Law & Order SVU “Blackout” Recap & Review

Law & Order SVU “Blackout” is the best episode of the season, making one recurring character, Nikki Staines (Callie Thorne) the victim,  and casting some suspicion on another recurring character, Chief Dodds (Peter Gallagher). It feels odd that an episode can be both very predictable and very suspenseful at the same time, and I credit the guest cast and fine acting that made the story so intense. Titus Welliver was well cast as hot-shot lawyer Rob Miller. When he was too helpful to Benson in providing information for the SVU investigation, it was clear he had his own agenda. It’s almost unfortunate they caught up with him so quickly as he was a shifty character that I could love to hate, and I would have enjoyed seeing him again. Benson had her suspicions about Rob, but it was Rollins, sensing there was something off with Rob’s comment on her “Loganville accent”, who began to dig deeper. In doing so, she uncovered an issue with a judge who Rob had helped to cover up his plagiarism from law school. We don’t know what was in the memo that was delivered to the judge during the opening trial, but we can only assume that Rob was exerting his influence on that case.

Benson immediately feels the sting from Rob when she uses his invitation for drinks as an opportunity to collect evidence. But she was forced to play her hand quickly; Rob easily spotted the bus boy handling his wine glass with the skill of a crime scene officer. After leaving that encounter, Benson, while driving home with Noah, gets stopped by a state trooper for a minor infraction, which  gives the trooper the chance to accuse her of driving under the influence. The fact that Rob had no problems setting this up knowing that Noah would be with her in the car shows how low he is willing to go to intimidate. (I was surprised at how indignant and uncooperative Benson was when the trooper stopped her. )  Lucky for Benson she didn't have that second glass of wine.  Of course, this incident only inflames Benson and she immediately goes head to head with Dodds. He helps her case by speaking with Rob while wearing a wire, Rob falling for the oldest trick in the book.

Callie Thorne – this time as a victim – was excellent both in her frustration at how the SVU was handling her case, but also as a victim who had regrets about how she’s treated other victims during the course of her job.

We finally get some closure on a memo from Chief Dodds that Fin used as a bargaining chip to help Benson in the episode "Flight Risk" (season 19). I believe that Fin also may have used this same memo to stay at SVU in his new job as Sergeant. We still don’t know the contents of the memo, but it seems to confirm the assumption that it involved the questioning of Benson’s fitness as the head of SVU. Now that Dodds knows that Benson is aware of this memo, its powers may be diminished. But Benson must be concerned that the contents are still damaging as she questions whether she should be worried about her job.

The main cast was used to its fullest, giving everybody a chance to contribute to the story. It felt like an ensemble again! (Philip Winchester did not appear in this episode, however.)

A question - they found a hair that led them to the podcaster J.J. Austen, but the issue of how his hair got there was never explained.  Did I miss something?

This episode had a run time of Run time 40:22 (including credits but no commercials) which seems much shorter than normal.

A+

Here is the recap:

In the courtroom, Benson is testifying on the stand, being questioned by defense attorney Nikki Staines, while a court officer brings a notice to the judge. Benson explains she supervised the detectives on the case, and was the senior officer. Nikki questions that it was Benson’s decision to hold her client, Mr. Stevens, solely responsible for organizing a sex party. Benson explains the issue wasn’t that it was a sex party, the issue was most of the girls in attendance were underage. The judge reads the notice as Nikki asks to approach and he puts the notice down. Nikki informs him she is going to file another motion to dismiss the charges. As Benson listens with disgust, the prosecutor asks how many more hail marys do they have to put up with. She adds this is the second time within a week that Nikki has made assertions without any basis. The judge says he may see a basis this time, and, to Benson’s surprise, adds he is seriously considering dropping all charges, calling the lawyers to his chambers.

