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Friday, February 21, 2020
Law & Order SVU “Swimming With The Sharks” Recap & Review
“Swimming With The Sharks” was an average episode that felt more like an episode of Law & Order Criminal Intent. It involves a self-absorbed CEO, Luna Prasada, who is a sexual harassment lawsuit waiting to happen. Members of her organization conspire to bring her down and embezzle funds from her company along the way. Because Luna seems to have a problem holding her intoxicants, part of the plan seems to work as she’s unable to get a rape accusation against her CFO to stick and she begins to think she really did some of the things for which she’s been accused. The CFO and his colleagues easily gaslight her and manage to pin their embezzling on her. Again I find myself wondering why the SVU spent so much time working to help Luna defend herself, especially after the allegations of embezzlement came forward. Luna’s message of empowerment was laughable, as she preys on rich women whom she hopes will be foolish enough to pay $6400 for a vibrator (the “Vi-Brildo”) and also uses empowerment as an excuse to behave inappropriately in front of a male subordinate. On the plus side, Radha Mitchell was quite believable when Luna became unhinged in court and while in Rikers. Oddly, I felt no sympathy for Luna. She didn’t deserve to be assaulted, but it’s hard to feel sorry for a toxic boss when she gets her comeuppance - even falsely - in an embezzling scheme. Too bad the employees took her down illegally; there may have been enough for Bobby to sue her for sexual harassment. A man as a victim may have been a more compelling story.
It was a surprise that Bureau Chief Hadid came up with a game plan to ensnare the conspirators – a surprise as usually Benson comes up with these gems. But Benson gets to impart her wealth of knowledge early in the episode as she speaks to a group of woman with Luna. Benson also makes an attempt at deep wisdom at the end of the episode when she comments to Luna that when your house burns down, you get a clear view of the sky. Luna asks if she can steal that, but I think it was already stolen from Japanese poet Mizuta Masahide (“Since my house burned down - I now own a better view - of the rising moon”). For this episode, the saying should have been something like this: when your house burns down, you rebuild.
The episode also features SVU and Criminal Intent “repeat offender” Samantha Mathis, a dead giveaway that she was going to be trouble.
Ice-T did not appear in this episode.
Here is the recap:
Rollins and Kat are shopping at a woman’s store named We-B-Well, whose message is empowering woman through wellness, and Kat thinks it is a positive message. Rollins picks up a “Vi-Brildo” for $6400 and thinks the message she is getting is money – lots of it. Meanwhile, Luna Prasada speaks to a crowd of women, saying “why not sex” and at We-B-Well, they believe in wellness for the whole self - “Be well, be hot, be happy!” She adds that women need to know it is okay to love their bodies, especially the parts “they” tell women not to talk about. The crowd cheers.
As Benson waits nearby in another area, assistant Sequoia asks Benson if she wants herbal or detox tea, and Benson replies she is good to go. Sequoia explains Luna is sorry she couldn’t welcome her in person and can’t wait to meet her. Luna walks in and sees Benson and greets her as Captain, then saying Olivia, asking if she can call her that. Luna introduces herself as Luna Prasada, “She-E-O” of We-B-Well. She hugs Benson and says she is so impressed by her. Benson thanks her for having her. Another woman introduces herself as Melanie, the COO, as Luna quickly whisks Benson away from her. Luna thanks Benson for coming, adding she must be so busy since MeToo. Benson states she is, but any time she can raise awareness she is happy for the chance. Luna comments that “us girls” run the world and in their spare time they try to fix it too.
Benson is on a stage with Luna who is talking about what happens when women are attacked – saying women don’t think linear and revert to their lizard brain. Benson explains the frontal lobe shouts down and our bodies react. Luna cuts her off and says the body reacts, so when lawyer or senators ask why we don’t remember all the specifics…Benson cuts her off and says it’s because the trauma is processed in a sensory way by sounds and smells, not who, what when. She adds revisiting trauma is not easy and survival takes strength. Luna breathes out and says survival takes strength, asking if Benson minds that she steals that. She laughs and the crowd cheers and applauds. Benson quietly says thank you.
