Law & Order SVU “Garland’s Baptism By Fire” Recap & Review

Despite “Garland’s Baptism By Fire” being predictable, this was a decent episode and a nice feature for Demore Barnes, bringing some much needed personality to the normally stiff and cold Deputy Chief Garland. It was obvious from the start that the holier-than-thou reverend was going to be the pervert of the week, so the only thing that saved the episode for me was some great acting on the part of Demore Barnes and the rest of the guest cast. At the end of the episode,   the pain on Garland’s face and that single tear felt like it came from real emotion.

Garland’s wife seemed to be doing some matchmaking with Benson and Edgar, a dinner guest who is also a lawyer. He seemed very taken with Benson and I can’t tell if Benson’s reaction was one of simply being flattered or if there was really a spark there. But never mind, Edgar and Benson wind up on opposite sides of the case and any spark that may have been there was quickly – and conveniently - extinguished.

Again I’m not doing much of a review this week. I just can’t get in the mood to dissect an episode when there are so many people sick and dying from COVID-19, people are out of work and struggling, and many are being asked to stay home and isolate to protect themselves and others.  There are bigger things to worry about, and these are unsettling times for sure.  Stay well everyone!

Here is the recap:

Benson is at a party at Deputy Chief Christian Garland’s home and she speaks with him and his daughter. Benson compliments his family and when his wife Lamai approaches, she introduces Benson to her partner at her old firm, Edgar,  in what seems like a matchmaking attempt. He says she is as stunning as Lamai said she was. Benson smiles.

Meanwhile, Carisi and Rollins arrive at “Special Frauds” and when Carisi asks if everything is okay, Rollins replies she spent the weekend with her mother and Carisi comments so that is a no. He asks other than that, and she comments that at the end of the shift, she’s sent to Special Frauds “where sticky-fingered church bookkeeper may want to flip” and asks with sarcasm if life gets any better than that. Carisi replies “So that’s another no.” Inside an interrogation room, they speak with Sherry Blake who is there with her lawyer. She embezzled money from her church and is looking to exchange for information on a sexual predator. She explains he is a church official and he’s had sex with teenagers in the congregation and uses church funds to pay them off. She says the church official is a close personal friend of Rollins’ boss.

Back at the Barnes house as they sit down for dinner, Reverend Chase leads in a prayer. The doorbell rings mid-prayer and Garland goes to answer it and finds Carisi and Rollins. Rollins said she tried calling but Garland explains it is a “no cell phone” dinner. They enter and Benson asks what is going on. Carisi explains they got a credible tip about a serial sexual predator and Garland says it could wait until morning. Rollins adds the informant claims it is someone Garland knows and wants assurances he will let the investigation proceed. He says of course he will, asking who is it? Rollins states it is Reverend Delman Chase. They all turn to look at him at the dining room table and he smiles back. Garland’s face gets somber.

At SVU, Fin recaps that Garland’s minister is doing teenage girls at his church, and Benson chides him, saying they don’t know that. He asks why the accountant would make it up, and Benson explains she is facing serious fraud charges, and Garland doesn’t believe it. Fin asks if Garland is going to shut them down, and Benson replies that is not his way – or his call. With Rollins, Kat plays a video of a lively church service with dancing and singing. Benson says it is praise dancing at Harlem Height Baptist. Rollins says Reverend Chase is a big supporter of the church’s all-girl dance troupe who performs all over the country and has won awards. They see Chase and his wife and co-pastor, Laura. Rollins explains they’ve been at Harlem Heights 20 years and their sermons are nationally broadcast. Fin comments they are for-profit, and Rollins confirms they have two mansions, a church-leased private plane, but they also run a charity with a local non-profit. Kat adds he started a charter school for underprivileged girls and the church finds a dorm for at-risk youth. Benson comments that could be a hunting ground. Rollins states that Chase told his bookkeeper that the checks paid out were for families in need for the girl’s college fund – and Fin thinks this is hush money. Kat comments there are over 50 checks over the last 7 years in all varying amounts, almost all $15K or under. Garland enters and apologizes for interrupting but motioning for Benson.

