Law & Order SVU “Counselor, It's Chinatown” Recap & Review

This was one of those episodes that left me with mixed feelings. The subject matter was more far-reaching than their normal “one victim per episode” routine, which kept it interesting. The downside:
once the case greatly expanded from the original “Operation Dragon Slay”,  it should have been escalated to a higher authority. It didn't make sense for SVU to take the lead.  With evidence of international human trafficking, sex slavery, extortion, money laundering, and rich people with deep connections, the Feds should have been consulted before going to court or cutting a deal, which would have prevented any surprises for Carisi or Hadid. I can understand Carisi's naïveté, but if the Changs were as high-profile as Hadid indicated, I don’t understand why she didn’t cover all her bases before walking into the courtroom with Carisi.

It's fine that Carisi is still very involved with the SVU but was it really necessary that he participate in the surveillance of the spa at the beginning of the episode? He had no business chasing down one of the women – Mei Mei – as she attempted to flee; he's not a detective any longer.  Worse yet, he used bad judgment by trying to climb up the fire escape, causing her to attempt another way to flee, only to slip and and then dangle over the railing. Had he just waited at the bottom, she would have either had to come down to the street, go up, or go back inside, ultimately trapping her at some point anyway. If the task force had prepared for this take down correctly, they would have planned for having some runners and had officers planted at, or very close to, any exit from the building (including fire escapes). Sloppy police work.

Somewhat predictable was poor Lily getting an intimidating message before she’s set to testify. Her request to use the bathroom marked her for certain death, either by someone waiting in there for her, or by her somehow doing it to herself. I don’t know what the protocol is here, but I’m somewhat surprised that Kat didn’t at least walk into the bathroom with her, considering Lily just got a phone message right before asking to use the facilities.

The DA throws a wrench into Carisi’s case by cutting a deal behind his – and Hadid’s – back. We don’t know if Jack McCoy is still the DA or not, but I can’t believe he would have cut a deal with the Feds, at least not without looping in the Bureau Chief who was in charge of the case. Carisi is obviously pissed that his case was blocked  right at the goal line,  but clearly Hadid was also less than thrilled she wasn’t given a heads up that the Feds were given the case. Who knows, maybe the DA – whoever he or she is – doesn’t trust or like Hadid? Again, had either of them recognized the magnitude of  who and what they were dealing with before they walked into the arraignment, they would have saved themselves the embarrassment.

I was a little confused at the end of the episode when Carisi mentioned that Mrs. Chang agreed to pay off Mei Mei’s debt. Was that part of the original agreement he made with her and is that agreement no longer valid once the case was suspended and given to the Feds? How can he be sure that Mrs. Chang will keep up her end of that deal – or had it already happened before Carisi got to the arraignment?

I was amused during the scene where Benson mentions the languages of which Kat has some knowledge. As I was rolling my eyes at the coincidence that she just so happened to have the exact skills they needed, I said “Of course she does” right as Fin was saying the same thing. It's as if the writers knew the fans would be thinking the same thing.

Here is the recap:

Mei Mei Li speaks on the phone with a man who tells her to speak in English as she must practice. She tells him she misses him. He suggests she come to San Francisco, saying it is beautiful. He says he will send her a ticket. But another woman enters Mei Mei’s room, telling her they must go. A man comes in an orders her to go, and Mei Mei explains to her caller that she has to go, she must teach, and she says goodbye and hangs up the phone and leaves the room.

Outside the building across the street at a table for POW/MIAs,Fin takes a photograph of her and the other girl and man and says they are heading south, toward division. He continues to photograph them. They are out shopping and Rollins, walking her dog, photographs them as they walk around. Later, the two women are on a park bench and the man tells them they should go. One asks for 10 more minutes and he sits down on the bench as Kat is there, posing as a jogger, also taking photographs.

