Law & Order CI “The Glory That Was” Episode Information

Here is the episode information and the promo video for the new episode of Law & Order Criminal Intent “The Glory That Was” airing Sunday, June 14, on the USA Network.

Law & Order Criminal Intent “The Glory That Was” Air Date June 14, 2009
What should have been a simple meeting turns to murder, leaving Wheeler (Julianne Nicholson) and Nichols (Jeff Goldblum) to question an embassy, a security company, the victim's relatives, and how it all connects to the Olympic Site Selection Committee.

My recap and review of Law & Order Criminal Inten "The Glory That Was" can be found here.

Law & Order CI “The Glory That Was” Promo



Clip from "The Glory That Was"


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Ausiello Exclusive: Stephanie March Staying on SVU

Super Scooper Michael Ausiello of Entertainment Weekly reports exclusively that Stephanie March will be staying on Law & Order SVU next season. He further reports that “NBC declined comment, but an SVU insider says March's pact calls for her to appear in a minimum of 10 episodes next season. The show is expected to introduce one or possibly two new characters to fill the ADA void when Cabot isn't around.”


This is great news for SVU fans and for the franchise as well!



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

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Law & Order CI “Folie A Deux” Recap & Review

All photos from USA Network

Despite the fact that it was somewhat predictable, “Folie A Deux” was a very solid Law & Order Criminal Intent episode. Despite having a big name guest star – Lynn Redgrave, who played her role as the wealthy woman desperate to see her grandchild before she dies - she did not overpower the episode and the entire supporting cast were also very convincing in their roles. I have admit, though, that the premise of the case was made somewhat obvious when, in the first scene, Callista moves to check her baby in the stroller and it seemed clear to me that there was no baby in there. With the crime being complicated by a greedy, impatient male secretary and his equally greedy boyfriend, it kept the case interesting and gave Goren the perfect chance to show how even the tiniest detail that he gleans from what may seem to be an insignificant comment can help crack a case.

When I first saw Celia and her son, I found myself wondering if it would turn out that child would be Andre’s. The episode never went in that direction, but I think that we were being led to think this was the case, seeing that Andre and Celia had a previous relationship.

The Major Case detectives show they are always prepared, and going in to question Carston with backup proved to be of great help when Carston’s attempts at fleeing were blocked.

It’s great to see the show continues to focus on the criminal and the crime, and not the personal drama of the detectives. Don’t get me wrong, I am interested in Goren and Eames, but I think after last season, it’s nice that the show went back to the basics.

Here is the recap:

Andre Haslum (Luke Kirby) and his wife Callista (Piper Perabo) walk down the city street with a baby stroller, and they talk about the man’s aunt wanting to see the baby. The woman doesn’t see why that is a problem, but it’s the last thing he wants to do. She tells him to call her and she will understand, and he tells Callista sometimes he would like to live on her planet. Callista bends over to check on the baby, which can’t be seen beneath the blanket. Andre goes off to see his aunt alone.

As Callista exits the hotel elevator and returns to her room, a hotel maid enters the elevator, and a man loitering nearby enters with her.

Andre gets to his aunt Emily’s home, and her secretary George (Steve Whitting) says she is not well. She is angry that Emma is not with him, but he said she had a cold and it was best to let her sleep. She says the hotel is not that far, she’ll get her coat. He says he doesn’t want her to catch what the baby has, and she tersely tells him it’s been 6 months and she wants to see her tomorrow – no excuses.

Callista is back in her hotel, putting on makeup, and she takes a pill. A man knocks on the door, and when she answers, he apologizes for having the wrong room. He knocks on another door and when there is no answer, uses the key card in order to get in. He then breaks into the room safe, stealing the contents.

Andre returns to the room, and Callista is still getting ready. Andre looks over to the crib and she tells him the baby is fine. She does not want to be late and keep Celia waiting. He tells her Emily has heart problems and it is serious. But Andre doesn’t really want to go, but Callista persists and he agrees to go.

In Celia’s apartment, as her son runs off, she tells the baby sitter she won’t be too late.

At dinner, Callista talks about Emma, and when Callista tells Celia (Ali Marsh) how great she looks, Celia attributes it to her divorce. Callista tells Andre to tell Celia how great she looks and Andre seems a little uncomfortable and does not answer. He hears a static noise coming from the baby monitor sitting on the table, and he says he doesn’t trust it and is going to check on the baby. When Celia asks if something is wrong, Callista says he is probably going out for a smoke.

When Andre returns from his smoke, he hears a hotel guest complaining about his room being robbed and was told by the desk manager that several rooms on that floor were robbed – the same floor and Andre’s. He gets a look of concern and head to the room. Later, Callista’s phone rings, and it’s Andre. She gets a look of concerns, says “Emma?” and races to the room. Emma is gone.

Detective Eames (Kathryn Erbe) is at the hotel where police are working the robberies and the abduction. She asks about security videos. She tells Detective Goren (Vincent D’Onofrio) that TARU has opened a kidnapping desk, level one mobilization. She tells Goren 6 rooms were hit, lots of cash and jewelry. Goren is picking up evidence from the floor, and he finds a piece of glass. Eames says she will talk to the parents, and Goren tells them they are in their room next door. Goren focuses his attention on the shard of glass.

Eames speaks to the parents, who are of course upset. Celia is also there. Eames asks them to try and remember all that they can. Andre says they were are dinner, and when Eames asks if they got any calls before that, Callista said just from Celia. Andre says he is sure they locked up. Eames asks for a picture of Emma, and when Callista gives her a picture of Emma as a baby, Eames asks for something more recent. André gives her a snapshot of a red haired child sitting with them by a swing set, which he said was from last week, taken from their back yard. Callista says she put the sign on the door and checked the thermostat before they left, and when Goren question the thermostat, Andre says they wanted to make sure she was warm. Goren asks if Emma was ill, and Andre says she may have been coming down with a cold. Eames tells them if this is a kidnapping it’s best for them to stay there until they know more. As Celia comforts Callista, Goren and Eames leave the room. Eames comments, with some degust, “Leave their kid alone so they can have a quiet dinner – people just don’t think. “

Goren and Eames speak with the hotel manager, who tells them the maid, Lucy Valdez, has been there three years with no problems. Eames tells him her master key was used on all the rooms that were hit, but he says that is her job. Goren asks what time the key card was used, and said on room 5199 for the Haslum’s door, she opened it at 7:22 and the next time at 8:36 with the Haslum’s key. Goren notices that Lucy clocked out at 7:01, and Eames asks for her home address.

Later at Major Case Squad, Goren exits the interrogation room, telling Lucy to just wait there. He tells Capt. Ross (Eric Bogosian) that the maid’s key card was used twice that night, and she claims she only used it once. Ross asks about a boyfriend, and Goren says he is alibied until 11 PM. A forensics guy tells Goren he was right about the glass fragments; they found them in all six rooms that were hit and they could have been tracked in by the burglar’s shoes. He tells Goren that forensics is running gas chromatography as Goren had requested.

Goren says they have the maid’s key card and they tested it and it doesn’t fit in any other door, and Ross concludes that someone swapped cards. Goren says it was last used by Marvin Cutler from New Jersey when he checked into the hotel two weeks ago – the information is on the key card itself, including the credit card information. Goren adds “don’t leave your keycard in the room when you check out.” Walking over to Eames’ desk, Goren says that unfortunately Mr. Cutler reported his wallet stolen two hours before someone used his credit card to check in to the Barton Hotel. Eames is looking at the security camera video from the hotel elevator, and says Lucy was not lying about the guy in the hat; Goren saying that she claims the guy talked her up in the elevator. Eames tells them to watch the guys other hand, as he bent over to pick up something he dropped, his hand reaching into her pocket where Lucy said she kept her key. Eames tells them to follow his left hand, and you can see he swapped cards. They never saw his face, though, and none of the hotel employees can identify him off the tape. The man stays in the elevator, and Ross comments that it’s the old “I left my phone in my room” line. The man has a duffel bag, and Eames says it is big enough to hold an 18-month-old child.

Back at the hotel, Callista is anguishing over the kidnapping and Andre tries to console her. He says she is all right, and he would feel it if something was wrong. She says that’s right, they will find her. Andre says he is telling the cops they will be staying at Celia’s. He hands her a stuffed animal of Emma’s to hold, to reassure her.

Back at Major Case, Goren and Eames watch the video taken from the elevator. Goren notices the logo on the hat, and Eames says it is the Miami Flame. Ross enters and says that the victimolgy is pretty nondescript, but he has an aunt, Emily Huntford, who is “old money”, up near $75 million. She lives at 948 Fifth and adds, “That’s our nest.”

Later, while Emily Huntford’s (Lynn Redgrave) residence is covered with police, her secretary George arrives. Goren tells them they have a reason to believe it was a kidnapping for ransom, and Emily concludes it’s because they know who she is. Eames questions if she told anyone her nephew was coming in to town and who would have know where he was staying. George says he made Andre’s reservation using Emily’s credit card. He tells Emily she should be in bed, and he tells her to stop it. She tells him to just go home, his boyfriend is in from London, and adds she should not have called him. George says that Stewart can take care of himself, and he will go and make coffee. As George leaves, Emily looks over to a photograph of a young child on a table and says that Emma is the only child in their family. She adds that she is named after her.

