Law & Order SVU “Eternal Relief From Pain” Recap & Review

News broke only hours before this episode aired that Law & Order SVU has been renewed for 3 more years! Congratulations to all involved with the show and to fans.

This had the makings of an excellent episode had it not been smothered by the trials and tribulations of Kim Rollins and her (and Amanda’s) father, who is an equally sad loser. I find my brain tuning out as soon as Kim appears on the screen. Right off the bat Kim abandons her son to a stranger so she can head to a public rest room to take drugs, and she quickly ODs. (She leaves the faucet running in the sink so in the event she ODs, someone would notice the running water.)  In a normal world, someone on parole getting caught OD’ing on drugs while leaving their child with a stranger wouldn’t be cut any breaks. In fact, even in the SVU world, Benson would be advocating in the best interests of the child. In this case, because Kim is Amanda Rollins’ sister, they bend over backwards to keep Kim out of jail for a while and help get her access to her son. Kim is not at all hesitant to come to Amanda to take advantage of her NYPD connections to get her out of her mess, and the only people that seem somewhat cautious are Fin and maybe Carisi. Despite the fact that their father has a drug/drinking problem and Kim’s release with the ankle bracelet means she can’t be around anyone like that, Amanda lets their father stay one night in her home. He also quickly ODs. (What a family.) Of course Kim, who can only think of herself, worries right away what will happen to her and her son, and Amanda has no idea how this will work and what happens next. These are all things that Amanda should have thought of before she allowed herself to be sucked into Kim's predicament from the start.  I understand the desire to help out family, but sometimes the way to help  is through tough love.   This may have been the time for Amanda to take that approach.   But, enough of the Rollins family train wreck; they grate on me in the worst way.

Kim’s predicament revealed a problem doctor who is writing prescriptions for painkillers in exchange for sex. It’s always good to see “repeat offender” Mark Linn-Baker (he has previously appeared in 2 Law & Order episodes and 2 Law & Order Criminal Intent episodes), and he did his usual fine job as the pervert/rapist of the week. I wish there would have been more focus on this part of the story as it was far more interesting. Bureau Chief Hadid decides to keep the prescription part of the investigation with SVU and not turn it over to the DEA, thinking the DEA will ignore the sex crime component and only work on the drug issue. But her decision to do so is influenced by her past relationship with the head of the implicated pharmaceutical company, Trey Harrington. At one point it appears she is going to tip Trey off so he can avoid involvement with the drug and sex scheme that the SVU uncovered. No worries; Hadid was working a little undercover operation of her own, and managed to catch Trey saying all the wrong things, much to her dismay.

As this episode unfolded, I wondered at what point should the SVU recuse themselves from an investigation. Not only did the outcome of the case with the doctor benefit Rollins' sister, but Hadid had a connection with a suspect and she could have easily worked to tip the scale in his favor. At least Fin was thinking objectively as it relates to Kim.  The undercover operation made some good use of Kat's "talents" and allowed her to easily see first hand what sales tactics the pharma company was using.

I was slightly creeped out when Amanda and Kim’s father said that his third wife-to-be would be like meeting a third sister they didn’t know they had.

Here is the recap:

Rollins is in the park on a run, pushing a stroller with Jesse and Billie and running with her dog Frannie. She gets a call from Benson. She says she is going to be a little late as she has been putting off a doctor’s appointment. She explains everything is fine as she slows down. Meanwhile, Benson is walking with Noah and tells Rollins no worries and hangs up. Noah sees kids vaping and says someone was suspended for vaping in the school bathroom with three other boys in the fifth grade. Benson stops and asks Noah that he knows to never do anything like that, and Noah says, “Mom! C’mon.”

Later, Rollins is in the doctor’s office and he is looking at an x-ray of her knee, and says they will have to drain it. Her phone buzzes and he asks if she has to take it, and she says no, it’s all good. He gets out a large needle and she says “Let’s do this” and she winces in pain.

