Law & Order SVU “She Paints For Vengeance” Recap & Review

I’ll make this simple. I disliked this episode. Almost all of it.

What I liked: 
While I believe it would not be appropriate for Carisi’s first trial to be that of a celebrity, and I think his career as an ADA has progressed abnormally fast, I do think his move to the DA’s office is a good one for the character’s development. This role suits Peter Scanavino very well. But that’s all I liked with this episode.

What I disliked or questioned:
Is it really that easy to hang posters and a huge billboard in the city with no one noticing or questioning it while it’s happening?

It was too much of a coincidence that it was Benson - the SVU captain - who saw the artwork, understood the meaning,  and decided to check into its origin. What a nice change of pace it would have been if it was Fin or  Rollins or even someone not associated with SVU to make the discovery and connection.  Of course it had to be Benson. I cringed during the shoehorned-in Noah scene; his presence was completely unnecessary. (I’ve made it clear in the past that I don’t care for the superfluous Noah scenes so my feelings shouldn’t surprise anyone.)

I think I've raised this issue in the past:  should Benson be connecting people with defense lawyers, especially for a crime that has nothing to do with the SVU? She's not a social worker, she’s an SVU Captain.    At least when the problem developed on the SVU doorstep, Benson was aware she brought it on herself. I suspect Benson will never learn to steer clear of situations that are outside her purview; she has a need to be the fixer or a hero.

I know there are many rape cases that are “he said/she said” but this one didn’t have one scintilla of evidence. The only thing in favor of Monica was the police report that was tossed by “do-nothing Donnie”. If this police report was the only shred of evidence they had, it would have helped had we seen the officer testify to its existence and later destruction.  It would have also been interesting to see how Counselor Barth would tear apart that testimony.  Yes, I know this episode is only about 40 minutes long and they can't include everything, but it's their choice of what they include and exclude that sometimes bewilders me.

The victim would have been far more sympathetic and the case more compelling if the victim was black (and the rapist could have been white).  I don't think Law & Order SVU does a very good job in showing crimes committed against women of color, and this would have been a good opportunity to do so.

Of course, Benson had to be the one to push Carisi in the right direction in order to get the win. I wonder why it couldn’t have been one of his own peers or his boss? It’s a rhetorical question, I already know the answer.

I’m surprised, with how savvy Counselor Barth is and considering she had been a judge, that she  allowed her client to testify, no matter how much he may have insisted.

It was predictable that Carisi would win.  No suspense here.

I have no words on that ending. No wait, I do have words. That billboard with Benson and Carisi as angels was saccharine and laughable. Besides, we all know that Benson is not an angel but a saint and she should have a halo (wink). It must be so easy to get a billboard put up and paid for in New York, especially when one appears to be a starving artist that has to work in a strip club for money.  Who paid for that billboard?

Side notes:
When Carisi asks Fin why he’s at the strip club, Fin comments they are short on male detectives.  (Are there no other male law enforcement staff at the 16th precinct?)   Later, Fin, while questioning someone about the sexual assault who complains about being surrounded by women, Fin commiserates, mentioning he has Rollins and a female captain. On the latter situation,  I understand Fin made those comments to get the guy he was questioning to open up, but considering his comment to Carisi earlier, I think Fin may truly be feeling a little outnumbered. 

One of the guest stars, Orfeh, is married to Law & Order SVU’s Andy Karl (who played the deceased Mike Dodds).

The episode was directed by Mariska Hargitay. Her skills have improved quite a bit since her first directorial outing and she did a fine job here.

Here is the recap:

Monica Russo paints in her home studio. Her boyfriend arrives with some food. He compliments her painting. She passes on the food has to leave to go to work as she is late and wants the tip money. She says the place is jumping and is kind of fun. She gets her bike and leaves, grabbing a scarf before she exits.

Monica is working the pole at a strip club. She gets off the stage and Arianna tells her there is a pot of whales in the back. She also hears from the manager, Jared, that Markeevious is looking for her and he has that hungry look. She walks up to Markeevious who tells the girl on his lap he is making a substitution. He asks Monica if she is ready for the VIP room. He doesn’t want her and Arianna like the last time, he thinks Monica is more than enough. She leads him to the room.

