Friday, January 10, 2020

Law & Order SVU “Must Be Held Accountable” Recap & Review


At the end of part 1 of this story, Law & Order SVU “Can’t Be Held Accountable”, Detective Frank Bucci has gone off the deep end and has stormed into a session Rollins is having with Dr. Hanover. Rollins made a critical error by leaving her gun in her car, and she is defenseless when Bucci has his gun pointed at Rollins’ head.  He wants his kids safe and Steve Getz in jail. “Must Be Held Accountable” picks up where we left off.

I’m not a big fan of hostage or kidnapping story lines involving lead characters as 99.9% of the time they play out the same way – the person taken hostage or kidnapped is later released unharmed, after a long search or standoff. The process of tracking down Rollins was predictable and without suspense. After Bucci held two people at gunpoint, he gets what amounts to a slap on the wrist because he’s ex-NYPD, and Rollins and Dr. Hanover don't want to press charges. If anything, they should have been harder on him because he IS ex-NYPD. He also is rewarded for his actions by Getz being arrested. Carisi doesn’t want to put Rollins through any more distress, treating Rollins like she is a helpless woman made of fragile bone china who can’t handle standing up for herself and will shatter at the slightest touch.

While we’re on the subject of Rollins, during her kidnapping ordeal, she admits to some of her flaws. She told Bucci when she first met him she thought he was nice and she can’t handle nice. She explains her dad treated her mom like crap who spent her life chasing dirt bags as she thought that was she was worth, and Rollins thinks she is just like her. She’s worried her girls will grow up the same way, feeling like they don’t deserve to be happy. She admits she’s made plenty of bad choices, having two kids by two different dads, who were guys she slept with for no good reason. Basically, she is shaming herself. She complains about her career, being a third grade detective for 8 years. (Maybe if she wouldn't make careless errors like leaving her gun in her car...)  She did not admit to the gambling, an interesting, possibly telling, omission. We didn’t hear anything we didn’t already know about Rollins. Rollins seems to think that she’s made more progress with facing her demons with Bucci than with Dr. Hanover. This bothered me, as it implied that Rollins needed to be held captive by a man to admit her flaws.   Despite her ordeal, I still feel nothing for Rollins.

I was cringing early on when we had to deal with a scene involving Benson and Noah. I’ve never been a fan of these awkwardly inserted scenes just to make us aware that Benson is a mom and Noah has talent. But what annoyed me more was that Benson should know better than to be having a FaceTime or video call while walking at the same time. It’s not safe, it’s just as bad as texting and driving. Oddly, she stops when she takes the call from Rollins and sees she is distressed, so I guess we know who is really the important one in this relationship. I bet Benson didn’t even notice the dejected look on Noah’s face when Benson told him to show him his stuff in person when she got home.

Kat asks a loaded question, wondering as Rollins knows her kidnapper, was there any chance she was in on it or maybe lost perspective? Benson and Carisi looked at her with such disgust, but I think it was a fair question. Kat doesn’t know Rollins so it would be normal for her to ask an uncomfortable question. It was also beneath Carisi to later address her as “officer” in such a condescending tone. Carisi should have just stopped after his explanation and left off the “Is that okay with you, officer?”

As we saw in part 1, “Can’t Be Held Accountable”, Steve Getz hanged himself in his cell. This episode shows the same outcome. Kat raises a theory that Getz is not really dead, but based on what we’ve seen, he is, and at his own hand. It’s a shame that they showed Getz hanging himself as it would have been far more interesting – and maybe spawned a new story line later – to not show how it happened, raising similar questions as in the real-life death of Jeffrey Epstein. As Getz is dead and the victims won’t have their day in court, does that mean that the evidence collected about all those other people implicated is ignored? I would be interested in seeing how far up Getz’s influence had reached and/or how many others were sexual predators like Getz. Maybe this is saved for another day?




Here is the recap:

The episode opens with a brief recap of part 1 of this story, Law & Order SVU “Can’t Be Held Accountable”, including a replay of the final scene from that episode.

Rollins arrives at Dr. Hanover’s and thanks her for seeing her after such a long day, saying they were blindsided by the Getz case. Hanover says she has been following. Rollins starts to talk about it but the doctor wants to start with Rollins’ father this time. Rollins says it is no big deal, explaining he called and is getting married and wants her to bring her girls to the wedding. She said she shot it down. The door opens and Bucci storms in, startling the doctor who asks who is he? He pulls out a gun and when Rollins reaches for hers, she realizes she doesn’t have it. Bucci explains she left her gun in the car and she shouldn’t do that. He points it at her and Rollins asks what is he doing? He says he wants his kids home safe, and shouts he wants Getz in jail. Rollins tells him this isn’t the way. Bucci yells at her to sit down, and she complies. Rollins asks Bucci not to do this. He points the gun to her head and states he is way past that. He wants Getz in jail, asking if she hears him. As Rollins stares at the gun pointed inches from her head, Rollins calmly says okay.

