Law & Order SVU “The Five Hundredth Episode” Recap, Review, Discussion

 

Olivia Benson: This Is Your Life. 

Fire Hundred (500) episodes! It’s an amazing feat not likely to be repeated by any primetime drama, at least not in the near future. As Mariska Hargitay has been in almost every one of those episodes from day one (the only original cast member to make it this far and only missing from a handful of episodes to have a baby), it was fitting that this episode was focused on Olivia Benson.  At first it seemed Benson was going to find some happiness, but when the SVU case is resolved quickly with plenty of time left in the episode, one just had to feel that something bad was going to happen.  

During the episode, Benson flashes back many times to discussions with her mother and colleagues about a relationship she had when she was 16, with a 20 year old student of her mother’s.   We also see  how her mother, Serena,  got in the way of that relationship going anywhere.  (Some of the flashback scenes in this episode occurred in the very first episode of the series – “Payback” -  and others are from season 6 – “Intoxicated.” )  Benson has been carrying the burden of her mother’s influence for as long as she can remember, including that her mother was raped and Olivia was the end result.  Viewers have watched Benson as she’s grown from being a detective all the way to Captain. There were a lot of good things AND a lot of bad things that happened along the way. But as the issue with her mother’s rape goes back to the very first episode, it was a fitting topic for reflection and revisiting here at the 500th.  Sad to say, Benson doesn’t come out of this one with a happy, story-book ending.  

The case itself was rather dull and predictable, but it served as a perfect set up for bringing in people from Benson’s past.  The first was Nick Amaro, who’s gone back to school and is now working for Forym in genetics and forensic science.  But it’s who Nick brings with him that becomes the focus: Burton Lowe.  Burton is a writer and podcaster who is working to clear the name of a man he believes was wrongfully imprisoned for the rape and strangulation of his 15-year-old girlfriend, enlisting Nick’s DNA technology in the process.  Burton and Nick need SVU in order to get the DNA which was collected years ago.   But there's a surprise:  Burton was also Olivia Benson’s boyfriend – THAT boyfriend -  when she was a teenager and he was in his 20s, and he was one of his mother’s students.  Benson’s mother was instrumental in their breakup.      

It looks like romance is rekindled with Benson and Burton, with them spending an evening together, part of it is in bed in his hotel room at The Plaza.   A call from Benson’s sitter ends the evening.   Trevor Langan later gives Benson two words of advice about Burton, saying "Watch yourself," but it comes a little to late for Benson.  She seems happy…until a woman from Burton’s past accuses him of rape.  Things go downhill quickly for Benson as more women come forward and Burton is portrayed as a predator.  (Fin correctly observes Burton is a creep.)    Benson had recused herself immediately with the first accusation, but I’m a bit confused as the episode continues when Benson still has her hands in the investigation, discussing it with Fin and Rollins about what their investigation has found.  I would think that recusal would mean a complete backing away by Benson on all aspects of the investigation, maybe even by assigning it to another squad.  It’s possible that because all the complaints fell outside the statute of limitations she wasn't limited in her involvement, but that’s only a guess on my part. 

Somewhat surprising, after all the years Benson has worked in Special Victims, is that she couldn’t see that the relationship she had with Burton when she was a teen was “technically” (her words)  sexual assault.   She insisted she wanted it, but was she old enough to really know what she wanted? (No.)  Had Burton been grooming her all along? (Probably.) Did her mother see this and was she trying to protect Olivia? (Possibly.)  It wasn’t until Nick Amaro’s “Physician, heal thyself” comment that made Benson look hard at her relationship with Burton.  The final scene with Benson and Burton was incredible. While I felt awful for what Benson was going through, I also felt fear that Benson was in physical danger of a man who clearly had a problem with alcohol and was angry about his past catching up with him. It was a volatile ending and, while not a happy ending for Benson in the romance area, I think she came out of this stronger and maybe with some closure about that past relationship.

I enjoyed the little inside joke which referenced Nick Amaro being a good fit for working cold cases.  (For those of you that don't know, Danny Pino was previously on a series named "Cold Case" for many seasons.)  Nice touch!   It was also great to see some other familiar SVU faces like Captain Cragen (Dann Florek), and ME Warner (Tamara Tunie). 