At The Flat Health & Fitness on 23 West 24th Street on Thursday, March 7, Benson tells her trainer she knows her left hook needs work, but he says she is looking really good. He say the next time they box, he is hitting back. She jokes now he is scaring her, and she walks off, and Nikki is there, commenting it is the second time in a day. Benson says Nikki got a real break today with the charges being dropped. Nikki admits she was surprised herself, and just to show there are no bad feelings, she has an extra ticket to the police philanthropy event tonight, and how did she know she’s be getting divorced when she bought a pair of them 6 months ago. Benson wonders if that is appropriate, and Nikki says yeah, why not? Benson replies because Nikki is suing the NYPD for $50 million. Nikki laughs that it is a civil liberties case about the department conducting illegal surveillance on activist groups and it has nothing to do with Benson’s unit. Benson says she will see her there because she already has a ticket. Benson walks off.

Later, at the event, Benson comments to Rollins that 2 hours of glad-handing the brass, she is ready to be on her couch with her feet up. Rollins suggests or in bed, and Benson says or that, suggesting one more time around the room and they are out of there. Rollins comments she was ready to go when they got there. They approach a table where Nikki is there, talking with Carisi and Fin. Fin comments that they save the city, but Nikki counters they cannot protect the rights of citizens by violating the rights of its citizens. Carisi suggest she call a constitutional law professor the next time somebody breaks into her car. Benson comments so much for small talk. Nikki says it is just a little sparring after hours, nothing personal. Fin retorts, “Says you.” Nikki replies “back at you, Sergeant” and says she needs a refill and walks off. Benson suggests to Rollins they say good night to Dodds and get out of there, and Rollins says she is right behind her. Carisi says they will catch up. Benson and Rollins approach Dodds, who asks if he is allowed to say they look lovely tonight, and Benson jokingly replies only if he says the same thing to Fin and Carisi. He laughs and says he will get right on that. A man standing next to Dodds asks if he is going to introduce him, and Dodds introduces Rob Miller, co-counsel to their lawyers on the civil rights lawsuit. Benson says that is the case that Nikki is co-litigating, and Ron replies so she has heard of him. Benson comments he did make the top 10 attorneys in New York Magazine last year. He states that’s what you get for picking up the check at lunch with a starving publisher. That at &2.75 gets you a ride on the bus. Dodds tells them don’t believe it, Rob is one of the people who really runs this town. Rob says hardly, adding he is a huge fan of the work Benson’s unit does. Rollins comments that is always nice to hear. Rob asks if that is a Georgia accent…Loganville? Rollins gives him a stare, saying that is a first. Rob says he went to school down south, then tells Benson it is nice to put a face to a name and suggests they grab a coffee sometime. Rollins gives her a look and Benson looks surprised, then tells Rob that the Chief knows how to get a hold of her. Rob walks off. Dodds asks if he can get Benson and Rollins a drink, and Benson explains he has a…Dodds finishes she has a sitter on the clock. He thanks both of them for making an appearance, and he walks off. Benson asks Rollins what does she say, and Rollins comments that Mr. High-Powered Lawyer is making the moves on Benson. Benson is surprised, thinking he was moving on Rollins, commenting about Loganville. Rollins scoffs, saying all she has time for is kids. Benson says Noah is waiting up for her as they speak. They leave.

Nikki is staggering in the street, falling against a car. She steadies herself and then continues to stagger off.

The next morning, two police officers arrive at a location and ask a waiting woman “where is she?” As they race into the building a woman says, “I didn’t want to touch her, I didn’t know if she’s alive or dead.” Nikki Staines is laying, unconscious, on the stairs and one officer checks and says Nikki has a pulse. The other officer calls for a bus. Nikki becomes partially conscious and weakly asks for help. Later, as the EMTs take her to the ambulance on a gurney, Fin and Rollins arrive. An officer tells them the victim is a white female, in her 40s. She said she was assaulted and was pretty out of it, but asked the police to call SVU. Fin recognizes it is Nikki Staines. They approach her as she is being loaded into the ambulance. Rollins asks what happened to her. Nikki replies that she can’t remember, adding she must have been drugged. Rollins assures her they will take care of you, and Fin asks if she knows who did this to her? Nikki shakes her head, and, having difficulty speaking, say no, all she knows is she needs “a goddamn rape kit.”



