Stabler continues his “Eddie Wagner” undercover persona, but gets himself into big trouble very early on, jeopardizing the entire operation and even risking him getting killed. Of course, we all know that the star of the show is not going to be in any real danger of death, but that doesn’t mean the episode wasn’t loaded with tension. The Benson and Stabler shippers even got their dose, with Stabler trying unsuccessfully to leave Benson a message on her answering machine, explaining what he really meant when he said he loved her (in a previous episode). This series could stand on its own and should back off a bit on dipping into the SVU/Benson well so often.
The episode was full of action as well and I think they’re doing a great job of showing how Stabler is getting pulled in - in more ways that one - to a more complex criminal organization than first thought, now that trafficking of minors is in the mix. The big question is whether Stabler is getting TOO deep into his “Eddie Wagner” persona. He seems worried at first that Kosta will have him killed. He then gets involved in a robbery at Kosta’s order and is forced to shoot someone in order to prevent from being shot himself. (One has to wonder if the guy with the gun was supposed to take Stabler out during that robbery, and if Maldonado’s warning saved Stabler and the investigation more that Stabler realizes?) But he seems to be getting too involved with Flutura, Albi’s wife, and it’s hard to tell whether he’s doing it to keep up the persona or if he’s really enjoying it. He knows Albi prefers men and it’s possible that Stabler isn’t worried that Albi would care, and thinks cultivating something more with Flutura would buy him more access. But he is playing with fire here. I worry Stabler is heading down a very dark path the deeper he gets involved with this criminal organization.
Here is the recap:
At the restaurant, Stabler gives a copy of the book “The Count of Monte Cristo” to Rita, a young, foreign waitress which he seems to have struck up a fatherly relationship. Later, trouble starts immediately when Stabler, at a poker game with Reggie and a few other unsavory characters, wins big against a player, Luka, who talks big and is condescending to Stabler and Reggie, the latter who is obviously a bit of a buffoon. Things escalate when, back at the restaurant, he sees Rita is not there and is told she called in sick. Luka is also there, and when the new waitress, Amelia, messes up his order, he gets mouthy with her and Stabler tries to cool things down. In the process, Luka questions Stabler regarding his loyalty. Stabler smashes Luka’s head onto the counter and threatens to take out his eyeball with a fork. Outside the restaurant, Reggie now worries about Stabler and tells Stabler Luka is the fiancé of Jon Kosta’s oldest daughter
Meanwhile, at the OC squad room, Malachi – Adam Mintock – is also there. Jet explains to the team how the gangs are using Malachi’s software to control the phones they are using, and how the new phones they plan on getting into the hands of the KO gang – and any other criminal organization - will copy the squad on every message they put through. They plan on getting the supplied of the current phones arrested which puts the current phones into question, making them sound compromised. Malachi will step in and offer new, “secure” phones that will have the new software embedded.
Reggie tells Stabler that Kosta now wants to see him and suggest he run, but Stabler thinks it will be alright and not to worry. Later, he discusses this issue with Bell, saying he had to react, otherwise it would tip Kosta off as to who Stabler really is. Bell thinks he should have known who he was before he messed up his face. Bell tries to make an excuse to get him out of it but then says they will surveil him.
Back at home, Stabler speaks with his son Eli, and we can tell Stabler is worried as he gives Eli a deep, loving hug before Eli leaves. He also looks through some of his stuff, picking up his badge, number 6313, giving it a long look. He also tries to leave a voice mail message for Benson, trying to explain when he said he loved her…the voice mail reaches its limit and Stabler decides to try again…but then hangs up. Clearly he’s worried about the meet.
At the meeting time, Bell and Brewster watch as Stabler enters the boxing gym, one man saying “dead man walking”. Kosta is obviously agitated, and Luka, who is there, gets mouthy. But Stabler explains that Luka questioned his loyalty and Stabler won’t tolerate it as his reputation means something to him. Kosta puts a gun on the table. The OC team waits outside, concerned. Apparently Albi has vouched for Stabler and this carries a lot of weight with Kosta. Luka tries to interject his own opinion and Kosta tells him not another word. He does tell Stabler that if he lays his hands on another one of his guys again, he won’t come back from that and Stabler understands. As they walk outside, the OC team is relieved, Bell calling him a smooth talker and Brewster admitting he did not think Stabler would come out alive. Kosta tells Stabler he will make it right by participating in a job in Luka’s place and Albi will be in touch.
Later, Amir is arrested for the encrypted cell phones, Jet prominent in the news coverage. When she gets back to the OC squad, Malachi calls her name, pronouncing is “Slote-maakkers” and she admits that’s the way her name is pronounced. Now Malachi must start the process of getting the new phones into the right hands.