A+,  and five out of five stars for his momentous 500th episode.  Congratulations to everyone involved in making this show come to life over the decades; their hard work and love for the series shows in each and every episode.  Thanks to all the dedicated fans who continue to watch each week and help keep this series alive and on the air!

Here is the recap: 

In a flashback, a much younger Olivia Benson is in a restaurant at dinner with her mother, Serena, who tells Benson that she really wishes she’d get out of that, asking if she thinks this is healthy for her.  Benson replies “You were raped, for god’s sakes.”   In the present time, Benson, with a serious look on her face, walks with Noah outside of his school, who asks if her mom was still alive, how old would she be? Benson says her mother would have been 77. Noah asks if Benson was already a detective when she died, and Benson replies she was. Noah questions if she liked that she was a detective, and Benson comments it sounds like HE is being the detective now. He asks if she misses her, and Benson answers yes, to which Noah asks if it’s because she’s a good mom like her.  Benson quips that he should know by now no one is as good a mom as her.  She hugs him. He tells her “not at school” and she laughs, with them both saying they love each other as Noah walks to the school.  She tells him to have a good day and to put his mask on. He gives her a thumbs up.  She sighs and she walks off.

At the SVU, walking with Fin, she apologizes for being late. She explains she was walking Noah to school and out of the blue, he asked her about her mother.  Fin wonders if she went with short answers, and when she says yes, he replies “good.”  She asks him to explain about the suspect, and Fin replies he walked himself in. He hasn’t confessed yet but he said he will only speak to the captain.  Fin adds a heads up, saying this guy’s a charmer.   She walks into the interrogation room and sees Rollins there, with Nick Amaro, who jokingly puts his hands up and says’ “I’m guilty.”  Benson reacts,  putting her hand on her forehead and laughing, commenting, “Oh my god, Nick! Whose idea was this?”  Rollins waves that off and Nick replies “You’re captain now, you don’t like surprises?”  Benson replies “I never liked surprises” as she hugs him.  She asks what brings him to New York. He explains it’s work; a job he’s been on for the last few years for a company called Forym. Fin comments he thought Nick was a PI, and Rollins says she told Fin that Nick went back to grad school. Nick adds it was in genetics and forensic science, they test DNA  samples that were considered to be too small or too degraded.  Benson comments that is solving cold cases, which seems a good fit for him. Rollins adds it means they can work together again, adding Nick has an old SVU case he wants to reopen.  Benson smiles.

Later, Nick explains in 1996, Haley West, 15 years old,  was raped and strangled on prom night.  Benson recalls this was one of Cragen’s cases,  she remembers him talking about it, but questions that it is cold, asking didn’t they catch the boyfriend?  Nick replies that Ian Ridley did confess and he is still doing time but he recanted at sentencing. The only DNA found on Haley’s body was from  his saliva.  Nick was approached by a true crime writer looking into wrongful convictions and he asked Nick if he could try to salvage old DNA so he is coming to Benson.  Benson says they’ll pull the file and see if anything is there. 

Later, Rollins and Nick are in the file storage area and Rollins finds the file box.  She sees a photo of the victim and comments she was so young. Nick says her mother never got over losing her, stating Ian is not the killer.  Nick’s phone buzzes; he says its Burton Lowe, the writer, and he is here. 

In the squad room. Burton is waiting there as Rollins and Nick arrive, and Burton comments that he thought Nick said the place was a dump.  Nick counters they fixed it up since he left. He introduces Rollins.  Fin walks up and tells them the Captain is waiting for them.  Rollins walks Burton in and he sees Benson and Benson looks at hum, surprised.  She takes off her glasses and says “Burton” and he gazes at her and says, “Olivia.  You haven’t changed.”  Benson, smiling, stands up and comments, “Neither have you. And now that we’ve established we’re both liars…” Burton laughs. She comments to Nick that he didn’t tell her his crime writer was Burton Lowe.  When Nick asks should he have, Benson replies, “We are…old friends” and Burton says, “From a lifetime ago.”  They smile at each other. 

