Monday, April 29, 2019

Law & Order SVU “End Game” Episode Information, Season 20 Finale





Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order SVU, “End Game,” the season 20 finale.


Law & Order SVU “End Game” Air Date May 16, 2019 (10 PM ET/9C Thursday NBC)

SEASON FINALE – When a teenager is found dead in the Hudson River, Lt. Benson (Mariska Hargitay) suspects Rob Miller (guest star Titus Welliver) is behind the mysterious death but can’t prove it. Despite having only circumstantial evidence, ADA Stone (Philip Winchester) takes the case to court before Miller can destroy more lives. Also starring Ice T, Kelli Giddish and Peter Scanavino. Also guest starring Callie Thorne (Nikki Staines), Jillian Rose (Attica Staines), Aida Turturro (Judge Catano) and Richard Kind (William Biegel).

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

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Friday, April 26, 2019

Law & Order SVU “Diss” Photos

Here are advance photos for Law & Order SVU “Diss” which will air on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at 10PM ET on NBC. The photos feature Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino, Amber Stevens West as Dallas Monroe, Orlando Jones as Justin "Snake Eye" Anderson, and Snoop Dogg as P.T. Banks.


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

















Photos by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC 2019 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 “Exchange” Recap & Review


I’m pressed for time today so the review will be short. I’m on the fence about this episode. There was a lot going on here. It starts with a young Italian exchange student being assaulted by a cab driver, which later uncovers that this same girl, and her sister, were being sexually abused by the man who was their host for the exchange program.  He also coached them to lie about being sexually abused by their biological father. It was obvious early on that this man’s controlling behavior would mean we’d later find he was doing something horrible with not just these two girls, but other girls that they had hosted previously.  His wife has turned a blind eye to the abuse.

Overall, it was a dramatic story with plenty of twists and turns. But for the second week in a row, I found myself getting very agitated during one scene which marred my opinion of the entire episode. It was Benson using what I think is completely inappropriate judgment by bringing a victim to Benson’s own home to question her about whether she was really abused by her father. (Even the victim says it is weird.) I don’t know what the rules are in the NYPD but I can’t imagine that bringing anyone into one’s home on NYPD business is considered proper conduct, especially someone under the age of 18. I understand Benson wanted to speak with her in a more comfortable setting, but I can’t believe her own home was the only place she could find that met this criteria. There’s also the issue that there were questions about what the victim said about her own father, yet Benson decided to speak with this victim in her own home ALONE. Benson should have at least had someone like Rollins with her to act as a witness.

It was a shock to see Richard take a flying leap off the 27th floor balcony, but I felt this as inevitable once the scene moved to a high rise balcony.

I enjoyed the many on-location shots, which made for a visually pleasing episode.

One question which popped up from the sneak peeks before the episode aired was that these two girls, who were from Ischia in Italy,  didn’t sound at all Italian. Apparently they attended American schools in Ischia which kept them accent-free.  I would think they would have still picked up *something* from speaking with the locals, but apparently the only word they spoke with an accent was "Italy."




Here is the recap:

A group of kids, including Emilia Barassi, are drinking and playing strip poker. Emilia comes out of another room, not wearing much and has a losing hand so she moves to take off her bra. Instead, she runs out of the building, covered only with her coat, and gets in a cab from Fone Fare. The cab driver puts on some music and strikes up a conversation. He seems to be taking her to the wrong address, then as she notices this, the vehicle stops and the driver grabs her and bangs her head against the partition, knocking her out.

Later, Fin is on the scene speaking to a woman who called 911 as she saw a woman get pushed out of a cab who appeared to be raped. She could not see the driver’s face or car license plate number. Benson is in the ambulance with Emilia, who tells Benson she kept repeating her address to the driver – Central Park West and 69th. She did not see the driver’s name and only saw he was black. The doors were locked shut and she thought he was going to kill her. She strokes a cross she is wearing around her neck. Benson tries to calm her. Emilia tried to scream but he grabbed her head and hit her. Emilia says something in Italian, and when Benson replies in kind, Emilia says no more Italian, she hates Italy. Benson says okay.

At the hospital, Benson and Rollins speak with Dr. Mayer about Emilia’s injuries. There are signs of sexual assault and she was not drugged but her blood alcohol was .19. They sent the semen with a rape kit to the lab.