Later, Monica leaves the club with a blank stare on her face. She says she is just tired. As she leaves the club, she sees her bike, still hooked onto a pole, but the front tire is missing. She throws something at the bike in anger and swears.

Later, at a police station, an officer tells Monica that is all he needs right now. She asks the officer what happens next, and he sighs and says an investigation. She nods and he says dryly that he will call her. Dejected, she leaves. Sometime later in her studio, she is on the phone, telling the person on the other end of the call that she came in before Christmas, telling them her name. At yet another later date, in her studio working on a canvas with frustration, she tells the person on the phone that she’s left a dozen messages, giving her name again. And again later, she is working on her art, on the phone, getting even more aggravated, then tells the person on the other end of the phone to never mind, and she hangs up. Her boyfriend, who is there with her, comments that is has been over a month. Monica says, “Screw this. And them.” Soon after, she is outside with her boyfriend, spreading paste on a poster on a wall with a wide paint brush. She comments they thought they could crush her, but she will burn them to the ground. He agrees, saying to burn that house down, burn it to the ground.

What is likely the next morning, Noah is on a scooter on the sidewalk and Benson tells him to slow down. He stops and Benson notices something on the wall; it’s posters of a bike with what looks like an angel with its eyes covered behind it, along with the words “a bad dream?” Noah sees another group of posters with an image of a police officer with a pig face, and the caption “Do nothing Donnie asked what I was wearing.” There is yet another group of posters and Noah asks if this is a movie. Benson looks at them and says it is certainly not a kids movie. The third group of images has a devil, spearing an angel, which is captioned “Shut up you angel whore.” Noah is stunned and points out in surprise another sight to Benson, telling her to look up there. It is a huge billboard on the wall of a woman dressed like a Wonder Woman-like person, shooting fire at a strip club, with the caption “On December 10th I was raped. I told my boss, I told NYPD. They tried to shut me up. But silence makes me louder. Benson tells Noah to run ahead, she will catch up.

Benson tells Rollins she is walking down 10th Avenue with Noah – Rollins, looking at an image of the billboard, says there is a lot of anger there; rape and a strip club, certainly credible. Kat comments it says she went to NYPD in December, saying she will check. Fin adds that it must have been the local precinct. Rollins states something happened to her. Benson quietly replies yeah. Kat informs them there were two rape reports files in Manhattan South on that date; one was a DV and the other one was SVU’s. Benson observes that neither of them was her. Benson thinks this is an outcry, and tells Fin and Kat to check local strip clubs and instructs Rollins to check the billboard company. She adds that whoever she is, they’ll want to find her.

At Hook, Line & Stripper at 771 10th Avenue on Wednesday, January 8, Fin and Kat show the image on the poster to Toni, who appears to be a manager at the club, and she doesn’t know her. She adds their dancers are safe as there are cameras everywhere. She admits not inside the VIP room but she has her bird dogs. She explains that means she posts a bouncer outside the private rooms and a girl just has to holler and they will be in the door. Another woman is heard saying that is a bunch of BS and she storms in from another room, calling out to Toni and saying that TJ keeps playing that old-school white boy crap. She looks at Fin and then says she is sorry. Toni asks to give them a minute, and the woman realizes Fin and Kat are cops, saying they are here about the billboard. She says all she knows is she doesn’t work here, adding Toni takes care of them, not like some place she can name. Toni comments like the woman’s last club, Topaz, who says their VIP room is more like act sexy and try not to get raped.



At Topaz Gentleman’s Club at 466 West 55th Street on Wednesday, January 8, Rollins questions Jared while Kat questions some of the girls. The girls say the cops are the worst, because of Jared, 20 years, never made sergeant and that’s all she needs to know.

As they exit the building, Kat comments to Rollins that the dancers seem pretty tough. Rollins wonders if they are just covering. Rollins stops Kat as she sees a bike, the front wheel off, leaning onto a post. Rollins asks if it look familiar, and Kat says that looks like the bike from the poster, thinking this can’t be a coincidence; she worked there. Rollins gets on her phone and takes a photo, stated that Jared is ex-NYPD and his buddies might bury it. Kat thinks it is time to go to the local precinct. Rollins gives her a little tip, suggesting Kat check in with the Captain first.