They step into her office and he thanks her for coming. She says it was a wonderful evening, and he says until wasn’t. It crossed his mind to talk to Chase for a heads up but his wife had the legal sense to convince him not to. He tells Benson she is in control of the investigation and he will recuse, telling her to report to the Chief of Ds. She says because Chase and the community trusts him, she may need his help. He nods and says okay, and then says Laura Chase pulled him aside last night, worried about the embezzlement, thinking it is an opening.

At Harlem Heights Baptist Church at 1424 Amsterdam Avenue on Monday, March 9, Benson, with Carisi, explains to Laura that Garland asks them to look into this on behalf of Special Frauds. She was sickened when she heard about Sherry Blake stealing from collections. Carisi clarifies they flagged some checks that may or may not be legitimate and asks if she can take a look. Laura agrees. In her office, they discuss some of the checks and one for a young girl got $10,000 which Laura says they sometimes helps young girls with family need. She sees one for Destiny Hall, and then three for Renee Lee, one for $75,000, and Laura is shocked. She then sees a few more for Sade Ferguson, the Praiseraise Fund for Sade Lee, all totaling almost a quarter of a million dollars. She explains Renee is a student and Sade is her mother and they were struggling but no way the church would have paid this out. She thinks her husband will be beside himself.

Meanwhile, Fin and Kat speak with Breyona Taylor who confirms her check and she told the reverend she wanted to go to school and be a pediatrician and he said he would help. They put it in an account. He just wanted her to keep working toward her dream and give glory to god.



Fin and Kat speak with Destiny who said the reverend called the check a down payment on his future and it meant to keep her mouth shut about him being nasty. He gave her a loan, asked if she had bad thoughts, and asked her to tell him about her temptations, but she shut him down and took his check. The money is long gone. When Kat asks if she ever told anyone, Destiny says everyone at that church thinks he’s god.

At Harlem Heights Baptist Church, Praise Dance Studio at 1424 Amsterdam Avenue on Monday, March 9, Rollins and Kat speak with Michelle about the account and ask about Renee Lee. They speak with Renee about the $250,00 and she said her mom broke her back. Rollins asks if the reverend asked for anything in return, and Renee questions they think he’s a “creeper” saying he is not. She walks off to rehearse. Rollins thinks something happened here and it wasn’t spiritual, and Kat comments who is going to tell Chief Garland?

At City Hall Park, Broadway and Chambers Street on Monday, March 9, Garland speaks with Reverend Chase about the embezzlement while they play chess. Chase thinks they are making salacious implications and concocting conspiracies and worries people will think there is fire underneath with that smoke. He wants to know what his people are hearing, and asks Garland to promise him he won’t be a corbie-messenger. Garland chuckles and says “understood.” Chase says he is always her for him. He resigns the chess game, saying if he taught him anything, it is how to protect his king. After Chase walks off, Benson approaches Garland who says Chase protested far too much and he asked for his word that he has his back. Benson shakes her head and comments she is so sorry, and Garland adds so is he. He has a sick feeling the lord had nothing to do with why he wrote those checks.

Later, Benson and Fin speak with Chase, who says he is happy to help. Benson explains his wife thought the checks were fraudulent. He looks at the check copies and says the other ones she caught were but on these, Laura was mistaken. Fin asks that the quarter of a million is legit, and Chase says he doesn’t recall the exact amount, but Renee’s needs were great. He explains her mother suffered a serious back injury and she couldn’t pay her mortgage or heat and Renee would have had to drop out of school and they would lose their home and work, and her home was a troubled environment. The church saved her with the lord’s help. Benson questions if the church’s hierarchy approved the checks, and Chase states the payments are at his discretion with the lord’s guidance. Fin asks with sarcasm that the lord asked him to make three separate payments, including the check made out to Renee. He states separating the payments was Sister Sherry’s idea, and she doesn’t recall this last one, and would suggest to ask her, although you can’t believe a word she says. He stands up and says to excuse him, he has a sermon to prepare. Benson asks if it is about yielding to temptation, Chase says no, about forgiveness. Benson takes the check copies back and she and Fin leave.