Later, at the hospital, Rollins brings in some clothes, and Rollins confirms they are testing her clothes for DNA and they are following procedure. Nikki asks where are they on the blood work, and Rollins states they have to wait a little longer for that. Nikki asks they make sure they don’t just test for roofies, the last thing she remembers is ordering a drink but she could have been drugged at any time. Nikki adds that date rape drugs can cause retroactive memory loss. Rollins states she knows that, and that Nikki wants to feel like she is in control. Nikki comments she is an experienced attorney and Rollins replies she realizes that but Nikki will have to let them do their jobs. Fin enters the room, and Nikki says Rollins is right, adding she needs to call her daughter. Fin brings Nikki her purse saying he got crime scene to release it early so Nikki could get out of there. She thanks him and feverishly looks through her purse and realizes her phone is missing. She is frantic, saying her whole life is on that with a lot of sensitive information, questioning that it disappeared while in police custody. Fin states firmly that no one on their end took anything. Nikki gives them a suspicious look and says, “Right. I need to get out of here.” When they say nothing, she is irritated and asks for some privacy. They leave.

Back at SVU, the Rollins and Carisi update Benson. Rollins states the tox screen was inconclusive for drugs but her blood alcohol was .12 . Benson suggests they not get stuck on that and comments Nikki still could have been drugged, change one molecule and it doesn’t show up on the test. Rollins explains all Nikki could say about the assault is that she blacked out; there was semen in her underwear but no tearing or bruising. Carisi states no matches on DNA but they are still checking. When he walks off, Benson asks if he has a problem. Carisi says no; he understands she is the victim but he’d rather be working on behalf of somebody who is not suing their department for $50 mil. Benson says that doesn’t matter now, and Carisi nods his head. Rollins explains Nikki was found in the vestibule of her apartment building and none of her neighbors knew how she got there. A traffic cam picked her up on the streets, stumbling. The last ping on her phone was about a quarter mile from the event, about an hour and a half after they saw her. Benson suggests they expand the perimeter to include the party location, asking if they have security footage, guest lists, and Rollins replies they are working on it. Carisi, looking at his computer, comments this may not have anything to do with the party, adding they have no DNA from the semen but they did get a hit on the hair fiber – J.J. Austen, one of Nikki’s former clients. She didn’t do great – he got three years in Greenhaven for filming porn in his garage, one of his actresses was underage. He just got out last month.

At Mic Check 1-2 Studios at 401 West 50th Street on Friday, March 8, Rollins and Fin speak with J.J. who says he now makes erotic podcasts, he got the idea from Nikki. Fin asks how so, and he explains she was always recording conversations on her phone and she said it was for legal reasons but he thinks she got turned on listening to them. Rollins asks if he has been in touch with her, and he asks what is this about, the last thing he needs is trouble with the police. Fin tries to get back to her recording people on her phone, and J.J states that she called it her mobile office and thinks she got paranoid when the FBI started raiding lawyers’ offices. She wouldn’t even upload to the cloud. He doesn’t know what information is on it but Nikki used to say a lot of people would be crying if that phone got in the wrong hands. Fin says they will be in touch and as he and Rollins exit, Rollins comments Nikki has been saying her whole life is on that phone, and Fin adds it sounds like a lot of other people’s too. Rollins comments no wonder she is dying to get it back.

Back at SVU, Nikki, walking quickly into the SVU squad room, is angry. She asks if they are going to hassle her old clients instead of looking at real suspects. Rollins states Nikki knows how this works and they are following every lead trying to figure out what happened to her. Nikki counters she knows what happened to her,  she was drugged and raped. She asks if they checked the video from the party, and Carisi replies they looked at the street cams and the security cams. Fin adds if she was dosed there, the cameras missed it. Nikki comments with sarcasm, “Oh, isn’t that convenient. So, what, you guys think that I went out and had a one-night stand and can’t remember it now? [raises voice] I am not a blackout drunk.” Rollins states no one thinks that, and Fin explains they are just looking at a list of individuals that may have motive. Nikki, getting more angry, says, “No, see, I know where you’re going with this. You’re looking to pin it on one of my clients so you don’t have to look at a guest list that is 50% police!” Carisi thinks she is way off base, but Nikki disagrees. She asks, “Doesn’t it seem funny to you at all that whoever did this to me knew enough to take my phone and turn off the tracking?” Rollins, calmly, says everybody would know to do that. But Nikki is still highly agitated, and asks “Who would go to those extremes to gain access to my key information, my texts and phone numbers and recorded statements from clients?” Carisi asks if she is suggesting that somebody from their department drugged her and then raped her just so they could steal your cell phone. Nikki thinks a lot of their “brother officers” have vendettas against her because she’s called them out and sued them. Carisi thinks she is out on a limb, but Nikki counters “I have been personally threatened by cops dozens of times and now I have been assaulted after a police party so why aren’t you questioning them? You should be looking at your own.” Upset, she storms out.