Meanwhile, Benson exits a store and it’s Noah, and she explains she is just getting into the car. He says he just wanted to tell you that they asked him to do a part in The Nutcracker. Benson is thrilled. As Noah asks if she wants to see his solo, Benson sees a call coming in from Rollins and she tells Noah to show her at home. She cuts the call short and answers Rollins’ call, and Rollins tells her everyone is okay. Benson stops walking and ask what is going on and where is she. A voice says she doesn’t need to know that, and he says it is Frank Bucci. She tells him to take it easy, and Bucci says Getz as his girls and he has one of Benson’s. She tries to calm him but he says she won’t get Rollins back until Getz goes down. She suggests they talk about this, but he says he knows Benson and she gets things done and to do it. She tells him not to hang up and he counters that he is not negotiating. Benson looks stunned.

In her car, Benson calls Fin at SVU who explains he was just punching out. Benson states that he’s not, saying Bucci went rogue and he is holding Rollins and has a weapon. She doesn’t know where they are, and instructs him to call TARU and start location processing on their cars and cells. Fin thinks she was headed home and that Bucci may have followed her, and Benson says to alert ESU and she will meet them there now.

Back in Dr. Hanover’s office, Rollins and the doctor are sitting on the floor and cuffed or tied to a table, and Bucci smashes her phone. Rollins explains that won’t make a difference as the last ping will still be in the vicinity. He isn’t worried. He takes some pills and drinks some whisky. Rollins and the doctor try to talk him down but he still holds the gun to her head. She says she sorry and is scared and he tells her to just do what he asks her to do.

At the apartment of Detective Amanda Rollins at 355 West 117th Street on Thursday, November 21, Benson arrives with ESU Captain Sasso and she explains that Rollins’ cell is off and she doesn’t have a land line. She adds Bucci has a gun to her head and she has two small daughters and she is not taking any chances. He says they will move forward and establish communication inside. Fin, there with Kat, explains Rollins’ and Bucci’s phones are disabled and TARU said it would take an hour to triangulate. Benson asks about GPS for their cars and Kat explains they are checking license plate readers and EZ Pass. Fin says he is an ex-cop and knows how to go under the radar. Benson tells Fin to run his house, have his old squad pull his ten card and find out how many guns he owns and what type. Kat moves off to handle this. As ESU tries to look inside the building, Fin comments Bucci likes Rollins and doesn’t think he will hurt her. Benson coldly says that men kill women they like all the time and he knows that. Fin says he does know that. An ESU officer explains they got some images but it is unlikely they are inside; there are two sleeping children in a back bedroom and in another room a woman that Benson thinks is Rollins’ new nanny, Sienna. They see no one is in distress and decide to move in.

Inside, Benson, with Fin and ESU, knocks on the door and announces herself to Sienna. Sienna opens the door and asks if everything is okay. Benson asks if she and the girls are okay, and Sienna says they are sleeping. Benson asks if she knows where Rollins is, and Sienna replies no, saying she came home after work and had an errand and said she’d be back at 7:30. Fin comments he will call Carisi and see if he knows where she went. Rollins’ daughter Jesse asks where is her mother and Benson replies she is working.

Back in Dr. Hanover’s office, Rollins tries to convince him this is not the way but he is not buying it, saying anything she tries he is one step ahead and not afraid to go down for this. The doorbell rings and the doctor doesn’t know who it is, saying Rollins was her last patient. He explains she has a doorbell app on her iPad which is on her desk. Bucci looks at it and it is her son, saying he forgot his key. Bucci tells her to get rid of him before she does. The doctor explains to Dylan that she is in the middle of a group session and tells him to go to his pop’s in Brooklyn. He argues with her but she tells him to call Leo, she is busy. He is confused but she says she is hanging up now, and to go. Bucci cuts off the video. Bucci worries about Leo and the doctor says he is a drummer and he doesn’t notice things which is why they got divorced. She says the end game of a marriages takes its toll on everyone, and Bucci mentions being married to a psycho. He wonders what his wife was thinking taking his girls onto that boat with Getz. Rollins says she’s not thinking, he’s in a relationship where people don’t think. Bucci says he should have killed Getz in court but Rollins counters he’s not worth it. Bucci thinks it is for him if it saves his girls. Rollins asks what does him being in jail for kidnapping do for them, they need their father.



