Law & Order SVU “Father’s Shadow” was an excellent episode that was firing on all cylinders - great acting and a solid story written exceptionally well. It also opened different than the traditional episodes by starting 5 days ahead of the lead story. While this is a technique that is overused in other television shows, I am hard pressed to think of an episode in the entire Law & Order universe that has started this way. It helped to set the tone for this very dramatic and unsettling episode.
The case first began as a story about the stereotypical casting couch, but soon twisted into a hostage situation. Interspersed within the story was a glimpse into the progression of Benson’s relationship with EADA Haden. The writers are doing a fine job in giving Benson’s personal life a little exposure without it feeling forced. A question, though: Benson was reluctant to go to dinner at a bistro with Haden - citing it as a possible conflict of interest – but didn’t she have dinner alone with him in the previous episode? Did the conflict have to do with the fact that his apartment was close by and that there was a presumption that this is where he planned the evening to end? Based on what we know of upcoming episodes, Benson clearly doesn’t hold on to the conflict of interest excuse for long.
It was obvious that Amaro’s tactic of saying he heard someone call for help in the casting office was not going to fly. I was surprised that he even tried it. But at least it gave an excuse to bring in Michael Cutter, even if it was for short scenes.
“Father’s Shadow” is one of the best episodes of the season, and a wonderful feature for Mariska. She really delivered the drama.
Here is the recap:
Cast
Mariska Hargitay – Detective Olivia Benson
Ice-T – Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Richard Belzer – Sergeant John Munch
Dann Florek – Captain Don Cragen
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Danny Pino - Detective Nick Amaro
Guest stars:
Linus Roache - Bureau Chief Michael Cutter
Harry Connick, Jr. - Executive A.D.A. David Haden
Miranda Lambert - Lacey Ford
Michael McKean – Burt Sandow
Robert Klein – Dwight Stannich
Cameron Monaghan- Eddie Sandow
Kelly Karbacz - Jess
Emma Rayne Lyle - Lily Whitley
David Warshofsky – Chief Duggan
Chris Butler – Sergeant Mullin
Michael Mastro – Judge Serani
Ilene Kristen – Eddie’s mother
Karen Tsen Lee – Medical Examiner
Charlotte Graham – Mallory Jenner
Robin DeJesus – Jose Silva
Katie Flahive – Alicia Sandow
Detectives Benson and Amaro, along with Captain Cragen, arrive at a scene where police and a hostage negotiating team are present. Chief Duggan introduces Sergeant Mullin from HNT who tells Benson the gunman asked for her.
Five days earlier, Benson is giving a lecture, speaking about drug facilitated sexual assault, and she sees EADA David Haden arrive.
Elsewhere, Jess introduces Mallory Jenner to Mr. Sandow, announcing it is his 5:00 audition. He laughs when Mallory shakes his hand, and then explains she is competing for a leading role in a Broadway musical and the audience needs to see her passion. She then gives him a huge hug, all while being recorded on video by Eddie.
Back at the lecture, Benson tells the audience that with awareness comes action, and then leaves the stage to much applause. Haden walks up to greet her, saying it was a terrific speech, adding that it was engaging and funny, considering the topic. Benson says she would rather be locked in a box with a perp. As the moderator begins to announce Haden, Benson wisecracks to him that they will let anyone speak here. He asks if she is staying, adding it is about international sex trafficking, and he cut the speech down to three hours.
Back at the audition, Mallory Jenner says this would be her dream come true. Sandow tells her to go again, and to show him she will do whatever it takes to get this part. He looks at this watch and then tells Jess that they are running late and to go home to Lily, and she leaves. Mallory continues with the audition, and then Sandow tells Eddie he will try a couple without the camera, so Eddie exits the room. Sandow reaches for a large crystal trophy and hands it to Mallory, saying it is his Documentas award which he won in 1992 for a documentary, “Hard Labor”. He takes the glass of champagne out of her hand and tells her to seduce the audience and to let them know she wants this. As he says “action” things start to look fuzzy.
After the lecture, Benson and Haden are leaving together, Haden commenting “Sri Lanka, in a heartbeat.” Benson says she would like to visit Paris someday. He seems surprised that she hasn’t already, adding that is a crime. She says it is something to look forward to. He goes on to say he lives a couple blocks uptown and there is a bistro and he is a regular, usually eating by himself. She asks if he is one of those guys. As they walk out the door, Haden comments about a Stanley Elkin quote, “The peculiar dignity of men seen eating alone...” and then proceeds to ask her to dinner. She smiles and says she is actually still on duty, adding she is a cop and he is the DA, asking isn't that a conflict of interest waiting to happen? He says she is right, he gets it. As he walks off, he tells her not to wait too long to see Paris.
