Saturday, January 31, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Undercover Mother” Episode Information


Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order SVU, “Undercover Mother.”


Law & Order SVU “Undercover Mother” Air Date February 18, 2015 (9 PM ET/8C Wednesday NBC)

A MOTHER RISKS EVERYTHING TO RESCUE HER DAUGHTER FROM AN UNDERGROUND SEX RING

Working undercover to bust a sex trafficking ring, Det. Carisi (Peter Scanavino) stumbles upon Martha Thornhill (guest star Lili Taylor), a mother who has embedded herself as a Madame in the organization for three years in hopes of finding and saving her daughter, Ariel. Martha joins forces with the SVU and they work together to bust the pimp and his cohorts, but Ariel is still missing. Meanwhile, Sgt. Benson (Mariska Hargitay) is confronted with a harsh revelation that will change her life forever. Also starring Ice-T (Det. Odafin Tutuola), Danny Pino (Det. Nick Amaro), Kelli Giddish (Det. Amanda Rollins) and Raúl Esparza (ADA Rafael Barba). Guest starring Danielle Burgess (Nina Soren), Amanda Warren (Tracy), Justin McCarthy (Tommy Strickland) and Tamara Tunie (M.E. Melinda Warner).


# # #


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Undercover Mother” 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, January 29, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Intimidation Game” Episode Information


Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order SVU, “Intimidation Game.”:


Law & Order SVU “Intimidation Game” Air Date February 11, 2015 (9 PM ET/8C Wednesday NBC)

THE VIRTUAL WORLD BECOMES REALITY WHEN A VIDEO GAME CONVENTION TURNS INTO A CRIME SCENE


Video game developer Raina Punjabi (guest star Mouzam Makkar) solidifies the launch of her first game amid a stream of online insults, intimidation and death threats from the male-dominated gaming community. When a female employee is assaulted at a gamer convention, Detective Tutuola (Ice-T) investigates the crime but Raina refuses to delay the launch, and the cops must "level up" to protect her. Also starring Mariska Hargitay (Sgt. Olivia Benson), Kelli Giddish (Det. Amanda Rollins) and Peter Scanavino (Det. Dominick Carisi Jr.). Guest starring Peter Mark Kendall (Steven Kaplan), Susannah Flood (Sarah Keller) and Griffin Matthews (Leslie Connolly).


# # # 


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Intimidation Game” 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 “Decaying Morality” Preview Clips

Here are previews from Law & Order SVU, “Decaying Morality” which will air on Wednesday, February 4,2015 at 9PM ET on NBC. The clips feature Mariska Hargitay, Kelli Giddish, Paul Adelstein, Eva Kaminsky, and Jamie McShane.


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


Please note: these previews have a limited life an may be removed at any time, so catch them while you can!





SVU_16013Clip3_16x9 by tvwatchr

Clip added Feb. 2, 2015

SVU_16013Clip1_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.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Padre Sandunguero” Recap & Review


Law & Order SVU “Padre Sandunguero” reunited Nick Amaro and his father Nicolas Amaro, but this was no happy reunion. Father and son have been estranged for quite some time and Amaro remains very angry over his father’s past abusive behavior. We learn that Nicolas Amaro Sr. was a wife-beater, and those beatings spilled over to young Nick, who admits on the stand he still has nightmares about them. More recently, Amaro has displayed anger issues in the course of doing his job and in his marriage. At first blush, this appears to be learned behavior from his father. But it's more complicated than saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Amaro didn’t simply learn to be angry by witnessing his father’s abusive behavior toward his mother, but likely by being the victim himself of his father’s anger. His father’s rage arises from feelings of jealousy and challenges to his authority,  where Amaro seems angry over the physical and mental pain his father inflicted on him and his mother. Danny Pino was excellent in portraying the angry son who has long loathed his father, a feeling rekindled by a new incident that showed his father hasn’t changed one bit.

In addition to the long standing rift with his father, this case also put a wedge between Amaro and his sister Sonya and his mother Cesaria. Despite Nicolas’ later comments that Amaro protected Nicolas’ fiancée Gabriella, his mother, and his sister Sonya and they will get over it, I don’t think Amaro will - at least not right away. My opinion is that Sonya is just as bullheaded as her father, and her siding with their abusive father may be an issue that Amaro won’t easily forget. (The only person who remains clearly in Amaro’s corner is his daughter Zara.)

In addition to being alienated from his family, Amaro is working a lot of overtime, sometimes almost completely alone in the squad room. This isolation seems to depict Amaro’s attempts at fighting his demons on his own as he tries to get his emotions, and his life, back in balance. Benson offers her support and advice, but her first attempt only brings out cutting remarks from Amaro regarding Benson’s own father issues and her ordeal with William Lewis. It was a low blow on his part which he immediately regretted. The one thing we can count on with Amaro: he is not afraid to say what is on his mind. He still has a long way to go in order to get his emotions and life in check. If – as his sister believes – that anger management isn’t working for him, maybe he should consider looking at a different type of mental health professional for assistance or be more open to a suggestion from Benson.

