Law & Order SVU “Remember Me / Remember Me Too” Recap & Review (Season 19 Finale)

Law & Order SVU closed the books on its teen years last night with the 2-hour season 19 finale, “Remember Me / Remember Me Too.” Let me be blunt: I didn’t care for it. This was a 1-hour story stretched into 2 hours.  I found myself getting very angry in this episode; angry at Benson and at the victim. People may ask how I can be a fan of the show and yet dislike an episode so much. It is because I AM a fan and have put so much energy into covering Law & Order SVU over the years that allows me to dish out some tough love every now and then. It's tough love time.

I’m going to spend more time on my review and less on the recap. To briefly summarize the episode: Lourdes Vega, who was a victim of human trafficking and rape, exacts revenge on her attacker, Miguel Lopez, and holds him hostage at gunpoint. She doesn’t know that the apartment she is in has a camera which live streams the incident to Miguel’s phone. When Miguel loses his phone at the club, someone finds it and brings it to SVU. They eventually pinpoint the area where the apartment is located. Lourdes also strikes Miguel’s business partner when he arrives at the apartment; he later dies of the injuries.  While locating the actual apartment, the officer Benson is with is held hostage and then the same fate befalls Benson. After a tense scene on the terrace where Lourdes is close to killing Miguel or even Benson, Benson finally is able to convince Lourdes to surrender. Stone must charge Lourdes with murder.  Benson and Stone butt heads and she is a hostile witness during the trial. The case draws out the Mexican cartel and at one point, one member makes a threat to Stone about Stone’s sister, Pamela. Despite the fact that Pamela is well guarded, she is taken hostage by a member of the cartel. Miguel eventually tells them the location of a warehouse where the trafficked girls had been held in the past. During the attempt to recover Pamela at this location, a shoot out ensues and Pamela is killed by Diego Diaz in the heavy gunfire. Lourdes is later told that when she testifies, she should get asylum and witness protection. Stone is devastated and later sobs in Benson’s arms.

I have many issues with the season 19 finale.

I’m not a big fan of too many scenes where the lead characters are shown simply staring at a screen. I know the squad was looking at the live feed, but staring at a monitor, or worse yet, showing the actors staring back at me, is not acting and it is certainly not drama. On that same line, I tend to mentally tune out when they spend too much time on characters who are not the leads (in this case, the victim and her hostage). I don’t need constant repetition of the description of a physical and sexual assault in order to get the idea of what happened. It’s bad enough that so much time was spent on this during the live feed scenes, but we had to hear about it over and over again as the story progresses. The first hour of the 2-hour finale felt like 75% filler.

Who was the victim in these episodes? Not Lourdes Vega. This may be a controversial opinion but I’ve got reason to feel this way. Had she been physically and sexually assaulted? Yes. This doesn’t give her the right to take someone hostage, physically assault them, threaten them with death, injure another person who dies soon after, and hold two more people hostage at gunpoint. Do victims of sexual assault deserve justice? Yes. Can victims take justice into their own hands? No. Lourdes tried to satisfy her own need for closure by hostage taking, physical assault, killing someone, which ultimately led to the death of a true innocent, Pamela Stone. After all this, Lourdes will find herself free, but still alone and likely traumatized. She gained nothing and people were harmed in the process.

My biggest annoyance: Olivia Benson. I find I am growing tired of her singular focus. I understand that her job makes her a champion for justice for victims of sexual assault. But victims of sexual assault do not get a free pass to dish out justice on their own. Benson seems to think it does. She forgets she must uphold the law for everyone, not turn a blind eye when a victim commits a crime to get their revenge. Benson’s own personal experience with assault has blinded her and, in my opinion, she is becoming less effective in her job. Benson was all over Alex Cabot’s case in “Sunk Cost Fallacy” but Benson cannot see that she herself has become a vigilante of sorts. Benson may not break the law to get justice, but she does seem to forget that she has to get hard evidence to be able to get someone prosecuted.

I was glad to see Stone push back at Benson several times, yet it was clear that Benson doesn’t get it. This was evident in a few scenes:

1. She has no evidence that Miguel is a human trafficker for a Mexican cartel. Yet she is upset at STONE because she’s not done her job properly, which allows Miguel to go free and Lourdes to go on trial (she refused Stone’s deal). Benson wants the charges dropped against Lourdes, but Stone won’t drop the murder charge. Benson thinks if Lourdes agrees to testify in a trafficking case she will get asylum and go into witness protection as she was threatened by an inmate in Rikers. Stone agrees to protective custody but he must drop the charges against Miguel. When they argue if Miguel is who he says he is, Stone reminds Benson he needs EVIDENCE. It is pathetic that Stone must remind Benson so many times that he needs proof in order to have a case. She should know better by now.

2. At a bar, Benson belabors the point with Stone and she says she won’t make a very good witness. She grudgingly admits that Lourdes pointed a gun at her and prevented her  from leaving the apartment. She worries what will happen when the attorney Rojas asks what happened between Lourdes and Miguel, and Stone says legally it is irrelevant. Benson asks, “What about morally?” and Stone asks what does that even mean. Benson replies “Maybe it means that whoever’s less guilty wins.” Stone says she is right to have ambivalent feelings about this case, she gets upset. She argues, “No, no, you’re wrong, there is nothing ambivalent about this.” She insists Miguel is the guy and Stone asks if she was there and has any evidence that he is the trafficker. She shakes her head and says “I don’t know how to get through to you.” This is where I become enraged. SHE STILL HAS NO EVIDENCE. DO YOUR JOB, OLIVIA! Stone says her certitude is a good thing and may even be noble and when he starts talking about the law, she tells him to stop, she’s heard the lecture before. I CANNOT BELIEVE I AM HEARING THIS COME OUT OF HER MOUTH. Benson has a lot of nerve saying that, as she’s the one who is constantly lecturing. Stone suggests maybe she should be listening, and she thinks maybe he should be. She says, “Lourdes was raped. Her entire being – her past, her present, and most importantly, her future – negated.” Honestly, I’m not sure I know what THIS means. Is Benson saying that sexual assault wipes a person’s whole life away? I don’t think so. Stone angrily counters that doesn’t entitle her to seek revenge. Benson says that “does entitle her to reclaim what was once hers. And if revenge is part of that, then…then so be it.” Anger rises in me again, and I say, out loud, NO. Benson thinks the wrong person is on trial. I think the wrong person is leading the SVU.