Benson and Rollins enter Emilia’s hospital room and Benson makes the introductions. Richard Matthews comments that Emilia says Benson was very good to Emilia. He is not her father; Emilia is an exchange student from Italy and he and his wife Mary, who is also there, are the host family. A phone rings and Emilia’s sister Lara moves to answer it, which angers Richard. Mary puts her hand on Lara’s for her to put the phone down. Lara says something in Italian and backs away. Benson asks Emilia how she is doing, and Emilia says okay. Benson wants to ask her some questions, and Rollins moves everyone else away. Benson asks Emilia if she remembers more details about the man who attacked her, but she does not. Benson asks if she can tell her where she was before she got into the cab. Emilia explains she was at her friend’s house, Tommy Burke, and says he didn’t do anything. When Benson asks what happened to her clothes, Emilia replies she left them at Tommy’s but adds it’s not what Benson is thinking; they were just playing kind of poker where they… Benson finishes that it’s where if you lose, you lose your clothes. When Emilia nods, Benson whispers, then smiles, saying she was a teenager once. Emilia says she couldn’t, so she just left. Benson tries to reassure her it is okay, and then compliments Emilia on the cross she is wearing. Emilia says her mother gave it to her.

Rollins speaks with the rest of the group and hears that Emilia wants to help find the bastard who did this, and that she and Lara come from Ischia, and island off Naples. Lara stayed with them before Emilia, and Lara goes to Hudson. Richard is very testy and Rollins calls him on it. Rollins promises to do the best they can.


Later, Rollins and Carisi speak about Ischia, and Carisi is familiar with it but Rollins was not. Carisi’s aunt on his mother’s side was born there but hasn’t been back in 60 years but she cannot stop talking about it. They talk about her Italian cooking. Carisi says he wants to talk to the girls to brush up on his Italian. She tells him to brush up on his English while he is at it, they both went to an American school over there and sound like they grew up in Westport. Rollins says she has more of an accent than they do. Fin says he has the address where the kids played cards, and Carisi says he’ll take it.

At the residence of Tommy Burke at 157 West 89th Street on Monday, April 15, Fin and Carisi speak with Tommy. He says he thought Richard ripped her a new one for coming home without clothes. Tommy said he wouldn’t have forced her to do anything, he had no idea she would freak. He thought she wanted to be alone. They did not see her get into the cab.


Back at SVU, Rollins hangs up the phone and Carisi gives her a cup of coffee. She brings up the Burke’s security camera and see Emilia get into the cab. The cab company has no record of anyone in that area at that time. Fin comments there is no phone in the bag Tommy gave them and Rollins thinks whoever has the phone could be the rapist. Fin had TARU run the GPS on it and says they got their bad guy.


At 301 West 127th street on Monday, April 15, the detectives arrive with police backup and as they get ready to break down the door, Lara answers it, and nervously asks what is going on.

Law & Order SVU “Diss” Promo

Here is the promo for Law & Order SVU “Diss” which will air on Thursday, May 2 at 10PM ET on NBC. The episode guest stars Snoop Dogg.


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








Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.



Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Law & Order SVU “Exchange” Sneak Peek

Here is a preview clip from Law & Order SVU, “Exchange” which will air on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 10PM ET on NBC. The video features Mariska Hargitay and Kelli Giddish.


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


Please note: This video has a limited life and may be removed at any time, so catch it while you can!

Update April 24, 2019 - a second preview clip has been added!







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 “10 Times Fin Flipped the Script”

Here’s a Law & Order SVU video titled “10 Times Fin Flipped the Script” – it’s self-explanatory. Catch it before it’s gone!







Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Monday, April 22, 2019

Law & Order SVU “Assumptions” Episode Information





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


Law & Order SVU “Assumptions” Air Date May 9, 2019 (10 PM ET/9C Thursday NBC)

The SVU searches for two suspects spotted fleeing the scene after a Muslim woman is assaulted inside a synagogue. Meanwhile, Benson (Mariska Hargitay) is dismayed to find Rob Miller (guest star Titus Welliver) out on bail. Also starring Ice T, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino and Philip Winchester. Also guest starring Peter Gallagher (Chief Dodds), Richard Kind (William Biegel), Nazneen Contractor (Nahla Nasar), Ted Sutherland (Ari Kaplan), Elise Hudson (Aida Galanis), Hadi Tabbal (Masud Faraj) and Bob Ari (Ezra Zuckerman).