In Benson’s office, she asks Carisi and Rollins if Nikki has a point – should they be looking at a cop for this? Carisi isn’t buying it, and Rollins comments if he is saying no way a police officer did this she would say he was wrong. Benson asks if this was some random assault after the party, why did he take her phone and not her wallet. Carisi admits it is hinky but it is not dispositive. Rollins states Nikki is suing the department and it is the biggest case of her career. Benson asks if he wanted her phone, why did he rape her? Rollins says Nikki comments about cops having vendettas and she suggests they stay focused on the party. Nikki doesn’t remember leaving and the security cameras didn’t pick her up outside the event and whoever drove her home avoided the street cams. Carisi adds which a cop would know how to do. Benson states that is opportunity, asking about motive and was Nikki suing any of these cops individually. Rollins suggests she could be planning to. Benson says the only way they are going to rule this out is to subpoena every single cop at that party. She asks which one of them wants to go and talk to Dodds with her?

Later, Benson speaks with a concerned Dodds about the subpoena of personnel records of 50 police officers. Benson explains they need to eliminate them as suspects but Dodds worries that it will create a record that would be a treasure trove for a defense lawyer already suing the department. He says NO. Benson counters they don’t want it to look like they are circling the wagons, and Dodds says they ARE circling the wagons, Nikki is the enemy. But Benson says not this time, she is the victim. He asks if she is sure she even has a case, and Dodds admits that Nikki said she does not remember consenting. Benson believes she was drugged, assaulted, and whoever did this knew how to avoid detection. They were careful not to be seen and avoided the cameras. Dodds counters Nikki is steering them in that direction. Benson asks what possible reason would she have to do that, and Dodds doesn’t know, and forcefully states before he signs off on subpoenas for half the department to vet her motives. He suggests Benson talk to Rob Miller.

At the law firm of Miller, Griffin & Woodruff at 562 1st Avenue on Monday, March 11, Rob tells Benson he was horrified to hear about Nikki and asks how she is doing. Benson says as well as could be expected. She comments he spoke with her at the party and asks if he recalls her leaving with anyone. He says no, but he had a lot to drink himself and barely remembers how he got home. Benson comments no one said being a lawyer makes them a perfect witness. He counters that, generally, lawyers make lousy witnesses. He comments that the Chief said she was a little stymied in her investigation. Benson asks to speak privately, and he asks an assistant to leave the room. Benson states that Dodds says Rob could provide some insight into Nikki. Rob says he has learned a thing or two from being opposing counsel on the surveillance case. He says the power or technology, handing Benson a list of suspects from the sex crimes database who happened to be in the area where Nikki says she was assaulted. She is surprised, asking where he got this. Rob replies from a private company who aggregates location data from cell phones who owes him a favor or two. He adds that the irony is that Nikki would be appalled at the civil liberties issue if the police did this, but he is not the police. Benson smiles and thanks him. He says there is also something else they should discuss, and is sorry to say it involves the credibility of her victim. He hands her a large file on Nikki. He says he thinks she should know what she is getting herself into before she puts any more eggs in this basket. Benson asks what IS she getting herself into. He comments that Nikki has been cited for contempt 4 times and at least one judge has threatened to have her sanctioned for suborning perjury and false statements. Benson asks if he is saying Nikki is a liar, and Rob replies absolutely not. He likes Nikki personally but he wants Benson to be able to go into this with her eyes open. Benson states they will still pursue the case and Rob says as she should. He wanted Benson to have a chance to get ahead of a potential problem with someone making accusations about the NYPD. Benson quietly nods her head, and Rob asks if he should not have shared this. Benson says of course it is better to know and gets up to leave. Rob comments he feels like he has offended her but she replies not at all, they are all professionals here. He laughs and said he was afraid she would say that as well, and when Benson asks why, he admits he wanted to ask her out for a drink tomorrow night before the Governor’s dinner. Benson smiles, saying she didn’t see that one coming. He asks her to give him a chance to show he is one of the good guys, saying 6:00, Trattoria Itallienne. Benson explains she needs to arrange child care so she will let him know, and he comments he looks forward to it. Benson exits.