3. Her bias was evident while she was testifying. She avoided telling the truth and forced Stone to ask that she be handled as a hostile witness. At one point, Stone must move to strike her comment (the judge agrees) and then when Benson still dances around a response, the judge must order her to just answer the question. She is forced to tell the truth that Lourdes said several times that she would shoot Miguel. Under cross, Benson helps Lourdes by saying she shows the signs of PTSD. I have no legal experience but this still isn’t an excuse for what Lourdes did, but maybe it would be a mitigating factor at sentencing?

Despite all this, Benson thinks STONE is the problem.

One scene that gave off a weird vibe was near the end when Benson explains to Lourdes about what may happen for her after she testifies regarding asylum and witness protection. When Lourdes worries she will be alone, Benson says, “No honey. You’re going to be free.” Benson then touches Lourdes near her heart. I found this weird and inappropriate. I can understand maybe touching Lourdes’ hand or shoulder to provide comfort, but not on her chest. This is a woman who was sexually assaulted and I would think that Benson would not want to touch a victim anywhere too intimate.  I found it...creepy.  Lourdes still seems traumatized and it will be a long time before Lourdes will truly feel free. Benson should not be delivering empty platitudes here; instead she should be working to get Lourdes in counseling.

A TV Guide article said show runner Michael Chernuchin said “something terrible happens to one of our characters.” People were worried that something would happen to one of the leads. I thought maybe it would be a minor character, someone expendable like Dr. Olivet (sorry Dr. Olivet), but it turned out to be Stone’s sister Pamela (clearly someone expendable). It seems the sole purpose of bringing in a sister for Stone was to have someone that can be discarded easily and then used for dramatic purpose next season as Stone grieves. The “something terrible” tease is typical “take it with a giant grain of salt” tease for SVU.

Why was SVU involved in this case? Why did the man bring the cell phone with the hostage live feed to the SVU and not first to police? He did mention he thought it was a sex game gone wrong or assault, but still, I would think that the first thought would be to take the phone to the closest police station, not a special victims unit. Technically, this was a hostage situation, not a special victims situation.

I pains me to be so negative about an episode on which so many people put in their hearts and souls. Still, I am finding Benson less suited for leading the SVU and less likeable in general. Her one-sided mentality and over-the-top preaching is wearing on me. I want a leader more in the mold of Don Cragen; someone that I know can be objective and balance the needs of the victim and make a strong legal case to get justice. I want to see more investigative work on Benson’s part and less knee-jerk emotional response. She’s causing more stress for everyone involved, including viewers like me.

Onward to season 20!

Cast:
Mariska Hargitay - Lieutenant Olivia Benson
Ice-T - Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Peter Scanavino - Detective Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Jr.
Philip Winchester – ADA Peter Stone

Guest stars:
Carolyn McCormick – Dr. Elizabeth Olivet
Benito Martinez - Santino Rojas
Genesis Rodriguez - Lourdes Vega
Carlos Miranda - Miguel Lopez
Chris Beetem - Alan Buckley
Gary Perez - Jorge Diaz
Roberto Sanchez - Diego Diaz
Michael Mastro – Judge Serani
Robert Turano – NYPD Command Center Leader
Eddie Hargitay - Officer Montero
Tom Titone - Judge Goldfarb
Brian Keane – Pamela’s Doctor
Katya Stepanov - Ingrid
Graham Rowat – Everett Sinclair
Alexandra Cockrell – Anne Howell
George Gerard – Super
Justin Matthew Sargent – Mike
Garrett Richmond - Lenny
Jake Hart – Security Officer
Brian Linden - Perp
Gillian Glasco – Officer Dominique Rivers
Greg Schweers – Doorman #1
Marvin Johnson – Doorman #2
Ryan Buggle - Noah
Juliana Davies - Emma Buckley
John Mahanna - Harrison Buckley
The Junior Brothers - Themselves
Amy Korb - Pamela Stone
Raquel Dominguez - Maria Luna
Jackson Mercado - Efrain Hernandez
Will J. Jackson – Lieutenant Carter
Lauren Noble – Carmen
Shaun Rey - Thug #1






All Content (Recaps, Review, Commentary) Copyright © allthingslawandorder.blogspot.com unless otherwise noted

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 “Remember Me/ Remember Me Too” Photos

Here are advance photos for the 2-episode season 19 finale of Law & Order SVU “Remember Me / Remember Me Too” which will air on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 9PM ET on NBC. . The photos feature Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino, Brian Linden as Perp, Eddie Hargitay as Eddie Montero, Carlos Miranda as Miguel Lopez, Chris Beetem as Alan Buckley, Kelly Deadmon as Stephanie Buckley, Genesis Rodriguez as Lourdes Vega, and Benito Martinez as Santino Rojas.


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Remember Me/ Remember Me Too” can be found at this link.


Update May 21, 2018 - Photos from "Remember Me Too" have been added below.
Update May 24, 2018 - More photos added below.

These photos are listed as being from "Remember Me": 

Photos by: Scott Gries/NBC 2018 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

These photos are listed as being from "Remember Me Too": 

Photos by: Scott Gries/NBC 2018 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Photos by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC 2018 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Added May 24, 2018

Photos by: Scott Gries/NBC 2018 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 “Remember Me / Remember Me Too” Sneak Peeks

Here are 3 preview clips from the 2-episode season 19 finale of Law & Order SVU “Remember Me / Remember Me Too” which will air on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 9PM ET on NBC. The videos feature Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Kelli Giddish, and Peter Scanavino.


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Remember Me/ Remember Me Too” can be found at this link.


Please note: These videos have a limited life and may be removed at any time, so catch them while you can!




SVU_19023Clip1_h264_hd from Chris Zimmer on Vimeo.



SVU 19023Clip2_h264_sd_16x9 from Chris Zimmer on Vimeo.




SVU 19023Clip4_h264_sd_16x9 from Chris Zimmer on Vimeo.