Elsewhere, Rollins’ sister Kim, who is pushing a stroller in a “dollar slice joint”, leaves Rollins a voice mail message saying she is in trouble. She states she failed her drug test and if they revoke her parole and she has a son now and is sorry she didn’t tell her. As she buys more drugs she asks Rollins to call her back as she could use her advice on something. She thanks her and says she loves her and she hangs up. She approaches another woman and asks if she can watch her son while she goes into the bathroom and the woman hesitates but agrees. She heads down a stairway to the bathroom,

Back at the doctor’s office, he asks how she is with the pain and she replies she’s had two kids. He tells her not to be a hero and suggest painkillers, but she says there is a family history and she will stick with aspirin.

Meanwhile, Kim goes into the bathroom and takes her drugs,

At SVU, Kat and Fin speak with Benson about the vaping situation with Noah and Fin suggests she keep an eye out. Kat tells Benson not to worry about it.

Later, Rollins returns Kim’s call and leaves a voice mail. Back in the store, Kim’s baby is crying and the stranger Kim left him with is trying to tend to him. She explains the situation to a worker and he says that is not cool and he goes to check the bathroom. He sees water running outside the bathroom door and forces the door open. Kim is passed out and as he turns off the sink faucets, he calls for help as Rollins’ face shows up as an incoming call on Kim’s phone.



Later, Rollins is with Kim in the hospital as an officer un-cuffs her from the bed. Rollins explains Kim’s son Mason is with child services. They argue and Rollins says yelling at her will not do anything. They haven’t seen each other in 3 years and Rollins thought Kim got her bipolar under control and turned a corner. Kim says she was feeling good and quit her meds cold turkey but started partying a little and knew she shouldn’t be around Jesse. Rollins comments that Kim disappeared and Kim says at least she didn’t sell all her stuff this time. Rollins says they have that and asks where did she go. Kim says she moved in the with lawyer Rollins introduced her to – Lorenzo – but he is not Mason’s father. When Lorenzo found that out, it blew that up. She moved into a shelter and had the baby on her own. When Rollins comments that Kim got high on Fentanyl and heroin, Kim insists it is not like that. She had to take a drug test every two weeks and was clean her whole pregnancy but she had a cesarean and it got infected and they gave her something for the pain. Rollins counters that was two years ago but Kim says once you start those pills it is so hard to stop and she found another doctor who understood that but even then it was so expensive. Rollins comments the street drugs were cheaper but she is supposed to be drug free, Kim knows but they are going to send her back to prison but begs Rollins to help her with Mason. Rollins argues she doesn’t know what she can do but Kim begs for her to get a deal and suggests that she give up her doctor for a deal. She says once the doctor knew she was hooked he wouldn’t give her oxy unless she had sex with him. Rollins looks shocked.

Back at SVU in Benson’s office with Fin, Rollins has explained the situation of Kim’s OD and her kid and the doctor extorting Kim for sex. She doesn’t know whether to believe Kim and Fin says Kim is a junkie who is working her. But Benson asks if she can back up her story and Rollins says she didn’t get that far, she wanted to talk to Benson first. Kim is in the tombs waiting to be processed and goes before a judge tomorrow. Fin gives Benson a look and Benson says nothing.

In The Tombs visitor’s area at 125 White Street on Friday, February 21, Benson and Fin speak with Kim. Kim is surprised Rollins is not there but Benson tells her this is simpler. Fin thinks Kim is telling the story so she can get out and get high again, but she says she just needs to get her son back. Fin says they are not making any promises. She explains her doctor, Paul Capezio, is writing tons of illegal prescriptions all day long, $100 a pop. Benson says they can tell the DEA and have them look into it, but says Rollins says Kim didn’t pay. Kim says he accepted barter, which meant sex. The first time, Mason was 4 months and her OB-GYN said no more pills and someone at the shelter vouched for her with Capezio and she paid a few times before she couldn’t afford it and he gave her a few samples and said they next time she’d have to give him something for it. The next time she came in he said to take off her clothes and get warmed up and he took out a needle and gave himself a shot down there, which Benson says was an ED drug. Five minutes later he climbed on top of her right on the exam table. It was over quick and afterward he wrote her a prescription and said she could come in whenever. It happened a dozen times, maybe more, and she did try to kick it but she was living in a shelter and Mason was crying all the time. She was barely hanging on by a threat and couldn’t stomach doing it with Capezio anymore and turns out it was cheaper buying it on the street. Fin asks how did she pass the drug tests, and Kim explains where there is a will there is a way, until this last time. She suggests she go back to Capezio and catch him in t he act, and Benson says they are not going to ask her to do that. Kim says if they did arrest him it would help her with her situation. She asks if Barba is still the DA and Fin replies no, it is Carisi now. Kim smiles and says that is good news, he was always really nice to her.