Later, Sequoia leads Bobby into a room to see Luna, telling him to enjoy his face time. Luna is in a robe and drinking. She has a question for him, taking off her robe, just wearing a slip. Holding up two dresses, she asks him which dress she should wear. Irritated, he has the IPO going public is not business as usual. She calls him sweetie and says they just had a fantastic 3 days and tells him to enjoy the moment. She pours two drinks and says they have edibles and drinkables and suggests they just live a little. When he explains he has been going through the books, she explains he does number and she does ideas. She puts her finger to his lips as if she wants him to be quiet, and says they are brilliant ideas. He comments “good for you” but states she is CEO and she will be signing statements and he wants her to know what is in them. She says okay but suggests first they drink and then he can show her his “little power point.”
As Benson, Rollins, and Kat walk out of the store, Kat comments to Benson that the audience really appreciated her, and Benson says they were there for Luna. Rollins comments so was Luna, asking why invite Benson on the panel if she is going to cut her off every five seconds? Kat adds she is high energy. Benson’s phone buzzes and Rollins makes note that Kat bought something. Kat explains her sister’s birthday is coming up. Benson looks at her phone and says it is a text from Luna’s assistant who says it is urgent. Rollins urges Benson whatever Luna is asking, just say no. Benson gives Rollins a look and, ask she walks back in the building, says she will see them later.
Benson enters the room where Luna has been with Bobby, and Sequoia explains that Luna didn’t want to bother her but…Benson sees Luna who looks dejected and she tells Benson she was raped. Luna asks why would he do this to her?
Later, at the hospital, Benson tends to Luna. Benson asks that Luna said Bobby came up to her room, and Luna explains he is the CEO. She keeps putting him off as he always has bad news, calling him “bum me out Bobby.” She offered him a drink to relax him a bit and admits she was ahead of him on that front. They never got to the financials. He took a shot of tequila and pushed her down onto the bed – she wanted to push him off. She just froze, there was just, like Benson said, she just wanted to survive. Benson questions if their relationship has changed recently and Luna explains it has become more tense. She adds they were about to announce their IPO and Luna then says she can’t do this – she worries what will happen to that if this comes out. She started to get dressed, saying she will not press charges. Benson advises her if she changes her mind they have the rape kit done, and Luna says Benson doesn’t realize this but her whole brand depends on women wanting to be her. Rape does not fit into that picture.
At SVU, Benson walks out of her office with Carisi and she explains Bobby Frost is a Stanford frat boy, spent a decade in Silicon Valley before becoming the CFO of Luna’s company. Carisi asks if he has a criminal record, and Rollins explains he has college DUIs and divorced with mutual DV allegations. Kat adds cameras saw him entering Luna’s suite at 8:30 PM and exiting 34 minutes later. Benson asks about the results from the rape kit and exam, and Rollins informs them that the tox screen showed high levels of alcohol, marijuana, and adderall, Benson adding that Luna told her about this. Kay states there was presence of trauma and semen not inconsistent with assault. Carisi counters it is not inconsistent with rough sex if he gets a good defense attorney. Benson says with sarcasm “thank you counselor” and Carisi asks how cooperative is Luna. Benson explains Luna said they can start the investigation but she is afraid how it will affect her company’s IPO. Carisi asks about outcry witnesses, and Benson explains Luna’s assistant Sequoia texted her right after it happened. Carisi tells them to take her statement and see if they can catch Bobby off guard.
At We-B-Well headquarters at pier 85, suite 325 on Sunday, February 16, Benson and Rollins speak with Bobby who explains one thing led to another, adding they’ve seen her, it’s hard to say no. He says the sex was consensual. He asks if she is accusing him of something, and when Rollins suggest he tell them what happened, he explains right after they finished, Sequoia walked in and freaked out. He thinks that is what this is about, stating Sequoia and Luna are involved so Luna couldn’t admit she was cheating on her, saying she is making this up. He adds that he and Luna used to be involved but he broke it off as sex is against their HR policy. He adds a few months later, Luna is a proud pansexual and she’s got a hot new 25 year old assistant and bumps her up to CLO – Chief Listening Officer. He asks if they’ve ever heard of that.
Meanwhile, Kat speaks with Sequoia who explains what she saw and that Luna screamed for help and ran out. Kat explains Bobby said Sequoia and Luna were lovers, and Sequoia asks if he told them he is furious about it and he claims it is an HR issue, but it is his toxic ego. He hates that Sequoia makes her happy when he couldn’t.