Back at the SVU, Benson welcomes everyone to operation Dragon Slay and Sergeant Joe Chin from the Human Trafficking Task Force. Sgt. Chin says the focus is massage parlors that are fronts for sex slavery and debt servitude; undocumented women are being forced to pay off their families’ debts to smugglers. Benson explains that SVU has been tasked with investigating the Sweet Joy relax spa down on Eldridge. Carisi asks how long they have had them under watch, and Fin replies this one a week; the girls are let out one hour a day, always escorted by Charlie Hu. He’s illegal with ties to Chinatown gangs. Rollins adds they estimate that off-menu extras bring the spa about $50K in cash weekly. Kat says the women keep the bare minimum for food and the rest they turn over to the spa’s mamasan, Evelyn Lee, Korean-Chinese. Carisi comments that she is the manager, wondering who they lease the space from. As Benson shakes her head no, Rollins replies not yet, the buildings and spas are hidden behind a web of offshore LLCs. Chin explains the UCs will pose as clients, the goal is to arrest the johns and management, flip them, and follow the money and they get the owners. Benson states emphatically that they do not arrest the girls; if they talk, great, if not, they offer them immigration, legal, and medical assistance and take them to social services.

At the Sweet Joy Relax Spa on 35 Eldridge Street on Thursday, October 10, Fin poses as a customer while Benson and Carisi listen in the nearby surveillance van, and when the woman says the right words, Benson says that’s it and radios to all units “game on.” They move in and begin to make arrests, and when Rollins tells one girl she does not have to be scared, the girl runs. Rollins radios they have a runner and she is going out the window. Carisi runs out of the van and Benson steps out behind him. Carisi orders one officer to put his gun down as he races to try to catch the girl. He leaps up onto the ladder for the fire escape and climbs up. As the girl tries to escape, she slips her grip on the fire escape and hangs over the edge. He instructs her to grab onto another bar and as she does so, he holds on to her and pulls her back onto the fire escape. Benson, waiting by the van, breathes a sigh of relief.

Afterward, Fin arrests Evelyn Lee who protests the arrest. Kat and Rollins attend to the girls. Carisi speaks with Chin, who tells him a Chinese proverb says if you save a life, you are responsible for that life.

At the SVU, Benson tells Carisi that they arrested four johns who all claim they were getting a massage. Carisi adds that is tough to prove otherwise, and asks who else? Chin mentions Charlie Hu, bodyguard’s last muscle was carrying a .45. Carisi comments they can work with that. Fin says mamasan Evelyn Lee is hanging tough. Carisi comments that there is no surprise there, and, walking up to the observation window from another interrogation room where Evelyn Lee waits, wonders about the women waiting in the squad room. Benson explains they are waiting on a translator for those that don’t speak English and Kat and Rollins are with two who speak some English. She adds that Kat states she’s not fluent but she does have some Cantonese, Mandarin, and Hokkien. Fin states dryly, “Course she does.”

At Corlears Hook Park on Thursday, October 10, Rollins speaks with Mei Mei who says she worked there the last 4 years at different spas. She denies the girls give sex. She says she works hard every day and owes money to mamasan and she is paying for her brother who is in San Francisco. She told him she teaches Chinese to kids and he can’t know.



Elsewhere, Kat speaks with another girl who lives in the parlor. Mamasan keeps the massage money and also keeps tips for the “extra.” She must pay or they will hurt her family.

Back at SVU in interrogation with Fin and Chin, Charlie Hu is not worried about the gun charge. He says Sweet Joy is a massage parlor, adding that he gets set up either way if he talks or not, so no talk.

Benson is speaking with Evelyn Lee who says she doesn’t speak English. Benson tells her to please stop, her record says she’s been there 30 years and it is her 10th arrest so she is not buying it. Evelyn says there were no convictions and insists it is a legal massage business. Benson says the workers are forced to perform illegal sex services, but Evelyn insists she takes care of her girls like a mother – food, medicine, and cake for birthday. She said force is a hit – starve. Benson asks if that is what happened to her, and if she cared about the girls she’d help her find the people that are running them, and running her. She tells Evelyn she is in a lot of trouble, but Evelyn counters that her UCs can’t unzip so the case will go south. She will call her legal aid lawyer and will make bail and be back in business by the weekend. She says Benson looks like she is under a lot of stress and suggests she come by for a massage – on the house. Benson shakes her head.