As Benson and Fin leave, Fin comments once a junkie, always a junkie and thinks Rollins should just cut Kim off. Benson states that is what she did with her brother, saying if this guy is as bad as Kim says, they need to put him away.

Back at SVU, Benson walks in with Carisi and asks if there is an update on Capezio. Kat says he is an orthopedist who lost his hospital affiliation when St. Vincent’s closed. Rollins adds he lost his private practice a few years after that and now he sublets and exam room in a medical suite in the West 30s and keeps odd hours. Carisi asks about his prescriptions, and Kat explains they are still putting that together, adding he was sanctioned a year ago. It is hard to find how many patients he’s got as he doesn’t file electronically. Fin asks how does he pull that off, and Rollins explains he has an eyesight and age exemption. Carisi asks if Kim’s story seems credible, and Benson says down to the ED injection he gives himself while Kim was taking her clothes off. Benson explains Kim volunteered to go undercover and Carisi says that is not happening. Kat suggests she go and asks if Kim can vouch for her. Rollins says it is easier that she herself goes, she is her sister and Capezio will trust her as she has a knee the size of a grapefruit and will bring the x-rays with her. Fin chimes in that he doesn’t like this and Benson suggests Fin go with her – they need to get this doctor off the street. Rollins asks if she gets enough for an arrest, what does this mean for Kim and her son, and Benson asks if the judge will ROR Kim. Carisi says he can ask, but custody is a separate issue and asks Rollins if she is sure about all of this. She replies yes, Mason is her nephew and she can’t have him in social services. As Rollins walks out with Fin, Benson shoots a glance at Carisi.

In the office of Dr. Paul Capezio at 151 West 33rd Street, Suite 10W on Saturday, February 22, Fin and Rollins are in the waiting room and Fin asks which one is her bad knee. Rollins replies they don’t say “bad” knee anymore, it’s "involved". Rollins name is called and when she gets up, she looks back at Kat who is sitting near the door. Capezio enters the room and looks at the x-ray. Rollins mentions the Oxy and how the sex works and asks how many pills can she get. He says she is allowed a week’s supply at a time and if she has a different ID they get around that. He pulls a small vial out of a refrigerator and he tells her to take the prescription to small pharmacies and his assistant has a list. He gets a syringe ready and tells her to lie back on the table and pull up her skirt and he will be right with her. Meanwhile, Kat is watching via her phone and is surprised they are letting him go with the injection. Fin doesn’t want to see that so he moves away, and he and Kat move to the door. The assistant voices her objections. Inside the exam room, Rollins asks how much time does he need, and Capezio says soon, she will be glad she waited. Fin storms into the room with Kat right behind her and Kat tells Capezio to kneel down and put his hands up. The assistant apologizes to the doctor saying they are cops. Capezio asks what this is about, and Fin comments like he doesn’t know, ordering him to zip up, he is going downtown. They cuff him and take him away.

