Law & Order SVU “Hell’s Kitchen” Recap & Review

“Hell’s Kitchen”,  directed by Monica Raymund, featured a story that combined sex crimes in the restaurant business with the recent sexual assault accusations that surfaced during the Supreme Court confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh. Despite being a bit predictable, the episode was enjoyable, with crisp dialog and location shots that provided some spice for a story that was light on action. Everyone had screen time and played a part in the investigation, striking the right balance between lead characters. I am not sure if it was Monica’s direction or the writing - or neither of those things - but Mariska seemed energized in this episode, especially in the scene with Stone outside the courthouse. It’s the first time in a long time I haven’t been annoyed with Benson.

Stone, on the other hand, rubbed me the wrong way. This does not mean I don’t like Philip Winchester; on the contrary, I think he’s a great match for the show. But Stone is making rookie mistakes. It was obvious when he promised the current victim that the other three victims would not back out of their support that something would put that promise in jeopardy. He should have known better; the complaints by those women weren't prosecuted and would likely be challenged as prior bad acts. I’m also tiring of Stone bringing the murder of his sister into the mix with every opportunity. It’s bad enough the writers killed her in order to give Stone a story. They should close the loop on that story line and move on. Likewise, let’s move away from Stone and his baseball skills. It’s time to build the character of Peter Stone based on the legal work he’s done in the past or legal work he’s doing NOW. We need to like and respect Peter Stone as a prosecutor. We need to see his own passion as a prosecutor. At this point in time, he’s still being driven by what Benson thinks is important.

I was amused when Fin sipped the expensive wine and said it tastes like warm apple juice. And while I am on the subject of food tastes, I have a suggestion for Benson: if you want your child to try black olives, introduce them into a food you know your child enjoys…like pizza! You’ll have a better chance for success.

Here is the recap:

A chef, Andrew Liebowitz, prepares a fancy meal and gets irate when he calls for service and no one picks it up. He continues to get upset and decides to deliver a meal to the table himself when the manager tells him about two special diners who are waiting. He welcomes the diners, Brian Matthews and Niraj Patel, to "Far Rockaway by Andrew."  They have been enjoying the food. He asks if they can hang out a bit after dinner and when they agree. Andrew says the waitress, Kayla will show them to their private room.

Meanwhile, at Benson’s home, Noah questions what Benson gave to him to eat (they are olives). She wants him to eat new things and he wants pizza. She suggests he try them and he spits them out, pushing his plate away and demanding pizza.

Afterwards, Kayla drinks some tequila while she is working at the bar section, the bartender saying there are big tips at the bar and the bedroom. She says no more tequila of she may end up taking Marco home. Brian and Niraj are there and when she delivers their drinks, they ask for her to sit down. When she says there is no chair Niraj says Brian would be fine if she sat on his face. Brian asks her to run his card and when she reaches for it, he pulls her onto his lap. She tells them this is not that kind of club and she walks off. The female restaurant manager asks if she is okay, and Kayla says yes, it’s half the gig. The manager adds it is the story of her life.

Later, two police officers hear a call for help and a man telling a woman to get out of his car. They intervene and find the woman in the back seat, her blouse opened. Sometime later, Fin and Carisi arrive on the scene. The two officers explain her name is Kayla Morgan; they walked by just as the Uber driver was climbing on top of her in the back seat. The driver, Michael Boykin, claims he tried to end the ride, saying Kayla refused to exit the vehicle. They add that Michael says she seemed wasted and he tried to help her out of the car but she started wailing on him. She did not say he tried to rape her, but her shirt was ripped like someone tore it open. She put up a fight and busted the driver’s lip, and he wants to file assault charges. Fin suggests they take them both back to SVU.

At SVU with Benson and Rollins, Kayla doesn’t recall much of what happened, thinking she passed out. Benson tries to get her to recall before she got into the Uber, but she doesn’t. Meanwhile, Fin and Carisi speak with Michael who denies doing anything, saying he is the victim. He did not tear her blouse and says he will give them his DNA or take a lie detector. He was on the phone with his wife. He thought something was off with Kayla, she was staring into space like a zombie and he tried to shake her out of it. She went off on him like a lunatic. Back with Benson and Rollins, Kayla stands up and says this is a waste of everybody’s time. Benson comments that she knows this is difficult but they are almost done, if she can give her one more minute. Rollins asks if she recalls how her shirt got ripped. Kayla admits she had a lot to drink, but she doesn’t know where, it is fuzzy. Rollins explains this is normal, victims don’t remember all the details of their assault. Kayla gets upset and insists she is not a victim. Benson states quietly that she thinks maybe she was. Kayla says the Uber guy didn’t do anything, and asks if he is pressing charges. Benson does not think so. Kayla says okay, great, she’s leaving. She storms out of the room.

