Law & Order SVU “Ballerina” Burnett Dances Circles Around Everyone

All photos from NBC

This episode of Law & Order SVU (NBC) “Ballerina” was probably one of the fastest SVU episodes I can recall in a long time. There are a couple reasons for this, first of all, the crime wasn’t very complicated and the list of suspects was short. Also, the riveting performances by both Carol Burnett and Matthew Lillard made this episode very interesting to watch. Both of them deserve Emmys for there performances. I admit I was worried seeing the hype about Burnett’s guest starring role that it would be overkill and heavy handed, as with Ellyn Burstyn’s appearance on the show. But even though the previews of the show made it clear that Burnett’s character would be the eventual focus of the case, her performance was just so interesting that it didn’t seem to matter.

I was also nice to see the brief appearances of Robert Klein, who last appeared on the Law & Order mothership in a season 4 episode from 2993 titled “Sweeps” where he played a sensationalist talk show host after someone gets murdered on his show.

I had a big concern early on, though, when they brought in the new forensics guy Dale Stuckey (Noel Fisher) who I think is just a horrible horrible mistake. He is too nerdy, too happy, too annoying. When I reported here in February that Noel was going to be a new character on the show, I had worries then. Now my worries are confirmed. He and his “Bing, bang, bong” have got to go. His character’s behavior does not match the serious nature of the crimes, which seem to be better fitted to the dry sarcasm and cynicism of people like Munch and Fin. Fin seemed to win all the truly funny lines in this otherwise very dark episode.

There are also some video clips after the recap from the show and some behind the scenes looks from this episode. Catch them before NBC yanks them from the site as they don’t keep them up too long.


Here is the recap:
The episode opens with two men – roommates – arguing. One is trying to throw the other out of the apartment, and gets a meat clever to help in his effort. As he is standing holding the cleaver, the other man is shot. It seems that a double murder from the apartment next door had a stray bullet that came into the next apartment.

As Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler come to investigate the scene, they are greeted by an annoying new forensics tech, Dale Stuckey (Noel Fisher), And he IS annoying, both to the detectives and me. He says it is obvious what happened: rape, murder, suicide, “bing, bang, bong”. He makes all kinds of theories about the crime, but the detectives try to show him some evidence showing his theory is wrong and that he can’t jump to conclusions. The victims are Alejandro Reyes and Tisa Flores. Forensics Tech O’Halloran (Mike Doyle) finds an ear print on a mirror hanging in the closet, which may help them ID the killer. Back at the station, Capt. Cragen (Dann Florek) seems amazed that they can track the killer from the ear print, and Munch (Richard Belzer) tells him that ear print identification is already being used a lot in Europe and it is just a matter of time before the US catches up. But Fin (Ice-T) pipes in, and says tells Munch “ you better hope we don’t because those dumbos of yours will probably contaminate every crime scene we step in.” Benson tells them that Warner got epithelials from the ear print and it matches semen found on Tisa, but there is no match in the system. They also found that the gun used belonged to Tisa. Stabler suspects that the person was hiding in the closet and came out when Tisa and Alejandro were about to “get busy” and the perp knocked out Alejandro, raped Tisa, then shot them both, making it look like a murder-suicide. Alejandro has no record, but Tisa works at a strip club that has been busted twice for prostitution. The building is the Empire Dance Academy, but Fin tells them that’s what it used to be, the place had been sold a few years back and there are no more tutus, now it’s just tequila and tongue jobs. The owner of the buildings is Bridgett Sulloway, who lives on Park Avenue. Stabler says it looks like a new Mayflower Madame sailed into town.

The detectives head to the apartment of Bridgett Sulloway, who is the owner of the club. They are greeted by a man named Chet (Matthew Lillard), who is reluctant to let them in or tell them if Bridgett is there. But Bridgett (Carol Burnett) appears and allows the detectives to come in, fawning over Chet in the process, telling them he is her nephew. She also tells the detectives to call her “Birdie.” She asks Chet to makes some drinks” When the detectives tell her about the murders and the ties to her building, she says that it was her old dance studio that she asked her husband to buy for her as she used to be a dancer there and so they wouldn’t go out of business. As she is talking to the detectives, Birdie’s husband Marv arrives, and asks what they are doing there. When they explain and they ask about the property, he admits that he kicked out the “old queen” who ran the studio and couldn’t pay the rent so he kicked him out. He leases the building to a Latino club owner. Marv says he doesn’t know Tisa or Alejandro, and suggests they go to the club and ask the people there.

Benson and Stabler visit the Bailarina Room, where they are told by one of the dancers sometimes have sex with some of the patrons but Tisa was not that type. She says that there is an Orthodox Jewish man who comes to see Tisa and when he arrives the dancer points him out. They take him down to the squad for questioning.

While they are interrogating Ephraim, he says Tisa is his girlfriend, and Benson says she already had a boyfriend, Alejandro, but Ephraim says that Tisa was going to break up with Alejandro. When Stabler suggests that Ephraim killed Tisa and Alejandro as they were going to have sex, he denies it, saying that the club owner Marv, was always after her, he’s a stalker. They later find that the ear print didn’t match Ephraim’s so they let him go. They also find that Marv is broke, he claims $27,000 annual income, yet he lives in a Park Avenue apartment, which means he is likely cooking the books, but the IRS hasn’t been able to nail him.

Birdie and Chet arrive at the station, and Birdie asks t speak to Benson. In the lounge, Benson asks Birdie if Chet has ever had to protect Birdie physically from Marv and she says no, but Chet pipes up and Birdie admits sometimes Marv would drink too much, but she can hold her own with him. She tells Benson says that because Tisa was a dancer, she wants to pay for her funeral. She takes out a chewed up pen to write the check and it won’t write, so she puts it on the table, commenting that Marv has a disgusting habit of chewing on them, saying Marv was a pig. She says she should divorce Marv. She asks Chet to get her some tea, and he leaves Birdie and Benson alone. Birdie admits that Chet is not really her nephew, that he is the son of an old dancer friend who died, and she took Chet in when he was six. She begins to recount her previous husbands. The first was a drug dealer, the second liked little boys, and the third, Phillip, was swept out to sea when they were on their honeymoon and they were only married for four days. The one after Phillip was a womanizer. She added that when Marv went to sleep last night, she went through his files and saw he was running several strip clubs, and she had no idea he was doing this. When Birdie moves to leave and also to take the pen and get rid of it, Benson offers to dispose of it for her. Later, this pen proves valuable as they find Marv’s DNA on it, which matches the DNA they found at the scene of the double murder.

As Benson and Stabler head to Marv and Birdie’s place to bring in Marv, they hear a woman scream and look up, and a body crashes onto a nearby parked car. It’s Marv. The woman says that as she looked up she saw Marv jump. When Benson and Stabler rush up to the apartment, Chet is there, looking as if nothing happened, saying that Marv is in the study. Birdie is in her bedroom, watching a movie of her much younger self as a dancer, saying she is not the woman she used to be. She seems oblivious to the fact that Marv has just jumped out the window and killed himself.

Later, with police and forensics on the scene, as Chet is consoling Birdie in the living room, she asks the detectives if they found a note but there was nothing. Benson asked if Marv said anything unusual or seemed despondent, but Birdie said no, and Chet said Marv took his martini and went to his room and surf porn. Annoying Forensics Tech Dale Stuckey returns (to their dimay and mine) and says that he took their advice and looked at the scene more carefully. He dusted for prints, and concludes that the fingerprints left on the window are in the wrong position for a person who was jumping, but not for someone who was pushed. It seems Marv was facing away from the window when he went out of it. It looks like their suicide has turned to murder – “Bing, bang, bong.”

They bring Birdie and Chet to the station and split them up to question them separately, and they tell Birdie she has to sign some paperwork for the release of Marv’s body. As they move off, Capt. Cragen (Dann Florek) tells Benson and Stabler that ME Warner found anti-depressants in Marv’s body but they do not know if he took them voluntarily or if he was drugged.

While Stabler is questioning Birdie, Benson is questioning Chet, and we go back and forth between both interrogations. Birdie tells Stabler that Marv was depressed, he was also a porn addict, and he popped a lot of pills she referred to as “poison.” She adds that her father died in a hospital when she was nine, and she doesn’t like doctors and hasn’t seen one in decades. All doctors are nothing but well paid murderers. When Stabler asks if she knew Marv was taking anti-depressants, she gets tests with Stabler. Chet, meanwhile, tells Benson that Marv was an alcoholic and a rage-aholic, and that Birdie is his soul mate and he protects her. Marv recently had gotten angry at Birdie and Chet intervened, Marv got angry then left the apartment. Stabler asks Birdie if Marv was happy in the marriage and she says he did not know she was going to divorce him. They had separate bedrooms because Marv was a snorer. With Benson, Chet tells her he doesn’t know how anyone could stand Marv, and Benson reminds him Birdie was married to him for many years. She presses him on his relationship with Birdie, and he is beginning to get angry and flustered. Benson presses on their relationship, but Chet says he doesn’t know what she means. With Stabler, Birdie admits that the first time she had sex with Chet he was 18, she loves him more than anyone she has known. They would not marry because of the age difference. They would do anything for each other. When Stabler asks if they would kill Marv, she says Chet would never hurt anyone, he is very kind and gentle. Meanwhile, Olivia is continuing to work on Chet, who is getting more uncomfortable, and she is telling him that they are searching the apartment and will find if his prints are on the liquor bottle of what Marv was drinking. Chet, even more rattled, says his prints will be on all the bottles since he is their bartender. He takes off his jacket, denies killing Marv, and asks to talk to Birdie. She tells him that Birdie is already telling them all about it, and Benson opens the blinds to the next room where Chet can see, but not hear, Birdie talking to Stabler. Benson tells him that Birdie is telling them how he killed Marv, and this pushes Chet over the edge. He tells them that Birdie killed Marv, he had left Marv’s drink with Birdie as he went to get some of her old movies for her, when he returned, he saw a pill bottle next to Marv’s drink. He says he brought the drink to Marv but that Birdie must have drugged it He admitted Marv was not surfing for porn, but he was getting things out of his safe. He told Birdie Marv was going to leave and he heard them argue.. He then heard Marv yelling and then it became quiet. When he came in the room, the window was wide open. He says Birdie did it. But Birdie denies it, saying Chet would never cross his aunt. When Benson and Stabler tell Birdie they found her prints on the martini glass and the pill bottle, they arrest her for murder. As they lead her away, Chet says tells her he didn’t want to do it. She tells him “We all do what we have to, dear.”