Later, Fin and Kat have Capezio in SVU interrogation with his lawyer who claims entrapment. Fin calls the doctor a pusher and Kat says it is rape, but Capezio claims it is bartering – dinners, a deal on dry cleaning, he helps people in pain. The lawyer calls the “victims” addicts and liars. Benson is observing with Carisi and Hadid, who asks that they caught this loser in the act. Carisi replies they videotaped him and Benson adds his assistant flipped on him, who showed them his appointment and accounting logs and ledgers. She adds there are at least 12 women who Capezio doesn’t take money from. Carisi adds they tack on criminal drug diversion and health care fraud, they have a solid case and they wouldn’t have had Km not come forward. Hadid states she will call her parole officer and if they get the right judge, Kim can get an ankle bracelet release pending trial. Benson comments Kim also has a 2-year-old child, and Hadid tersely comments it’s the one she abandoned when she got high, and, shaking her head, says she can’t lobby for custody. Benson understands, and says she will call the DEA and bring them in on this. As Capezio continues to argue in the interrogation room, Hadid tells Benson to wait, she’ll call the DEA, Capezio is a small times extortionist – and Benson says he belongs in prison. Hadid agrees but doesn’t think he is the only doctor that is doing this? Benson asks isn’t that up to the DEA and narcotics to pursue, and Hadid says the DEA and Narcotics don’t know how to run a sex crimes investigation and if they call them in, the DEA will go after the pills for pay, and these victims won’t get justice. She adds this is still their case and they have leverage here, now, and to see where this take them.

Benson walks into the interrogation room with Hadid and Fin and Kat exit. Hadid introduces herself as the sex crimes Bureau Chief and she says in addition to grand larceny and fraud and prescription drug diversion, he is looking at rape 3. Benson adds he is going to prison and a jury will be happy to see him die there. Hadid says it doesn’t have to go that route, and Capezio argues it was just sex and the whole business runs on that. Benson says let’s start there.

Back at Capezio’s office, Kat seems to be running the front desk as a woman saunters in and introduces herself as Tiffany Reynolds, sales rep from Harrington Pharma. Kat introduced herself as Kathy Montez, confirming she is temping for Rhonda. Tiffany says Capezio is right, it is a waste to put a body like Kat’s behind a desk. Kat says he is with a patient, and Tiffany doesn’t need that, she suggests taking Kat to lunch at a hot bistro nearby. Kat agrees..

At M. Malreaux’s Bistro at 923 6th Avenue on Sunday, February 23, Kat and Tiffany discuss how she got into the business. When Kat mentions her lack of degree, she said Mr. Harrington said Tiffany already had her PHD – poor, hungry, and desperate. She thinks Kat can come a long way and says there are a lot of lonely doctors and to use what god gave her – and thinks god gave Kat plenty. She says the happier you make the doctors, the more they prescribe. Kat asks that Tiffany gets paid to party, and Tiffany says, “bingo.” She mentions her Christmas bonus and asks her to come to a new drug roll out and see if it is for her.

Back with Hadid,  she comments to Benson, Fin, and Carisi that Kat has made contact with a sales rep from Harrington Pharma. Fin says Tiffany is a former adult film actress who is now making high six figures peddling oxy. Benson adds she told Kat that the happier she makes the doctors the more drugs they sell. Hadid says she went to college with Trey Harrington and thinks there is no way this is coming from the top down. She thinks most likely they are looking at a rogue sales division. Benson states, with all due respect, to find out what they are dealing with before the exonerate anyone. Hadid argues she isn’t exonerating, she is vouching for the family, not the company. She asks what is the next step, and Fin says there is a pre-sale event tomorrow, Carisi adding that the reps give the biggest customers a preview. Benson says Tiffany is taking Kat as a tryout. Hadid says if their sales team is crossing the line, they need to prove it. Benson asks Hadid if she is on board with this, and Hadid states she never said she wasn’t.

