Law & Order SVU “A Misunderstanding” (directed by Mariska Hargitay) could have been titled “A Miscommunication.” Nobody was communicating on the same wavelength in this episode. There wouldn’t have been any misunderstanding between the two teens, Abby and Chris, had they actually been talking with each other – and I don’t mean via text messages – before they headed to the school’s darkroom for a little "fun." (Schools still have darkrooms?) The episode made references to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but make no mistake, this episode’s story of two immature, hormone-fueled teens with toxic, feuding parents had little resemblance to Shakespeare. The "Romeo and Juliet exemption" also didn't apply, as the allegation was that Chris forced himself on Abby. Abby and Chris were far from being in love; Abby may have been in lust, and Chris only wanted to score to get his name immortalized on the “Cherry Pickers” wall of fame. Unlike Romeo and Juliet, there was no love here, or, at least it never got a chance.
The story felt unoriginal; I think SVU did it before. Of course, with the show in its 17th season, themes are bound to repeat. I could not engage with this story. Viewers saw what happened between the teens during the (long) opening, which drained the suspense from the investigation and trial. In fact, there was no substantial initial investigation. It wasn’t until Counselor Rita Calhoun, who had crossed over to the “dark side” to take the case for the “victim” pro bono, suggested that Barba talk to others at the dance to get more to bolster his weak case. The case was a “he said/she said” (or “her parents say/his parents say”) because the SVU didn’t do their homework before confronting the parents of the alleged rapist, Chris. The only drama was watching Chris’ mother Ellen go off the rails with Benson and Abby at the courthouse rest room.
Had the maid not found the discarded dress, these two teens could have worked out their misunderstanding on their own and kept the crazed parents out of it. Only when the parents got involved did this incident seem to spiral out of control. This left the jury to sort it out and they probably got it right. Don't misunderstand me; rapists need to be punished. But, like the jury concluded, it didn't appear that one had occurred.
Also in the long opening was a scene with Benson and Dr. Lindstrom, where Benson professes she is fine after her “Townhouse Incident” (last week’s episode). She wants Lindstrom to sign off on her ability to work. I am not sure I believe her, especially when she admits she can barely let Noah out of her sight and also admits to still having nightmares and flashbacks. She speaks of the “endless cycle of abuse” (which implies hopelessness), but then says SHE has hope so I guess that makes everything okay (sarcasm intended). Lindstrom must have given her the go ahead as she was back to work. But, my “BS” detector was registering a loud warning as Benson spoke. And why did the writers feel the need to make excuses for Joe’s and Roxie’s behavior in “Townhouse Incident” ? Are we supposed to feel sorry for them or give them a pass because they suffered abuse as children? I think not. Benson could have easily made her point about the endless cycle of abuse without citing that case, which, as far as I am concerned, closed on a perfect note at the end of that episode.
There were some preachy moments, the most obvious when Benson talks about needing new rules for sexual engagement, mentioning California passing affirmative consent. (The effectiveness and enforceability of California's affirmative consent law continues to be debated.) Barba’s sarcastic answer to her - “we’ll see how that goes” – was perfect. Yet Benson goes on, showing her bias against boys, indicating that teenage boys, even in college, don’t know what behavior might constitute rape and the line needs to be made clearer. Her comments would have carried more weight with me had she mentioned that teen girls need to be educated about the subject as well. The consent issue regarding teen sex applies to BOTH sexes, and Benson, in her role as Lieutenant in Special Victims, needs to be more cognizant of this.
Rollins showed up in the squad room with baby Jesse (being played by her real-life son Ludo). Her colleagues have plenty of ideas for her return to work and they have no problem debating them in front of her. This scene included one of two great Rita Calhoun zingers in this episode: her wonderfully unenthusiastic comment “Oh look a baby.” (My feelings exactly.) Calhoun follows up later with a wisecrack to Buchanan about her working pro bono, and, seeing his girth, saying that not all lawyers have to worry about their next meal.
Some oddities:
In one scene, Barba and Calhoun speak with the Stewarts in their home. The last date card shown before this scene was January 15. The Stewarts still are displaying their Christmas tree, and the 15th is far past the date by which tradition says to take it down.
In the scene where Carisi is on the stand, he has just answered a question from Buchanan and even though Buchanan has not stated he is finished with his cross examination, Barba leaps up and redirects. Shouldn’t Barba wait until Buchanan states he is done before he asks a question of the witness? (If there is anyone out there who has insight on the proper procedure here, please feel free to comment.)
Benson, in a discussion with Dodds outside the courthouse, says Abby didn’t make this up and she is not a manipulative girl. I don’t know how Benson can make that assertion as she’s only known this girl a short time and only through the investigation. Benson showed what I think is an inappropriate bias for Abby. (Maybe Chris’ mother sensed this, which could have caused her to have that meltdown in the ladies rest room.)
This episode annoyed me more than it interested me.