At the 11th precinct on Wednesday, January 8, Benson and Fin check with Officer Donald Donahue and when he tries to blow them off, Benson asks if there is anyone else there named Donnie, showing him the poster of the officer with the pig face. He says it is coming back to him. Benson questions that he didn’t notify SVU, and the officer says he spoke with the club manager and it was unfounded as she was making it up, looking for a pay day. Fin comments that Jared is ex-NYPD, wondering if the officer is looking out for Jared or her. The officer says he did his due diligence and the complaint was BS. Fin accuses him of tossing the report, and when Fin asks if he recalls the girls name, he replies it was M something. He guesses Mary, dirty blonde hair, and a tat of a bird on her hand. He says he knows SVU has big hearts but this wasn’t a real rape. Benson questions “a real rape”, asking if that is because they knew each other or because she dances in a strip club. She tells him to have his captain call her. As Benson and Fin leave, Benson asks Fin when are these dinosaurs going to die out. Fin replies no time soon, they have no natural predators. Benson comments they are looking for a blonde with a bird tattoo on her hand and somebody at Topaz need to know who she is.

Fin is back at Topaz who has Carisi with him. Carisi asks him to tell him again why he is here and Fin explains that since he’s left, they are short on male detectives. A woman approaches them and she calls Carisi a choir boy and plays up to Fin. Fin explains Carisi is looking for a girl he met a month ago there and he describes her. Carisi mentions the tattoo and the girl is a painter, and the woman says Monica quit and last she heard she was working a dungeon, explaining that is S&M.

At the Bastille at 72 Exchange Place on Wednesday January 8, Benson and Rollins catch up with Monica and Benson mentions the billboard. Rollins mentioned the local precinct tried to bury it and Monica explains that is why she is here. She says there are rules, and everyone follows them and knows them and if you get out of line you are never coming back. Rollins asks not at the strip club. Monica explains if the dancer decides to give something extra it is more money for everyone; you tip the bouncer and the manager and the frikkin DJ. Benson says what happened to her wasn’t giving extra, she didn’t chose this. Monica applauds and says Benson got it. Benson offers to help her and Monica flippantly says okay, and pulls out her phone and photographs them, telling them to smile. She adds they can be her next billboard.

At an outside vendor, Fin grabs some coffee and asks Benson that the painter told them to take a hike. Benson explains Monica has trust issues with the NYPD, asking if they can blame her. She adds as soon as Monica sees they are taking her seriously it will go a long way to rapport. Fin says it would be easier to investigate if Monica told them what happened. Benson states for know they know when she was assaulted and where, and tells Fin to find out who. She adds it is a strip club, whispering he will be fine.

At the club, Fin and Rollins speak with Jared and when Rollins gets adversarial, Fin tells her to take five. Before she walks off, she tells Jared his buddy Donahue already told them he dumpstered his complaint as a favor to him. Fin testily tells her to take ten. As Jared complains about being surrounded by women, Fin commiserates, mentioning he has Rollins, a female captain – he has to make this look good. Jared explains these girls have cash register eyes and knew the guy was rich. Fin says it sounds like a shakedown and asks for the guy’s name, he’ll confirm and make his captain happy. Jared says his reputation is staked on privacy and their rule is trust them to be discreet.

Outside where Rollins is waiting, Fin tells her to look for a big spender which is an athlete and it wasn’t his first time. Rollins comments that fin says he saw Markeevious Ryan when he was there, and Fin replies yeah. As they walk around the corner, Fin sees Moet and she corrects him on the pronunciation of her name. She admits she made Fin the night he was there. She knows why there are there, calling Monica a drama queen. They discuss Markeevious and she asks why would he rape some bony-ass white chick? She walks off.

Meanwhile, Benson visits Monica at her home studio and mentions Markeevious Ryan. Monica says it took her long enough. Benson enters and looks at the artwork, saying she gets she is furious, saying she is furious too. Benson asks her to tell her what happened to her to make a case. Benson mentions the billboard for the attention and says she IS paying attention and to talk to her. She mentioned that night in the VIP room as soon as she closed the door he started taking his pants off and she told him to slow down. He started putting on a condom and she tried to joke her way out of it but that night she was scared of him. He had a blank look on his face and pinned her against the wall. She tried to fight him and he threw her on the floor. She was alone and trapped and tried yelling but the music was too loud and no one could hear. He just overpowered her and moving her around like a piece of furniture. She struggled and at a certain point she gave up and he raped her. She tried to go back on stage like nothing happened and Markeevious was still there and he waved at her. That’s when she told Jared. Jared said that Markeevious is a good customer and she should shut up. That’s when she went to the precinct and they never returned her calls. That’s when she started thinking of blowing things up with paint and calling them out.