Elsewhere, Kim gets out of Rollins’ car wearing an ankle bracelet, She says it’s not that she doesn’t appreciate her getting her out but if she doesn’t get custody of her own son…Rollins explains Benson is trying to get family court to give Rollins temporary custody of Mason. Kim asks when she can see him, and Rollins explains they are trying to work that out too. Kim reacts with joy as she sees her father waiting on the street outside the apartment, who says he drove 13 hours. Rollins looks stunned as her father says they are working her to death. Rollins replies that no one is going to say the same of him and asks what he is doing there. Kim explains when Rollins didn't answer she called her father from the pizza place to help take care of Mason. He says he has his girls back and feels like a king with a royal flush. He hugs them – Rollins looking less than happy – and says he can’t wait to meet his grandbabies. Rollins says the condition of Kim’s release is that she can’t be around other addicts, and her father says he may have a beer every once in a once, but he has turned over a new leaf. He has to stay healthy for his new young fiancée. Kim seems happy and he says the third time is the charm. Rollins looks annoyed as he says they will love her. He says it is like meeting a third sister they didn’t know they had. Rollins looks disgusted asking if he hears himself. He asks if she is going to take him up and show him her fancy apartment, and she says that is not a good idea. Kim argues he just drive all the way from Georgia, but her father says it is alright, he gets it, he knows he made mistakes and burned some bridges but he hopes it is not too late to make it up to them and his grandchildren. Rollins glares at him and agrees to let him come up but he can’t stay.

In the apartment, their father reminisces. He wants to see his grandson but Rollins says he is with child services and they will go to go to court tomorrow and hopes he will be released into her custody. Kim presses for her father to stay and her father tries to convince her and Rollins relents and agrees to one night, on the couch. She adds her house, her rules. He looks into the refrigerator and moans when all he sees is milk and orange juice. Rollins says it is a sober house for Kim there it will stay that way. He slams the door shut.

At SVU while Benson pours coffee, Carisi arrives and says he did some digging; Hadid’s sister’s wedding reception was held in a villa owned by William Harrington II. Benson asks what is her connection to him, and Carisi explains she went to college with William III, he found the photos on Facebook. Trey and Hadid look chummy. Benson thinks Trey tipped them off and Carisi wonders who knows, figuring out where she stands he would rather do a Rubik’s cube blindfolded. He thinks if they make this case, Harrington Pharma is looking at criminal responsibility and hundreds of millions of dollars in fines. Benson comments that won’t go over well at the next college reunion so they better be sure. Kat walks in, dressed nicely, and says she is good to go. Benson says she can see that, but tells Kat that Hadid has a habit of second-guessing people she thinks are inexperienced. Carisi says he can vouch for that, so Benson says she will go with and that Carisi should tell Capezio to introduce her as a doctor, a former student of his. Carisi says, “You’re a doctor? Mazel tov!”

At New York County Family Court, 50 Lafayette Street on Monday, February 24, Fin is surprised to hear Rollins let her father stay with her, and when Rollins explains it was for one night, he drove all the way up, Fin counters he can drive all the way back. She states he wants to see his grandkids, and he asks when was the last time she saw him. Rollins says she doesn’t know, she lost count, saying a lot of that is on her. Fin says it is her father so he won’t tell her what to do, but to be careful, she has enough problems right now. He adds while she is dealing with this, they are spread pretty thin. Kim arrives and says he stomach is in a knot and is happy to see Fin. When Kim mentions getting custody, Fin corrects that is it not HER that is getting custody. Rollins says Kim knows that, Fin hopes she also knows that Kim is very lucky her sister is NYPD and that carries a lot of weight. He adds one more mistake and she and her son, they are out of chances.

At the Pharma gathering,  William "Trey" Harrington III is on a video welcoming everyone to the group. Benson enters and sits down at one of the tables. She opens a gift bag with some of the meds inside – Ephaxion – as the video touts its benefits. A man sits down at the table and tells Benson they make you suffer through the speeches, and Benson replies there is no such thing as a free lunch. Kat arrives with Tiffany and the man introduces himself as Dr. Gold from ortho. Benson says she is Dr. Benton, Pain Management. Tiffany sits down at the same table with Kat, introducing Kat as her new associate. Benson also introduces herself. Rick Rudolph speaks and tells the group that the pharma reps have joined each table and are happy to answer questions. He adds the hospitality suites are upstairs and he invites them to enjoy while they learn about this exciting new product. Dr. Gold grabs Kat’s leg and comments that’s really an exciting new product. Kat laughs it off and he asks if he can get her a real drink. Tiffany says they will take two tequilas straight up. He moves to get them, leering at Kat. Tiffany leans over and says to Kat that Gold wants to go upstairs. Kat says okay, and gets up from the table while Benson looks on with caution. As Tiffany moves away with Kat, Rick Rudolph sits down next to Benson and Benson asks that the prescribed dosage is one pill every 24 hours, and Rick explains it is easier for the patients, they don’t have to keep track of taking a pill four or five times a day. He says there will be a lot more information at their conference next month and asks to send her an invitation. Benson counters she is pretty busy, asking that he just send her the clinical trial reports – but he says it is in St. John, all expenses paid. Benson smiles, then laughs.