In a flashback, Benson explains to ADA Novak her mother was an English professor and when she was 16, Benson started dating one of her students. He was a senior and was 21 years old and he asked  her to marry him. Pulled into the present, Benson hears Burton say - as he looks at Benson’s staff - “look at this!”, saying Serena would be proud. Benson reminds him that if he recalls, that wasn’t Serena’s strong suit. He agrees.  Rollins, trying to move things along, clears her throat and brings up Haley West.  Benson explains she called her former Captain, Cragen, and he said the boyfriend, Ian Ridley, confessed within 48 hours. Burton says he did, but he was 18, concussed, traumatized. Rollins questions the concussion, and Burton explains his initial story was he and Hayey were making out when an unknown assailant knocked him out and when he came to, Haley was gone.  Nick adds they found her strangled and  beaten body two hours later in Fort Tryon Park. Burton thinks Ian was so guilt-ridden about what happened…Rollins adds he convinced himself he did it.  Fin asks how Burton got involved, and he explains Ian’s mother wrote to him before she died and he promised her he would do right by him.  He adds that at Ian’s parole hearing,  the  board was ready to release Ian if she showed contrition. But when it was time for Ian to apologize,  he couldn’t.  Twenty five years behind bars, two words away from walking free and instead he says “I believe in two things -   the truth and miracles. I know the truth,  and I need a miracle.” Nick comments that new DNA technology can be that miracle. If there is even 15 cells from the original sample, his company can tease out a genetic profile. Fin questions after 25 years, and Nick replies “Oh yeah.”  Benson states she will need to call Carisi, explaining he is their ADA. Burton says it’s understood. 

Later, at the morgue,  ME Warner tells Rollins and Nick she had to send her gnomes deep into the crypt to get this out. Nick says he owes her, and she comments  once an SVU detective, always an SVU detective.   She examines Haley’s clothing and says they are lucky this wasn’t tossed, asking that they know it’s a closed case. Rollins explains they know the saliva on Haley matched Ian but they hope there might be other samples.  Warner explains barely; there was a trace of seminal fluid in the autopsy rape kit, Nick asks that was  never tested, and Warner replies the quantity was too low in '96 and as stated there, the suspect confessed.  ME Rodgers had no reason to perform more testing. Rollins questions if it is still viable, and Warner thinks maybe; the kit set in freezer purgatory this whole time. As DNA degrades, it’s much harder to analyze.  Nick thinks with their new tech...Warner says they get a chance to rebuild the genetic profile, adding, “Well, look at you, Doctor Amaro.” He says he’s not a doctor yet but he is working on it – biophysics. He comments it is good to see her and thanks her for this. 

At a high school football field in Spuyten Duyvil, it’s late and Benson and Burton walk near the field.  He asks Benson how she got judge to sign off on cognitive reenactment, and she explains she didn’t,  she pulled a favor from an ADA who used to be one of her detectives.   He comments an ADA and a geneticist, her ex-detectives go places. She replies she wishes they wouldn’t, because as her mother used to say, “Everyone leaves.”  Burton comments that Serena was a little dark. Benson comments if he needed help on a case, he could have just told Nick he knew her or gotten in touch.  He was afraid she would say no, considering how they ended.  Benson states her mother made her write that letter to him to break off their engagement.  She told her he had a real girlfriend in college, and he states he did not, he was in love with Benson and he told Serena that.  Benson is surprised, saying “But you disappeared.”  Burton replies he wanted to write to her to see her but Serena told him if he even tried to get in touch she’d have him immediately expelled.  Benson states that she lied to both of them.  Burton says, “To be continued” as a van arrives and Ian steps out, in cuffs. Burton introduces them and Benson says if the detectives missed anything back then she wants to find that out.  Ian thanks her.   He looks around at the field and with his voice shaking, he says he is freaked out to be there. Benson assures him this is normal returning to the scene and trigger memories and that is why they are here. She says anything that comes to mind can be helpful.  As he walks the area, he recalls that on prom night he and Haley came out there past the chaperones  and had champagne, they just wanted to be together alone. He adds it was warm and pitch dark, the lights were not there back then. He lit a cigarette and she looked so pretty. They started kissing and they went into the bleachers to go further. Haley was leaning against a post and he was kissing her and his eyes were closed. He heard footsteps on the gravel and someone bashed him in the skull. As he cries, he recalls hearing Haley scream and him dragging her then it all went black. His ears were ringing and there was blood everywhere. He saw her corsage in the grass. His parents called the cops, he ran home and they took him to St. Luke’s where he got twelve stitches.  Burton questions they still thought he did it, but Ian states he was so messed up he thought maybe he did do it but swears he didn’t.  He says he loved Haley and his whole life ended the night she died.  He sobs and Burton consoles him.