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 “Mama” Recap & Review

Law & Order SVU “Mama” involved two elderly mothers who are living in retirement/nursing care facilities, and one self-absorbed mother whose son became so obsessed with gaining her affirmation of love that he turned to rape. This was a strong episode with a great guest cast, and I was surprised that I liked it. It reminded me a bit of an SVU season 2 episode, “Pique”, which also had a similar mother/son dynamic. Many times with bigger name guest stars it’s the guest star who is the perp, and I was glad when Joe Piscopo turned out to be a red herring, and that Hal Linden was just an old man who had deep love for the victim, Maddie. The story had an interesting premise: people with memory disorders can be targets for abuse simply because they aren’t lucid enough to be credible, and people in nursing care facilities with no family to oversee their care can be at a similar risk.  But this risk can apply to any gender and not just to the elderly. I have a nephew who, at one point, lived in a large group home for profoundly special needs young adults and one of the staff reported he had been abused. It turned out to be false; the employee claimed that another employee abused him to get that employee in trouble.  He is in a smaller home now, but  I still have to be vigilant for any signs of abuse, even though the caregivers have an excellent record. (You never know.)

What really impressed me about the writing in this episode – and overall as this season has progressed – that themes carry through the story and help tie things together (in this case, flowers), and that situations in prior episodes (Fin’s assignment) get closure. In Fin’s case, as the episode opens, Benson is on the phone with Chief Dodds, hearing the news that Fin finally has his Sergeant assignment: he’s going to the 21st (the 2-1) precinct. She’s surprised that Fin didn’t tell her first. The squad is happy for Fin and viewers likely felt a bit of sadness. But wait! At the end of the episode, we get a feel-good moment when we hear that Fin’s assignment has changed – he’s staying with the SVU at the 16th precinct. Benson wonders how Fin managed to get this switched, and WE have a good idea how Fin did it. In Law & Order SVU “Flight Risk” (season 19, episode 11), Fin shows a memo to Dodds – the contents of which we do not see – that is clearly damning to Dodds. Fin likely threatened to use the information in that memo to get Dodds to change the assignment. (Hopefully, nothing will happen in next week’s season finale that will change things.)  I thought that closing the loop on that incident in “Flight Risk” was a brilliant move.

Also in the opening was Stone, out for a walk in the park with his sister showing her flowers. The scene felt out of place at first. But later, this scenario will convince Stone to pursue a case for Maddie, and flowers helped Maddie reconnect with an old friend. Speaking of Stone, he rolls over a bit too easily when Benson presses him to take the rape case after he calls it a long shot, probably because he was feeling guilt over his own sister being in a care facility. But I object to Benson’s gross mischaracterization of women in nursing facilities. Clearly Maddie was not left “out on the curb for Wednesday pick up", nor was she “shoved in” a hospital or a facility. Maddie clearly was loved but could not be taken care of at home.  It had nothing to do with her expired "sell-by" date.    The same applies to Stone’s sister who seems to be very well cared for.   People need these facilities in many cases because they simply cannot be cared for in their own home or a family member's home.  I recognize Benson's comments were made to pull at Stone's emotions and  convince him to pursue a case for Maddie, but it was a losing proposition and he should have stuck to his guns.  This may have been the place for Stone to suggest leaking the story to the press.

The first victim of rape is Madeline “Maddie” Thomas, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s and living in the $18,000 a month Escano Gardens. When it’s time for her medication, she mentions to a nurse that she was raped. Because of her illness, it’s difficult to determine if she is telling the truth or if this is just fantasy. She previously owned a café/bakery, and seems fixated on marzipan cookies. This is a clue that will help identify her attacker.

Maddie is taken to the hospital for an exam but they find no evidence of rape; there is no semen. The Frank Sinatra impersonator from the facility is questioned. Maddie continues to show signs of stress from the attack and while Rollins questions her in the dining area of Maddie’s facility, Maddie picks up an knife and points it at Rollins. It quickly becomes apparent that something did happen to her and her assault was not recent. She mentions a name “Max.”

When Rollins and Carisi question the current owner of the bakery, they find that Max is Professor Leonard Maxwell, someone that came into Maddie's café daily. They track him down at Hudson Park and then Rollins questions him at SVU. He is very charming and says he loved Maddie, even though they were both married to other people. He says he stopped going to the bakery in 1966 as they had made love one night in the bakery kitchen and it was beautiful be she felt so guilty she said they should not see each other again.

They bring Leonard in for a line up but Maddie cannot identify him as her rapist. In fact, she doesn’t recognize him at all. They have an accidental meeting as she exits the squad room and he clearly knows who she is but she doesn’t know him.

Later, another woman, Patrice Connelly, living in at the Silverwald Retirement Home, tells the detective she was attacked. She describes the rape in detail. She mentions her attacker’s name was Dan, and he was new at the facility. They find his full name – Daniel Hammerson – but this turns out to be a dead end as Daniel Hammerson has been dead a year. The person using his identity had been using the ID of a man from another nursing facility. He worked in places as a nurse, orderly, and a chef. He also worked at Maddie’s place, in the kitchen. Benson thinks the smell of cookie brought Maddie back years to the bakery and to Leonard.

Carisi and Rollins speak with employees at Silverwald with no luck. Back at Escano Gardens, they find “Dan” simply delivered food from the kitchen to the residence in their rooms. He was always humming show tunes, things that Trudy Morris sang. He said he knew her.

The detectives question Trudy in her home, who is preoccupied with herself. She identifies “Dan” as her son Henry Phillips. Henry returns home and the detectives quickly arrest him. Trudy is appalled.

Carisi and Rollins question Henry in the interrogation room, and he said he used fake names because of her mother’s career and celebrity. He acts like a self-absorbed jerk. He says he is very close to his mother and they have a similar attention span. He lawyers up.

Later, Benson meets up with Fin in a bar and they have a brief discussion on his new assignment. She says her hands are tied on this one, and Fin says he dug his hole, he’ll eat the dirt. Benson gets a call from Carisi; Patrice is dead. At the morgue, Carisi tells Benson that Patrice had a coronary. They found Henry’s DNA but without her testimony, he will claim it was consensual. Benson wants to charge him with two rapes, hoping Maddie will identify him.

Back at Maddie’s with her daughter, Benson shows her a few photos and Maddie freaks out when she sees Henry’s and mentions cookies.

