“Devastating Story” was ripped from the headlines of the December 2014 Rolling Stone article “A Rape on Campus” which described a brutal gang rape at a frat house at the University of Virginia, a story later found to be suspect. In the SVU universe, the university of choice to tell their version of the story is the local cesspool, Hudson University. A lot of nasty stuff has happened at Hudson over the years and it’s a shock that this fictional university can remain open.
Maybe it's because I read and heard so much coverage of the Rolling Stone story, but I found this episode dull and a huge waste of Rob Morrow.
Again, it’s Benson’s self –admitted preconceived notions that take the detectives and then Barba down the wrong path to accept the victim’s word as gospel and not properly vet her statements. I’m surprised Barba went ahead with this with so few facts. He's getting soft. I think I’ve mentioned this before but am forced to say it again: Benson needs to be more objective. She is a Sergeant, not an advocate or social worker. Yes, it is the SVU's job to support special victims but her role should be to first confirm that there IS a victim. She continues to take these weak cases to Barba and she expects him to work miracles. He needs to be the second line of defense and not take cases that simply don’t pass the smell test. Benson and Barba should first behave like devil’s advocates until the facts are exposed. (Captain Cragen had this trait down pat.)
I also think it was wrong for Benson to tell President Roberts that Connor is a predator and make a veiled request to Roberts to handle it on her end. Benson still has no real proof that a rape took place. I wonder if Benson’s statement to Roberts could be used against her in the lawsuit the students were filing against the university and the NYPD? It could be construed as police harassment or confirmation that the police had an agenda.
Carisi suddenly seems to have some frustrations with SVU cases and Rollins seems more than happy to call him on it. She told him once that this is SVU and get used to it, and then later if he couldn’t take something, then SVU wasn’t right for him. I am not sure if she was trying to impart real advice to him here, or if in some way she really doesn’t care for him or his methods and wants him to go elsewhere. We know Carisi had been moved around a lot in the past so possibly his manner of speaking his real thoughts and feelings out loud becomes annoying to others after a while.
It was obvious early on that Professor Dillon was a little too interested in furthering her own agenda on fixing rape culture. She sucked in everyone, including Skip. In real life, there is still a lot of discussion on what exactly is rape culture, and the real life Rolling Stone article and its subsequent credibly problems only added fuel to the fire. Benson says their case set the clock back 30 years. In my opinion, the real life case may be the first thing in a long time to re-open the discussion and get clarity on what is rape culture and how it can be eliminated by changing behaviors of both men AND women. I hear from male viewers all the time who object to SVU perpetuating the thinking that women should automatically be believed whenever a woman claims she has been raped. Along that line, Benson wanting Connor to have to pay in some way, even though the case has been dropped and all she has is Heather’s (less than credible) word, is simply wrong.
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
Peter Scanavino - Detective Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Jr.
Guest stars:
Rob Morrow – Skip Peterson
Laura Fraser - Jessica Dillon
Delaney Williams - Counselor John Buchanan
Ally Ioannides - Heather Manning
Kathleen Chalfant - President Roberts
Derek Klena - Connor
Josh Caras – Lance
Derek Goh - Brian Mackey
Jenna Wolfe - herself
David Rossmer – Counselor Ross Wolf
Sonian Manzano – Judge Gloria Pepitone
Tessa Hope Slovis – Goth Girl
Marley Ficarola – Zach Franklin
Mark Friedman – Counselor Parnes
Phil Echinger – Paparazzo
Dawn Yanek – Reporter
Meghan Leathers – Jane
Ruari Fay – Bill
The TV Show “America’s Worst Crimes” is airing with host Skip Peterson. He plays a dramatization of the rape of a college student referred to as “Jane” who was viciously raped on the campus of Hudson University by a “Bill” and a gang of frat boys. Meanwhile, Benson, at home tending to Noah, is watching the show, and she tells him he is not going to Hudson University. On the show “Jane” admits she did not go to the police but did report it to the school and they asked if she had been drinking or if anyone could corroborate her story. Benson’s phone rings; and it is Chief Dodds, and she confirms she is watching the show but was not aware of the situation. He tells her the mayor’s wife is watching the show and Benson is less than thrilled at this news. She says they are on it and as she hangs up the phone, she sighs as the show continues,
Later, in the SVU squad room, Benson and Rollins, Fin, and Carisi watch a replay of the show. Carisi asks if this si what she does on her Sundays off, and Benson replies her and Gracie Mansion. She adds One PP is pissed because they got caught flat-footed on national TV. Fin adds America’s Worst Crimes has a huge following so this will go viral. Carisi comments he looked into it and the report says the attack happened in December but the NYPD has no record of a complaint from the vic or Hudson U. Benson states “Jane” did say that Hudson ignored her and god knows they all have been down that road before. Rollins counters they all know the tail wags the dog but his TV show is in it for the ratings and they don’t know if any of this even happened. Carisi comments he is all for overtime but and asks don’t they have enough work to do? Benson reminds them this is not LMZ, it is a legitimate national news magazine who interviewed her, she disclosed, and Benson got a call from Dodds who got a call from the mayor so they are going to investigate. Rollins counters they don’t even know who this girl is, and Benson states America’s Worst Crimes does. Fin begs her not to make him talk to reporters.