This was Mariska’s second time directing an episode, and I think she did a great job in relaying Amaro’s inner turmoil with his father from the moment he arrived all the way to the very end. It felt like I was seeing everything from Amaro’s own eyes.

I do have a question regarding how the legal end of this case was handled. Maybe I missed it, or maybe it was something that was implied but we never saw it on screen, but did the EMT who heard the outcry also testify at some point? I fully understand that discussing issues regarding medical care would likely be protected under HIPAA, but wonder if Gabriella’s outcry about being beaten – and naming the person – would be exempt from those rules. I would think that naming her attacker, especially in the presence of a third party, would open the door for the EMT to corroborate Amaro’s story. Clearly, the EMT told the other detectives about it, so why not use it on the stand? I would think this would have boosted Amaros’s credibility significantly and support that Amaro didn’t just say Gabriella was beaten by Nicolas as retribution. I know Barba felt as if Nicolas slipped every one of his punches, but as far as I could see, Barba made no solid punches to start.

Barba made a comment about how Cubans come to this country and in one generation they are doctors, lawyers, CEOs of major corporations, but the headline is “crazy Cubans in wedding brawl.” But the whole episode did exactly that - perpetuate a stereotype.

It was shocking – shocking I tell you! – when Lt. Ed (“Mother”) Tucker actually seemed to be in Amaro’s corner during this mess. And later, he gets my gag reflex going by asking Benson to join him for a drink. I think this is the sign of the apocalypse.

I enjoyed Armand Assante’s passionate and convincing performance as Nicolas Amaro Sr. He was both charming and sleazy at the same time. Only one downside: there were a few times that I couldn’t understand what he was saying.



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 Carisi, Jr.

Guest stars:
Armand Assante – Nicolas Amaro
Robert John Burke – Lt. Ed Tucker
April Hernandez-Castillo - Sonya Amaro
Aida Turturro - Judge Felicia Catano
Nancy Ticotin - Cesaria Amaro
Joseph Lyle Taylor - Counselor Mickey D’Angelo
Ivan Hernandez - Javier Arenas
Daniel Zacapa - Luis Nuñez
Katty Velasquez - Gabriella Nuñez
Nikki M. James – Detective
Caris Vujcec - Detective
J. Bernard Calloway – EMT Himes
Alison Fernandez – Zara Amaro
Clay Drinko - Rab Convers
Samantha Jones – Jury Forewoman

A man walks into the squad room where Benson and Carisi are hard at work and asks where is Nicky? Carisi asks who? and the man clarifies Nicky Amaro. Benson explains she is his Sergeant, and asks who is he. He says she is the Sergeant and he is the father, laughing. Benson realizes he is Amaro’s dad, and he introduces himself as Nicolas, and shakes Benson’s hand. He comments that his son never told him that his boss was so “encantadora” [translate: charming]. Benson laughs and asks him to have a seat and she will let Amaro know that he is here. Nicolas introduces himself to Carisi.

Meanwhile, Amaro and Fin are in interrogation with a suspect who says she wanted it, and she was hot. Benson interrupts and asks Amaro if he has a minute so he leaves the interrogation.

As Benson and Amaro walk out of her office, Amaro sees his father and hears him talking to Carisi about Amaro cutting up a Monte Cristo cigar when he was 5, telling his father smoking was bad for him. Amaro stops in his tracks and his face goes blank. Carisi is laughing at Nicolas' stories and Nicolas sees his son and stand up and moves toward him. Amaro stops, looking less than thrilled, and asks him what is he doing here? Nicolas comments “you see how he talks to his father?” adding that he just came by to say hello and talk. Amaro walks away, saying he is working. Nick asks Benson if she minds if he takes his son to lunch, it would mean a lot to him. Amaro, standing behind his father, shakes his head motioning no to Benson. Benson, looking to Carisi, says she doesn’t know if this is the best time, but clueless Carisi says he can handle things with Fin. Amaro glares at Carisi and Nicolas tells Amaro he has nice friends here and gently pushes into his should, asking him if he likes Chinese. Amaro looks at Benson and says he will be 20 minutes. Benson says okay as Amaro grabs his coat to walk out with his father. As they walk out of the squad room, Nicolas comments that with all the years Amaro has on the job, he thought he’d have his own office by now. As Amaro presses the elevator button, he testily states that he has barely seen his father since he was 15 and he can’t just show up. Nicolas cuts him off and explains he is throwing a party and he needs him to come – he WANTS him to come. As they step into the elevator, Amaro says it is not happening, but Nicolas says it IS happening, it’s a rehearsal dinner, he is getting married, he’s in love. Amaro looks forward with no emotion as the elevator doors close.

