“Criminal Stories” had everything going for it; an interesting story, a big guest star, and Mariska Hargitay’s directorial debut. It was a great episode that fans of the show AND new viewers who may have dropped in to see Alec Baldwin would have enjoyed.
First and foremost, Alec Baldwin made everything in this episode work. He was perfect as the newspaper reporter with the ego – and apparently the balls – the size of Jupiter. The writers did an excellent job in capturing the spirit of “Jimmy Mac” with dialog that fit Baldwin and his SVU alter ego like a glove. I don’t think this episode would have worked as well with someone else in that role. Baldwin brought some much needed chemistry to SVU and I could see Jimmy Mac and Benson developing a relationship - that is, if his drinking doesn’t kill him first.
The case itself was a little dull, with a call out to the Tawana Brawley case from the late 1980s. But I didn’t mind; this episode was more about how the media sometimes sensationalize crimes and interject their own opinions, which sometimes has an adverse affect on public opinion. This is not the first time that Benson had a problem with a reporter interfering in a case. It was interesting to see how, as Sergeant, Benson held her own in standing up to Jimmy, even though he out-maneuvered her and her team more than once. Clearly, Benson has her hands full in her new position but each week she seems more and more confident. Let's hope that is for real; she admits she's having nightmares about Lewis and one would think this would have some affect on her stress level.
In “Criminal Stories”, Jimmy used his connections to get the inside scoop; he did uncover some of the truth but once he got HIS big story, he never followed through to get the WHOLE story. As a result, the jury pool is tainted more than once, and the trial ends with a mistrial.
By the way, is it odd to anyone else that there would be a courthouse newsstand? It seems that the courts wouldn’t want any news readily available for people who are potentially at the courthouse to serve as a juror. Granted, it’s probably hard to avoid a newsstand in New York City, but having one at the courthouse is like begging for trouble. But in this day and age of readily accessible news from various sources, I don’t know how anyone can be completely objective when serving as a juror on a high profile case.
The speed in which this case came to trial was completely unrealistic. I can’t imagine the defense or prosecution being ready so quickly, even if the case could move through the courts that fast. If I was the DA, I would want to wait for the negative press to die down a bit before I took my case to court.
This episode may hold the record for the most displays of a front page of The Ledger being shown in one episode. I am too busy (and too lazy) to verify!
A review of this episode must include a review of the director, Mariska Hargitay, in her directorial debut. There were a few wonky camera angles and one or two shots where I thought the scene wasn’t framed at its best. But overall, she did a fine job, and gave what I felt was a new and fresh look to the show. It’s even more amazing that she served as director AND had many scenes in the episode. She should be very proud of her work here.
(A minor annoyance of mine, not just a problem with SVU but I seem to see it on SVU more than anywhere else: will someone please do something to make the doorway floor of the elevators look more realistic? A simple strip of black tape or duct tape on the floor in the opening of the doorway can go a long way to make the elevator look real. When the door opens and a solid floor is visible, it highlights the fact that it’s just a set. I guess I am a stickler for realism.)
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:
Tamara Tunie - ME Melinda Warner
Alec Baldwin – Jimmy MacArthur
Summer Bishil – Heba Salim
Samrat Chakrabarti – Heba’s father
Manish Dayal - Fareed
Ami Brabson – Judge Karyn Blake
Delaney Williams - Counselor John Buchanan
Leslie Odom Jr. - Reverend Curtis Scott
Josh Pais - Hank Abraham
Nick Mennell - Elias Kemp Jr.
Nils Lawton - Mike Sullivan
Katie Couric - herself
Jacqueline Antaramian – Sakina Salim
Samantha Tuffarelli - Janelle Hahn
Sal Inzerillo – Lucius
John Kinsella – Juror # 3
Questlove – Dead body in morgue (uncredited)
Benson, on the elevator, is waiting for her floor when Deputy Commissioner Hank Abraham enters. She asks which one of her detectives did what now, and he tells her not to be so cynical. He adds that today is her lucky day; legendary Jimmy MacArthur wants to interview her squad. Benson refers to him as “Jimmy Mac” saying he is the legend in his own mind. Hank replies he is the last of the great columnists and has two big shiny Pulitzers to prove it. He wants to do the story on SVU, and Benson asks why, because he smells blood in the water? As they step off the elevator to SVU. Hank comments about her cynicism and replies it is better to get him on her side – OUR side – than not. Benson questions the “our side” comment. Hank explains that Jimmy called his friend the commissioner, and Benson concludes that this is an order. Hank thinks it is an opportunity and Benson comments she will think about it.
