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.



At SVU, he comments he’s been at St. Matthews 8 years, asking why would he do something like this now. Rollins says it is one of the great mysteries of life. They continue to press him, and he says he will give blood or DNA, whatever they want. Rollins says that is exactly what they want to hear.

But when Carisi and Rollins speak with Garrett, he says absolutely not, saying he is not so sure he wants to know who is the father. Rollins asks even if Mackenzie was raped, and he says she doesn’t see it that way and she has decided to keep the baby. He has to be fine with it; he loved Mack’s mom and he loves Mack. He is in this for the long haul, worried a stranger will but in and demand rights he doesn’t deserve. He argues this is what she wants, but Rollins reminds him Mackenzie is a child and doesn’t know what she wants. Garrett says she does, and if that changes they will reconsider. Rollins and Carisi look stunned and confused.

Elsewhere, walking down the street, Benson speaks with Stone, who says the way this usually works is first there is a crime and then they go to court and they nail the person who did it. Benson argues they can’t tell if there is a crime until they know w ho the father is. He asks if they think it is an adult, and Benson replies Mackenzie won’t say; unless they get her to take a paternity test they don’t know who the father is or if she was raped. Stone asks if she realizes her attorney will argue “my body, my choice” and Benson reminds him she is 13 years old. Stone counters then they will get hit with a heavy dose of her right to privacy. Benson asks if there is a chance, and Stone comments as long as judges are human, there’s a chance.

Back at SVU, Benson tells Rollins that Stone got the motion put on tomorrow’s calendar. Rollins comments, “Good for you” and Benson tells her with mild sarcasm not to be so excited about it. Rollins explains it is good for Benson but she is not sure if it is good for Mackenzie. Benson reminds her there is a chance they are looking at statutory rape, and as Rollins pours a cup of coffee, she blandly says there is a chance they are not. She adds Dreyfus offered his DNA and it makes her skin crawl thinking about a court violating a minor’s privacy. She adds for sake of argument that if the father is some middle-schooler, why ruin his life too. Benson counters that she didn’t know a baby ruined anyone’s life. Rollins tells Benson that Benson knows what she means, Mackenzie is keeping the burden off another 13 year old and is being righteous by keeping in the dark. Benson counters if it is a 40 year-old drama teacher…Rollins asks did Benson? Benson asks did she what? Rollins asks if when Benson was pregnant did she let the father know before she…Benson asks before she what? Rollins asks that Benson is making she it when they were standing right there when she told her she had an abortion. Benson pauses, and then says, I…I never said that.” Rollins, surprised, says with sarcasm “So I dreamt it?” Benson replies, “No Amanda, what I said was is that regret can be an awful thing to live with. So, you assumed…’ Rollins, beginning to walk off, says, “Yeah, and you let me.” Benson admits she did, and says she is sorry, it is very complicated story and she didn’t want to get into it. Rollins says this privacy thing, which was her argument when they got into this conversation. They see Mackenzie arrive in SVU, a cab driver asks Benson is she is the lieutenant Mackenzie is yapping about, and complains $19.65 was on the meter and asks who takes a cab without money. Rollins pulls out some cash and pays him and has to add a tip. He comments to Mackenzie that he hopes she learned something. As she walks off with Benson and Rollins, she says she is so sorry, she was going to call but he took her phone. She told Garrett it was Mr. Dreyfus and he was so upset but with the blood test they’d figure out anyway. She doesn’t know where Garrett is at, she told him and he left. He slammed the door he was so mad. Benson tells her to have a seat and she will be right back.

At the apartment of Quentin Dreyfus at 238 Broome Street on Tuesday, March 26, Benson and Rollins rush to the apartment and find the door open. They race in with guns drawn and find Quentin dead on the floor and Garrett sitting on the couch with a large trophy in his hand with blood on it. Benson orders him to put the weapon down. As Rollins races to Quentin, Garrett complies. Rollins confirms Quentin is dead, and Garrett, blood spatter on his face, says he didn’t mean to.