Back in the lab, a lab tech tells them the glass fragment they found is very ordinary, but they found traces of chemicals for the manufacture of Styrofoam on them. She brings up a list of area companies who manufacture Styrofoam, and there are several. Goren chooses the one closest to where Marvin Cutler lived – to whom the credit card used to reserve the hotel room belonged - which was in New Jersey.

At the factory, the detectives ask the foreman about the Miami Flame hat, and he calls out to Marky, saying there are some Miami fans there for him. Marky begins to run, and the detectives chase, with Goren alerting the police outside that the suspect is on the move. After Marky gets in a van and tries to flee, after being cut off by police cars, he is stopped and arrested.

Back in Major Case, they have Mark Carston in interrogation. He tells them he has no kid. But they press him about his previous robbery accusations, and he isn’t buying it. Eames tells him kidnapping is a class A violent felony that can bring a life sentence. He continues to deny any kidnapping, he has kids of his own. Goren says he believes him, but right now they need more proof. Eames presses that they know he was in the hotel room, and they are here because they can prove he was there. Carston says he does not mess with kids. Goren says this is still not good enough. Carson says OK.

Elsewhere, Goren and Eames are at Carston’s stash of stolen goods. They believe that kidnapping was not something Carston would do, but maybe he had a partner. Eames wonders if they burglary was a decoy for the kidnapping.

At Celia’s, Callista is alone watching TV and is appearing despondent over what she is watching, saying that children don’t die, it’s not right. Andre leaves the kitchen where Celia and her son are at, and he comes in and gives Callista her pills, telling her she has to take her medication. She takes a pill. He says she doesn’t trust him, but she says she does, she swears. He says she should know by now that they only way they can get through this is together.

Meanwhile, at Emily Huntford’s home, with phone taps in place, the phone rings, and she is told to keep them on the line as long as possible. The caller says they have her little girl and they are willing to hurt her, and demands 2 million dollars. Emily tries to stall for time, saying it will take time to get the money. He says get it by tomorrow or she’s dead. We see the caller hang up, and he throws the phone into the river. He goes over to his car, where George is waiting. George seems to be having second thoughts, saying that this was a mistake and he doesn’t want to do this anymore. But his partner gets angry and says George will do this.

Back at Emily’s home, Eames tells her that they have to get proof Emma is alive. Andre asks what kind of proof. Eames says talking to her would be good. Emily says she will be at the bank as soon as it opens. George tells Emily she should be in bed and leads her upstairs. Goren is talking with Callista, saying maybe they will have better luck when they get the next call. Callista says Emily will pay, she loves Emma as if she was her own. Goren asks if the name Mark Carston means anything to them, and Andre cuts him off, saying that his wife is not well, and tells Callista that is the thief from the hotel. He asks Goren how Carston could have placed the call if he were still in jail. Goren said when they spoke to the caller, he said “we have Emma” so they think Carston has a partner. Andre says neither of them has heard of him before tonight.

As Goren and Eames leave, they comment about how Andre was quick in trying to keep Callista from speaking to them. Eames wonder if they know Carston, and Goren thinks the robbery and kidnapping are too much of a coincidence. Eames speculates they kidnapped their own kid to milk the aunt. Goren wonders if they are working with Carston and used this robbery as an opportunity. Eames says the money trail should lead back to them.

Back at Major Case, Goren is looking at a book of Andre’s poetry and comments that he doesn’t think Andre will be making any money on it. Eames is looking at their financials, and they have very little money. They rent in Connecticut. Only Andre worked, he taught at Hillis College. But Goren is staring at the photograph of Emma in the yard with the swing set, and seems distracted. Eames tells him the college is in Yonkers.

At Hillis College, they speak to the woman in charge (Sharon Washington), who says they are a very small college not even in the top 500. She says Andre never let them forget that. He only taught two classes a week lots of freshman women and there were rumors. He was already married to Callista back then and described her as “a piece of work” who used to sit in her car in front of the English department and sit there all day with the baby. It really go out of hand in his last semester last summer – he would come out after class and she would cause a scene. If she couldn’t find him she would search all the motels in the area. She says he called himself a poet and crazy women are part of the job description. When Goren questions that he “called himself a poet”, the woman tells him Andre plagiarized someone’s work, but he quit first before they caught him on it. He just stopped showing up for work. As she walks off, Goren’s phone rings, and he says, “Astor Place? We’re on our way.”

At Astor Place, Goren and Eames are in a surveillance van as the ransom was to be dropped off at 9:30 AM in a trashcan there. The caller says there’d better not be any police or he will hurt the girl and nobody will have a very happy Christmas. They add a GPS device to the money. Eames makes the drop, while other police wait nearby in plain clothes. After one false alarm, a taxicab pulls up, a man gets out and grabs the bag out of the trashcan. Eames follows, but he runs into a nearby subway where the GPS will not work. They lose him.

Elsewhere, the man – who we now know is George’s boyfriend Stewart – is giddy over the money. He says they are probably in the Bronx, following their shopping bag. He asks George what they have learned today, and then adds, “Never underestimate me” as he strokes George’s face with a pack of money. But their apartment door is broken open and the police rush in with guns, along with Goren and Eames. Eames asks where is the baby. George swears they don’t have her, and says to Stewart he knew this would go wrong. Goren says to Stewart that he said “happy” Christmas on the phone, which is the British way of saying Merry Christmas. The police find no baby in the apartment.

Later, in the interrogation room at Major Case, George tells them that they didn’t hurt anyone, he just wanted what was his. He ran Emily’s life for years and that her son was going to get everything. He says all Andre does is send photos of the little girl but George cares about Emily. All he wanted was for her to care about him. Goren leaves the room and Emily is there on the other side of the glass, saying he didn’t do anything to Emma and she asks to talk to him. She enters, and George apologizes. She says he was all she had left. She was going to take care of him but he betrayed her. He says he witnessed her signing her will leaving it all to Andre, but she tells George that he didn’t know she set up a trust for him. She says he was a fool, all he would have had to do was wait for another few months. She says she will get him a lawyer but that is all she can do for him now.

Later, Ross is fuming because it has been 48 hours and they now have nothing to go on. Goren hones in on the key card access, saying that no one else was in that room but Carston and Andre. Ross wonders what is missing, saying there is no way to get that kid out. Goren wonders that they never brought the kid into the hotel, and Ross asks, “So where the hell is she?”

Goren and Eames are at Celia’s home. Goren looking at a book called “Selected Poems of Andre Haslum. Celia asks if Emma is dead, saying it is been two days. She says Callista is fragile and had been hospitalized once before and Andre had to leave his job. Goren comments that the book was signed by the poet, and would probably be worth something some day. Celia says he has not published since they moved up to the middle of nowhere. Goren asks if she saw them up there and she says no. Andre enters, saying hopefully Celia will sleep now and doesn’t think she can go through this all again. Goren comments that Emily never had children, making it sound like he was out for Emily’s money. Andre says he read the Iliad in the original Attic Greek and if Goren wants to trip him up he will have to be more subtle than that. Goren corrects that it was in Homeric Greek, which upsets Andre. He says he takes Emily’s money, she is happy to give it to him, it’s patronage, it is respected and it is as old as the arts.

Outside, Eames fumes, “Patronage? I’d say staging a kidnapping is more like extortion.” Goren wonders if Emily invited them here to see Emma before she died. He wonders if they staged the dinner with Celia for an alibi for the kidnapping and the burglary was a coincidence. Eames says they never got Emma out of the hotel because they never brought her.

At the Haslum’s home in Kent, Connecticut, Goren is looking at the pictures of Emma as a baby, and the one by the swing set. There are toys all over the home, and Eames notes they have more toys that FAO Schwartz but they did not baby-proof the house, noticing the outlets were not covered. Goren sees that the back yard does not have a swing set, and looks over the fence and finds that the neighbor has a set. They head to the neighbor’s house, who tells them that he and his wife are divorcing and rather than move their child back and forth between them, they take turns staying there. They press about if he has ever seen Emma or know what she looks like and he says he must have seen her, but is sure his daughter Annie has. They ask to meet Annie, and when she enters, it is obvious that she is the girl in the picture with the Haslum’s by the swing set that the Haslum's are passing off as Emma.

Back at Major Case, Goren is reading a book with a chapter on shared psychotic disorder, also known as Folie A Deux. He seems Emily looking on. He talks to her and tells her that he is sorry, but they have talked to every pediatrician around Kent, Connecticut, and none of them has ever treated her. They found prescriptions in André’s house written by a doctor in Yonkers but they have never been refilled. She tells him to stop. Eames tells her something happened to Emma, and it wasn’t at the Barton Hotel. Emily appears devastated, and, choking back tears, asks them if they have any idea what it’s like to have everything taken away. As she gets up, she begins to collapse but Goren catches her. She adds that her husband had a stroke at this desk 10 years ago and she’ll be gone in a matter of months, and what good did all his money do for her? She leaves.