At the restaurant, Albi explains the job: Kosta wants them to rob a bar where Kosta has placed a bet on a title fight. Kosta wants the money he bet, and others, about $500K, to be robbed to get his money and the bookie was trying to get the boxer take a dive. Kosta knows this and decides to let the fix proceed.
Bell and Brewster hear about this from Stabler and after discussing whether Stabler can actually get involved in the crime, Stabler thinks this is an opportunity to get more jobs and get more insight. Bell wants him to be safe, especially where his head is at doing the job.
Meanwhile, Albi tells everyone not to use the phones and shows Kosta the news coverage about Amir's arrest. Reggie, at the restaurant with Stabler, sees the coverage, as does Nova, in a car with Hugo.
Malachi teases Jet with what he did on the Fort Rucker hack. It’s clear he is interested in Jet and vice versa. Malachi gets a text from Hugo and a few other messages from the other gangs including the Marcy Killers and the Kosta Organization. Jet realizes they will have their phones in practically every criminal organization in the city.
Back at the boxing gym, Flutura Briscu arrives and comes on to Stabler, inviting him to her place.
Later, with Reggie and other members of the team, they go over the plan for the robbery. Stabler seems uncomfortable, knowing he’s due at Flutura’s.
At Flutura's apartment, she asks Stabler to tell her about “Eddie Wagner” and she discusses her issues with Albi. She gets a phone call and when she leaves the room to take it, Stabler drugs her drink. When she gets back she drinks it all at once and while she kisses Stabler she goes under. He quickly lays her on the couch and then searches the bedroom. There he finds passports and identification for a few young girls, one of them belongs to Rita. Stabler photographs it. Another is for Amelia. He photographs hers and others as well, along with forms from the Department of Homeland Security for Minor Child Travel Consent. He hears a car door lock signal and sees Albi is returning, so Stabler makes a quick exit out the back door.
Back at his camper, Stabler gets his gun ready. Meanwhile, Bell, Brewster and Jet, and others, watch the bar from outside while Detective Maldonado is inside the bar. The robbery team, with Stabler, arrives with guns ready. But a woman standing outside notices the trouble and makes a call, presumably to the police. Brewster thinks the team will be out of there before the cops can respond. Inside, Reggie orders Petrovich to open the safe and he gives them the combination and they begin to bag the money. Bell radios to Maldonado warning him that police are responding to the call. The Petrovich threatens he will find out who they are and Reggie lifts his mask to show his face, asking what is he going to do? Meanwhile, the responding police get closer and Bell tells Jet to put on her seat belt. She quickly rams the police cruiser as it arrives, slowing it down. Inside, as the robbery team is preparing to leave, Maldonado notices a man with a gun and yells “No no no no!” to warn him to stop. Stabler pulls a gun and shots the man and the team exits. Stabler sees Bell by the cruiser as he leaves. Reggie and the team are thrilled at the haul and Stabler looks worried.
Afterward, Brewster tells Bell it was Stabler who shot the man. Bell is stunned.
Elsewhere, the robbery team loads the money into Reggie’s car and Reggie reminds Stabler he had to take that guy out otherwise Stabler would be on the ground or one of them. Reggie tells him Kosta will be a happy man. He tells Stabler to take the van and torch it somewhere in Jersey and he will take the cash to Albi. He asks the other two to split up and stay low.
Back at the OC squad room, Bell sees the video that Maldonado took and it’s clear that the other man had a gun and Stabler had to shoot. Stabler races in and says he had no choice, hoping they got it on video. Bell says he should be glad Maldonado recorded it. The man is in stable condition, his name is Roland Ilic. He and Petrovich run illegal gambling all around town and had an open warrant for a felony assault. Stabler thanks Maldonado for the warning. Stabler explains the van is downstairs hoping they can get some evidence. Stabler asks if she got the pictures he sent from Albi’s house and Bell wonders if they are looking at trafficking and when Stabler replies that is what he is thinking, she says that is a whole new set of circumstances, Stabler adding and a whole new set of RICO charges. He mentions Rita’s passport was in there and he hasn’t seen her for a few days and he is worried. Bell asks if they should bring in SVU and he motions yes.
At home in his camper, Stabler sees a car arrive; it is Flutura. She says he seems nervous but he says no, he felt bad for leaving her the other night. She thanks him for being a gentleman, adding most people would have taken advantage. Stabler says he is not built that way. He notices she is driving Albi’s car, and she says he took her car this morning. Stabler pushes her up against the camper and kisses her passionately. She says she’s never done it in a Winnebago. Inside, she falls back onto the bed and Stabler removes his shirt and moves toward her as we cut to black.
