Real-life news stories are gifts that keep on giving to Law & Order SVU. In “American Disgrace,” the story draws from the May 2014 news story of Solange Knowles and her elevator fight with her brother-in-law, Jay Z. It also used the April 2014 news story of an audio recording of Donald Sterling, owner of the LA Clippers, making racist comments. (The writers may be saving the Ray Rice domestic violence elevator story and the ensuing NFL handling of that incident for a later time. After all, only so much can happen in a short elevator ride. And why load in yet another good stand-alone ripped from the headlines story into an episode that already used two?)
In this episode, star basketball player, Shakir “The Shark” Wilkins (Henry Simmons), and his partnership with the Orion Bay corporation for a clothing line, is derailed by a very public rape accusation by a female press rep. An elevator scene depicting security camera footage has no audible dialog, and viewers can only guess what’s being said. (I found this scene slightly amusing, probably because it was so blatantly lifted from the Solange/Jay-Z altercation.) Clearly something has happened which sets off the female press rep, and when the elevator opens to a gang of waiting reporters, we hear her making a rape accusation against Shakir. The SVU team gets involved, and later find themselves sucked into a set-up perpetrated by Orion Bay’s owner, Orion Bauer, a bitter, racist man. Stacy Keach was excellent as Bauer, playing a borderline feeble old man and the scheming, manipulative racist.
In a twist, it’s the accused sports star who is the real victim, the rape accusations being orchestrated by Orion because his daughter Cordelia (Teri Polo) had a fling with Shakir and was pregnant with his child. It’s Orion’s own racism which eventually causes the set-up to be exposed; he paid one of the rape accusers – a black store clerk – less than he paid the others two accusers, who were white. The greedy store clerk, upset over the inequity, inadvertently spills the beans. As Barba’s case unravels, the full extent of the set-up is exposed. It's too late for Shakir, whose reputation has been destroyed, and for Cordelia, whose pregnancy is no more.
During the initial stage of the investigation, Benson cautions the detectives about their biases, telling them she does not want to hear that a woman lied and Shakir is a hero and he never could have done such a thing. In this case, it’s Benson who is biased, favoring the approach of the women being victims, causing a wrongly accused man to have his life ruined. I also find it hard to believe that the Manhattan justice system can move so fast that Shakir would be in supreme court – with a fully seated jury no less – within a few days from the start of the investigation. Maybe if the detectives and prosecution spent more time investigating this case, and the defense doing the same, the credibility of the witnesses would have been flushed our sooner.
I’m also liking Sonny (Peter Scanavino) even more. He’s unafraid to say what’s on his mind and gives unfiltered opinions. Benson could be discounting his opinions because he is so forward. Maybe after this case, where his instincts seemed right on the money, she will pay attention to his input.
This case also gave Rollins an excuse to visit her former precinct in Atlanta where it appears she had some issue with the deputy chief, indicated by the fact that the deputy chief made himself scarce during her visit. Also in this episode, Rollins tells one of the girls who claimed rape that, from personal experience, pretending something didn’t happen doesn’t make it go away. We can only guess from this comment that something happened in Atlanta which may have had a lasting effect on her. My guess is this scene was a set up for a personal Rollins story line in some later episode.
The writers built a solid, yet somewhat predictable, story around real life events. At times, with the focus on Bauer's motives for the set up and the ending scene with Shakir and Cordelia, "American Disgrace" felt like a Law & Order Criminal Intent episode.
Amaro was missing in this episode but the extra Barba time, and his expensive suits, made up for it.
Are there any lessons to be learned from this episode? First: cameras and recording devices are everywhere, and there is no such thing as a private moment – anywhere - so watch what you say. And don't always take what you see on security cameras at face value. Second: before you accuse your staff of being biased, be mindful of your own biases. Third: take more than a few days before you prosecute your case in supreme court.
Here is the recap:
Cast:
Mariska Hargitay – Sergeant Olivia Benson
Ice-T – Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Danny Pino - Detective Nick Amaro
Raúl Esparza - ADA Rafael Barba
Guest stars:
Peter Scanavino - Detective Dominick “Sonny” Carisi Jr.