At SVU interrogation with Stone, Benson, and his lawyer, Garrett explains he was so angry. Mack told him about the teacher and all he could think about was his hairy body on top of his sweet…He asked him how could he, what kind of animal, and that there is a special place in hell waiting just for him. Quentin told him to leave and he said he wouldn’t until he told him to his face what he did, but Quentin just smiled a cruel, heartless smile and told him to leave again. He couldn’t move, he was so filled with anger and hate. Quentin pushed him and he pushed back. He saw the trophy and just swung. He is filled with guilt and that one sin doesn’t justify another. His lawyer tells him that is explaining Garrett was under extreme emotional distress. Stone states he can’t go lower than man 2, two years, one probation. His lawyer is stunned, asking that Stone is kidding. Benson reminds him he killed a man, and the lawyer asks what jury will convict Garrett? He adds thanks, but no thanks.

Later, Stone’s assistant walks into his office and says Mr. Woodward is here about Quentin’s murder. Woodward states that he knew Quentin very well and says they loved each other. He says it can’t be true he had sex with the student. They were going to get married next summer. Nobody knew. He asked Quentin to move in but there was fear someone would find out. He has never had sex with a woman and Mackenzie is lying and he doesn’t know why. His whole family and friends and confirm the relationship. He asks if it is true he was killed with a bowling trophy and Stone says it is. Woodward mentions the West Village Pin Poppers is a LGBT league where they met. He thought Stone should know, not that it matters now. Stone thanks him for his time. After Woodward leaves, Stone calls Benson and says something stinks.

At Foragers Market at 300 West 22nd Street on Wednesday, March 27, Benson speaks with Mackenzie who says that the lawyer, Mr. Kayman, says Garrett will be out on bail before dinner and spoke with family services so she could stay home. Benson asks if she is okay with that, and Mackenzie counters her teacher is dead and her step dad is the one…She says it is her fault he went there and it was an accident. Benson said it is okay to be sad and scared and she can help her find her a place to stay that night. Mackenzie declines, saying she is fine and focusing on dinner. She is making veal chops, Garrett's favorite. Benson says when she was 13, all she could make was Pop Tarts. Mackenzie explains her mom taught her, she used to cook every night for him. She loves her and misses her. Benson tries to talk to her now and when Mackenzie get evasive, Benson explains she needs to know if she is telling the truth about Mr. Dreyfus. Mackenzie’s face gets angry and she says she is. Benson asks her to tell her how it happened. Benson reminds her she said she didn’t know his name and met him at Whole Foods. Mackenzie says she did not want to get him in trouble, but Benson counters there may be somebody else that she doesn’t want to get in trouble. The anger on Mackenzie’s face is obvious and she tells Benson she is clueless, and Benson calmly asks her to clue her in. Benson asks if she feels safe at home with Garrett. Mackenzie says he will not hurt her, questioning that Benson thinks Garrett put the baby in her. Benson asks did he, and Mackenzie says Dreyfus did it and now that he is dead she can’t even prove it. Benson counters they don’t think it was him, adding if Garrett killed Dreyfus because of Mackenzie’s lie…Mackenzie said it only matters if he knows she was lying. Benson, her mouth agape, glares at Mackenzie, who says he has to go; Garrett doesn’t like it when she is late. Benson gets a knowing look.

Later, walking down the street, Stone tells Benson Mackenzie is right, if Garrett didn’t know she was lying, he still has a defense. Benson states her point is Mackenzie is in the 8th grade and how did SHE know that? Stone asks if Benson thinks Mackenzie wanted Garrett to kill Dreyfus, and Benson thinks she’s a teenager and doesn’t think she thinks anything through. She knows Mackenzie is protecting somebody and her gut tells her it is Garrett. Stone says they will have to put her on the stand and find out.

In Supreme Court Part 32 on Wednesday, April 3, Rollins is on the stand, testifying how she and Benson found Dreyfus dead and Garrett was holding the bowling trophy. Stone brings out the trophy and says it could really do some damage, which causes the defense to object, this judge saying Stone made his point. Layman cross-examines and Rollins must admit that Garrett did not run or deny hitting Dreyfus, only saying he didn’t mean to.

Stone calls Mackenzie and the defense objects. Stone and Kayman approach the bench and Kayman says Mackenzie can’t testify as the communications between her and Garrett are privileged and drops the bomb it is spousal privilege. They are legally married. He shows them the marriage license from Missouri. Stone is shocked and the judge says that is enough for today and adjourns.