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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.




Monday, April 15, 2019

Law & Order SVU “Exchange” Photos

Here are advance photos for Law & Order SVU, “Exchange” which will air on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 10PM ET on NBC. The photos feature Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Kelli Giddish, Isabella Pisacane as Lara Barassi, Anna Van Patten as Emilia Barassi, Erin Dilly as Mary Matthews, Anna Van Patten as Emilia Barassi, and Darren Goldstein as Richard Matthews.


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









Photos by: Will Hart/NBC 2019 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 “Diss” Episode Information



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

Law & Order SVU “Diss” Air Date May 2, 2019 (10 PM ET/9C Thursday NBC)

SNOOP DOGG GUEST STARS -- When a pop star is assaulted in her home, the SVU investigates the public feud between her rapper husband (guest star Orlando Jones) and a competing recording artist (guest star Snoop Dogg). Meanwhile, Fin's (Ice T) family ties to a suspect takes him off the case. Also starring Mariska Hargitay, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino and Philip Winchester. Also guest starring Amber Stevens West (Dallas Monroe), L. Scott Caldwell (Jo Anderson), Deandre Leatherbury (Andreas Harper), Elizabeth Tate (Vickie Lewis) and Milan Marsh (Lexie Monroe).


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


Friday, April 12, 2019

Law & Order SVU “The Good Girl” Recap & Review


“The Good Girl” is one of those episodes that made me angry as it progressed.

A woman calls the police to report an apparent violent argument in the apartment next door. This fight is what tipped the first domino, causing the others to fall. The police take the couple to the hospital, which uncovers that a 13 year old girl, Mackenzie, who is living with her stepfather, Garrett, is pregnant. Too conveniently, she gives information that would eventually point the finger at a teacher,  with whom she already confided that she was pregnant. The detectives question the teacher, who apparently is not very bright, allowing the detectives to get him into the SVU interrogation room before he offers blood samples and/or DNA to prove he is not the father. I don’t understand why he wouldn’t have offered this immediately in his first contact with the detectives at the school. It would have saved him the embarrassing trip to the SVU. I can understand him not wanting to admit he was gay, but he knew he was not the father, so offering DNA right away should have been a no-brainer. We hear that Mackenzie has told her stepfather that the teacher is the father, and one didn’t need a drama degree to see that stepdad would murder the teacher.   Later, we find that Garrett killed the teacher as he was afraid the teacher would spill their secret.

During the murder trial, the secret is revealed: Mackenzie is not only Garrett's step daughter, she is his wife. Carisi gives us the low down on the number of states with no minimum age for marriage, with blood relative consent. Stone tries hard in family court to get the consent from Mackenzie's biological junkie dad thrown out, calling the payment Garrett made to him a bribe. Stone loses. He also loses the argument to bring up the marriage in regular court. Stone is having a bad time of it, until BENSON SAVES THE DAY with an alternative way to approach the case. This is one reason why I think Stone never resonated with fans; it seems Benson - or sometimes Carisi - must give Stone creative advice so he can win a case.

When Stone and Benson move to charge Mackenzie instead of Garrett, Garrett folds like it is laundry day, exposes his creepiness, and takes a deal.

I found myself getting angry at strange places in this episode. I got annoyed with the teacher when he didn’t offer his DNA when the detectives first questioned him at the school when the pregnancy was mentioned. Then he offered it quick when he was in SVU. It felt like the writers had to fill in some time in the episode so they decided to draw out the scene with the teacher.