In a flashback,  Benson comments to someone that he was 20 years old and he asked her to marry him and she said yes – because she wanted to get away from  her mother.  Back in the present at SVU,  Benson is lost in thought as Rollins comments it is interesting, isn’t it? Benson comes out of her deep thoughts as Rollins goes on to comment about Burton showing up in her life now – Stabler, Burton – something is going on.  Benson says nothing is going on, adding Burton is obsessed with his work and in his last podcast series he got a man off death row. Rollins asks Benson if she saw he just split up with his girlfriend, Benson commenting  she was a French journalist.  Rollins observes that right after that, of all the cold cases, he chooses one from SVU. Benson states it is because Ian is innocent. Rollins looks unconvinced. 

At Forym Lab Metrotech,  Nick explains to Benson and Burton that the rape kit sample was corrupted but they did find enough seminal fluid on her underwear to tease out a genetic profile, It is not Ian’s.  There are no hits in CODIS and they are looking and RMNE (random man not excluded).  Benson says this means the DA’s office is not likely to exonerate Ian and Burton adds “without a viable suspect.”  Benson states it is the downside of CODIS, it doesn’t have all the answers.  Nick states  now that they have a genetic profile, Forym can start a search of multiple geological databases and ancestry sites. Burton comments with any luck if they find distant relatives, calling it digital shoe leather. Benson states if they start wide and bore in, it’s all new bells and whistles but it is basically old school.  She tells Nick to work the tree.

Later, at the prison, Benson and Burton speak with Ian and they explain this is one step at a time. They explain the DNA results and that someone who uploaded their data to a  genealogical website is a close relative – a brother or cousin – and they ID’d three possible suspects.  Burton adds one lived in California at the time, one in Ohio, but one was local. Benson states that he worked at Ian’s high school – showing him a  photo. Ian recognizes Mr. Murray, saying he was the girls tennis coach but there is no way he did this, he loved Haley.

Meanwhile,  at SVU with Rollins and Nick, they speak Captain Cragen on a video call, says Roger Murray was never a suspect.  He asks how solid is the new tech and Nick says it works, but they don’t have Murray’s DNA, only a familial match.  Rollins comments Cragen interviewed him 3 times, asking why. Cragen explains he was one of the last people to see her alive, was a chaperone at the prom, and also said he saw Haley and Ian get into a fight. He also said Ian was weird and he couldn’t get a date in his own grade and Haley confided in him she thought Ian was creepy. He had no reason not to believe Murray as Ian confessed.  Haley’s mother said Roger was like a second father to that girl. 

In Haley’s old room, her mother tells Fin and Rollins that she never changed a thing about her room. The painful memories have never gone away.  She says Roger saw her potential, he saved her, tutored Haley on her SATs and helped her with college planning. She asks if this is about the writer and his podcast, saying she’d never let her daughter be entertainment for someone listening while they are working out.  Fin says they are there as NYPD, trying to give her some closure. She explains all the things she’ll never be able to do with Haley, and then angrily tells them to leave her alone, Ian confessed. She adds Roger sends her a card every year on the anniversary of her death, just to let her know she is not mourning alone. 

Elsewhere, Carisi and Nick arrive at Roger Murray’s residence to discuss Haley. He states her mother said they were nosing around and he told everything he knew to the police; it was Ian Ridley. Nick comments they know and he mentions Cragen told them he’d helped in the past.  They explain Ian’s appeal attempt and as a precaution they are collecting DNA samples from people who interacted with her that night. He confirms he did chaperone Haley. Murray’s wife approaches and Roger explains what is going on, and they know how much Haley meant to him. She looks and sounds annoyed, telling Roger to do whatever they ask. 

