Law & Order SVU “Catfishing Teacher” gives us not one but two teachers who prey on young boys, and one of those teachers gets justice served on them by one of their victims. We saw the first teacher in action very quickly, so it was fairly obvious that while she was a predator but was not pretending to be someone else, we’d get some sort of twist. Of course, the wrestling coach was the obvious choice, because, as Phoebe Burnap indicated, we hear lots of rumors about wresting coaches! In fact, the first time the wrestling coach made an appearance, I pegged him as the guy. Watching too many network crime shows over the years makes for little surprises. Still, there were enough surprises to make for an interesting hour.
It was a nice twist to see how the wrestling coach meets his end. It was also surprising to hear Benson encourage Nat, the coach’s torturer and murderer, to stay silent until his lawyer gets there. Regardless of whether she and Dodds asked Nat for his help to testify, she should not feel any responsibility for such a brutal action. While she felt that at one time Nat was also a victim, she should have a more level headed approach as did ADA O’Dwyer. I can understand her encouraging him to get a lawyer, but I don’t quite get her apparent sympathy for a person who killed someone in such a violent manner, prior victim or not.
In the opening of the episode, we see a bonding moment between Carisi and Rollins and her baby Jesse. Carisi seems to be a natural with the baby, and Rollins seems to be looking at him with new eyes. Personally, I think that Carisi was more enamored with the baby than he was with Rollins. He seems to look at Rollins as a close friend and colleague, but Rollins had that look that Carisi - someone who has annoyed her in the past – is becoming A LOT more attractive to her. Personally, if Rollins gets into another relationship, I’d rather it not be a co-worker again, at least not Carisi. I don’t see that kind of chemistry between them.
Dodds is also trying to establish himself as Sergeant and he takes the initiate to get performance evaluations rolling. He makes some very interesting observations which were spot on. Benson, probably a little too close to her detectives, counters all of Dodds’ concerns. Of course, Fin walks in and then seems to verify Dodds’ inference that Fin is a bit of a slacker and buck-passer. I admit that Fin has never struck me as being what Dodds’ calls a “kicker” but maybe, like Benson, I’ve “known” Fin for too long to see his performance clearly. It also surprised me that Benson seemed to be very comfortable with being short staffed, while it was only a short time ago she was making being short staffed such an issue. Maybe things are just slow enough at SVU because of the holidays that she can let Carisi do his legal thing and not worry about Rollins being off on maternity leave.
Dodds also stepped in it a bit with Benson when he had issue with Rollins making being a mother a priority. I guess he forgot about all the Noah drama with Benson and that she too was a single mother. How could he forget, when Noah has been front and center for so long (wink)?
Something that struck me as odd: How can Fin tell a woman’s age by her cleavage? Maybe I missed something but I thought he made that age comment after only seeing the photo of cleavage, not her whole face or body.
While I enjoy seeing Robert Sean Leonard again, I still don’t get Barba’s absence. Raúl Esparza is absent more that he is present. I would have loved to hear him at the end giving Benson that dose of reality regarding Nat. I am wondering if SVU is renewed for another season, if Raúl will be part of the cast.
Here is the recap:
Cast:
Mariska Hargitay - Lieutenant Olivia Benson
Ice-T - Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Raúl Esparza - ADA Rafael Barba
Peter Scanavino - Detective Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Jr.
Guest stars:
Andy Karl – Sgt. Mike Dodds
Michael Gaston - Coach Donald Basinski
Robert Sean Leonard - A.D.A. Kenneth O'Dwyer
Jordan Gelber - Principal Bernstein
Missy Crider - Serena Foster
Erik Heger - Cole Foster
Kelli Barrett - Phoebe Burnap
Noah Fleiss - Nat Dennehy
Ted Sutherland – Zach Foster
Alberto Rosende – Jordan Massina
Judge Jeanine Pirro - Herself
Christopher Gray - Travis Barstow
Tony Campisi - Counselor Steve Roth
Alex Esola - David Faulkner
Brett Smith - State Trooper Al Clark
Lindsay Arnold - Megan
Mark D. Friedman - Counselor Parnes
Ngozi Anyanwu - Female Cop
Shanga Parker - Doctor
Kate Elizabeth Young - Melora
Rollins walks down the street with Carisi with baby Jesse in the stroller after meeting for lunch. She is going crazy on maternity leave but says being a mother is the greatest thing ever. She is not getting sleep and Carisi gives her advice on Feberizing and suggests she call his sister. The baby starts to cry and Carisi picks her up and consoles her, saying she is a good girl, while Rollins looks at him with a desirable gaze that she normally doesn’t give Carisi.