At the loft of Luna Prasada at 51 Debrosses Street on Sunday, February 16, Benson and Rollins speak with Luna about what happened, bringing up Sequoia. Luna said she was trying to protect her. Benson explains Bobby is admitting what he can’t deny and denying what he can’t admit. Luna says he thinks he can get away with it because she won’t jeopardize her company. Benson explains there are always reasons for women to stay silent, but the good news is, the world is changing. There is no stigma on coming forward and it can be empowering and heroic. Luna points to Benson and says, “Survival takes strength.” Benson nods and says yes.
At Frankie and Johnny’s Steakhouse at 32 West 37th Street on Sunday, February 16, Bobby is dinning with Melanie and other man, and Benson arrives with Rollins and Benson explains they need him to come with them. He says whatever Luna said to them is a lie. Benson counters then he has nothing to worry about. He says there is something he didn’t tell her before; he found Luna has been robbing the company blind and he confronted her, that is why she is crying rape. Benson says they will still need to talk. He leaves with them.
In SVU interrogation with his lawyer, Bobby tells Rollins, along with Carisi, Luna is really Laurie Wisznewski from Hackensack. Rollins states that is not a crime but he thinks it is a tell. It didn’t bother him at first but she created her whole persona as a sales tool and it worked, His lawyer adds until Bobby started preparing the IPO prospectus. Carisi asks what they found out. Bobby explains first it was small things – travel and expenses were overly generous and spa visits marked as research. He dug deeper and the lawyer said Luna is embezzling on a major scale. Carisi asks that they didn’t report that to the DA or SEC, and Rollins adds or SVU when they first talked to him. The lawyer says his only crime is putting his concern for his company over his concern for himself. Bobby explains if word gets out, it torpedoes the IPO and thousands of jobs will be gone but Luna is forcing his hand. Rollins gives him one last chance to say what happened, and Bobby explains he showed her the spreadsheets and if she reimburses the company he can paper it over. She responded by seducing him and taking off her clothes and gets down on her knees. She pulled him into her bed and they were going at it when Sequoia walked in, Luna pushed him off her and cried rape. Carisi comments with some sarcasm that Bobby is the victim here, and he says thank you – adding it is him and the company too.
Later, Benson is with Luna who is upset and thinks Bobby is making stuff up. She says there is no evidence. Benson explains they are obligated to investigate his charge, and Luna thinks this is a good thing as she did not do this and they will see that and in the meantime they will arrest him. Benson explains not yet as the DA thinks if his defense is her claiming rape to cover embezzlement, they have to hold off. Luna is upset and says she has to fire him. Benson explains Luna can’t have any contact with him and she can’t do anything to strengthen his hand.
Rollins and Carisi speak with Vinay Gupta, the Chief Tech Officer, and Bobby told them he could shed some light on the IT expenses. She shows him an expense of $800,000 and he admits he signs off on a dozens of projects every month. Carisi asks if he got any feedback about the work that was done, and Vinay says he doesn’t recall receiving any complaints. Rollins explains he wouldn’t have as the vendor doesn’t exist, it is a shell company and the money disappears into a Caribbean LLC. He says he is not laundering money but Carisi asks who submitted the bill. He pauses and says it was Luna. She didn’t says specifically what the work was for. Carisi challenges him on signing a six-figure check without knowing what it was for, and Vinay replies Luna made it clear that was not his concern. She is starting a charitable foundation and she mentioned needing to money around for tax reasons and swore it was all legal. She’s the boss. She fired the tech officer before him because she didn’t like the color of his aura.
Carisi and Rollins speak with Melanie who comments in surprise that Vinay said they are diverting their tech funding to the foundation, sighing and adding there is no saying no to Luna. Rollins counters she is the Chief Operating Officer and it is her job to keep Luna in line. Melanie explains Luna is the majority shareholder of her own company, the board is all of her rich girlfriends, it’s Luna’s world and none of them would be there without her. Carisi asks if it is possible she was using the foundation as a personal account, and when Melanie asks how does he mean, Rollins adds Luna’s wire transfers to offshore LLCs. She explains there are payments to shell companies; 11 checks made out to cash, $9,000 each, deposited by Tisa Chee. Melanie explains Tisa worked in creative and she didn’t know these were for her but Luna did ask her to approve these payments. Rollins questions if Luna told her what they were for, and Melanie replies “consulting fees.” Carisi states they need to get in touch with Miss Chee.
