First and foremost, I did like the episode and there were many elements that I enjoyed. The writing team has been doing a great job this season of coming up with very interesting cases, and they are telling the stories very well. The cast is all performing well (Munch is MIA again, though) and things seem to be clicking. I think my hang-ups with this episode, and why I am struggling, revolve around two issues:
1. The investigation of Rand’s company’s involvement in the cover up of a years old rape in Iraq had no business being handled by SVU. Forget Amaro’s argument (or excuse) that it could speak to O’Keefe’s motive - I don’t think that was a valid reason for SVU to be involved any further. O'Keefe already gave them the motive and it should be up to his defense to determine whether that motive mitigates the crime he committed. As the case progressed, it became even more clear that SVU was in way over their heads. Later on, after Benson’s apartment is ransacked, a witness killed, a girl attacked and her father stabbed, THEN Cragen makes the observation that they are dealing with a private army. Well, no kidding – that should have been glaringly obvious the minute that the company name “Battle Tested Security” was mentioned and its CEO attacked. SVU sticking their noses in a case that was far beyond their abilities contributed to a witness being killed and the girl and her father being attacked. If SVU would have used their brains, the witness would have never been left in his hotel room without a guard outside. (Update: Amaro did comment that the uni (uniformed officer) said no one came to the room after he left, so possibly someone was watching the room. If so, how did the liquor get in... maybe the officer wasn't stationed right at the door?) SVU’s sloppy handling of the case led to far too much collateral damage. This case may have fit much better as a Law & Order or better yet a Criminal Intent episode, or, if either of those series still existed. this story could have made a for a nice SVU crossover/double episode.
2. I adore Harry Connick Jr.'s music and I own many of his recordings gong years back. But it pains me to say that his acting was awful. His delivery was flat and lifeless in every single scene. Yes, I am thrilled that Benson may have someone who – at least at this point in time – makes her happy, and Harry is certainly easy on the eyes. But his acting was no better than someone reading lines. I literally cringed with every one of his scenes.
I’m also not a big fan of focusing on the characters’ personal lives. While I don’t mind this episode’s focus on Mariska/Benson – after her years with SVU she deserves it - I am already a little tired of the focus on Amaro’s family.
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:
Harry Connick, Jr. - EADA David Haden
John Doman - William Rand
Laura Benanti - Maria Grazie
Holt McCallany - Donald O’Keefe
Annie Meisels: Dr. Rausch
Lola Glaudini – Virginia Pell
Lisa Masters – Tina Heller
Jacob Wallach - Kenny Taylor (the protester)
Billy Brown – Joe Marshall
Craig Walker – George Coleman
Megan Ketch – Cory Green
Caris Vujcec - Counselor Bree Price
Alison Fernandez – Zara Amaro
At an Occupy Wall Street protest, William Rand steps out of his limo and a protester asks him how he sleeps at night. Rand says he is serving his country and sleeps just fine. Later, on a news program, Rand, who is CEO of Battle Tested Security - the largest private military contractor in the world – talks about how well business is going. Meanwhile, Detective Nick Amaro comes home with his daughter Zara and surprises her when she sees her mother is home. Amaro welcomes his wife Maria home and kisses her.
Later, Rand exits the TV studio and is in his limo and when the driver asks if it has been a long day, Rand says they are all long. Rand drinks some bottled water but he looks a little ill. He notices the driver is not going the right way and he asks why they are going uptown and not the heliport. The driver tells him to relax, there is tunnel traffic. Rand continues to look ill.
The next day, a boy on a school outing, at a memorial for soldiers and sailors, points out a man laying on the ground. The teacher sees a man laying on the ground with his pants down and the words “Payback is a bitch” written on his leg. His shirt is open and he is gagged. It is William Rand. She calls 911.
Later, in the hospital, Rand tells Benson and Amaro he does not know what happened. Benson says they think he was drugged. The last thing he remembers is being in the limo with the driver and he went the wrong way. He was not one of his regulars, he was sent by the TV studio. Amaro asks for the name of his contact and Rand says Jenny can get that for him. Virginia Pell, Rand’s general counsel, introduces himself and says she is emailing for the information now. Rand says he did have some bottled water in the limo. When Benson explains that the tox screen will show if he was given any sedative, Rand asks don’t they need his permission to look at those records? Amaro says they are there to help him. He asks Beth to see where the nurse is and she leave to find her. He asks Benson if they think she was raped, and she reminds him that he was found drugged and beaten with his clothes ripped off. Rand gets upset and says he wasn’t raped, he was attacked by the enemy because of the work he does. Pell says Rand has been through a lot, and tells the detectives that Rand needs to rest now.
As they leave, Pell says she appreciates their concern but they will take it from there, they have their own team of investigators. Benson explains SVU does not subcontract their investigations. Pell asks if they understand the delicacy of the situation and they need to control the publicity. Benson says all of their cases are sensitive and Amaro adds that they need their cooperation, unless they want them to start issuing subpoenas. Pell agrees and says she will be in touch, and she walks off.