Meanwhile, Phoebe Burnap and a student, Travis, have sex in a car in the school parking lot. She tells him to hurry up or he will be late. He jokingly asks her to write him a note and races off to school. At the lockers, he runs into Jordan and Zach and Zach seems to know what Travis has been up to. The principal, with the wrestling coach, sees them and tells Travis and Jordan to get to class. Coach tells Zach he expects more from him if he wants a slot, and Travis tells Jordan that Zach will never get a spot on any team.
In class, the teacher, Miss Phoebe Burnap, gives them instruction as the boys gaze upon her, looking dumbstruck. The bell rings and as the class leaves, she wishes them happy holidays, and as Jordan moves to leave, she asks if she can get a little help. As Travis looks back with surprise. and then leaves the room, Jordan asks “Now?” and Phoebe says she needs a ream of paper from the supply closet and it’s on a high shelf. He says “yeah” and she smiles at him.
Later, in the supply closest, Phoebe comes on hot and heavy, kissing Jordan but then he quickly pulls back and he tells her to stop. She asks if he is playing hard to get. She moves in closer and asks if that is better, suggesting they see what they can do to get that average up. She continues to kiss him.
Later, Zach gets a series of text messages from someone unknown which gives him instructions on where to meet along with a photo of only her cleavage. He calls his father and says that mom is on the warpath about his girlfriend again and suggests it may be a better holiday if he ignores her when she calls. He packs his duffel bag and leaves.
Afterwards, he waits on a street corner and when the time to meet comes and goes, he gets concerned. A few hours later he sends a text to his contact and later, he sees a car flashing his lights at him and he smiles.
At SVU, Dodds brings up the issue of performance reviews to Benson, reminding her it is part of his duties and thinks he can make them more efficient. He says Carisi is studying for the bar and trailing Barba and he is not sure his focus is here. Benson states Carisi is learning the law to make him a better cop. Dodds asks if Rollins is really coming back, making a comment that it seems like motherhood is her priority. Benson reminds him you can be a good mother and be good at your job too. Dodds realizes he inadvertently insulted Benson. He thinks she needs someone there who is all about the job. She states she has him and Fin. He admits he is still getting up to speed and when he starts to mention Fin, Benson cuts him off and says not to underestimate him and that Fin knows more than anyone here. Dodds concurs that Fin does, but says Fin is a “kicker,” meaning that he boots any call that he can to someone else. Benson says that is not true. There is a knock on the door and Fin enters, saying that they got a call about a missing 15-year-old boy, missing over 48 hours. And the local precinct wants them to take a look at it. When Benson agrees better safe than sorry, Fin says he figures that Dodds and Carisi may want to check it out. Dodds shoot Benson a look and Benson asks Fin why not him? Fin says he has been racking up a lot of overtime lately. Benson says she will approve it and to go with Dodds. Before Dodds leaves, he turns and gives Benson a quick “I told you so” look.
At the apartment of Serena Foster on Monday, December 21, she tells Fin and Dodds that Zach told her he was going skiing and her ex, Zach’s father, Cole, has a time share in Vail. She has not been able to reach Zach and neither has Cole. His duffel bag and tooth brush is gone as is his iPad. Serena gets testy and Cole walks in and they two of them start to fight. Cole has a locater on Zach’s cell phone but his phone is either off or dead. They share a cloud ID and Fin reminds him then he can check his messages, Cole checks and sees the picture of the cleavage and one messages says she will teach him so many things he will be her favorite student. Dodds looks at the messages which told Zach where to meet and to bring his passport. Cole says Zach must have gone willingly, holing up the cleavage picture and says to look at her. Fin reminds him Zach is 15 and the woman is not.
Back in the squad room, Dodds states that the last texts are about going to the air train and the others are more explicit, accompanied by photos. Benson asks if they tracked Zach's phone, and Fin replies it died at Jamaica station. Carisi explains they traced the cell where the pics came from is a burner; it only sent texts to Zach and then it goes off the grid, but he is still going through the older texts. Benson comments that whoever this woman is, she knew exactly what she is doing. Fin adds she never shows her face, there are no identifying marks or tattoos. Dodds comments that the texts indicate she is older and she knew him from school; it has to be a teacher from River Park Charter High. Benson asked if they flagged his passport, and Fin replies he checked first thing, then he checked TSA – Zach never made it to the airport. Benson tells him to talk to MTA and see if he can get security footage from Jamaica station. Benson shakes her head and asks if there is anything else. Carisi adds in an earlier text she mentions the names Travis and Jordan and says if Zach wants extra credit, he should ask them about it. Benson concludes they are classmates and to track them down. Fin comments it won’t be easy as school is closed for winter break. Benson thinks somebody has got to be around and to start with the principal.