At arraignment, Birdie pleads not guilty. ADA Cabot (Stephanie March) asks for $500,000. Birdie says she will pay it, and she will not argue over money, it’s vulgar. She calls to Chet to hand over the checkbook, but when nothing happens she turns and is crestfallen to see Chet is not there. Birdie’s lawyer Mr. Stannich (Robert Klein) says Birdie was temporarily insane because Marv tormented her and she told Benson about this before Marv’s death. Cabot says Birdie was just teeing up an excuse before killing him. Stannich argues that this is the same man who killed two people and Birdie was in mortal terror of him. The judge tells Stannich he has to convince a jury and she will allow the defense, and Cabot should fire up her shrink.

Later, Dr. Huang (B.D. Wong) meets with Birdie to determine her mental state, saying he is just doing an assesment. She doesn't like doctors, saying they are useless. She complains about how cold it is in the room. She talks about Chet, saying they are now estranged. She complains about her chair, she seems very uncomfortable. He notices that she seems to have facial twitches and her hand is very shaky. She tells Huang she will not play the frightened wife and she won’t cower. She glares at him, and tersely tells him to take his "little assessment"back to his bosses and get her the hell out of this awful room.

Afterwards, Cabot complements Huang on his nice work, as Birdie all but admitted the EED was a sham. But Huang tells Cabot and Benson that he suspects Birdie may have a neurological disorder as evidenced by the facial twitch and the loss of motor control in her hand. When Cabot doesn’t like hearing that, he says he has a responsibility as a physician. He orders the Birdie undergo a PET scan. They find she has cancer with multiple tumors in her body. Huang explains to them all that these tumors may have secreted hormones that may have caused her to kill Marv. He adds she only has about 4-5 months to live. Cabot complains that Stannich will fill this time with motions and Birdie will likely never see trial and the case dies with her.

Huang later tells Birdie she has over a dozen malignant tumors in her body, and treatment will not help. She asks what will happen after she dies as far as the afterlife, and Huang says he can’t answer those kinds of question. She tells him that when her third husband Phillip died in her arms, she watched the light go out in his eyes and she wondered what he was seeing. This piques the interest of Benson, who is watching the conversation from another room, and she comments that Birdie told her that Phillip died after being swept off their yacht, so how could she see the light go out of his eyes? Cabot wonders if the cancer has made her cuckoo and she is confused, but Benson wonders if maybe Marv wasn’t her first victim.

Back at the station, they review Birdie’s previous husbands. Marv Goldberg was lost as sea. Another was an accidental overdose, another slipped and fell down the stairs, another was a brake failure, and Marv’s suicide. It could be a 40 year killing spree and she may be a black widow. There were only modest insurance payments made. But each one of her husbands had a rap sheet. Fin states, “From little orphan ballerina to “Dirty Harriet” in five easy steps. “

Later, at Birdie’s apartment with her lawyer, she says yes, she killed them all, but Stannich reminds them that she in failing health with failing mental ability. She says she rid the world of horrible men. She says she wants justice, and asks if there is another murderer out there free as a bird. She tells them to recheck the insurance reports, she was two states away when one husband fell down the steps, and can a little old lady really know how to tamper with car brakes? Or could it be a young man who would do anything in the world his aunt asked him to?

Some time later, with Birdie in the hospital seemingly getting treatment, Chet comes by to visit, with flowers. He asks if she will be OK, and he says not this time. He says he was sorry for telling them and then running away. He asks about the court case, and she says it’s too late for that. He asks if she is mad at her, and she says that’s impossible, She just hopes he will not be mad at her, and he looks confused and asks why. She says for what she made him do to her husbands, and he said she didn’t make him do anything, he wanted to help, and he would do it again. He said he would push more of those bastards out the window if she asked him to. She says she wishes they had time to be together one last time, and he says there still is time. As he moves to kiss her, she puts him off, and says there isn’t time, he’s going on a little trip, and she says it with a nasty tone. The detectives enter the room to arrest Chet. He asks her why, and she responds, “30 years at your Aunt Birdie’s side, and you never learned not to cross her. “ As he looks at her stunned, they take him away in cuffs. After he is out of the room, Birdie gets out of the hospital bed and says to Benson and Stabler, dryly, “We all do what we have to.” Benson and Stabler look on, somewhat stunned, as Birdie smells the flowers that Chet left her, an odd satisfied grin on her face as we fade to black.


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Clip from Law & Order SVU “Ballerina”
behind the Scenes with Carol Burnett, Matthew Liilard, And Mariska Behind the Scenes of “body” falling on the car Another take of the same scene Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order, here. Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order UK “Unsafe” Recap & Review

All photos ITV

This episode of Law & Order UK, “Unsafe” was based on the US Law & Order episode form season four titled “American Dream." Law & Order fans will recall this Ben Stone (Michael Moriarty) episode which guest starred the ever-creepy Zeljko Ivanek, who played the character that managed to appeal his murder conviction, wins, sues Ben Stone, and eventually Stone nails him for the murder of a witness. It was one of Law & Order’s best, and I have to say that the UK version keeps up that standard of excellence.

Since the only actor I am very familiar with on the UK series is Jamie Bamber, I am looking at the rest of the cast with no previous opinions about any of them. I’d have to say that I think this cast has great chemistry, and I am beginning to really like Bradley Walsh, who plays the “Lennie equivalent” DS Ronnie Brooks. While there is no one who can ever match Lennie, Brooks does an excellent job and he and Bamber seem to play very well off each other.

I also think Ben Daniels is excellent in his role, and I find him as passionate a prosecutor as Jack McCoy. I loved the scene where Steel throws down his box of papers and they scatter, and Steel gets in the face of his tormentor. You could feel Daniels’ anger coming right through.

All in all, very well done, and I think that this episode would be well liked by US Law & Order fans if/when it gets aired here in the US.


Here is the recap:
A man is walking the river bank with a metal detector. He finds something that shocks him. Later, we see DS Ronnie Brooks (Bradley Walsh) and DS Matt Devlin arrive on the scene. Apparently a male corpse had been found, face down, wrapped in the remnants of a sheet, very decomposed, only the skeleton remains. He was found with a Swiss watch – still ticking, which is what likely set of the detector. The body could have been there between 2 and 10 years. There is no ID, no teeth so a match to dental records isn’t possible, He was killed by a single gunshot wound to the back of the head, the bullet is still there. Brooks says it looks like an assassination.

Back at their unit, they tell DI Natalie Chandler (Harriet Walter) that they are trying to identify the gun. They are also checking missing persons; there are 39 possible matches. The best lead is the watch, and Chandler sends them out to check the watchmakers.

At Castiglione Watches, he tells them to check with the manufactures as they have a registry of the owners. At the manufacturers, there is nothing in their computer system so the paper files must be checked. They find the watch is registered to a David Ackroyd. Back at the squad, Chandler brings them some evidence they found in the leg from the body, it was a pin from his knee, and there is only one man from the missing person’s list that it would match – David Ackroyd. Ackroyd’s killer is already in prison, Luke Slade, who was tried and convicted by James Steel, even though the body could not be found at the time. Chandler tells them Ackroyd was survived by a daughter.

Later, at the home of Louise Ackroyd (Charlie Covell), she says her mother died the previous year from cancer, and now she is alone in her parent’s house, and seems very dejected about the matter. James Steel sends her a card every year just to see how she is doing. She asks if her father’s body was where they said it would be – at a building site? They tell her the body was found across the water from Canary Wharf by the dump. She says this makes no sense.

Back at the unit, they are concerned that Steel got a conviction but without the body, and now the body was not where it was originally expected. The whole case was based on this information from Richie Newman (Nicholas Beveny), and that he and Slade buried the body at a building site in Chelsea. According to Newman, he killed Ackroyd with a knife and the weapon was never found. Brooks says, “You pull one thread, and the whole thing becomes unraveled.” Chandler tells the to find Richie Newman.

They later find Richie and bring him in to be interrogated. They ask him why Richie’s original information on the case doesn’t match. Richie seems shocked, and he said he wasn’t there when Slade killed him. He says if Slade gets out, he will be a dead man. Afterwards, they discuss the fact that Richie seems genuinely worried. Chandler approaches, and tells them that Luke Slade’s case has been referred back to the court for a potential miscarriage of justice and he could go free.

At the Crown Prosecution Service, Brooks and Devlin bring over boxes of files on the case to James Steel (Ben Daniels). Later, Steel and Alesha Phillips (Freeman Agyeman) arrive at the courthouse, and are greeted on the steps by Luke Slade (Iain Glen). He tells them he is representing himself for his appeal, he had a lot of time on his hands so he studied the law. He asks Steel a question about Steel’s marriage, and Steel reminds him that this is a murder case, and he should have a barrister. Slade pulls out his watch, with handcuffs still on.

Inside the Royal Courts of Justice, Slade thanks the court and begins to make his argument about the discovery of Ackroyd’s body and cites precedent of convictions that were quashed when the Crown’s main witness gave false evidence. The method of death and manner of death is not consistent with original testimony. Phillips and Steel look on, concerned.

Later, as Steel is in the office, he is watching Ackroyd’s daughter talking to the press, with Steel at her side, about the turn of events. Phillips enters and tells Steel he needs sleep. He tells her this was his first case with the CPS. He wonders if he was wrong. She tells him Slade is guilty and everyone who has read the file agrees. He reminds him he needs to rest, and he says soon.

Back in court, Steel presented his own precedents, saying that Newman did not lie when he gave his original testimony. If this would render the conviction unsafe, it would reward Slade for lying to Newman. The crown argues that he corpse was murdered after the original burial as Slade was covering his tracks. But the judge says this is a theory, does he have evidence? When Steel says no, the judge says this is exactly what a retrial should explore. Slade seems to be gloating.

Outside on the courthouse steps, Phillips approaches as Steel fiddles with a Rubix Cube. She tells him they agreed with Slade and his conviction has been overturned. As the reporters rush out with Slade, he tells them that David Ackroyd was like an older brother to him and he was heartbroken by his death. But the CPS made a mistake so David’s murderer is still free and he looks forward to proving his innocence. Steel gets up from the steps and Slade faces him and reaches out to shake Steel’s hands, saying he forgives him. But Steel refuses to shake his hand and walks off, much to the Slade’s satisfaction.

Steel is at the grave of Ackroyd with Ackroyd's daughter Louise and apologizes for letting her down at the appeal. As she looks off, to her horror she sees Slade approaching the grave site. Steel asks him what he is doing there, and he says he is paying his respects. He says he wanted to tell Louis her father was great man and he wants to bring her father to justice, and he begins to move in closer. Steel steps up, and tells Slade to get away from her. Slade says too many people failed her and he won’t be one of them, and he will make things right, and as he leaves, Louise begins to cry. When Steel tries to console her, she tells him not to touch her. She angrily says he failed her and her father.