At the restaurant, Nicolas shows Amaro a photo of his fiancée, and Amaro asks if she is 25. Nicolas says Gabriella is 28; her whole family moved here. Amaro asks why is he getting married here and Nicolas says he outgrew Miami and what is he going to do at his age, die of an early bird special? Amaro seems annoyed his father may move back and has a lead on a mixed martial arts gym. Nicolas urges Amaro to come by, but Amaro asks if his father can hear himself. Nicolas comments whatever happened between him and his mother in his imagination it’s over and they are all over it. They talk all the time and they worry about him. Nicolas brings up Maria and Amaro doesn’t want Nicolas talking about her or Zara. Nicolas brings up Amaro’s son and that Amaro didn’t know about him, and Amaro leaps up and cuts the discussion short, telling him they should do this in another 20 years. He storms out of the restaurant despite Nicolas telling him not to walk out on him.

Amaro returns to SVU and enters Benson’s office. Amaro tells Benson his father is getting married again to a child bride and he wants him to come. He adds that since going he would require pretending that they have a relationship or that what happened in their home didn’t actually happen. Benson tells him he has every right to be upset, and Amaro cuts her off and says his father doesn’t get to wipe…Benson cuts him off and says this is not about him, this is about Amaro holding on to his anger. She has learned that in order to heal, they have to let go. He angrily asks if she has forgiven her father or William Lewis? Benson looks like she can’t believe he just said that, and she walk away from him, saying, “Wow.” He says he is sorry and walks out of her office as Benson stands at her desk, shaking her head.

Later, at the apartment of Cesaria Amaro at 175 East 155th Street on Thursday, January 15, Amaro is shocked to hear his mother spoke with his father and is okay with the marriage and she promised Amaro’s sister she would go.  Amaro think his sister wants Nicolas to be happy, asking how much money she borrowed from him.   His mother said Sonya has it tough for a long time and things never came easily for her. Amaro counters he worked hard for everything he got, He didn’t go out partying and ring up credit card debt. The apartment buzzer rings and Cesaria tells Amaro to be nice to her. Amaro is surprised his sister is there, arriving with his daughter Zara, which thrills Amaro. Sonya explains she had bonus miles and convinced Maria it was such a special occasion. Zara says she has a new dress for the wedding and is a flower girl, and Amaro asks his mother to take Zara to help Zara put the dress on so he can see it. When they walk off, Amaro asks Sonya if Nicolas put her up to this, and she says she knew he would be upset. He asks if she is guilting their mother into doing this and Sonya says it was her mother’s idea. He thinks he is being set up and is worried if he tells Zara she can’t go, she will be heartbroken. Sonya asks if he is worried about Zara coming tonight, why doesn’t he come? He explains he has to work. He wants to spend a little time with Zara, He gives his sister a kiss and says it is good to see her, but if she is going to take Zara to the party to do him a favor, just take it easy for once. Sonya asks him what is that supposed to mean?

Later, the party is in full swing and Nicolas is bragging about his fiancée to the crowd and says tonight is for Gabriella. Nicolas encourages everyone to party. Gabriella’s father Luis glares at Nicolas.

Meanwhile, back at SVU, Amaro is hard at work and Carisi tries to convince him to come bowling with him at the Piers with his friends from law school. Amaro wants to take a rain check, so Carisi leaves,

Back at the party, Nicolas sees Gabriella dancing suggestively with another man, and she sees him watching her and she breaks it off and walks away. Nicolas follows her while Cesaria sits with Zara, who has her head in her grandmother’s lap.

Back at SVU, Amaro is at his desk on the phone with Maria. Amaro tells Maria that yes, Zara is here, she is at the party with Sonya and his mother. He adds it is all find and of course he is glad to see her. He just doesn’t like being sandbagged; this is his family and he is her father. He gets a beep that another all is coming in and he asks Maria to hold on and he talks the second call. It is Zara. She is sitting under a table to protect herself, the sound of a fight is in the background. She tells Amaro to come quick, there is fighting. Someone falls to the ground right next to the table. Amaro leaps up and races out of the squad room as the person who has fallen on the floor is being beaten.

