The special victims case in “Complicated” wasn’t very complicated, in fact, it seemed very familiar. That’s because Law & Order SVU already did an episode in season 10 titled “Stranger” that followed a virtually identical story line of an imposter presenting herself as a girl who’d gone missing years prior. It was no surprise that the missing girl had been killed by her brother, the body disposed of by his father in order to shield the boy from any consequences of his actions.
Was it completely inappropriate for NYPD to be digging out the girl's body and then have Carisi take it away, wrapped in the original blanket? I would think that forensics would be there to dig it out, collect evidence, and then properly transport the body to be further examined.
Luckily, this episode wasn’t all about the SVU case. Benson’s problems with Sheila Porter and the custody of Noah ramped up. Benson and Trevor Langan end up in court facing Sheila Porter and her attorney. Benson is quick to argue her case at every step, despite what seems like Trevor’s efforts to calm her down. Later, we get a tearful scene with Benson as she confides with Barba on the custody case. Barba thinks Sheila Porter can’t get custody after 3 years and Benson knows the law is on her side. But Benson worries because the judge is allowing Sheila’s filing for visitation. Benson struggles that she doesn’t know if it’s right to keep Noah from his only living relative. Ultimately, Benson takes the high road and meets with Sheila, where Sheila explains her own struggles with her daughter Ellie - Noah’s mother. Later, Benson has invited Sheila into her home to meet Noah, who is quick to call her grandma and hold her hand while he shows her his room. Will this remain a happy arrangement or will things turn bad down the road for Benson? We all know that it’s hard for anyone to live happily ever after on Law & Order SVU.
In the original press release with the episode details, it stated that “Carisi's (Peter Scanavino) conversation with a newspaper reporter puts him in hot water.” Did I fall asleep during this episode and miss this? I certainly don’t recall anything like this. Maybe it will turn up in a deleted scene? (Note - yes, there are three deleted scenes on this issue, posted below.)
The cameo by Isaiah Thomas felt shoehorned in and very awkward. If ever there was a deleted scene in an episode, this should have been one of them.
Note: THREE deleted scenes have been added below, which explains the newspaper reporter issue.
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:
Brooke Shields - Sheila Porter
Peter Hermann - Trevor Langan
Paul Schulze - Bill Lawrence
Jane Houdyshell - Judge Ruth Linden
Maureen Mueller - Counselor Daniella Janet
Ili Ray – Britney Taylor/Emma Lawrence
Mike Faist – Glenn Lawrence
Isaiah Thomas – Isaiah Thomas – Himself
Lawrence Ballard - Dr. Leon Bailey
Tanya Rivero – Host
Kabe Park – Michael Kim
Max Pava – Gregory Lang
Ryan Buggle - Noah Porter Benson
Deleted scenes
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