Benson confers with Stone who calls the case a long shot. She says nobody has any need for these women any more, their “sell-by” dates have expired and they can’t just leave them out on the curb for Wednesday pick up. She adds we shove these women in hospitals and facilities and give them old records and coloring books. Stone adds that we show them the flowers. Benson says they least they can do is keep predators out of their beds, and Stone tells her to stop, she wins. He hopes they get a judge who loves his mother.

Later,  Stone makes his arguments to Judge Lisa Peck, Maddie is there and when the judge questions her, it becomes quickly clear Maddie is not lucid enough to testify. The case is dismissed. Stone delivers the bad news to Benson and Maddie’s daughter Christine. Stone realizes there is no press there and Henry’s name is not as big as Henry thinks. Stone also thinks the press would like the scoop. Benson heads off, presumably to leak the story.

Back at SVU, Benson looks at the headline of the New York Ledger with a cover picture of Trudy and Henry with the headline “Broadway’s Bad Seed.” Carisi quickly informs her that more people have come forward with stories that their mothers have been assaulted. Benson orders Henry to be arrested.

Carisi and Rollins come to Trudy’s home to arrest Henry and Trudy is focused on herself, saying Henry and his father were fame whores. She calls his other “fathers” clingers. Henry is devastated and angrily wonders who is the whore here. He says they didn’t care but he did; he saw how beautiful she was, and talks about brushing her hair in the morning and her skin was so soft after her bath. He says he loved her and asks why she couldn’t love him back, just a little. He cries and Rollins reads him his rights as she cuffs him, arresting him for rape in the first degree. Trudy hugs her dog and looks sad.

Later, Benson tells Maddie and Christine that Henry will go to jail for a long time. Maddie takes a necklace off her own neck and puts it on Benson’s. Benson says it is not necessary, but Maddie says that is what best friends do. Leonard walks in with white chrysanthemums and Maddie still doesn’t know him, but as she smells the flowers she smiles and it seems to bring her back. Outside the room, Benson attempts to return the necklace to Christine, saying Maddie didn’t understand. Christine refuses it, saying that yes, she did.

Back at SVU, Benson is surprised to see Fin is still there. He explains he got transferred back to SVU. She asks how did he pull that off, and when Fin gives her a look, she asks if she even wants to know. He says, “No, you don’t.” She then tells him she would like his DD5s reviewed an on her desk ASAP, calling him Sergeant. He says “Yes Ma’am” and gets to work. Benson walks into her office, shaking her head. Fin looks back in her direction as we fade to black.


Cast:
Mariska Hargitay - Lieutenant Olivia Benson
Ice-T - Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Peter Scanavino - Detective Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Jr.
Philip Winchester – ADA Peter Stone


Guest stars:
Hal Linden - Leonard Maxwell
Anne Archer - Trudy Morris
Joe Piscopo – Frank Sinatra Impersonator
Fionnula Flanagan - Madeline Thomas
Kathleen McNenny – Christine Ritchie
Rutanya Alda – Patrice Connelly
Todd Alan Crain - Henry Phillips.
Lucy Martin – Lynn Hammerson
Neil Hellegers – Dr. Malcolm Lee
Leo Finnie – Arnie
Nicholas Ryan – Kev
Molly Leland - Nurse Chastain
Adaku Ononogbo - Ronica
Anne Bates – Nurse Irene
Emily Casey - Deb Edwards
Nikkie E. Walker – Adilay Jones
Barbara Miluski – Judge Lisa Peck
Christopher McLinden – Alec Vale
Danielle Slavick - Alicia Brown
Brad Aldous – Timmy Post
Jonathan Rayson - James Ricord
Amy Korb - Pamela Stone


All Content (Recaps, Review, Commentary) Copyright © allthingslawandorder.blogspot.com unless otherwise noted

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 “Remember Me / Remember Me Too” Promo

Here is the promo for the 2-episode season 19 finale of Law & Order SVU “Remember Me / Remember Me Too” which will air on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 9PM ET on NBC.


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Remember Me/ Remember Me Too” 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.

Kelli Giddish Attends the 2018 NBCUniversal Upfront

Kelli Giddish attended the 2018 NBCUniversal Upfront in New York City on Monday, May 14, 2018, representing Law & Order SVU. Here are photos of Kelli from the red carpet!

Don’t forget, Law & Order SVU will move to Thursdays at 10 PM this fall.



Update May 15, 2018; A very short video of Kelli on the red carpet has been added below the photos. The video has a limited life so catch it while you can!

Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBCUniversal 2018 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Photos by: Theo Wargo/NBCUniversal 2018 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Pictured: (l-r) Jocko Sims, "New Amsterdam" on NBC; Kelli Giddish, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" on NBC;

 Jon Seda, Marina Squerciati. "Chicago P.D." on NBC

Pictured: (l-r) Lauren Ash, Ben Feldman, "Superstore" on NBC; Kelli Giddish, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" on NBC

Photos by: Cindy Ord/NBCUniversal 2018 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Kelli on the red carpet

NBCUpfronts_KelliGiddish_LawOrderSVU_h264_hd from Chris Zimmer on Vimeo.






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.

L&O SVU Moves to Thursday 10 PM This Fall: NBC Fall Press Release

NBC Press Release 
May 13, 2018

NBC CARRIES FIRST PLACE MOMENTUM INTO 2018-19 WITH YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING STRATEGY FOCUSED ON BOLD NEW SHOWS, 

STRONG ANCHORS AND TOP TALENT

Monday: “The Voice,” One of Television’s Best Launch Pads for New Programs, Returns to Mondays With Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson, Setting Stage for Robert Zemeckis’ “Manifest” as NBC’s Newest Water-Cooler 10 P.M. Drama

Tuesday: Undeniable Combination of “The Voice” and TV’s # 1 Drama “This Is Us” Provides Impressive Lead-In to Heartfelt New Medical Drama “New Amsterdam”

Wednesday: Dick Wolf Drama Block Feeds Chicago Fans With “Chicago Med,” Leading Into “Chicago Fire” and Followed by #1 Timeslot Winner “Chicago P.D.”

Thursday: Thursday Night Comedy Block Returns Fan Favorites “Superstore,” “The Good Place” and “Will & Grace” Leading Into New Family Comedy “I Feel Bad”; 20th Season of “Law & Order: SVU” Caps Night in New 10 P.M. Timeslot

Friday: “Blindspot” Continues to Anchor Friday, Followed by Sophomore Supernatural Series “Midnight, Texas” at 9 P.M.; and #1 Newsmagazine “Dateline NBC” Back at 10 P.M.