Back at the detective’s unit, Steel tells them that he has to prove the case all over again. He wants all the evidence to look at it again, the detective team suggests to look again at forensics and track down all witnesses. Steel says does not want Louise Ackroyd to see her father’s killer go free.

Slade and Ackroyd were investment capitalists, involved in the dot com boom, so Brooks and Devlin decide to look at that angle. At CZY Developments Ltd., they talk to Elena Adani (Amber Agar) who had a relationship with Slade. She said David’s thought Slade would all make them rich – they all thought that for a while.

Back at the unit, they review the information from the witnesses. Devlin tells them that Slade’s girlfriend made a statement in the original investigation about her car that Slade used to borrow, and that Slade sold it for her a couple of days after the murder. Devlin says he was able to trace it, Chandler suspects that Slade used the car to move the body. Brooks says, “Maybe if we get it forensicated…” and Devlin and Chandler state in unison, “Forensicated isn’t a word.”

At forensics, they are told that it is all about the dirt. The particle of dirt on Ackroyd’s body matches the “pedagogical profile” – soil - of the Chelsea area. This seems to support Newman’s story, as the dirt from the wharf doesn’t match that soil. The girlfriend’s car shows some soil from two beaches, skin, and other things you may find in a mattress, and also fiber traces which match the sheet in which the body was found. This seems to support that Ackroyd was dug up and moved in Ackroyd’s girlfriend’s car.

In the robing room, George Castle (Bill Paterson) gives Steel some advice, telling him not to let Slade rattle him, he got it right in the first trial, he’ll get it right again. Steel tells Castle if he continues to be nice to him, he won’t be able to concentrate at trial. But things get messy when Phillips rushes in and tells them that Richie Newman has disappeared, no one has seen him in three days and his last credit card charge shows a one way ticket to Thailand – and the trial starts in 13 minutes.

Now at the trail Crown v Slade, Steel asks for more time because Newman can’t be located, but says he will have to make a motion to have Newman’s original testimony read back at the trial. But Slade won’t have it, as he said new evidence contradicts Newman’s original testimony, and how can he attack Newman’s credibility if he can’t cross examine him. The court denies Steel’s request for adjournment or to all him to use Newman’s prior testimony. Unless he can produce him, they won’t be hearing from Newman.

Back at the unit, Steel speaks with Brooks and Chandler, but they have everyone on it. They suggest talking to Slade’s cellmate. At Ashbridge Prison, they speak to Slade’s cellmate Danny Doyle ( Michael Smiley) who said he has a problem with his memory, and asks them if they have cure for it, clearly trying to get something for his information.

Back at trial, Slade’s girlfriend Elena Adani is on the stand, talking about how Slade used to like to mess people’s heads. She also found a diary of Slade’s and reads some of it back, which had a notation for 9:00 PM the day of the murder to “Kill David.” Slade cross examines her, and mentions that Elena seems to be upset about him breaking their relationship, and brings out messages she left with him which indicated she wanted him to suffer.

On the stand, Slade’s cellmate Danny Doyle testifies that Slade said he moved the body. But Slade asks him about a previous case where Danny gave evidence in a court case in exchange for a transfer, but the evidence was false, and he was later convicted of perjury. Steel is unhappy as this ruins Danny’s credibility.

Later, in Castle’s office, Castle is having a conniption. Castle says maybe if they find Slade innocent Castle should offer him Steel’s job. Phillips tells them both to stop, and they need to keep going, together.

Back in court, Slade is on the stand, saying the last time he saw Ackroyd he was drunk, alive, and heading to Mexico for the holiday. Steel asks him about the note in his diary and if he made notes about killing anyone other than Ackroyd, and Slade says it was a joke. Steel asks him if he can explain the dirt and fibers from the sheet in his car, the same as what was found on his body. Slade says the sheets were mass produced and the soil is very common.

Later, Steel summarizes, telling the jury to keep to the evidence I mind. But Slade counters that the evidence does not support it, and to let him live what is left of his life. The jury finds him not guilty, and Steel looks crushed. Ackroyd’s daughter Louise runs out of the courtroom.

Outside sitting on a bench on the busy street at night, Steel bemoans the outcome with Castle, and Castle says he still supports him, whatever happens. When Steel ask him what that means, Castle tells him that Luke Slade has lodged a formal complaint against him saying Steel had a vendetta, his argument it amounts to gross misconduct. Slade wants him out of the CPS.

On another day, in Castle’s office, Castle is giving Steel his one week notification of his hearing date. Phillips tells him he can bring a friend or representative at the hearing to help present his case, but Steel says he will represent himself. Castle says they play by the rules and there is no room for appeal, and tells him to stay home pending the hearing. He adds that Slade won’t win, but Steel counters that Slade has done a good job so far. Later, Steel is rifling through papers, while Phillips watches. She enters, and tells him she’ll see him when he gets back. He says, “You mean if.”

Outside, Steel has his box of his office belongings and files, and Slade approaches, asking him if he needs a hand. He says he admires Steel that he won’t retract the complaint, and Steel storms away from him as Slade continues top needle him, saying he will look after Louise. Steel throws his box on the ground, scattering everything, and gets in Slade’s face, telling him if he goes near Louise again, he’ll come for him. Slade asks him if that is a threat, and that Steel has lost all sense of what is right, he’s an obsessive, and to let it go. Steel asks Slade what were Ackroyd’s last words and if Ackroyd begged for mercy or didn’t even know if it was Slade that shot him from behind. Slade said the city was built on corpses, why does this one matter so much? Steel growls that they all matter. Slade says he looked really mean there, how doe she live with that conscience? He says Steel is an obsessed, discredited man out on his own, while he is a rehabilitated man, out in society. Steel yells, “This isn’t finished!” and Slade asks him if he thinks his complaint won’t stick, he’s not a beginner. He says goodbye and walks off. Leaving Steel to pick up his mess of papers.

Later at the pub, Phillips tells Steel he shouldn’t have talked to Slade, but Steel said he had no choice. Phillips said it doesn’t matter, he shouldn't be seen with him. Steel says this would not have happened had Newman not disappeared, and thinks Slade had something to do with it, saying Slade wouldn’t be stupid enough to do it himself. Steel thinks they should dig out Slade’s prison record, and see if anything comes up, asking for Phillips’ help.

In the office, Phillips says Castle will “go mental” if Castle finds out she let Steel in. She finds Slade filed a complaint against a prison officer on behalf of another prisoner – Danny Doyle. Castle walks in, spots them, and says he’s still at the Royal Opera House and to switch the lights off when they leave, clearly indicating he doesn’t care Steel is there and that Phillips is helping him.

Back at the prison, Steel talks to Danny and pressures him about his testimony. Danny admits he is a con, not known for telling the truth. Steel says he will continue to show up at every one of Danny’s parole hearings reminding them that Doyle helped a murderer go free. Danny asks Steel what he wants, and he wants to know where to find Richie Newman. He says Freddie Martins’ - Slade called in a favor.

At McFarlane Lane, Brooks and Devlin approach a construction crew, and when one man won’t tell them where Freddie is, Devlin calls out Freddie’s name and Freddie looks up, and then begins to run, Devlin gives chase while Brooks leisurely follows. Brooks manages to block the route where Freddie was headed, turning him back onto a waiting Devlin. Devlin subdues and apprehends him and read him his rights. Later, in junkyard, they find Richie Newman’s body in the trunk of a car.

When Slade is out for a run, Brooks and Devlin are waiting for him. Slade asks them if they are enjoying the day, and Devlin grins, saying they are about to.

Afterwards. Slade is in interrogation and says there seems to be a misunderstanding. But Steel says he has sworn statements from Danny Doyle and Freddie Martin and that they found Slade’s body. Slade tries to appear unruffled, and says that it is just the end of round one. Steel asks him if he thinks this is a game, and Slade says everything is. Steel tells him that Slade will confess to both murders and to show some honor. Slade asks Steel if his little boy, Ethan, is eight, and give him his son’s address, making it sound like he watches him. Steel coldly answers, “Goodbye, Mr. Slade.” Slade looks, for the first time, a little worried as Steel gets up, and walks out, as Slade asks him where is he going, and that “This is far from over! Mr. Steel! Mr. Steel!”

Later, Steel approaches the grave of David Ackroyd, and Louise is there tending to it. He hands Louise some flowers, and Steel begins to clear out the old flowers, as we fade to black.



All Text Content (Recaps, Review, Commentary) © allthingslawandorder.blogspot.com unless otherwise noted

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order, here.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Baggage” Episode Information

NBC has released the information for a new episode of Law & Order SVU, scheduled to air on Tuesday March 31, titled “Baggage.” This appears to be one of the episodes where Mariska will not appear due to her hospitalization.


Law & Order SVU “Baggage” Air Date April 7, 2009
THE BRUTAL MURDER OF AN ARTIST LEADS THE DETECTIVES TO A LONG STRING OF MURDERS BY AN UNTRACEABLE SERIAL KILLER.

After an up-and-coming artist is brutally murdered in her apartment, Detectives Odafin Tutuola (Ice-T) and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) link her death to another unsolved murder case. As they pursue the case further, they realize that these two murders have striking similarities to a string of murders by a mysterious serial killer that Detective Victor Moran has been following for months. Moran fights to keep his control over the case as Detectives Fin and Stabler struggle to find the killer. Also starring: Richard Belzer (Detective John Munch), Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen), Stephanie March (ADA Alexandra Cabot), Tamara Tunie (Dr. Melinda Warner).

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU Baggage" can be found here.


Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order, here.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU Fatal Finale?

Entertainment Weekly's super-scooper Michael Ausiello hears that a Law & Order SVU character will die this season on the show. He indicates it is in the season finale, and that “It's not Benson (Mariska Hargitay) or Stabler (Chris Meloni). Beyond that, no one's safe.”

If I had my guess, my first pick would be Alexandra Cabot, seeing that Stephanie March is supposed to only have signed for a six-episode run. If it isn’t her, I have no clue, although it would make me sad to see Cragen (Dann Florek) or Munch (Richard Belzer) go. Cragen would make me sad because he’s been with the franchise for so long, and I just like his character. Munch would make me sad because then the character of John Munch would cease to exist, and Munch could never later appear on any other show as his character has done in the past. So it’s either “Nice knowing you, Alex” or “Farewell, Fin, Huang, or Warner” for me.



Michael Ausiello’s story and “death chart” for other shows can be found here.



Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order, here.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order Episode Information Week of March 15, 2009

The Law & Order franchise has 3 new episodes for the week of March 15, which includes the fourth installment of Law & Order UK. Law & Order SVU will feature the much publicized guest star Carol Burnett, and NBC has provided 3 video clips to tease viewers (below). Here is the episode information for all three shows.


Law & Order UK “Unsafe” Air Date March 16, 2009 (not aired in the US)

When a metal-detecting pensioner unearths a shallow grave by the side of the Thames, DS Ronnie Brooks (Bradley Walsh) and DS Matt Devlin (Jamie Bamber) are forced to reopen a contentious murder case. Their investigations into the case of Luke Slade (Iain Glen) threaten to unravel a conviction made by James Steel eight years ago.

After Luke Slade is given leave to appeal, Senior Crown Prosecutor James Steel (Ben Daniels) must revisit his past and one of his first cases for the CPS. But when Luke Slade represents himself in court, the case becomes more than a legal appeal – it soon becomes a personal vendetta between Slade and Steel. Luke Slade has been studying law during his time in prison – and he’s determined not to lose to James again.

As Slade begins to get the better of James in court, Crown Prosecutor Alesha Phillips (Freema Agyeman) and Director of CPS, London, George Castle (Bill Paterson) begin to question whether James was overzealous in his initial prosecution. And when the prosecution case comes under threat, personal and professional loyalties are tested to the limit. Is Luke Slade guilty of murder? And why is he taking so much pleasure from this legal game of cat and mouse with James Steel? James’ career is on the line – and the murders are not yet over.

My recap and review of Law & Order UK “Unsafe” can be found here.

Law & Order SVU “Ballerina” Air Date March 17, 2009
EMMY AND GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD WINNER CAROL BURNETT GUEST-STARS ALONG WITH MATTHEW LILLARD

When Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler (Christopher Meloni) arrive on the scene of a single murder, they discover two more dead bodies, those of Tisa Flores and Alejandro Reyes, in the apartment next door. They investigate Tisa’s past and find that she was working at a strip club owned by a former Rockette, Birdie Sulloway (Guest Star Carol Burnett). Birdie and her nephew Chet (Guest Star Matthew Lillard) try to assist with the investigation, but when the prime suspect for the three murders suddenly dies, the detectives discover a vigilante with a violent past. Show Cast: Chris Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Dann Florek, Richard Belzer, Ice T, Tamara Tunie

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Ballerina” can be found here.

Law & Order “Take-Out” Air Date March 18, 2009
THE SEARCH FOR THE KILLER OF A WRITER LEADS THE DETECTIVES TO A PAST ESPIONAGE CASE

Alex Boone (Guest Star Neal Jones), a middle-aged writer, and David Sutton (Guest Star Michael Esper), a graduate student, are involved in a heated altercation. The following day, Boone's dead body is found in a local park with no identification and the only eyewitness describing a blur running from the scene. Once detectives Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Bernard (Anthony Anderson) identify the victim, the story of his past begins to unfold. While searching for clues to solve the current murder case, the detectives discover that the victim was trying to expose information about a closed espionage case involving Sutton's father and the Chinese government. Lupo and Bernard discover a family torn apart as a result of the espionage case and question Sutton's sister Tracy (Guest Star Monica West), revealing his possible involvement in Boone's murder. When the detectives believe they have gotten closer to revealing the truth, new information emerges and leads them in an entirely new direction. The case is further complicated when ADA's Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) and Connie Rubirosa (Alana de la Garza) must deal with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's office as they try to bring the killer to justice. Also stars S. Epatha Merkerson and Sam Waterston.

My recap and review of Law & Order "Take-out" can be found here.


Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order, here.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order Franchise Finale Dates and NBC Summer Schedule

NBC has released the dates for the season finales of Law & Order and Law & Order SVU.
The dates are as follows:

Tuesday, June 2, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season finale, 10:00 PM

Wednesday, June 3, Law & Order season finale, 10:00 PM

There is no episode information available for the season finales as yet.


Also, NBC will be re-airing the new episodes from Law & Order Criminal Intent (USA) beginning on Monday June 8 at 10:00 PM. The new episodes of Criminal Intent will get their first airings on the USA Network beginning April 19.


Also notable is the premier of the new series, which stars Law & Order alumnus Jesse L. Martin, titled “The Philanthropist,” whixh premiers on Wednesday, June 24 at 10:00 PM EDT.


Here is NBC’s full press release on their summer schedule:

"I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!" to Be Stripped Over Four Weeks Beginning June 1

Season Finales of "Medium," "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" – Along with Debut of "The Listener" -- Provide Momentum at 10 p.m. in Inaugural Week for "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" Beginning on June 1

Network Also Offers Eventful New Miniseries "Meteor" (June 7 and 14) and "The Storm" (July 19 and 26); "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" Episodes from USA Network Join NBC Lineup June 8

UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIF. – March 12, 2009 – NBC will serve up a sizzling menu of new and returning summer series -- accented by all-new original scripted programming with the series premieres of "The Philanthropist," "Merlin" and "The Listener" – and paced by the new alternative series "I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!" and "Great American Road Trip" plus the return of summer's top-rated "America's Got Talent."

In a bold scheduling move, "I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!," based on the international hit from Granada America, will debut as a two-hour television event on Monday, June 1 (8-10 p.m. ET) and will be stripped over four weeks in June.

NBC's season finales of "Medium," Law & Order: SVU" and "Law & Order" and the premiere of "The Listener" will provide additional primetime momentum at 10 p.m. for the inaugural week of Conan O'Brien beginning Monday, June 1 (11:35 p.m. – 12:35 a.m. ET).

NBC's eventful summer will also include the action-packed original miniseries "Meteor" and "The Storm." In addition, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" episodes from USA Network will join the NBC lineup.

The announcements were made today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

"This summer will feature more original scripted programming than ever before, along with our #1 hit 'America's Got Talent' and two new buzz-worthy reality shows," said Silverman. "In addition, we'll give Conan the best launch possible during his premiere week by slotting the season finales of some of our best dramas at 10 p.m."

"I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!" will air Monday through Thursdays for the first three weeks beginning June 1 (8-9 p.m. ET) and during the fourth week of June, the series will be telecast Monday through Wednesday (8-9 p.m. ET) with the finale on Wednesday, June 24 (8-9 p.m. ET).

"Great American Road Trip" – newly announced today – will debut on Wednesday, July 1 (8-9 p.m. ET) and will continue for eight weeks.

The popular "America's Got Talent" will kick off its fourth season over two nights on Tuesday, June 23 (9-10 p.m. ET) and Wednesday, June 24 (9-10 p.m. ET). "The Philanthropist" premieres on Wednesday, June 24 (10-11 p.m. ET) while "Merlin" begins on Sunday, June 21 with a two-hour premiere (8-10 p.m. ET). The new drama series will also air from 8-10 p.m. on June 28 before resuming in its normal day and time on Sunday, July 5 (8-9 p.m. ET).

"Medium" will broadcast its season finale Monday, June 1 (10-11 p.m. ET), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" will have its season finale on Tuesday, June 2 (10-11 p.m. ET) and "Law & Order" will unveil its season finale on Wednesday, June 3 (10-11 p.m. ET). The new drama "The Listener" will also debut that week on Thursday, June 4 (10-11 p.m. ET).

NBC illuminates the sky this summer with two major miniseries in "The Meteor" on Sunday, June 7 (9-11 p.m. ET) and Sunday, June 14 (9-11 p.m. ET) as well as "The Storm" for broadcast on Sunday, July 19 (9-11 p.m. ET) and Sunday, July 26 (9-11 p.m. ET).

In addition, episodes from the eighth season of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (now telecast on USA) will begin on NBC on Monday, June 8 (9-10 p.m. ET)

"Dateline NBC" will begin broadcasts on Mondays (10-11 p.m. ET) beginning June 8.

The annual "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular" will take place on July 4 (9-10 p.m. ET).

(Show descriptions are provided below):

"I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!" is the ultimate Swiss Family Robinson as ten celebrities are dropped into the heart of the jungle to face fun and comedic challenges designed to test their survival skills. America is the puppetmaster, controlling their favorite celebrities by putting them into challenges and tasks to win food, supplies and luxury items. In each episode, friendships will be tested, hilarity will ensue and viewers will decide which celebrities stay or go. The last remaining star will be crowned King or Queen of the Jungle, winning a substantial cash prize for their favorite charity.

The participating celebrities will be announced at a later date. The series is produced by Granada America.

"Great American Road Trip" from BBC Worldwide, is a hilarious and relatable new series where seven families from divergent backgrounds are selected take the journey of a lifetime. Over eight episodes, the families will travel through cities large and small all while competing in a medley of humorous challenges that will ultimately lead one family to victory. These comical, clever challenges are set against iconic American backdrops like the majestic Grand Canyon and the regal Washington Monument. Along the way, our families and our viewers will also discover quirky American landmarks ranging from the World's Largest Chair to a sneaker the size of a car. Although family fun is the centerpiece of the show, the competition is real and one family will be eliminated each week based on their performance in the challenges. Ultimately, only one family will return home with a dream prize that perfectly compliments their extraordinary and memorable summer vacation.

"The Philanthropist" chronicles the heroic adventures of a billionaire playboy turned vigilante philanthropist. James Purefoy ("Rome") stars as Teddy Rist, a successful tycoon whose life is forever changed after rescuing a young boy during a hurricane in the Nigerian town he was visiting. Rist is spontaneous and impulsive and quickly decides to channel his passion, power and money into helping those in need.

Rist's actions are not just about helping others – he is purging his soul to help exorcise the inner demons which have been festering ever since his young son died and he lost everything he truly loved. Since the death of his son, the danger and risk to his life is the only way he can feel genuinely alive and he'll do anything in order to achieve his goals.

A man who has everything but can feel nothing, Rist keeps his adrenaline pumping by putting his business head and money-making skills to good use through bargaining with the self-righteous, making deals with drug barons and trading with the nefarious.

"The Philanthropist" boasts a heady cast of established and up-and-coming talent. Purefoy takes on the lead role of Teddy Rist, Jesse L. Martin ("Law & Order") plays Teddy's business partner and friend, Philip Maidstone, and Neve Campbell ("Burn Up") plays Olivia, Philip's wife who also runs the charitable foundation set up by the two billionaires.

Purefoy, Martin and Campbell are supported by a tremendous line up of names from both sides of the Atlantic including Lindy Booth ("The 4400"), Michael Kenneth Williams ("The Wire"), Krista Allen ("The Starter Wife") and newcomer James Albrecht.