At Markeevious Rare Steakhouse at 232 West 70th Street on Thursday, January 9, Fin and Rollins questions Markeevious and he denies it. He says what happened, he paid for - $800. He says it was consensual and he gave her a $200 tip. A customer motions for him and he says he knows they won’t arrest him for patronizing a prostitute but he has customers to attend to. He walks off to take selfies with customers. Rollins questions Fin that he’s not guilty of rape because he’s getting a divorce, and Fin wonders what his ex has to say.

Later, Fin and Rollins meet with the ex and it sounds like there were other accusations against Markeevious but she won’t give names, saying she doesn’t want to give them an opportunity to sue. She says that money belongs to her, not some dumb bitches who can’t get out from under him.

Back at SVU, Benson confirms that Markeevious is claiming consensual which puts him in the room with Monica, and Rollins explains what they heard from the ex. Monica arrives at SVU with a box and asks Benson what the hell did she say to them? She dumps the box on a desk and says the club sent all her stuff back, all ripped and covered in crap, and them shows them a dead rat in a plastic bag. Benson apologizes and Rollins says Markeevious concedes he had sex with her and mentioned the tip. She admits taking it, saying she was in shock. Benson tries to convince her to come into her office but Monica says they are all fired, and she storms out.

At the courthouse, Benson and Rollins speak with Carisi who hears the complaining witness withdrew their cooperation, again. Rollins explains she is frustrated. Carisi says the suspect says it was consensual and paid for, and Benson retorts that’s what they all say and Carisi can contextualize that for the jury. Carisi comments if he has a credible victim and Monica is a wild card, wondering how she will present on the stand. Benson says she doesn’t have a lot of faith in the system but Benson thinks she can get her there. Rollins comments Monica is ahead of them, and shows them a video of Monica on a rant with her boyfriend, who calls Markeevious a rapist, while standing outside his restaurant, Monica asking if anyone cares. Benson looks concerned.

Later, there is a crowd there as Monica is chained to a nearby post and she screams Markeevious is a rapist. The police are on scene and unchain her and arrest her. Benson arrives and identifies herself to the arresting sergeant and says this is her case. He tells her to take that up with his captain, Monica is under arrest. Markeevious walks out and begins to argue back, and Benson tries to get the officers not to be so rough and for Monica to stop talking. As someone screams “police harassment”, Benson helps Monica into the squad car and says she will get her a lawyer.

At the 21st precinct on Friday, January 10, Benson speaks with Counselor Dara Miglani, who, besides representing some of the victims from the Getz case, is there to help Monica. Benson explains Monica is angry and unrepentant, and also unpredictable. Benson explains she is in lock-up and brings her over to meet Monica. Monica asks to get her out of there, and tells Dara she is not pleading guilty to anything.

Meanwhile, Rollins speaks with Carisi at the courthouse, telling him Monica is a fighter who is getting beat by the system. Carisi asks if she wants him to take the arraignment, and Rollins says she is not asking him to put his finger on the scale. Carisi says anyone that can get out of arraignment is happy to. He questions a man named Crosby to ask who caught Monica’s case, and Crosby says it is him. Carisi takes the file and tells him to let him take that off his hands, he is due in arraignment court this morning anyway and will let Hadid know. He tells Carisi to take the rest of them while he’s at it, and Carisi does. Crosby tells Rollins that frees him up for lunch if she has time, and he knows her name. She says she is good and thanks him, walking off with Carisi. As she and Carisi walk off, he asks how she is doing as he thought she was supposed to take a few weeks. Rollins explains she was so bored and is okay. He asks if she is sleeping and eating enough, and she replies she is thinking about quitting therapy. He asks if she wants to talk about that, and she asks if he is late for court. He walks off.

At arraignment court Part 42 on Friday, January 10, Dara pleads not guilty for Monica, asking for ROR. Carisi does not object and the judge grants it. The judge tells Monica to do herself a favor and stay away from paint for a while. Monica says she can’t promise that but Dara says she will. The judge glares at Monica and says he hopes so and grants the ROR. As Dara walks off, Carisi says to Dara he’s heard a lot about her and she asks if that is code for she can be a pain in the ass. He replies yeah, pretty much. She asks how about a coffee and he agrees.