Meanwhile, Charlie says they have their own jobs, he does his and why don’t they do theirs. They barely searched Sweet Joy, and Fin counters they swept room by room, Charlie adds mamasan sees more than they – a beast with 9 eyes – their problem is they look but they don’t see.

Fin and Chin return to Sweet Joy for another search and Chin says they are looking for the beast with nine eyes. Fin comments the girls and the johns won’t talk, but Chin says Charlie talked. Chin finds what looks like a smoke detector but they are not.

Back at SVU, Benson and Chin discuss the surveillance cameras in those smoke detectors in all 9 rooms – mamasan’s nine eyes. Carisi asks if they are security for the girls, but Fin says it’s an eye on the cash. Rollins enters and explains that TARU went through the servers and the cameras were routed to mamasan’s nail salon across the street. Rollins went through some of it and it is pretty ugly. Each woman serves over a dozen women a day and shows them a video. Benson looks but recoils and quickly asks Rollins to turn it off, saying that was rape. It was Mei Mei and Rollins spoke with her and she didn’t say one word. Carisi thinks she is scared of mamasan. Benson tells them to bring Mei Mei and let her know if she helps them they will take mamasan down.

Later, Rollins, with Carisi, show Mei Mei and image of the man in the video and Mei Mei says he is a bad egg, she doesn’t know his name. He is loud and does anything he wants. Last week it was her turn, he has no job and used to come with a friend but now just alone. She says he came in on Sunday, saying they were his special hangover cure.

Meanwhile, Kat speaks with Lily, showing her the same photo. Lily says mamasan says to let him do what he wants. She says he did not rape her but mamasan says it was on the house because he has connections, she doesn’t know who, but thinks he is high rank for mamasan not to take money,

Afterward, Rollins and Kat, there with Fin, explain this to Benson and suggest they lean on mamasan but Fin says she won’t give him up. She lets him rape her girls and he’s too connected for her to turn on him. Benson says mamasan knows the game and she’d get out on bail and she’s probably right. Rollins thinks this may not be a bad thing as he is a Sunday regular they should let her re-open. Benson thinks it is worth a shot but with his connections will he talk? Fin thinks a piece of crap like that will flip to save his own ass.

Later, as Kat watches from the surveillance van with Lily, she points out Mr. Bad Egg. Kat radios his description to the others and Lily thinks he will be surprised.

Sometime later, the man is in interrogation with Fin and he says this is not rape, the girls are getting paid. When Fin reminds him he is not getting paid, the guy says he is comped, it is part of the deal, like when you rent a space to a restaurant you eat for free. Fin says he needs to confirm with his friend and presses him on his friend’s name but the guy balks and says he wants a lawyer.

Benson is observing and asks what they have on this creek. Kat says he is Theo Pappas, 30, no record and no job. Fin says the friend is some guy who rents out the space. They are having trouble tracing the leasing agent, all the places they raided have a firewall of LLCs from the Caymans to Korea to Hong Kong. Benson asks if Mei Mei and Lily will testify, and Fin explains Rollins took Mei Mei to a shelter and she is shaky, and Kat adds that Lily went back to the massage parlor but she is feisty, she wants to do this. Benson instructs them to set up a meet away from the spa and walk her in.

At the Merciful Heart Shelter for Women at 298 East 42nd Street on Sunday, October 13, Mei Mei says she can’t do more, she has to go back to work to make money to pay back every week or they will hurt her brother. Rollins says if she testifies against Theo and he turns against the owners they can put them all away. Mei Mei counters that is a good dream but not a come true dream. She will stay there tonight and get rest and go back to the spa. Rollins thinks she doesn’t have to do that but Mei Mei says nothing can be done. She leaves and Rollins sighs in frustration.