Stacy Keach - Orion Bauer
Teri Polo – Cordelia
Henry Simmons - Shakir “The Shark” Wilkins
Elizabeth Marvel – Counselor Rita Calhoun
Kelley Missal - Carla Cannon
Lakisha May – Tiana Raynes
Patricia Noonan - Macie-Lynn Pearce
Myk Watford - Captain Sam Reynolds
Sandy Duncan - Judge Virginia Farrell
Al Trautwig – as Himself
At Orion Bay corporation, a press conference lead by Orion Bauer and his daughter Cordelia, is held to announce Shakir “The Shark” Wilkins new clothing line, “Sharkwear MVP” and that Shakir’s contract has been renewed.
Meanwhile, Rollins and Fin watch the event on TV in a bar and Rollins comments she never lost a dollar bet on Shakir.
After the press conference, Cordelia is on the phone, asking where is it? Bauer asks what is going on, and Cordelia says Shakir’s driver has gone AWOL. Bauer tells her to Uber it and looks at Carla and says she can go in. Carla asks if someone else can do that. He asks her if there is a problem. Cordelia calls over to Shakir and says Carla will get him out of there. They all move to the elevator as the reporters continue to snap photos.
In the elevator, from the vantage point of the security camera, Shakir, Cordelia, Orion Bauer and a bodyguard are in the elevator as Carla walks in. While Cordelia moves toward her father to show him something, Shakir moves over to Carla and touches her arm. She looks shocked and pulls away, and he backs off. Then she lunges at him and starts to hit him, the bodyguard moving in to restrain her while Bauer and Cordelia watch on in shock. Cordelia moves in to intervene. The elevator opens, with reporters standing outside, their cameras filming as Carla is pulled out of the elevator by the bodyguard. As Carla kicks and fights being restrained, she yells for them to get off of her, they can’t shut her up and she is not their “thot” they can’t just make this go away. She says he know what he did. Bauer yells that is enough, and Carla continues to scream that his life can go on, more money, more fame, no responsibilities? Cordelia tells to get Carla out of here. Shakir asks what the hell is she talking about as Cordelia moves him off and tells her father to go. Reporters continue to record the event.
Back at SVU, the whole squad is watching the video of the altercation as Benson walks in and asks what is going on? The group breaks up and Sonny says there is breaking news at Orion Bay and asks if she knows Shakir Wilkins. Benson comments he is America’s hero, and Sonny states, “Not anymore.” He shows her the video of Carla being taken away, shouting at the cameras that he is not a role model, he is a rapist, and that he raped her. Benson asks when did this happen, and Sonny explains it was a half hour ago, and asks if she wants him to talk to this girl. Benson asks where is Fin and Rollins, and he explains they are at a working lunch. Benson asks him to tell them to get them back in there. Sonny picks up the phone to call them.
Later, at SVU in the interview room, Benson and Rollins speak with Carla who is reluctant to talk about the situation. She explained the rape happened on Memorial Day – 3 months ago. She explains it was the summer kick off in the Hamptons and she drove Shakir back to the city and he invited her to his hotel. The last thing she recalls is having one drink with him at the hotel bar and woke up in his room, in his bed, naked and sore. She did not go to the hospital or a doctor. She confronted him today as there was a problem with his car and she was told to get Shakir back to his hotel and it triggered her. She is worried she is going to lose her job and when Benson asks her to explains, Carla says Shakir is the face of Orion Bay and it is like peeing on Mt, Rushmore. She said Mr. Bauer said it back then that nothing good can come from this. When Benson presses on this comment, Carla admits she told Bauer about the rape, who suggested she was confused or that her feelings were hurt because Shakir didn’t sent flowers. He said if she kept the conversation between them, he would recommend a bonus any time her name came up. Rollins asks if she can prove that, and Carla says last week she got $5,000.
