Law & Order SVU “I Thought You Were On My Side” Recap, Review, Discussion

 

Law & Order SVU  “I Thought You Were On My Side”  is a frustrating case for the SVU.  Not only is the perp someone who is well connected with law enforcement and possibly the DA’s office, but the Feds and the Joint Task Force horn their way in and steer the investigation their way. The victim of sexual assault is a victim again of a system that values getting a “big fish”.   Despite the fact that the SVU can’t claim a “win” on this one, this was a well crafted episode that could easily make views feel as unsettled and as unsatisfied as the victim. 

Three months have passed from the events in the previous episode (it is now Saturday September 25), and Benson and Fin have a discussion about how Stabler has gone off the grid - again.  Benson explains Stabler told her not to worry about him.  Benson also admits that she lied to her shrink about whether this was triggering for her  (she said it wasn’t), and how she was doing about the rest of the changes going on. Clearly the last three months have been tough with Garland gone and McGrath taking over. We’ve seen what a massive jerk that McGrath can be and we can only imagine the pressure he’s put on Benson.  The SVU also hasn’t hired a replacement for Kat, so their working with one less SVU detective.  

Stabler asked Benson to trust him, but after what happened with this case, can he be trusted? Rollins has to remind Benson that this Stabler may not be the same man she worked with in the past.  

I really like what they’ve done to increase the drama quotient this season.  For example, Benson re-arranging her office could be forcing us to take another look at the status quo.  Cast changes and bringing in a new boss is another way to add tension.  Rollins and Carisi finally moving forward on their relationship only has viewers wondering if this – or HOW this – will blow up on them down the road.   Anything can happen!

Here is the recap:

Gabe Navarro, owner of a nightclub/bar sexually assaults a singer, Tara Riley, there to perform for his birthday at a private party.  His first assault is in full view of partygoers, forcing her to sit in his lap and putting his hand up her dress.   The second attempt comes quickly afterwards in the privacy of her dressing room, and as she attempts to flee, he slaps her, causing her  to fall down a stairway.   We see her first lying at the bottom of the stairs, then hear she’s been found by a dog walker near a dumpster.  She’s in the hospital and now unable to walk.  

Gabe is “connected” and has a lot of cop friends.  Fin explains Gabe is tight with the precinct and a “made” guy.  He must have pals in the DA’s office, as he’d had 9 arrest for guns, gambling, assaults and the charges always get dropped.   But when the SVU tries to corroborate Tara’s story, no one is willing to do so, and fear of Gabe is very real.  They have Tara call Gabe and try to get him to say something incriminating and he does so, giving them enough to arrest him. 

While questioning him – he’s arrogant – they also collect his DNA. This ties him to other cases – one woman who was left brain damaged and another who is dead.  They discuss this with Tara, Benson warning her the defense will claim the sex was consensual.  

They’re getting ready to turn up the heat when Benson gets a call:  The Joint Task Force Headquarters,  with Sergeant Bell and Stabler, are now involved and taking the case.  They’ve been looking into Gabe.   He’s been involved in drug, arms, and sex trafficking and that Gabe is an advisor to one of their most notorious fugitives: Anton Popkov.  Benson doesn’t care about this, advocating for the victim, and Carisi explains the Grand Jury is set for the next day. But FBI Agent Harrison Clay tells them to look at the bigger picture.  Gabe wants to speak with Stabler and they want to see where it goes, now that they have leverage. Benson and Stabler have a side discussion and she explains the investigation into her crash found nothing.   He explains he can still see his kids while undercover and it nice to not be him for a while.

While Stabler and Benson question Gabe,  they bring out the other cases where his DNA has been found and pressure him enough to get him to agree to help them get Anton Popkov, who will be in his own house in Queens.  Later, Benson explains to Bell and Clay that Tara identified Popkov as being at the party.  Gabe gave them all the info they need to get past the security system there and Benson’s team is ready to move in. 

Stabler later tells Benson the raid is a go, and gives Benson his word he has her back, asking her to trust him. 

During prep, Gabe tells Stabler that Popkov can’t know he’s helped them, and to make it look good.  But despite Gabe’s help, the raid happens and Popkov is not there. He and Gabe have exited through a secret tunnel.  But the police may have been prepared for this too, as they catch Gabe and Popkov as they flee outside the tunnel.  Gabe draws his gun at Stabler and Stabler shoots him. Gabe gives Stabler a wink, as if he expected this.  But Stabler says he didn’t expect Gabe to try to shoot him, and  Benson asks if it was just them trying to make it look good. 

Bell and Clay speak with the press as the SVU watch the coverage.   They think Carisi is arraigning Gabe at the hospital, but quickly discover Gabe is not there, US Marshalls took him as part of a federal warrant. Carisi thinks Stabler lied and they were played.  Benson confronts Bell and Clay – Stabler is not there – and she gets the “it’s above our pay grades” excuse.  Benson is not thrilled and Clay admits SVU got screwed. 

But Benson spoke with Stabler, who was on a burner cell, before he went back undercover, and he swore he didn’t know Gabe was going into Witness Security.  Benson explains she knows Stabler better than anyone, but Rollins counters Benson used to. 

Carisi explains to Rollins that the 8th floor doesn’t know what happened with Gabe.  Rollins says there have been so many changes the last few months, she doesn’t know what is real and what’s  not. 

At a rehab center,  Benson has to break the bad news to Tara, who thinks Benson is supposed to protect HER,  not him.  Despite Benson’s apologies and explanations and saying she is not giving up, Tara explains she has to figure out how to walk again, let alone sing and dance, and Benson can’t help  her with any  of that.  Benson is silent as we fade to  black.