Afterward, while walking down the street, Benson speaks with Garland and explains giving away money is legal.  Chase claims not to recall one payment to Renee, and Renee insists Chase gave her and her mother all three checks, no strings attached. Benson explains Sade lives up in Syracuse and she sent Fin and Kat up there. Garland comments “good” and to tell them they can threaten her with fraud if she doesn’t tell the truth, he’s not in a forgiving mood.

At the residence of Sade Ferguson at 539 Shonnard Street in Syracuse, New York on Tuesday, March 10, Sade says her money is legit, she hurt herself. Kat says they heard she had a fall, and she explains she had a table full of Karens riding her and cleared too fast and she slipped. She would have lost her home if Chase hadn’t sent that check. Fin asks about the PraiseRaise fund, and Sade explains that was for her medical, Renee said to keep praying and trust in god…but Kat interrupts and asks that all the money came from the reverend’s church. Sade said he always looked out for her, she was a wild child and she was ready to put her out of the house. But her sister saw what the reverend said on TV so Renee sent in her audition tape and right away he sent a ticket for her to come to New York, calling it a miracle. Kat says “Praise Jesus” with veiled sarcasm and Sade, smiling, says Amen. She admits she’s never met the reverend, she’s only spoke with was the dorm mom girl. Michelle, who told her everyone loves Renee.

Benson and Rollins speak with Michelle who is shocked at the $250,000 amount, saying all he’s done for her and this is how she repays him. She explains he would never have given her all that money, she must have stolen it, wondering if she is in on it with Sherry, the bookkeeper, he’s a good man and doesn’t see people for who they are. Rollins comments that’s what they thought, and thanks her.

As they walk off, Benson comments there is no way Renee stole all that money, and Rollins suggests they give her a chance to refute the charge. Benson question that Rollins wants to use a false charge as leverage, but Rollins says he is a revered minister, if they are going to make this case, they may not have a choice.

Later, Carisi, with Benson, has Renee in SVU interrogation, saying she could be in serious trouble. Benson explains the reverend doesn’t recall the check. They continue to press her, saying she stole it, threatening jail. She said she just did what he wanted, asking if she tells the truth can her mom keep the money, she wasn’t lying about her. Benson states they will do everything they can to help her, and Carisi says she has to tell them the whole story. Renee explains when she started at the school, her grades were really bad. He called her into his office but he didn’t yell at her, he said he would tutor her privately, it would be his secret. Benson asks if they had other secrets, and Renee says sometimes he would tutor her, sometimes he would massage her body after dance and it would feel really good but then he…she balks but when Benson presses, Renee asks if she can just show her. She brings up a video on her phone showing the back of a man, unclothed, and taking off her clothes. She told him she had deleted it and that’s why he gave her the money. She was 15. She says it was Reverend Chase. Carisi shakes his head as Renee cries.

Later, Fin walks down the street toward the reverend’s home with Benson, commenting that Garland is a cop and a deacon with the church, and is surprised he didn’t know about Chase. He comments he doesn’t think he knew and kept it quiet, he just think he should have known something. He asks if they are arresting this guy or not. They ring the doorbell and Chase answers and Benson tells him they’d like him to come down to the station, Fin adding it is about Renee Lee. Benson adds she made an allegation of rape. He asks what did they say to that poor girl. Fin says she also has a tape. He asks if he is under arrest, and Benson replies not if he comes with them down to the station and they would rather not cuff him. Laura approaches and asks what is wrong, and Chase tells her to call Adams and Christian Garland. Benson states he should know that Garland sent them. He leaves to go with them as Laura looks on.

Afterwards, Laura walks into Garlands office, angry, saying he knew Chase was being brought in. He admits he did. She angrily asks how could he have let this happen after 15 years, eating at each other’s table and praying together and is one of the kid’s godfather. Garland tells her to sit down, but she wants to know why the girl is lying and why does she want to hurt them? Garland explains there is a video, but she doesn’t believe it and wants to see it, getting insistent. He hands her a file and she looks at a still photo and then says it is not him. She claims it is a fake, and she needs to tell them. Garland asks what reason would this girl have to lie, and he mentions all the payments to her and her family. He shouts that can’t make this go away. Laura says if he can’t, their relationship is over; no one in their church will ever speak to him, his wife, or his daughter again. She glares at him and then storms out of the room.

