“Swimming With The Sharks” was an average episode that felt more like an episode of Law & Order Criminal Intent. It involves a self-absorbed CEO, Luna Prasada, who is a sexual harassment lawsuit waiting to happen. Members of her organization conspire to bring her down and embezzle funds from her company along the way. Because Luna seems to have a problem holding her intoxicants, part of the plan seems to work as she’s unable to get a rape accusation against her CFO to stick and she begins to think she really did some of the things for which she’s been accused. The CFO and his colleagues easily gaslight her and manage to pin their embezzling on her. Again I find myself wondering why the SVU spent so much time working to help Luna defend herself, especially after the allegations of embezzlement came forward. Luna’s message of empowerment was laughable, as she preys on rich women whom she hopes will be foolish enough to pay $6400 for a vibrator (the “Vi-Brildo”) and also uses empowerment as an excuse to behave inappropriately in front of a male subordinate. On the plus side, Radha Mitchell was quite believable when Luna became unhinged in court and while in Rikers. Oddly, I felt no sympathy for Luna. She didn’t deserve to be assaulted, but it’s hard to feel sorry for a toxic boss when she gets her comeuppance - even falsely - in an embezzling scheme. Too bad the employees took her down illegally; there may have been enough for Bobby to sue her for sexual harassment. A man as a victim may have been a more compelling story.
It was a surprise that Bureau Chief Hadid came up with a game plan to ensnare the conspirators – a surprise as usually Benson comes up with these gems. But Benson gets to impart her wealth of knowledge early in the episode as she speaks to a group of woman with Luna. Benson also makes an attempt at deep wisdom at the end of the episode when she comments to Luna that when your house burns down, you get a clear view of the sky. Luna asks if she can steal that, but I think it was already stolen from Japanese poet Mizuta Masahide (“Since my house burned down - I now own a better view - of the rising moon”). For this episode, the saying should have been something like this: when your house burns down, you rebuild.
The episode also features SVU and Criminal Intent “repeat offender” Samantha Mathis, a dead giveaway that she was going to be trouble.
Ice-T did not appear in this episode.
Here is the recap:
Rollins and Kat are shopping at a woman’s store named We-B-Well, whose message is empowering woman through wellness, and Kat thinks it is a positive message. Rollins picks up a “Vi-Brildo” for $6400 and thinks the message she is getting is money – lots of it. Meanwhile, Luna Prasada speaks to a crowd of women, saying “why not sex” and at We-B-Well, they believe in wellness for the whole self - “Be well, be hot, be happy!” She adds that women need to know it is okay to love their bodies, especially the parts “they” tell women not to talk about. The crowd cheers.
As Benson waits nearby in another area, assistant Sequoia asks Benson if she wants herbal or detox tea, and Benson replies she is good to go. Sequoia explains Luna is sorry she couldn’t welcome her in person and can’t wait to meet her. Luna walks in and sees Benson and greets her as Captain, then saying Olivia, asking if she can call her that. Luna introduces herself as Luna Prasada, “She-E-O” of We-B-Well. She hugs Benson and says she is so impressed by her. Benson thanks her for having her. Another woman introduces herself as Melanie, the COO, as Luna quickly whisks Benson away from her. Luna thanks Benson for coming, adding she must be so busy since MeToo. Benson states she is, but any time she can raise awareness she is happy for the chance. Luna comments that “us girls” run the world and in their spare time they try to fix it too.
Benson is on a stage with Luna who is talking about what happens when women are attacked – saying women don’t think linear and revert to their lizard brain. Benson explains the frontal lobe shouts down and our bodies react. Luna cuts her off and says the body reacts, so when lawyer or senators ask why we don’t remember all the specifics…Benson cuts her off and says it’s because the trauma is processed in a sensory way by sounds and smells, not who, what when. She adds revisiting trauma is not easy and survival takes strength. Luna breathes out and says survival takes strength, asking if Benson minds that she steals that. She laughs and the crowd cheers and applauds. Benson quietly says thank you.