As they walk into SVU, they hear laughter and Benson stops dead in her tracks. Benson and Hand see Jimmy MacArthur is there, telling stories and laughing with the other detectives and officers. Rollins and Fin are at their desks and they appear amused. Benson comments to Abraham “thank you for the advance notice” as Jimmy notices her and calls her out as the “woman of the hour.” Hank tells Benson he had no idea Jimmy would be there, he was supposed to call ahead. Jimmy tells Benson that he can tell Hank is lying because he’s breathing. Jimmy tells Benson she looks fantastic and she counters it must be a slow news day if he’s trolling for a sex crimes store. Jimmy explains he is profiling HER. Benson looks surprised, and looks to Hank, saying he left that part out. Jimmy tells her the city needs heroes and her surviving that ordeal, the crucible of the trial, the head of Manhattan SVU – he corrects him to acting commander.. Hank says those tow are all caught up so he will leave them to it, telling Jimmy he can’t wait to read it. Jimmy asks Hank what happened to his hair? Hank gives him a look and walks off. Benson tells Jimmy there must be somebody interesting he can interview, but Jimmy tells her she “made good, kid” and it’s time for the world to take notice. He asks if she wants to do her first interview in her office, and Benson asks now? She says no, and as people hand her files, she says she has 4 open investigations, she has a meeting with the DA in an hour. He asks if she wants to meet him after work, and she informs him she is working until 1AM. Jimmy counters he can sit and talk with her detectives all day long or they can have a late night supper at D’Apolitos, he’ll just be hitting his stride. She sighs and he says he will take that as a yes and then says it’s been great chatting with her. As he walks away, he comments to Fin about his name, saying there are two Ts and two U’s, and Fin adds “one ola.”
As Jimmy leaves, Benson asks the detectives if anyone wants to be her for the day. Rollins asks if Benson is OK with them talking to Jimmy, and Benson comments not really. Amaro explains that Jimmy did most of the talking, and Fin adds that Jimmy is working them looking for dirt. Benson notes that she does not know what Jimmy has heard, and Amaro asks if this means no. Benson explains Jimmy is there at the request of One PP so he’s going to write the story either way and if they shine him on, he is just going to dig deeper. Rollins asks if this means yes, and Benson replies Jimmy is probably going to nose around about Amaro’s shooting and Rollin’s gambling…operation. She cautions them that anything they say can and will be used against them. She asks if that is understood, and they all nod and leave her office.
Later, Benson and Jimmy are at dinner and she explains that she’s spent 15 years counseling women who have been assaulted and who she’s pushed to testify, telling them they are not alone, it’s not their fault, and they are strong. Until you go through it yourself…Jimmy says he was there for some of it and it was harrowing to watch. She explains it is over now. He asks if she feels she has …Benson says closure, and he nods yes. She explains some of it you can put behind you but they do change you, it is a process. The good news is she doesn’t have as many nightmares now. Jimmy writes down on his note pad commenting “nightmares about Lewis” and Benson puts her hand on his to stop him from writing, and then comments she is sorry, asking if they can keep the nightmares off the record? He chuckles and says she knows she is supposed to say “off the record” beforehand but that is okay, he doesn’t want to give Lewis the satisfaction. Benson thanks him, saying she owes him, and Jimmy adds her and everybody else in the world. She gets a message and then excuses herself, saying duty calls. He says if she caught a case he will ride along and when she comments that is not a good idea, he explains the commissioner and Hank granted him full access. She asks “did they?” and Jimmy tells her she won’t even know he is there.
At the scene, Fin tells Benson that a couple tourists said they heard moaning on the other side of the wall around 2AM. Amaro informs her the victim’s name is Heba Salim, 24, her clothes bloody and torn with scratches on her face and bruising on her body. Jimmy is also there taking notes. Benson asks Rollins if she got a statement, and Rollins explains the victim was out of it, she told the two responding unis that she had been raped by two male whites. Benson asks if they set up a grid search, and Amaro says from the park entrance and they are canvassing hotel doormen at Central Park south, so far no witnesses. Fin sees Jimmy talking to an officer and taking notes, and asks Benson what he is doing down here. Benson tells him not to even start; One PP gave him full access, there is nothing they can do. Rollins explains the victim is Muslim and they tore her head scarf and they taunted her with racial slurs while assaulting her. Benson asks them to keep that between us for the moment. Jimmy calls out to Benson and ask if her guys told her they are looking at a hate crime here? They all turn around and look at Jimmy and say nothing.
Back at SVU and in Benson’s office, Heba is in the interview room and Reverend Curtis argues with Benson about this being a hate crime but Benson tries to keep them focused on the case. Barba, Amaro and Rollins are also in the office and Curtis explains that Heba’s brother Fareed is on the way. Barba asks the detectives if they have interview Heba yet, and Rollins informs him Heba was completely out of it at the scene, she was freezing and she spent the night in the ER, this is the first chance they had. Amaro adds they can’t talk to her in front of her parents or the Reverend. Curtis thinks this is more than just a rape, and she was singled out because she wore a hijab. Amaro and Curtis argue the issues of a hate crime, Curtis saying she was called a Muslim bitch, asking if he is misinterpreting that. Benson jumps in and says no one is saying that he is, and Curtis counters even so, this community doesn’t trust the NYPD. Amaro retorts that they trust Curtis, and Curtis says they reached out to him as advocate. Barba interjects that is what the DA’s office is. Curtis says Heba’s parents are concerned with her honor and reputation. Benson sends Rollins and Amaro in to talk with Heba and gets everyone else out of there, then tells Barba and Curtis to work together in reassuring the family.