Later, in Ross' office, he asks, stunned. “There’s no kid?” Eames tells him the photos were of the neighbor’s little girl and no one has seen Emma for 6 months. Ross concludes they staged the kidnapping to cover up what really happened to Emma. Goren says yes, mainly for the benefit of Emily and that Emma was Andre’s only chance of inheriting Emily’s money. Goren guesses Callista had no choice but to go along, she’s emotionally fragile and Andre fed on that. Eames adds they found baby supplies there that had never been opened or used, toys that were never played with. Callista may have gone along out of guilt or remorse and she needs the illusion, it is a variation on Folie a Deux. Ross asks how they will prove that, and Goren says they will destroy the illusion.

Back at Celia’s home, Goren and Eames arrive. Goren picks up the book of poetry, while Eames tells them they found Emma, much to Andre’s shock. Eames says she is sorry, and Callista is stunned. Goren says, “sleep no pain shall wake.” Andre is appalled, saying their child is dead and he is quoting his work. Goren says that it is in his book, but the poem is not his. He says it is Christina Rossetti’s. Callista is angered at Goren’s comment, saying they do not know how they have suffered, their child is gone. Goren says, “I know she is. Last summer. When things went wrong, isn’t that right Mrs. Haslum?” Andre looks trapped and Callista looks stunned. Eames comments that every time there is a question, Callista looks to Andre, and Andre always has an answer. Goren goes on to say that the poems and the love they shared – did that end after they had Emma? She says her daughter meant everything to her, and Goren says they gave her so much, was there anything left for Andre? He yells to stop this, but Goren uses that to show that Andre does not like the attention taken away from him. He asks if being ignored is what drives him to other women? He tells Callista the poems he wrote were not for her, and asks if that is how that all went wrong last summer? He asks Callista to tell him about Emma’s last day – did she go looking in the wrong motel? He reads another poem from the book, which is the inscription on the book he gave to Celia. He asks Celia if she was with him that day, and Celia says she is so sorry. Goren tries to help her recall the events, saying it was a terribly hot day in Yonkers. Callista admits that she burned her feet on the pavement as she left shoes at home, she was so anxious to find Andre. She knocked on all the motel doors and left Emma in the car with the air conditioning on. Goren asks her if she checked it like she checked the thermostat in the hotel room, and she says she would have never left her in the car without the air conditioning. She didn’t think the engine would die. Andre tells her to shut up but she goes on. When she got to the car Emma's skin was hot and she did not move and she took her home, and put her in her room and pulled down the shades so she would be cool. When Andre came home he told her she did the right thing and said everything would be OK if they didn’t tell anyone. He said Emma was alive and all he had to do was believe him. She looks at Andre with realization, and says, “but Emma is dead” and adds that she killed her. She breaks down in tears. Eames cuffs her while Goren cuffs Andre.

Later, Goren is at the morgue, where ME Rodgers (Leslie Hendrix) tells them the sheriff found the remains about 10 yards into the woods on the property of an Emily Huntford. She hands Goren a poem that was found with the remains. Goren reads it, “ It’s not death that holds thee, it’s love” and adds that it is stolen from Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and that Andre couldn’t even be original for his own daughter. Goren looks at the tiny body bag as we fade to black.



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Law & Order CI “Folie à Deux” Episode Information, Preview Video Clips

Photos from USA Network

The season may be over for Law & Order and Law & Order SVU, but thankfully fans still have Law & Order Criminal Intent (USA Network) to take them through the summer. Here’s the information on the new episode scheduled to air this Sunday on June 7, “Folie à Deux.” The episode stars Lynn Redgrave. I also have included the promo tease for the show, plus two clips from the episode.

Law & Order Criminal Intent “Folie à Deux” Air Date June 7, 2009 (USA Network)

A missing girl, left alone in a hotel room while her parents dined, leaves Goren (Vincent D’Onofrio) and Eames (Kathryn Erbe) sorting out a completely dysfunctional family and hangers-on to determine her whereabouts. Elsewhere, Eames spends time with her sister. Guest star Lynn Redgrave.

My recap and review of Law & Order Criminal Intent "Folie a Deux" can be found here.

Folie A Deux Promo





Episode Clip 1




Episode Clip 2





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 “The Drowned and The Saved” Recap & Review Season Finale

All Photos from NBC

I can sum up this excellent season finale of Law & Order “The Drowned and The Saved” in just a few words:

The Drowned: The Shalvoys
The Saved: Jack McCoy and the DA’s office

Unlike the Law & Order SVU finale "Zebras" ”The Drowned and The Saved” successfully closed out a chapter in this season by tying together a story arc that has been building all year. I never liked Governor Shalvoy (I still think that Tom Everett Scott was wrong for the role) and I was very glad when he got his just desserts. It was also very pleasing that he got it at the hands of Michael Cutter, who for once used his slight of hand and trickery very wisely. It was worth tolerating the Shalvoys all season just to see them both taken down in such a gratifying manner.

Most enjoyable was Jack McCoy’s (Sam Waterston’s) soliloquy in Shalvoy’s home where he passionately outlined the extent of corruption and expressing concerns about his good works. My only question about that scene was what would have prevented Jack from going into that meeting wearing a wire? Is it illegal to record on of your own conversations with someone else? I think not. I wondered - if Jack would have recorded Governor Shalvoy's veiled attempt to buy him off, would the case against him or his wife have been a lot easier for the DA's office to make? But I suppose one does not enter the governor’s home wearing a wire unless one has cause. Me, I would do it in a nanosecond!

The episode was also peppered with some enjoyable lines. I loved when Jack made the reference to the fact they were trying to indict the governor, not a ham sandwich. Everyone knows that Jack can indict a ham sandwich – provided it has meat in it.

The closing of the episode was presented in a way that if it had been the last show of the series, it would have made for a satisfying close. Lucky for us, we will have Law & Order for one more season. With Shalvoy out of the way and likely Joe Chappell’s attachment to the governor being tainted by his wife’s murder trial, we are left to think that Jack will win re-election. Let’s hope that is the case.

Clearly, this episode belonged to Sam Waterston, but the entire cast - combined with great writing - was in top form in their support of this very exciting and tense close to the season. I think that going in to its 20th season, this series has only become better and shows that things – including Jack McCoy – can really improve with age.

Here is the recap:

In an office hallway Caroline (Francie Swift) tells Charles that she put the budget on his desk, and he tells her to stay out of his office and anything she has she can give to Amy. She comments that she is sure he understands her position, and he says she obviously doesn’t understand his. She says “You can’t seriously expect me to” and he replies that he expects some consideration, tells her goodnight, and walks off.

Later, Detectives Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Bernard (Anthony Anderson) are called to the scene of a murder where Charles lays dead from a knife wound in the back. His clothes are expensive. He has no wallet, just a business card casing from Charles Whitley, the director of the Boland Initiative, a large charity. He also has ligature marks on his wrists from being tied up. He has a number on him in fresh ink – maybe a bank account number or password. Bernard says, “One thing I know for sure, it’s definitely not his lucky number.”

Lupo and Bernard speak to Charles’ wife, who says he is usually home by 7:00 and she thought he stopped for a drink with a colleague. She fell asleep and when she woke up he was still not home. She has no idea why he was up in Inwood. His job involved oversight of their philanthropic projects and he did not talk about any problems in the office. He loved his work, and even turned down a generous retirement package. Lupo shows her a photo of the numbers on his arm, and asks if it means anything. She said it is not like Charles to do that; it’s not even in his writing.

At the morgue, ME Rodgers (Leslie Hendrix) leading up to the “tercio de muerte” – the final act of a bullfight - 5 stab wounds to the right lower back. The numbers on his arm were applied with a regular pen, not more than a day before he was found. The numbers look like numbers from Auschwitz survivors.

The detectives head over to the Boland Initiative and speak with Caroline Reeves. She tells them Charles was not Jewish. They have grant recipients all around the city. She spoke with Charles the day before and he did not mention going to Inwood. Bernard asks about the retirement package, and Caroline says it was proforma, when Charles turns 62, he was eligible for early retirement. They were relieved when he decided to stay on. A woman enters and reminds Reeves of a conference call, and she excuses herself. The woman brings in all of Whitney’s personal correspondence, and Lupo comments that his date book has every other Tuesday between 5 and 6 blocked off. She says she calls a car for him for a 4:15 pickup but she never asked where he was going and he never told him. She would just tell a dispatcher to take Mr. Whitney as directed.

The detectives arrive at the apartment of Lorraine Flockhart (Jodie Markell), and she says they must be here about the murder down the street. She offers to put on some fennel tea but Lupo declines. They tell her a car service dropped off the victim at her address and she is shocked to see it is Charles. She said he was one of her clients. Bernard asks if she was his nutritionist, and she says she was. He had a standing appointment for years. He said he was bit run down, she checked his glycemic index and the made some changes to his diet and he left just after 6/ She has no idea about the numbers, he was wearing a jacket the whole time.