Afterward, Carisi comments they checked Boykin’s phone and confirm he was on the phone with his wife. They explain she got picked up at Far Rockaway by Andrew, a high-end seafood joint. Carisi said he took a date there once, it set him back a couple hundred bucks. Rollins asks if it was worth it, and he says every cent. Benson tells them to cut Boykin loose and check it out.

At Far Rockaway Restaurant on Saturday, October 27, they speak with the female manager who explains Kayla works there. The kitchen closes at one. One of the servers, Marco, has a thing for her. They speak with Marco who suspects she was raped as he knows what SVU means. They hear about her working an “after party” and that management likes to keep the guests boozed up and happy. They then speak with the bartender. He admits he had some drinks with her and then mentioned the two TV execs who got handsy with her. They left at 2:30-2:45. The last he saw her was about 3 when she went to the wine cellar, Andrew needed her for something.



Fin and Carisi speak with Andrew who said Kayla was helping him with shipment. He offers them some wine but Carisi says they are on duty. When Andrew says it goes for $800 a bottle, Fin says “hit me.” He takes a sip and says it tastes like warm apple juice. Andrew says a hint of Granny Smith, he will put that on his tasting notes. Andrew tries to distract them with another wine but Carisi isn’t buying it. Andrew talks about getting into t he business but they explain Kayla was assaulted last night and he was the last one to be with her. He says she asked him to pop a bottle and he said he couldn’t stop staring at her ass. Things got hot and had consensual sex, she was begging for it. Carisi asks about ripping her shirt and he says he buys the damn shirts. It was not the first time they screwed and thinks a rape claim is a shakedown.

Back at SVU, Kayla returns, upset they spoke with Andrew. Speaking with Fin, Carisi, and Rollins, she worries she will lose her six-figure job. She explains her relationship with Andrew, saying it is not all rose petals and fireworks but she is handling it. They had sex once before but that was a mistake. When they ask about consent, she said it was not a black and white thing. When he started coming on to her she tried saying no at one point but he didn’t stop. She says this is how it is in the restaurant industry, they wouldn’t understand, she should have kneed them in the balls. Rollins counters it sounds like he raped her, and Kayla says it is not rape if she says it’s not. She appreciates what they are doing but tells them to stay out of her life before they ruin it.

Later, still at SVU, Rollins and Fin explain to Stone what Kayla and Andrew said. Stone says without a complaining witness he can’t move forward. Carisi says Andrew has no priors but popped up on three separate 61s with Brooklyn SVU. Three separate employees charged him with sexual assault. Stone suggests they talk with them to see if they can stir the pot.

At McGrandy’s in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Sunday, October 28, Carisi speaks with one woman, Lauren. Elsewhere, Fin speaks with another. Rollins speaks with the third at SVU. They hear similar stories about how Andrew assaulted them. In some cases he took their panties.

Afterwards, in Stone’s office, Fin and Carisi explains the results of their interviews. All three girls reported but no arrests were made and no rape kits had been done. Chris Hodges was the ADA on all three but he declined to prosecute each time. Fin calls him a boy wonder prosecutor, big in the "me too" movement. Carisi adds he runs a victim’s advocacy group. Fin adds the rumor is he is running for Kings County DA.

At Kings County Supreme Court in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn on Monday, October 29, Stone arrives at a trial in progress. Stone introduces himself to Chris Hodges, who knew Stone’s father Ben. Stone explains their investigation of Andrew and Chris explains all the problems they had with the cases for the three women: no rape kits, drug and alcohol problems, prior sexual relationships, etc. They would never win. He hopes Stone fares better.

Benson, in Stone’s office, can’t believe that Hodges didn’t move forward with the charges. Stone says Hodges thinks the cases were losers and Benson counters there are no perfect witnesses. Benson comments he made a name for himself busting a Russian sex trafficking ring and they tried to kill him but thinks this case is a no-brainer. Stone counters until you get an acquittal and that’s all people remember. Stone tells Benson to have any change of a trial, Kayla has to testify. Benson wants no arm-twisting, and he says he’s been watching somebody who is pretty damn good at this.

At another time, Stone stops Kayla as she walks down the street and he explains who he is. He mentions the other three victims who will testify in support of her but she isn’t having it. He continues to try to convince her, mentioning that Andrew already has her panties in his trophy case. She is surprised he knows this, and he says it is all about power. Andrew will keep doing this until somebody stands up and stops it. He continues to press her, mentioning his sister being murdered by people he was prosecuting. He has to wake up every morning and convince himself it wasn’t his fault. The only way he can do that is if he believes he can stop it from happening to somebody else. Kayla comments she used to love her job Far Rockaway and loves her friends and makes decent money. Stone says Andrew took that away from her and nobody should have to pay that price. She is supposed to get paid tomorrow. Stone says they can arrest him tonight if she is on board. He promises the other women will not back out. She agrees, but asks they send the cops tomorrow, during her shift, she wants to see this go down. He agrees.