Back outside Rollins’ apartment, Sasso asks Benson if she has no idea where Rollins is, and she says they should leave an officer inside and unmarked on the block in case she shows. Fin explains the precinct broke into Bucci’s house and nobody is home. Benson comments Milly and Ivy are still on the boat, and Fin explains it hasn’t returned to the dock; harbor patrol has eyes on it. Kat asks if there is anyone in Rollins’ life that they should call, and Benson says right now she has her two daughters and them. A car pulls up and Carisi steps out, asking that Rollins is not there. Benson explains she is not at Bucci’s either. Benson asks if Rollins mentioned there is someplace she goes at night like Gamblers Anonymous or a class, and Carisi mentions she said something about a shooting range. Benson comments Rollins told her about a shooting range also. Kat says she will call one at Rodman’s Neck but gets a recording. Benson tells her to just go. She tells Carisi they are waiting on GPS on their cars and Bucci’s ex-captain doesn’t know where he is or how…Carisi cuts her off and asks how does Bucci keep his gun after that meltdown at the hospital. Benson explains he is retired NYPD and he knows how difficult it is to file a red flag petition. Carisi shouts that he knows but if he doesn’t have his gun this whole thing plays out differently. He complains about Getz’s plea deal and having Judge Ellery in his pocket, and Benson assure him this is not on him. Carisi states he doesn’t know how these guys are connected but he is going to find out and if Rollins gets shot in all this he is going to take all of them out. Benson tries to calm him.

Back at the doctor’s office, Rollins continues to try to talk Bucci down but he thinks it is too late, he took a civilian hostage. The doctor asks if he came here to get counseling. When Bucci counters he threatened Rollins’ captain, the doctor says she can honestly say he was under extreme stress and they resolved the issue at the end of the session. Rollins says he is NYPD and lost if when the man who raped his daughter walked away and nobody will want to come after him. Bucci counters it doesn’t solve his problems, nobody wants to go after Getz and Getz laughed at him in court. Now he has his daughters on a boat god knows doing what. He needs to be stopped. Rollins says they will keep investigating, he has her word. He tells Rollins she said that before and Getz has too much leverage. Rollins screams this isn’t the way to bring him down. She says he knows the drill; her car is parked out front and they will track it. He thinks for a moment and says he is right, adding he has a new plan.

Back at SVU in the squad room, Fin, returning with Kat, tells Benson and Carisi the shooting range was a dead end; they haven’t seen Rollins in a year. Carisi realizes this was a cover story. Benson explains the latest ping on her cell phone has been narrowed down to West 80s west of Broadway. Kat says there is a 911 relay from a Doctor Hanover, an NYPD shrink. Benson realizes that’s the one they did the interview training with. Kat explains her son just alerted her police supervisor, Leo Vanick, to a situation. She doesn’t know what kind of situation but it is at her home office on West 83rd. Carisi wonders if Rollins started seeing Hanover privately and Fin says she wouldn’t tell any of them. Benson decides they should go.

Later, with ESU at the scene, Sasso says they calls are going straight to the machine and Carisi adds Hanover’s cell is going to voice mail. Kat says they found Bucci’s car a block over and Rollins’s jeep down the street. Fin says her gun was in the glove compartment, and Carisi realizes she is unarmed. Benson thinks Rollins can handle herself. An ESU officer approaches and says they have a situation on the pole cam; when Benson sees it, she tells them to move. They break into the office and find Dr. Hanover bound and gagged on the floor. As Benson tends to her, Fin tells them to search every room. Benson tries to carefully pull off the duct tape from the doctor’s but then yanks it off and asks her if she is okay. She cries and says she is okay. She explains Rollins is gone – he took her.

AS EMTs take Dr. Hanover away, she asks Benson to tell her son that she is okay. Benson explains she already did and he will meet her at Mercy. Benson explains to Fin, Kat and Carisi that the doctor said Bucci was highly agitated and he is escalating and he does not have a clear plan. Fin comments they didn’t need a shrink to tell them that. Benson adds he doesn’t know where he is going or how he is going to get there. Rollins was staying calm and holding her own. Kat comments maybe she shouldn’t ask this, but Rollins knows the guy – is there any chance she is in on it or maybe lost perspective? Benson is shocked and Carisi looks agitated, and Benson says NO and Carisi says she is right, she shouldn’t have asked. Fin comments that Bucci smashed his phone and even if they arrest Getz, how will Bucci know? Benson replies he told Dr. Hanover he wanted to see it on the news. Fin cracks that he is headed somewhere with a TV, that’s his plan? Benson wonders if he wife and his kids know where he would go and tells Fin and Kat to go back to the pier and wait for Getz’s party boat.