Kat waits outside and Lily races up, apologizing for being late, saying mamasan asked many questions. She said she told her that her legal aid lawyer needs to see her. Kat says after the grand jury they will get her housing. Lily comments after she testifies mamasan will be in jail and everything is good and she starts a new life, asking that Charlie will get out too. Kat tells her to take it one step at a time. Kat asks if she is ready, and Lily replies it is a piece of cake, Charlie say. They get to the courthouse steps and Lily comments it is so big, and Kat asks if she has ever been there before. Lily explains she has never been anywhere, just spa to spa but after today she is free as a bird.

Inside the courthouse, Carisi looks at his watch and paces, telling Benson they have a grand jury waiting. Benson explains they just texted and they are on their way. He adds they’d better be; Mei Mei backed out, same as the two workers from the spa. Benson reminds him he still has Theo’s assault video, to which Carisi comments it is without Mei Mei supporting. Benson thinks it is enough for an indictment and two hours in Rikers, Theo will wet the bed. Kat arrives with Lily and Benson introduces herself and thanks Lily. But Lily gets a message on her phone and she pauses and then smiles, asking if she can use the bathroom. Kat offers to show her where it is and they walk off. Carisi sighs.

When Lily’s bathroom trip seems to take too long, Kat moves to check on her and finds the bathroom empty and the window open. A voice is heard from outside for somebody to call 911, and Kat looks out the window and is shocked to see Lily laying dead on the sidewalk. Stunned, she radios for a bus as there is a jumper down. She sees Lily’s phone on the windowsill showing an image of a woman with a gun pointed to her head.

As Mei Mei stands over Lily’s casket, she tells Rollins and Carisi that mamasan paid for the funeral but no one came. She says Lily was a very good person and made them smile, she must have been scared if she jumped. Rollins tells her she was threatened and shows her the photo that was on Lily’s phone, asking if she knows who that is. Mei Mei explains it is Lily’s mother and says mamasan did this and knows where their parents are. Rollins presses her to help but Mei Mei worries for her brother. She adds if Charlie was there he would not have let this happen; Charlie loved Lily and was saving up to help pay off her debt and then run away so no one would find them.

Later, Fin and Chin speak with Charlie in the jail and he says Lily would never jump. He thinks they pushed her. Chin shows her the picture of her mother and Charlie says he didn’t know who did this. They also show him a photo of Theo. He said Theo never raped Lily but he couldn’t stop it with the other girls, Chin continues to press but Charlie says he doesn’t know his name. Fin challenges that they killed his girl but he is still protecting him, and Charlie says no name, he texts his pager and gives him cash once a week. Fin suggests they get him his phone so he can text him, and Charlie agrees, adding it doesn’t matter, asking if Lily got a funeral.

At Straus Square on Wednesday, October 16, Chin meets with the mystery man and says Charlie could not come today, mamasan sent him. He says he has a special delivery and holds out a brown bag. The guy asks him if he is an idiot, not to do it like that. He grabs the bag of cash and tells Chin to go away. Rollins and Kat walk up, pretending to be shoppers, and Kat asks the guy if he would settle a bet for them. He smiles at the two beautiful ladies and says he would be happy to. Rollins says Kat said he’d want to be cuffed and Rollins said he’d rather walk to the car and get in the back. When he starts to say he doesn’t know, they flash their badges.

With the mystery man in SVU interrogation with a lawyer, he tells Fin and Rollins he never saw that guy before today. Rollins reminds him the man beeped him and he came from his office. He claims it was a food delivery, but Rollins questions why did he say “Give me the cash”. The guy asks that they heard that and his lawyer says Mr. Olin is a real estate broker who was merely collecting rent. Fin scoffs, saying it was $15 thousand in small bills. His lawyer says Olin acts as a broker for his father’s company renting to legitimate businesses and if these businesses illegally sublet. Fin mentions when Rick visits Sweet Joy’s it’s just for his own release? Rick counters that he has some back problems. Fin show Rick incriminating photos and Rick calls it a perk. The lawyer calls these victimless crimes and Rollins shows him a photo of Theo as he assaults one of the girls. Rick flippantly says they play squash together and says Rick told them to do whatever he wanted to, it was on the house. Rick says he doesn’t need to do that, the girls are happy when he walks into the room. The lawyer comments at this juncture he needs to make a phone call.