Amaro arrives at the location, ambulances and police cars are already there. He calls out for Zara and finally sees her and his mother. He picks Zara up and she says it was scary. He asks if she is okay and she shakes her head yes. His mother said one minute everyone was dancing, then all hell broke loose. He puts Zara down and asks a police officer to take his mother and daughter out of there and make sure they get home. A police officer exits with a man who is in cuffs and who is shouting “Animal! Nicolas is a pig!” and yells to see his daughter Gabriella. Amaro walks inside and Sonya runs up to him, thankful he is there. She points him to Gabriella and then rushes off to find her father. An EMT is taking Gabriella out on a stretcher, her face looks beaten and bloodied. The EMT asks who called SVU, and Amaro explains he is with the family. Amaro explains to Gabriella he is Nicolas’ son, and says they will get her taken care of. She says she is dizzy, adding that Nicolas was so angry, he said she wasn’t showing him respect and he hit her. Amaro looks shocked and asks “what?”, the EMT giving him a look Amaro asks if his father did this to her, and she says, “Espérate.¿Nicolas es tu papa?” “Amaro says “Si” then speaks quickly in Spanish. [My Spanish is not great but it sounded like he asked her what happened.] She seems confused that Amaro is Nicolas’s son, then tells the EMT she doesn’t feel well and begs the EMT to take her to the hospital. The EMT says “Yes Ma’am. Detective, please” to get Amaro to move out of the way. The EMT takes Gabriella out as Amaro stands in the doorway, stunned.

Law & Order SVU “Decaying Morality” Promos

Here are two promos for Law & Order SVU, “Decaying Morality” which will air on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC.


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Decaying Morality” 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.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Padre Sandunguero” Preview Clips

Here are previews from Law & Order SVU “Padre Sandunguero” which will air on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC. The previews feature Mariska Hargitay, Danny Pino, Peter Scanavino, and Armand Assante (as Nicolas Amaro).


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


These preview clips have a limited life and may be removed at any time, so catch them while you can!





SVU_16012Clip1_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.

Friday, January 16, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Decaying Morality” Episode Information



Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order SVU, “Decaying Morality.”


Law & Order SVU “Decaying Morality ” Air Date February 4, 2015 (9 PM ET/8C Wednesday NBC)

TWO FAMILIES ARE LEFT TO PICK UP THE PIECES OF THEIR LIVES WHEN A RAPE CASE GOES TERRIBLY WRONG.


Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Rollins (Kelli Giddish) find a teenaged girl crying in the street, her clothes torn. Jenna Davis (guest star Haley Lu Richardson) says she was raped in a pizzeria bathroom by Jerome Jones (guest star Kamal Bolden). Jones has a criminal record as well as a pending lawsuit against the NYPD, but with little evidence to go on, the SVU releases him until an arrest can be made. With emotions running high, Jenna’s father (guest star Jamie McShane) takes the law into his own hands with a decision that will change their lives forever. Also starring Ice-T (Det. Odafin Tutuola), Danny Pino (Det. Nick Amaro), Raúl Esparza (ADA Rafael Barba) and Peter Scanavino (Det. Sonny Carisi). Also guest starring Paul Adelstein (Dr. Neil Alexander), Eva Kaminsky (Marcy Davis) and Jason Cerbone (Counselor Desappio).


# # #

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Decaying Morality” 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, January 15, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Padre Sandunguero” Advance Photos

Here are advance photos for Law & Order SVU “Padre Sandunguero" which will air on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC, The photos feature Danny Pino, Peter Scanavino, April Hernandez-Castillo (as Sonya Amaro), and Armand Assante (as Nicolas Amaro).

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









Photos by: Michael Parmelee/NBC and David Giesbrecht/NBC
2014 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.

Law & Order SVU “Agent Provocateur” Recap & Review



“Agent Provocateur” was one of those rare episodes that bordered on dark comedy. It begins with a very serious case of a teenager who was drugged and raped. As the story progressed, the victim changed her story so many times, and she was so infatuated with the movie star, it was hard to feel any sympathy for her. The episode took direct aim at low-life gossip web sites and publications (one in particular), but also took a swipe at self-absorbed media stars and their obsessive fandom. Unfortunately, while social media is bringing stars and their fans together, it also ramped up the frenzy for gossip rags to dig up even more damaging dirt. In this case, LMZ was just as slimy as its real-life counterpart and it was amusing how SVU and Barba used LMZ Lennie’s bravado against him to gain an edge in this case.

The story closely followed the old standard Law & Order SVU formula, which felt very comfortable. But, despite the constant change in the detective’s focus for a suspect, the episode was predictable. With Skye’s corny insistence on being truthful early in the episode, he should have just been holding up a sign which said “guilty.” Luckily, we had Barba in “full sassy” mode, which brought the right amount of levity to a case. It seemed almost every time Barba was in a scene, he had some cheeky comment to make. (He would make Lennie Briscoe proud.) I really enjoy when Raúl Esparza is in an episode as he can really light up the screen with his delivery.  Fin and Carisi going undercover in jail was also amusing; Peter Scanavino can do crazy very well.

Lately I’ve been enjoying the staging of scenes and related camera work. The on location shots added much visual interest and much realism to the story. The scenes inside the art gallery were very simple yet very creative, especially immediately playing back the arrest on screen for the detectives as they walked out of the gallery.