At the residence of Principal Bernstein in Floral Park Queens on Monday, December 21, Carisi comments about the drooping Santa display in the front yard as they knock on the door. The principal answers the door wearing a Santa hat and thinks it is pizza delivery. They announce they are police and a young girl appears, scantily clothed and also wearing a Santa hat. Bernstein tells her to go check on the pizza and the detectives explain why they are there and the info they have on the boys. Bernstein thinks they are looking for Travis Barstow and Jordan Massina, both on the wrestling team and Zach is the equipment manager.
Later, outside the school, Fin speaks with Travis and Benson speaks with Jordan. Travis thinks the only danger Zach is in is in getting laid, and Fin says if he is covering, he is an accessory to statutory rape. Jordan tells Benson the teacher wouldn’t go for Zach as he is still waiting for puberty and she likes guys with muscle. Benson says like him, and he says it is not like that. He says he didn’t want to, he had to, his grades were slipping and he didn’t want to get kicked off the wrestling team. He admits is it Miss Phoebe Burnap, their English teacher. She makes him do things in the supply closet. He go the perfect grade on his “Leaves of Grass” essay.
Back at SVU, Benson explains all this to Carisi and ADA O’Dwyer. Phoebe has only been at River Park for a year and a half but before that she was at 3 different schools over 4 years. Carisi adds she quit each time but she spoke to former administrators who said they heard rumors. They said rumors always follow young, pretty teachers. Fin says hot for teacher happens all the time but Benson says when the teacher follows through…O’Dywer finishes that is rape. Fin states Travis confirms the sexts came from her. Dodds asks why she would use her own cell for them and a burner on Zach? Benson wonders if she is learning or wants to take it to the next level. O’Dwyer wonders where are they, and Carisi shows the train station footage showing that Zach was last headed east from Jamaica station Friday night. Benson tells them to widen the scope to see if the teacher shows up on any footage outside the station and start a canvas. Dodds chimes in and says there is no need to; he ran her credit cards and she put a deposit down on a Vermont ski lodge and she bought gas near there Saturday morning.
Later, at Haywood Mountain Resort in Stratton Vermont on Monday, December 21, Benson, along with Carisi and Dodds, locate Phoebe in her room in bed with a young man, handcuffed to the bed, and she says this is her husband. He says he is 21. Phoebe explains they eloped Friday night. Benson tells them to lose the cuffs, get dressed, and she tells Phoebe she is under arrest.
Back at SVU, Phoebe is in interrogation and Benson, along with Carisi, confronts her with what they have. She doesn’t know where Zach got her picture. She tells them to check her phone, they did not come from her. Benson states they know it came from a burner cell. Phoebe says she is not even sure she knows what this is. Carisi states if she met with Zach Foster, she needs to tell them now; they are pulling the video from the air train entrance and they will put the two of them together. She is emphatic that she wasn’t with Zach and he is just a kid. Carisi asks with sarcasm that Zach is not her type. She says nothing, and Benson adds that Phoebe’s picture is on his phone, she asked him to meet her, and asks where is he? Phoebe states she doesn’t know, her husband David is on Christmas break from Oberlin and they decided to elope the night he came back, that is why they were in Vermont. They have been together the whole time. Benson, looking annoyed, tells Phoebe to stick to that story and she will end up in jail and on the registry for a very long time, asking if that is what she wants. Phoebe replies she wants a layer. Benson says, “Fine, But the longer it takes us to find Zach, the less likely you are to get a deal.” She adds that if something happens to Zach…and Phoebe shouts that she didn’t do anything and she wants a lawyer.
In the interview room, Dodds and Fin speak with David who thinks someone hacked Phoebe’s phone. Those are pictures she sent to him, and Fin says she also sent them to other boys. He explains he’s known her for years, they met when he was a senior in high school and her first year teaching. He outlines the timeline for Friday and getting married. They were together the whole time and she wore him out.
Dodds and Fin exit the interview room into Benson’s office and Benson, there with O’Dwyer, says the lodge confirmed the check-in time and other details. They discuss how the issue with Zach is very different than what she did with the other boys. Benson reminds them Phoebe is Zach’s last contact and she thinks David knows something. She tells them to keep him talking. Counselor Roth enters Benson’s office and asks on what charges are they holding Phoebe? O’Dwyer states it is rape in the third and possibly rape in the second, kidnapping, and sexual assault. Roth says on the rape, a jury will look at her and look at him, and asks if they think the jury will see it that way? Benson shoots an “I can’t believe this guy said this” look to O’Dwyer. Roth says he and his client will need a word. She opens the interrogation room door. Benson then tells O’Dwyer they can’t prove she took Zach but they have her dead to rights on the other boys. O’Dwyer says he is aware, nut right now Zach is missing and he is the priority; if Phoebe wants a deal, she’ll get one.