Sunday: America’s #1 Primetime Television Show for a Record Seven Consecutive Years, “Sunday Night Football” Will Broadcast 19 NFL Games During the 2018 Regular Season

Midseason: Richest Collection of Midseason Shows in Years Includes Alternative Superstars Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, Dwayne Johnson and Jennifer Lopez; Comedy Favorites “A.P. Bio,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and Michael Schur’s Innovative New Series “Abby’s”; Plus Returning Dramas “The Blacklist” and “Good Girls” Along With Three Compelling Newcomers: “The Enemy Within,” “The Village” and “The InBetween”



NEW YORK — May 13, 2018 — Following a triumphant 2017-18 season with an outstanding 38% 18-49 lead and a win in entertainment programming (even when Olympics and Super Bowl are factored out), NBC unveils a new year-round lineup that adds fresh voices, top talent and superb storytellers to an already thriving roster. The new schedule, which will add five first-year dramas and two new comedies (and one transplant) over the course of the 2018-19 season, features a robust fall lineup that paves the way for a blockbuster midseason roster anchored by powerhouse alternative franchises.

“Once again, we are coming into the season from a place of strength and stability, which makes us bullish about a scheduling strategy that delivers top-notch original programming not just in the fall, but year round,” said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment. “We have a very strong fall schedule, as always, but winter, spring and summer are every bit as important to us, and this year we’re putting our talent and our money where our mouth is. This schedule builds on the type of programming that makes NBC #1 year after year: bold, humanistic, compelling dramas; an unmatched collection of the highest-quality unscripted shows for the entire family; and one of the strongest comedy lineups on television that is unique to the legacy of the NBC brand.”

“I continue to be proud of the pedigree of talent on both sides of the camera, from global superstars and producers like Dwayne Johnson, Jennifer Lopez and Simon Cowell, to comedy legends like Amy Poehler and the cast of ‘Will & Grace’ and the many others who call NBC their home,” continued Greenblatt. “This roster is a testament to our incredible NBC programming presidents -- Paul Telegdy, Lisa Katz and Tracey Pakosta — whose teams are on the front lines of the best programming in the world.”

Highlights of the drama offerings for the newly announced fall schedule include “Manifest” from executive producer Robert Zemeckis, an emotionally rich, unexpected mystery journey that is jump-started following a turbulent but seemingly routine flight; and “New Amsterdam,” a character-driven medical drama starring “The Blacklist’s” Ryan Eggold and based on New York City’s historic Bellevue Hospital, one of the oldest public hospitals in the country.

NBC’s strong comedy lineup adds a new player with family comedy “I Feel Bad” from writer/creator Aseem Batra and executive producer Amy Poehler. A modern comedy about being perfectly OK with being imperfect, the series stars Sarayu Blue as Emet, who balances being mom, boss, friend, wife and daughter.

New dramas set to launch in midseason are spy-hunting thriller “The Enemy Within,” starring Morris Chestnut (“Rosewood”) as an FBI agent who enlists a notorious traitor (“Dexter’s” Jennifer Carpenter) to help track down a fiercely dangerous and elusive criminal; “The InBetween” from executive producer David Heyman, in which Cassie Bishop, who can see and communicate with the dead, may have found a way to keep her demons at bay, all while solving some of the city’s most challenging cases; and “The Village,” written and produced by Mike Daniels, a heartwarming ensemble drama set in a Brooklyn apartment building where the residents have built a bonded family of friends and neighbors.

The laughs continue midseason with “Abby’s” a new comedy from “The Good Place” executive producer/creator Michael Schur, starring Natalie Morales (“Parks and Recreation”). “Abby’s” centers around the best bar in San Diego, home to good prices, great company and, of course, Abby. Redefining the multi-camera comedy for a new generation, “Abby’s” is the first sitcom to be shot outdoors in front of a live audience. Also from executive producer Michael Schur and creator/executive producer Dan Goor, Golden Globe winner “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” will make its triumphant return in midseason; produced by sister studio Universal Television, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” will move to NBC for its sixth season.

NBC’s robust 52-week schedule is highlighted by its most ambitious midseason in years. A brand new in-season spin-off “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” (with executive producer and key judge Simon Cowell) will light up the schedule on Mondays in January and February between seasons of “The Voice.” And bona fide new hit “Ellen’s Game of Games” will make midseason Tuesdays at 8 P.M. just as strong. Furthermore “The Titan Games” — a high-octane competition series from Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia and producers of “American Ninja Warrior” that offers everyday people a chance to achieve the impossible — blasts onto Wednesdays for a limited run at 8 P.M. this winter.

The anticipated sixth season of “The Blacklist” premieres in January at 9 P.M. Friday following “Blindspot” running continuously without repeats, providing a two-hour block of action-filled prestige dramas. And the third season of Jennifer Lopez’s hit “World of Dance” makes its move to Sundays from 8-10 P.M. post-football in the spring, followed by the juicy new drama hit “Good Girls” at 10 P.M.

“In the fall, our continued success with ‘The Voice’ and ‘This Is Us’ will provide great lead-ins for our strong new dramas, and our two-hour Thursday night comedy block is becoming one of our strongest in years with returning favorites ‘Superstore,’ ‘The Good Place’ and ‘Will & Grace,’ plus a great new family comedy from Aseem Batra and Amy Poehler,” said Jeff Bader, President, Program Planning, Strategy and Research, NBC Entertainment. “Our mid-season strategy is one of our most aggressive to date, building off A-list talent and brands in the alternative space - including the first-ever in-season run of ‘America’s Got Talent’ - to anchor a schedule that will buoy sophomore shows like ‘A.P. Bio’ and ‘Good Girls’ as well as launch additional shows from our strong crop of pilots.”

NBC is poised to win the traditional September-to-May season in adults 18-49, adults 25-54 and all other key demographics, and to deliver its most competitive finish in total viewers in 16 years. This is the fourth time in five years NBC has won the coveted 18-49 demo. NBC is also well positioned to win the full September-to-September season in 18-49 for a fifth year in a row and is poised to win the full 52-week season in total viewers for the first time since 2001-02.

NBC currently leads the season in 18-49 averages that include all programs, as well as rankings that include entertainment programs only (no sports).

