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.



Later, at SVU, Rollins and Lara walk in to Benson’s office. Lara explains she must have picked up the phone by mistake in the hospital room. When Rollins prompts her to explain what she did when the phone rang, Lara gets agitated and asks why is she talking to her like she's a criminal. Benson comments she saw her check the caller ID. When Lara indignantly asks “So?”, Benson states they know that Tommy Burke called Emilia that morning. Again Lara asks “So?” and Benson replies that she bets if Lara checked her call log, they will all see that he made that call while they were all in that hospital room. Lara, getting more testy, asks what does that have to do with her. Rollins replies that unless she is friends with a fifteen year old high school kid, she knew that phone was her sister’s. Lara wonders that they think she had something to do with Emilia getting raped, and Benson clarifies what she is wondering is why Lara is being less than honest. Lara denies this, so Rollins asks her again to open the phone, and Benson adds they know she knows the pass code. Lara asks if this will help them catch the guy, and Benson replies it might. Lara puts in the pass code and hands Rollins the phone. Rollins looks at the phone and comments that Emilia has Fone Fare. Lara explains it goes to Richard’s credit card so they could pay for cabs even if they didn’t have cash. Rollins show Benson the screen with the driver name: Oscar Grove. Lara questions who is that, and Benson replies it’s the man who raped her sister.

Carisi gets off the phone and says they have the SOB, he lives on 121st Street and East Harlem. Fin joins him, saying uptown and rush hour should be fun.

At the apartment of Oscar Grove at 201 East 121st Street on Monday, April 15, Fin and Carisi are in wait and he tries to take off but Fin catches him and cuffs him. He denies raping anyone. Carisi says they have the rapist’s DNA and it if matches his, he is done. Fin says he will do a lot of time – black time. Oscar begins to talk and says maybe he had something to do with it. Carisi suggests maybe the DNA can shave off a couple years, but Fin says he doesn’t think so – black time, he’s going under the jail. Oscar says she was flashing her “tig old biddies” adding what does she expect? Fin glares at him and Carisi asks if that is a confession because it sounds like one to him. Fin says they should go tell the DA.

Back at SVU, Emilia is in Benson’s office with Richard and Benson says they got him and she will not have to testify as he pleaded guilty. Richard asks that it is over, and Benson explains legally, yes. But emotionally it is a different story and wants to give the name of a counselor or therapist to Emilia. As Benson hands the card to Emilia, Richard grabs it and says he will take it. Benson gives him a look. They thank Benson and leave. Rollins enters and says she had TARU image Emilia’s phone and they have videos on there Emilia did not want Richard to see. It shows Emilia in a sexual encounter with two men. Benson says this is a whole new case. Rollins thinks they guys are at least 40 years old. Benson comments now she knows why Lara didn’t want them to see Emilia’s phone.

At Carl Schurz Park on Wednesday, April 17, Benson walks with Emilia who says they kids are super nice to her at school and she can tell they are all talking about her. Benson asks if she has called the therapist and she says she will. Benson brings up the video and she says she doesn’t know what she is talking about. Benson suggested talking to Mary or Richard about it and this gets Emilia to talk. She says a man she met on line – Bob…she was just lonely. Benson comments the men in the video were more than twice her age. Emilia says it was just once. Benson explains what the men did is illegal. She says they did not force her, and Benson says it doesn’t matter, asking if they gave her alcohol or drinks. Emilia says yes but she didn’t want it. It was at the Harper Hotel and she never went back. If Richard finds out he will send her home. Benson says she understands.

Back at SVU, Rollins tells Fin his name is Alex Kay, she got it from facial recognition. He was at the Black and White Ball, and Fin comments this means he has bucks and Rollins adds and a good lawyer. Fin moves to join her but she says she can handle him herself. Fin counters he is not worried about her.

At Darcolo Development Group at 203 West 54th Street on Wednesday, April 17, they meet with Alex, Fin preferring to stand. They bring up a party he attended, showing him the video of him and Emilia. He says it is obscene Fin says she is 15 and that is illegal and tells him to take another look, and he and Rollins explain that is him in the video. He denies it and says he has an army of lawyers with their fingers on the libel button. Cuffs in hand, Fin says standing makes it easier to arrest his ass. He cuffs him as Rollins gets a phone call. She tells the caller she knows where to find her. Rollins tells Fin that TARU says the video was emailed to Emilia by her sister Lara.