In interrogation, Benson questions Phoebe, with O’Dwyer and Roth present. She claims she never approached Zach or texted him and says she was looking out for the other boys. Roth says Phoebe was set up by someone and they know who. Benson is outraged. Phoebe goes on to say that Jordan had talked about her with the wrestling coach, Donald Basinski. She says if the coach used those pictures it was without her permission. Benson asks if Phoebe thinks the coach used the photos to lure Zach to him, and Phoebe says he is a wrestling coach, and you hear a lot of rumors about those guys.
Later in the interview room, Jordan admits to Dodds and Fin he showed Basinski the photos, and that he air dropped them to him as he said he needed the proof. He says the coach is a good guy and he always has time for you, no ,matter what.
In Benson’s office, Fin tells her that Jordan gave the coach the pics who then used them to catfish Zach. O’Dwyer says assuming Phoebe is telling the truth, this means they have two predators at the same school. Benson says it happens. Benson informs them the coach’s cell phone went straight to voice mail and TARU can’t trace it. Carisi says Basinski has a stellar resume; he’s been at River Park for 12 years and 5 time coach of the year. Dodds adds if he is a predator, this kid has no idea. Benson adds that predators know who to pick on. O’Dwyer asks where does this coach live, and Fin says Floral Park. Benson tells them to go – NOW. Carisi asks if they need a warrant, and O’Dwyer says he will get one.
At the home, the police break in and no one is there but there are two plates and two beers and Carisi concludes they were there. They find lots of pictures of other young boys in the basement, all over the walls.
Back at SVU, Benson and Fin conference on the phone with Dodds. They think Basinski is using cash, and Fin says his car was on the New Jersey turnpike headed north late Friday night. Dodds states the principal is going through the other boys’ photos. Bernstein can confirm those are the school’s wrestling uniforms but does not know the boys. He has not clue on Basinski’s whereabouts.
At SVU, Benson shows the boys’ photos to Travis and he knows some of them. One moved back to Columbia and didn’t speak much English. Jordon recognizes someone named Sam who killed himself.
Benson, along with Fin, speaks with Zach’s parents and break the news that it may be the coach. His mother says Zach reveres him and she recognizes one of the boys in the photo, saying it is Nat Phelps. Fin asks how can they find him.
At Public Works Municipal Building on Wednesday, December 23, Dodds and Fin speak with Nat about the coach and explains they are looking for the coach and Zach. They continue to press Nat and he says the coach had a place in Pennsylvania but he never went there. Nat said there was an old fashioned general store and coach used to bring back treats for the team. Coach said there was some kind of Viking sculpture in the parking lot.
Later. Carisi and Benson show the photo of Zach and coach to a worker at Valhalla Treats and Sweets in Marlin, Penn., and she recognizes “Coach B” and says they were both in over the weekend. When Benson says his parents are worried as Zach is not answering his cell, the girl says that there is no cell reception up there. She knows the coach fishes up at the reservoir and he must have a cabin near there. Benson asks if the coach still has that same SUV and the girl says yes.
Sometime later, a trooper knocks on the cabin door and manages to draw out Basinski under the guise of a problem with power lines and he wants to make sure his line is grounded. The trooper then holds him and Benson and Carisi race up and Benson identifies herself as NYPD and asks where is the boy. Basinski plays dumb. Benson finds Zach in bed, out cold, but he has a pulse. Carisi calls for an ambulance.
Afterwards, at a hospital, a doctor tells Benson and Carisi that there was alcohol and Rohypnol in Zach’s system but there is no sign of external injuries. Zach refused a rape kit and he is now asking for his parents. Fin and Dodds arrive and Dodds asks if they got a statement from Zach. Carisi explains Zach is receiving treatment and they are just about to go in there. Fin says the parents argued all the way up there. The parents enter and ask to see Zach. Carisi tells Dodds that Basinski is with the state troopers being processed so they can extradite him. Benson tells Fin and Dodds to head over, and they will talk to the boy.
The state trooper explains to Fin and Dodds that the coach has been coming there for years and they had no idea. Fin says that is how they get away with it. As Fin enters the interrogation room, Basinski asks how is Zach doing, saying he is having a tough Christmas. Fin asks if that is how this is going to go. The coach plays dumb. He says Zach comes from a broken home and neither of his parents wanted him so he ran away. Dodds says he drugged him but coach says he fed him. He gave him a beer or two, he wanted him to be like a man; he has no friends, no life. Fin says he knows how to pick ‘em. He says he does for the boys who need help. Fin accused him of grooming him. He says Fin has him mind made up but looks at Dodds and says he knows what he’s talking about – sports are good for young men and keeps them busy and channels that energy. He gives Dodds a creepy look and says he bets Dodds played football or boxed. Dodds tells him not to change the subject, Zach was terrified. Coach says the way they came through the door it scared Zach half to death. Fin slams his hands on the table and tells him to shut up, stand up, they are done. As they take the coach away, he spouts off his great record and to ask his boys. Dodds says they already did. The coach states he would like to exercise his right to counsel.