At Fresh & Co. at 62 Chelsea Piers on Monday, February 17, Rollins and Kat speak with Tisa who explains she left We-B-Well a few months ago but says reluctantly she does consult. They bring up the amounts of the checks and Tisa says she signed an NDA and can’t talk about the company. Rollins mentions the NDA won’t protect her from serious charges and she continues to press her on the payments. Tisa explains they are to keep her quiet about Luna sexually assaulting her.
Later, Tisa is in the SVU interview room with Rollins and Kat and explains how Luna assaulted her. It was in a private cabin with just her. Luna offered her tequila and asked her to try the new Vi-Brildo. Benson and Carisi observes as Tisa said Luna wanted her to use it in front of her and she didn’t want to so Luna suggested a bondage tape. Once she was “pleasure restrained” Luna forced her down and used the device on her and inside her. Carisi turns off the audio and Benson shakes her head.
Later, Luna is in SVU interrogation with her lawyer, Dara Miglani, along with Benson and Rollins. They bring up Tisa and the bondage tape and the device and that she was forced. Luna, upset, denies this, saying she never stepped foot in the cabin and stayed in the main lodge en suite with Sequoia. Benson shows Luna an apology email that she wrote to Tisa, and Luna states she never wrote this or authorize the 11 payments or the NDA. She says she’s never seen this but Benson says that is not what Melanie said. Dara says they need to go over those documents. Benson agrees she does and looks questioningly at them.
At the Office of Bureau Chief Vanessa Hadid at 1 Hogan Place on Tuesday, February 18, Vinay speaks with Carisi and Hadid and they explain the problem. Hadid asks if he is aware of any criminal acts by his CEO, now is the time to reveal them. He says nothing. They later speak with Melanie about the offshore LLC and says she’d have to dig in a little. Hadid explains she spent 5 years in while collar crimes and sees offshore LLCs as a red flag, Carisi adding for embezzlement, drug money and money laundering, asking which is Melanie involved with? She says none of them, saying they tried to tell them it would look bad and she stopped listening to her. They have known each other a long time, saying her star rising and celebrity friends that Luna let it go to her head. Her mother used to say if you climb too fast you end up gasping for air.
Later, Benson and Rollins are at Luna’s apartment who is shocked they are arresting her. Rollins explains it is for embezzlement, money laundering, and sexual assault. Luna denies doing any of those things and says they are all lying and they need to help her. Benson says she is sorry, and as Rollins moves to cuff her, Benson tells Luna to call her lawyer and have her meet her in central booking.
In New York County Supreme Court at 60 Centre Street on Tuesday, February 18, a noisy, angry-looking crowd with many taking pictures call out to Luna as she arrives. In the courtroom, Luna says she didn’t do any of this, and Dara pleads not guilty for Luna. Carisi asks for remand, but her lawyer says Luna wants to fight these ridiculous charges. The judge says the court takes sexual assault charges seriously and Luna’s lawyer says so does Luna. The judge denies bail and remands Luna. Luna starts to verbalize that they can’t do this to her and says there has been a horrible mistake and fights back as the officers try to take her away. She says this is not justice it is insanity.
Later, at SVU in the break room watching the coverage of the We-B-Well “scandal” on the news, Kat turns off the TV and says “when they turn, they turn.” Rollins comments also known as the harder they fall. Benson enters and says the press and the public can’t get enough of her humiliation. Benson says she’s seen male serial predators get more respect than this. Kat mentions it’s a dramatic crash from a week ago, and Rollins says she doesn’t get it, why make a false rape accusation with so much to hide, it’s like she was asking to get caught. Benson replies she’s not sure that the accusation is false. She thinks none of this makes sense. Kat turns the sound back on the TV and she sees Melanie, along with Vinay and Bobby, making a statement that Luna has been removed as CEO and she will be taking over as acting CEO, saying it is business as usual. Bobby then makes a statement that Luna made unfounded allegations about him but he will fight tooth and nail to save the company she started. Benson’s phone rings and it is a message from Luna’s lawyer, Miglani – Luna wants to talk.