Returning shows for the 2018-19 schedule include “America’s Got Talent,” “A.P. Bio,” “The Blacklist,” “Blindspot,” “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago Med,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Dateline NBC,” “Ellen’s Game of Games,” “Good Girls,” “The Good Place,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Midnight, Texas,” “Superstore,” “This Is Us,” “The Voice,” “The Wall,” “Will & Grace” and “World of Dance.”

Decisions are yet to be made on “Timeless” and “Champions.”


NBC FALL 2018-19 SCHEDULE

(New programs in UPPER CASE; all times ET)

MONDAY
8-10 P.M. — The Voice
10-11 P.M. — MANIFEST

TUESDAY
8-9 P.M. — The Voice
9-10 P.M. — This Is Us
10-11 P.M. — NEW AMSTERDAM

WEDNESDAY

8-9 P.M. — Chicago Med
9-10 P.M. — Chicago Fire
10-11 P.M. — Chicago P.D.

THURSDAY
8-8:30 P.M. — Superstore
8:30-9 P.M. — The Good Place
9-9:30 P.M. — Will & Grace
9:30-10 P.M. — I FEEL BAD
10-11 P.M. — Law & Order: SVU

FRIDAY
8-9 P.M. – Blindspot
9-10 P.M. — Midnight, Texas
10-11 P.M — Dateline NBC

SATURDAY
8-10 P.M. — Dateline Saturday Night Mystery
10-11 P.M. – Saturday Night Live (encores)

SUNDAY
7-8:20 P.M. — Football Night in America
8:20-11 P.M. — NBC Sunday Night Football



NEW DRAMA SERIES

“THE ENEMY WITHIN”

In this fast-paced, spy-hunting thriller, Erica Shepherd (Jennifer Carpenter) is a brilliant former CIA operative, now known as the most notorious traitor in American history serving life in a Supermax prison. Against every fiber of his being but with nowhere else to turn, FBI Agent Will Keaton (Morris Chestnut) enlists Shepherd to help track down a fiercely dangerous and elusive criminal she knows all too well. For Keaton, it’s not easy to trust the woman who cost him so much. While Shepherd and Keaton have different motivations for bringing the enemy to justice, they both know that to catch a spy… they must think like one.

The cast includes Jennifer Carpenter, Morris Chestnut, Raza Jaffrey and Kelli Garner.

Ken Woodruff will write and executive produce. Mark Pellington will direct and executive produce the pilot. Vernon Sanders also executive produces. “The Enemy Within” is produced by Universal Television.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/the-enemy-within
Facebook: Facebook.com/NBCEnemyWithin
Twitter: @NBCEnemyWithin
Hashtag: #TheEnemyWithin


“THE INBETWEEN”

Cassie Bishop was born with a gift, though she may call it a curse. She can see and communicate with the dead, helping them with their unresolved problems … whether she likes it or not. When her longtime friend Det. Tom Hackett and his new partner, former FBI Agent Damien Asante, need help solving a darkly puzzling murder, Cassie agrees to use her abilities. Despite her reluctance, she may have found a way to keep her demons at bay, all while solving some of the city’s most challenging cases. From writer/executive producer Moira Kirland (“Castle,” “Madam Secretary”) comes this suspenseful, new character-driven procedural drama.

The cast includes Harriet Dyer, Anne-Marie Johnson, Cindy Luna, Chad James Buchanan and Paul Blackthorne.

Moira Kirland will write and executive produce. Charlotte Sieling will direct and executive produce the pilot. David Heyman and Nancy Cotton also executive produce. “The InBetween” is produced by Universal Television, NBCU International Television Studio and Heyday Television.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/the-inbetween
Facebook: Facebook.com/NBCTheInBetween
Twitter: @NBCTheInBetween
Hashtag: #TheInBetween


“MANIFEST”

When Montego Air Flight 828 landed safely after a turbulent but routine flight, the crew and passengers were relieved. Yet in the span of those few hours, the world had aged five years and their friends, families and colleagues, after mourning their loss, had given up hope and moved on. Now, faced with the impossible, they’re all given a second chance. But as their new realities become clear, a deeper mystery unfolds and some of the returned passengers soon realize they may be meant for something greater than they ever thought possible. From Robert Zemeckis and Jack Rapke comes an emotionally rich, unexpected journey into a world grounded in hope, heart and destiny.

The cast includes Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas, Athena Karkanis, J.R. Ramirez, Luna Blaise, Jack Messina and Parveen Kaur.

Jeff Rake will write and executive produce. David Frankel will direct and executive produce the pilot. Robert Zemeckis and Jack Rapke also executive produce. “Manifest” is produced by Warner Bros. Television and Compari Entertainment.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/manifest
Facebook: Facebook.com/NBCManifest
Twitter: @NBCManifest
Hashtag: #Manifest


“NEW AMSTERDAM”

Inspired by Bellevue, the oldest public hospital in America, this unique medical drama follows the brilliant and charming Dr. Max Goodwin, the institution’s newest medical director who sets out to tear up the bureaucracy and provide exceptional care. How can he help? Well, the doctors and staff have heard this before. Not taking “no” for an answer, Dr. Goodwin must disrupt the status quo and prove he will stop at nothing to breathe new life into this understaffed, underfunded and underappreciated hospital — the only one in the world capable of treating Ebola patients, prisoners from Rikers and the President of the United States under one roof — and return it to the glory that put it on the map.

The cast includes Ryan Eggold, Freema Agyeman, Janet Montgomery, Jocko Sims, Anupam Kher and Tyler Labine.

David Schulner will write and executive produce. Kate Dennis will direct and executive produce the pilot. Peter Horton also executive produces. Dr. Eric Manheimer will produce. “New Amsterdam” is produced by Universal Television, Pico Creek Productions and Mount Moriah.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/new-amsterdam
Facebook: Facebook.com/NBCNewAmsterdam
Twitter: @NBCNewAmsterdam
Hashtag: #NewAmsterdam


“THE VILLAGE”

Welcome to the Village, an apartment building in Brooklyn that appears like any other from the outside but is quite unique inside. The people who reside here have built a bonded family of friends and neighbors. Sarah’s a nurse and single mom raising a creative teen; Gabe’s a young law student who got a much older and unexpected roommate; Ava must secure the future of her young, U.S.-born son when ICE comes knocking; Nick’s a veteran who’s returned from war; and the heart and soul of the building, Ron and Patricia, have captivating tales all their own. These are the hopeful, heartwarming and challenging stories of life that prove family is everything — even if it’s the one you make with the people around you.