Outside with their coffee, Carisi tells Dara that he can talk to his boss and ask not to push for jail time. Dara questions ask, saying Monica has a right to be angry. She adds as soon as he arrests Markeevious, Monica will calm down. Carisi explains this can’t look like he arrested him because she chained herself to his restaurant. She asks why not, and Carisi goes on to say they both want Markeevious to go down so he needs Monica focused and prepping her testimony, not making headlines. Dara looks at her phone and says “Here we go” and says Markeevious has gone on the offensive; he is all over Twitter saying he is the victim and he will sue Monica for harassment and defamation. Carisi thinks he is bluffing and the last thing Markeevious wants is to be deposed. He suggestions Dara tell Monica not to overreact. Carisi walks off.

Later, Benson and Fin arrive outside the precinct and Monica is there, along with Dara, speaking with a bullhorn saying she was raped by Markeevious at the Topaz Club. Fin asks if her attorney gave her the heads up, and Benson says not in so many words. Benson thinks she brought this on herself, she wanted somebody who would fight for Monica. Monica says she was exercising her rights to free speech and now Markeevious is suing her. Dara takes the bullhorn and says while Monica was in a holding cell, Markeevious greeted customers at his steakhouse. She adds he continues to enjoy his freedom and the perks of his fame while Monica fights to have her voice heard. They are here to ask any other victims of Markeevious to come forward and contact them and demand the NYPD arrest Markeevious. The crowd applauds and Benson worries.

In the squad room, Benson tells Dara she would have appreciated a call. Dara says it is asymmetrical warfare – the element of surprise is key. Benson asks that Dara knows she is on Monica’s side, and Dara says Benson is but Dara can be louder and quicker. She adds he tactics worked; she has been contacted by two other women he raped. They are out of state but it goes to pattern. They will talk to Benson with Dara in the room, and they are on their way there and Benson can thank her later. As Dara walks off, Benson shakes her head.

Later, Kat, with Dara present, speaks with one victim who was Markeevious’s masseuse and one night he flipped into rape mode, his face became and empty mask. She describes the attack. She couldn’t do a thing. Afterward, Rollins, with Dara present, speaks with another victim, Jan, who also describes the assault. Benson and Carisi watch and listen from the other room. She said while she was assaulted his face was blank. She went home and took a bath. She can’t watch sports any more. She is clearly stressed, thinking an ugly her is chasing herself. Benson comments to Carisi that the two prior victims describe the same MO as Monica. Carisi comments they are fruits of Dara’s press conference she is a hustler. Fin asks if they can testify, and Carisi explains it is a jump ball; under the Molineux rule, prior bad acts is not admissible to show a propensity to commit a crime. Benson interjects they are if they show pattern. Carisi says that is right, but they have a bigger problem: neither of these women filed a police report. Benson argues Monica did file, and until they arrest Markeevious, they are saying her word isn’t good enough. Carisi says he will get an arrest warrant and request a Molineux hearing. He suggest Benson tell her friend Dara she’s got enough publicity and as of now – he says he is dead serious – she needs to keep her clients out of the the news.

At the Molineux hearing in Supreme Court Part 37 on Tuesday, January 14, Carisi makes his case and the judge says she’s read his brief and asks that neither woman filed a report. Carisi admits not at the time but they have gone on record. He explains the assaults described go to modus opperandi, there were consistent details in all three accounts. Defense Counselor Elana Barth says they were coached; they only came forward after they saw Monica’s lawyer on TV and are seeking publicity. Barth motions to Dara, who is sitting in the gallery, and asks if Dara expects them to believe she didn’t coordinate their story? Carisi argues that the defense can cross on motive, adding these women have nothing to gain. He states  initially they were afraid to make a claim against a powerful celebrity. The judge comments that as sympathetic she is about to the many reasons a rape victim may not be willing to come forward, the statements are unsubstantiated and she IS concerned about collusion. Barth thanks her and turns to Dara and says not to worry, she can always harass her client with a civil suit. The judge chastises her, saying that is enough, she should know better. The judge excludes these witnesses and she puts the court in recess. Dara stands up and tells Carisi there was no collusion. Carisi asks that these three women were never in the same room together? He tells Dara to get her client ready to testify because as of now, this is all on her. Barth approaches Carisi and says she was told tomorrow is his first trial and she would promise she would go easy, but – and she whispers – that’s just now how it works. Carisi gives a wry smile.

