hive. Benson’s phone vibrates; it is Dr. Lee. She says Noah is home with the babysitter and asks if everything is okay. She looks stunned.

Later, in Dr. Lee’s office, Benson is shocked when she finds that Noah MAY have been exposed to measles by another patient in the waiting room. Benson states he was just vaccinated yesterday, and Dr. Lee says this is good but the vaccine takes time for it to go into full effect. The doctor says there is no fever so far, so that is a good sign. Benson asks if the patient Noah was exposed to was Aiden Dole who has an older brother Gabriel, and Dr. Lee says she can’t say, which Benson understands. Benson asks if there is anything she can do now, and the doctor says she would like Benson to quarantine him at home with no exposure to other children, but adults who have been vaccinated are fine. He has to be quarantined 8 days to start and knows with Benson’s job that will be difficult. Benson says she will do whatever they have to. She picks up Noah and repeats that they will do whatever they have to.