Meanwhile, Kat comments to Tiffany she is not sure she knows enough about the Ephaxion to answer any questions. Tiffany explains they are not going upstairs to talk, and Kat states that what happens in the hospitality suite stays in the hospitality suite. Tiffany giggles, saying she knew she liked her. Gold comes up to them with the drinks and the move to head to the room, Kat glancing back toward Benson.

In Family Court Part 10 on Monday, February 24, Rollins asks for custody, explaining her situation, adding she has a good support system. The judge says if she releases the child into her custody, it is predicated on her apartment remain drug and alcohol free and her sister not be allowed unsupervised visitation. Rollins understands, saying it is her nephew and she promises to take good care of him.

Meanwhile, Kat and Tiffany get cozy and kiss, and Gold says he is so ready but asks for a minute. As he moves off, Tiffany discusses a three-way with Kat. Kat asks how will they know he will order from them, and Tiffany explains cameras, saying Gold is a good customer but in case he waivers they have insurance. As he walks in partially undressed, asking if they are ready to party, Tiffany asks if they double his pleasure will he double the order? He says he will text his office staff right now and while he does that to take each others’ blouses off. Kat starts to cooperate as Fin and another officer enter the room, saying they are NYPD and while Gold objects, Fin says he will take his statement downtown and to get dressed and if he keeps it quiet nobody needs to know. The officer arrests Tiffany and Kat plays along, asking for what. The officer says for solicitation and conspiracy to commit grand larceny for starters. Fin tells Kat to cover up as Tiffany is taken away.

Later, Rollins arrives in her apartment with her two kids, Kim, and Mason. They find their father coughing and choking with a bottle of booze and pills nearby. Rollins tells Kim to take the kids out of the room, Her father collapses and she calls 911 for a possible OD of drugs and alcohol.

Benson arrives at the hospital and asks Rollins how her father is doing. She explains not good; they gave him narcan and he is coming out of it. Kim says they can’t see him yet. Benson asks about the kids and Rollins explains she had her nanny come over but she doesn’t know how long this will be. Benson says she is off shift and she can pick them up and they can stay with her. Kim asks if they are going to get jammed up with this, and Rollins snaps back, asking Kim if she is kidding her. Rollins adds that their father had a prescription for the drugs but once the family court hears about this they will take Mason back. Kim asks about her parole, and Rollins looks to Benson and raises her hands in frustration and turns away. Kim wonders if that will mess that up too, and Benson tells Kim to take it one day at a time.

Back at SVU, Fin brings Carisi into the cell to speak with Tiffany who will be arraigning her for grand larceny and prostitution, Carisi comments if she wants to get out from under to tell them who at Harrington gives the orders. Tiffany asks if she need a lawyer, and Fin says that is her right, but they will just tell her to cooperate with them. Tiffany states they are asking her to give up her bosses and they pay her really well. Fin comments that is fine but the other girl they arrested is talking to them now. Tiffany counters that Kathy just started and doesn’t know anything about how this works. Carisi says Tiffany does.