Meanwhile, Benson and Carisi speak with Zach who is sitting up in the hospital bed. He admits he thought he was to meet with Phoebe but then the coach showed up. They drove to his house and had pizza and a beer and they watched hockey. He must have drank too much; he doesn’t really drink so it must have made him pass out. He was in the coach’s car in a highway at night and the coach said he was driving him home. He fell back asleep and when he woke up he was in the cabin and the doors were locked. The coach was in bed with him and Zach said his mouth was on him and he wasn’t into it, he is not gay and he watches porn. Benson assures him it is not his fault. When he says he likes normal stuff - girls - Benson adds that it means nothing, it doesn’t mean anything. He was drugged and his body reacted, that’s all. She asks what else he remembers, and Carisi said whatever the coach made him do, that is on the coach, not on Zach. Zach states that nothing else happened, he just wants to go home.
At arraignment court part 17 on Thursday, December 24, Basinski’s lawyer pleads not guilty and says another teacher – a pedophile – implicated him and he requests ROR. O’Dwyer explains all the charges and how the coach was found, and his job. The judge sets bail at $500K. She adds that if he makes bond, he will be required to wear an electronic monitor and be forbidden contact with any minors.
Later, at the NY DA’s office, Benson brings in the Fosters to speak with O’Dwyer. They are having second thought about allowing Zach to testify. The coach is on bail and must wear a monitor, but they are concerned that this is all over the news and she is getting calls from other parents. Everyone knows Phoebe and the coach have been arrested but they don’t want Zach to be known as the kid who got it from the coach. Benson tries to explain but Cole cuts her off and coldly says thank you for your help and then tells Serena they are leaving. As they exit, Benson apologizes to O’Dwyer, saying that she tried. He says if hit was his son he doesn’t know what he would do. Benson says it is a reach but there are other boys. O’Dwyer says he needs one of them to come forward,
Later, Benson and Dodds meet with Nat and Benson thanks him for his help in finding Zach and the coach. Benson tries to enlist his help in the trial to get as many stories on the record, and Dodds explains Zach’s parents won’t let him testify. They ask him to testify and he says no, forget that. Benson explains if they get more stories, the coach might take a plea. Nat asks how many do they have so far, and when they don’t answer, Nat says forget it, he will not be their guinea pig. Benson and Dodds, unhappy, walk off.
Back at SVU, Carisi says he struck out with the other boys, Dodds states one is dead and another back in Columbia and some don’t want their spouses or family to find out. Fin reminds her when a boy goes through something like this they never tell anyone. Nat walks into SVU and says he thinks he can help them. He holds out his phone and says he has coach’s statement right there; he confessed to everything. Benson takes the phone and Nat smiles.
In the interview room, Nat shows his video of him torturing and stabbing the coach to get the coach to confess to everything. Nat says he “encouraged” him to confess. Fin and Carisi see the violent attack and get up and leave the room. As Nat’s video continues to play, the sounds of stabbing are heard. Nat looks to Benson and says the coach named four others and him, coldly asking Benson if that is enough. Benson looks at him with shock and says nothing.
Meanwhile, the detectives race to the coach’s home with police. The door is open and Carisi and Fin enter with guns drawn. They find the coach on the floor in a pool of blood, barely alive. Fin says they will need a bus. Carisi tells the coach to hang on.
Later, with Nat, in SVU interrogation with Dodds, Benson tells him the coach died in the ambulance on route to the hospital. Nat says he must have been in pain, and dry asks if he bled to death. Benson says yes, and Nat says good. Benson asks when did this happen, and Nat explains last night, he had his first good night’s sleep in 8 years. Nat asks if he needs to make a statement, and Benson says no, not yet. She explains he is under arrest for murder now and they need to read him his rights again. He takes a deep breath and as Dodds begins to read him his rights, Nat says he knows all that. Dodds goes on to say he has a right to an attorney and Nat says he doesn’t need one, and Benson says yes, he does. She tells Nat that she and Dodds will be right back and he is not saying anything until a lawyer gets here. She and Dodds leave the room and O’Dwyer is in the hall, and asks Benson if she usually encourages her suspects that they need to get a lawyer. Dodds says this is on them; they pushed the kid to testify. O’Dwyer states that is not what Nat did. Benson says he was trying to get a confession, and Nat was molested by the man he killed. O’Dwyer firmly counters that Nat planned this; he tortured that man and left him to die and was glad to hear that he bled out in pain. It was premeditated. Dodds questions that O’Dwyer is going to charge Nat with first degree murder which is 25 years. O’Dwyer says Nat’s lawyer can plead for leniency at sentencing. Benson says Nat’s life will be over. O’Dwyer tells Benson that Nat’s life was over at 15. He turns and leaves. As Benson and Dodds look at Nat sitting alone in the interrogation room, we fade to black.