At Rikers Island Correctional Facility on Wednesday, February 19, Luna explains to Benson and Carisi about being attacked in jail, saying someone said she needs to know what it’s like to be raped by another woman. Benson says she is sorry but Luna says she is probably right, she must be guilty as there is no other explanation. Carisi asks if Luna wants to change her plea, and Dana says it is against her advice. Luna says she can’t go through the trial, she just wants it to be over. Benson asks if she is saying she did embezzle and assault Tisa, and Luna says she is saying she can’t remember. At first she thought they were setting her up and the emails and documents sounds like her. Carisi says she has to admit her guilt if pleading guilty, and Luna asks that she has to swear to crimes that she doesn’t remember or have any awareness of? She looks very stressed and asks if she has lost her mind. She says he has to be crazy, that’s the only thing that makes sense. She starts to laugh crazily. She then says as a woman she thought she has to be strong and she can get on top of things and take control because she is a woman and have always been about empowering women because we can overcome things. She shouts we are women, we are women. She cries and says she feels like she has been betrayed by her mind and is going insane. As her behavior becomes more erratic, Benson moves to her and says Luna needs to see a doctor. Carisi sits and watches as Luna continues to break down and officers take her away. Luna continues to laugh and scream as she walks off. Carisi asks if she is going for a psych defense, and Benson thinks Luna is just trying to figure out what is going on here. Benson explains Luna spent her entire career empowering women and now she just falls apart, thinking she either has a split personality of her employees are framing her and is having a breakdown because she is being gaslighted.
Back at SVU, Kat asks Benson how Luna is doing. Benson explains she is under observation in the psych ward. Kat thinks there may be something to Benson’s conspiracy theory. She explains Sequoia confirmed she and Luna spent every night at Lake George in a hotel suite, not a cabin, Benson noting that does not track with Tisa’s story. Kat adds she checked Tisa and Luna’s phone records and there were no texts or calls between them for that week but Kat did find multiple late night calls between Tisa and Vinay going back six months, Rollins enters as Benson wonders if they were having an affair and he gets her to make a false charge. Rollins says the email account is the same that Luna uses at work IP and the messages sound like her somewhat. But – there are phrases with a more aggressive, more male energy that in Luna’s idiolect. She notes a phrase that Bobby Frost uses a lot in his emails – red ocean. Rollins brings up those messages sent by Bobby and Kat thinks he sent the emails from Luna, asking if that is enough to get the charges dropped. Benson says all they have is an alternate theory, and Rollins suggests it is one Hadid is going to hate.
Benson brings the theory to Hadid and Carisi and Hadid thinks it is insanely elaborate. Benson thinks it is elaborate enough to drive someone insane. Hadid questions that is more likely than the scenario Luna IS crazy and guilty? Benson explains guilty people mitigate, deny, and blame others but they don’t blame themselves. They don’t think they are losing their minds. Carisi adds he doesn’t think Luna is faking this as she had a breakdown right in front of them. Hadid says she hears them but they are not dropping the charges against Luna, in fact, they are moving forward on the prosecution. Carisi is shocked, saying, “What?” and Hadid tells him to prep all four accusers for a grand jury. Carisi wonders why, so they can nail down their stories and get immunity? He comments with all due respect…Hadid says if they lie, she wants it on record. She adds right now they think they’ve gotten away with toppling Luna and if this is some sort of conspiracy, we don’t want them to know they are on to them. Benson nods and says, “Fair enough.” Benson says to start with Tisa, there is no way she is the mastermind.