Here is the recap:
Cast:
Mariska Hargitay - Lieutenant Olivia Benson
Ice-T - Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Raúl Esparza - ADA Rafael Barba
Peter Scanavino - Detective Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Jr.
Guest stars:
Andy Karl – Sgt. Mike Dodds
Elizabeth Marvel - Counselor Rita Calhoun
Delaney Williams - Counselor John Buchanan
Charlie Ray - Abby Stewart
Sean Grandillo - Chris Roberts
Pamela J. Gray - Laura Stewart
Jonathan Walker - Andrew Stewart
Olivia Birkelund - Ellen Roberts
John Hickok - Dennis Roberts
Aida Turturro - Judge Felicia Catano
Bill Irwin - Dr. Peter Lindstrom
Sonia Manzano – Judge Gloria Pepitone
Daniel Covin – Will Moore
Zak Steiner – Jack Peters
Catherine Dylan - Daniella
Les J.M.Mau – Teacher
Lauren Noble – Carmen
Dan Murphy – Jury Foreperson
In Dr. Lindstrom’s office, Benson explains the events that happened in the “Townhouse Incident.” She adds they found that Joe – the ringleader – and his girlfriend were both serially abused as children. He had brain damage from beatings and drug use and this is an endless cycle of abuse. Lindstrom asks what would happen if she stopped, and Benson says she can’t, citing that Rollins is still out and she has a new Sergeant that is not up to speed. Lindstrom reminds her she said it was an endless cycle, but Benson insists she doesn’t feel that way, she has hope. She insists she is fine, she wasn’t shot, her injuries were powder burns. Lindstrom asks if there are no nightmares or flashbacks, and Benson admits she has both of those, that is nothing new. Lindstrom questions, “And Noah?” Benson replies, “I can barely let him out of my sight. He is all I can think about.” Lindstrom asks about being held at gunpoint, questioning if she has to go back and that no one but her can do this job, Benson states she came here because she is fine, she came here because she is ready, now she just needs him to sign off on that.
Elsewhere, Chris Roberts spots Abby Stewart in the hall at her locker. Abby talks with her friend Daniella about it. Chris’s friends Will and Jack comment they’d hit that and if he doesn’t, they will. Later, in class while the teacher talks about the Montagues and the Capulets from Romeo and Juliet, talking fate vs. free will, Abby gets a message from Chris and says to Daniella that Chris asked her to the dance. Later, they are both at Abby’s house getting ready for the dance and Abby’s parents take pictures. Abby gets a text from Chris, saying he can’t wait to see you and asks “RUH?” and Daniella says that is good, that means Chris is into her.
At the dance, Chris offers Abby a drink from a flask and she takes it. They kiss and he takes pictures of it. He asks if she wants to go downstairs and she agrees. They head to the darkroom and they begin to make out. She tells him to wait and slow down and later tells him not so hard. He says she is so hot and soon she get a pained look on her face.
When she gets back home, her parents ask how was the party but she races upstairs, saying it was fine but she is tired. In her room, she gets a text from Chris, saying he had a great time and then he’d see her on Monday. She replies “K”. She gets a new text from Daniella asking for “deets now” but Abby does not answer, laying down in bed, looking distressed.
At a later time in the SVU squad room, Benson and the detectives ogle over Rollins’ baby and Carisi tries to offer advice about coming back to work and then they ALL start discussing Rollins coming back to work. She asks them not to discuss her in front of her. Counselor Rita Calhoun rushes in and indifferently comments “Oh look a baby” and immediately asks Benson if she has a minute.
In Benson’s office, Calhoun explains she is representing a 15-year-old freshman, Abby Stewart, who is the victim. Benson is surprised Calhoun is working as an advocate, asking if this is penance for representing a serial killer. Calhoun asks if Benson is still holding that against her, and Benson firmly replies yes. Calhoun explains Abby was raped at a school dance almost a week ago, disclosure was not that late but when they went to the precinct, they were told there was no case. Benson states that is how precincts keep their rape stats low. Calhoun says she has known Abby since birth and she is not making this up but the boy is a schoolmate, Chris Roberts, 18. She was his date and went with him willingly to a make out room where they had consensual foreplay. Benson tells her that doesn’t matter and that Calhoun knows that. Calhoun sighs. Benson states that the late disclosure means no rape kit, and Calhoun admits no, but states the maid saw Abby’s dress was stained and showed it to Laura, Abby’s mom. Benson finishes that Laura questioned Abby – and Calhoun says that the story tumbled out. Calhoun explains that Abby is introverted and she was a virgin. She asks Benson if she will meet with them, and Benson says “of course” with some annoyance, slamming down something on her desk.
Later, at the home of Andrew and Laura Stewart with Calhoun present, Benson and Carisi interview the parents and Carisi explains what will happen next. When the issue of the dress arises, Carisi states they will send that to the lab. Benson says it will be easier to speak with Abby when the parents are not around, and Calhoun says the parents are aware, and so is Abby.