Later, at Orion Bay Headquarters on Tuesday, August 19, Rollins and Fin discuss the matter with Orion Bauer and his daughter Cordelia. Rollins thinks he is just protecting his interests. Rollins would prefer to speak to Bauer alone, but he informs them Cordelia is also his attorney. They ask about the money paid to Carla and Bauer says they are family and they take care of each other. When she came to him, she said she did not remember all the details . She is a good kid and maybe she got drunk and he didn’t want any hard feelings. Fin states the problem is it looks like Bauer is covering up a rape. Cordelia portrays Carla as being unstable and wonders why she did not report it to the police. Fin replies that she has now. Bauer states Shakir is like a son to him and he would not do something like this. He suggests he talk to him but Rollins cautions him not to, saying it is an official police investigation and any conversation could look like conspiracy.
Later, Shakir is playing basketball with some kids for his summer youth program and Fin and Rollins question him. He thinks Carla has emotional problems and does not want to press charges, but they inform him it is about her accusation of rape. He says she has emotional problems and hope she gets the help she needs. He has only known her about a year. Rollins asks about Memorial day and going back to the hotel, and Shakir says his town car overheated and she drove him back to the city. They had a drink at the bar and a bite to eat and she left. Rollins explains the rape accusation and Shakir says that did not happen and thinks this is a shakedown. He is going through a divorce now and there is a custody battle and she knows about it He feels badly for her and is trying not to overreact but if anyone was assaulted it was him, in that elevator. Rollins asks if he will press charges, and Shakir decides to talk to his lawyer and says he needs to get back to the kids. Fin asks how long he will be in town, and Shakir says just for the week. Rollins says if he leaves, he needs to tell them where he is going.
Back at SVU, the detective watch the elevator footage and Benson wonders what set off Carla. Sonny is suspicious, staying she waited 3 months until all the hotel video was erased and she had a lobby full of press. Fin thinks she put on a show for the security cameras and Shakir thinks it is a shakedown. Benson says she does not want to hear that a woman lied and Shakir is a hero and he never could have done such a thing, adding this is SVU and they take disclosures seriously. Rollins replies copy that but adds for what it is worth, Shakir has been a public figure for 20 years and there has never been a whisper about anything like this. Sonny adds this girl can’t remember any details, and Fin agrees. Benson reminds them they’ve had cases where athletes have drugged women, and when she sees Rollins distracted by her phone, she asks Rollins if she is with us. Rollins explains she has a message from her old captain in Atlanta; a girl down there claims that Shakir did the same thing to her,. After seeing him on the news. Sonny comments that they are piling on now. Benson tells her to go down and talk to the girl and not to let her hero worship blind her. Rollins says “will do” and then adds she may check on her mom while she is down there.
At the Atlanta Police Department, Precinct Zone 8 at 205 Spring Street NW in Atlanta GA on Wednesday, August 20, Captain Sam Reynolds asks Rollins if she is going to see her mom. She says no, then asks him to tell her about the victim. He is not sure she is one, she claims Shakir raped her 6 months ago and there was no outcry and no physical evidence. They are not pursuing. Rollins asked why he called her, and he thought she may wanted to know and maybe he just wanted an excuse. She asks if he is separated again, and he says this time it is for good. His little girl is in college and asks her if she is up for a beer later. She asks for a rain check and explains she has to catch the 5 o’clock back to New York. She adds they work her hard up there. He suggests next time. She asks if the deputy chief is in, and he explains she just missed him, he said he knew she was coming and he extends his regards.
Rollins speaks with Macie-Lynn who says she was Shakir’s stylist on a shoot. She was thrilled to meet him at first. He invited her to his hotel and they had some wine. The next thing she remembers she was in his bed, naked. She says he raped her like the other girl said./ She didn’t tell anyone, it is a small town and people talk. She called Mr. Bauer and he told her the same thing the captain said = no good can come from making a complaint. Rollins asks if Bauer offered any other help, and she says he didn’t want any hard feeling so if she let it go, he would see that he got a bonus. She supports her family and her daddy lost his job and she needed the money.