At SVU, Rollins is on the phone with Carisi and Fin nearby. She tells Benson she will check it out and hangs up. Fin asks if Benson said how it went with the Chief, and she said as well as could be expected – no subpoenas for cops at the party. He also told her to ask Rob Miller for help. She explains he gave Benson a file on Nikki’s background, asking if they think it’s odd they are getting leads from Miller. Fin says Miller is a player and knows where all the bodies are buried. Rollins states he is also opposing counsel to Nikki in the civil rights case against their department which gives him a vested interest in knocking her out. Carisi comments you know why sharks don’t attack lawyers – professional courtesy. Rollins wonders why do opposition research against the other side’s attorney; if you want to win the case you go after the plaintiff. Fin comments that Rollin’s doesn’t like Miller, and Carisi says Rollins said he was charming at the party. Rollins states he tried to be, he pretended that he recognized her Loganville accent, adding there is no such thing.

At Citizens of Chelsea at 401 West 25th Street on Tuesday, March 12, Rollins speaks with David who works there. Rollins knows he is an attorney, and was a junior associate at Rob’s firm. He says he doesn’t need to have a problem with Rob, he stopped practicing 5 months ago. Rollins comments he was one of the top guys on the police surveillance case and now he is no longer with the firm, asking what happened. David explains he graduated #3 at Yale and now he is working as a barista for his brother-in-law. He asks if Rob put her up to this, and she swears anything he wants to say is between them. David explains Rob found out he was interviewing with a rival firm and fired him immediately and blackballed him for every other firm in town. He is here because of Rob.

Later, Rollins speaks with Nikki at her home, who is telling her daughter no social media until she gets her paper done. Nikki then tells Rollins her daughter is home sick from school and has a ton of work to catch up on so if Rollins is there to protect one of their own she does not have time for it. Rollins says they have a new lead and she needs to ask some questions. Nikki apologizes. Rollins has the file Benson got from Rob, and asks Nikki if she had any blow-ups with Rob. Nikki says no, not at all, they have always been friendly and collegial and had a nice discussion at the party. Rollins shows Nikki the file and Nikki is stunned, saying this is a total smear on her, wondering why he would do this? Rollins says this is what she is wondering. Nikki did not realize he was this desperate to win. She notices a note in the file, saying it should not be in there. It was about the judge threatening her with sanctions during the sex party trial when she was defending Wally Stevens – Rollins comments it was the one dismissed a few days ago. Nikki states the sanction was never on the record, it was a private conversation in chambers. Rollins wonders how Rob knows about it, he had nothing to do with that case.

In the chambers of Judge Brian Leonard at 60 Center Street on Tuesday, March 12, Rollins speaks with the judge who shows him the information from the file. He asks where she got his and Rollins explains it was from Rob Miller as part of a larger file on Nikki. He has no idea how he got it, and Rollins is skeptical, saying if she didn’t tell him and there was nobody else in the room that leaves only one possibility. The judge gets annoyed, asking what is she after? Rollins wants to know about Rob’s connection to his trial and the judge replies there was none, everything was above board. His decisions are never overturned and Rollins questions why grant a dubious motion to dismiss from a lawyer he had just threatened to sanction the week before? The judge tells Rollins she needs to be very careful here and Rollins asks because she is asking a few procedural questions? He replies she is bringing kitchen matches to a fire fight, adding for the good of her squad and her she should drop this, she is getting very close to the flame. Rollins leaves.

