Law & Order Organized Crime “The Christmas Episode” Recap, Review, Discussion

There was nothing very Christmas-y in Law & Order Organized Crime “The Christmas Episode”. 

The second half of the 2-hour crossover episode, which began with Law & Order SVU “People Vs Richard Wheatley” , finished with Stabler hearing that Wheatley’s trial was declared a mistrial, and Stabler is racing to determine the whereabouts of his son, Eli. Part of the episode was predictable as it relates to Eli, who’s in deep trouble. It’s not just stealing his grandmother’s meds; he meets with a woman, goes to her place and shares the meds, adding some tequila, and before you know it, he’s waking and finding the woman dead in her bed. Eli, in a panic, flees and then calls his dad to help him. Despite Stabler telling him to wait by the phone, Eli finds his way to the edge high above the river, and prepares to jump. An officer talks him out of it. That’s the first predictable part – no way would they have one of Stabler’s kids die right now.

Clearly, Stabler hasn’t learned to keep police matters and personal matters separate, and right away barks for Jet to use her skills to track Eli, which could get her in trouble as this is not in their jurisdiction.  Again, Stabler puts his needs first!  Bell cautions him on this but eventually even she folds to Stabler’s demands and in quick order – too quick? -  they get access to surveillance cameras placed in the location where Eli was staying. They find who really did kill this woman, and that it was to frame Eli – another predictable outcome. 

Stabler believes Richard Wheatley arranged it, but Wheatley points the finger at his own daughter Dana, the only person (he says) who has access to his proprietary crypto currency.  In Stabler and Bell’s search for Dana, they arrive at Angela Wheatley’s residence and find nothing, except a feeble bodied and someone cloudy-minded Angela.   It’s when Stabler and Bell leave that we get a surprise: Angela is neither feeble bodied nor cloudy-minded.   Dana IS there, and Angela tells her that her father should be able to help her go into hiding.  I think many viewers of season 1 went through stages of wondering about Angela’s motives, so this is not a total shock that she is faking her health issues.  The only question is whose side is she on,  Richard's, or in it for herself?  I think she’s been playing Stabler since day one. 

There are still unresolved issues with Stabler and Benson.  When Stabler is contacted by the police about finding Eli, Benson also comes  along for support. This is despite her voicing to Stabler -  in the episode just previous - her frustration that Stabler seems to be oblivious to what she had gone through in her life while he was gone.  At first, it’s as if they never had that discussion at all.  Benson should have told Stabler she couldn’t assist this time, but we all know she is not that kind of person to turn down Stabler in his time of need. Were we supposed to conclude that, when, in the car,  Benson placed her comforting hand  on Stabler’s, that all was forgiven?  Later in the story, however, Stabler raises the issue himself, telling Benson he wants to know about her life, what she’s been through, the things he’s missed, and if she’s seeing anybody.  So he DID hear her, he was just late to react.  Benson explains about her relationship with “Ed”,  and thank god Benson had the smarts to not mention Ed’s last name (Tucker).  One day this is bound to come out and I want to see the look on Stabler’s face when he hears about THAT one.  Later, he also thanks her for her  for being there – again – when he needed it.  He wants to find balance in whatever this is, and Benson suggests they call it a friendship. But Benson may still want to keep her distance, as she didn’t jump right away at Stabler’s offer to come to his home for a Christmas meal with his family. 

Richard Wheatley finds himself a free man again when the DA’s office decides it doesn’t have the evidence or want to expend the effort to retry him.   Did you expect this to play out any differently?  Richard Wheatley is this series’ gift that keeps on giving!  We can assume he’s been plotting during his entire time in jail, so it will be interesting to see what kind of new trouble he will make for Stabler, Bell, and the task force. 

Here is the recap: 

(The story continues from Law & Order SVU “People Vs Richard Wheatley” )

Stabler arrives home and looks for Eli, and tries calling but no answer.  Eli is sitting on a bench on the promenade near the river. He meets  a girl – Mia– and they seem to hit it off. He mentions his mother being murdered and the trial.  He ignores his phone ringing.  Meanwhile, Stabler tells Dickie to keep trying and he tells his mom he doesn’t blame her. 

