Law & Order SVU “Blackout” is the best episode of the season, making one recurring character, Nikki Staines (Callie Thorne) the victim, and casting some suspicion on another recurring character, Chief Dodds (Peter Gallagher). It feels odd that an episode can be both very predictable and very suspenseful at the same time, and I credit the guest cast and fine acting that made the story so intense. Titus Welliver was well cast as hot-shot lawyer Rob Miller. When he was too helpful to Benson in providing information for the SVU investigation, it was clear he had his own agenda. It’s almost unfortunate they caught up with him so quickly as he was a shifty character that I could love to hate, and I would have enjoyed seeing him again. Benson had her suspicions about Rob, but it was Rollins, sensing there was something off with Rob’s comment on her “Loganville accent”, who began to dig deeper. In doing so, she uncovered an issue with a judge who Rob had helped to cover up his plagiarism from law school. We don’t know what was in the memo that was delivered to the judge during the opening trial, but we can only assume that Rob was exerting his influence on that case.
Benson immediately feels the sting from Rob when she uses his invitation for drinks as an opportunity to collect evidence. But she was forced to play her hand quickly; Rob easily spotted the bus boy handling his wine glass with the skill of a crime scene officer. After leaving that encounter, Benson, while driving home with Noah, gets stopped by a state trooper for a minor infraction, which gives the trooper the chance to accuse her of driving under the influence. The fact that Rob had no problems setting this up knowing that Noah would be with her in the car shows how low he is willing to go to intimidate. (I was surprised at how indignant and uncooperative Benson was when the trooper stopped her. ) Lucky for Benson she didn't have that second glass of wine. Of course, this incident only inflames Benson and she immediately goes head to head with Dodds. He helps her case by speaking with Rob while wearing a wire, Rob falling for the oldest trick in the book.
Callie Thorne – this time as a victim – was excellent both in her frustration at how the SVU was handling her case, but also as a victim who had regrets about how she’s treated other victims during the course of her job.
We finally get some closure on a memo from Chief Dodds that Fin used as a bargaining chip to help Benson in the episode "Flight Risk" (season 19). I believe that Fin also may have used this same memo to stay at SVU in his new job as Sergeant. We still don’t know the contents of the memo, but it seems to confirm the assumption that it involved the questioning of Benson’s fitness as the head of SVU. Now that Dodds knows that Benson is aware of this memo, its powers may be diminished. But Benson must be concerned that the contents are still damaging as she questions whether she should be worried about her job.
The main cast was used to its fullest, giving everybody a chance to contribute to the story. It felt like an ensemble again! (Philip Winchester did not appear in this episode, however.)
A question - they found a hair that led them to the podcaster J.J. Austen, but the issue of how his hair got there was never explained. Did I miss something?
This episode had a run time of Run time 40:22 (including credits but no commercials) which seems much shorter than normal.
A+
Here is the recap:
In the courtroom, Benson is testifying on the stand, being questioned by defense attorney Nikki Staines, while a court officer brings a notice to the judge. Benson explains she supervised the detectives on the case, and was the senior officer. Nikki questions that it was Benson’s decision to hold her client, Mr. Stevens, solely responsible for organizing a sex party. Benson explains the issue wasn’t that it was a sex party, the issue was most of the girls in attendance were underage. The judge reads the notice as Nikki asks to approach and he puts the notice down. Nikki informs him she is going to file another motion to dismiss the charges. As Benson listens with disgust, the prosecutor asks how many more hail marys do they have to put up with. She adds this is the second time within a week that Nikki has made assertions without any basis. The judge says he may see a basis this time, and, to Benson’s surprise, adds he is seriously considering dropping all charges, calling the lawyers to his chambers.