Later, Carisi speaks with a professor about Judge Leonard who says there was a rumor Leonard was suspended for a semester when the judge was at Syracuse Law. He plagiarized a law review article. In the end, it all went away. Carisi asks how Leonard got past the judicial review, and the prof comments that is a good question. Carisi says “Rob Miller” and the prof says good answer. He always suspected he was behind it. He had a case against him once, adding Miller will steal your cattle and never leave tracks, adding Carisi didn’t get this from him. Carisi walks up to a waiting Rollins and says she was right. Rollins says now she has to tell Benson.

Back at SVU, Benson is in her office getting ready to meet with Rob. Rollins is surprised she is meeting him and wonders how much they know about him. Benson replies aside from the fact he is defending the NYPD in a case brought on my Nikki Staines, Rollins adding he happens to provide negative info on her. Rollins says she did some digging and some of the intel on her came from Judge Leonard, the judge who dismissed the charges in the Stevens sex party case. She adds Leonard had committed plagiarism back in law school, and Benson comments that didn’t stop him from getting on the bench. Benson says Rob had to have something to do with it. Rollins comments Benson is getting the same bad feelings about Miller, and Benson says oh yeah, from the second he handed her that thick file on Nikki. She asks Rollins why does she think she agreed to have a drink with him?

At a swanky bar, Rob asks Benson if she doesn’t like the wine, but she says she loves it, but she has to pick up her son, He comments so there is no chance of joining him for the Governor’s dinner, and Benson replies not tonight anyway. He takes that to mean he can keep trying. Benson laughs. The bartender asks if they want another wine, and Rob says the lady is fine but he will take a refill. Benson says he is good at knowing things about other people, where they are from, what kind of wine they like. He says so is she; he knows she is a Lieutenant now but she is a detective at heart. Benson comments it is different what he does, his is more of an accounting system. He says she can look at it like that or she can see it as helping people, like he is trying to help her with her case. The busboy carefully takes the wine glasses away. Rob has noticed this and tells Benson if she wanted his DNA, she could have just asked for it. She asks what is he talking about. He says he’s never seen the busboy there before who has just taken his glass. He saw how he was holding it, asking if he is crime scene. Benson says, “Very good.” He asks if she wants to tell him what is going on. She replies it appears there are some things about him and Nikki that he forgot to mention. He asks, “For instance?” Benson replies if they run his DNA against what they found in Nikki’s rape kit, will there be a match? He replies very likely it will. Benson comments, “Wow. That was easy.” He comments so was she. Benson comments that Rob is admitting something happened, and Rob says Nikki asked for a ride home and they had a somewhat drunken but completely consensual encounter in his limo. Benson asks if that was before or after he drugged her and took her phone. Rob states he does not know what happened to her phone and if she took drugs, she got them from someone else, not him. He adds she obviously had a few drinks. Benson states that Rob just dumped her out of his limo and onto the street. Rob counters that Nikki insisted he stop the car, she wanted to walk home and he did what she asked him to, suggesting Benson talk to his driver and he will back him up. Benson states that she was in his office yesterday and he handed her a file on Nikki and knew they were investigating a sexual assault, and somehow he left all of this out. He replies it’s because he is a gentleman and he didn’t want to embarrass her about their encounter when she is opposing counsel in a lawsuit. Benson firmly says that Rob knows he can call the DA and get a warrant for his arrest now. He replies so really, for what, a drunken hook-up in a limo, saying gimme a break. He gets up to leave, saying he is late for dinner. He leave money for the tab and adds she does not want to be late for picking up her son, telling her to have a good night. Benson shakes her head.

Elsewhere, Rollins speaks with Nikki, who says she can’t talk about this now, she needs to get to bed early, she is due in court in the morning. Rollins doesn’t understand, saying Nikki accused them of dragging their feet and now they have a target. Nikki, agitated, says she wants to let it go. She says she made a mistake, she was drinking too much that night and made a bad decision, saying Rob is right, whatever happened was consensual. Rollins reminds her he was not conscious. Nikki counters she is a defense lawyer, she knows a lousy case when she sees one. Rollins asks if somebody go to her and Nikki replies she doesn’t want to talk about it. When Rollins asks if it was Miller, Nikki raises her voice and says she is begging her to please let it go, she has too much to lose. Rollins asks what is he threatening her with because they can protect her. Nikki asks that Rollins doesn’t understand,  she is going through a custody battle and she could lose her daughter, asking Rollins if she gets it, they cannot protect her. She wants nothing to do with going after Rob Miller.