Later, Rollins and Carisi speak with Lara about this and that Lara filming her sister with the two guys is illegal. Lara says they didn’t sell it but they explain the problem. Lara says she invited her to the party and Emilia was into it. Rollins presses that Emilia was too young and Lara says she has to grow up sometime. They continue to press her on whose party that was and she says it was a guy named Bob, she thinks. She met him in a bar, he is staying at the Harper Hotel. The other guy was from LA and was there on business. She does not recall his name being Alex Kay. She says they have to remember they are from a tiny town in Italy and were just looking for some excitement. She and Emilia swore they’d keep it a secret, and when Rollins asks why did she send the video, Lara explains Emilia wanted it, she does not know why. If Richard found it he would send her home. Carisi thinks she’d have been safer back there. Lara says she has a class and Rollins tells her to go ahead. As she walks off, Carisi asks Rollins if she saw the crucifix around her neck and doesn’t buy for one second she didn’t know what she was doing. Rollins asks about the host parents, wondering that they had no idea this was going on. Carisi suggests they go find out.


At the apartment of Richard and Mary Matthews at 93 Central Park West on Wednesday, April 17, Carisi and Rollins speak with Mary who explains Richard is a quant trader, which works with algorithms for high frequency trading. She offers them coffee. She explains how they met and as Rollins goes with her to make coffee, Carisi scans around the apartment, seeing the doors and hinges have been removed in some areas. Mary speaks about the exchange student program, saying Emilia is their ninth. Carisi compliments the view. They explain they are just wondering how Emilia is doing and talk about how hard it is to re-adjust. Rollins says Emilia may be hiding something, and Mary seems distressed. Rollins offers to help, but Mary says nobody…she states that the girls were sexually abused by their dad back in Italy. She begs them not to tell Richard she told them, asking what kind of man…

Afterwards, Carisi comments to Rollins that there are no doors on any of the bedrooms and Rollins says it does not make sense, a victim would want double locks on the doors. She also questions the sister act at the sex party, saying it is strange. Carisi comments it would not be the first time and abused teen acted out sexually but this doesn’t add up.

Later, Emilia is in SVU speaking with Benson. She says her father is already in jail in Italy and that Lara testified against him. She was 4 and insists she is fine, she got over it. Benson says she is not fine, bringing up the sex party with the older guys. Emilia thinks Benson thinks she is a slut, and Benson says not at all, that she is just punishing herself…and Emilia shouts “for being a slut.” Benson thinks she is a young, innocent girl who had a bad thing happen to her. Emilia shouts it happened because of her, and she gets up to leave. Benson stops her, saying her father is the criminal here, not her, this is not her fault. She asks what her father did to her, and Emilia says it was always in the morning when Lara was at school. Her mother was in town at the market, she went every Tuesday. She could hear his flip flops against the wooden floor and she knew. He carried her to his bed, the same bed where he slept every night with their mother.

Later, Lara explains to Rollins she could smell the wine on his breath from the night before, he crawled on top of her and laughed, grunting like a pig. She was four. She told the court in Italy and they locked him up. They couldn’t prove their mother knew about it but she is suffering anyway. No one in town will talk to her and is thankful Richard wanted another student. Rollins asks about Mary, and Lara says she loves them too, but Richard only realized what his father did to her and she will love him forever for that. Rollins asks if there was a door on her bedroom when she lived with them and she says of course. Rollins explains there were no doors on any of the bedrooms now. She thinks it is their stupid decorator bringing in doors from France or Germany or something. Rollins asks her to tell her about any other parties they might have been, and Lara denies there were others.

Back with Benson, Emilia explains she flew her for Lara’s high school graduation and Richard paid for it. Lara did not want her mother there and blames her. She blames her now, and thinks she had to know. She never went home after that. Richard says she was too young for the trial and it would be too painful. He went there with Lara and brought her back here. She says they are never going back to Italy. Benson sighs.