In the grand jury room on Thursday, February 20, Hadid, with Carisi present, explains to Tisa, how the grand jury will work. Carisi says her testimony is vitally important, stating with white collar crimes juries tend to glaze over but with a rape, she has a chance to put Luna away for years. Tisa looks pleasantly surprised. Hadid adds Luna sexually assaulted her. Carisi begins to ask questions, and Tisa mentioned Luna met in the cabin. When Hadid and Carisi say there is a discrepancy with this, they add Luna never checked into a cabin. Carisi asks if she got that wrong and Tisa says no. He goes on and asks if Luna invited her from a cell, and when Tisa says yes, Carisi counters that they couldn’t find any record of her calling her. Tisa said Luna texted her and Hadid counters that they also checked her phone, and Carisi says the only texts or called that night were from Vinay. He adds those two talk a lot and Tisa says they were co-workers. Hadid asks if she calls other co-workers at 2 AM. She adds if Tisa tells this story to the grand jury, Tisa will be looking at 7 years for perjury. Carisi comments Tisa is at a crossroads here and he thinks she is a good person who maybe got talking into saying some things she knows are wrong. She cries and nods and says that is right, it was not her idea it was Vinay’s. He said it wouldn’t get to trial it was just that Luna was crazy and they needed to save the company.
Later, Benson, with Rollins, speaks with Luna and Dana about Tisa’s lie. Benson explains Tisa was having an affair with Vinay and he talked her into it and they had to force Luna out. Rollins says Vinay denies this, saying Tisa came to him and he believed her. Dana asks what is going on here, and Benson informs her they think Bobby, Vinay, and Melanie, conspired to frame her for the embezzlement and assault. Luna says that means she never wrote the emails, and Benson states they believe Bobby did. Rollins adds they assume Vinay broke into her accounts but they can’t approve it. Luna says her passwords are very difficult to hack, they are complicated. Rollins mentions the street Luna grew up on, and Luna says yes but her home phone number when she was a kid, it was unlisted – and she says a few friends new it, mentioning Pinky. She says it is Melanie’s nickname when they were kids, they used to go to summer camp together. Benson says Luna never mentioned that and Luna said it was a lifetime ago. She is not Laurie from Hackensack any more. Benson asks if it is possible she evolved but Melanie didn’t?
Later, Melanie, with her lawyer, are in SVU interrogation with Benson and Carisi. They bring up her long time friendship with Luna and Melanie says that doesn’t mean she hacked her accounts. She says they should talk to Vinay, and Benson says they did, along with Tisa, his girlfriend. Melanie acts surprised, saying Vinay is married. Carisi says maybe that is why Tisa gave him up as she didn’t want to go down for a fake rape accusation and they pressured her into it. Melanie denies this, and the lawyer asks what do they have on his client. Benson states Melanie is part of a conspiracy with Vinay and Bobby to frame Luna for embezzlement and rape her. Melanie claims no, that was never part of the plan. Carisi says she helped plan the rape and is just as guilty as the rapist. Her lawyer whispers in her ear and Melanie says Bobby told her that never happened, Luna was making it up. Benson says after Bobby saw the rape kit results, he told them that it was consensual sex. Melanie gets upset, saying Bobby never got over Luna dumping him. Benson asks that Melanie had nothing to do with that assault, and Melanie states no, she says it was to protect the company. They all knew at some point Luna was going to drive them over a cliff with an HR lawsuit or the FDA, she has no boundaries and it’s all about her, all of the time. The lawyer asks if Bobby and Vinay have cooperated yet, and Carisi shakes his head no. The lawyer comments then they get the cheese, to which Carisi adds, “the whole wheel.” Benson tells Melanie that Carisi has to cut her a deal but if it was up to her…she asks how could Melanie do that to another woman? Melanie calls her Laurie, then Luna, saying she spent her whole life doing that to other women. She explains that growing up, she didn’t have a lot and one Christmas her father got her a gold heart necklace. She wore it to summer camp then one day it disappeared and she was wrecked. She lied to her parents and said she didn’t like it anymore. The next summer, Laurie showed up wearing it. Melanie asks if it was hers and she denied it but then she said she could borrow it sometimes. Luna spent her whole life doing this, stealing what was Melanie’s and then acting gracious letting her have a little back. It is a crazy kind of gaslighting. Benson comments that Melanie gaslighted her right back, and Melanie states that We-B-Well was her idea and she made the business plan. Luna is gorgeous, charming, radiant, and she just wanted her to tell her she was sorry and give her necklace back. Carisi asks that We-B-Well was Melanie’s idea, asking whose idea was it to take the company away from Luna?