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 Carisi, Jr.

Guest stars:
Shiloh Fernandez – Scott Russo
Patti LuPone – Lydia Lebasi
John Pankow - Lenny Simmons
Madison Grace - Madison Baker
Jeremy Jordan - Skye Adderson
Jack Noseworthy - Matt Baker
Jolly Abraham – Doctor
Carolyn Baeumler - Ivy Baker
Joel Brady - Officer Nolan
Kareem Savinon = Turrentine
Steohen Bradbury – Judge Colin McNamara
Teresa Moore - Catalina Soren
Joselin Reyes – EMT #1
Carsey Walker, Jr. – LMZ Guy #2
Eric Meyers – LMZ Guy #2


A well dressed Madison Baker gets into a cab, and once she’s in, she takes off her coat showing a revealing dress. She takes a swig of booze and pretties her makeup. Next, we see her laying unconscious on a bed and then being stuffed into a suitcase and left in an alley. The perp who leaves her there partially unzips the suitcase so Madison is visible,

Soon afterwards Officer Nolan finds her and, calls for EMTs. She is rushed to the hospital and she is revived. Madison wakes up to Benson hovering over her, with Amaro in the room. She does not know where she is at or what happened to her.

Madison does not recall being in the suitcase. She last recalls coming into the city to see “Wicked” and meet a girlfriend (whom she did not meet). She got into a cab and was coming from her uncle’s on the upper west side. She is reluctant to give their names as she does not want to get them in trouble. Her mom is in Atlantic city with some girlfriends. Madison is afraid her mother will be mad.

Meanwhile, Fin and Carisi are on the scene with Officer Nolan, who says the anonymous 911 call came in at 3AM from the pay phone. Fin thinks that somebody wanted this found. The officer continues to say he responded and found her unconscious in a half-open suitcase. Carisi comments that the suitcase looks tourist-shop generic and asks if he called CSU yet. The officer replies 4 times already. Fin tells him when they get here, have them run it for DNA and prints; maybe they will get lucky. The officer guesses the girl is underage, she OD’d while partying at a club and they dumped her. Carisi comments “bright lights, big city, right?” Fin asks the officer if he canvassed and if there are witnesses, and the officer said it was late, a cold night and the windows were closed, nobody saw or heard anything. Fin states they are near the tunnels and they will check traffic cam footage. Fin’s phone rings; it is Benson. She is at the hospital, and tells Fin the last thing Madison remembers is leaving her uncle’s apartment and now he is not picking up the phone. She tells Fin to find out why he hasn’t noticed his niece is missing. Fin says they are headed over there.

Back with Madison in the hospital, Benson asks if she told her uncle where she was going by herself, and Madison says he got her the tickets. She explains she got in the cab and the cabbie locked the doors and was driving like a lunatic. He was middle eastern maybe, she doesn’t recall, she was trying to text her friend because she was freaked out. She realizes she doesn’t have her phone and Benson explains when they found her, she had no purse or clothes. Madison only now remembers the driver pulled over and climbed into the back and made her take some pills. After that she doesn’t know. When Benson brings up the rape kit, Madison seems reluctant.


At the apartment of Matt Baker on Monday, January 5, Fin and Carisi find Matt who still thinks Madison is asleep in her room.  They find she is not there. The last time he saw her was at 6 but she had a friend who was dying to see the play. The tickets were still in her room, They explain where she is and asks where he was last night. He said he was at a “meat market” and when he got back at about 1AM her backpack was there and the door was closed. When Fin asks if he can verify that, Matt goes to his room where another man is asleep in his bed. Matt says he screwed up and begged them no to tell his sister. He doesn’t know about a boyfriend, but she is on her phone all the time. Fin asks him to wake up his friend.

Back at SVU, the detectives discuss Madison’s lies with Benson. Benson says the tox screen shows alcohol, ambien, and xanax in her system and the rape kit did not turn up DNA but found condom lubricant. Fin wonders if it was a hookup turned bad. Benson tells Carisi to check her social media Amaro informs them Madison was texting constantly from the upper west to the Howell Hotel in Tribeca, where her cell goes dead at 2AM. Carisi sees an Instagram post yesterday afternoon with a photo of actor/painter/philosopher Scott Russo holding a sign which says “see you tonight.” Amaro sees Scott is in town this week at the EdgeFest film festival at the Howell Hotel. Carisi says he would love to take a run at the Renaissance Man. Benson suggests they get Madison’s side of the story first. Fin adds Madison’s mom just got to the hospital. Benson says to keep her OUT of the conversation.

At the hospital, Benson and Amaro are there with Madison and her mother who tells them she is staying in the room. Her mother is shocked when Scott Russo’s name comes up but says her daughter is obsessed with him. Madison explains that they DM’d each other on Twitter but she denies he did anything. She did go to his hotel and there was a party at the bar and Scott said he could get her on the guest list. He got her a drink but blacked out and remembers waking up in the hospital. Her mother wants Scott arrested.