At The Flat Health & Fitness on 23 West 24th Street on Thursday, March 7, Benson tells her trainer she knows her left hook needs work, but he says she is looking really good. He say the next time they box, he is hitting back. She jokes now he is scaring her, and she walks off, and Nikki is there, commenting it is the second time in a day. Benson says Nikki got a real break today with the charges being dropped. Nikki admits she was surprised herself, and just to show there are no bad feelings, she has an extra ticket to the police philanthropy event tonight, and how did she know she’s be getting divorced when she bought a pair of them 6 months ago. Benson wonders if that is appropriate, and Nikki says yeah, why not? Benson replies because Nikki is suing the NYPD for $50 million. Nikki laughs that it is a civil liberties case about the department conducting illegal surveillance on activist groups and it has nothing to do with Benson’s unit. Benson says she will see her there because she already has a ticket. Benson walks off.
Later, at the event, Benson comments to Rollins that 2 hours of glad-handing the brass, she is ready to be on her couch with her feet up. Rollins suggests or in bed, and Benson says or that, suggesting one more time around the room and they are out of there. Rollins comments she was ready to go when they got there. They approach a table where Nikki is there, talking with Carisi and Fin. Fin comments that they save the city, but Nikki counters they cannot protect the rights of citizens by violating the rights of its citizens. Carisi suggest she call a constitutional law professor the next time somebody breaks into her car. Benson comments so much for small talk. Nikki says it is just a little sparring after hours, nothing personal. Fin retorts, “Says you.” Nikki replies “back at you, Sergeant” and says she needs a refill and walks off. Benson suggests to Rollins they say good night to Dodds and get out of there, and Rollins says she is right behind her. Carisi says they will catch up. Benson and Rollins approach Dodds, who asks if he is allowed to say they look lovely tonight, and Benson jokingly replies only if he says the same thing to Fin and Carisi. He laughs and says he will get right on that. A man standing next to Dodds asks if he is going to introduce him, and Dodds introduces Rob Miller, co-counsel to their lawyers on the civil rights lawsuit. Benson says that is the case that Nikki is co-litigating, and Ron replies so she has heard of him. Benson comments he did make the top 10 attorneys in New York Magazine last year. He states that’s what you get for picking up the check at lunch with a starving publisher. That at &2.75 gets you a ride on the bus. Dodds tells them don’t believe it, Rob is one of the people who really runs this town. Rob says hardly, adding he is a huge fan of the work Benson’s unit does. Rollins comments that is always nice to hear. Rob asks if that is a Georgia accent…Loganville? Rollins gives him a stare, saying that is a first. Rob says he went to school down south, then tells Benson it is nice to put a face to a name and suggests they grab a coffee sometime. Rollins gives her a look and Benson looks surprised, then tells Rob that the Chief knows how to get a hold of her. Rob walks off. Dodds asks if he can get Benson and Rollins a drink, and Benson explains he has a…Dodds finishes she has a sitter on the clock. He thanks both of them for making an appearance, and he walks off. Benson asks Rollins what does she say, and Rollins comments that Mr. High-Powered Lawyer is making the moves on Benson. Benson is surprised, thinking he was moving on Rollins, commenting about Loganville. Rollins scoffs, saying all she has time for is kids. Benson says Noah is waiting up for her as they speak. They leave.
Nikki is staggering in the street, falling against a car. She steadies herself and then continues to stagger off.
The next morning, two police officers arrive at a location and ask a waiting woman “where is she?” As they race into the building a woman says, “I didn’t want to touch her, I didn’t know if she’s alive or dead.” Nikki Staines is laying, unconscious, on the stairs and one officer checks and says Nikki has a pulse. The other officer calls for a bus. Nikki becomes partially conscious and weakly asks for help. Later, as the EMTs take her to the ambulance on a gurney, Fin and Rollins arrive. An officer tells them the victim is a white female, in her 40s. She said she was assaulted and was pretty out of it, but asked the police to call SVU. Fin recognizes it is Nikki Staines. They approach her as she is being loaded into the ambulance. Rollins asks what happened to her. Nikki replies that she can’t remember, adding she must have been drugged. Rollins assures her they will take care of you, and Fin asks if she knows who did this to her? Nikki shakes her head, and, having difficulty speaking, say no, all she knows is she needs “a goddamn rape kit.”