At pier 65 in Chelsea on Thursday, November 21, Kat apologizes to Fin for what she said about Rollins. Fin says she will be a great detective but she just has to – and Kat finishes by saying “think before I open my mouth.” Fin adds “and before you go off the playbook” , adding she just needs to think more in general. She states “Copy that Sarge.” They see Getz arrive, who asks that they’ve been there the whole time, saying to give them some space. Fin comments he is not here for him, and Kat adds “Not this time”. Counselor Abrams asks if there is a problem, and Fin explains they need to talk to Donna Bucci. Abrams motions over to Donna and Kat tells her and the other girls that they need to come with them. Ivy asks why, and Milly asks if this is about their dad. Fin replies yes, and Getz tells Donna to call him if they need anything. Granya says to Kat that she missed a hell of a party, and Donna asks what has her husband done now?

Back at SVU, Benson has explained the situation to Donna who laughs and says he is out of control. When Benson and Fin asks if she has any idea where he would go, Donna explains he doesn’t have any friends, he has chippies. She says he’d say he was working overtime on a case but them she’d get the EZ Pass bill and he’d gone upstate for two days. She doesn’t know where, and asks what he is angry about, the girls having fun? She adds they had a great time at the Statue of Liberty. Benson asks how Donna ended up on the boat, and she explains Granya called her at rehab and said Ivy and Milly were invited to a party on Steve’s yacht and they wanted her to be their guardian and they sent a limo. Fin asks what she knows about Getz and she replies what Ivy tells her; he’s a cool guy, rich, and he pays her to model. He says Frank is blind with jealousy he is getting in the way of her career, like he did with hers. Benson says this will come as a shock but Getz is a pedophile and is having sex with Ivy. Donna looks stunned and doesn’t believe it. She thinks she would have told her and said he was very sweet with them at the party. Milly races in and tells Donna she is scared, and Donna consoles her and tells her she is taking her home with Ivy.

Meanwhile, Kat speaks with Ivy who says nothing happened and that he paid her and Milly. She says she and her mother can take Milly home and Kat explains her dad is in serious trouble. Ivy doesn’t know where he is. When Kat asks if he tried to contact her, Ivy hands Kat her phone and tells her to check, saying Kat is such a cop. She adds no matter what her dad does, Steve will never get caught, he knows everybody. Kat hands her back her phone and Ivy says one girl says she parties with that judge, and says it is judge Joe, the one who practically called her a whore. He’s the one who likes to get spanked. Carisi, who is listening, says he knew it, and Benson, who is on the phone with the Chief, says she will have to call him back. Ivy goes on to mention Tess, saying she is Russian. Carisi knows it is Judge Joe Ellery, adding Getz owns him – it’s not the crime, it’s the cover up. Ivy describes Tess with reddish hair and pale, then says she is tired and wants to go home. Carisi switches off the audio and comments that Ellery has been going to Getz’s parties and is having sex with underage girls and is not wonder he lets them off the hook. Benson thinks it gives them leverage, saying when they searched Getz’s mansion they found a camera and SD card with photos of his cronies partying with young girls and maybe they get lucky.

At the office of Deputy Chief Garland at One Police Plaza on Thursday, November 21, Benson shows him an incriminating photo with Judge Ellery. The girl is Tessa Velenko; they interviewed her earlier and has been having sex with Getz, and according to Ivy, spanking sessions with the judge. Carisi adds that she is not asserting rape and is 17. Benson states Ellery and Getz's lawyer, Abrams, are fraternity brothers at Yale. Carisi states they have a security guard on the block that puts Ellery at Getz’s parties on a regular basis. Garland comments they are taking about going after a sitting judge on the bench for 30 years and an impeccable record and asks if Hadid is on board with this. Carisi explains he did not think it was worth bringing to her attention at this point. Benson explains there has been no contact with Rollins for 6 hours and Bucci has moved her from the initial location. Garland says they can’t afford to wait, telling them to wake up Ellery and bluff him, and there should be no texts or emails in the system until Rollins is safe.