The next day, Fin and Carisi enter the restaurant and arrest Andrew and take him out in front of all the diners and workers. He calls Kayla and ungrateful bitch and adds she is fired.

In court, Andrew is arraigned and pleads not guilty. Stone, calling Andrew a serial predator, and the defense attorney argue bail. The judge sets it at $1 million and says they will hold a Molineux hearing regarding using the claims of the other three women.

In the judge’s chambers, Stone argues for using the testimony of the other three women and the patterns of all the women, including the taking of the panties. The defense attorney argues prior acts, and the judge asks why these cases were not prosecuted in Brooklyn.  Stone first says the judge will have to ask the Brooklyn DA, but then admits there were credibility issues and says it is up to a jury to decide whether to believe them. The judge says first he must decide if the prejudicial effect of this testimony outweighs its probative value. He rules it does. Stone asks him to at least call one of these women and the judge says all three are excluded. Stone leaves the room.

Outside the courthouse, Stone and Benson discuss this setback. Kayla will not go this alone and he cannot appeal. They are dead in the water. Benson wonders about Chris Hodges that there were problems with all three of those previous reports, thinking there is more to it. Stone counters that some prosecutors talk a good game but the bottom line is whether they win or lose. Benson said not Chris Hodges, this is not his reputation, saying maybe Stone needs to dig a little deeper. She argues strongly that something is not right here.

At the Clover Club in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn on Wednesday, October 31, Stone meets up with Chris and brings up Andrew and those three cases. Chris called the cases buyer’s remorse, but Stone says maybe a grand jury should make that call. Chris suggests maybe he should look at some of the cases Stone decline to prosecute. Stone asks what is he not telling him? Chris replies that if he wasn’t such a big fan, maybe he’d tell him to get the hell out of his happy hour. He adds Stone had one of the best pick-off moves he ever saw; three variations and he looks to first, four different hold counts, that dummy move when he sat at the letters. Stone says Chris is more than the casual observer. The bartender pipes up and said Chris pitched in high school, Chris adding it was 3 years on varsity. The bartender says “go Seahorses” and Chris asks for his tab to be closed out. Chris leaves and Stone comments to the bartender that the Seahorses are about as intimidating as the Mud Hens. The bartender comments it was Far Rockaway in Queens, Chris grew up out there. Stone gets a look of realization.

Back at SVU, Stone explains to the detectives that Andrew and Chris went to high school together. Rollins mentions Hodges involvement with victim’s rights, and Fin says not to believe the hype, calling him a hypocrite. Stone wonders if Chris’ name showed on any of Andrew’s social media accounts, and they say no. Stone says there may be other victims but Carisi comments there are no other complaints in their database. Fin wonders if they are getting paid not to disclose, suggesting they run a full court press on Andrew’s financials. Stone says to do social and corporate, anything over 3 digits that isn’t his mortgage.

Later, the detectives mull over the financials and Rollins is amazed at the money he is clearing. Fin says it is like cardiology money, and when Rollins gives him the eye, Fin says it (meaning Al)  just doesn’t seem like her type. Rollins asks what is her type, broke? Fin says “A little edge?” and Rollins says edge can be overrated. Carisi says Andrew’s backers put up all the cash for both his places, and Rollins comments he did make a pledge to Chris’ boss when she ran for Brooklyn DA. Fin calls it the rich gaming the system, same as it ever was. Carisi said if he paid off a woman to be quiet it is not in there. Fin says they tell Benson and Stone that Andrew’s numbers are clean and then they go try and get 6 hours.

Meanwhile, Benson is in a stairwell passing a folder to someone. She asks when this will hit, and he says tomorrow morning.

The next day, Fin starts to apologize to Rollins about what he said about Al the night before and Rollins says it is no problem, they are cool. Carisi walks in with a copy of the New York Ledger which has a cover story titled “Wine Bar-Barian” and that the Brooklyn prosecutor covered it up. Rollins thinks Stone leaked it, Carisi thinks Benson leaked it, Fin thinks both. It brings up the three prior assaults. Carisi thinks if there are more victims it will open the floodgates. A woman walks in with the Ledger and says she wants to report a sex crime. She surprise them and says Chris Hodges tried to rape her a long time ago.

Later, with Benson, Bethany outlines her assault during a party years ago in high school. She explains she ended up in a bedroom with Chris and one of his friends and details the assault by Chris with the other boy acting as cheerleader. She didn’t tell her parents but her therapist knows and she told her husband last year. Her friend Emily was at the party and could see she was upset.

At Hudson River Park on Friday, November 2, Fin and Carisi speak with Emily who recalls the party. She recalls Bethany coming out of a bedroom saying she had to leave right away. She did not see what happened but Bethany told her she was in a bedroom with two boys from her school, she is pretty sure it was Chris and Andrew. She didn’t say what they did but she was shaking and she wanted her to help her find a taxi. Bethany begged her not to say anything and she was 15 and didn’t want to go against her wishes.