From Universal Media Studios, "The Philanthropist" is a Carnival Films production in association with The Levinson/Fontana Company and Original Media. Tom Fontana, Barry Levinson, Peter Horton, Charlie Corwin, Gareth Neame and Teri Weinberg serve as executive producers.

"Merlin" is a new 13-part drama series that updates the story of the infamous sorcerer of Arthurian legend for a new audience in the mythical city of Camelot, in a time before history began. In this fantastical realm, Merlin is a young man gifted with extraordinary magical powers who arrives in the kingdom and quickly makes enemies, including the heir to Uther's crown, the headstrong Prince Arthur. But guided by Uther's wise physician, Gaius, Merlin is soon using his talents not just to survive but also to unlock Camelot's mystical secrets.

Starring Colin Morgan as Merlin, Bradley James as Prince Arthur, Anthony Head as King Uther, Richard Wilson as Gaius, Katie McGrath as Morgana and Angel Coulby as Gwen, "Merlin" is an imaginative new twist on a legend that is as old as time. "Merlin" was created and produced by Shine Television (executive-produced by Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps) for the BBC and FremantleMedia Enterprises. FME holds the exclusive licensing, home entertainment (excluding U.K.) and distribution rights to "Merlin" and has invested in the series alongside Shine Television and BBC One.

"The Listener" centers on Toby Logan (Craig Olejnik, "The Timekeeper"), a 25-year-old paramedic who has a big secret -- he's a telepath. Until now, Toby kept his ability hidden, exploring its possibilities only with his long time mentor and confidant, Dr. Ray Mercer (Colm Feore, "24: Redemption"). As he makes the rounds with his energetic paramedic partner -- "Oz" Bey (Ennis Esmer, "Young People F*#king"), "The Listener" follows Toby as he tries to help people in crisis, and in the process, unravel the truth about his past. While his professional life is in check, Toby's personal life could use its own rescue. And with the help of Detective Charlie Marks (Lisa Marcos, "Diary of a Mad Black Woman") and his E.R. doctor/ex-girlfriend Olivia Fawcett (Mylène Dinh-Robic, "Da Vinci's City Hall"), Toby realizes his gift can help others.

"The Listener" was developed by award-winning Shaftesbury Films and Canadian broadcaster CTV and produced in association with CTV, FIC and NBC. The executive producers include: International Emmy Award winner Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie for Shaftesbury Films; Michael Amo ("Blessed Stranger: After Flight 111"); Tom Chehak ("ReGenesis") and Clement Virgo ("Poor Boy's Game"). "The Listener" is distributed internationally by Shine-Reveille.

"America's Got Talent" -- NBC's hit summer series from "American Idol" producers FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell's SYCO Television -- returns with the hottest performers from across the country ready to compete in the blockbuster reality show's fourth season. The multi-talented entertainer-producer-comedian Nick Cannon joins as the new host. The series will continue to be presided over by the explosive combination of celebrity judges Sharon Osbourne, Piers Morgan and David Hasselhoff. With the talent search open to acts of all ages, "America's Got Talent" has brought the variety format back to the forefront of American culture by showcasing performers from across the country -- all hoping to win America's hearts and the $1 million prize. As a result, the series is a true celebration of the American spirit.

"America's Got Talent" is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell's SYCO Television. Cowell, Cecile Frot-Coutaz ("American Idol"), Jason Raff ("Clash of the Choirs"), James Sunderland ("Dancing on Ice") and Scott St. John ("Deal or No Deal") serve as executive producers.

In "Meteor," two massive rocks, tumbling debris older than the solar system itself, collide in space. The course has been altered. The target is Earth. In a remote observatory, Dr. Lehman (Emmy winner Christopher Lloyd, "Back to the Future"), discovers a meteor approximately three times the size of Mount Everest barreling its way towards Earth. His devoted young assistant Imogene O'Neill (Marla Sokoloff, "The Practice") feverishly types in the coordinates only to find the previously identified meteor named Kassandra is headed their way. It's only the beginning of their troubles as showers of smaller meteorites begin to lay waste to major cities around the globe.

The impending disaster brings out the best and the worst sides in people as they cope by either lending a helping hand or taking advantage of the situation. In a small California town, a Police Chief (Golden Globe Nominee Stacy Keach, "Prison Break") struggles to calm a panicky group of citizens. Miles away, his son Jack, a detective (Golden Globe nominee Billy Campbell, "Once and Again"), finds himself caught in the middle of the most difficult arrest of his career with the ill-timed transfer of a very dangerous psychopath named Stark (Michael Rooker, "JFK"). Then there's the skeptical Dr. Chetwyn (Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Jason Alexander, "Seinfeld") who may be the only chance Lehman and O'Neill have to get their findings to the proper authorities in time to deflect Kassandra.

Time is running out in "Meteor," in which eye-popping effects, explosive human drama, and hair-raising action combine to create a suspenseful, thrilling and dramatic new miniseries event from RHI Entertainment.

In "The Storm," also from RHI Entertainment, billionaire Robert Terrell (Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Treat Williams, "Everwood") has fulfilled a lifelong obsession and made history with "weather creation" technology though his Atmospheric Research Institute. But during a test run, a blast of energy is sent into the ionosphere with unexpected results. The experiments hurtle the planet towards destruction—hurricanes change course, winds go instantly from hot to cold, torrential rains bring regions to a standstill, and buildings crumble into ruins under explosive lightening storms. It's only the beginning.

Only one scientist, Dr. Jonathan Kirk (James Van Der Beek, "Dawson's Creek"), steps forward to demand that the system be terminated. Terrell is undeterred and continues to push his team to move forward. His motives for the initially philanthropic technology is in truth far more opportunistic. With government cohort, Army General Braxton (David James Elliott, "JAG"), Terrell envisions the technology as a key military weapon to ensure super power status.

Realizing he's powerless to stop the project by himself, Kirk contacts news reporter Danni Wilson (Teri Polo, "Meet the Parents") with plans to expose Terrell and explain the catastrophic weather to a bewildered and frightened world. It's a task that won't come easy, as Kirk quickly discovers the motives and loyalties of authorities are not in his favor. As devastating and extreme weather events hammer down on every corner of the Earth, it will be a race against time to shut down the system before the edge of extinction.

Featuring a cast of television favorites including Emmy Winner John Larroquette ("Boston Legal"), Luke Perry ("Beverly Hills, 90210") and Marisol Nichols ("24"), "The Storm" is the ultimate tale of man against nature and an epic miniseries event posing a tantalizing and terrifying what-if scenario.

In the eighth season of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" on USA, Oscar and Emmy nominee Jeff Goldblum joined the cast that includes Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, Julianne Nicholson and Eric Bogosian. Goldblum plays Zach Nichols, a detective born and bred on Manhattan's Upper West Side. The series takes viewers into the minds of its criminals while following the psychological approaches the Major Case Squad uses to solve its worst offenses. The squad investigates high-profile homicide cases, often involving some of the cities most high-powered people, including local government officials, the financial sect as well as celebrities. Guest stars this season include Academy Award nominee Lynn Redgrave ("Gods and Monsters"), Eric Balfour ("24"), Shawn Hatosy ("Numb3rs"), Piper Perabo ("Coyote Ugly") and Janel Moloney ("The West Wing")

A summary of NBC's new summer lineup follows (new series capitalized; all times ET):

MONDAY, JUNE 1
"I'M A CELEBRITY…GET ME OUT OF HERE!" -- premiere (8-9 p.m.)
"Medium" season finale (10-11 p.m.)

TUESDAY, JUNE 2
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" -- season finale (10-11 p.m.)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3
"Law & Order" -- season finale (10-11 p.m.)

THURSDAY, JUNE 4
"THE LISTENER" -- premiere (10-11 p.m.)

SUNDAY, JUNE 7 and JUNE 14
"METEOR" -- miniseries (9-11 p.m.)

MONDAY, JUNE 8
"Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (NBC season premiere; 9-10 p.m.)
"Dateline NBC" (10-11 p.m.)

SUNDAY, JUNE 21
"MERLIN" (premiere 8-10 p.m.; June 28 airs 8-10 p.m.; July 5 resumes regular time 8-9 p.m.)

TUESDAY, JUNE 23 and WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
"AMERICA'S GOT TALENT" (9-10 p.m. both nights)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
"THE PHILANTHROPIST" – premieres (10-11 p.m.)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
"GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP" -- premieres (8-9 p.m.)

SATURDAY, JULY 4
"MACY'S 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR" (9-10 p.m.)

SUNDAY, JULY 19 and SUNDAY, JULY 26
"THE STORM" – miniseries (9-11 p.m.)


Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order, here.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order “Bailout” Puts Greed on Trial (Recap & Review)

All Photos from NBC
This episode of Law & Order (NBC) “Bailout” dealt Michael Cutter a losing hand. The case involved a woman who was killed by a truck after fleeing a kidnapping. The big question is, was the kidnap real or staged? Clearly the episode took great pains to highlight the greedy and self absorbed CEO of a failed investment company, after all, it’s hard to avoid these people in the news these days. But, I think the show fails the viewers by giving us an equally shallow jury that acquitted the defendant based on their disdain for a man who really had nothing to do with the killing. I found myself wondering, at what point can an attorney get out of line during questioning that a judge can declare a mistrial? It seemed that despite the defense attorney’s many attempts to smear one of witnesses despite the sustained objections, even going so far as bringing the matter up in closing arguments with photos, that the judge would have felt that the defense attorney had crossed the line one to many times. I have always believed that in this day and age, that court cases should be digitally recorded with all the questions and answers where objections were sustained edited out. The jury can view the recording later or on a delay, for example, so they don’t hear material that the judge had ruled was not allowed. After all, it’s hard to forget something once you have heard it.

I also wonder at what point a judge can set aside a verdict. If jury nullification means that a jury delivered a verdict that was not arrived at by looking at the law, then why can’t the judge see this immediately and set aside the verdict?

I am also not sure why, if Ronnie was involved in a fake kidnapping and he admitted it was, wasn’t that technically a conspiracy, and wasn’t Blair killed in the course of that conspiracy? It wouldn’t be the first time the franchise has gone after someone for murder of someone who was in on a conspiracy with them. It seems like they tried that tactic recently but I can’t recall the episode. Either way, can Cutter take another bite at Ronnie by later charging him with conspiracy, or should he have been allowed to amend the charges based on new information given by Ronnie at trial after Ronnie claimed he and Blair planned to swindle the money from Gardner. Something was just missing with this part of the case, maybe that’s why Jack gave Cutter a little twist at the end, and reminding him that Cutter didn’t win.