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35 comments:
I thought this was a very good episode. Sometimes I feel that they focus just on female victims that it's nice to change it up. I also thing that Liv shouldn't feel that much sympathy for Nat. Yes, he was abused, but if he really wanted justice he shouldn't have killed the coach. I also found the coach's comments to Dodds about boys needing sports kind of weird. Anyone else.
As for the comments about the others that Doods made, I felt he was spot on with everyone except Rollins. The fact that he wasn't there when Benson first got Noah may be clouding his perspective. And I wish people would stop saying the Noah drama is front and center because it's not.
As for the first scene, I thought it was cute. Chris, I completely agree with your observations on it. I don't want Rollins and Carisi together either. On a side note, the baby is a girl named Jesse, right. Then why isn't it spelled Jessie instead? I prefer the version with the "I" for a girl, but that's just me. ;) Was anyone else disappointed that they chose to delete the hospital scene from the episode? On the plus side, Amanda seems to be enjoying motherhood. :)
Chris, what do you think about Amanda's baby's name? What did you think about the deleted scene? Did you feel that the coach's comments to Doods were weird too? Happy New Year! Hope your having a great 2016 :)
@Ana,
The Noah drama has gotten out of hand. When at least one episode is named for him, there's a problem. We'll have to agree to disagree.
Regarding the episode, I thought it was pretty decent. The actress playing the female teacher also played Dahlia Jessup in "Flight," so that was what I kept thinking of whenever she was on.
I'm so glad to see a female character have a daughter for once. All of my favorite characters on all of my shows have given birth to sons, and it seems a bit strange. Finally, a girl. Havign Kelli's son playing the part was a bit strange, though. That was so obviously a boy.
Overall, I'd give the episode an 8 out of 10, with points deducted for the drawn out ending.
I agree about Barba, I really miss him. It seemed like Raul was on the show more often when he was also juggling appearances on Hannibal than after that show ended. Rumor was, a while back, we'd see him have to contend with something big and personal this second half of the season. Here's to hoping, he's become my favorite part of SVU.
I think the blogger's remark about Noah being "front and center" was meant to be sarcastic, hence the "(wink..)"---Noah is rarely mentioned on the show anymore, let alone does he make an actual appearance.
@Darla Crawford - I know that Chris, the blogger, was being sarcastic. However, there are people that will say that Noah is taking over the show just because he's on-screen for 5 seconds, such as that scene in the beginning of Maternal Instincts at Rollins' baby shower.
@Ashley W. and Chris - I don't get why Barba isn't on the show more either. At first I thought that Raul was doing something on Broadway, but there's something else going one. It's not like he's busy in Hannibal anymore. I also want a big personal storyline for him.
There were a lot of things I liked about this episode but ultimately I found it disappointing. It seemed very static -- something about the pacing was off, and I can't put my finger on what. Also, the Dodds character is still uninteresting to me. He started the season boring, and in this episode he was a jerk. Either way, he has no dynamism.
I also though the male coach molesting male athletes was done a LOT better in Personal Fouls, which was a great episode. I know a show like SVU, about sex crimes, has to repeat a lot of storylines, but this mirrored a lot of things from Personal Fouls, including the part about having to persuade troubled adults to testify.
Finally, I thought having two predator storylines was too much. There's a lot to explore regarding the issue of female teachers molesting male students, and that storyline was dropped. An entire episode on this issue would have been great, especially here where one of the victims specifically said he was coerced.
I miss Barba too. He's missed a lot of episodes. Hope we see more of him in the latter part of the season.
@AnaAndrade - yes, I would have expected the name to be spelled Jessie also. I had to double check the closed captioning and there was also another online article (the web site name escapes me now) that also listed it as Jesse.
As far as the deleted scene, I always say that they were deleted for good reason. I'm glad they left it out of the episode but at least it helped to explain what Rollins went through.
The comments the coach made to Dodds were VERY creepy! It was almost like he was coming on to him. Eeewww!
I always know it's an extra good SVU episode for me when I realize at the end that I haven't drawn a breath for several minutes. Jeeezus, that ending was horrifying.
And how about that promo for next week?? Looks like Benson is in for yet another Lewis-esque experience.
Did I miss something? The fall finale had this oh so dramatic ending with Rollins' baby. Then this episode starts like no big deal.
Loved the opening scene with Rollins and carisi...he is so cute! I miss barba too! He always has those zingers, I had no problem with the fast forword of Rollins baby birth..I mean this is a cop show!! Just happy my show is back on!