Later, Sequoia leads Bobby into a room to see Luna, telling him to enjoy his face time. Luna is in a robe and drinking. She has a question for him, taking off her robe, just wearing a slip. Holding up two dresses, she asks him which dress she should wear. Irritated, he has the IPO going public is not business as usual. She calls him sweetie and says they just had a fantastic 3 days and tells him to enjoy the moment. She pours two drinks and says they have edibles and drinkables and suggests they just live a little. When he explains he has been going through the books, she explains he does number and she does ideas. She puts her finger to his lips as if she wants him to be quiet, and says they are brilliant ideas. He comments “good for you” but states she is CEO and she will be signing statements and he wants her to know what is in them. She says okay but suggests first they drink and then he can show her his “little power point.”
As Benson, Rollins, and Kat walk out of the store, Kat comments to Benson that the audience really appreciated her, and Benson says they were there for Luna. Rollins comments so was Luna, asking why invite Benson on the panel if she is going to cut her off every five seconds? Kat adds she is high energy. Benson’s phone buzzes and Rollins makes note that Kat bought something. Kat explains her sister’s birthday is coming up. Benson looks at her phone and says it is a text from Luna’s assistant who says it is urgent. Rollins urges Benson whatever Luna is asking, just say no. Benson gives Rollins a look and, ask she walks back in the building, says she will see them later.
Benson enters the room where Luna has been with Bobby, and Sequoia explains that Luna didn’t want to bother her but…Benson sees Luna who looks dejected and she tells Benson she was raped. Luna asks why would he do this to her?
Later, at the hospital, Benson tends to Luna. Benson asks that Luna said Bobby came up to her room, and Luna explains he is the CEO. She keeps putting him off as he always has bad news, calling him “bum me out Bobby.” She offered him a drink to relax him a bit and admits she was ahead of him on that front. They never got to the financials. He took a shot of tequila and pushed her down onto the bed – she wanted to push him off. She just froze, there was just, like Benson said, she just wanted to survive. Benson questions if their relationship has changed recently and Luna explains it has become more tense. She adds they were about to announce their IPO and Luna then says she can’t do this – she worries what will happen to that if this comes out. She started to get dressed, saying she will not press charges. Benson advises her if she changes her mind they have the rape kit done, and Luna says Benson doesn’t realize this but her whole brand depends on women wanting to be her. Rape does not fit into that picture.
At SVU, Benson walks out of her office with Carisi and she explains Bobby Frost is a Stanford frat boy, spent a decade in Silicon Valley before becoming the CFO of Luna’s company. Carisi asks if he has a criminal record, and Rollins explains he has college DUIs and divorced with mutual DV allegations. Kat adds cameras saw him entering Luna’s suite at 8:30 PM and exiting 34 minutes later. Benson asks about the results from the rape kit and exam, and Rollins informs them that the tox screen showed high levels of alcohol, marijuana, and adderall, Benson adding that Luna told her about this. Kay states there was presence of trauma and semen not inconsistent with assault. Carisi counters it is not inconsistent with rough sex if he gets a good defense attorney. Benson says with sarcasm “thank you counselor” and Carisi asks how cooperative is Luna. Benson explains Luna said they can start the investigation but she is afraid how it will affect her company’s IPO. Carisi asks about outcry witnesses, and Benson explains Luna’s assistant Sequoia texted her right after it happened. Carisi tells them to take her statement and see if they can catch Bobby off guard.
At We-B-Well headquarters at pier 85, suite 325 on Sunday, February 16, Benson and Rollins speak with Bobby who explains one thing led to another, adding they’ve seen her, it’s hard to say no. He says the sex was consensual. He asks if she is accusing him of something, and when Rollins suggest he tell them what happened, he explains right after they finished, Sequoia walked in and freaked out. He thinks that is what this is about, stating Sequoia and Luna are involved so Luna couldn’t admit she was cheating on her, saying she is making this up. He adds that he and Luna used to be involved but he broke it off as sex is against their HR policy. He adds a few months later, Luna is a proud pansexual and she’s got a hot new 25 year old assistant and bumps her up to CLO – Chief Listening Officer. He asks if they’ve ever heard of that.
Meanwhile, Kat speaks with Sequoia who explains what she saw and that Luna screamed for help and ran out. Kat explains Bobby said Sequoia and Luna were lovers, and Sequoia asks if he told them he is furious about it and he claims it is an HR issue, but it is his toxic ego. He hates that Sequoia makes her happy when he couldn’t.
