This episode of Law & Order SVU, “Conversion”, involved a church who will “rape the gay out of somebody” - as Rollins put it – to convert a congregant away from homosexual tendencies. It was an interesting topic but it was wrapped in tepid writing and a mediocre guest cast. It did offer some memorable lines; besides Rollins’ “rape the gay out of somebody” we also got Fin’s “the guy in the sky isn’t down with rape” and Fin’s priceless reaction when Lucas spoke about a woman feeling the full glory of God inside her.
This whole episode could be summed up in two sentences: "I did it - because God" and "It's rape." (Hint - it's the latter, in case they didn't make that point often enough.)
I’ve asked this question many times over the years and I will ask it again – does anyone in New York City ever look through those peepholes in the door to see who is on the other side? I know that Ann expected it to be someone else, but as a young girl alone in a hotel room in the big city, I would have expected her to look first to be sure.
Benson also introduced Fin as "Detective" so although he passed the Sergeant's exam, he may not have the official title as yet. It also may be worth noting that even for Benson, God is a “He.” But that issue is an argument for another day.
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:
Kip Pardue - Reverend Gary Langham
Michael Kostroff - Atty. Evan Braun
Casey Cott - Lucas Hale
Jessie Carter - Ann Davenport
Sarah Nicole Deaver - Lydia Banks
Orlagh Cassidy - Cheryl Davenport
Zachary Knower – Mr. Davenport
Michael Mastro – Judge Serani
Tom Titone – Judge Joshua Goldfarb
Eric Camarano – Officer Rachel Ortiz
Rebecca Krainik - Charlotte Owens
Peter Graham - Brad
David Julian Levi - Dave
Alexander Hodge - Trent Dillon
Reverend Gary Langham and Charlotte Owns are in Times Square, along with other members of their church. Gary is shocked at the sights and tells the group this isn’t want they want. Ann Davenport, another church member, scans the crowd for her friend Lydia Banks; she tells Lucas that she hasn’t seen her since she left New York. Ann spots Lydia and they hug in happiness while Gary and Charlotte look on, somewhat displeased. Ann introduces Lydia to Lucas; Lydia asks where to?
Later, Lydia and Ann are in a bar, and as Lydia brings the drinks over to Ann, she complains the bartender keeps trying to sell her shots. Lucas thinks he should be doing that and moves off to tell the bartender. Two young men approach Ann and Lydia and try to hit on them with zero success when they wisecrack about Ann being a churchgoer and a virgin. Reverend Gary approaches them and asks if those guys were bothering them, and Ann explains that Lydia got rid of them. Gary says, “Well. I see.”
Afterward, Charlotte knocks on Ann’s hotel room door to say it is 11 and time for light out. Lydia pops up and when Charlotte tells Ann she knows the rules – no guests in the room – Lydia explains she was just there to use the bathroom. She leaves and Ann apologizes. They hug each other and while doing so, Ann puts a hotel room key card in Lydia’s back pocket. As Lydia leaves, Charlotte sternly tells her lights out.
Sometime later, Ann’s phone rings and she sees a picture message from Lydia noting “Buzzkill”. She laughs. There is a knock on the door and she turns out her lights. Thinking it is Charlotte, she says she turned out the lights as she opens the door without looking through the peep hole to see who is on the other side. She gets a look of concern.
Thinking Charlotte is now asleep, Lydia races down the hotel hall to Ann’s room and uses Ann’s key card to enter Ann’s room. She is shocked to find Ann sitting on the floor next to the bed, crying, her panties down around her ankles, in shock.
Later, Benson and Fin arrive on the scene and are told by an officer that the victim is Ann Davenport, 18, part of a visiting church group from Hunter, Indiana. Her friend, Lydia Banks, said Ann was sexually assaulted; she called 911. Fin explains they will need security footage from the hallway and elevator, key card entry logs, the works. Benson knocks on the door and introduces herself and (still detective) Tutuola. Benson asks to speak with Ann alone and Lydia moves off with Fin. Benson asks Ann what happened and she is not really sure, and Lydia, who hasn’t quite made it out of the room, turns back and shouts to Ann that she was raped. Benson looks at her as Lydia says that Ann would never let a man have sex with her, she is a lesbian. Ann looks as little surprised at this outburst, as does Benson.