Later, Benson and Carisi meet with Rick’s lawyer and Rick’s father who says Rick is a little dim but he is no criminal. Benson disagrees, saying Rick is looking at conspiracy to rape and sex trafficking. Mr. Olin blows it off as a few freebie happy endings, he told him to slow that down, asking how is that sex trafficking. Carisi mentions he was caught on camera taking cash from the person Rick thought was the bagman, and Olin says it is rent. Carisi states then Olin knows about the payments, and Olin says nothing as Carisi mentions if they go through his books will they see $15,000 in cash rent. Olin says Ricky might be behind in the paperwork. Benson counters that she doesn’t think he understands what they are saying, mentioning Rick giving Theo permission to do anything he wanted to those women, including rape. Carisi adds that is how they get the conspiracy to commit rape and sex trafficking. Olin grins, saying they are talking to him because they want something, and he is a great deal maker, so let’s talk. Benson says good, saying they know he rents out 11 of those buildings to these spas and they are all connected, but the women are debt slaves, moving around from one to the other to the other. Olin says he can’t speak to that. Carisi asks if he can speak about the syndicate behind the operation, and the lawyer says this is where they stop; if they want Olin’s cooperation, their boss guarantees no charges ever be filed to Rick.

Afterward, Carisi, Rollins, and Chin present the situation with the sex workers and their debts to Bureau Chief Vanessa Hadid, Carisi outlines that they are working their way to the top. Avi Olin owns leases on a dozen slum building housing massage parlors. Rollins says they have the son on a rape charge. Carisi adds to keep his son out of prison, Avi gave them Arthur and Christine Chang. Hadid states the Changs are one of Park Avenue’s prominent power couples, adding that hospital and museum boards and Asian charities…Chin finishes that they are the classic Chinese-American success story, except they are also sex traffickers. Carisi states that Avi Olin has agreed to testify the Changs are behind every shadow spa company that he leased to. Hadid counters that the Changs will argue that Olin cut a deal to save his son. She adds even if they do own the parlors, how can they prove the Changs know what go on inside. Carisi asks what does she need, and she testily replies hard evidence they are behind the trafficking – or this is a no go.

At the Lucky Mahjong Society at 86 Mott Street on Thursday, October 17, Benson shows Evelyn a photo of the Changs and she says she never met these people, but Benson says she knows them by name and they own the spa and others and supply the girls. Evelyn explains no, the girls show up, need work, and she gives work, going on about a massage being very good. Benson says she knows, asking if she knows what’s stressful…prison. Benson knows she is out on bail but she is looking at sex trafficking and abetting rape. Evelyn tries to dismiss this but Benson goes on to mention the surveillance video, adding she knew what was going on and allowed it to happen, then when Lily was going to testify, she threatened her so she jumped. Evelyn comments she is sorry she died, saying Lily was like a daughter to her. Benson brings up Evelyn’s own daughter in China, Jia, and Evelyn states she knows nothing about this. Benson says she is a good girl and a smart girl who just got accepted into UC Davis, adding that universities don’t like bad publicity and they don’t accept tuition from sex traffickers. Evelyn says she was accepted on her own, no back door. Benson counters that won’t matter, they find out about her, they won’t take Jia. Benson threatens to call the dean of admissions, and, snapping her fingers, says that all goes away. Evelyn asks what does she want, and Benson says she wants her to tell her about the Changs – where did they get the girls and the money, thinking it was not from Rick Olin. Evelyn admits no, he took money from rent to grease building inspectors and politicians but the real money was paid to “mai-mai ren”, the buy-sell man. Benson asks what is the intermediary’s name, and Evelyn says he is Lester Ping, who runs Worldwide Travel Agency, he helped Mrs. Chang get out of her fancy car.