Back at SVU, Kat asks Benson if Chase said anything in the car, and Benson replies he was very polite and he prayed. Edgar walks into SVU and calls out to Benson and explains he is here to see Chase, his client. She asks that he is a criminal attorney, and he explains he used to be, but it doesn’t matter because the reverend is not a criminal, so he called him, he is counsel to the church. Benson says she is sorry to tell her this but there may be a side to his client that he is not aware of. He asks where is Delman?

In interrogation with Benson, Fin and Chase, she shows the video to Edgar and Renee is clearly in the video, saying he was 15. Edgar says all he sees is a black male torso, it could be anyone. Benson states that Renee said that Chase sexually abused her for three years, until 6 months ago. Chase says his heart goes out to the poor girl but she is lying, saying he needs to talk to her and pray with her. Fin says to shut her up, asking isn’t that what the quarter of a million dollars was for. Edgar says that money was given out compassion and only shows how deep the church’s pockets are. He adds this is an extortion attempt. Benson explains that Renee didn’t come to them, and at first, she said it was charity. Chase says she is troubled and confused, and adds these young girls and theist teenage temptations. Fin comments Chase sure knows a lot about their temptations, and Chase replies she had an unhealthy fixation on him and he prayed with her and told her it would pass, she must have found someone else to act it out with. Fin raises his voice, asking why she would say that was him on the video? Edgar jumps in and says to Benson that they’ve cooperated as much as they can, saying Renee has a history of drug and promiscuity issues against the word of a renowned spiritual leader and he can’t imagine this goes any further. Benson states “Oh, it can” and after pausing, adds, looking at Chase, “And it will.” Chase says if their minds are that closed, he’d like a few moments alone with his attorney. Benson and Fin get up to leave, and Carisi, Rollins and Kat watch as they exit the room and Chase begins to pray. Rollins comments about him praying a little late, and Benson asks Carisi that while they wait, can they get a subpoena for a photo of Chase’s torso and his back. Carisi says it is tough, unless they arrest. Kat questions he is not under arrest yet, and Fin asks if Garland is looking out for him. Carisi replies it is more like the 8th floor, and considering the reverend’s profile – Rollins adds and the voting bloc he controls – Carisi says Renee will be a problematic witness and it would be helpful if they had corroboration. Benson instructs Kat to comb through the financials and follow up with any of the girls they haven’t contacted yet. She tells Fin and Rollins to see if any of the girls in the dorm might break rank and get CSU to go through Renee’s dorm.

At Harlem Heights School Dormitory at 1424 Amsterdam Avenue on Wednesday, March 11, Michelle tells Fin and Rollins that Renee is gone and she took everything with her. Michelle told Renee she would have to swear on the bible and tell the truth, and that lying lips are an abomination to the lord. Fin asks if she knows where she went, and Michelle explains not a person in the church would take her in. She heard her on the phone crying to her mother. They walk in the room and see Breyona crying who says she knows Renee brought this on herself but they didn’t have to do this. On the wall is a message which says “Lying Lips are an abomination and the devil is a liar.” Michelle says Breyona is just a kid and doesn’t know better but no one else feels bad, thinking Renee was lying and she knew if she continued she’d be damning her soul to hell for all eternity.

Later, Fin and Kat speak with Sade who doesn’t believe this. She’s in denial and Kat brings up the money and the video. Sade says the money is gone, but they ask where is Renee. Sade explains Renee called and said the girls at school were being mean but Sade told her life was overcoming obstacles and she couldn’t come home to mommy just because she had a bad day. There is another place she could have gone.

At 532 Stolp Avenue in Syracuse, New York on Wednesday, March 11, Kat and Fin knock on the door and find Renee who says her boyfriend is at work. She says the cops can’t worry about that anymore, she’s 17. Fin says they just want to talk to her.  She lets them in and says they can’t convince her to come back, that she’s a ho trying to bring a good man down. They discuss the video and she says she wouldn’t want it shown in court. She mentions she should have kept her mouth shut and kept the money and let him move on to his next special girl, and Fin asks which girl. She says she doesn’t know what he’s talking about and suggests they get out before Carl comes home as he hates cops.