At SVU, Carisi tells Benson the marriage license was recorded in a courthouse in Missouri in August 27, 2018. Benson notes it was a year after her mother died, saying Mackenzie was too young to know what marriage means. Carisi adds it is bonkers, saying there are almost 20 states with no minimum age for marriage and goes on to give stats about these marriages. It is legal, in Missouri, as long as they had consent of a blood relative. The consent was executed my Marcus Tolliver, her father. Benson comments he is a junkie who is in the wind. He was in Rikers and got released 4 years ago and then nothing until this. Benson tells Carisi to track him down – relatives, family, friends. Carisi says she has an aunt in Connecticut, Penelope Archer. Benson tells him to go.

At the household of Penelope Archer at 37 Woodland Drive in Darien, Connecticut on Wednesday April 3, Carisi speaks with her. She is upset and says Mackenzie will move in with her, that’s it. Carisi says it is not that simple, and explains the marriage situation. He adds she is pregnant and they are saying it is his child. She is upset and said she tried to get close to Mackenzie when her sister died but after a while she shut her out and now she knows why. Carisi explains they are trying to locate her father. He came to her house asking for money, saying to pay up of he would take Mackenzie. She paid him 5 grand in cash and told him to never come back. Now he just calls. She has an old address.

Later, and elsewhere, Rollins knocks on a door and a woman, Lola, answers, and Rollins asks for Marcus Tolliver. She says she never heard of him, but a man calls out, saying he needs a lighter. Rollins walks in and explains she is here to talk about Mackenzie and pressures him on how much he was paid to sign the consent form. She has to flash her cuffs before he will admit he got $10,000.

In Family Court on Thursday April 4, Stone, there with Marcus, and Kayman argue their positions, Stone making the motion to annul. He says Marcus was not acting under his own free will when he consented, saying he was bribed. Garrett says he was hard up and doesn’t recall how much he gave him. Stone says it was $10,000 which is hard to forget. Marcus says he didn’t know what he was thinking. Stone explains Garrett is on trial for manslaughter and the judge states he wants to call Mackenzie as a witness. The judge says they will take a five minute break and then she will hear from “the bride.”

Mackenzie testifies, with an attitude, about when she found out that she loved Garrett. She says she doesn’t even know Marcus and says she loves Garrett like a wife loves her husband, like her mother loved him. She thinks her mother would say she would be happy she found a good man, like she did. Stone counters it is the same man, and Mackenzie says Stone doesn’t know anything, before her mother died she told her to take care of him. Stone counters he doubts that is what she meant. The judge says that is enough and says the court in Missouri found Marcus’ consent is valid and barring fraud, she is collaterally estopped…Stone interrupts and says the father was bribed to consent. The judge counters Stone’s bribe is Garrett’s charitable contribution. She then raises her voice, saying as she was saying, she is collaterally estopped by finding Marcus’s consent is invalid and as such, giving full faith and credit to Missouri law, she holds that the marriage is valid in New York. Stone and Benson look less than thrilled but Garrett and Kayman are happy.

Later, Stone and Kayman speak with Judge Horowitz about the ruling and Kayman moves to prevent any mention of the relationship. Stone argues the marital status is relevant but Kayman reminds the judge he turned green when he brought it up. Horowitz says truth be told he is a little ill right now. The judge grants Kayman's request not to mention the marriage and says they will pick it up where they left off tomorrow morning at 10 AM. A defeated Stone leaves the office.

Back at SVU, Benson comments to Stone and Rollins this is preposterous, saying the law doesn’t care how sick this is. Stone states the bottom line is to a jury, Garrett is just an irate father who confronted a man he thought was sleeping with his step-daughter. Rollins says even though he was the one raping her. Benson comments it’s not statutory rape if they are married. Rollins says she bets Benson never thought she’d say that. Carisi walks in and says he looked at the dates Stone asked him to and Mackenzie’s OBGYN appointment was 6 months after they were married. Stone states this means they can’t prove he married her to avoid a rape charge. Benson wonders what if he didn’t, and Stone asks if he really does love her. Benson adds then he would protect her, saying it is worth a shot. He says he wants to see them tomorrow before the trial.