The first half of the show seemed more solid than the second half, and it gave Anita a nice segment when she tried to convince the boys to tell the truth about Ronnie. I loved when Lupo showed the photos to the dog and asked the dog if he could ID them. I think Sisto and Bernard are turning into a great pair.

I also enjoyed Jack’s altercation with Gardner when he orders him to sit down, and then continues to foil Gardner’s every attempt to squirm out of testifying. That’s my Jack!


Here is the recap:
A woman is shopping at a store and she is wearing expensive jewelry. She takes it off and puts it into her purse. Later, she is found dead on a street in Harlem, her purse missing and no identification, but Detectives Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Bernard (Anthony Anderson) note that she has an expensive manicure and expensive clothes, and wonder what she is doing in that neighborhood. They talk to a few kids in the area, one of them, Carlos (E. J. Bonilla), who is wearing and orange jacket. At first they deny seeing anything, and when Lupo threatens to call ACS, they admit they saw her being hit by a newspaper truck.

They talk to the driver of the truck, and after denying seeing anything, he then admits he hit her. He said she was running from one of the “Harlem kids” who was wearing an orange jacket. They bring Carlos to the 2-7, still wearing his orange jacket, and under pressure from them he admits that he saw the woman running from “Tiny”, a dog who was making a racket. She had on no shoes and her clothes were a mess and she appeared scared. When he asked if he could help her, she ran, he did not chase her into traffic. When they discuss Carlos with Lt. Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson), she tells them Carlos has a long sheet, and the ME says that the victim has fresh bruise marks on her that looked like finger marks, and also had green glass embedded in her clothes that came from a window pane. She tells them to go find out what she was doing before she crossed paths with Carlos.

Back in the ‘hood, the detectives come upon a barking “Tiny” and Lupo jokingly shows the dog the pictures of the people involved. Bernard notices a broken window at the top floor of the apartment. They talk to someone who is in charge of the building, who says it was foreclosed on a year ago. After they enter the apartment, they find the victim’s purse with her jewelry still in it, and her ID shows her name is Blair Carlson. They notice several bottles of water and a newspaper covering one of the windows is from Sunday. There is also a new lock on one of the door, and when they enter the room, they see a window has been broken from the inside; they suspect Blair tried to escape from here.

They check out her apartment at her SoHo address, and are told she was last seen there about 10:00 AM the previous day, and that her boyfriend was Pete Gardner, CEO of a failed investment group called Markham Fraser Investments. Blair has been looking at real estate listings as investments. She had a few instant messages on her PC from Pete Gardner, “Hey babe, if you wanted to scare me it worked” and “Call me now, Pete.”

Later, at the home of Pete Gardner (Michael Gaston), he said he got a text saying that someone had his girlfriend and they wanted $200,000, and he originally thought it was a joke. He sent a message back okaying the drop for the next day so he could have time to get the money but he never heard back. He added that he was very discreet about their relationship, and was worried because his wife would be home soon. They said they can’t find Blair’s family and show him her photo. He looks at the picture and said with an angry tone that she should have stayed put; he would have paid the money.

They visit the apartment of Davey Burke (Jon Prescott), who admits to sending a threatening email to Gardner. He was upset about his own losses with Gardner’s investment company, and even angrier that his father took his own life after losing all this stock investment with Gardner, and Gardner still kept all his money and bonuses. As Bernard looks around the apartment, he sees a book of photos; one photo shows Pete Gardner with their earlier suspect, Carlos.

The detectives had Carlos back at the 2-7. They show him a picture of Gardner, and he admits that he runs a program that he belongs to called Fresh Horizons, and he gives the group money. They also tell him they found his prints on a water bottle in the apartment Blair ran from, and he does not believe them, thinking it is a trick. He says he was at Fresh Horizons until 4:00 PM and then was checking out boats by the river. The detectives laugh at this, Lupo calling it a “sorry ass” alibi. But Carlos says he has no girlfriend and his mom is in prison so he goes there to chill. Afterwards, Lupo and Bernard speculate that the kid may have put the water bottle in the truck, and that someone else smarter must be involved in this. Bernard finds the web site for Fresh Horizons, it is a post-release program for offenders from the ages of 13-18 and they decide to check them out.

At Fresh Horizons, they speak to the man in charge, Ronnie Aldridge (Kevin Corrigan). All the kids are wearing orange jackets. They check out Carlos’ locker and find the same blue painter’s tape that was in the apartment. Ronnie says that Carlos helps on of the program’s graduates in doing painting and light construction. When they talk to this guy, Perez, he tells them Carlos does help him and he tries to help out Ronnie’s kids. Ronnie has been good to him. The detectives tell him they owe it to Ronnie to help set things straight. He tells them that Ronnie sometimes refers work from some of his rich donors to him, and he did work for Blair in repainting her gym. She also was donating a Stairmaster that Ronnie was going to pick up in his van.

Back at Blair’s apartment, they are talking to the doorman George who says that Ronnie was there two weeks ago. He was always hustling him for donations. He was there with one of his kids, but it was a black kid, not Carlos, and the kid stayed in the van. The detectives wonder if Ronnie is really the saint he claims to be.

Later, at the Department of Juvenile Justice, they get information from a worker there who says Ronnie does all he can for his boys. He was last audited two months prior and everything was properly accounted for. When they ask if he had any money problems like gambling, she says “Oh dear” and they realize they said the “magic words.” She said she got a letter from a horse breeder, Dale Thornhill, asking about Ronnie and Fresh Horizons.

They talk to Thornhill who had a farm that Ronnie was interested in buying and use it for his kids so he could take them out of the city. The property was right next to the freeway. The price was $200,000, and it was worth more than that, but Ronnie told him he could claim the difference as a charitable deduction.

Back at the 2-7, they have Carlos back in interrogation again, asking if he knows about the farmhouse purchase. Ronnie had told him about it, and Ronnie needed $200,000 to buy it. They pressure Carlos that Ronnie would sell him out, and he should man up and tell the truth. They walk off and leave Carlos in the room.

Back at Fresh Horizons with Ronnie, he wants to know what is going on since the y took his van. They tell him things aren’t looking good for Carlos. Lupo tells him they found a strand of hair in the van, and Ronnie says it must have come from Blair’s Stairmaster that she donated and that he picked up. He then admits he told Carlos to put the water in his van. When they ask him if that is an admission, Ronnie asks for a lawyer. As they take him out in cuffs, he gives instructions to the kids to keep working on their assignments.

At the office of EADA Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) along with ADA Connie Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza), they are talking with Pete Gardner about the case. Gardner thinks that Ronnie may have kidnapped Clair for spite, since Gardner originally promised to donate money and then had to pull out due to his firm’s bankruptcy. Gardner keeps looking at his watch. He says Ronnie wasn’t considering his situation when he continued to press for money. When he looks at his watch again, Cutter asks if his watch is expensive. When Gardner says “Very. Your point?” Cutter tells him, “Leave it at home when we call you to testify.” When Gardner leaves, Rubirosa asks, “Where’s a newspaper truck when you need one?” Cutter decides he is going to charge both Ronnie and Carlos for the crimes.

At arraignment court, both Ronnie and Carlos plead not guilty, but Ronnie’s attorney Dibbins (John Ventimiglia) says he has information to clear Carlos but that does not mean an admission of guilt for Ronnie. He says he has 12 witnesses for Ronnie, and 12 kids from Fresh Horizons in their orange jackets who are in the gallery get very vocal about Ronnie’s innocence. The judge asks to get all their names and addresses to check them out, and holds both defendants of $500,000 bail each.

At the 2-7 the detectives talk to the kids while Rubirosa looks on. She comments to Van Buren that their stories are too contradictory, but Van Buren is worried that Cutter will make fools of them on the stand. Later, we see a van from the NYC Department of Child Services pull up to the farm. The kids, along with the detectives and Van Buren exit, and they explain that the farm is not what Ronnie promised – there is no ball field, no lake, no workshop, and there isn’t even water to electricity in the place. They don’t deserve this from Ronnie, and all the kids look dejected and betrayed.

Later, back at Cutters office, Rubirosa tells Ronnie and Dibbins that the alibi witnesses are no longer, they have all recanted their alibis. But, they did alibi Carlos and confirm that Ronnie told him to put the water in the van. Cutter tells him that the emperor has no clothes, and the boys know it. They offer him 15 years to life for the murder, to run concurrent with kidnapping, or he can take his chances at trial. Dibbins says that is what he is planning to do.

Back at the DA’s office, Gardner complains to Cutter that he won’t testify. There are too many people who would take what he says and use it against him for other cases. As he gets up and moves towards the door, Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) is standing there, and he orders him to sit down. He says if Gardner refuses to testify he will charge him with contempt, and he won’t be able to get out of it by writing a check. When Gardner says he will take the fifth, McCoy counters that he will give him something more than a few lawsuits to worry about. He has a building full of broke prosecutors who would love to put him in their sights. When Gardner asks what’s in it for him, McCoy asks if he’s ever done something for nothing – and here’s his chance.

At trial, Gardner is on the stand and testifies for Cutter about the kidnapping and ransom. But when Dibbins cross examines Gardner, he brings out Gardner’s massive bonus, the TARP money his firm received, and the expensive trip he took his management to in Sedona. The judge sustains most of Cutter’s objections, but the jury has already heard the damaging facts. Later, Cutter and Rubirosa have concerns that they seem to be putting Gardner on trial, using a “Robin Hood” defense, but Cutter plans to show that Gardner is not the only one with a character flaw.

With Carlos on the stand, Cutter exposes that despite the praise Carlos has heaped on Ronnie and that he was like a father to them, that Ronnie has not come through on his promises, not very father-like behavior. But afterwards, Rubirosa doesn’t think that the whole thing played very well for the jury, and she is handed paperwork that notifies them that Dibbins will be putting Ronnie on the stand.

Dibbins has Ronnie on the stand, who says when he picked up the Stairmaster from Carlson, she told him about buying real estate in Harlem but Garner belittled her. He told her she should not get discouraged and he told them about the farm and that Gardner backed out of his commitment. He said he got really angry about that. It was so little money and his wife spent more than that every month on clothes. She suggested a wild idea to fake her kidnapping and force Gardner to pay a ransom. Gardner wouldn’t all the cops because he wouldn’t want his wife to find out about Blair. He said when she suggested this, even though it was a wild idea he went along with it because he did not want to let his boys down. He drove her over to the place on Lenox Avenue, and she said they had to make it look real. After he texted Gardner, he locked her in the room, because the plan was after he got the money he would tell Gardner where she was so he could get her. When asked why she escaped, Ronnie says it took so long for Gardner to get back to him about the ransom payment. There were rats in the building, maybe she got scared? By the time he got back there, the police were already there and she was laying in the street. He realized now how stupid it was, he just wanted Gardner to live up to his commitments. Cutter says to the judge that this testimony is unexpected and the people ask for a short adjournment. She gives him until the following morning.