At Garland’s home, Lamai serves Benson and Carisi coffee as they talk with Garland. Garland suggests making the case without Renee but Carisi says without Renee being cross examined her statement is not admissible and the video can’t allow them to confirm that is Chase on the tape without Renee. Benson suggests they arrest him and get a full body kit and photograph his torso. Garland states it is the captain’s call, not his but he knows the longer they draw this out the more he will have to call in favors. Carisi says he will give them a head start before he alerts Hadid. Garland asks if they not embarrass his wife or the congregation by arresting him in public, and Benson states she will call his attorney and arrange for Chase to turn himself in.

Later, Garland arrives at the courthouse where Carisi is waiting in the hall amid a throng of reporters and photographers. Carisi asks if he is doing okay, and Garland says it is never easy when mentors fall. Garland sees Laura and asks if they can talk and she asks that he didn’t have the decency to call him in himself. Garland says he is sorry and she retorts she is too, Chase is not capable of this and is a good man. Garland comments he always thought so and that’s why he refused to believe it at first. Laura thinks Renee is out for money but Garland counters she has been ostracized by her classmates but Laura thinks it because they know she is lying. She adds Renee has been to their home and he looked out for her and spent more time tutoring her in math than he did working on his own sermon. Garland asks why is that, and she says nothing and storms into the courtroom.

In court, Chase pleads not guilty, and Carisi requests remand as they believe there are others and they think he is a risk. Edgar speaks to Chase’s good name and the judge grants bail at $50,000 under the condition that Chase has no unsupervised contact with any underage girls pending trial.

Outside on the courthouse steps, Edgar, with Reverend Chase and Laura standing next to him, speaks to the crowd. Chase says even wrongly accused, he is blessed. Fin asks Benson if she saw it coming that he turned the courthouse steps into a pulpit. Benson comments that his wife is by his side, and Garland says she perceives it as her duty. Chase continues to badmouth Renee and then he goes on to the NYPD, and calls out Garland as his betrayer, calling it a sickening conspiracy to bring him down. Laura looks unsure and then glances over to Michelle and Breyona standing in the crowd. Benson makes the decision not to listen to any more and she, Fin and Garland walk away. She asks Garland if he is okay and he says he’s been cast out before, it is a recurring theme. Fin tells him not to take it personally, there is a reason they call them a flock – he’ll never lose them. Benson comments maybe, then adds he may be losing the one person he needs the most. Laura is quiet and looks conflicted.

At a later time, Laura enters Benson’s office. Laura says Del has been lying to her all these years. It is the first time she ever lied to him. He thinks she is paying a bereavement call, she didn’t tell him it was Benson who called her last night. Benson thanks her for coming in. Laura says after they spoke. She thought about – how did Benson says it? Benson said that predators can often groom their victims under the cover of mentoring. Laura says she was awake all night, all those hours Del told her he was tutoring and how could she let that happen to those girls under her watch and under her roof? She cries and says this morning, she reached out to Michelle, Renee and Breyona – there could be others, she has no idea. She asked for their forgiveness and asked that they cooperate with Benson. Benson nods and grasps Laura’s hands, who sobs and asks herself what did she do?

In the Grand Jury Room part 15 on Friday, March 13, Carisi questions Michelle, Breyona, and Renee who tell their stories about what Reverend Chase did to them and how it had to be their secret. Renee says she set up the video with her laptop recording and showed him the video last November when she saw he was beginning to pay attention to Breyona and guesses she was jealous. Breyona states she didn’t understand why Renee was so upset. Michelle explains Chase set up a scholarship fund and gave her a job. Breyona says he bought her mom a car. Renee says Chase confiscated her computer and gave her and her mom $250,000. She says that was Reverend Chase in the video, and she was 15 years old. She recorded it on her birthday.