My anger grew during the scene where Rollins brings up something Benson said to her in the SVU season 20 premiere “Man Up/Man Down”. During the premiere, Rollins was struggling with going through with her pregnancy, and Benson gave her advice, telling her that regret is an awful thing to live with. At that time, I felt that Rollins had assumed Benson had an abortion, and Benson did not confirm or deny.  We now know Rollins interpreted Benson's comment to mean Benson DID have an abortion. Based on what Benson said in “The Good Girl”, either Benson was never pregnant, did or didn’t have an abortion, she was pregnant and had the baby and gave it up for adoption, she was pregnant and lost a baby, nothing ever happened, or Benson is still being purposely vague about the issue because it's a "complicated story."   We don’t know, it could be anything or nothing, but we know its "complicated!" I wish the writers would just pick something and move on. Considering the context in which Benson first raised the regret issue with Rollins, I can understand why Rollins would have assumed Benson was speaking from experience. It’s possible that *somebody* with the show didn’t like the idea that most viewers thought Benson had an abortion, so they decided to backtrack and make it ambiguous. Maybe THEY had regrets they couldn’t live with.

I also thought it was highly inappropriate for Benson to question a victim in a grocery store, especially if she knew that the victim was covering up for someone and she planned on challenging her.

I also found my blood boiling at the end when Benson continues to insert herself into Mackenzie’s life and lecture her on her pregnancy, not to mention Benson addressing Mackenzie in condescending terms like honey and sweetheart. She should also not be touching her baby bump.  (Just imagine if Fin or Carisi had this discussion and was touching her.)  Benson is not a social worker and she has no business in continuing to contact Mackenzie regarding her pregnancy. I get agitated when people talk like having a baby will solve all problems. Benson said earlier in the episode to that she didn’t know a baby ruined anyone’s life, and I find that way of thinking very naïve. Having a baby is not all rainbows and unicorns for everyone; there are no guarantees that a child will bring happiness.

I enjoyed repeat offender Steven Tobolowsky, who appeared previously in SVU “Bullseye” and Criminal Intent “Malignant”.

Ice-T did not appear in this episode.

Update April 13, 2019
I’ve received a few emails asking about the original dialog that Benson and Rollins had about regret. Here’s what Benson and Amanda said in “Man Down” that is referenced in this current episode. Benson’s failure to verbally answer is why Rollins believed Benson had an abortion.

Benson: Amanda, you're you're not thinking of…
Rollins: I don't know if I need another baby. I don't know if I want another baby. All I know is, if I was back home, the choice would be a lot easier. There'd BE no choice.
Benson: Give me your phone.
Rollins: What?
Benson: Just unlock it and give it to me.
Rollins unlocks and hands Benson her phone. Benson brings up a video of Jesse.
Rollins: That's playing dirty.
Benson: I distinctly remember when you showed that to me. You told me that was THE best moment of your life. This is your decision to make alone, and I will defend to the death your right to make it.
But regret is …(whispering) an awful thing to live with.
Rollins: You had one? You had an abortion?
Benson says nothing, pauses, puts her hand on Rollins’ shoulder, giving Rollins a somber look, and walks away.

Update April 14, 2019
To add to Benson’s “complicated” issue regarding pregnancy, all we know from previous episodes are as follows:

1. In the episode “Mercy” (season 4, episode 14), she makes a comment to Alex Cabot:

Cabot: Olivia, would you want somebody digging through your medical records?
Benson: Look, I had a pregnancy scare in college, that was bad enough. I can't imagine the police knocking at my door, but this is our best lead.


2, In “Wednesday’s Child” (season 15, episode 14), Benson is shopping in Wexton Drug Store and picks up a pregnancy test. She later tells Dr. Lindstrom she thought she was pregnant and took the test that day and she was not. She said she should be relieved, and that Cassidy is. But she was thinking that door wasn’t closed and imagined this whole other life.







Here is the recap:

A woman meditates in a room full of candles, but this is disrupted by people yelling next door. She bangs on the wall. Mackenzie Tolliver and her stepfather Garrett are fighting – he has taken her cell phone - and she throws things at him and the yelling gets intense.

Later, police are on the scene, and Mackenzie and Garrett cop an attitude, Mackenzie complaining about the neighbor. There is broken glass and Garrett has been cut. Mackenzie asks for her phone back so she can call Chase.

At the hospital, with Benson and Carisi, the officer explains what happened with Garrett and Mackenzie, 13, and that he didn’t think to ask about her mother. There was evidence of a fight; she wouldn’t say she was hurt but Garrett was cut. He brought them there to be checked out. Benson states they will take it from here. Benson introduces themselves and Carisi moves Garrett away to speak with him. The doctor approaches Benson and she moves off to talk to her. The doctor explains Mackenzie refused to take something to calm her down as she was afraid it would hurt the baby. Benson is shocked as Mackenzie is 13, and the doctor confirms she is 13 and pregnant.