Hadid is in Benson’s office and comments they kept the arrest low key. Benson replies they are sitting on the doctor. Tiffany claims the policy of sex for drugs came from higher up in Harrington, and Hadid asks did she say from whom? Carisi replies not explicitly but she said the higher up they got the less explicit it was; the big boys insulate themselves. Hadid scoffs at the “big boys”, adding she doubts Tiffany is privy to the board room’s inner workings. Benson says she agrees but Tiffany did give them tickets to a benefit Harrington is hosting tomorrow night. Hadid comments if it is Trey, it is for bi-lingual education in public schools, adding they are a very charitable family. Benson states good for them, but Harrington’s entire team will be there and Tiffany said she will introduce her to complicit sales executives including her supervisor who is already offered Benson a trip to St. John. Hadid blandly says okay and says that is an opening. She moves to leave the room and Carisi comments this is a culture of corruption and either Trey Harrington has no idea how his business is being run or if he’s in on this. Hadid explains this is not the man she knows, but they need to pursue this wherever it goes. She asks they keep her in the loop. Benson agrees. After Hadid exits, Carisi comments it’s a good thing Hadid has their backs on this, and Benson says always.

Back at the hospital, Rollins gets off the phone and tells Kim her nanny’s cousin is coming over and will take the next shift. Rollins asks Kim what happens next and how this will work as she has no idea. Kim comments it is like Benson said – one day at a time. She cries that their dad will wake up and they will hug him and be thankful he didn’t die. Rollins states “this time” and Kim counters he did drive all the way from Georgia when she called. Rollins explains Kim is his daughter, that’s what parents do. Kim states she knows it is hard to forgive him, but says she learned in group in prison that most inmates come from toxic parents, but if you are going to heal, you have to love something about where you came from. A nurse tells them they can see their father, and they walk in to the room and he is awake. He is happy to see his beautiful girls and says he is fine, he shouldn’t have had that meatball sub. Rollins smiles reluctantly.

At the Beyond Words Benefit For Bilingual Immersion at Harrington Hall at 2 Leonard Street on Tuesday February 25, Tiffany brings Benson to meet Rick Drummond. He says Benson looks fantastic and Benson comments so does he. Meanwhile, Kat is nearby, talking up a few guys. Rick asks Benson if she thought about the retreat at St. John, and Benson explains she’s not interested in retreats or having her doctors get laid. He says, “Excuse me?” and Benson tells him she has financing to open 10 pain management clinics in the tri-state and the volume she is talking about is significant. She says they both know these drugs are interchangeable and if he wants her business she will need a little more than Mai Tais and pharma whores. She gives him wide smile. Rick says that can be arranged, asking what are they talking about - stock options, bonuses? Benson comments he is a good listener, and Rick states when he likes what he is hearing. He adds he will have to run it up the ladder, and asks how high, and if she can meet Mr. Harrington. Rick comments he barely knows the guy. Benson points behind Rick and asks isn’t that him? Rick turns to see Trey Harrington walk into the room. Benson walks toward him and sees Hadid is already there and he embraces her. Benson stops in her tracks. Hadid tells Trey there is something he needs to know. She points Kat out and says she is undercover NYPD and she points to Benson and says so is she. Benson looks stunned as does Kat. Hadid tells Trey they need to talk, and they walk off.

Kat walks over to Benson and asks Benson if Hadid told her she was coming. Benson admits she did not. Kat thinks Hadid is giving them up, and Benson gets on her phone to call Carisi.

Hadid and Trey walk into another room and he asks what is happening. She explains SVU caught a doctor with his pants down with a UC and one of his sales reps in a suite. Trey asks if they think that is their policy, saying that is ridiculous. Hadid comments not according to the sales rep, and Trey counters they arrested her and she was looking to deal. He says Hadid should have called him, and she explains she assured them there is no way t his is coming from his office but she is a former adult film actress with no experience in pharmaceuticals, mentioning the optics. Trey states it is a business, if the sales rep wants to trade favors, how can the company police that? He asks how bad is it, and she explains she kept them from taking it to the DEA. He thanks her, saying there are already up in their grill, mentioning all the outrage and scape-goating. Hadid says the drug are addictive, to which he says of course they are addictive, to the addict. Hadid says she is talking to him as a friend now, and he asks if she is talking to him as a friend and a consigliere? She counters she is with the DA’s office and he says for now but he will be looking for a new house counsel and until he can lure her there, can she keep tabs on this case. She asks what is his worst fear here, and how much exposure does he have? He states did they downplay the addictive qualities of these drugs and push them harder than they should have, adding it is a corporation and they were trying to get as large a market share they could. If someone is looking to take them down…she asks what can she do for him now.