Later at the DA’s office, Carisi thanks Edgar and Chase for coming in. He wanted to give them a heads up on Renee’s testimony, saying it is pretty damning. Chase says she used her body to lure him to her. He would never assault any one, saying she got herself gussied up and entrapped him. Edgar tries to get him to shut up but Chase thinks Renee should be charged with extortion. Carisi says maybe, but she was underage. Chase says a jury will look at her and then at him, and decide for themselves. Carisi said he would be nervous, if he didn’t have two other girls from the church who testified to the same pattern of seduction and sexual predation. Chase and Edgar quickly look over the transcript Carisi has handed to them. Carisi confirms all the girls were underage. Carisi adds at the time they turned 17, Chase seems to get tempted by a younger girl. Chase insists to Edgar they are setting him up, claiming it’s a shakedown, they know the church has money and someone got to them. Edgar tries to quiet him again, and Carisi says Chase is right, someone did meet with them, but it was to give them permission to tell the truth without fear of reprisal from Chase. Chase says he demands to know who in his congregation would plot against him. Carisi shouts there is no plot, she was seeking their forgiveness, then tells him it was his wife. Chase is shocked, asking that they turned her against him. Carisi scoffs, saying Chase did that and she will never forgive herself for what happened to those girls. Edgar glares at Chase.

Back at SVU, Fin enters Benson’s office and tells her Chase’s lawyer is there, asking if he should tell him to go away. Benson says that is not a bad idea but no, thanks. Edgar enters an Fin says he will be outside. Edgar comments her sergeant is protective of her, and Benson says always. She comments that the reverend took the deal, and Edgar explains he told him going forward he can no longer be his counsel to the church and represent him, so he arranged for another counsel to take over. He asks to talk off the record and she tells him to have a seat. He explains he’s gone over this in his head a hundred times and never say any of the signs and is sick over it and is ashamed. Benson says if it helps, she has heard hundreds of spouses, friends, parents tell her exactly what he is telling her. When there is a skilled predator who has been operating for decades, they are adept at shielding their dark side from everyone except their victims. Edgar says it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and he is sorry for his part in this. Benson comments he was doing his job defending his client. Edgar counters what Chase did there is no defense. He gets up and Benson says for what it’s worth, she wishes they hadn’t met under these circumstances.. He shakes her hand and says me too.

Meanwhile, Garland waits in a jail interview area as they let Chase in, who says it was good of Garland to call. He asks how is he, and Chase replies he is enduring the tribulations the lord has sent him. Garland says he was relieved he decided to plead guilty, and Chase explains he wanted to spare the young women the burden of having to testify. Garland says he means having to spare himself the humiliation. Chase says he sounds angry, and Garland says he is struggling. Chase asks if he wants to talk about that, and Garland says not with him. Chase asks if he is there to gloat or castigate; other than his new lawyer, he is the only visitor. Laura won’t take his phone calls, and Garland asks if Chase can blame her. Chase mentions they were unable to have a child and he thought god was testing him, that it was the worst punishment he could visit on him. Now to knock him down like this, he takes his church away from him and puts him behind bars. Garland tells Chase he is not Job in this story, Laura is. But Chase says god is testing him, god hasn’t abandoned him, this is part of his plan, he wants him to minister to all these men behind bars, that’s why he did this to him. Garland emphasized Chase did this to himself, and as Chase smiles, Garland adds until he realizes there is a path to forgiveness from Laura, him or god. Chase tells him he’s said his peace, he needn’t visit again. He calls for the guard to take him back. As Chase moves to leave, Garland says he will pray for him. Chase says nothing and leaves. As a tear falls down Garland’s face, 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:
Demore Barnes - Deputy Chief Christian Garland
Roger Cross - Rev. Delman Chase
Aunjanue Ellis – Laura Chase
Rick Fox - Counselor Edgar Goodwin
Laila Drew - Renée Lee
Joell Weil – Michelle
Bailey Bass – Breyona Taylor
Sonia Manzano – Judge Gloria Pepitone
Nicole Pringle – Sade Ferguson
Jadé Davis – Destiny Hall
Trian Long – Smith – Lamai Garland
Rebecca Thoman – Sherry Blake
Jamal Thomas – Counselor Morgan Carter
Uschi Umscheid – Abby Garland



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