At the Howell Hotel on Monday, January 5, Fin and Carisi arrive to hear Scott attempting to play a sitar with another musician accompanying him. Fin flashes his badge. Fin asks Scott if he knows a girl named Madison Baker, and when Scott says who, Carisi shows him a photo of Madison, saying she is the 15 year old girl that he was trading selfies with yesterday. Scott excuses the other musician. Scott says she was a fan; she texted him and he responded. He asks if flirting is a crime. Fin asks if he saw her last night, and Scott replies that celebrity, fantasy, and expectations are all part of his art project. He picks up a camera and begins to video Fin and Carisi. While Scott sets the camera on a small tripod, Fin asks Scott if he saw her last night or not, Scott says he met her. Carisi asks if he got her drinks, and Scott replies they were giving drinks away for free; that’s not on him. He admits that, after Caspian Sea, that’s his fan base – young girls. There are a bunch of them in the lobby right now, and some of them always manage to slip under the velvet rope. Carisi says nobody is looking to hang him here, they get it; Madison’s hot and a guy could make a bad choice. Scott counters “A guy… not Scott Russo.” He chuckles and asks why, what is she saying? Fin asks Scott to tell his side, what happened? Fin states Scott met Madison and they had a couple drinks, he brought her up to his room, something like that? Scott says they had some drinks and they talked; he left her in the booth. Carisi asks what time was that, and Scott states he doesn’t wear a watch. He adds that people saw him go – industry people, hipsters. He clicks his fingers and then says Skye Adderson, his co-star, can vouch for him. A woman walks into the room and asks Scott if everything is alright. Scott replies they are cool, and he introduces Lydia, his manager. He tells her to tell the detectives she was at the party last night. Lydia says she was there, then asks what is going on. Fin replies they are just asking about a girl that Scott took a selfie with last night. Lydia counters that Scott took a lot of selfies with waiters, press, fans – he’s a star. Carisi explains this fan is 15 and Scott was sexting with her and she had a rough night. Scott tells Lydia he just talked to her, that’s all. Lydia explains that Scott has a lot of cyber-stalkers and overwrought admirers, but whatever this is, he had nothing to do with it. Fin counters then she won’t mind answering a couple questions. Scott decides to film it as Lydia asks the detectives to email her the questions, hands them her card, and says “thanks fellas” as she guides them out the door.

As they walk down the hall, Carisi asks Fin if he likes Scott for this, adding that he thinks Scott is a self absorbed psycho. Fin says Scott stated he left her in the bar, and points to the camera and suggests they go to the tape.

Law & Order SVU “Padre Sandunguero” Promo

Here is the promo for Law & Order SVU “Padre Sandunguero" which will air on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC.

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Padre Sandunguero” 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, January 14, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Padre Sandunguero” Behind The Scenes Photos

Here are behind the scenes photos from Law & Order SVU “Padre Sandunguero" which will air on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC. The photos feature Mariska Hargitay directing the episode, and guest star Armand Assante (as Nicolas Amaro).


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




Photos by: Michael Parmelee/NBC 2014 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, January 9, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Agent Provocateur” Preview Clips

Here are preview clips from Law & Order SVU “Agent Provocateur” which will air on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC. The previews feature Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Peter Scanavino, Shiloh Fernandez, and Patti LuPone.


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



Please note: The preview clips have a limited life and may be removed at any time, so please catch them while you can!


SVU_16010Clip1_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.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Forgiving Rollins” Recap & Review


The long-teased details of Amada Rollins' experience while working in the Atlanta PD are revealed in “Forgiving Rollins.” We already knew it was a boys club in Atlanta, and as far back as November 2011 (episode: “Educated Guess”) Rollins admitted that something happened to her on the job which triggered her leaving Atlanta. In May 2012 (episode: “Strange Beauty”) we know something happened between her and the Deputy Chief when Sam Reynolds tells Rollins that drunk or not, the Deputy Chief was out of line. Now we find that Rollins’ sister got into trouble with the law, and Patton used the prospect of making that all go away for Rollins in exchange for sexual favors. Rollins remained silent about his subsequent attack on her, possibly convincing herself over the years that she was to blame for what happened. This experience may have contributed to some of her many behavioral problems, or, made some existing behavioral problems worse. Rollins never gets her official day in court to confront Patton, but at least during the practice run with Barba, she admits to Patton raping her.