Elsewhere, Rollins gets out of a porta-potty and thanks Bucci. She says she could use something to eat. He says they will get breakfast later. He asks if she has any cash, and she says he is not good at this. He gets agitated and lunges at her but she says she didn’t mean it. She says he did good, he boosted a ride but he has to be careful, they will be checking stolen vehicle reports. He says he switched the license plates when she was napping and tells her to keep her mouth shut, ordering her into the car. She mentions having a three year old who doesn’t sleep through the night, and when he argues back, she mentions his two girls. He allows her to call her kids, and she says she will not screw her over. She gets Sienna who puts Jesse on the phone. Bucci sees a police car drive nearby and has Rollins duck. She says she wasn’t trying to screw him over, and he replies she said her kids need a dad but she should remember her kids need a mom. He adds he will shoot her right here if he has to.

Back at SVU, Fin and Kat discuss options. Kat says they were caught on a traffic cam at 83rd and Columbus at 9:35 heading west. They lost them after that. No sign in subways and no reports of stolen vehicles and no hits on their credit cards. Fin gets a call from Sienna and Fin tells her the officer there will need to take her phone. Fin explains to Kat that Rollins called Jesse a few minutes ago with no caller ID. Kat says they can trace the burner call and Fin tells her to call the captain and he will call TARU.

At the residence of Judge Joe Ellery at 58 Riverside Drive on Thursday, November 21, Garland and Carisi enter, Garland saying it is a matter of emergency. He asks for a no-knock warrant, and Ellery questions the time. They tell him it is for Steve Getz. He looks surprised and his wife enters the room but he tells her to go back to bed. He suggests they talk in the library. They show him the photos and confront him with what they know. He says they’ve done nothing illegal, but Garland says he should have recused himself. They continue to pressure him but he says he will not be bullied or intimidated. They explain Rollins be held hostage and Carisi mentions if she dies, what will happen to his relationship with the NYPD after that – and his career and marriage. He will have blood on his hands. He asks what do they want.

Driving on Old Route 17 in Parksville, New York on Thursday, November 21, Rollins asks Bucci where are they going and wants to know what the plan is. He says she sounds like Donna. He doesn’t know why Rollins is seeing a shrink. She says she’s made plenty of bad choices; she has two kids by two different dads – guys she slept with for no good reason. As she struggles with the handcuffs, she adds her career, she’s been a third grade detective for 8 years. He asks what is holding her back, and Rollins explains she is, she guesses. She thinks he is better at this than Dr. Hanover. She asks to be let out of the cuffs and he says she will bolt. She insists she won’t do that and he thinks she is trying to play him. She says her arms have no circulation and her nose itches and she has something in her eye. He says if she stops talking he will pull over. She shuts up, he keeps his hand on the gun, and pulls over.

Meanwhile, Abrams meets with Ellery in a diner and Abrams complains it is 4 AM. Ellery says he couldn’t sleep, saying he went out on a limb for him and Steve. Abrams says he is in no position to shake them down for more. As Benson and Carisi watch and listen from the surveillance van, Ellery says what if the NYPD found photos and videos in Getz’s townhouse this could blow up his entire life. Abrams tells him to relax, saying the good stuff is in his office safe, citing lawyer/client privilege. Benson, hearing this, says she will call Hadid for a warrant. He reminds her that Garland said to keep this off the grid, and Benson wonders that he thinks Hadid will tip off Getz. Carisi replies not on purpose but the people above her…they can’t take that chance. As Abrams mentions more girls coming in, Ellery gets more upset but Abrams tells him to calm down and tells him to have a drink and take a pill and watch some porn. He’s going back to bed, telling Ellery not to contact him again. Benson wonders how long it will take for Abrams to tip off Getz, and Carisi says they have to move fast. Carisi sits down with Ellery and says now he needs a no-knock warrant for Abrams’ office. Ellery states he can’t sign off on that and Carisi tells him to call a judge who can…NOW. Ellery gets out his phone.

Fin and Carisi are driving, following a cell signal from a car. They only see a driver and wonder if Rollins is in the trunk. Fin turns on the siren and speaker to tell the car to pull over. The car complies. They tell the driver to pop the trunk, the driver is not Bucci. Kat finds the phone on the back seat and Rollins is not in the trunk. The driver says he stopped at a diner about an hour ago and Fin and Kat assume Rollins and Bucci were there too, wondering where they are now.

Benson and Carisi are walking into a building, Benson is on the phone with Fin telling him to come back now. She tells Carisi there is no sign of Rollins and the burner cell was thrown into another car by Bucci. Benson flashes her badge and tells a security guard they need to get into Abrams’ office. Carisi shows him a warrant. He takes them into the office and as the warrant covers everything, Benson tells them to sweep it all.