Back at the 2-7, Lt. Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson) says there are plenty of nutritionists near his office and asks if they are sure this wasn’t about sex. Bernard says they did not get that vibe, and Lupo says the woman is about as old as his wife and what would be the point. Van Buren looks at Lupo and says, ‘I can’t believe you said that, detective” and Lupo innocently says, ”What?” Bernard says he can’t believe it either. Van Buren’s phone rings, she tells the caller it is their case and of course they are interested.

Later, they speak with a woman from a newspaper and she shows them a manila envelope saying it arrived at the metro desk that morning, no return address and no note. She gives them a copy of the content, a DVD. When she saw that Whitley was on it, she called the 2-7. They play the video and it shows Whitley bound with some women in dominatrix attire, one woman who Charles refers to as Fraulein Vera. Lupo recognizes Lorraine, the “nutritionist.” They are beating Charles, telling him to say please to lick her boot.


They have Lorraine in interrogation, and she says what she does is legal, he got the treatment he paid for and wanted. The number was his idea. She denies any blackmail intent and says the recording was made without his knowledge. Someone sent it to his office and now they were trying to fire him. The other women who were with her did not know where Charles worked. He came over that Tuesday for his usual session, she had fired the two girls and got another room.

Outside the interrogation room, Van Buren comments the DVD came after Charles refused to retire, and says somebody really wanted him out of that job badly.

Back at Boland, Caroline tells them she didn’t want to tell them about the DVD because she did not want to embarrass Charles’ family. The DVD and the envelope it came in had been destroyed at the advice of counsel, but Lupo comments that wouldn’t’ they need the DVD. Charles threatened to sue if they fired him and was completely unapologetic. Their lawyers said Charles had a strong case. She said that Whitney was respected, that was, before the DVD landed on her desk.

Back at the 2-7, Van Buren speaks with Charles wife, she said she did not know how to tell them about Charles’ predilection and she didn’t understand it. She knew about the video, and she said it was not about money, they wanted to hurt him professionally. She leaved to call her children about the matter. Afterwards, Lupo says, ‘That is gonna be one awkward phone call.” Bernard says that they found no spy cam at Lorraine’s. Van Buren tells them to take a run at the nutritionists “little elves.”

At the apartment of Vera Laslen (Tanya Fischer), she tells the detectives that is her photo, but says it is just acting. She had nothing to do with the DVD but Lorraine still fired her. Lupo points to her chest and asks her if she just had some work done, and Vera says they look too high but will look better when the implants settle. He said she didn’t have them on the video and asks her where she got the money for them. She says her savings, but Lupo and Bernard aren’t buying it, and they press her on the issue. Lupo says if she paid for them with money from the video from Lorraine’s, the government can seize them as proceeds from a crime, they will just put her under the knife and take them out. They tell her Charles was murdered and she is shocked. Lupo says if she cooperates with them they can help make sure she keeps her “enhancements.” She shows them a cupboard and says it’s behind the Cocoa Puffs and says a guy gave her 10 grand to put the camera in Lorraine’s place and that is all she did. The guy’s name was Phil and she met him outside of Lorraine’s, and he said he was looking for a restaurant and after they hooked up at the hotel he asked her to hook up the camera the next time Charlie came by. He paid her and never came back again. His phone number doesn’t work anymore. She saw him using an ATM around the corner and looked at her as if he caught her stealing money. She asks if they are going to let her keep them now, and Lupo says they will be in touch.

At Halliwell Security Group, Bobby Amato (Luke Kirby) – AKA Phil - compliments them on the police work. He says he wanted a no string attached fling. He says she is a nut job and says he has a weakness for crazy girls. Bernard tells him she is connected to Charles Whitley and does he know who he is. He says no, and they tell him about Vera’s comment about the money. He knows his right and won’t tell them where he was the night of the murder. Bernard asks how he got into the security business, and he says it was personal interest, his older sister was killed by a stalker in college. He tells them to have a nice ride back to the city.

Walking outside, the detectives discuss what they know with Van Buren. Amato doesn’t have the money and was likely moonlighting for someone who wanted Whitley out of the way. Van Buren says it may be enough for an extortion charge and she tells them to talk to the judge about a search warrant.

At the apartment of Bobby Amato, they find a program to operate remote camera, and they see a video of a property room at the precinct, where they stored the camera Vera gave them and that she said he gave her. They arrest him. They also find a letter of recommendation for Bobby Amato addressed to the Halliwell Group from last year. It’s signed by Rita Shalvoy, the wife of the governor. Lupo says of Amato, “No wonder he’s so cocky. The guy’s got juice. “ Bernard answers, ‘Lupes, we just stepped into a big stinking pile.”

ADA Connie Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) tells EADA Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) and DA Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) that according to her letter of resume, Rita Shalvoy met Bobby Amato 13 years ago when his sister was killed. McCoy says that Rita was a victim’s advocate back then, and asks what was his sister’s name. Rubirosa states it is Ellie Amato, and McCoy comments, ‘Ellie’s Law” which Rubirosa says is an anti-stalking statute. McCoy says Rita fought to make that happen. Cutter says that they know what a fighter she is and how corrupt her husband is. McCoy tells them to start finding out who Amato was working for, and he will talk to Rita Shalvoy, and when this gets a “look” from Cutter, McCoy tells him it is just to give her a heads up her friend is going to be charged for extortion.

In the prison conference area, Cutter tells Amato that his boss says he isn’t working for him in New York, he was freelancing for someone else. Amato says there is no one else,he did a job for Halliwell and decided to stay in town to see the sites. But Rubirosa isn’t buying it, asking him from where - Zagats guide to S&M dungeons? When Amato says he wants to tell her about that, his lawyer tries to get him to be quiet. But Amato says it’s OK. He was up in Inwood looking for a Dominican restaurant where he met Vera, after they hooked up, she told him what she did for a living. She said she was worried about this client, this creep that she thought was stalking her. He told her his sister had been killed by a stalker and he would follow him for her to put her mind at ease. Now Cutter isn’t buying it, sarcastically questioning it as an act of gallantry toward a woman he was dating under a pseudonym and planning to dump. But Amato asks if he mentioned that following people is fun. He told Vera where he lived and worked in case she needed to protect herself. He adds then she had the nerve to turn on him and set him up with this extortion rap. When Rubirosa asks if he is saying she planted spy cam software on his computer. He says no, don’t be ridiculous, he gave her the spy camera so he could watch her, she liked to put on little shows for him on the computer. But then she made a video of Whitley and framed him for it. But Cutter, shaking his head and acting skeptical, asks Amato if he is sure he didn’t leave anything out but Amato says that covers it. Rubirosa said that Vera never mentioned her worries about Whitley to the police. But Amato says she was definitely concerned. He says the guy was twisted and hyped up on coke. Cutter says, “drugs now.” Amato says Whitley went to dinner a few months ago in honor Jimmy Carter and spent the whole night in the bathroom with a bloody nose, and adds that is a guy with a problem right there.

At the Shalvoy residence, Rita Shalvoy (Alison Elliott) tells McCoy she is sorry to hear about Bobby Amato, and that he has never recovered from his sister’s death. She appreciates his heads up, and says she hopes when the election is over they can find a way to be friends again. He says, “You know me I’m an optimist by nature but wouldn’t Donald object?” She says Donald has ample proof of her loyalty and with their youngest going off to boarding school it is her opportunity to re-engage with the world. McCoy says, ‘Well, you can’t keep a good woman down” and brings her back to Amato and the letter of recommendation she wrote and how well does she know him? She says the fight for Ellie’s Law gave Bobby a purpose. He became attached to her and is loyal to a fault. A few years ago he called her, she was on her way to Maine to visit her mom who was ill. Two days later, Bobby shows up in Maine with a car full of groceries ready to pitch in and help. She had to explain why his behavior was inappropriate and he apologized and left. McCoy says it sounds like she needed Ellie’s Law herself. She asks McCoy if he’s ever had a cat, that they will bring you mice that they have killed, a kind of unsolicited act of devotion. She said Bobby is like that.

Back in Cutter’s office, Rubirosa confirms to Cutter and McCoy the information about the December dinner with 30 people honoring Jimmy Carter at the Shalvoy townhouse. If Whitley went there right after an S&M session with a bloody nose, Rita Shalvoy would have known and she may have told Amato and got him on Whitley. McCoy says she is already setting up a preemptive defense for herself that Amato was stalking her and doing unsolicited favors. McCoy says, “Rita Shalvoy and Charles Whitley. Connect the dots.”

Back at the Boland Institute, Rubirosa and Cutter speak with Caroline Reeves. She tells them the invitation to the Carter dinner was sent to the Boland Initiative and Charles happened to be free that night. She says she knows of no relationship Charles had with Rita Shalvoy. The Shalvoys have attended some of their functions but they have no relationship with them. Cutter pointedly asks Reeves if she ever talked with Rita Shalvoy about Whitley, maybe complain about him She says no, what a strange question. He reminds her that she tried to fire him and knew about the DVD. She said it is completely untrue and she never wished Charles any harm.