Kelli Giddish gave an exceptional, impassioned performance which brought Rollins inner struggle to life, and this is probably her best and most realistic performance on SVU. It’s a shame that the story itself was anticlimactic as it was made obvious in previous episodes that Patton was her problem in Atlanta. I hoped that Patton was only the tip of the iceberg and we’d get a “meatier” story with a wider reach. I saw a glimmer of something more when Sam Reynolds began to get creepy with Rollins when he confronted her while she was out for a walk, but no. He’s just another member of the Atlanta scummy entitled boys club who thinks he deserves a piece of the action.

I have issues with Rollins’ behavior, past and present. Rollins never reported that Patton raped her when it first happened. I can understand her actions in part. Rollins felt that as she first consented to have sex with Patton to get her sister off the hook that no one would believe her accusation of rape. But it worries me that Rollins would have consented in the first place and I wonder what that says about Rollins’ overall integrity. Yes, it is difficult when one's attacker is someone who is in a position of power, and, at first, Detective Reese Traymor seems to be taking the same approach as Rollins did 5 years prior. As Reese’s rape accusation against Patton unfolds, Rollins lies, or at least avoids, telling Benson and Dodds what she knows about Patton. She knew Patton was a predator. Rollins was only looking out for herself, likely worried about how it would reflect on her if her own story came out. I find her omission of the truth to Benson/Dodds disappointing, yet there seemed to be no professional repercussions to Rollins for her initial lack of cooperation with this case. All she gets from Benson is a referral to her therapist and some time off. Based on the sum of Rollins’ past and present performance issues and behaviors, I would have zero trust in her and probably would have initiated some kind of official disciplinary action, at least to document that she seek help for her trauma. Most importantly, Rollins refused to testify but expected Detective Reese Traymor to do what she didn’t have the nerve to do 5 years ago. Reese did shame Rollins when, on the stand, she testifies what Patton did to her was a crime and she realized if she did not testify it could happen to someone else and she did not want that on my conscience. Later, Reese rightfully calls Rollins on her reluctance to testify about her own attack. The bottom line is that Rollins’ actions – and inaction – allowed a predator to continue, leading up to Reese’s rape. Even though Rollins’ rape does shed light on understanding some of her behavior, it doesn’t excuse it. I am not sure if I like Rollins, much less forgive her at this point. In her defense, she has been through a lot and needs therapy. Let’s just say for now that I remain disappointed in her and hope therapy can bring about positive results.

I don’t understand why Barba couldn't cool his jets and wait to call Rollins as a rebuttal witness to counter Patton’s testimony stating he would not harm a woman. Yes, the judge did rule out Rollins as an initial prosecution witness, but Patton’s statement should open the door to allow Barba to call her to rebut. I do understand why the judge blocked Barba’s questioning of Patton on this specific issue at the time and likely Barba was simply looking to rattle Patton by bringing it up.   I suppose the point is moot, as Barba went at him full throttle and Patton conveniently became ill on the stand and Barba cut a deal at a later time. (Loved Patton’s “Spanish dandy” insult. by the way.)

I really disliked Hamlin’s faux southern accent, y’all.

This was a compelling episode which answered some question about Rollins, but it made me wonder more about what kind of detective – or person – she really is. There is still a lot more of Amanda Rollins “pre-rape” of which we know nothing about.  I think there is more to her inner struggle than meets the eye.



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 Carisi, Jr.

Guest stars:
Peter Gallagher - Deputy Chief William Dodds
Harry Hamlin – Deputy Chief Charles Patton
Dreama Walker - Reese Taymor
Delaney Williams - Counselor John Buchanan
Jenna Stern - Judge Elana Barth
Myk Watford - Captain Sam Reynolds
Becky Ann Baker – Vivian Dodds
Yvonna Kopacz-Wright – Dr. Darby Wilder
Mike Massino – ConElectric Worker #1
Brian Michael – ConElectric Worker #2


Atlanta’s Deputy Chief Patton is giving a speech, saying it is a brave new world, and criminals are bound less and less by geographical jurisdiction, and law enforcement must follow suit. He adds they all need to share information quickly and efficiently. He cites as an example the recent Pattern Seventeen rape case in New York. He says that for the APD, the most gratifying part of closing out that case was their collaboration with their esteemed and charming (looking towards Benson, who is sitting on the panel on stage) colleagues on the NYPD. He explains that one of Benson’s detectives, who was formerly one of his own (Rollins, sitting in the audience, gets squirmy), recalled cold cases in Atlanta that matched the profile they had established. He states that given the similarities in the MO, they felt certain that the DNA on file in the Atlanta precinct proved this was the work of one man, DNA they were unable to obtain from the New York crime scene.