Back at the DA’s office, McCoy asks them if there is a grain of truth is what Ronnie said. Cutter thinks the story is preposterous, but Rubirosa thinks it is plausible. McCoy wonders if it is plausible enough to get the jury to acquit, and tells Cutter to demolish it and not leave a brick standing.

Back on the stand, Cutter chips away at Ronnie’s story, asking about why Blair had on no shoes, and why her bruises were fresh. Ronnie tries to blame Carlos and/or Gardner. Cutter portrays Ronnie as being in Fresh Horizons because he has nothing else, and that all of this was for Ronnie. Ronnie insists it was for the boys, not for himself.

In the closing arguments Dibbins tries to portray Ronnie as a person who saved the boys from a bad life, and when he tries to bring Gardner into the mix and hand pictures to the jury of Gardner’s townhouse in Architectural Digest, Cutter objects. The judge orders the court officer to collect the photos from the jurors and tells Dibbins to stick to the facts. He goes on to tell them the one undisputed fact if Blair Carlson would be alive today if Gardner kept up his commitment, Cutter objects and is sustained, the judge cutting off his summation.

In Cutter’s summation, he brings out another fact not in dispute - Blair would be alive to day if Ronnie wouldn’t have transported her there and left her locked up in the dark for hours, leaving her frightened and disoriented enough that she ran into a truck. He says Gardner and those like him deserve their scorn and outrage but they are not alone, but they should not take it out in the courtroom. They cannot ignore their responsibilities or the rule of law. He reminds them the crime charged is the kidnap/murder of Blair Carlson, and the culprit is before them and nothing else can matter.

Later, the jury delivers a verdict of not guilty on both counts, to the cheers of the boys. Cutter and Rubirosa look crestfallen. Carlos congratulates Ronnie, but then Carlos leaves alone.

Back in the Cutter’s office, Rubirosa tells a dejected Cutter he nailed Aldridge on cross, the summation was one of his best and he did everything right. McCoy ads, “Except win.” Cutter says he should file a grievance against Aldridge’s lawyer, and McCoy says he didn’t nullify the jury, Dow Jones did. Cutter wonders if it’s the shape of things to come, with hard times and more anger and despair - more crime. Rubirosa says he can always hope for the best – and McCoy says “and hire more prosecutors.” As McCoy and Rubirosa both walk off, Cutter is left alone in his office as we fade to black.


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Law & Order SVU “Lead” Alex Cabot Returns! (Recap and Review)

All photos from NBC

This episode of Law & Order SVU (NBC) “Lead” was definitely worth the wait. The return of ADA Alexandra Cabot (Stephanie March) brought the fire back into the law side of the show. They never explained Cabot’s work when the character appeared in the short-lived series ‘Conviction”. They did touch on the fact that although she had been out of witness protection for a while, she just couldn’t bring herself to return calls to Benson and Stabler, the memories of her shooting apparently too great for her to reconnect with those two. Still, it is a little hard to believe that if she had been working for the DA’s office during her “Conviction” stint that they wouldn’t have bumped into each other in the courthouse area.

Alex brought back with her the “take no prisoners” approach to prosecution, but unlike the cold and unfeeling ADA Greyleck, Cabot didn’t seem to need to learn compassion, or when to dig deeper into a case. The fact that Greyleck never fit in was made evident by her last line in the episode – hopefully her last line with the series - “What the hell did you people do?” Her reference to “you people” was reflective of the fact that she never believed she was part of the team. Good riddance, I say.

I chuckled when Alex had to face Judge Petrovsky and was amused when the judge welcomed her back, with the added scolding for Alex not being prepared.

As far as the story, it was very well done. It was an interesting case and it managed to showcase all the main cast members – with the exception of ME Warner (Tamara Tunie). I also enjoy seeing the smarmy lawyer Lionel Granger, who was particularly nasty in this episode. He did, however, seem to show some unusual glee when he and Alex paired up at the end to trap the president of the toy company. This brings me to the issue of Pica., a disease where people try to eat items that are not food. I have a nephew that has Pica, and I was surprised that parent would let a disorder like that go on so long. I think it is something very easy for a parent to spot, since the child usually is stuffing anything and everything into their mouth. The parents should have discussed this with the doctor, or at least should not have allowed their kid to lick any paint off a toy, regardless of what is, or isn’t, in the paint.

All in all, a fantastic episode, and I hope this means that Alex Cabot will be here to stay for more than the six episode arc.


Here is the recap:

The episode opens with a jury reads a verdict of guilty on four counts if sexual abuse against a Dr. Gilbert Keppler (Lawrence Arancio), while families, mostly with young boys, and ADA Grayleck (Michaela McManus) look on. Gilbert tells the court he didn’t mean any harm to the young men. The defense attorney Lionel Granger (David Thornton) makes a motion to extend bail, and the judge allows it, but insists on an electronic device and be confined to his home until sentencing.

Outside the courthouse, ADA Greyleck, with Capt. Cragen (Dann Florek) and Detectives Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) and Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) at her side, makes a statement to the press, saying Keppler abused his position as a pediatrician. Granger steps up and informs them they should consider themselves served, they are being sued, claiming that Cragen and his detectives knew about the problems with Keppler long before they took action to stop them. As the press jumps all over the group, they leave the area, and Greyleck says, “What the hell did you people do?”

At the station, Stabler, Benson, and Cragen discuss the matter. Cragen says Granger is a sore loser, but Benson wonders if they did take too long to address Keppler. When they enter Cragen’s office, they are greeted by Tucker (Robert John Burke) from Internal Affairs. He is not happy with how they handled the case, and the Cragen wonders why One PP is taking the side of Gilbert and his “media whore” lawyer. He says Keppler’s last victim is on them. He says that a 14 year old kid walked in and told them he was being abused by his doctor but they waited three weeks to collar him. Stabler says they needed the time to build his case, and Tucker says they were dragging their ass. Stabler says they had no DNA because Keppler never raped his victims, and they didn’t want him lawyering up before they had enough to charge him. Tucker said Justin McTeague gave them enough information but Stabler argues that it was just Justin’s word and he had come in a year before claiming his math teacher abused him, and they brought the teacher, Kevin Sammers, in for questioning. Sammers had denied everything, but the detectives wouldn’t give him any details so he could tell them his alibi.

Now with Olivia being questioned, she tells Tucker that it is normal to hold back details. They interrogated Sammers for 18 hours, but when they have him the name of the abuser, Sammers was able to provide a solid alibi proving Justin was lying, and also that Sammers busted Justin for smoking weed outside the same day Justin claimed the abuse took place. Later, under questioning, Cragen tells Tucker that Sammers quit teaching over the problem. He also said if they arrested Keppler only on Justin’s say so the defense would attack Justin’s credibility. He told Benson and Stabler to find another victim, and it took them three weeks to find Bradley Hicks. Hicks had told them that Hick’s story of the abuse was the same as Justin’s so Cragen told them to arrest Keppler. When they went to arrest Keppler, he was doing a procedure on a young boy, Chuck Paisley. Tucker wonders why Paisley thought the procedure Keppler was doing was legit, and Stabler says the other boys thought it was legit as well, but he only came forward when he saw Keppler on TV. It made the case against Keppler a lock.

Later, Cragen tells the group that Tucker apologized but asked that they keep IAB in the loop and that anything else needs to go through Cragen. Munch (Richard Belzer) tells Cragen that while he was entertaining the “rat squad” that Fin (Ice-T) and him were working, they found that Keppler’s and his lawyer alleges that Denslow Hospital knew one year before they did that Keppler was abusing boys. They find this hard to believe, and Cragen tells them to go to the hospital and check it out.

At Denslow Medical Center, the attempt to talk to the hospital attorney Mr. Coldwell (Tim Ransom) but he won’t give them any information. He assures them nothing happened there and walks off. Stabler asks how you know when a lawyer is lying, and Benson says when his lips are moving. They believe he is covering, and they decide to go ask Keppler, but Stabler says they can’t go near him. Benson disagrees, saying that if the hospital committed a crime, then Keppler is a material witness.

When they get to the residence of Gilbert Keppler, Benson sees blood on the doorstep, and Stabler sees the door open. When they enter, they find Keppler’s dead body, next to a golf club, with blood spattered all over the room. Benson calls in the homicide, and Stabler calls Cragen, saying one PP and the press will be all over this.

Later, with police and forensics on the scene, ME Warner is held up with a crane collapse with six dead, and they think that waiting for Greyleck is delaying their entry back into the scene. They are shocked when they see Cragen walk up with Alexandra Cabot (Stephanie March). When Benson, stunned, says “Alex,” Cabot responds with “What have we got?”

At the scene, Stabler asks Cabot where Greyleck is, and she tells him the new administration called her back to the justice department. (Pause for loud cheering from viewers!) The DA let her leave immediately, and Coy asked her to fill in only an hour before. She apologizes for not calling them back, remembering that they were there when she was shot. Benson said they heard Valez died in prison and Conners was extradited to Ireland and Cabot has been out of witness protection for three years. The forensics guy calls them over, he tells them the nine gunshots didn’t kill him, it was “Big Betty” the golf club. The perp was a lousy shot, he missed eight times, likely running out of ammo. The perp also left a pair of gloves. Cabot thinks this was overkill, but Stabler speculates that Keppler knew his killer because they were let in to his home. The wonder if it was someone that he knew, maybe someone he abused or a family member of someone he abused. Cabot is going to ask Judge Moredock to unseal the files of the previous victims.

Stabler meets with Justin McTeague’s mother. She tells them she and Justin were at her sister’s on Staten Island at the time of the murder. They didn’t want Keppler dead, they wanted his money, seeing that they weren’t going to get anything from the hospital. She signed arbitration papers, an agreement not to sue the hospital, and that his head nurse, Lillian, also signed an agreement, and then she suddenly disappeared. Later, Munch approaches Lillian (Ann Dowd), and she wonders why they are asking her now about this. He says they never heard about her until now, and she says they must have erased the records. She looks around uncomfortably, worried she will be seen talking to him. Later, in the squad, she tells them they threatened to take away her job and pension. She identifies Coldwell as the man who made those threats. She felt she should have done more. She said that Keppler always had the nurse present when examining a female patient, but on one day she walked into a room and saw Keppler with Dale Overton, one of the boys from the trial and she saw him molest the boy. She brought the matter to HR, and Coldwell said Keppler would deny everything. She said Coldwell did believe her allegations, but would not think the jury would. When she threatened to come to SVU, Coldwell threatened to take away her job and health insurance, and her husband is sick. Watching from behind the window, Cabot comments to Cragen that Denslow Hospital didn’t care about the boys, just in protecting themselves. Cragen said Logan Coldwell was just the plumber, plugging the leaks. He wants to go after him for obstruction, but Cabot says that they can’t, since he was the hospital’s attorney, Keppler was also his client. He is not obligated to break privilege, but she can get him for obstruction for buying Lillian’s silence. She will have the arrest drawn up in the morning. Fin tells them so far the families seem to have alibis, the autopsy says Keppler died at about 1:00 AM and ME Warner found traces of gold plating in his head wounds. Benson says CSU got skin cells off the gloves, there was a lot of DNA with a lot of hits, only one of them who is not in jail Clive Lynwood - who has a registered hand gun.