The next day, Garrett and Mackenzie, along with Kayman and Benson, arrive in Stone’s office. Kayman thinks it’s too late for a deal, and Stone says he is considering dropping the charges against Garrett. He then says he is charging Mackenzie, and she is stunned. Garrett says he can’t do that, and Benson says he can as Mackenzie put the false ID in Garrett’s head that she was sleeping with Dreyfus. Stone adds it is completely foreseeable a step father would take vengeance against someone sexually preying on his step daughter. Garrett is in shock as Benson adds especially because they are so close. Mackenzie is silent and Garrett shouts to Kayman to do something. Kayman motions for him to be quiet. Benson tells Mackenzie her baby will be born in prison and Mackenzie sits in stunned silence. Garrett is about to explode and Kayman yells at him to not say anything. But Garrett yells he killed Dreyfus, he had to. Mackenzie says he wasn’t going to say anything, and Garrett says she should never have told him about them. She says he was her friend; after the cops talked to him and told him she was pregnant he came to her and was worried but he promised not to say anything. Garrett says he lost her mother and he couldn’t take the chance anyone would find out about them. Benson comments their marriage was legal, there was nothing to be ashamed of, unless… Garrett shouts he is not ashamed. He adds you look at her and how could you not fall in love with someone so beautiful and sweet, saying she is an angel sent from heaven to bless her life and bless him. He adds to look at them now and their stupid laws have ruined them and his whole life searching for real love, what should he do? Benson says waiting until she was 18 is a good start. Kayman asks Stone about the deal, and Stone offers man 1, he does 20. Kayman argues the max is 25, and Stone says to take it or he will add statutory rape. Kayman starts to say he can’t prove it, but Stone says there is no spousal privilege when child abuse is involved. Benson asks what jury will believe he was waiting until he married for someone that he loved so much. Benson opens the door and tells a waiting officer, “Get this douche out of here.” Mackenzie rushes to embrace him and says no, no as she cries. They take him away and Benson tells Mackenzie he had to let him go. She sits down and sobs.

At the Howard Apartment at 236 Mercer Street on Thursday, April 11, Mackenzie walks out and asks Benson, who is waiting outside, what is she doing there. Benson says she cares about her. Benson tries to discuss with Mackenzie about what Garrett did, saying he killed her friend and manipulated her. Mackenzie says she wanted to, but Benson says no, he made her think she wanted to. Mackenzie says Benson is just jealous. Benson explains she did not know her mother, but guarantees Mackenzie that she wouldn’t have approved of her getting married at this age. Mackenzie asks how does Benson know, and Benson says that she knows she loved her and knows she would have done anything to protect her, like she would do anything to protect her son and keep him happy and safe, and putting her hand on Mackenzie’s baby bump, adding like anything to protect her baby. Benson calls her honey and tells her she knows it is hard to see right now…and Mackenzie asks why, because she is just a kid? Benson, calling her honey again, says that is a good thing – a great thing – and it’s a mistake to run away from that. Mackenzie says she is not stupid, and Benson says she knows that, but she was vulnerable and Garrett took advantage of that. Mackenzie says she took good care of him  but he looked at her and made her feel – Benson says wanted, needed – but Mackenzie says loved like she was a real woman. Benson, calling her sweetheart, says she is not yet. Benson thinks she should have been out riding bikes with her friends, gossipping with her friends, adding Garrett took something from her that is irreplaceable.  Mackenzie says it's her childhood. Benson explains what she can promise her is when her baby looks at her it will make her feel more loved, more needed, than she can ever imagine. She whispers that it is an awesome responsibility. Mackenzie smiles and says she bets Benson is a good mother. Benson laughs, saying no, it is just trial and error. Mackenzie looks somber and comments at least Benson didn’t die. Benson calls Mackenzie sweetheart and as Mackenzie begins to cry, Benson hugs her to console her, 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:
Derek Cecil- Garrett Howard
Joe Grifasi – Judge Hashi Horowitz
Eowyn Young - Mackenzie Tolliver
Jolly Abraham – Dr. Patel
Richard Prioleau - John Woodward
Steven Tobolowsky – Mr. Kayman
JD Taylor - Quentin Dreyfus
Pamela Mitchell - Penelope Archer
Christopher Piccione – Marcus Tolliver
Tom Coiner – Chuck Inslow
Jonathan Fielding – Father Edwin Mayberry
Naveen Paddock – Logan Larson
Jeremy Lanuti – Chase Madera
Raissa Katona Bennett – Judge Joan Calahan
Alsion Maybaum – Lola
Jenne Anne Hichberg – Cassie
Juan Carlos Diaz – Ari
Lauren Noble – Carmen




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