Later, the SVU detectives raid the travel agency and find a large operation in the basement below the agency, with written records of all their transactions. Rollins takes a photo of a page and sends it to Benson, who views it in the car outside as she waits with Carisi. She knows they will need forensic accountants but asks for an arrest warrant for the Changs. Carisi replies he will call his new best friend, Hadid.

At the Chinatown Benevolent Association at 98 Canal Street on Friday, October 18, Christine Chang is on stage making a speech about when she made it she would help immigrants like her, going on about helping the community. Rollins wants to move in but Chin stops her, suggesting to let the old man take his bow. He stands up to applause as Chin calls out their name and Rollins announces they are NYPD and they are under arrest.

Later, Christine Chang is with her lawyer and she is being interrogated in SVU and she denies everything, listing their legit businesses. Carisi mentions the Silver Rabbit Bus Line which Chang says is used to transport her employees. Benson says they know they use the bus lines to transport girls from one parlor to another under armored escort. Chang says it is to protect them but Benson counters it is so they don’t run away. Chang says they want to work for them but Benson challenges her about the sexual services and taking away their pay. Their lawyer is offended at these allegations and says the accusations are wild, baseless, and offensive. Carisi says they are not baseless, explaining in addition to trafficked sex workers, a mamasan and a bag man, their lead CPA, Lester Ping, has agreed to cooperate. Christine states Lester is only their travel agent, but Carisi states they should have paid him more, he is still walking the forensic accountants through the maze of money laundering, smuggler payoffs, bribery, fraud, embezzlement. Christine is silent as her lawyer says the Changs know nothing of this. Benson says really, and Carisi asks if that is true, as in her home village, six girls were smuggled out last year. Benson asks if the mothers knew what she forced the girls to pay off the debt? The lawyer tries to speak but Christine yells out “ENOUGH!”. She raises her voice and says when she was growing up, the cultural revolution was ruining China, and her parents were doctors who were arrested for practicing western medicine and sent to the countryside for “re-education.” No one would talk to her or her sister as their parents were criminals with no food to eat, no place to sleep. Benson says that doesn’t justify what she did to those girls, but Christine yells out “Please! Please!” and saying a man helped her to come over and she came with nothing and what can a girl do with no education or resources…you can guess. The lawyer looks on as she adds that she promised herself if she could she would help other girls escape. She adds she has helped hundreds – thousands – of girls make their way here and she cries that in her zeal to help others down the golden path her path has deviated and for this she must atone. As a tear falls down her face, Carisi and Benson look on in stunned silence.

As Carisi walks up the courthouse steps with Hadid, she comments that he got the Changs to agree to plead guilty to sex trafficking, and Carisi adds extortion and money laundering. He comment she just confessed, and Hadid wonders why, and Carisi responds because she is guilty. He also thinks she is worried about her husband who is old and frail. The deal is he knows nothing.   Hadid agrees to take it, saying she is a big fish so reel her in.