Later, at SVU in the interview room with Fin and Rollins, Roger says Haley was beautiful that night. Rollins said she was like a daughter to him and he admits he loved that girl and would never hurt her.  Fin comments Roger looked out for her and protected her, and he said that is all he tried to do. At the night of the prom, he let her down. He saw Ian dragging her out and should have stopped him. Fin asks if she should have, or he did. Roger says it was a long time ago and whatever he said back then was the truth. Rollins explains the new DNA technology picks up the tiniest amount, even if he were to pick up her corsage. He admits he might have done that and then he admits he touched her arm as he pulled her away from him.  Rollins questions if that was at the dance or on the field, in case they find his DNA on the corsage – they found that at the field.  He asks that they kept that, and then he comments he really doesn’t remember but it might have been afterwards.  Fin questions that he followed him, it makes sense as he was worried about her. Roger adds Haley gave him a look – she was afraid of Ian and she wanted him to protect her.  Rollins leans in and says like he always did. He says he was the only one – there was no dad and mom was overwhelmed. He adds Ian was a bad kid and was all over her, hand on her breast and mouth everywhere. Rollins leads that he had to stop that, for Haley.  He says yes, who knows what he would have done.  He stopped it – he stopped it good.  Fin asked how he stopped it, and Rollins adds they know Ian was hit on the head and they found a bottle at the scene.  Roger stated it was champagne because Ian brought it himself, she was only 15. Fin comments that Roger had to step in for Haley. Roger states he really doesn’t remember, and adds he will need his digitalis and a lawyer. 

Benson, watching with Burton, comments that all these years of lying to himself…and Burton thinks he was aroused, she screamed, he put his hand over her mouth…Benson stops him and he apologizes, saying it is his writer's head.  He wants to tell Ian but Benson tells him to wait for the DNA.  He asks Benson how does she do this, and she replies it’s a lot,   but she spends time with her son, listens to music, goes on walks when she can.  He suggests going for a walk now, he could use one.  She says to just give her a minute. 

Later, as they are out walking, Burton says New York is still  his favorite city. She questions that it wasn’t Paris, asking is that where he lived with his girlfriend. He reminds her she is his ex and she may have ruined that city for him.  An old man dating a young woman ends up playing the fool. He asks if she has been to France and she replies she has – Paris, once. She admits it was a romantic trip. He asks if he is still in the picture and Benson states he is not.  He points out his hotel and Benson notes it’s The Plaza.  He comments that podcasting has been very good to him.  He asks if she has time for a nightcap, and Benson smiles, saying she could be persuaded.  He kisses her and then, embarrassed, says he is sorry, saying that wasn’t very gentlemanly. Benson smiles and counters that she didn’t mind. He kisses her again.

Benson has another flashback to a time with Stabler. She comments when a father is absent, it’s not unusual for a younger girl to be attracted to an older man. Stabler asks if that’s what this is about, and Benson replies it happens a lot more than you think.  Stabler asks how old was she, and Benson pauses, then explains almost 17.  When Stabler asks how old HE was, Benson curtly replies older than 17.  Back in the present, Benson lays under the covers in the hotel bed, deep in thought. Burton walks in and says “hey beautiful” and asks if she wants a midnight snack, he raided the mini-bar.  As he pours her a drink, he asks what is she thinking about.  Benson says she is just time traveling. He can’t believe all those years and it didn’t matter.  She chuckles and says they added up. He looks at himself and admits “in certain places.”  They laugh. Burton asks if she knows what he thinks about when he thinks of her, and when she asks “what?” he answers "Us. Cycling through Central Park, picnicking on the great lawn, as night falls and the city light surround us.”  She sighs, and Burton asks, “What?”  Benson replies “That was a sweet  night.” Burton replies, “So is this” as he leans into bed to kiss her.  But her phone buzzes and as she kisses him she apologizes, saying that could be her nanny. But it’s a text from Nick Amaro,  and she reads the message which says it’s good news; the semen sample came back from Haley’s underwear and it is a match to Roger Murray.  Burton takes a breath and says he doesn’t even know how to respond to this. They laugh and kiss, but another message comes in – this time it’s her sitter. She apologizes and says he has to go. She adds she will call Carisi and will push him to get Ian released.  Burton comments he will need a lawyer, and Benson informs him she knows exactly who to call. 