Eli and Mia end up in her apartment in Fort Lee New Jersey, and he continues to ignore his phone.  They drink some tequila and he brings out some pills and shares them with her.  He holds her hand and they kiss.  Later,  Eli wakes up on the sofa at 4:15 AM and finds Mia in her bed, dead.  In a panic, he quickly dresses and flees the apartment.  He’s spotted by someone as he waits for the elevator and runs to exit via the stairway. He tries to hail a cab but the cab speeds off. 

Back at home, Stabler says he had a city-wide alert put out.  Bernie thinks Stabler blames her but he does not.  His phone rings and it is Eli, calling from a pay phone.  He tells Stabler he is in Fort Lee – and where - and he says he needs help.  Stabler tells him to stay put and he is coming to get him.

Stabler, in his car with Benson, talk about Eli and she is supportive, putting her hand on his to console him.  He thanks her for coming.  But when they get to the location Eli gave them,  he is nowhere to be found.  Stabler calls out for him. 

Later, Eli is standing high about the river near the George Washington Bridge.  He climbs up on the railing, ready to jump.  But Office Lucas Buono comes by and quickly talks him off the railing. 

Soon after, Stabler and Benson arrive at the Fort Lee precinct to get Eli and speaks with Officer Buono. They have to take Eli for a psych evaluation but Stabler and Benson are given permission to talk to him.  Stabler and Eli hug and Stabler explains Benson is concerned and there to help.  Eli quickly explains meeting the girl, the drinking, the pills, and how he found her dead, he doesn’t know what happened. He ran out.  Stabler and Benson are shocked and concerned. Eli insists he told no one.   He said her name is Mia but didn’t know her last  name, he just met her. He doesn’t think they had sex.   Benson leaves the room and tells Stabler she’s got this.

Later, Benson arrives at the location of Mia’s apartment where the Fort Lee Police are already there.  She is not given access to the scene and the officer explains she can’t disclose anything to another jurisdiction. At the crime scene,  Detective  Ramirez sees there is petechial hemorrhaging in Mia’s eyes. 

Stabler, at the precinct, tells Detective Charbelle that no one else can question Eli as he is a minor and he does not waive his Miranda.  He tells Eli to sit tight. 

Benson overhears the info about the petechial hemorrhages in the eyes and calls Stabler and tells him, adding they think Mia was murdered. 

Later,  Ramirez meets with Stabler and explains they will have to charge Eli with Mia’s murder.  Stabler says his son is not going to jail, and Ramirez explains Eli will be remanded to Bergen General for a psych evaluation but this is a homicide investigation and he will not be allowed in to talk to Eli, Stabler understands.  Eli looks to his dad as he us cuffed. 

Stabler arrives back at the task force offices and asks Jet to find out everything she can about Mia.  Bell stops Stabler and chides him for this, explaining this could put Jet in a difficult position but he talks Bell into her helping as no one in Fort Lee has the expertise like Jet. 

Meanwhile, the man in the stairwell at Mia’s identifies Eli and his clothing,  and the officer confirms he saw Eli wearing the jacket the man described at the time he picked up Eli. 

Back at the task force, Jet quickly finds information on Mia and it appears she worked as an escort and the apartment she took Elli to was not hers.  It is owned by George Arbuckle and he owns a few places in Fort Lee and the reviews are iffy with complaints of hidden cameras in the rooms.  Jet emails the app maker to get access within seconds.  They find the Mia’s apartment and see Eli find Mia’s body.  But backing up the video feed, they see Mia being murdered by the man - Swofford -  who was a witness to Eli exiting the apartment.  Bell tells Jet to get the video to Ramirez to pick up Swofford. 

Later, Stabler and Benson arrive at the psych facility and hear they must talk to the Dr. Stutz before Eli can be released. 