Later, Benson is in her office and Rollins says she is going for a salad, asking if she wants anything. Benson says no, asking her to listen to something. She reads back some of the transcript from the trial in Italy and she reads it in Italian but translated to Rollins “I could hear his flip flops snap against the wooden floor and I knew. He crawled on top of me and laughed. He grunted like a pig.” Benson says these are the exact same words that Emilia to describe what happened to her. Rollins comments Lara said the same thing to her, word for word. Benson throws down the transcript and her pen and takes off her glasses, shaking her head in disbelief. She thinks they both had to be coached. Rollins explains Lara told her that Richard helped her when she was molested and he went to Italy for the trial too. Benson holds her head and says “Oh my god”. Fin walks in and says he has a list of all the exchange students that stayed with Richard and Mary and one of them is still here; she works as a translator at the UN. She tells Fin to talk to her and call her (Benson).

At United Nations Headquarters on Thursday, April 18, Fin speaks with another young woman about Richard Matthews. She tells him how could she forget. He asks why would she say that, and she explains she was a kid, fresh off the boat from a small town in Brazil. She was with him two weeks and it was great, a party every night, at least she thought it was great. Lots of booze. He told her to come to the den with him and watch a film that turned out to be homemade film with Richard and the girl who stayed with him before from her home town. She got the hell out of there that night.

Benson meets up with Emilia in Benson’s apartment. Lara says this is really weird. Benson says she knows it is, and explains she wanted to talk to her privately, thinking she was sick of the squad room. Emilia says she has nothing else to say, and Benson asks her to sit for a minute, saying it will take a short time. She asks her to tell her again exactly what her father did to her. Emilia says this is dumb and gets up, but Benson tells her this is very important, she needs her to trust her and after this she promises she won’t bother her again. Emilia sits back down. Benson comments Emilia said it happened in the morning when Lara was at school, and Emilia begins to repeat, word for word, what was in the transcript as if she had memorized the words. Benson mentions this is exactly what Lara said word for word and thinks maybe she wasn’t really molested by her father. Emilia says her father is in jail and Benson thinks this is a mistake. Emilia asks why would she like, and Benson thinks she is not lying but thinks Emilia believes that really happened but she thinks she and Lara were brainwashed. As Emilia says she is crazy, Benson goes on to show her happy photos of her with her father. Emilia doesn’t want to look at them. She sees a photo of her at her first communion, finding those pictures on her mother’s facebook page. Benson asks if she really remembers being molested by her father, and Emilia shaker her head no. Benson asks who told her that and put that idea into her head, and Emilia replies Lara said he did it to her too and she didn’t believe her. Benson asks if Richard told her that as well, and Emilia said she didn’t believe him but he proved it. When Benson asks how, Emilia cries and says she doesn’t want to talk about it. Benson continues to press her, and Emilia said he proved it with his fingers, he put them inside her and said he loved her. Benson says this is not love, he hurt her and brainwashed her, it is called grooming. Emilia asks why would he do that, and Benson explains he wanted her to do what HE wanted. She asks if Richard had sex with her, and Emilia cries and says he said he loved her. Benson, whispering, asks if he took her to that party with the men, and Emilia said he shot the video on Lara’s phone. She cried that papa is in jail and asks what did she do? Benson moves to console her.

At a later time, Carisi and Fin arrive at the Matthews’ home and Carisi asks Mary, who appears injured, if she is okay. She says Lara called and he won’t talk to anyone. Fin tells her to put ice on it as the move into the room. Richard is standing on the outside balcony and talks about a nearby building he sold years ago for a large amount of money and is worth more now. Fin says sometimes you just do something dumb, and “some things are dumber than others.” He says he loves them, all of them, they were all different and beautiful in their own way. Fin says they are kids. Richard says they were, young and innocent, and had no idea how cruel and indecent this world could be. What he did with his girls wasn’t dirty, it was beautiful. Fin asks what about his wife, and he says she had her day, and Carisi says he really is a prick. Richard says in HIS eyes...all his girls love him. Carisi asks even after he tossed them aside and moved on to the next one, and Fin adds or pass them around to his buddies. Mary walks in as Carisi asks what age he was when he was first abused. Richard looks stunned and Mary says “Oh my god.” Carisi moves to get the cuffs and Richard asks if that is really necessary. Mary shakes her head no as Carisi says he is under arrest. Mary tries to intervene and Richard gets away from Carisi and takes a flying leap over the balcony rail. As Mary runs there in shock, Carisi holds her back. She sobs.