Later, Trevor Langan is representing Ian, and is with Carisi, and he outlines that Ian was completely absolved by the DNA evidence, adding he spent 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, questioning Carisi on what possible reason there could be for a delay. Carisi explains the DA’s office is supportive and agrees to release Ian from prison. Burton interjects they haven’t vacated the conviction. Ian comments they said Roger killed her, and Roger should pay for what he did to Haley.  Benson agrees he should.  Carisi explains they all want justice but he can’t just declare Roger guilty without due process.  Burton argues he did it to Ian 25 years ago, and Benson tries to quiet him.  Carisi explains he will ask the judge to expedite but he will need to start prepping his witnesses. Burton says he is happy to testify, but Carisi says expert witnesses. Burton looks dejected.  Carisi asks where is Nick. 

Outside with Benson, Burton thanks Trevor, saying before he put Ian in the car, he said he felt safe in his hands. Trevor states he just wished he had a real lawyer the first time, it will be an adjustment for him. Burton states Ian knows that.  He excuses himself, saying “Show time”, walking to a group of people, saying he has a podcast to promote.  After Burton walks off, Trevor says to Benson, “Two words of advice: Watch yourself. I used to have clients in publishing. It’s got a reputation.” He tells her to keep her eyes open, and Benson says, “Always.”

Back at SVU, Benson gets a video call from Cragen. He says he’s been thinking about Roger Murray. Benson says he is fighting the DNA evidence. Cragen explains that’s why he is calling; Roger always felt so guilty about  letting down Haley’s mother and to make sure she is at that hearing tomorrow.  She says will do, and thanks him and he says, “Well thank YOU…Captain.”  She smiles, and he goes on to say, “You don’t know how proud it make me to say that.” As the call ends, Benson takes a deep breath.

In the courtroom, Nick testifies about his company and the forensic DNA testing certification.  Roger's attorney tries to speak in Roger’s defense, but the judge still rules that the DNA evidence will be admissible at trial, much to Roger’s dismay. Roger tells his lawyer he needs to change his plea.  The judge says this is not the time or place, and when his lawyer says they can talk about this, he says he doesn’t want to talk about it. He blurts out he killed that poor girl.  Haley mother Joyce looks at him, shocked, and Roger says he is sorry.  He adds he never forgave himself. Benson is stunned.  He looks to his wife who is also in shock. Roger cries.

Walking down the interior courthouse steps, Benson, with Burton, asks if it is over. Carisi explains the judge will have Roger allocute to make sure the guilty plea was knowing and voluntary. Burton thinks this means soon, and Carisi says he will speak to the DA.  Benson high fives Burton and congratulates him.  He says both of them, adding he will call Ian and then...dinner? Benson smiles and says that sounds great. A woman walks up to Benson and asks if she is Captain Benson, head of SVU. Benson says she is.  The woman wants to ask Benson what she is doing working with a predator.  Benson, taken aback, says “I’m sorry?”  Burton walks over and asks what is going on.   The woman asks that he doesn’t remember her, Andrea Malone, and he says yes he remembers her, she was his editor’s intern...and she answers on his last novel 10 years ago.  She asks Benson to ask Burton what he did to her back then, she was only 20 years old. He tells Andrea if he has upset her in some way this isn’t the time or the place.  She says he raped her.  Burton is stunned and Andrea tells Benson she wants him arrested. Benson is floored and she glares at Burton. 

Outside the courthouse, Burton asks Benson if Andrea is okay and did she talk her down. Benson testily says she didn’t talk her down, she listened to her. Fin and Rollins are taking her to the station to  get her statement.  He angrily swears to god he did not rape her, and Benson raises her voice and says that’s  not Andrea’s recollection.  He states he hasn’t seen her in 10 years and is completely blindsided by this.  She asks if he is saying they were never involved, and he states he is not saying that. Benson asks what did happen, and he explains they had a flirtation in the summer when she worked for his editor, the night before she went back to college. He took her out to dinner to say thanks and they had a few drinks and ended up in his hotel room. He insists it was completely consensual  Benson asks “and after?” and Burton explains she left later that night; he gave her the cab fare home. She never said a word. He is angry, saying he has never been in this situation before and he asks her to tell him what do they do now.  Benson curtly replies “WE don’t do anything. I  have to recuse myself from the case. My sergeant will call you and let you know next steps.” She turns and walks off, Burton saying, “Understood.”  Burton looks beside himself. 