Loved the opening scene with Rollins and carisi...he is so cute! I miss barba too! He always has those zingers, I had no problem with the fast forword of Rollins baby birth..I mean this is a cop show!! Just happy my show is back on!
@BensonFan: there was a deleted scene released that may explain that issue: http://eonline.com/news/728536/law-and-order-svu-deleted-scene-reveals-what-happened-to-rollins-and-introduces-her-new-baby
I have been mentioning Raul's absence for sometime. Warren designed the part of ADA just for him after their Broadway show ended. Perhaps Raul will go to Sony with Warren. To me, ADA Barba is the best thing in this show and at least someone from the show should address this concern from fans on him missing so many episodes.Why can't someone find out the big WHY??
I really liked this episode but one thing to pick at. After Nat Phelps shows the squad the video of him attacking Basinski, Carisi is sent to his residence, which is in flora Park. Flora park is in Nassau county New York in Long Island, which is 35 miles from NYC. That's close to an hours drive time. One would think that Nassau county and their surrounding townships have Police Departments..duh. I would also think it would have made more sense to call Flora Park police and have them respond to the home of Basinski. I would also think that a real police department would have made that call as soon as they realized what was on the video, i.e. "make the call to Flora Park while still viewing the video. No wonder Basinki bleed out after a hour response time getting to his home!
I think that was a bad choice to delete Rollins' baby scene. After the hype making it a holiday break cliff hanger why would they do that? It's things like that NBC has done over the years with SVU that pisses this fan off!
I'm just gonna say it, please don't kill me...
I hate Barba. Really, really hate him. While I appreciate his addition to the show he is by no means Alex, she was everything. He's just so arrogant, I don't see how anyone could take a liking to him!
Not sure how bothered I am about Amanda and the baby. Yes it was cute, but I'd rather see her get stuck back in to some gritty detective work, not becoming a doting mother.
How is she coping so well? We pretty much heard nothing of her after she admitted she was raped and skipped out on Livs therapist. I really thought that was going to become the point where Liv and Amanda actually connect, but it never really happened.
This episode was fine, it's gotten to the point where after so many years I'm waiting for that episode that you sit down after and say "Wow". But, I honestly don't know what that would have in it. Every story line that would shock me has been done.
I'll never stop watching SVU as I've loved it for years, I just hope one time this season they really manage to rekindle my love for the show.
@Laura J You're entitled to your opinion. I personal like Barba he plays that part well, most lawyers in that capacity are arrogant, self centered and narcissistic. What a good ADA does to get things done and get convictions. So I think he plays the part realistically. Alex had a smugness air about her as well. In the Law and Order Universe many were, name a few Jack McCoy, Adam Schiff, Ben Stone, Mike Cutter. All of them and mor were beyond arrogant.
@PhilSmith - yes, I agree on the issue of the time needed for the detectives to get to Flora Park. It would have made far more sense for them to make a phone call to that local police station for them to check it out. It could have made the difference between life and death - maybe not in this specific case but it could in other situations!
I felt it was a pretty good episode. My one disappointment is that we didn't see more the story fleshed out a little more on the female teacher. It's rare that we see a female predator & I would've liked to have seen that explored more. The line at the end regarding Nat 'his life ended at 15' really got to me. While I'm sure the confession would've been thrown out had the coach lived,I can understand the anger Nat carried.
This is a little off topic but I'm hoping someone else noticed, or Chris you might help out. Catfishing Teacher took place in Dec, if I remember the display cards right. In the sneak peak for Townhouse Incident when the guy holds Olivia's phone up asking if it's her son the display says Nov 30. I understand episodes are filmed & are aired out of order at times but this doesn't make sense. If this had happened to her just a few weeks prior to the last episode wouldn't we be seeing the after effects? In The Hollywood Reporter article Warren mentioned PTSD & how Olivia will try to handle/not handle things afterwards. I just noticed this yesterday & only because a screenshot of it was floating around social media. Most were concerned because it looks in the pic like Noah has been recast,but the date is what caught my eye. Any thought?
@ladybug81 - I take these promos with a grain of salt sometimes. It's possible that this image will be changed in post-production. But, if not, then yes, the date on the phone does look a bit like November and it would be a little strange that Benson would have seemed so calm in "Catfishing Teacher". Hopefully they will fix it in post so it doesn't create a rift in the whole space/time continuum! (wink)
PS to @ladybug81 - I'll post the pic on twitter and mention the issue and see if there is any comment on the date issue.