Back at the 2-7, Lupo tells Cutter and Rubirosa that Reeves left her office a half hour after they talked to her and took a cab to Hudson River park, Bernard recognizes the woman Reeves met with there as Thea Curry, the city council woman from district 52. It appears Caroline is confiding in her, and that they are lovers, and Caroline Reeves is married. Cutter says they need to remind Curry she has an obligation to report any criminal activity to them.

At the office of City Council Woman Thea Curry (Susan Kelechi Watson), she tells them she is aware of her ethical obligations. What the detectives say is nobody’s business. When Cutter says Reeves is a lovely woman, Curry says she would put in a word for him but Reeves is married. Rubirosa sees some information for Georgetown Day School and asks if this is the same school t he Obama’s considered enrolling their children. She says she thinks it was, but denies she is moving to Washington and says she has shared custody of her children with her husband and he has had job offers.

Back in Cutter’s office, Rubirosa tells them that the people at Georgetown School say Thea Curry visited twice, she told them she was the one who may be moving to DC, not her ex. McCoy says she’s a smart woman who everyone expects to run for higher office, but then says, “Of course. It’s been staring us in the face.” He writes on the whiteboard that New York has an open senate seat and Governor Shalvoy can appoint whomever he wants to fill that vacancy. Cutter says, “If there is something in it for him.” McCoy quips, “Does a bear crap in the woods?” Rubirosa adds that meanwhile, Curry’s lover Caroline Reeves tries to coax Whitley to retire. McCoy adds when that didn’t work, Rita’s “loyal to a fault” private spy dug up the dirt on Whitley and force him out. Rubirosa says this is the horse trade, Curry becomes senator and Rita Shalvoy to become executive director of a prestigious international charity. McCoy says “The Shalvoy’s are running a big game of musical chairs.” But Cutter says it is still not clear if Amato killed Whitley on Rita’s orders and if the governor knew about it. Cutter says if Shalvoy goes down, he takes Joe Chappell with him,. McCoy says that is not a factor on how they prosecute this case, and they all seem to smirk a bit. Cutter says, “Don’t look so happy, Jack. “ McCoy leaves the room.

Back at the prison with Bobby Amato, they tell him that Rita Shalvoy described him as a quasi-stalker who did him favors she never asked for and he says she would never say that. Cutter says she will say whatever he did to Whitley she never asked him to do and she is just greasing the skids. . His lawyer asks if they have a plea offer, and Cutter say manslaughter. Amato says that Rita wanted his help to force Whitley out and told him about his nosebleed and he would have no problem finding something on him. She gave him a diamond necklace and told him where he could sell it. He got 20 grand for it. He used 10 grand to pay Vera to make the DVD. Two weeks after he sent the DVD to Reeves, Rita called him and said Whitley was being stubborn and would Bobby “remove” him, he was standing in her way of doing great things. She reminded him of Ellie’s Law and how could he turn his back on her now, so he did what she asked. She never mentioned the governor.

Back in McCoy’s office, Cutter tells him it hard to believe Rita went so far off the reservation without her husband knowing about it. McCoy says that when it comes to the Shalvoy’s, he suspended disbelief a long time ago, and asks how much of the story they can corroborate. They can’t track down the necklace as it was resold for cash, and it could have belonged to anybody. Amato offered to wear a wire if they can get Rita into a room with him, but McCoy say Rita wasn’t born yesterday. He tells to have Amato’s lawyer move for a bail hearing.

In the chambers of Judge Thomas South, Rita is there, and she doesn’t understand why she has been called to the bail hearing. Amato’s lawyer said he subpoenaed her to address her clients release on bail and she will testify to his likeliness to appear. Rita says she does not want to hurt Amato’s chances for bail but she will not address that/ Amato asks to speak to Rita in private, but Cutter says that is highly irregular. The defense lawyer begs for a chance for her to cooperate, and the judge gives his client 10 minutes. They all walk out, leaving Amato and Rita there alone.

Rita tells Bobby he put her in an awkward position, and he asks why she isn’t helping him. He’s kept his mouth shut until now. She says she doesn’t know what he is talking about. He says they have to come up with a story, and she asks if he is implying he murdered Charles Whitley for her. He says, “You know I did.” She tells him he knows that is not true, he heard her criticize Whitley but she never asked him to harm Whitley. Amato stands up, and says he will tell them about the necklace, and she says ”What necklace?” She says she told him before that he needs psychiatric help. She touches he hand and walks off.

Later, Cutter, Rubirosa and McCoy listen to the recording of Rita and Amato, and the comment she made about Amato needing psychiatric help. Rita did not come close to an admission. McCoy gets a call from Ida, and he says, ‘Tonight? Tell him I’ll be there.” He hangs up and tells Cutter he’s been summoned.


At the Shalvoy residence, her attorney tells McCoy that he advised Rita to “report this" and she wanted to do it as soon as possible. Rita tells Jack that Bobby Amato confessed to her today that he killed Charles Whitley, and as fond as she is of him, she is prepared to testify against him. Her lawyer, with Governor Shalvoy (Tom Everett Scott) also present, says she will come down tomorrow and give a full statement. McCoy says it is the right thing to do, and he asks the Governor for a word. Rita and the lawyer leave the room. Shalvoy says that Rita told him that Amato might try to drag her down with him. McCoy begins speaking:

McCoy: Let’s not insult each other’s intelligence, OK? We both know what this murder was about. A senate seat. (long pause) Seems like every day we hear about another corrupt civil servant. Corrupt banker, businessman, athlete. Seems that behind every success story of the last ten years, a scandal is exploding. We’re facing a rising sea of corruption and we wonder, who will be the next to be drowned? Who will be saved? And what will become of our good works? When will it stop Donald and who will stop it?

Shalvoy (looking smug): If you expect me to implicate Rita and jeopardize my family…

McCoy: Your family. They’re campaign props you use to get elected. They mean as much to you as balloons and bumper stickers you whoring proves it

Shalvoy: Be careful Jack. I’ll attribute that to the stress of your campaign. I know you are in a dead heat with Joe Chappell. I also know a few things about Joe, maybe could swing the numbers your way.

McCoy is smiling now, and says: You’re trying to buy me off?

Shalvoy: Well you worry about your good works, Jack. How are you going to safeguard them if you’re not in the game anymore? (Jack has stopped smiling and he leaves the room.)


In Cutter’s office, Rubirosa tell McCoy that Rita came in and gave her statement and has inoculated herself against anything Bobby would say. But McCoy tells them to convene and grand jury to investigate the selling of a senate seat by the Governor. Once they prove the why of Whitley’s murder then can prove the who.

At the grand jury, Thea Curry is testifying. She says the governor asked her to help Rita find a position in public service, and she read between the lines he would then help her with the senate seat. She told him about a friend at the Boland Initiative being unhappy with Charles Whitley, and she would look into that situation with his wife. Carolyn agreed to urge Whitley to retire. When he refused, Curry called the governor and said the job wasn’t opening up. The governor said he would let her know about the senate appointment, and a week later Caroline told her about Whitley’s murder.

In McCoy’s office, he picked up on the “read between the lines” comment and he is not sure that makes pay to play. Cutter thinks that may be enough to indict, but McCoy says, “You’re asking the grand jury to indict a sitting governor, he’s not exactly a ham sandwich.” Rubirosa enters and says that Shalvoy is talking about the vacant senate seat, and she turns on the TV. Shalvoy is saying that his only criterion is who will best represent the state of New York. He says he wants someone season enough to handle the rough and tumble world of national politics, and he says Manhattan District Attorney Jack McCoy is at the top of his list.” McCoy says Shalvoy must have found out they convened a grand jury, and he is muddying the waters. Cutter wonders who will vote for a DA who has one eye on Washington, and he has to admit it’s rather brilliant. McCoy gets on the phone and tells Ida to get Mark in the campaign office, and tells Cutter and Rubirosa that he will put this to and end at a press conference. Cutter gets a messages that says they are wanted in the grand jury.

At the grand jury, the foreman saying they say the news at the lunch break and some of them wondering if Jack McCoy is horse-trading with the governor too. Cutter says that McCoy is not the target of their investigation. Another asks if Thea Curry was subpoenaed to whittle down McCoy’s competition for the senate job and they would like to hear what he has to say about it, and they want him under oath

Outside, McCoy is fuming, and tells Cutter his grand jury is out of control, and if it leaks out he has been called to a grand jury he might as well concede to Joe Chappell right now. Cutter tells him he needs to get out in front of it, but his campaign manager says he needs to invoke executive privilege and to stall until after the election. But Cutter says if that is his plan he would prefer McCoy concede.

Jack McCoy is on the stand in the grand jury. Cutter asks him if he ever sought an interim appointment for the senate and he says no, he is running for reelection as DA. He has no desire to hold any other office. He never discussed it as it concerns himself. But one juror asks that this means he did talk with the governor about the spot, and now the governor is thinking of appointing him. Why should they not infer he made a deal. McCoy paused to find his words, and says he convened the grand jury because the police uncovered evidence of political corruption during the investigation of a murder. The governor’s announcement is a ploy to highjack their inquiry. He never saw it and will not accept appointment to the senate because he is committed to servicing the city as chief law enforcement officer, and he will prosecute political corruption wherever it occurs and whomever perpetrates it.