Back at the SVU, Fin and Rollins speak with Andrea who says she tried to put it out of her mind for ten years and she came forward now because of all the press about the Burton case freeing an innocent man, putting a rapist behind bars. She thought how dare he, he should be behind bars. Fin asks that she interned for Burton, and Andrea replies no, it was for his editor, Kristin Thornton.  She wanted to be a writer. Burton would come into the office, they’d talked, he gave her books, they talked about authors, music and put a bunch of songs on a zip drive for her. The night of the assault he took her to Balthazar and a few martinis later they ended up at his hotel, kissing. She remembers laying back on the bed, she was drunk and she must have passed out and when she woke up he was inside her. She just let him finish. She didn’t tell anyone about this, not until today. When she say Burton she just went off on him and on their Captain.

Later, in Benson’s office, with Rollins, Fin explains it is a 10 year old he said/she said and he wasn’t violent and she was drunk and she may not have been capable of consent. Rollins adds no outcry at the time and no rape kit. Benson states if she was not capable of consent it’s rape 3 but 10 years ago and past the statute – she asks what did they tell  her? Rollins explains that they don’t have enough to arrest Burton and asks if she should call Carisi and see if there is a case.  Benson says he won’t, unless other women  come forward.  Benson suggest to call  his publisher, his editor, and his podcast producer.  Fin asks if she wants him to deal with Burton, and Benson says no, she will talk to him.  Fin leaves and Rollins tells Benson she is so sorry. Benson shakes her head and asks if Andrea is credible. Rollins thinks she was, whether she can prove it’s rape three she doesn't know. Burton was 50, she was 20, he spent the summer grooming her. Benson wonders how, what did he do.  Rollins says he solicited her opinion about his novel, took her out to dinner, gave her books, music, and when Benson asks about music, Rollins says it was a Brazilian compilation – Girl From Ipanema, an older man move.  Benson stares off. 

In her apartment, Benson pulls a box out of the closet, and with a glass of wine, looks though a bunch of audio cassettes and finds one marked “To the girl who‘s tall and tan and young and lovely. Love, Burton.”  She plays the cassette and hears the song “Girl From Ipanema”. 

Back at SVU the next day, she hands the cassette to Rollins. Rollins is shocked Burton gave the song to her too. Benson comments she thought he was so sophisticated.  She then asks Rollins if she got anything, and Rollins explains the editors and published acknowledge he is a ladies' man and no HR issues. Benson adds “as of now.”  She adds that Andrea posted on her Instagram last night saying that she thinks they are protecting Burton. She gave the details of her assault and five women replied saying Burton did the same thing to them. Benson says she has their user names there somewhere and, shaking her head, tells Rollins she gets the point. 

Later, Rollins speaks to one woman who says Burton is a stalker,  describing the behavior. Another speaks with Fin and she says they wouldn’t have come to her unless they thought he was a predator.  In Benson’s office, Nick asks her how many women so far, and Benson replies with Alexandra and Stacy, 8 or 9.  Rollins and Fin enter Benson’s office. Rollins explains all of the women said they felt pressured and uncomfortable and none of them say he assaulted them.  Benson says “so he’s not a rapist” but Fin comments maybe not, but he’s a creep.   Rollins says “Or an old school player.”  Nick felt like Burton played him, he had to have known Benson worked there when he asked him to look at the case, he used him to get to Benson.  Benson says Burton was not trying to deceive him, she asked him about that and he said he wasn’t sure how she would react so she knows him wanting to free Ian is sincere.  Nick questions that, asking if it is about his career or his podcast, admitting he is angry right now. Fin comments he knew this guy was bad news and Benson tells them to let those ladies go home.  When Fin and Rollins leave, Benson tells Nick that Ian has been exonerated after 25 years and she doesn’t want whatever this is to overshadow that. Nick apologizes, saying he walked him back into her life.  Benson assures him she is a big girl but Nick asks how old was she then? 16?  He was 21, and Nick’s daughter is 15.  Benson insists it was a different time then. They were in love, anything they did she wanted to do, it was her choice.  Nick comments that’s the thing about predators; the good ones – the smart ones – make their victims believe that. Benson tells him thank you but she appreciate he has graduate degrees but testily says she’s also been there a really long time and she doesn’t need his expertise, “but thank you so much.”  Nick counters “Physician, heal thyself.”  Benson curtly states, “I think we’re done now.”  She glares at him and he turns and walks out, loudly shutting the door. 