The cast includes Moran Atias, Dominic Chianese, Warren Christie, Frankie Faison, Jerod Haynes, Daren Kagasoff, Michaela McManus, Lorraine Toussaint and Grace Van Dien.

Mike Daniels will write and executive produce. Minkie Spiro will direct and executive produce the pilot. Jessica Rhoades also executive produces. “The Village” is produced by Universal Television and 6107 Productions.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/the-village
Facebook: Facebook.com/NBCTheVillage
Twitter: @NBCTheVillage
Hashtag: #TheVillage



NEW COMEDY SERIES

“ABBY’S”

From the producers of “The Good Place” comes a hilariously aspirational new comedy about the best bar in San Diego, home to good prices, great company and, of course, Abby. This unlicensed, makeshift bar nestled in her backyard is the opposite of everything annoying about today’s party scene. There are rules at Abby’s: no cell phones (not even to “look something up”), earning a seat at the bar takes time and losing a challenge means drinking a limey, sugary “not-beer” drink. As the oddball cast of regulars will tell you, hanging out at Abby’s is a coveted honor. But once you’re in, you’re family.

The cast includes Natalie Morales, Nelson Franklin, Kimia Behpoornia, Jessica Chaffin, Leonard Ouzts and Neil Flynn.

Josh Malmuth will write and executive produce. Pamela Fryman will direct and executive produce the pilot. Michael Schur and David Miner also executive produce. “Abby’s” is produced by Universal Television, Fremulon and 3 Arts Entertainment.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/abbys

Facebook: Facebook.com/NBCAbbys
Twitter: @NBCAbbys
Hashtag: #Abbys


“I FEEL BAD”

Emet is the perfect mom, boss, wife, friend and daughter. OK, she’s not perfect. In fact, she’s just figuring it out like the rest of us. Sure, she feels bad when she has a sexy dream about someone other than her husband, or when she pretends not to know her kids when they misbehave in public, or when she uses her staff to help solve personal problems. But that’s OK, right? Nobody can have it all and do it perfectly. From executive producer Amy Poehler comes a modern comedy about being perfectly OK with being imperfect.

The cast includes Sarayu Blue, Paul Adelstein, Aisling Bea, Zach Cherry, Johnny Pemberton and James Buckley.

Aseem Batra will write and executive produce. Julie Anne Robinson will direct and executive produce the pilot. Amy Poehler, Dave Becky and Josh Maurer also executive produce. “I Feel Bad” is produced by Universal Television, Paper Kite Productions, CannyLads Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/i-feel-bad

Facebook: Facebook.com/NBCIFeelBad
Twitter: @NBCIFeelBad
Hashtag: #IFeelBad



NEW ALTERNATIVE SERIES

“THE TITAN GAMES”

Inspired by Dwayne Johnson’s desire to motivate global audiences to reach their potential both mentally and physically, this inspiring new reality series offers everyday people the opportunity to step inside the Titan arena and achieve the impossible. Every episode, six contenders compete against one of six reigning Titans. They will be challenged in incredible, head-to-head battles designed to test the mind, body and heart of our competitors. Sheer brute strength won’t be enough. If a contender rises to the occasion and defeats one of the Titans, they take their place and join the elite Titan group. But once one becomes a Titan, they must be victorious every week to keep their spot. In the epic season finale, Titans battle it out against one another in the hope of becoming the last male and female standing.

Dwayne Johnson, Arthur Smith, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Brian Gewirtz and Toby Gorman executive produce. “The Titan Games” is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio, A. Smith & Co. Productions and Seven Bucks Productions.

Please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/the-titan-games
Facebook: Facebook.com/nbctitangames
Twitter: @NBCTitanGames
Hashtag: #TitanGames

# # #

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 “Mama” Sneak Peeks

Here are preview clips photos from Law & Order SVU “Mama” which will air on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 9PM ET on NBC. The videos feature Mariska Hargitay, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino, Fionnula Flanagan, and Joe Piscopo.

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


Please note: These videos have a limited life and may be removed at any time, so catch them while you can!



SVU_19022Clip1_h264_hd from Chris Zimmer on Vimeo.



SVU_19022Clip2_h264_hd from Chris Zimmer on Vimeo.



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 “Guardian” Recap & Review

First and foremost: News came out while this episode aired that Law & Order SVU has been renewed for season 20. Congratulations! This is an amazing achievement for everyone involved in the show and the fans greatly appreciate all the effort that goes into producing interesting, vibrant stories each week. Thanks to the fans as well for keeping this show alive.

What impressed me about “Guardian” wasn’t the case as much as it was the high quality of writing which gave us characters with depth. This was especially noticeable for Fin; the writers captured the essence of the Fin that fans love so much. They also gave Ice-T some much needed and meaningful screen time. Fin has been relegated to the background for too many episodes over the last few years. In this case, we had many chances to hear Fin’s unvarnished comments, insights, and words of wisdom. A few examples:

With Malik: “Sure you had a choice. You take a bullet, you don’t leave your little sister alone.”

To Bodega manager, shouting: “Get your ass up and go get me that footage. Stop playing with me.”

As they arrest Ray who asks if Fin saw one of his “baby mamas” hit him: “I ain’t seen nothin’."

To Dorothy Hall, when Carisi introduces himself and Fin and she asks why they are “special”: “Because of our good looks.”

When three young boys attempt to run away from Fin and Carisi: “Pro tip: Next time run in different directions.”

When lawyer Ron Carter complains about the NYPD coffee: “Lucky for you we’re having French Roast today.”

When Benson asks if they really got this lucky getting detailed evidence from Bobby Jackson: “Luck favors the prepared.” And then soon after, talking about Malik: “He’s the worst kind of predator. He betrays his own. I mean his sister really loves him and he’s throwing her away.”


There were even more gems as the story progressed. The ending of the episode - where Fin connects with his grandson in a FaceTime call - made me feel that Fin is the one person in the Special Victims Unit who has some sense of balance in his personal life. (Does he really have a parakeet?)  In a discussion with Benson in her office, he also shows a realistic view of the victims and the perps that they deal with on a regular basis, and the choices people make. It would be wonderful if someone could write a book that includes all of Fin’s life lessons. The whole squad can learn from him, including Benson.