At SVU, Carisi speaks with Garrett about Mackenzie and her pregnancy. She didn’t say she had a boyfriend much less being pregnant, and he doesn’t know of a boyfriend. He says he was stupid to think he could replace her mother, Angela, she died two years ago and they were only married for a short period of time. Carisi implies the father of the baby is Garrett but he insists he loves Mackenzie like a daughter. He could not adopt her as she has a junkie father running around somewhere who Angela had divorced. He loves Mackenzie like she is his own and he thought he was doing the right thing.

In Benson’s office, she and Rollins speak with Mackenzie, who talks about hearing the baby’s heartbeat. She was going to tell her stepfather but Garrett is hard to talk to. The baby is only 8 weeks old. She says the baby’s father wouldn’t care, and as Benson presses, Mackenzie gets evasive and gets up to leave. But Benson continues to talk, saying they need to know the details for what happened. She ask if she was upset about how this happened and when Mackenzie get agitated. Rollins adds that they are concerned, as is her stepfather. Benson adds they just want what is best for her. Mackenzie says it was just some guy, and when Rollins asks his name, Mackenzie says she doesn’t know. She explains she was buying yogurt at Whole Foods and they started talking, it was only one time, in his car. Rollins comments he is old enough to drive, Mackenzie states she wasn’t forced, and Rollins counters if he was a grown man it is not okay. Benson asks about the car, and Mackenzie states it was blue and she thinks it was a BMW. When Benson asks what else she remembers, Mackenzie asks why, and Benson explains under the law, what he did may be rape. Mackenzie looks surprised.

Afterwards, Rollins speaks with Garrett and explains what Mackenzie told them. She thinks she is covering for someone and when Garrett wonders why she would do this, Carisi explains she is 13 and this is a lot to handle. Carisi’s phone vibrates and when he looks at the message, Rollins tells Garrett that Mackenzie will come around sometime. He asks what if she doesn’t, Rollins questions if he knows anyone that drives a blue BMW. He says no. Carisi asks Garrett to look at something, and shows him a photo on a laptop, asking if anybody rings a bell. He adds their computer geeks found it on Mackenzie’s fake Instagram account. He saw a photo of her with comments about sending nudes, saying that doesn’t sound like Mackenzie. He doesn’t recognize the others in the photo.

At Saint Matthews Middle School at 179 West 25th Street on Tuesday, March 26, Rollins and Carisi speak with Father Edwin Mayberry who says Mackenzie is bright, popular, and gets good grades, describing her as a stand-out student. No behavioral changes. He says he will ask around to see if she confided in someone but assures them whatever happened to her did not happen there. Carisi shows him the photo of the two boys in the Instagram photo and Father Mayberry says they do go to school there – Logan Larson and Chase Madera. Rollins states they will need to talk to them.

Later, Carisi speaks with Logan says they were hanging out at Chase’s and nothing sexual happened. On the photo and the nudes, she says he was just screwing around. He says Mack is one of those girls who is always touching you, she puts her hand on yours and makes you think…that she wants to be closer than you really are. He never did anything.

Logan says Mackenzie wants the boy to lean in close, close enough to smell her perfume which smells like blueberries. He likes it, saying the girls around there are not allowed to wear that kind of stuff. Most of them follow the rules. He tried to kiss her a few times but he never did. She is a tease; it makes him confused, like it is an act. Rollins wonders that she is a scared 13 year old girl, and Chase suggest Rollins tell that to Dreyfus, who teaches drama but the real drama is what goes on backstage.

At the school, Rollins and Carisi speak with Quentin Dreyfus, who says Mackenzie is a natural. He has worked alone with her, reading lines, as he does with all the students. They suggest he did it more with Mackenzie, and he asks if they are kidding, saying he would think a couple of detectives would see through student gossip. He adds hormones set teenage fantasies flying. Rollins says this may be more than fantasy, and Carisi explains she is pregnant. Quentin is surprised, saying she is only 13 and is shocked they think he is the father. He says he never touched her and anyone who says he did is a liar. Rollins asks what kind of car he drives, and he says a BMW, asking why. Rollins asks if it is blue, and he says nothing. Carisi tells him to come with them. He asks if he is under arrest, and Rollins comments that he can be if he doesn’t want to come willingly. He goes with them.