Later, Benson is driving and on the phone with Rollins, Benson asks her that Rob got to Nikki. Rollins says it looks that way, saying he has a hand in everything. Benson says Rollins was right, and she will talk to her in the squad room tomorrow. Noah is in the back seat as Benson hears a police siren behind her and when Noah asks if she was speeding, she says not at all. She pulls over and rolls down her window. The officer says she was observed operating her vehicle in an unsafe manner, changing lanes without signaling. Benson says that can’t be true, she has her son in the car. He asks if she has been drinking, and she says of course not, she had a couple sips of wine…he immediately asks for her license and registration. She pulls out her badge and says she is NYPD, and he says then she should know better, Lieutenant. She says, “Excuse me?” and he asks if she has a weapon on her. She says of course she does, she just told him…as she moves, he raises his voice and tells her to put her hands in the air and get out of the car. Noah, frightened, asks why are they doing this? Benson tells him it is okay. She asks the trooper if they have to do this right now, and asks if he would be so kind as to let her call her chief. The trooper says he is not going to argue, he gave her an order, and to get out and put her hands against the car. As she moves to exit, she tells Noah it will be okay and to just stay in the car, no worries. She gets out and complies and tells Noah it is okay.

The next day, she storms up to Chief Dodds in his office and says they need to talk, now. He comments he heard about the traffic stop and he is as upset as she is. He has a phone call to the superintendant of the state police to find out what happened. Benson states they did this to her in front of her son, adding Noah was hysterical and he didn’t sleep all night. Dodds advises they will get to the bottom of this. She angrily retorts that they are already at the bottom of it, this is about his friend, Rob Miller. He asks why does she think he is involved, and she thinks Rob raped Nikki. Dodds finds it hard to believe, but Benson angrily explains Rob admitted to having a sexual encounter with her and he claimed it was consensual and when she threatened to arrest him, the next thing she knows she is being pulled over by state police. He says to slow all this down, and Benson, getting more upset, says “Slow this down? Please don’t tell me that he’s got something on you.” He asks what is she talking about, and she explains that’s how it works, doesn’t it? She says Rob finds your vulnerability and then he exploits it, he puts a marker on you and owns you for life. Dodds insists no one owns him, and Benson reminds him that Dodds introduced her to their target and directed her to speak with him about the investigation, adding for all she knows, he could be the one leaking details about this case. Dodds tells her to stop, she is upset understandably – she says yes – he says he will put aside for the moment what she just accused him of. Benson retorts he is not denying it, raising her voice, asking him to help her understand and tell her that she is wrong. She forcefully states that Miller deliberately misled her, he manipulated a judge and he intimidated their victim. Dodds says he is not saying she is wrong, and she asks what is he saying? He replies if they strike at the king, and miss, it will be both their heads on the chopping block. So says, “So let’s make sure we don’t miss.” She storms out.