Benson flashes back to a time when she spoke to someone   saying her mother told her not to see him or he’d be kicked out of college and she told her she was moving out.   Her mother was halfway through a bottle of vodka and she dropped it . It shattered all over the floor and her mother picked up a jagged edge of the bottle and she came at her, screaming that she will never let anyone else have her.  In the present,  Benson walks up to the Plaza Hotel and heads up to Burton’s room, number 500.  She knocks on the door – a clang of a bottle or glasses can he heard -  and Burton lets her in.  He is glad to see her, saying he has been calling.  He asks if he can get her something but she declines. He first wants to apologize for the awkward situation and Benson says it has been a long couple of days. He asks again if he can get her something and she declines again. He says he is going to have another as it’s been a help of a 48 hours for him too. As he pours a drink, he says his publisher is having a meltdown and his publicist…He angrily asks if Benson knows that Andrea Malone’s posts just went viral.   Benson says she knows, and he yells, asking if she knows what that means in this day and age, mentioning cancel culture. His podcast is on hold and his reps are useless.  He asks if “we’ve” resolved this, and Benson explains her detectives found Andrea’s story credible.  He is stunned.  He asks if he needs a lawyer but Benson explains the case is beyond their statute of limitations so there is nothing they can charge him with.  He says there is nothing TO charge, insisting he didn’t do anything. He screams that this one woman is destroying his name. Benson counters that first of all, it’s not one woman, there are others.  He reacts as if he can’t believe it.  He asks who, saying he has a right to know his accusers. Benson informs him none of the allegations rose to chargeable offenses and he is off the hook.  He admits he hasn’t been a saint, adding if a beautiful, younger woman seemed interested in him, he’s human.  He was grateful, yes, and did he sleep with some of them? Absolutely. But he says he never took advantage of anyone EVER.  Benson counters that is not what these women are saying; she says he was a powerful successful man and these women looked up to him. He abused their trust. He counters that they didn’t complain at the time. He moves for another drink and states has he pursued women – YES – and it used to be called seduction, not rape.  He tells Benson she knows him, but Benson questions if he really understands the power  differential. She asks that he didn’t understand he was their mentor. He admits he was, but yells if it’s okay for them to obliterate a lifetime’s work? And his reputation over these fabrications?  He asks what about Ian Ridley and what about all the good he’s done?  He needs Benson to stand up and defend him here.  She’s a Captain at the SVU and she can do that.  Benson explains she can’t, and when he asks why not, Benson begins to cry, saying he slept with her when she was 16 and he was 21 and technically that is sexual assault.  He looks flabbergasted and asks if she is saying that SHE is a victim  now?  She doesn’t answer. Burton reminds her they were in love, but she reminds him she was a teenager; her house was a mess, he knew that and that she would do anything to get away from her mother. Burton says not to get her voice in her head, they both know she was stone crazy.  But Benson asks was she, or maybe she was trying to protect her.  Burton asks if she remember the first night they had sex, 40 years ago?  Burton says he does, and she didn’t put up much of a fight.  He mentions the other night, yelling if she is going to change the narrative there too and say he raped her? Benson says no, of course not, and he says that sure seemed like consent to him.  As Benson tries to gather her emotions, Burton asks what the hell does she want from him, an apology, because he was in love with her?  Benson replies maybe; maybe she wanted some sort of acknowledgement  because she was so young.  Burton says she is not going to get it, and Benson states she can see that. She begins to storm out of the room and he asks where is she going, and does it mean they are done?  She reaches the door and says “Goodbye Burton” as she shuts the door behind her.  She hears the crashing of glass and stops, but then continues to walk out. 

In another flashback, Benson is talking to her mother and she says “I hate him for what he did to you.” He mother replies “So do I, and if he hadn’t, you would not be here. “ Benson holds her mother’s hand. Back in the present, Benson is in the park and calls Nick.  She explains she wanted to tell him that he was right about Burton and she is sorry for being so defensive. She thanks him. As she ends the call, she takes the audio cassette that Burton gave her years ago out of her pocket and throws it in the water below and walks off as we fade to black.