Law & Order SVU “Exchange” Promo

Here is the promo for Law & Order SVU “Exchange” which will air on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 10PM ET on NBC.


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





Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.


Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Law & Order SVU “The Good Girl” Photos

Here are advance photos for Law & Order SVU, “The Good Girl” which will air on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 10PM ET on NBC. The photos feature Mariska Hargitay, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino, Philip Winchester, and Eowyn Young as Mackenzie Tolliver.


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














Photos by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC 2019 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.



Monday, April 8, 2019

Law & Order SVU “Exchange” Episode Information





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


Law & Order SVU “Exchange” Air Date April 25, 2019 (10 PM ET/9C Thursday NBC)

Benson (Mariska Hargitay) helps a teenaged exchange student after she's assaulted by a cab driver. Also starring Ice T, Kelli Giddish and Peter Scanavino. Guest starring Anna Van Patten (Emilia Barassi), Isabella Pisacane (Lara Barassi), Darren Goldstein (Richard Matthews) and Erin Dilly (Mary Matthews).

# # #

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

Sunday, April 7, 2019

SVU’s Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T Make Cameo on SNL

On April 6, 2019, Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T appeared in a cameo on Saturday Night Live spoofing “Game of Thrones.” Here's the video and a photo. Enjoy!

Update April 9, 2019 - two more photos from SNL have been added! See below.







Photos added April 9, 2019
Surprise guest Mariska Hargitay and host Kit Harington backstage in studio 8H on Saturday, April 6, 2019
Photo by: Rosalind O'Connor/NBC 2019 NBCUniversal Media, LLC


Leslie Jones and surprise guest Mariska Hargitay backstage in studio 8H on Saturday, April 6, 2019
Photo by: Rosalind O'Connor/NBC 2019 NBCUniversal Media, LLC






Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.





Friday, April 5, 2019

Law & Order SVU “Dearly Beloved” Recap & Review


“Dearly Beloved” is one of those unmemorable, predictable SVU episodes. It was like a bread sandwich; there was no filling and  it was visually uninteresting.   Ice-T and Philip Winchester were missing in this episode, so even the bread in the bread sandwich was thin.

The story involves a doctor who turns out to be a “psycho” therapist - or is it a psycho-“the rapist”? In this case, both. At first it appears we are dealing with a woman who is a deranged liar and stalker, but hey, this is SVU, it’s a foregone conclusion the doctor would be using his practice to prey on his female patients. Maybe the story would have been more interesting had the doctor been innocent?

The episode also served as a vehicle to remind us – like we need reminding? – that Benson is a child of rape. Benson explains she once overheard her mother say “How could I love someone that was conceived by a monster” - the same words the victim had used. This gives Benson the chance to give the victim advice about what to do about her pregnancy. While I can’t technically disagree with what Benson said – that it's not the baby’s fault – I am not sure it was appropriate for Benson to offer an opinion on this matter.  It seemed like Benson was piling on the guilt at the end when she said  the victim's baby is innocent and deserves to be unconditionally loved.    The victim already needed therapy before her assault, and now that she has a new therapist, Benson should have just encouraged the victim to get help from her therapist to help her make the decision.

I give this episode a solid "meh" rating.



Here is the recap:

Dr. Joshua Hensley is getting ready for his wedding and his phone keeps ringing. But he is not taking any patient phone calls. In another room, his wife-to-be Lana is also getting ready. Later, Lana walks down the aisle and the ceremony begins. But when time comes to “speak now or forever hold your peace,” a woman stands up and says she does. She says she has good reason, saying that Josh raped her.

Later, Benson and Carisi approach the church, and the priest tells them he didn’t know what else to do. Benson assures him he did the right thing by calling them. The priest explains everyone is inside and it’s not pretty. Inside the church, the priest points out the wedding party and Kitty Bennett, the woman who voiced the objection. Benson introduces herself and Kitty says she is so sorry, she was just trying to help. Another woman asks with sarcasm if she has ever heard of a phone. Carisi introduces himself to the groom and Carisi suggest they go someplace to straighten this out. The groom says he is not leaving his wife. Another man says she is not his wife yet. Carisi gives the groom some advice, suggesting he does not want to be there. As the groom walks away, he calls out to his wife Lana, saying that he loves her while she cries nearby. Benson suggests to Kitty they go someplace where they can talk, and Kitty calls out to Lana, saying one day she will thank her for this. A woman pushes Kitty and Benson tells the woman to back up. As they walk away, Kitty tells Benson she just wanted somebody to know, and Benson replies that now everyone does.