Thanks Chris. I mentioned it on twitter last night but no one mentioned it till a little while ago. The reply I received explained it away as they were using a real phone & can't change the date. That's understandable. It's not even something that would normally catch my attention but only did so because it was a close up of the screen. Like you I take these things with a grain of salt as well, but sometimes the little details have a way of bugging me. Like you said, I would think it would've been fixed in post. Especially since the order it's aired in.
This episode made me completely insane.
Rollins and Carisi are great as friends, and he's come into a nice niche as a sort of surrogate little brother to everyone in the squad (and a hilariously annoying one to Barba. WHERE IS BARBA??? I don't like this new guy, he's not Barba). I don't need to see her giving him simpering looks like that. They don't have any romantic chemistry. Stop this now, writers.
The case was basically recycled from "Personal Fouls" back in S13 where it was done considerably better.
Stop trying to make Dodds happen. He's never going to happen. Andy Karl is a fine actor, but no one seems to have any idea where they're going with this character. He comes off as a total rookie despite being a sergeant, he gets either weirdly overinvolved or underinvolved in every case, and he thinks he can read the detectives' minds after he's known them, what, a couple months? I'm not even sure what his personality is like because all he does is bumble.
The shade-throwing at Fin pissed me off. Like, way more than the diss against Stabler in the S16 finale did. Fin has been solid like a rock for almost sixteen years in SVU, and the show is wasting both the character and Ice T.
Sorry for all the raging. I feel like this episode brought out a lot of simmering tensions in me.
I can't seem to put my finger on what was missing in this episode for me.
Just the chemistry between the characters or something...I did like Andy Karl better than I have. This episode just didn't do anything for me.
The story was mildly interesting, the characters seemed off, but the opening scene with Rollins and Carisi was cute but I couldn't tell if the baby was a boy or a girl.
In an attempt to start off on a happy note I'm going to say that I liked that they shed light on male rape. And I think they did a good job of pointing out some different ways male rape victims can feel shamed and why they don't want to report the crime. So good job on that.
But I think they could've done a better job with this episode. They took on too much once again. No way that female teacher/perp should've gotten off that easily and I feel her victims could've gotten more light. They had two episodes here but they had to do their twist and once again I feel like they missed the opportunity to do a really good job of this important subject.
And I have to agree with you @Phil Smith - so pointless with that cliffhanger and then make nothing off it. That hospital scene or that squad room scene they posted a BTS photo off would've been better than that Carisi bonding scene. As I'm allergic to baby drama I would've preferred they skipped that cliffhanger. And an article where WL mentioning a possible Carisi/Rollins hook-up has me seriously worried. Like pls stop pimping her out!! I'm so with you @Mandy (also with you on your comment about Dodds). I don't want to see this baby or her becoming a doting mother - fully agree @Laura J - if they're going to do any more personal drama with her they should deal with her rape, that's the only thing I want (that I actually need) to see happen
And I'm sorry but I feel we have all the right to be concern and worried whenever Noah is brought up and that he will take over the show. Again. The writers brought that on themselves and they have to face the consequences that a lot of viewers are bored with the Benoah drama. I don't want to see Noah, or Jesse, getting too much attention at all as this is a crime show first and foremost.
I like Barba a lot. I miss him a lot. Right now this show has 4 players and I only like half of them so this show has low priority for me at this point.
As for the next episode I have promised myself to try and keep an open mind but that promo did nothing for me and I am not looking forward to see Liv in yet another hostage situation. And knowing that they always follow up on her trauma, but no one elses!, I'm concerned we will get dragged through the aftermath for more episodes to come so it's really hard for me to try and stay optimistic right now
@LauraJ I am not the biggest Barba fan either.
@Chris Thanks for including this clip.
@HerbaceousHaven - Amanda's baby is a girl, and her name is Jesse. Hope it helps :)
I liked the episode, it was good to see them talking about these issues. and I don't think they're gonna get Rollins and Carisi together, that would just be too much... but I guess they have to keep viewers guessing or else it wouldn't be any fun! :D
About the promo for next week: I'm telling you right now, 100% did the casting requirements say "We need an actor who looks a lot like Pablo Schreiber" :D
@Ana Thanks, yeah I figured it out when people posted on here! :)
@empxth I thought the very same thing when I saw the promo of the next episode!! ("We need an actor who looks a lot like Pablo Schreiber")
It is uncanny the resemblance!! ;D
why do the SVU writers focus on rural PA? We have cell service. We do have our share of infamous sex offenders. Writers, please share the spotlight on other areas of the North East. Thank you.
"Stop trying to make Dodds happen. He's never going to happen." GOLD.
Have to admit, I felt like that about Carisi at first but I came around. Maybe he'll find his groove in time.
Have to say, the ending here left me feeling a lot more disturbed and traumatised than most. A landmark finish. Anyone else?
Can we talk about how they waited until AFTER watching the video to get the coach some medical attention?
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