In SVU interrogation, Mary, with her lawyer, explains to Benson and Carisi that she never wanted any of this. Benson asks that she knew about it, and her lawyer tells her not to say anything. Carisi mentions this is why Richard removed the doors so she could watch. Mary says he made her, and while her lawyer urges her not to say more, Mary says she has to tell somebody. She explains he thought it was funny, the old bitch watching the younger bitches, which is what he said. Sometimes he made her applaud his performances. He was sick. The lawyer points out her injury. Mary says she wanted to help all the girls and she was scared that he would leave and wonders what would happen to her then and what would happen to her now. Benson gets a call, asks the caller where are they, and then she races out of the room.

Benson arrives at the Matthews’ and flashes her badge to the doorman and announces she is NYPD. She gets to the apartment and Emilia says Lara took a lot of pills. Benson tells her to call an ambulance, and Emilia says she did. Lara asks what is the point, and Emilia says a couple minutes ago, she could not stop her. Benson asks her if it is okay if they stood up and walked around, and Lara says she loved him and Benson killed him. Lara tries to get up and Benson has to help hold her up. She yells at Emilia it was both of them, that Emilia took him and he would have come back to her. Benson continues to try to get her to talk around as Lara sobs. But Lara drops to the floor as the EMTs arrive. Benson states Lara took Ambien, she doesn’t know how many. Benson assures Emilia that Lara will be okay.

Back at SVU, Carisi tells Rollins about Richard’s jump at 27 stories and Rollins asks that he feels guilty. Carisi says he is Catholic, he always feels guilty. Rollins comments the weird thing is if Emilia hadn’t gotten assaulted by that cabbie who knows how her life would have turned out. Fin, on the phone, tells the caller that is great news and he will talk to her tomorrow. He explains it was Benson; they pumped Lara’s stomach and she will be fine. Rollins says fine is one thing those girls will never be. Fin comments he is talking physically, adding the mom is coming in from Italy. Rollins thinks it will be awkward, and Fin explains Benson will be there to break the ice. As they all walk out to leave, Carisi comments they put the father in jail for child rape, she will be a pretty big ice pick for that. Fin states moms forgive, that is part of the drill. Rollins counters not her mom. She adds Matthews single-handedly destroyed an entire family. And Carisi tells her not to forget about the other 7 exchange students scattered all over the world. Rollins says "Welcome to America, Land of the free..." and Fin finished "...Home of the sick bastards."

At Bellevue Hospital Center at 462 1st Avenue on Sunday, April 21, Benson is there with Lara who will be there a few days. Benson explains the ADA has contacted the Ministry of Justice in Italy and they are working on getting her father out of prison. She wonders if he will ever forgive her, and Benson replies in Italian. Lara sees her mother arrive and says she doesn’t think she can do this, but Benson assures her she can. Lara holds the cross around her neck as she looks at her mother standing there with Emilia. Her mother embraces her, and Emilia walks in to join them as they all cry together. The mother mouths her thanks to Benson, who looks on 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:
Darren Goldstein - Richard Matthews
Anna Van Patten - Emilia Barassi
Isabella Pisacane - Lara Barassi
Erin Dilly - Mary Matthews
Jennifer Regan – Kin Caldwell
Mike McGowan – Alex Kay
Terron Jones – Oscar Grove
James Cribbins – Tommy Burke
Laura Guzman – Helen
Christopher Flaim – Bill
Natasha Lopez – Gabriela Montes
Satomi Hofman – Dr. Nancy Mayer
Irene Rivera – Alice
Alexandra Milak – Martha Kershan
Laura Lamberti – Allesandra Barassi




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