The grand jury is still out but McCoy is concerned, saying one juror seemed ready to storm the barricades and there is a mob mentality in this country right now and none of them can afford to be complacent. The verdict is in, and they voted a sealed indictment against Governor Shalvoy for official misconduct and attempted bribe receiving in the second degree – nothing about McCoy. Rubirosa reminds them it is just and indictment and they need evidence to convict. But McCoy says it is sufficient from what he needs to do with it.

Back at the Shalvoy’s, Rita tells Donald she will not be sent out again, and Donald tells McCoy that whatever he has to say to him he says in front of his wife. He says fine, he has a sealed indictment against him for bargaining with Thea Curry. Donald asks what McCoy promised Curry in return for her perjured testimony, and McCoy tells him to be careful, anything he says can be used against him in a court of law. Rita asks if he is Mirandizing him, and McCoy says he has officers outside waiting to arrest him. Donald says, ‘Waiting? What do you want from me?” McCoy wants corroboration of Amato’s testimony against Rita. For Whitley’s murder. Rita tells McCoy his vendetta against her is pathological. He says, ‘If you give me what I need, I might be convinced that your conversation with Thea Curry was political back-scratching that didn’t rise to the level of criminality. I’ll withdraw the indictment as legally insufficient before it even sees the light of day. You’ll keep your position. You power. “ But when Shalvoy asks, “How can I trust you,“ Rita comments to Donald that he can’t be seriously considering this. Jack says, “Never mind trust. Do the math.” Rita reminds Donald that every conversation they have is subject to spousal privilege. McCoy reminds her the privilege has exceptions, and Donald says he knows. Donald asks about the necklace, and Rubirosa says yes. Donald says he says that it may be an exception to the privilege if he saw his wife take the necklace out of the safe and put it in her purse , an necklace their insurance company has a picture of. Rita stops him and tells McCoy ever word out of Donald’s mouth is a lie. Donald goes on to say that for his son’s sake, he can’t take the stand against Rita, and Rubirosa says he would not have to, if the jewelry recognizes the necklace from the photo that corroborates Amato’s story. McCoy says “done” and Rita moves to her husband, calling him a bastard and mentions having to clean up after him and that “Brazilian whore.” He tells her to suck it up. He adds that when he heard Whitley was killed, he knew it had to be her, she was in heat for the Boland job, she wanted to be the big humanitarian jetting around the globe, saving the world. He adds, “and now look at you, sad, pathetic.” McCoy says, “Shut up, Donald.” Rita pleads with McCoy, saying Donald is framing her and this is what he always wanted so he can be with his whore. McCoy tells her not to do this to herself. As they take her off in cuffs, she says, “He owed me! You owe me!” McCoy turns to walk away, turning back to glance and Donald, and walks out.

Cutter stays behind and tell the governor that when the police were investigating Charles Whitley they found that his “dark world” overlapped Donald’s. He says he is not one of those S&M freaks, but Cutter says he would be surprised at how many of sex workers migrate specialties and they love to gossip about their clients. He says one thing about people like him is that they can’t stop. Cutter says he has names and dates and places. Donald asks him what he wants, and he asks for his resignation, intact, just saying he is leaving office to support his wife and family in a time of personal crisis. Donald says that wasn’t the deal, McCoy said he would stay in office. Cutter says that he’s not Jack McCoy and walks out.

Later, McCoy is in his office with the TV on, listing to Shalvoy talk about the politically motivated charges against his wife. Shalvoy says after speaking with one of most talented minds in the state, Deputy Attorney General Joe Chappell (Tom Galantich) he needs to put his family first decided to resign effect immediately. McCoy . says “one last shot at me, before the door slams behind him.” He opens his desk drawer and reaches for the scotch. He add that he is surprised that given the chance to keep his job, he thought Donald would hold on with both hands. He asks Cutter what he said to him yesterday. Cutter says, “I – ah – I told him that I had this list of his latest assignations with prostitutes””. The page is blank, and McCoy says he is not sure he approves. Cutter asks, “Not sure? I thought you wanted to win this election.” Rubirosa reminds them that the polls open in 7 hours. McCoy hands them all a drink, and holds his glass up for a toast, saying “May we live to fight another day.” Rubirosa says “hear hear” and they make clink their glasses and drink as we fade to black.

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Law & Order SVU “Zebras” Recap & Review Season Finale

All photos from NBC

OK, how can I say this? The season finale of Law & Order SVU “Zebras” was simply awful. Here’s why I feel this way:

First and foremost: Dale Stuckey. The character annoyed from day one. He was written badly, almost purposefully to make viewers hate him, maybe so we would later believe that he could turn killer so easily. What I found worse with this episode is that despite the fact that he screwed up a case, they continued to let him work it. In fact, there seemed to be no visible repercussions from his screw up with the evidence. Making matters worse is them taking what could be a piece of evidence – the collage – into the squad room and then letting Stuckey or anyone else handle it with their bare hands. Puzzling was when Stuckey complains that Stabler should be written up for accosting him, and seeing Stuckey push Capt, Cragen on the shoulder. Excuse me, but if I was a captain and someone touched me like that, I would have had him suspended on the spot. Cragen was far too kind with him and there should have been some sort of action taken against Stuckey right then and there.

Can anyone explain how Stuckey got such easy access to Donnelly’s apartment to set up the syringe? And how nice of Donnelly to be able to sit so squarely on it to get a full dose. While I am on Liz Donnelly, tell me, who in New York City would answer their door, in their bathrobe without looking through the peephole to see who it was? She sure seemed surprised it was Stabler at her door. I suppose because it looked like she had no peephole in the door so she couldn’t see who was there before she opened up. My next question - who has a place in NYC that doesn’t have a peephole on some equivalent in their front door? The only other person I know was Alex Borgia from the Law & Order mothership, and we all know what happened to her when she opened a door without checking first who was on the other side. A judge cannot possibly be that stupid and careless not to take precautions before she opens their door.

I also found it rather silly that once they realized the first victim had a baby with her, that they seemed to be checking everywhere but failed to see the stroller sitting all by itself by the tunnel, which should have been in clear view of everyone standing. But Elliot is the only one who spots it, from an area higher up and the trees no less? Please! Speaking of this murder victim, can someone tell me why Special Victims kept this case, when it turned out it was not a sexual assault? What made her a special victim?

How about the “escape route” that Harrison had leading from his hideout? It reminded me of one of those cartoon holes that cartoon characters leave when they get thrown through a wall. I don’t know why, but I laughed very hard at that.

Too bad they killed off O’Halloran, one of the best lab techs in not only the L&O universe but the whole TV CSU universe as well. Who could not love a guy who would help Stabler bury Stuckey’s body? RIP O’Halloran, and I hope Mike Doyle gets a nice job on another show.

Now, let’s talk about that final scene. First of all, Stuckey seemed quick to murder O’Halloran, yet he took his time with Stabler. Why? I guess it’s the same reason why all TV murderers must taunt their victims on screen, giving the victim plenty of time to find an opportunity to save themselves. Why did Stuckey even answer Stabler’s phone when it rang? He could have covered for his part in the murder of O’Halloran and later if he killed Stabler if no one knew Stuckey had been there. I guess Stuckey is an idiot after all. But the real shocker was Benson taking some real chances with Stabler’s life. In my opinion, her ruse to reel in Stuckey and gain his trust not only gave Stuckey more time to kill Stabler, but also she seemed to be giving him more of an excuse to kill him. What would she have done if when Stuckey put the gun back on Stabler that he didn’t shoot right away, rather than wait for her to whisper “wait” to him? Let’s not even go with the horror that I felt as I saw Benson plant that long and hard kiss on the icky Stuckey. Was it really necessary? She was already close enough, she was holding one of his hands, isn’t she trained to be able to disable him is she had at least one of his hands in her grasp? There was just something very off about that whole scenario, and I suspect it was only there so they could hype that Olivia kissed someone AND slapped someone in the same episode.

It was nice to see Munch with his wife Gwen, but I have to admit that it was just such an incredible coincidence that she would have a connection to the killer just a little too convenient.

It made no sense whatsoever why they couldn’t find a way to work Stephanie March into this episode. It’s their big finale, and we have to have her “stuck in traffic?” Please! I wonder what the big deal was with the show – or with Stephanie – that they couldn’t have her in there to do just one more scene.

The scene at Coney Island where Munch and Fin go into the dark ride wasted valuable time by showing all the “scary” things in the ride itself. It was 30 seconds that could have been spent on something else.

Personally, I think that they should have called this episode “The Kitchen Sink” because they threw everything in there BUT the kitchen sink. I think Stabler summed it up right at the end, “What a way to end.” You can say that again.

Here is the recap:

A father and daughter are rollerblading in the park. The father loses control and winds up face down over a railing and some bushes. When he comes up, he is covered with blood, but has not cuts. The daughter looks to see a dead body lying in the bushes.