At the townhouse of Paul Abrams at 25 West 76th Street on Friday, November 22, Garland is there with police, arresting Abrams. Abrams tells Garland he has a lot more friends at One PP than he does and that the sense from the old guard is he doesn’t know his place. Garland says that is why they are the old guard. Abrams, in his pajamas, asks if he can grab a robe and Garland says he doesn’t see that.

Back at SVU, Fin recaps that at about 5:30 that morning, Bucci dumped his phone in the back seat of another car while he and Rollins were at a diner. Kat adds a waitress recognized Bucci and Rollins who were there around 5 AM and were there for less than ½ hour. She thinks they got into a dark gray late model sedan. No one saw the plates. Fin adds troupers and local PDs are canvassing gas stations, motels, and rest stops in a 50 mile radius. Carisi thinks Bucci is too smart for that and they have to be looking at trailers and parking lots and empty houses. Benson tells Carisi to relax, they know what they are doing and so does Rollins. Benson gets a message and tells them Garland just arrested Abrams and is bringing him in. Fin asks of they really think Abrams will turn on Getz, and Carisi says he is not going to get a choice.

In the interrogation room, Abrams looks at pictures and moans that Ellery set him up. Garland says Ellery has a conscience and he is cooperating. Abrams bad mouths Ellery but Carisi reminds Abrams they have him admitting to sex trafficking minors, blackmail, and bribery. Garland also brings up the treasure trove of incriminating photos. Abrams asks what do they want, and Carisi says what they have means it is over for him. But Abrams says he will not give up Getz, he believes in loyalty. Carisi comments this is why lawyers hire lawyers. Abrams asks for full immunity and Carisi says he can take that up with the DA. Abrams says when he does, let him know there is a lot more information he can provide, information to sensitive to keep in his office. Garland tells him to save that for round two which doesn’t happen unless Abrams gives them Getz. Carisi thinks Abrams has an escape hatch, and Abrams says he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Carisi says then they are done here. Carisi adds unless he calls Getz now and tells him it’s go time, there’s no deal – ever.


At the Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York on Friday November 22, Getz and Grayna move toward a plane, Granya uncomfortable that Abrams is not there yet. The police arrive and he tells her to shut up and smile. He sees Benson and says she is like a dog chasing a car. Fin arrests Getz and Kat arrests Granya. Benson tells her the charges are rape and sex trafficking for starters. Getz says he wants his lawyer and Benson explains they have him in custody and doesn’t think they will be spending much time together. She tells Fin to get him out of here.


At Wild Forest Inn at 111 Peckville Road, East Branch New York on Friday, November 22, Bucci still has the gun on Rollins as they watch TV. She says she knows he won’t shoot her. He reminds Rollins she doesn’t really know him; they had a half hour in a courthouse waiting room. He hit on her and Rollins let him know she was punching above his weight. She never thought about him once. She says that is not true, and when he says here comes the southern charm, she insists she is being honest. She thought he was a nice guy, a decent guy. She thought he was nice and she can’t handle nice. Her dad treated her mom like crap and she spent her life chasing dirt bags as she thought that was she was worth, and she is just like her. Now she has two little girls and is terrified they will grow up the same way, feeling like they don’t deserve to be happy. Bucci hears news about Steve Getz being arrested and they see Fin and Benson on the screen walking with a cuffed Getz and hear he was charged with rape and sex trafficking. Bucci is thrilled and says it is over. He tells Rollins to get the hell out of there, and he puts the gun on the bed. He admits he doesn’t know what she was saying but he is sorry. She lunges for the gun and holds it on him. She says she wants to get out alive but wants him to get out too. She says he did it for his daughters and she would have done the same thing. She doesn’t want anybody taking him out and she wants him to come with her. She leads him out of the room.

Meanwhile, Getz is in SVU interrogation with his lawyer as Carisi and Garland enter. His lawyer says Getz has information that would be of interest to the DA and NYPD. Carisi says they already got that offer from Abrams, so save it. Getz says what he has trumps what Abrams has, adding he has a black book in a safety deposit box and there is enough there to implicate a prominent ADA, a federal prosecutor, two former cabinet members, three governors and a Middle Eastern prince, just for starters. Garland asks implicates how so? Getz says it is a 2x4 metal box filled with photos and videos all backed up on zip drives and their tech department can authenticate it. Nothing has been photoshopped or digitally manipulated. Carisi asks what does he want, and Getz says he is not spending the rest of his life in prison. Garland says that is not his choice, but the lawyer has his DA would likely feel differently and what Getz has would put him on the map. He adds if not his DA, the southern district would want to talk deal. He throws a small envelope on the table and says they already took one away from him, they may want get ahead of this one. Carisi picks up the envelope and it contains a key. Carisi tells the lawyer he shouldn’t hold his breath.