Later, Bobby is dining with a few other people as Rollins and Kat enter the restaurant. Bobby tells the others that Luna was the problem and removing her was the action and success is the result. He says it’s a calm blue ocean…Rollins calls out to him and says he is under arrest. Kat says it is for conspiracy, filing a false report, and rape. Kat moves to cuff him as he stands up and when he reaches into his pocket for his phone, Rollins orders him to get his hands behind his back. He says he is calling his lawyer, and Rollins tells him to keep his powder dry, he can call him on the way downtown. They take him away.
Later, Benson is at Luna’s and explains that Bobby took a plea and he will do at least 7 years and Vinay will do 5. Luna asks about Melanie, and Benson explains there was no case without her. Luna says she walks and asks if it was just about the money. Benson says for the men, yes, but for Melanie…Luna says she could have been a better friend and she’s been thinking about it. When Benson arrested her, she thought it was karma as she burned a lot of bridges in her time and now she burned her whole house down. Benson smiles and says you know what happens when your house burns down - you get a clear view of the sky. Luna nods, and asks if she minds if she steals that? Benson smiles and nods 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:
Radha Mitchell - Luna Prasada
Mouzam Makkar – Dara Miglani
Eshan Bay - Vinay Gupta
Ayumi Patterson - Sequoia Rees
Stark Sands - Bobby Frost
Zuleika Robinson - Bureau Chief Vanessa Hadid
Samantha Mathis - Melanie Franks
Kim Wuan – Tisa Chee
Jeffrey Schecter – Counselor Art Blumfeld
Paige Barr – Counselor Lisa Turner
Michael Tow – Counselor Josh Wang
Marissa Matrone – Judge Maria Ana Defeceo
Phoebe Mar – Female Fan
Meredith Swanson – Fan #1
Aaron Ronnie Almani – Paparazzo #1
Caitlin Sing – Paparazzo #2
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The end really bugged me. I was waiting for Benson to tell Luna "She wants her necklace back". Benson has been told that Luna is a thief, and then she says "Can I steal that?" and Benson just smiles? Come on.
ReplyDeleteMost ridiculous SVU episode since the Illegal Protected Animal Episode. SVY is supposed to be about sex crimes not Corporate Take overs. I want a refund in my time.
ReplyDeleteSorry meant Animals plural episode
ReplyDeleteI had no idea what to make of this episode. I thought they were going to make her out to be the perp, which would have been a twist considering she was accused of harassing both men and women under the guise of empowerment. Then she ended up being the victim which goes to show not every victim is sympathetic.
ReplyDeleteWould Benson really be allowed to take charge of a case where she and the victim/defendant had just been indulging in public mutual admiration? Would nobody think that if Luna was found guilty that left the NYPD looking like idiots? And yes, where was the financial crimes unit?
ReplyDelete👎👎👎👎👎episode was too confusing for me. However, Luna actress was great.
ReplyDelete@Gummboote - good point. It could appear to be a conflict of interest.
ReplyDeleteI agree with @Gummboote and that thought popped into my head too. Benson should have stepped back from the investigation once a claim of embezzlement was raised. It was too far out of SVU's area of responsibility anyway! This episode was a mess. It was obvious that Luna was sexually harassing Bobby and she was dismissive of Melanie. Reporting someone for sexual assault is tough I know but it is just as hard to lodge a complaint against a boss or coworker for sexual harassment or for creating a hostile work environment, which is what Luna was doing. No wonder those people turned on her but they should have sued her. So the writers do the obvious - (sarcasm) make the toxic boss the victim! I liked the actress that played Luna but as far as being a victim, I couldn't muster any sympathy for Luna.
ReplyDeleteBenson's "words of wisdom" at the end made no sense to me. She should have laced into Luna for the way she treated her employees but basically told her that because her business is ruined she can see the sky, like if everything will be magically better. Good luck with that. Terrible episode.
Did they get rid of technical advisers (Law Enforcement and Legal) on this Series years ago because it seems like SVU is grounded in Fantasy not Reality. You have the Prosecutor at times working with the perp to reduce their criminal consequences, SVU solving Financial Crime, etc. I realize this Series is Fictional but it can at least be based on some Foundation of Reality.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing - in the run-up to Season 21 the producers were saying that they didn't want this year's episodes to resemble any previous season's.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that!
The "subway groper" scene last week reminded me of the opening scene of "Contact" on Season 1.