On the stand, Monica testifies about what happened that night. She points out Markeevious as her rapist. Under cross, Barth questions her on the $800 and asks about accepting the $200 tip. Monica says she was on autopilot. Barth wants a yes or no, and Monica must admit yes she did accept it. Barth states that Monica said her client raped her but afterward she and the club collected $1,000. Carisi stands up and states that was asked and answered. The judge tells Barth to move on. Barth asked if she got a rape kit and Monica said the officer said there was no point. Barth calls it the missing police report, and Carisi objects, saying the officer verified he took her report. The judge sustains the objection. Barth said the officer threw the report out when he decided her complaint was unfounded. Monica angrily states he wasn’t even listening to her. Barth comments Monica sounds angry, and asks if she is. Carisi objects, stumbling to get the words out it is badgering. The judge allows the question, and Monica tersely says yeah, she’s angry. Barth asks if she is angry enough to defame her client by painting the billboard, and Monica states yeah, because he raped her. Barth says Monica claims, but wonders if she is really angry about having to dance at a strip club for a living instead of working as an artist. Carisi objects, and Barth withdraws the question. She goes on to say that Monica considers herself an artist, and Monica says she is an artist. Barth asks how many shows she’s had, and Monica says it is hard to get shows when you are starting out, especially in New York. Barth says so it is none, and asks if she has sold any of her artwork. When Monica says no, Barth says her biggest success was that billboard. Monica starts to say that she wanted attention to…Barth cuts her off and says attention Monica got it, wondering if that was her plan all along. Carisi says nothing and looks uncomfortable. Barth states Monica’s plan was to accuse a famous man of sexual assault and get her art all over Instagram. Monica shouts she had to, nobody was listening to her and he just sits there while she is up there bearing her soul. Barth asks isn’t that what she does for a living, she bares herself, and Monica states firmly she is a performer. Barth scoffs, asking if she is performing right now, asking if this is an act, because she has to hand it to her, she is creative. Carisi, looking stunned, stands up and objects, and Barth withdraws the comment and says nothing further. Carisi sits down, looking concerned, while Rollins looks on.

Later, Carisi is in his office working when Benson walks in. She comments she heard he got bloodied today. He asks if Rollins told her that, saying it was more like slaughtered. Benson puts a bag of food on his desk and says he is still here. He says he is writing his resignation letter, then says they is going to lose this case, adding that Hadid already knows, she had her spies in the courtroom. He says he is done. Benson tells him he is not a quitter and no, it was his first day in court, he got knocked down but you get back up again. He question that he is not cut out for this, and says the worst part is, he didn’t protect Monica and should have objected more. But if you object too much, the jury thinks the witness is hiding something and he didn’t know what to do. He just left her alone up there like a target. Benson says Monica is a lot tougher than he thinks. Carisi says every aspect and moment of her life was open to dissection while Markeevious is just sitting over there smiling on the sidelines. Monica said it herself, it is not fair. Benson tells him to use that and figure out a way to get him into the game. She leaves his office and he stands there, thinking.

In the courtroom, Monica is back on the stand. Carisi tells her he knows this is not easy – she said no it isn’t – he goes on to say having the defense imply because she took the money she wasn’t raped. She says she doesn’t want money, she wants justice. He says she was called a liar because she was a stripper, asking if that made her angry. She replies it makes her furious. He says they can say whatever they want about her, which doesn’t strike him as fair when the man who raped her is just sitting there. Barth objects, asking if there is a question, and the judge says point taken and admonishes Carisi. He asks what she thinks about Markeevious right now, and she says he was a bully in the room and she thinks he is a coward now. She adds he doesn’t have the balls to face her, asking what he is afraid of. She states he said he didn’t rape her then why isn’t he man enough, yelling at him to get up and just tell…Carisi stops her and approaches the bench, asking the judge for a brief recess to confer with Monica. The judge doesn’t know what they are going to discuss but warns him it better not be about the defendant not taking the stand. Carisi says nothing and as they break for recess, Markeevious confers with Barth. As Monica bolts out of the room she tells Carisi she knows he told her where the line was and she crossed it. Dara told her she was fine. Barth asks what the hell was that, amateur hour? She adds if Carisi keeps it up he is gunning for contempt. Dara tells Barth to go back to her rapist client. Barth storms off, and Rollins tells Carisi that Barth is pissed, he got to her. Carisi says not him, it was Monica. He guessed that it worked.