Benson and Carisi bring an agitated Chris into the interview room. They bring up the high school rape attempt of Bethany. He doesn’t know Emily but does recall the house party, saying he did not touch her, it was Andrew. He admits he was there and says he pushed Andrew off her. He’s never done anything like that. The code was you had your friends back. He says he’s part of the reason things are different now. Benson angrily says or it’s that Bethany is telling the truth and he is the world’s biggest hypocrite and he’s also a rapist. Chris says that is laughable, adding Andrew has been making moves like this since he’s been old enough to shave. He asks if they are charging him and Benson states firmly that remains to be seen. She adds if he is telling the truth, he had a chance to stand up for Bethany when he was 17 so one way or another, he will make this right. He tells her whatever she wants, saying he is not going to let some girl he never laid a hand on destroy his reputation.

At a later time at the Far Rockaway restaurant, Chris and Andrew are sitting at a table enjoying a meal. Meanwhile, Benson, Fin, Carisi, and Stone are listening in the van as Chris is wearing a wire. Chris mentions he shouldn’t even been seen with Andrew, asking about Andrew and another waitress. Andrew says that is going nowhere. Andrew says he is innocent, and Chris asks seriously, did she put up a fight? Andrew replies just a little, just a teaspoon, enough to spice things up. Fin comments “One confession down.” Carisi says they need one for Bethany. Chris tells Andrew he has to behave these days, he is playing with fire. Andrew comments lucky for him, Chris is good at putting them out. Chris says he can’t protect him anymore, saying that Stone came to see him about the three Brooklyn cases. He saved him from that, he has to pack now and he is making a run for office. He doesn’t want to get Judge Kavanaughed if the thing from high school comes up…Andrew asks what thing? Chris mentions the party, Bethany something, and Andrew asks if that is the girl who wouldn’t let him screw her. Chris said it is Emily’s friend, the one Andrew practically raped. Andrew says that was Chris but Chris says no. They start to argue about who did it and Andrew thinks Chris is thinking of another girl at another party. Stone thinks now they have Hodges, and Benson thinks Mr. Me Too is a serial predator. She tells the detectives to move in for two collars. The guys continue to argue about what they did in high school as the detectives arrive. Carisi, as he cuffs him, tells Andrew that Chris was wearing a wire. Benson tells Chris he is next and he is shocked they believe Andrew. She says they believe Bethany and his rape partner, pointing to Chris, corroborated it. Chris tells Fin not to touch him and Fin says he will do more than that if he doesn’t put his hands behind his back. Carisi suggest separate cars for both men.  Chris looks at Stone and yells at him, questioning that they won’t come for him someday.

Back at SVU, Benson is leaving the office and sees Rollins has her feet up on the desk, complaining about how they hurt. Rollins says they haven’t been this bad since she waited tables. Benson asks when she did that, and Rollins said she was 16 at Betty’s Cabin, the best chicken fried steak you ever had. Rollins says none of this culinary grab ass surprises her; she admits she was assaulted by one of the regulars who wanted a little extra sugar with his coffee. Instead he wound up with a raw steak on his eye. Benson says ‘Good for you.” Kayla enters the squad room and Benson says he tried to call her.  Benson explains the new sex crimes prosecutor in Brooklyn is opening all the old cases against Andrew. Kayla is happy to hear this; she brought Benson some Ossobuco from Prospero, where she is newly employed. They congratulate her. She asks when will Andrew get out of prison, and Benson replies if the new prosecutor is any good, he won’t. Kayla smiles 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:
Genevieve Angelson - Kayla Morgan
Jacob Pitts - ADA Chris Hodges
Amanda Warren – Defense Attorney
John Rothman - Judge Edward Kofax
Luke Kirby - Andrew Liebowitz
Tiffany Villarin - Lizzy Walczak
Anthony Chatmon - Darius Moore
Sara Bues – Bethany Fisher
Lora Lee Gayer – Emily Holmes
Tiffany Villarin – Lizzy Walczak
Morgan Marcell – Lauren
Sydney Lemmon – Susie
Georgia Warner – Danielle
Randy Ranos, Jr. – Marco Meiojas
Anthony Chatmon II – Darius Moore
Tim Farley – Michael Boykin
Wlliam Oliver Watkins- Mido Hamid
Paul Bomba – Bobby Nardone
Nathan Faudree – Brian Matthews
Sivan Kumar – Niraj Patel
Ryan Buggle – Noah
Eileen Weisinger – Rhonda Williams
Martin Barabas – Judge Lawrence Gregory
Michael Mellamphy – Bartender/Davey
Erin Anova – Clerk
Eric Aschebrenner – Reporter




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