After the speech, Benson, Rollins, and Fin are at the reception that followed, and so is Patton. Fin grips that Patton sat on the rape kits for 6 years, SVU catches the guy, and questions Patton taking the victory lap. Rollins tells Fin to accept the things he cannot change. Fin adds not to ask him to go out to dinner with Patton, Patton walks over to the detectives, accompanied by a young blonde woman. Patton complements Benson on their beautiful city, and Benson replies “Even when it isn’t.” Patton says that is true, then says speaking of beautiful, tells Rollins it is nice to see her. He said it broke his heart to let this one go, and that they all have a winner with her. Fin states dryly that they know that. Patton then introduces the blonde woman, Detective Reese Taymor, saying this is her first conference. Benson welcomes her to New York. Reese says it is just like the song, adding that she loved Benson’s presentation. Rollins glares at Patton as Reese tells Patton they should look into some of the program’s Benson mentioned. Patton responds by saying “Anything you want, darlin’. As he strokes Reese’s arm, and Rollins continues to give him the evil eye, Patton says there are so many friends here and excuses him from the SVU team, saying he will catch them later. Reese says it is “nice to meet y’all.” As Patton and Reese walk off, Fin lets out a sigh and Rollins states with sarcasm that in Atlanta, they are so polite. Amaro walks up to the group and says that Sam Reynolds, Rollins’ old captain, wants them to join the APD at Moran’s. Benson and Fin make excuses and bow out. Rollins says she is not good at hanging out with the good ol’ boys and adds she has to walk Frannie. Patton and Reynolds watch as she leaves.

Later, Rollins is at a bar drinking, and asks the bartender for another drink, saying “hit me.”

The next day at SVU, Amaro and Fin speak about the Atlanta detectives and Fin laughs that Rollins stuck Amaro with them. Amaro asks what is Rollins’ deal with these guys, and Fin suggests he ask Rollins, who is entering the squad room. Fin moves to answer his phone and Rollins, wearing sunglasses, races in and asks Amaro if Benson is already in. He says yes; he told Benson she was running late. Fin gets off the phone and gives them bad news: there was a hotel rape last night and the victim is the young detective from Atlanta.

At Bellevue Hospital on Saturday, January 3, Benson and Rollins speak with the doctor who said Reese Traymor was found by the maid in the hotel bathroom with a serious head wound. Security called 911. Reese disclosed to the ER nurse so they ran a kit. There were no drugs in her system but her alcohol level was 0.12, and Rollins notes Reese is still intoxicated this morning. There were bite marks and bruising on her thighs and hips. Rollins asks if she said who her assailant was, and the doctor says that is outside her purview.

Benson and Rollins then speak with Detective Reese Taymor who says she had too much to drink at dinner and she got up in the middle of the night to get a glass of water and thinks she fell and hit her head on the sink. When Rollins asks her about the assault, Reese says she doesn’t know what she means. Benson, confused, tells Reese that the ER nurse said she disclosed. Reese shakes her head and says she was in an emotional place. Rollins pulls out her phone and then says she is sorry, Fin needs her, so Benson excuses her from the room. After Rollins leaves, Reese says she feels so stupid bringing them in here, and Benson asks her to start at the beginning. Reese says they had drinks, he escorted her to her door, using a false pretense to get in.

Meanwhile, Rollins races down the hall, clearly in distress over the situation. Reese tells Benson that when she told him she needed to sleep, it became something else. She adds she can’t believe she is saying these words out loud. Benson asks if she struggled or said no, and understands Reese has some bruising. Reese is silent. Benson tells Reese this is not going to go away, and Reese replies yeah, it will. Benson goes on to say they will pull the security footage and find out who went in and out of that hotel room. Reese explains it was her boss. Benson asks, “Captain Reynolds?” and Reese laughs, saying no, it was his boss, Deputy Chief Patton. She says she is not pressing any charges and she won’t testify - she can’t. Benson looks stunned. Rollins, still in the hallway, tries to compose herself.

Law & Order SVU “Agent Provocateur” Promo

Here is the promo for Law & Order SVU “Agent Provocateur” which will air on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC.


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Agent Provocateur” 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.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Law & Order SVU “Agent Provocateur” Advance Photos

Here are advance photos for Law & Order SVU “Agent Provocateur” which will air on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC. The photos featire Mariska Hargitay, Danny Pino, Ice-T,  Peter Scanavino, Shiloh Fernandez (as Scott Russo), Patti LuPone (as Lydia), and John Pankow (as Lenny).


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








Photos by: Tom Zuback/NBC and Barbara Nitke/NBC
2014 NBCUniversal Media, LLC



Photos added January 12, 2015





Photos by: Barbara Nitke/NBC & Tom Zuback/NBC
2014 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.

Law & Order SVU “Forgiving Rollins” Advance Photos

Here are advance photos for Law & Order SVU “Forgiving Rollins” which will air on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC.  The photos feature Mariska Hargitay, Kelli Giddish, Danny Pino, Ice-T, Raúl Esparza,  Dreama Walker, Peter Gallagher. and Harry Hamlin.


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












Photos by: Michael Parmelee/NBC 2014 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.