At arraignment court Part 15 on Monday, October 21, the judge asks Christine how does she plead, and as her lawyer begins to answer, they are interrupted by AUSA Mark Sullivan from the Southern District of New York. He announces he has an arrest warrant for Christine Chang on federal charges. As the judge asks them to approach, Hadid objects, saying they had no knowledge of this, with Carisi adding they have a plea deal in place. Sullivan says not any more, stating that this case has international implications and they have requested the suspension of the state’s case to investigate and prosecute with global disposition. As Arthur Chang watches from the gallery, Sullivan adds that the DA has allowed them to take the lead on this. Carisi tries to appeal but the judge tells him it is out of her hands and she suspends the state’s case, and, as Christine’s attorney smiles, the judge says she is releasing Christine to federal custody. As they walk off, Christine’s lawyer tells Carisi “better luck next time, counselor”. Christine gives Chin and Rollins a cold look, and glances over at Mei Mei. Carisi asks Hadid what the hell was that, complaining the Feds just can’t come in and take their case. Hadid says they can and they did; evidently her boss has signed off on it and the Changs cut a back-door deal with the DOJ. Carisi shouts that they had them on international sex trafficking and money laundering, but Hadid counters they trumped that – security, intel on China, whatever it is, they will never know. Hadid thinks this is why she confessed so easily – she had this in her back pocket. Carisi thinks her confession was sincere, and Hadid states either way, it never happened. Carisi angrily says, “So what, forget it Jake, it’s Chinatown?” He curtly asks if she knew this was coming, and she replies no, she gives him her word, the DA didn’t give her the courtesy of a heads up. She tells Carisi she is sorry and she walks off. Carisi turns to see Rollins and Chin in the back of the otherwise empty courtroom with a dejected Mei Mei and they turn and walk out, leaving Carisi in the room alone.

At SVU, Benson is on the phone with Carisi and tells him he did the best he could. She thanks him and hangs up. Fin and Kat are in her office and Benson explains that Carisi said they lost the Changs as the Feds took the case. Kat asks if they said why, and Benson comments apparently they didn’t have to. Fin adds they knew those two were connected. Kat asks what about the rape case with Theo and Rick? Benson replies Theo plead guilty and they are asking the judge for 7 years and Rick they are still negotiating. Kat thinks he will get off, and Benson does not reply. She tells Kat to punch out and Kat walks out of her office. Fin thinks Kat is not going to last here, and Benson closes the door and tells Fin the girl she was supposed to be protecting jumped out a window. Fin says dryly that is not Kat’s fault. Benson gives him a look and says Kat doesn’t believe that. Fin says nothing.

Elsewhere, Carisi and Rollins speak with Mei Mei who doesn’t understand that the bad lady doesn’t go to jail. Rollins explains the federal government has them now and they decide. Carisi comments either way, she won’t have to worry about her debt any more. Mrs. Chang has agreed to pay off the smugglers – she’s free. Mei Mei asks to do what, and Carisi looks over at Rollins, who gets up to make a phone call. Carisi explains they talked to her brother and told him only she was working to pay off the money her family owed to smugglers and they busted that ring. Rollins hands Mei Mei the phone and says he would like to talk to her. She takes the phone and smiles, Her brother says he didn’t know about the debt and she explains she did not want him to worry about the debt so he can study and be a big success. He says he is almost graduated and wants her to come out and live with him in San Francisco, saying he already bought the plane ticket. He says they will take care of each other, like the broken plates when their mom was so mad at them. She comments that he said he broke it and she says she broke it, but it was father. They laugh and they both say “wo ai ni” and her brother says he will see her soon. The wave at each other and she turns to Carisi and says, ‘Thank you Mr. Dominick” and she knows what the Chinese proverb says and he’s saved her twice now, he can rest. As he smiles, we fade to black.



Cast:
Mariska Hargitay - Captain Olivia Benson
Ice-T - Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Peter Scanavino - ADA Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Jr.


Guest stars:
Jamie Gray Hyder - Katriona "Kat" Azar Tamin
Margaret Cho - Evelyn Lee
Nelson Lee - Sergeant Joe Chin
Lawrence Kao – Charlie
Lee Wilkof - Vic Olin
Christine Chang - Lily Song
Shuya Chang - Mei Mei Li
Karen Tsen Lee – Christine Chang
Henry Yuk – Arthur Chang
Asher Grodman – Rick Olin
Zuleikha Robinson - Bureau Chief Vanessa Hadid
Jeffrey Schecter – Counselor Art Blumfeld
Jack Berenholtz – Theo Pappas
Michael Tow – Counselor Josh Wang
Rob Chen – Henry Wu
Sonia Manzano – Judge Gloria Pepitone
Jim O’Hare – AUSA Mark Sullivan
Rod Knoll – Bob
Lothair Eaton – Ken
Pearl Matteson – Masseuse






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