In Supreme Court Part 37 on Thursday, January 16, Markeevious is on the stand and he says he didn’t rape her. He paid her for consensual sex. Under cross, Carisi asks if it was Markeevious’ idea to go into the champagne room, and he says yes. He says she wanted to. When Carisi asks how did he know, Markeevious replies c’mon, she’s a stripper and he is a celebrity and they all want a piece of him. Carisi says he is kind of surprised that Markeevious had to pay for sex, and Markeevious states he didn’t have to. He tries to keep it simple and avoid the drama. He refers to free-range women, and Carisi asks if those is the women he doesn’t pay for, who are free to say no. Markeevious comments they know how it is, one way or another you always wind up paying for it. He laughs while the jury looks at him stone-faced. Carisi says these women always want something, and Markeevious says they are all smiles and eyelashes and they just want to rub up on him – some of that glow, some of that money. Carisi asks if he’s had other women come after his money before. Markeevious says all the time, telling them to ask his ex-wife and the lawsuits he’s had to fight. Carisi asks if they were for raping women, and Barth objects. The judge sternly says Barth’s client opened the door. Markeevious states he didn’t rape these women, but they see him as their golden ticket, the guy who pays the bills and smiles for their selfies. Carisi says Markeevious does all the work and these women just take and take. Barth objects and the judge overrules it. Markeevious asks what is he, every bitches charity? Carisi comments they take and take and what do they give him. Markeevious states it was the only thing they got. Carisi says it was sex, and Markeevious asks what else does he have that they want? Carisi questions what if they don’t give him that, and Markeevious testifies it doesn’t happen, nobody say no to Markeevious. Carisi pushes, asking what if they do, what if they get the nerve to say no to him. Markeevious says it means they want more money. Carisi states he is Markeevious Ryan and every woman wants a piece. Markeevious firmly states damn right. Barth objects, and the judge overrules. Carisi steps back and says no further questions. Markeevious looks stunned. Rollins and Monica look on.

As Carisi exits the men’s room. Rollins is waiting and asks if he is okay. He replies not really, no. The jury has been out for days. She counters it has been three hours and asks if he just threw up. He says no, then admits yes. He comments waiting for the verdict is different when it is your case. She suggests they take a walk, but he gets a message and says to hold that thought, the jury is coming back. He tells Rollins he is good.

In Supreme Court Part 37 on Thursday, January 16, the jury forewoman announces the verdict of guilty. Monica hugs Benson as Fin and Rollins watch. Her boyfriend hugs her as well. Benson smiles and gives a nod to Carisi, who smiles and nods back.

Somewhere outside on the street, Monica looks up and asks Benson, Carisi and Fin what do they think? There is a large billboard across the way with a victorious woman on a horse, with Benson and Benson and Carisi as angels. Fin asks what are those keys? Monica says there are seven, one for each year of the sentence. Carisi asks if he has to have wings and Benson says yeah, he does. Monica says they both do. Benson smiles with pleasure 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:
Tonya Glanz - Monica Russo
Wolé Parks - Markeevious Ryan
Jenna Stern - Counselor Elana Barth
Mouzam Makkar - Counselor Dara Miglani
James Andrew O'Connor - Jared Desanto
Orfeh – Toni
Pooyah Mohseni - Judge Roshan Namazi
Lori Laing - Chiara Kiel
Maryam Basir – Moet
Megan Elyse Fulmer - Ariana Lopez
Ryan Buggle - Noah Porter Benson
Stephen Bradbury – Judge Colin McNamara
Scott Aiello – Officer Donald Donahue
Veracity Butcher - Isadora 'Izzy' Correa
Tiffany Rachelle Stewart – Jan Erickson
Manny Ureña - El Niño
Ava Lange - Ashley B.
Tom Coiner – Sergeant Chuck Inslow
Andrew Baldwin – John Crosby
Regina Ohashi – Jury Forewoman



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