In the studios of “America’s Worst Crimes” at 600 Seventh Avenue on Monday, March 16, Rollins and Carisi speak with show host Skip Peterson, who believes they are there about the Hudson story. Carisi comments that Skip has everyone talking, including their bosses. Skip states it is gratifying and not just for the Peabody buzz but if AWC is in a position to amplify what is going on behind those ivy walls…Rollins interjects that Skip amplifies, they investigate and they will need to talk to Jane. Skip counters that he would love to help, especially after what that girl had to suffer through but he can’t give her name. Rollins reminds him she was gang raped and now is not the time to hide behind the First Amendment. Skip states he is not falling on his journalistic sword; the only way Jane would talk is if he promised her anonymity. He adds she is scared to death of those fraternity boys. Carisi says they can find a judge who will compel him to hand over his sources and raw footage, adding this is a serious allegation. Skip says he will kick the footage request upstairs as it is not his call. As for Jane, he can put them in touch with the woman who shopped the story, and maybe she can convince Jane to talk to the NYPD. He waves them in.
Later, at Hudson University at 504 Riverside Drive on the same day, Rollins and Carisi speak with Professor Dillon to try to find out the identity of “Jane” but Dillon is reluctant because of Jane's problem disclosing with the university and that she is fragile right now. Carisi counters if Dillon gets in the way, they will go over or around her. Dillon comments that is was an interesting phallocentric choice of language. Rollins tries to recover and says her partner is still a “work in progress. “ She tries a different approach but Dillon says she doesn’t think Jane wants to deal with any of this but will give her a call and she walks off.
Back at SVU, Rollins hangs up the phone and tells Carisi that was Dillon who says Jane will not talk to them and Jane will come forward when and where she wants. Carisi asks what does that mean, and Rollins explains Jane is scared to make an official complaint and knowing what they knew, she can’t blame her. When Carisi questions where does that leave them, Rollins replies it’s back at square one. Carisi comments that Dillon is now help, then says, speaking of which, what was that crack about him still being a work in progress? Rollins explains that Dillon is a rape advocate and has a chip about male detectives and she figured she could earn her trust if she aligned herself with her. Carisi comments he doesn’t even get what a rape advocate is, adding there is no burglary advocate or carjacking advocate. Rollins looks at him with surprise and asks when the last time a carjacking victim got asked if they were sure they didn’t want their car to be stolen? Carisi admits he gets that but still Dillon is just getting in their way. Rollins states dryly that is SVU and to get used to it. Carisi grabs his coat and Rollins asks where he is going. He explains it is back to campus, he does not want to tell the Sarge they come up empty handed.
Meanwhile, Benson walks outside with Barba and she is on the phone with the Italian press and she gives no comment. When she gets off the phone, Barba asks if they are on this already, and she explains bad news in New York travels fast. She adds already there are Twitter campaigns and campus rallies and demands to revoke the frat’s charter. Barba states this explains why the mayor’s office and DA is all over this – and him. He asks if they have Jane yet, and she explains Carisi is trying but the closest he and Rollins got his Jane’s self=proclaimed advocate, Professor Dillon. He asks if she will produce Jane, and Benson explains that Jane is afraid of fraternity retribution if she goes public and she doesn’t trust the police. Barba comments Jane is not going to talk, and Benson shaker her head and frowns. Barba says he can subpoena the show or the professor, and Benson thinks there has got to be an easier way. Jane said on the AWC that she disclosed to the university, and when Barba comments they did not specify whom, Benson suggests going to the top and find out. He asks her if she wants him to come with, and Benson thinks it is not necessary. She explains she and President Roberts have history.
At the office of the president at Hudson University at 504 Riverside Drive on Monday, March 16, Benson meets with President Roberts. Roberts says Jane spoke to her and she followed protocols to the letter. Roberts says the first time she heard of any gang was on the show, when Jane came to her there was only one individual and she says she is not at liberty to disclose who that is. The reports are confidential, it’s university policy. Benson counters that anonymity ceased to exist when a crime has been committed and asks what exactly did Jane say? Roberts replies that what Jane described was regrettable drunken sex, not rape. Benson counters about the 4 men holding her down, and Roberts again states Jane mentioned one student only and admitted she was intoxicated and she went willingly back to the frat with her date. She asked Jane if she wasn’t sure that the sex was consensual and Jane proceeded to become defensive and left her office. Benson asks with sarcasm that Roberts didn’t bother to talk to her date, and Roberts says she did, and he said the sex was consensual and he seemed credible and is well regarded and has no prior complaints. Benson looks like she can’t believe she is hearing this. Roberts adds the next she heard about it was last night when they were blindsided on television. Benson states that now that these allegations have been made, she will need Jane’s name and the name of the student she claims attacked her. They hear chanting from outside and Roberts realizes Jane has not come to them. She tells Benson that means whatever happened, Jane hasn’t filed a criminal complaint which means her own responsibility remains protecting the confidentiality of both students. Roberts gets up to look at the protesters outside her window who are repeating “We.Are.All.Jane.” She turns to Benson and tells her to excuse her, she has a firestorm on her hands. Benson gets up and walks out of the office.