Outside the room, Carisi tells Benson that Getz is looking for a deal. Benson says nothing yet from Rollins. Carisi comments the arrest has been all over the news and he doesn’t like this. Suddenly Rollins enters with Bucci in tow, saying she needs the captain. Benson tells the detectives to take Bucci now and Rollins explains he is cuffed and never hurt her. Bucci asks about Ivy and Milly and Benson says they are safe with social services. They have already called his mother in Florida and she is on her way. Kat says she is taking him to holding, and Rollins tells her to be easy, he is NYPD. Fin retorts, “Like hell he is.” Rollins tells Benson she is fine, he never touched her. Benson suggests the hospital but Rollins says she is tired and needs to see her girls. Carisi says he will drive her. As she and Carisi get in the elevator, Rollins speaks on the phone with Sienna. She gets tearful but tells Carisi she is okay. But then she says no and cries hard, Carisi consoling her.


In New York Supreme Court at 60 Centre Street on Friday, November 22, Carisi exits the courtroom and tells a waiting Fin and Kat that the court agreed to give Bucci a psych evaluation. Hanover doesn’t want to press charges and Hadid will agree to a guilty plea on unlawful imprisonment. Kat comments that is one year, and questions that Bucci kidnaps one of their own and Carisi is looking out for him? He replies he is looking out for Rollins; she doesn’t want to punish this guy and he doesn’t want to put her on the stand. He sarcastically asks if that is okay with her, addressing her as “officer.” Fin asks what about Getz and if his black book is getting him off. Carisi comments that is above his pay grade but upstairs there is not much appetite for letting him off the hook. Fin asks if he means for finding out who else he can take down and Carisi replies that is another way of putting it, but either way he is done. Granya will testify, Abrams will testify, the accusers are coming out of the woodwork now and he is going to have to face them in court. Fin asks how Rollins is doing, and that Benson made her take a few days off. Carisi says she is good, and then he steps into the elevator.

At home, Rollins sits in bed with her kids and the dog, reading a story book.

At the jail, a guard naps at his post. Getz ties a sheet to his bed post and hangs himself.

On the news, there is a developing story that Steve Getz was found dead in his cell. They watch in SVU and Fin says he can’t see Getz killing himself. Kat agrees, thinking that is not even Getz on the gurney. She wonders if he faked his own death and they swapped him out with some homeless guy from the morgue and then he flies off to some island without extradition. Fin says no way, all those tapes he had, somebody had to take him out. Kat comments Getz has gotten away with everything his whole life, why quit now? Benson says a lot of people wanted him dead, either way, his number was up. But what makes her so angry is these girls will never see their day in court. Fin and Kat nod in agreement, and Benson shakes her head and walks off as 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.
Jamie Gray Hyder - Katriona "Kat" Azar Tamin


Guest stars:
Nicholas Turturro - Detective Frank Bucci
Vincent Kartheiser - Steve Getz
Demore Barnes - Deputy Chief Christian Garland
Amy Hargreaves - Dr. Alexis Hanover
Bree Turner - Granya Marcil
Rocco Sisto – Judge Ellery
Ben Davis - Paul Davies
Shawn T. Andrew – ESU Captain Sasso
Grace Narducci - Ivy Bucci
Fina Strazza - Milly Bucci
Paul Ben-Victor - Counselor Peter Abrams
Rosie De Sanctis – Donna Bucci
Cole Tristan Murphy – Dylan Hanover
Nhumi Threadgill – Sienna Peet
Ryan Buggle - Noah Porter-Benson
Eve Austin – Judge Ellery’s Wife
Simone Elizabeth Bart – ESU Maya Tedder
Anthony Goss – Officer Marcus Carter
George Gerard - Man
E. George Perry – Security Guard
Daniel Mannarino – Reporter
Charlotte Cabell - Jesse Rollins
Vivian Cabell - Jesse Rollins



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16 comments:

Jane said...

At least they spared us Carisi and Rollins expressing their undying love for each other while they were in the elevator! I did not like this episode. I’m tired of Rollins and her drama. I could have told her she’s just like her mother. And Why on earth is everyone giving Frank a pass. This episode didn’t make any sense on so many levels.

Laurie F said...