This mashup of sex crimes and financial shenanigans made me think of Kate Burton's "Bully," only here the Gwyneth Paltrow wannabe doesn't kill herself or empower women with alternative usage suggestions for wine bottles.
I've been an SVU viewer since day one. I doub't I'll be tuning in for season 22 (if there is one), and that's assuming I make it all the way to the end of 21. The main issue I have is that they care more about pandering & political statements than telling a good story. This episode is a prime example. Luna is a despicable person. But, we're supposed to feel sorry for her. The message here is "It's perfectly acceptable for women in positions of power to treat their subordinates (especially men) like complete garbage." That is a TERRIBLE message.
ReplyDeleteThey didn't say it's ok. did you watch the end? But yes overall not a big fan of this one.
Delete'A man as victim...' is a compelling story, but already was, about 20 years ago in the Michael Douglas/Demi Moore film 'Disclosure.'
ReplyDeleteWas that the one with Diane Neal and the bachelorette party? Like I said, they're recycling parts of old plots
ReplyDelete- First off I want to say how much I respect and appreciate that Chris gives her honest feedback each time. Whether or not I always agree with the review I always appreciate the candour. It's the reason why I only read these reviews now The others that show up in my news feed seem to take a sycophant approach giving giddy praise no matter what
ReplyDelete- I decided I must be becoming dark to this show as I've not had anything good to say all season. I disliked this episode for all of the reasons already noted. Helpful to know others are seeing the same things
- Strongly I agree that the bait and switch to make Luna the victim felt unbelievable and I agree that they should have left her as the perp. They put more into convincing us of her guilt than her innocence. The innocence part needed to be fleshed out more to feel true
Minor point: what was the timeline of Luna leaving the event, returning to her room, getting comfy, meeting w Bobby, being assaulted & being found by her partner? Because Benson was just leaving the event when L called. How long did they linger there after Luna left?
The thing that bothered me most was that comment at the end. I hate sayings like that that romanticize suffering. The thing about a good metaphor is the literal version should make sense/add up and then the figurative version is easier to understand. In a literal sense would you say to someone who's home burnt down, "hey, at least you can see the stars?" If that won't comfort them how does that comfort someone in a figurative sense? To me, you are quite accurate to use the word "rebuild" It recognizes that there is a problem that needs to be resolved (home needs to be replaced) and it recognizes that this involves process (work to be put in) This episode talks of gaslighting. Prime example is someone is in crisis and you say "no, this is not a crisis, you can now see the stars." I do get their pt was to say a breakdown can lead to a breakthrough. I just passionately dislike (in general not just this show) when that is said in a way to make it sound bubbly and cute diminishing the grit required. Sry I know this was super long but like I said I hate bumper sticker talk especially when directed to people in crisis
- @JSlayer Great catch with the person accused of stealing, more than once saying "can I steal that?" A Freudian slip for sure. Her emergence as the victim really was not convincing
To @Unkown directly above - thank you for your kind words. That means a lot to me!
DeleteYour comment “ a breakdown can lead to a breakthrough” would have fit the episode ending far better than what Benson said - and it sounds a lot better too !
Terrible episode. SVU is really starting to get on my last nerve...if it continues along this path I'll be tuning out completely.
ReplyDeleteIt seems SVU has become a show about how horrible men are and how enlightened and preyed upon women are. Black. White. Good night.
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly was the message here? That a woman can be a vile despicable person, but because she's a woman, she MUST be the sympathetic victim. Gimme a break. All Men bad, all women good (even if they're bad).
ReplyDeleteI forget to mention how much the ending bothered me. Bobby gets charged with multiple crimes, including rape. Yet, the opening scene of the episode clearly shows Luna seducing Bobby, just as he said. So, here we have an episode where a male character gets falsely metoo'd, and that's never brought up or questioned because he's a man, and all men are guilty. What kind of message does that send.
ReplyDeleteHello Reviewers in my opinion you all completely missed the main point:
ReplyDeletethat is the Gaslighting bit, making the CEO doubt her reality, and her subsequent 2 minute excessive but needed insanity rant, derived from Gaslighting's super bad but very real, effects; see Paula aka Ingrid Bergman in 1943 Gaslighte;
N Lahey