In a waiting area, Stabler tells Benson he wants to know about her life, what she’s been through and the things he’s missed.  He asks if she is seeing anyone. She isn’t now.  He continues to press and she explains vaguely about “Ed” (without mentioning his last name) but she wasn’t ready and “Ed” died.    Dr. Stutz arrives and they discuss Eli,  the doctor explaining Eli mentioned his grandmother and sister being bipolar but doesn’t think this is it. Eli may not be suicidal and may not be an immediate risk but he is manifesting signs of severe anxiety. Stabler tries to explain it but Benson slows him down. Stutz says when Eli was on the ledge, he was devastated at the possibility he may have been some way responsible for Mia’s death but  more frightened and upset over how his father – Stabler – would react.  He is afraid FOR his father and is not sure how much more his dad can take.  Stabler is saddened, and walks into the room alone to see Eli and they embrace and Stabler says, “Let’s go home.”  They leave. 

Later,  in the New Jersey precinct, Ramirez and Charbelle question Swofford who admits he was hired to kill Mia and make it look like Eli did it.   Eli passed out so he had to smother Mia while Eli was still there.  He was paid for the hit by someone at Rikers and paid him in crypto, in their own proprietary coin. Stabler hears this.  Afterwards, he and Benson talk about this and he thanks her for her  for being there – again – when he needed it.  He wants to find balance in whatever this is, and Benson suggests they call it a friendship, and he smiles. He says, “Hey my friend Olivia, I’d like you and your son Noah to come on over to my place this weekend for a family…Christmas get-together. Please.”  Benson replies “Wow. Okay. I... I just need to think about it, okay? But I'll let you know. Can I let you know?” Stabler replies “Just come.”

Stabler arrives at Rikers and meets with Richard Wheatley, and says he knows it was him who hired for the murder. Wheatley of course denies it, saying when he gets out, he wants to start fresh and doesn’t want to be at war with him his family and be his nemesis.  Stabler mentions the hit paid for in Wheatley’s proprietary crypto, and Wheatley says the only person who has access right now to that is his daughter, Dana. 

Later, Stabler and Bell arrive at Angela’s apartment and she lets them in as she struggles to walk with her cane.  They explain they are looking for Dana and Bell asks to look around.  As Bell starts to look, Angela questions Stabler about Dana and Stabler reminds her that is her daughter.  Angela asks where is she, saying she hasn’t seen her.  As Bell searches, Angela says she is on the mend and the next time they retry him, not seeming to understand the word retrial.  She asks if he wants tea and he declines.  Bell see no one and they make a quick exit,  Angela asking Stabler if he will come see her again.   He says he will try.  After they leave, Angela ditches the cane and walks normally to the kitchen to pour two glasses of wine.  Dana walks in the back door and asks what did they want?  Angela says Dana needs to disappear for a while, her father should be able to arrange something. 

Back at home, Stabler speaks to Eli in his room,, who is sorry he didn’t come to the verdict.  Stabler understands it has been hard on him.  They talk about the trial and Stabler says Angela is going to testify again and they have a new strategy.  Eli wants it to stop, he doesn’t want to think about it anymore. Stabler agrees.  Eli knows they can’t bring his mom back, he just wants to be with him and the family.  Stabler agrees. Eli says Stabler is here now, and Stabler says he has a meeting this morning but will be there the rest of the day, week, month. Eli tears up and Stabler leaves the room. 

Meanwhile, Barba arrives at the jail where Wheatley is being held and when Wheatley asks if they have a date for the retrial, Barba explains there isn’t going to be a retrial; the DA decided not to move forward as the case is weak and they don’t want to expend their resources. Wheatley is a free man.  As Barba walks off, Wheatley hopes Barba will reconsider his offer, but again Barba says he told him once he doesn’t suffer fools for clients, and  there will never be enough money in the world. Wheatley disagrees, adding there is plenty of money in the world and he plans on getting his hands on all of it. An officer takes Wheatley out of the cell. 

At the Stabler home, they are decorating and preparing for their Christmas  meal and there is a knock on the door.  Stabler opens it, expecting to see Benson and Noah.  Instead it is Bell, who apologizes for interrupting.  She says she just heard something and she didn’t want him to be blindsided by it.   We cut to black.