Benson and Rollins speak with Kitty. Kitty explains Josh was her therapist and went to see him three months ago when her mother passed away on December 11. She wanted somebody to talk to. It was her first time going to therapy. She got there after work, about 6:15. There were a lot of other doctors that worked in the medical suite but the receptionist was not there, she may have gone home. He was nice and professional at first, and she gave him her history, She missed her mom so much she started to cry. That’s when he sat on the couch next to her and asked if he could give her a hug, saying it was normal. Benson says it is not. He gave her a hug and stroked her hair. She knew it was inappropriate but was afraid to challenge him. That’s when he pushed her back, put his hand up her skirt and pulled down her underwear. That is when she told him to stop but he didn’t listen and he forced himself inside of her. She lay there like a rag doll when he finished.

Meanwhile, Carisi speaks with Josh who is outraged. He has no idea who Kitty is. He denies raping her. He says she ruined the best day of his life.


Benson asks Kitty if she told anyone about the rape. Kitty explains no, she was too ashamed and thought that nobody would believe her. The next day she called in sick at the ad agency where she works and missed so much time because of this they’ve let her go. Benson says she is sorry. Rollins asks if she’s had any contact with Dr. Hensley after he sexually assaulted her, Benson adding it’s okay if she did. Kitty shakes her head no. Rollins questions how she knew he was getting married today? Kitty explains it was Instagram; she started to look at his photos, admitting it’s crazy. Benson states it’s normal to be curious after something like this happens. Kitty says she never thought the police would be getting involved. Benson counters that she did want people to know that he raped her. Kitty replies that she guesses she wants him to be punished and to be humiliated like she was.

Josh, upset, tells Carisi he needs to talk to Lana to make sure she is okay. Carisi says she is not okay and everybody is gone. Rollins walks into the room and tells Josh that Kitty states she is a patient of his and she came to see him in December when her mom died. He says that never happened. Carisi explains how they will search his office and Josh suggests they go now as there is no file or billing record. Rollins asks him to help them understand why she is accusing him, but he wishes he knew. Rollins suggests it was a fling but he says he never cheated on Lana. He says this will destroy him and they have to help him.

Back at the SVU, Benson tells Rollins and Carisi that Kitty is showing typical signs of a rape victim and Carisi says Josh says he never saw her in his life. Rollins says Kitty’s story checks out as far as the Instagram. Carisi says they can confirm the appointment when the medical office opens on Monday.

At Chelsea Medical Group at 297 8th Avenue on Monday, March 18, Carisi and Rollins speak with the receptionist who is reluctant to show them the appointment book, citing HIPAA. Carisi says they don’t need to see medical records, so it’s good. The receptionist buys that reason and says there is no appointment for 6:15 that day. Carisi notices the appointment book is written in pencil and is told the appointment could be erased of the patient canceled or changes the date. As they walk off, Rollins asks if Carisi saw the name of the next appointment, and Carisi comments it was Hannah Berkowitz, and he got the phone number too. Rollins wonders if Kitty was there, Hannah saw her leave.


At A Toe Above The Rest Ballet Studio at 97 West 19th Street on Monday, March 18, Carisi and Rollins speak with Hannah who explains she was a no-show that day. Rollins asks if Josh was ever inappropriate with her, and Hannah says she is gay, she came out two years ago, and the doctor helped her with her sexuality. They explain one of his female patients had an issue, and Hannah asks if that was Kitty Bennett. She explains that Kitty stalked her on Instagram. Hannah left a comment on one of the doctor’s photos and Kitty followed her after that, then came the private messages. Kitty kept asking her to meet for coffee to talk trash about Josh. She did not meet with her. But she made the mistake of replying to her first message and Kitty took that as an invitation to write her every day for a month and she finally had to block her, saying that chick is straight up psycho.