Before I analyze the episode, I must note that I really like the changes in how these episodes have been filmed this season. It’s not just the change in Benson’s office and the squad room layout, it’s more about how many of these scenes at SVU look lighted more realistically, almost like how the SVU looked in the early seasons. In the recent past, the SVU interiors have looked and felt too much like studio sets, and even though we’re still looking at studio settings, the lighting makes them appear like we’re in a real squad room. It’s hard for me to explain, only that visually, I like what they’re doing.
The changes at the Special Victims Unit are not as subtle. Chief McGrath moves into former Deputy Chief Garland’s office (he says it’s bigger), signaling he’ll be more closely involved in their cases. He calls Benson to a meeting that Benson thinks is to just make sure she shows up. He grills Benson on her DD5s, and this is making her very uncomfortable; she’s never had to face this level of scrutiny since being made Captain. It’s like a vote of “no confidence” that is hard for Benson to swallow. He thinks once they get into a rhythm he will “loosen the reins.” The paradigm shift that McGrath outlined to Benson (in "Never Turn Your Back On Them”) to focus on “real rapes” and not policing the bedroom shows that he doesn’t really care about the victims or understand the trauma of sexual assaults. And when presented with this episode’s case (detailed below) he thinks they HAVE NO case, that is until another case surfaces that has connections to “one of their own” . McGrath has a clear attitude problem when it comes to rape victims and maybe women in general. This leads up to a major confrontation with Benson and we have to believe that this is not over yet. Right about now I can envision most SVU fans are wishing that something horrible will befall to McGrath, something to the effect that a giant, deep hole would form in the crust of the earth and McGrath would be swallowed whole into it.
Benson is still consulting with a doctor for physical therapy for her injuries in the car accident and her doctor floats the idea of retirement with ¾ pay, tax free, and full benefits for life. But she needs to work and loves her job. The doctor reminds her it’s not the same job than it was when they signed on and asks that she just think about it. We all know Benson won’t be going anywhere any time soon BUT maybe this discussion gave her the courage to later confront McGrath and lay her cards on the table. It was refreshing to see Benson finally stand up for herself, her squad and for the victims. It’s hard sometimes to tell truth to power, and I’m glad Benson took the risk and did it. McGrath has complained in the past about people not having any balls, and now he can’t say that about Benson.
Detective Velasco is now working with the SVU, being assigned there by Chief McGrath. Benson tells him to take any empty desk, but when he moves to take Kat’s empty desk, Fin is quick to say “Not that desk”. Fin thinks Velasco is a McGrath spy but Benson begs Fin to play nice as they are short staffed. Benson explains that the rumor is that he’s good, but Fin retorts Velasco started that rumor. Later when Benson speaks with McGrath, it seems obvious that Velasco IS in contact with McGrath. Velasco shows another side when he’s quick to get rough with a suspect. He later promises Fin that this won’t happen again. Another detective with anger issues; we’ve seen this trope too many times before and it’s getting old.
The current case involves a woman, Crystal, who is raped, while her young son is forced to watch and the rapist threatens to kill the child – “If he cries, he dies.” The SVU get called in on the case and they question a few suspects, including the woman’s ex-husband who is in a custody dispute. Eventually they focus on a man running an ice cream truck - Travis Hillsdale - and at first, they don’t have enough on him. McGrath seems to focus on the fact that Crystal had sex with three men in a short period of time, and he wonders if there was no rape and doubts the victim. He even tells Benson and Fin unless they get something on somebody to “slow the roll.”
But when Peggy, the daughter of Deputy Inspector Grogan, is raped in a similar fashion, McGrath gets the SVU involved and he thinks this case has more to go on than Crystal’s and gives it high priority. There is a police press conference and a $100,000 reward offered. The connection eventually points back to the ice cream vendor – Travis - and he is arrested, with Velasco getting too rough in the process. Before the perp is arraigned, it’s clear that McGrath puts more value on Peggy’s situation than Crystal’s. When Rollins and Velasco get more evidence that will support Crystal’s case, Carisi tries to run with it. He’s surprised during arraignment to see that Travis has been beaten badly and he’s also told by someone (that McGrath seems to have prior knowledge of) that Crystal’s case will be withdrawn. Travis will still do time for Peggy’s rape but Crystal gets no justice. McGrath compliments Benson and Carisi on the nice work, leaving Benson and Carisi stunned.
Benson, having had enough of McGrath, confronts him, trying to piece together why Travis wasn’t charged with Crystal’s rape. He thinks it’s a benefit that she not testify because of her on-going custody battle. When Benson asks if he heard about this from Velasco, McGrath says it’s his job to know what’s going on in the unit. She admits she is very upset about this. She states she needs to run the unit the way she sees fit, adding that the Crystals of this world matter in her unit and in her squad, just as much as a “white shirt’s” daughter. She forcefully explains when she gives her word, she keeps it and she won’t be part of this double standard ever again. She states that SVU’s obligation is to help victims become survivors, not traumatize them all over again. McGrath wonders that a trial would traumatize her again, and Benson yells that it should have been Crystal’s decision, not his. She says, “And just to be clear, as I told you before in my office, I won’t turn my back on any victim.” McGrath pops in and says “Nor would I” but she talks over him and adds, “and if you stand between me and any victim of sexual assault ever again, you can take my shield and my gun. In fact, if that’s not understood, take it now.” He smiles and tries to laugh it off, and then says okay, he thinks they understand each other, and Benson glares at him and says she hopes so as we fade to black.