It was a given that Rollins would be returned safe so no drama there. We already knew about her problems and I didn't see her admitting them to Bucci as being any big breakthrough. She a very unsympathetic character. I wondered too why she didn't say anything about the gambling, which could be the root of all her past problems. If any fan would say that Rollins had two kids by two different men, they'd say the fans would be shaming her, but when Rollins admits it, it's some kind of big admission on her part? Please! Every attempt they make to fix the mess that is Amanda Rollins, they make it worse.

Bucci should not have gotten off so easy. Hold two people at gunpoint, stealing a car, kidnapping, etc. I'm sorry but they were very wrong here. Could you imagine if that was some random guy off the street that did that? But because he was "one of their own" they go easy on him? That's messed up.

I agree they should not have shown Getz hanging himself. I would have preferred that be ambiguous, like the Epstein story. Epstein was a creep but there are questions about his death. It would have been interesting to see those same questions surround Getz's case.

Shaheed said...

This one felt rushed to me and didn't feel so intense to me. Maybe it's cause of the on set filming pics that come after this episode which includes Kelli Giddish that spoils this episode which lets me know nothing bad happened to Amanda. Well at least this time it wasn't Olivia the one held hostage, it was someone else for once. Honestly I was hooked to the 1st part more and enjoyed it. The episode didn't suck but it wasn't great either and the performances was so so in this one. The only one I was feeling was Peter Scanavino who once again stole the show which made this episode a bit better. I give it a 7.5/10

gayle said...

So maybe Sonny Carisi is the "ADA" in the little black book?

gayle said...

Frankly, I preferred the Epstein-based episode from a few years ago, when the guy got off easy courtesy of the Feds, while his girlfriend/procurer was facing serious time (which probably would have ended with some kind of plea bargain also).

If SVU is going to have a "trend" of revisiting and updating stories from years ago, I can think of several that would be more interesting than this one.

Douglas Trapasso said...

I was hoping for more screentime with the mom of the two girls. There was some serious dysfunction in that family and would have liked to have seen that explored more (maybe that's a different show).

Chris Ghost said...

Came here to see if checking out the episode would be worth it. Yeah, didn't think so.
Of course Rollins would be fine. And of course they'd include an emotional scene between her and Carisi. I don't like it one bit, they've been teasing and baiting the audience for years. Rinse and repeat. It's all just lazy writing at this point. Wanna bet Rollins will be back to her dismissive self again next episode?

WestVirginiaRebel said...

I wonder if Jack McCoy's name was in that book, given his past...and Rollins, we get it, you're messed up, but it's high past time for her to grow up. Fin continues to be the most entertaining character on the show.

Unknown said...
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Gummboote said...

I thought that it was rather more watchable than usual for this season. Then Benson did her “nobody cares about the victims as much as I do” bit at the end and I realised there’d been surprisingly little of her up till that point.

dttruman said...

Comments are pretty spot on here. I thought they expedited the bringing down of Getz way too fast. Should they have made this episode into two parts so as to develop better Getz's downfall?
Can someone please tell me, if Getz had a big box of blackmail evidence that could take down many high powered government officials and insure a very lite sentence for him (maybe something at Club Fed). Why do the writers (and producers) have him committing suicide? Did the DA's office say no to the deal? Through out all of the the different Law and Order TV serieses, the DA's office always gave defendants good deals if they gave them better dirt on corrupt gov't officials and so on.

Na said...

Blame on Warren Leight who wrote about Rollins Character. Tried of Drama queen Rollins. All about her. He shouldn't write about Rollins and Olivia adopt Noah. The show mess up when he came to SVU to write about the characters especially Rollins. Again, he came back to SVU because a lots fans loves his writing.

Tiredoftheangst said...

Stopped watching SVU a few years ago, find the Rollins character whiny and boring. Too much time given to a subpar actress, does she even know how to smile? Way too much angst.

magix74 said...

@tiredoftheangst the measure of an actress abilities isn’t whether she knows how to smile! That’s just as bad as so many of the fans who shame the character for having sex with multiple partners. It’s 2020 already, time to move on from this misogynistic views.

Jane said...

I really hope we don’t have to see good hearted Carisi step in to heal broken Amanda.

ELDOG said...

Episode was mediocre. Tired of the Olivia/Noah cut scenes. I have never liked Rollins and to be quite honest, I am no real fan of the new detective Kat either. Both her and Rollins do not seem like a good fit on the show. I actually miss Carisi as NYPD. As someone stated above, Fin, who just started getting actual screen time, continues to be my favorite character on the show. Hopefully, a new detective (with some likeable characteristics) will be hired on soon. The squad is still down a person. SVU has become a real drag unfortunately...