Benson and Stabler go to the Lynwood residence, and Jeffrey (John Gallagher Jr.) answers the door. He says his dad and mom just went out, and they give him the warrant. He almost seems excited about it, asking if he can help. They ask to see his gun, and he shows them right away where it is. The box is empty, and Jeffrey seems surprised. When Stabler asks him the color of the gun, Jeffrey says it is gold and his dad says it is real. The Lynwoods enter, and Jeffrey’s father Clive (Fredric Lehne) asks where is his gun. They arrest Clive, as Jeffrey gets upset.

Later in interrogation, Lynwood’s lawyer Lorna Scarry (Mariette Hartley) is surprised to see Alex, who says she is “just a temp”. Lorna tells her client is innocent, and they tell her his DNA was on the gloves. She says his DNA was in the file from a bogus menacing charge, but Stabler says it was because he blew a 2.2 into the Breathalyzer. Lynwood says that the cop saw a knife in the car and upped the charges to menacing. Cabot wants to know how his DNA got in Keppler’s brownstone, and Lorna says she doesn't have to explain anything.

At arraignment, Scarry argues that the DNA is unreliable as it only matched a few DNA markers. Cabot argues that the court has never ruled against law enforcement in this issue. But Judge Petrovsky (Joanna Merlin) disagrees, saying they have been burned before, and charges are dismissed. After she orders a 10 minute recess, Petrovsky motions for Cabot to approach, telling her she is glad she is back, but try to show up prepared next time. Afterwards, Benson says she will try to find some other evidence.

Later, tech Ryan O'Halloran (Mike Doyle) tells them that he found a fingerprint on the casing, the perp was not wearing gloves when he loaded the gun. But the print is not in the system. He clarifies that the print left the corroded mark on the bullet because the persons body secreted lot of salt, so the person either eats a lot of salt, or works around it. Benson wonders if it could be from working in a fast food restaurant. Clive’s son was wearing a fast food uniform when they arrested Clive, and he would also share some of the DNA.

Back at the squad, they brought Jeffrey in after his work. He said it was fun riding in the police car. He has a drink with him, and when he asks to get rid of it, Benson takes it. Stabler talks with Jeffrey about his job, and why he is there, while we see forensics check out his prints. Jeffrey tells them his dad lets him put the bullets in the gun and takes him to the shooting range. He tells Stabler that his father keeps the bullets in the closet with his socks. Benson enters and tells Jeffrey he does not have to talk to them if he doesn’t want, and says he can get a lawyer, but he says he wants to talk to her because she is pretty. She asks if he knows a Dr. Keppler, and he says no, but he seems uncomfortable. Stabler says if he lies to them they have to punish him, and they don’t want to do that. He admits that he went to Keppler when he was little but he told his mom he wanted another doctor. When Benson asks why, he said they learned in school that no one is supposed to touch you “down there.” Keppler had rubbed him and said it was OK because he was a doctor. He saw him going to jail, so he knew Keppler had lied to him, so he took his dad’s gun and pointed it at him, saying he lied to him. He said Keppler tried to hit him with the golf club but it hit the gun, it went off, and shot Keppler in the knee. Then, he called him stupid, and that is a bad name that the bullies called him, so he got angry again and shot and shot and shot but none of the bullets hit him. Keppler called him an idiot, but there were no bullets left. So, he hit him with his father’s gun again and again and again but the gun got all red and slippery, so he hit him with the gold club and he didn’t call him names any more.

Cragen and Cabot are watching the interrogation from behind the window. Cragen asks her if she is at all concerned that he is slow, and she says that is the defense’s problem, not hers, and to arrest him. She then walks out to see Lionel Granger there with Jeffrey’s mother Virginia (Laura Leigh Hughes) Granger is going to represent Jeffrey, and Cabot is stunned as Granger represented Jeffrey’s abuser and sees a whopping conflict. Granger says the abuser is dead and he as a waiver from his estate. As they bring Jeffrey out, he tells his mother he told the truth. Granger says Jeffrey is an abuse victim and Cabot should talk to him and he will see he is a victim. She says if he believes that, he will allow their shrink to interview them. He agrees.

Later, talking to Huang (B.D. Wong), Huang asks Jeffrey if he has any nightmare about Keppler. Jeffrey says he sees Keppler as a monster. When Huang asks Jeffrey if he can read his identification Jeffrey asks if he is a doctor and he begins to get upset, trying to flee. Asking for his mom. He pushes Huang down, who hit his head. He yells Huang is a bad man and picked up a chair to hit him as Stabler tries to restrain him. Jeffrey continues to yell “doctors are bad” as Stabler continues to restrain him, Huang lying on the floor.

Later, Huang is being treated, and he says he didn’t black out and he feels fine, he won’t go to the hospital. He says he is OK. Huang tells Cabot something is really wrong with Jeffrey, thinking he is developmentally disabled. He can’t control his temper or emotions. Cabot said he still is competent to plan to kill Keppler, but Huang says he killed only because he was being called names. He is an eight year old in a man’s body. Cabot bluntly asks him if he is saying she can’t try him because he is retarded., and Huang reluctantly says no.

At trial, Jeffrey is on the stand. Granger asks about his interrogation, and he says they were mean. He said Stabler touched him on the shoulder and he got scared, and this is why he said he killed Keppler. Cabot cross examines him, asking him if he knows a boy named Chad Smith. He says he is a bully, but admits he beat Chad up after Chad called him a moron. When Cabot presses him hard, Jeffrey asks why she is being so mean but she says he lied. He shouts for her to stop yelling at him and he puts a pencil in his mouth, biting it off and eating it, which piques Huang’s interest. Judge Moredock calls for a recess.

In the Judge Moredock’s (John Cullum)chambers, Granger and Cabot argue with each other in front of the judge. Moredock tells Granger that Jeffrey has no business being on a witness stand, only a horse’s ass would ignore Jeffrey’s diminished capacity. Granger tells Moredock he is out of order, but Moredock says Granger is a disgrace, and if he doesn’t get his act in line, he’ll grant Cabot’s motion to have him removed and will report him to the disciplinary committee. When Granger leaves, he says Cabot is not blameless in this either, Jeffrey has the mind of a child, and that violating his rights is not justice. She counters that they are not in his constitutional law class anymore, this is the real world. He says it took guts for her to come back and he is glad she did, but she can’t forget why she became and ADA in the first place. The Cabot he remembers would not have considered railroading this man.

Later, In Huang’s office, she admitted to him she was out for blood. But he tells her he thinks he knows what is wrong with Jeffrey. Huang and Cabot got to talk to Mrs. Lynwood, and asks him when Jeffrey was a baby if he hit all his developmental milestones. She says yes, he was fine until he was five. He had a seizure and his brain swelled and they thought he was going to die. When he recovered he was not the same, and Dr. Keppler said it was a miracle that he survived. Keppler said the seizure was epilepsy. Huang said that Keppler missed Jeffrey’s Pica, a disorder where people eat objects other than food. She says that’s why they couldn’t stop making him put things in his mouth. Cabot asked if there is any chance they kept something that he used to put into his mouth, and she shows them his little toy cars. Jeffrey lad licked the paint off of them, saying it tasted like sweet and sour candy. Clive Lynwood enters, surprised Virginia let them in there. Virginia tells him to wake up about Jeffrey, he is developmentally delayed and will never be the perfect child. Huang tells him Jeffrey was not born that way, and he can prove it.

At Cabot’s office, Huang tells the Lynwoods and Grainer, that when he saw Jeffrey eat the pencil in court, he knew something was wrong and asked for a brain scan. He found that Jeffrey is missing brain matter from chronic lead poisoning, kids with Pica are at high risk. Studies have shown that kids with lead poisoning become violent as adults. Grainer asks if this excuses what Jeffrey did, and Huang tells him Jeffrey’s decision making center of his brain is badly damaged. Cabot says it explains why Jeffrey became so angry when Keppler called him names. Clive is angry that Keppler never tested his son, now saying that Keppler victimized his son twice.

Later, Jeffrey is still held in jail, with his father coming to visit. Clive is in tears, saying he is sorry he didn’t help Jeffrey enough. Jeffrey said it is OK, he did a bad thing. Granger asks if this means they are not going to trial, and Cabot says, “ Oh yes we are.”

At trial, Cabot has Michael Rowan on the stand, president of Rowan Toys, who says he was asked to appear as an expert witness on his product – toy mini-ice cream trucks. They haven’t used lead paint in toys since 1978. She asked why was it then that the NYPD found that they paint on the toys contained 50% lead? He gets upset, saying he was brought there under false pretenses. She says he lied to the whole world, he knowingly poisoned children over decades. She shows him emails with his Chinese manufacturers showing he has been poisoning kids with lead paint, and he flings them off, saying he is done answering her questions. Granger smirks, and Rowan asks if the defense was in on her little set up, and Moredock tells him to sit down, he is out of order. Rowan says the judge is out of order, along with his corrupt DA and his joke of a court. The judge tells the officers to remove the witness from the courtroom, and Stabler and Benson happily take over, saying they have it. They arrest Rowan for reckless endangerment. As they walk past Cabot, Rowan says he will have her ass for this. She says she already has his, and it’s on the record.

Later, Moredock finds Jeffrey not guilty by reasons of mental defect and per the plea agreement, he will surrender to the commissioner of health to be hospitalized until he is determined not to be a threat. Cabot tells the Lynwoods he will be evaluated in a month, and that Rowan Toys has agreed to support Jeffrey financially for the rest of his life. When Stabler questions whether Rowan Toys really voluntarily pledged this, Cabot says that after the feds recalled his toys, Rowan offered her the deal so she wouldn’t charge him, and after he signed, she said to shove it. Benson says “You really are back, aren’t you?” Cabot offers a happy face as we fade to black .



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