In the DA’s office, Hadid plays back a recording of the conversation with Trey to Benson and Carisi where Trey promises Hadid a bright future for her professionally and politically and personally. He adds he always felt they ended things prematurely. She says his father would not let a Hadid marry a Harrington. Hadid shuts the laptop and says there is enough for now. Carisi comments she makes a good undercover, and she states she leveraged a personal relationship and is not proud of that. Benson asks why wouldn’t she give them a heads up, and Hadid explains she had to hear for herself and if this didn’t pan out, they never would have known. She wishes she was happier about this.

At New York County Supreme Court at 60 Centre Street on Wednesday, February 26, Carisi tells Hadid he is prepped and ready, asking if she is good with him handling the arraignment, and she replies she has to be, she is a witness in this case and she can’t prosecute. Trey arrives amid a flurry of camera flashes and glares at Hadid and says she just blew up her future. He adds if she did this to set up a run for higher office, forget it – it’s the price for betrayal. She tells him to focus on his arraignment. Before he walks off, he says she broke his heart. She looks upset as he walks off. Carisi asks if Trey said anything useful, and Hadid replies it was nothing anyone else needs to hear. Carisi nods and head into the courtroom.

Rollins and Kim arrive at the hospital, with Kim carrying a balloon bouquet. Kim comments that she thinks this was a wake-up call to their dad, he really heard it. Rollins asks does she? Kim wonders that Rollins will really kick him out, and Rollins explains their father can’t stay in her house with her kids. They get inside the hospital room and the bed is empty. Kim worries that he is dead but the nurse says no, he pulled the IV out of his arm and walked out. She found a note by his bed, and hands it to Kim. Rollins takes it and reads, “Sorry I didn’t say goodbye. They tried to talk me into some tests, taking better care of myself. I love you both, but you know how the song goes. Papa was a rolling stone.” Kim looks dejected and Rollins throws the letter onto the bed, and walks off, with Kim right behind.

At The Tombs at 125 White Street on Wednesday, February 26, Rollins is leaving the jail area and Benson asks how did it go. Rollins says Kim was maybe the most clear-headed that she’s even seen her.  Kim wants them to send her upstate as soon as they can. Benson comments she doesn’t get it; Hadid could have kept her out of prison at least through Harrington’s trial. Rollins states her dad’s OD scared the hell out of Kim and she told her the only way she’d get clean is to go back to prison. Benson said that’s a lot, asking what about her son? Rollins says her mom is moving here, she rented a place in Rockland and she will take Mason. Benson comments then she’s back in her life too. Rollins tells her she came all the way to New York partially to get away from them but it turns out no matter how fast you run, you can’t outrun your family. As they walk out, 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:
Zuleikha Robinson - Bureau Chief Vanessa Hadid
Josh Hamilton – William “Trey” Harrington III
Lindsay Pulsipher - Kim Rollins
Kecia Lewis – Judge Constance Copeland
Stephanie Flanagan - Tiffany Reynolds
Scott Drummond - Rick Rudolph
Lou Martini Jr. – Counselor Ron Freddo
Frank Ridley - Dr. Brian Gold
James Morrison – Jim Rollins
Mark Linn-Baker – Dr. Paul Capezio
Alex Ross – Dr. Eric Faber
Damien Jimenez – Carl
Aaron Ballard – Tourist Mom
Ryan Buggle - Noah Porter Benson
Lauren Biazzo – Dr. Martin Cruz
Barbara Lee Govan – Rhonda Kane
Kerry Warren – Nurse
Charlotte Cabell – Jesse Murphy Rollins
Vivian Cabell - Jesse Murphy Rollins



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