The case itself was a bit predictable but still interesting. The victim didn’t even realize she was a victim, thinking that she was participating in her brother prostituting her in order to survive. When Benson seems sympathetic, it was Fin who reminds her that we all make choices. It is sad that there are so many people who live their lives in poverty - or close to it - who feel forced to do certain things in order to stay afloat. In Malik’s case, however, they went out of their way to say he gets $352 a month in SNAP benefits, the monthly rent is $200, and he still has a phone, cable, and a big screen TV, other expenses and clothing. (I don’t recall hearing that he was employed.) Yes, Malik had a hard life, but the fact remains that he benefited from pimping out his sister. No one should have to live in poverty, but there is no excuse for what Malik did.

Here is the recap:

SVU gets involved in what appears to be a rape case. Something seems off right from the start when Malik, brother of Tiana, the 16-year-old victim, seems to prompt his sister to say that she is a victim of rape. She begins to shout that she was raped and is taken to the hospital to be examined.

But all is not what it seems.

As the detectives investigate, they first suspect Tiana was raped by 3 young boys. The boys’ stories are they paid for sex, and that Tiana’s pimp is none other than her brother, Malik. As the story unfolds, we find that Tiana is torn between her brother, who is her guardian while their mother serves time in prison, and the SVU, who sees her as a victim. Tiana and Malik can’t make ends meet using only what they receive through the SNAP program, and prostitution seemed to be the only way to make the money they need. Tiana also uses drugs and/or alcohol in order to get through these ordeals. As Tiana is not at an age where she can consent, Benson and the SVU detectives know this is rape. Things take a turn for the worse when Tiana is reluctant to turn on her brother, eventually saying this was all her idea.

Peter Stone is reluctant to go any further: “No victim, no case.” He and Benson go back and forth on the issue.  Attorney Ron Carter pays them a visit and gives them to 5PM to decide or he will call the press. Luckily, Fin brings in Bobby Jackson, busted for narcotics, who is Malik's and Tiana’s driver. He gives them the information they need to help prove Malik is Tiana’s pimp. This is enough for Stone to get Malik arraigned on April 26 for endangering a minor and sex trafficking. Tiana comes into the arraignment and makes a scene and Benson is forced to take her out of the courtroom. Fin joins them and tells Tiana they could arrest her for filing a false report and take her to “juvie.” Benson gives her the choice of going back to Child Services or they can arrest her. Tiana calls Benson out for her “nice lady, being my friend” B.S., and tells them to take her back. She says Benson is lying when she says she cares about her, and her brother loves her.

As the trial unfolds, Tiana is not cooperative and she tells a sad story about not being able to make rent and how it badly affected her. The defense comes up with a surprise witness – Malik’s mother, Lashonda Williams. Stone has only the lunch recess time to come up with a way to counter this. Lashonda’s testimony under Stone’s cross examination put the nail in Malik’s coffin when Fin brings in Luke Snell into the gallery. Lashonda admits she assaulted him in an argument with her pimp – Malik. It seems Malik has been pimping out both his mother and his sister. Tiana is stunned.

Later, in Benson’s office, Fin says Malik and Lashonda are both blaming this on Tiana. When Benson says that family had it rough, Fin says:

Fin: Same as everyone that grows up in the projects. Some will make it out, some won’t. But we all make our own choices.
Benson: You don’t talk about your childhood much.
Fin: Back at you, Liv.

Benson gets a phone call; Tiana has od’d on heroin. Later, Benson speaks to Tiana at the hospital who says she got a bad dose.  Benson tries to talk some sense into Tiana, using all the positive comments she heard from Tiana’s teachers.  Benson adds that even though Malik is family, he doesn’t want what is best for her.

Fin, meanwhile, catches up with Jerome who, at SVU, admits that Malik told him to give Tiana a “hot shot” so she couldn’t testify against him. Tiana, observing this with Benson and Rollins, hears all this. Benson knows how strong Tiana is and knows she will be okay.

In a meeting with Stone, Rollins, and Regina, Tiana states that their father raped their mother and beat Malik, and Malik protected them. After their father left it was okay for a while but later the drugs helped and they needed more drugs and more money which had to come from somewhere. She doesn’t hate Malik, she doesn’t want to testify but she will if she has to. Stone uses this to cut a deal.

Back at SVU, Benson tells Fin that Malik took a deal for 15 years. She tells Fin it is no excuse for what he did to Tiana but he was brutalized too. Fin replies, “And we both know that it doesn’t matter what happens to you in life, it’s how you deal with it.” Benson suggests he “get out of here”, and Fin laughs, saying, “What, and go home and feed my parakeet?” and Benson replies, “Something like that.” Fin decided to make a FaceTime call to his son Ken and sees baby Jaden, and his mood lifts immediately. He tells Jaden to tell his dads he is coming over and is bringing pizza. As he continues to chat with Jaden, he leaves his desk and we fade to black.




Cast:
Mariska Hargitay - Lieutenant Olivia Benson
Ice-T - Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Peter Scanavino - Detective Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Jr.
Philip Winchester – ADA Peter Stone


Guest stars:
Rachel Naomi Hilson - Tiana Williams
Amanda Warren - Regina Carter
George Wallace - Ron Carter
Ami Brabson – Judge Karyn Blake
Big Daddy Kane - Ray Wallis “Four Stroke”
Alejandro Hernandez – Bobby Jackson
Laiona Michelle – Lashonda Williams
Rotimi – Malik Williams
Maul Donte Davis – Jerome Freeman
Kymbali Craig - Dorothy Hall
Nile Bullock - Leonard Haynes
Almeria Campbell – Dr. Diana Davis
Erica Camarano – Rachel Ortiz
Sarah Ellen Stephens - Officer Gaines
Craig Geraghty - Officer Harper
Brittany Jeffery – Leah Simon
Alan Ariano – Judge Lee Wong
Kason Sol – Bodega Owner
Anthony Ventola – Lee Green
Kane Brown – Lena Carerra
Lauren Noble – Carmen
Julyan Horne – Jatden
Larry Nunez – Diego




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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.