Detectives Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) and Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) arrive on the scene. Stabler asks annoying CSU Tech Dale Stuckey “What’s up?” and Stuckey (Noel Fisher) says there is a body in the bushes with beaucoup lacerations, her body is all cut up, and he’s going to go out onto a limb and say she was sexually assaulted. Stabler says if he goes out too far you might fall off. Stuckey says there were deep stab wounds so he thinks that is the cause of death. Benson curtly thanks Stuckey and says they will see him later. Stabler pulls out a driver’s license from the body, it is Rachel Noss from Topeka Kansas, 32 years old. She is still wearing her wedding ring, so Benson assumes it was not a robbery. Stuckey comments that this is serious overkill for an unarmed woman, and starts some wild speculating on why she was killed. Stabler says, “”Someone’s hearing zebras.” Stuckey asks if he missed something, Benson says, “Dale, did anybody ever tell you that if you hear hoof beats in Central Park, don’t think zebras?” As Stuckey sees a police officer on horseback go by, Stabler has to explain to him that it means that the answer is usually the simplest explanation – it’s a garden-variety stranger rape gone bad and the perp cut her up. Olivia moves the victim’s hand away from her forehead, and the word “GUILTY” marked in blood on her forehead. Stabler sees a pacifier in her hand, and is concerned that the woman had a baby with her.

They begin to search the area for a baby, and while they check trash bins and the bushes, they fail to see – until Stabler sees it from a distance – a stroller sitting conspicuously unattended by the opening to the tunnel.. The baby is there, safe, with the words “innocent” on the baby’s forehead in blood. Benson says, “Maybe we are looking for a zebra.”

At the hospital where the baby is being checked out, Benson and Stabler speak to Rachel’s husband, who says they are visiting there and he went to a talk on hydroponics, and she went to central park to take pictures. Benson said they didn’t find a camera, and Mr. Noss says he took pictures of them all weekend and he hadn’t downloaded them yet, and they have to find that camera.

Benson and Stabler are in the park, and Dale Stuckey shows them a bagged camera, calling it a “crappy little point-and-shoot” and said it costs more in overtime to recover than it was actually worth. Benson shows her annoyance by telling him that “Mr. Noss doesn’t care about the camera, Dale. He cares about what’s in it. CSU Tech O’Halloran (Mike Doyle) has a laptop, saying he has recovered most of the photos from the camera’s memory card. There are pictures of Evan (the baby) from in the park, and the code on the last photo was 10:17. Benson said the call to 911 was at 10:26. Benson said 9 minutes after those pictures were taken Rachel was bleeding out in the bushes. Stuckey says he wishes babies could talk, and O’Halloran says he may have someone who can. He zooms in on the photo, and they can see a parks department work crew.

Munch (Richard Belzer) and Fin (Ice-T) talk to a parks work crew supervisor, who tells them they are not employees, just public service “grunts.” He said he noticed a dog that was off the leash in that area, a white boxer he thinks was named “Minnie” but he didn’t notice any offenders of the “non-canine” variety. The morning crew is over at the boathouse painting railings, except Peter Harrison, who left early. He cut his thumb on a broken bottle in the ivy. He was bleeding like a “stuck pig” and the supervisor said he told him to keep his gloves on. Munch sees that Harrison was doing 90 hours of community service for menacing. Munch thinks this is pretty good, considering he tried to push a woman off a subway platform. Fin asks for his address.

Stabler and Benson arrive at the residence of Peter Harrison (Nick Stahl.) Stabler announces they are the police and to open up, but Harrison asks if they have a warrant. Benson makes up a story about them having to check him out since he was injured doing court ordered service and they need to assess his injury, and Harrison opens the door, leaving the chain on. Harrison shows them his thumb, which is covered with duct tape instead of a bandage. He says he ran out of band-aids and that they know that already. He is acting clearly paranoid, as he talks about their satellite surveillance and wiretaps. Stabler makes up that Harrison must know about rule 1063 , which says that any subject of intrusive police monitoring has a right to a binding cease and desist order against the department if he so chooses and sign a DD5 form. This gets Harrison out of the apartment and down to the SVU squad.

At the station, Harrison asks for the form, but Stabler stalls him. Benson asks about his menacing arrest for the woman on the subway platform, and Harrison called her an “operative.” He says the woman was trying to push him and he had a right to defend himself. Stabler asks if the woman in the park today had threatened him, and he said she was taking his picture and she was going to upload it into a database and geotag it, and he can’t let his location be compromised. He is clearly paranoid. He said he searched for a wire or transmitters, and he ordered her to abort the mission. Harrison’s lawyer Julia Zimmer (Kelly Bishop) enters, and tells the detective she is aborting this interrogation. When she moves to take Harrison out, he says he has to sign the form DD5. But the form inside Stabler’s folder is a restaurant menu. Harrison says they tricked him, and asks them, “Who are you people?” Zimmer says her client has nothing further to say. Benson says they don’t need him to say anything, they have a warrant.

In Harrison’s apartment, Munch, Fin, and Stuckey search for clues. His apartment is very sparse. Munch finds some information on his computer which shows Harrison’s paranoia. Fin looks in his closet and finds 5 shirts and 5 pants, but 6 pairs of shoes. They assume Harrison got rid of one set of clothes because that is what he was wearing when he killed Rachel. Fin asks why he kept the shoes, and Munch suspects it’s because nobody would look inside. Fin looks in and finds a bloody knife.

At the lab, O’Halloran says the blood belongs to the victim, and Stabler begins to say “bing bang…” but O’Halloran doesn’t let him finish, saying, ‘Don’t…say it. Please.” O’Halloran also found cast off blood on the shoe. Stabler says “Harrison’s toast” but Harrison’s lawyer Zimmer overhears and tells Stabler that he interrogated a mentally ill man incompetent to waive his rights. She said she came down to make sure they didn’t play it fast and loose with the evidence as they did the confession. O’Halloran says they don’t play, and they have the victim’s DNA all over Harrison’s knife. She asks to see the paperwork. O’Halloran says a diminished capacity argument can’t exclude blood evidence. Zimmer sees that contamination well, noticing that evidence from the murder scene and from Harrison’s apartment were listed under the same voucher number and that’s a big no-no. Stabler and O’Halloran look at the paperwork, and see everything is logged under voucher 11692. O’Halloran says, “Stuckey.” Zimmer says it looks like he commingled the evidence, meaning the DNA on the knife could have come from cross contamination, which means her client waltzes right out the door. As Zimmer leaves, telling them both to “sleep tight,” Stabler says to O’Halloran, “I’m gonna kill him.” O’Halloran responds “I’ll dump the body.” Stabler says he will try and save the case.


There is a knock on a door, and Judge Donnelly (Judith Light) opens up, in her bathrobe, asking if the person knows that time it is. She sees Stabler standing there. Stabler apologizes and says this is not a social call, handing Donnelly her the newspaper. She says then this is highly improper, and a pity. Stabler cites a case – Donnelly corrects it as a hypothetical one – where a defense is going to twist an error in paperwork to suggest DNA contamination at the lab. She asks if he wants to know if she would fall for it. He says, “Hypothetically.” She tells him that his problem is much bigger than he thinks. His squad’s work relies on DNA, and the “shoddy paperwork” would be disastrous. Stabler says, “Overturned convictions” to which Donnelly says, “Hundreds of them. Hypothetically.” She tells him to talk to Cabot before he goes any further, and to ask himself if getting this perp is worth setting a lot of guilty ones free.

In arraignment court, Stuckey insists to Stabler and Benson that he did not contaminate the evidence. He said he made a bonehead mistake but he raises his voice, saying that he didn’t. Donnelly tells them to simmer down. Peter Harrison is being arraigned for one count of murder. Alex Cabot not there, substitute ADA Kristin Torres says Cabot is stuck in traffic. The defense moved to dismiss the complaint based on contaminated evidence. Torres said that Cabot had no objections, and told her to ask for leave to represent when they develop new evidence. Donnelly dismisses the case without prejudice. But Stuckey shouts out that she can’t dismiss, Harrison is guilty. She says, “You must be Dale Stuckey.” He says he is good at his job, and she tells him he is out of order and seriously deluded. If this was his idea of a good job he is in the wrong line of work.. But Stuckey says she doesn’t know him, and she says she doesn’t care to and tells him to sit down and shut up. She tells Harrison he is free to go, and he tells Donnelly she is a “lone beacon of hope in the struggle against global mind control.” She tells him to save it, and he’s a murder walking on a technicality, and if it were up to her he’d be in the nuthouse where he belonged. But Stuckey blurts out that she is the nut for letting him go. Benson and Stabler, stunned, look over to him, and Donnelly has the look of incredulity, asking if everyone is crazy today. She calls for a 5 minute recess, adding “People, take your meds!” Zimmer, says. ‘Thanks Dale, we couldn’t have done it without you.” Stabler tells Harrison they will be watching him, and Harrison says, “Who isn’t?”

As Benson and Stabler leave the courthouse, Stuckey calls out after them as he races down the courthouse steps. Stabler berates him for screwing up the case. He says he didn’t do anything wrong, and Stabler says everything with him is “I, I, me, me ” and that he is selfish. He adds he is going to do everything he can to get him run out of CSU and sent to the motor pool where the only thing he can screw up is an oil change. He says he didn’t mean for this to happen, and Benson puts her hand on his shoulder, saying everybody screws up and they will try to find a way to fix it. He asks how, as he sees Harrison walk away. She tells him Harrison has a shadow, and we see Munch and Fin following him.