At Panorama Room at Queens Museum in Corona, Queens on Wednesday, March 13, Dodds meets with Rob and says he thinks they might have a problem with the Nikki Staines situation. Rob asks why, saying he already told Benson the encounter was consensual. Dodds says Rob doesn’t know Benson, she believes Nikki was assaulted, and Rob says to disabuse her of that belief. Dodds counters that maybe he could if she wasn’t convinced that he did this to get Nikki’s phone. Rob asks, “What?” Dodds says she is like a dog with a bone, she thinks Rob was looking for info on the NYPD lawsuit, maybe the underage sex party case. Rob says he doesn’t know what he is talking about. Dodds quietly says Benson found out about Rob’s connection to Judge Leonard and she will not let this go. Rob asks what does Dodds want him to do. Dodds advises if Rob has the phone to maybe toss it somewhere the cops can find it, a garbage can in the neighborhood, maybe that will get her off the scent. Rob asks that Dodds can’t control his own people, and Dodds replies, “Not her.” Rob sighs and tells Dodds that he thinks Dodds needs to relax, Nikki herself was saying the sex was consensual, she’s not going to testify, and says the irony is, there was nothing about him on the phone. Dodds says so Rob has it, and when Rob asks what does he mean, Dodds says so the phone is in his possession. He said he found it on the floor of his limo, she must have dropped it, she was completely blacked out, she doesn’t remember anything. Dodds, seemingly worried, asks what if she does and if Benson convinces her to testify. Rob says it will be taken care of, and when Dodds asks how, Rob replies, “No Nikki, no case.” Dodds asks what is he saying, and Rob gives Dodds a weird look, asking what is going on here. He asks Dodds if he is wearing a wire, adding he is his attorney, not to mention he doesn’t want him to release that memo of his. Dodds glares at Rob and says nothing, and Rob hears a door shut. Benson and Carisi walk out, along with two officers, and Benson tells Rob he is under arrest, Rob tells Dodds anything he said is inadmissible, attorney-client privilege. Carisi says Chief Dodds waived that privilege when he put on that wire. Carisi adds, “Plus, and you should know this, that does not apply when there’s a crime fraud exception or discussion of a further crime.” Rob asks what crime, claiming he was making a bad joke. He adds Nikki got into his car of her own accord, she dropped her phone, the sex was consensual. Benson says she was unconscious, and asks why, he already had the phone. He glares at her, saying you are either a wolf in this life or a lamb. His father was a lamb; he had a shop and every week the wolves in his neighborhood would come and pick the shelves clean and when there was nothing left to steal, they took his sister in the back room and his father did nothing. Rob learned he’d rather run with the wolves. Carisi says if he was Rob, he would shut up, and moves to cuff him. Rob glares coldly at Benson and says he will be out of those cuffs in an hour. Benson shakes her head and says she wouldn’t be so sure; once word gets out that he has been arrested, his friends will turn on him, and nobody helps the wolf when he is bleeding. As Carisi takes Rob away, Dodds tells Benson she was right, and says he is sorry. Benson says it’s over, and Dodds says yeah. She asks him what was that memo he was talking about, and Dodds says it never went past his desk, and it never will. Benson says this is not an answer. He says he will give her a copy.

Back at SVU in her office, Benson reads the memo, and asks Fin that he knew about this memo that Dodds wrote. He says he didn’t want to upset her, it was right after Noah got kidnapped. She asks if she should be worried about her job, and Fin says not for a minute, to trust him, he has her back, now, then, and always. He opens her office door to let Nikki in. As Fin exits, Benson asks Nikki how she is holding up. Nikki explains aside from the panic attacks and trouble sleeping…Benson says she gets it. Benson adds if it is any relief, Rob is being held without bail in the federal system, he can’t get to the judge this time. Nikki says that’s good, it means they have a shot. Benson adds that she guesses they do. Nikki begins to sob and Benson consoles her, saying it is over and he can’t hurt her again. She says that is not it, it’s herself, all the cases that she’s done and all the victims that she has put on the stand and the way she has torn them apart…Benson says she was just doing her job. Nikki knows what she did to them now and doesn’t know if she will be able to do her job again. Benson says she will, because she has to, and because she is damn good at it. Nikki says she doesn’t feel like she knows anything anymore. She continues to sob and Benson consoles her, saying it’s okay 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:
Callie Thorne - Nikki Staines
Titus Welliver - Rob Miller
Peter Gallagher - Deputy Chief William Dodds.
Ian Blackman - Judge Leonard
Charlie Thurston - David Smith
Jerry Clicquot - J.J. Austen
Paul Hickert – Alphonse D’Osso
John Bermudez – Andrew Rogers
Erica Camarano – Rachel Ortiz
Casey Braxton – Joe Alvarado
Patrice Bell – Tasha Ali
Hgoli Okafor – Trainer Wyatt
Victoria Prescott – Claudia
Chris Davis - Bartender
Erica Tachoir – Jogger
Ryan Buggle - Noah
Jillian Rose – Attica Staines




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