Munch and Fin follow Harrison to Coney Island, where they proceed to lose him in a darkened horror ride.

Back at the SVU squad, Stabler can’t believe they lost him. Benson says they have half of Brooklyn south is out looking for him and they will find him. But Dr. Huang (B.D. Wong) says it won’t be easy, Harrison has a lot of practice shaking tails. He is a paranoid and used to the persecution. When Benson brings up Rachel Noss, Huang adds that persecutory delusions are rarely limited to the life of those suffering. Since they can’t tail him for 24 hours, Benson suggests they pick him up on a mental hygiene warrant, and Huang says he knows a few sympathetic judges who would civilly commit Harrison. But Capt. Cragen (Dann Florek) enters and says that is too late for that, Munch and Fin found another victim.

Back at Coney Island, there is another body located, the clothes slashed and the person knifed to death with the label of guilty on her head, the same as Harrison’s first victim. Stuckey, also on the scene, finds a can with a bloody thumbprint on it.

Back at the lab, Stuckey is checking out the thumbprint, and when he sees it is Harrison, he says, “Harrison’s your man. Bing bang bong.” Now all they have to do is find him. Stuckey had pulled information from Harrison’s computer from a web site “persectute-u.com” where it seems the paranoid crazies hang out and where Harrison bragged about how he stopped the NYPD. But Munch notices a familiar screen name that made comments on the site, “gwendolynoftheshadows” who tells Harrison if he needs help he knows how to contact her. Munch says, “so do I.” He knows her from another site on JFK assassination. He says he would prefer to talk to her in person and he knows where Gwen logs on to the internet.

At the Overthrow Bookstore, Munch meets with Gwen (Carol Kane), who is happy to see him. She hasn’t seen him on the JFK board, and he says he is retired but he is working to expose the truth. But she also seems very paranoid. He mentions Peter Harrison, and says he met him long before. She says he knows too much. Munch calls out to Fin who is looking at books that this is a private conversation, and Fin walks off. Gwen says he always made her feel safe. He says he really needs to contact Peter, saying that Peter said that he trust her, that she is the only one on persecute-u.com that gets him. She says he’s right, they won’t let Peter be silenced, he has followers. She asks Munch why he wants to find him, but Munch says he can’t say he doesn’t want to risk putting her in danger, he asks him to trust him, she knows him and what they meant to each other. She tells him about an empty store at 88th and Broadway and Peter rents the basement and he made it into a safe room. She tells Munch that she is thinking of going back on her medication so they can be together again. He says, “Goodbye Gwen, I gotta go.” She begs him not to leave her, but he continues to pull away. As Munch walks off and catches up with Fin, Fin says, “Sly dog, making moves on looney lady.” Munch responds, “She’s my ex-wife.”

At Harrison’s Broadway location, Stabler and Fin are there, Fin asking Harrison to show himself, Stabler calling out that he is cornered. Harrison is hiding behind metal shelving and pushes it onto the detectives. Pete tells them that the judge told them to leave him alone, but Stabler says “not before you killed that girl on Coney Island.” He says he didn’t kill anyone there. Fin says they have his fingerprints. He says he didn’t do it, and he didn’t kill them, they did it to themselves. Pete pulls onto a lever and dumps a barrel of a liquid into a tub, and a cloud of gas forms. Stabler helps Fin get out as they are being overcome by fumes.

Later, Stabler asks Fin if he is all right, and Fin quips “Ten years in the car with Munch I’ve smelled a lot worse. “ The CSU people are on the scene, and find that the fumes were caused by two chemicals mixing together, hydrogen sulfide, made by mixing toilet bowl cleaner and other household products. O’Halloran found his escape route, a hole in the wall, with a ladder to a sewer grate in the street. Stabler knows someone who may help find Harrison.

Stabler and Benson are at Julia Zimmer’s office, but and Benson asks her to break attorney/client privilege. But Zimmer isn’t buy it, telling them if he contacts her she will urge him to turn himself in, but meanwhile she will do her job and they should do theirs. She adds that Harrison has never been this delusional before, she’s tried to get him on meds but he refuses. She has know him since he was 17, his parents were killed in a plane crash and she represented him in the civil suit and got him a good settlement. She was his trustee until he turned 21. Benson tries to play on Zimmer’s maternal instincts, but Zimmer says she wants to help as he is a danger to himself and the community, but as his lawyer she can’t betray his confidence. Benson asks if there is anyone he would turn to for help whose hands are not tied, and Zimmer says before he got sick, Peter was at the Gotham School of Fine Arts and was close to Professor Edgar Rodzinski.

They head over to the Gotham School and talk to Rodzinski (Ronald Guttman). He says he has not seen Peter in months. He knew his illness was getting worse because of how his work looked and Peter continued to paint. They look at some of Harrison’s disturbing paintings and collages, that are in his studio. Harrison became obsessed after 9/11 and conspiracy theories took over. Benson finds one painting that has yesterday’s newspaper headlines in it.

Manhandling the painting in the SVU squad, Stuckey comments out loud about how this is better than the confession Benson and Stabler didn’t get. He sees them and begins to comment on the images in the painting and how it relates to the murder, saying one thing is obviously a knife. Stabler, annoyed, says “You’re obviously in the wrong building. “ Fin says “Stuckey’s solving our crime for us,” Munch adding, “As usual.” Stuckey says it is clear, but Stabler tells him to put it down before he contaminates more evidence. He says one of the pictures in the collage of a young beauty queen looks like Liv, a little younger. Stabler gets irate and grabs Stuckey by the neck, saying “You are an obnoxious little jackhole.” Cragen walks up and tells Stabler to let him go. Stabler tells him to “get outta here.” Stuckey pushed Cragen on the shoulder and says that Stabler just assaulted him and he has to write him up. Cragen says, “Only one getting a rip around here it you, Dale.” Dale says Stabler just accosted him. Cragen says, “If Elliot puts your head through a wall I’m gonna have to do a lot of tiresome paperwork. Get out of my squad.” Benson has just received a call and puts it on speaker. They overhear Julie Zimmer trying to calm Harrison. Cragen tells them to go.

The arrive at Zimmer’s office as Harrison is in a paranoid rant. They burst in, Stabler knocking down and restraining Harrison. Zimmer said Harrison showed up out of control, showing her a newspaper headline saying “Madman on the lose” with Harrison’s mug shot. Benson says tomorrow it will say the city is safe again. Harrison yells to Zimmer that she is a traitor and deceiver, saying she will pay and all deceivers will pay.

In the parking garage, Stabler loads Harrison into their car, and Zimmer says she will meet them there. But as Stabler and Benson drive off, Zimmer starts her car and is engulfed by fumes. She can’t get out of the car as the locks will not unlock. She honks her horn, and Stabler drives back. Benson attempts to open the doors with no luck, and Stabler breaks open the window with what looks like a golf club. But they are too late, Zimmer is dead. Harrison screams, “Death to all betrayers! All of them!”

Later, with police and CSU on the scene, Stabler tells a police officer to take Harrison to Bellevue. O’Halloran tells them the car had the same set up to create the chemicals as Stabler and Fin saw in Harrison’s hide out. It was hardwired to the ignition, and it also shorted out the locks to the car doors. Stabler sees the word “guilty” written on her mirror. They suspect that Harrison felt Zimmer betrayed her and he may have rigged something for other people who he felt also betrayed him. Stabler will have Munch pick up Gwen, and they will to get Rodzinski.

In the SVU squad, Gwen and Rodzinski are in a conference room. Munch enter and thanks the professor for coming in. He tells Gwen this is for her own safety, but she is very suspicious, and says friends don’t lie to each other or drag them off the street to lock them up. She slaps him hard on his face. She says, “You’re nothing to me anymore, John. Do you hear me? You’re nothing!” She throws her coffee at him as he walks off. Fin says, “Clean up on aisle three!” Munch tells him she is just scared. Stabler says they haven’t; found any other bobby traps. Benson says she fells sorry for Gwen, and Munch says yeah she married him. But Benson says no, it’s for the nightmare she is trapped in – in her head. Fin asks if her sympathy extends to Harrison, and she said if he didn’t murder everyone who looked the wrong way. Stabler gets a call from O’Halloran, who says he wants to “bug” them.

They head to the lab, and O’Halloran tells them there was a mosquito in Zimmer’s car, gassed to death, that may have the blood of the killer in its stomach. He is working to confirm the DNA. He also said the perp scribbled more than they thought, he didn’t see it until he took the mirror off the car. It said “One down, three to go.” They think Harrison is out for revenge, the first was the lawyer and then Gwen and Rodzinski. But this leaves one more, and they believe it to be Judge Donnelly.

They head over to her place, and they are checking out her place. Donnelly says they should yank Harrison out of jail so she could kick his ass herself, and adds they didn’t hear any of that. O’Halloran says the bomb squad says her place is clear. Stuckey says they even flushed the HVAC system to make sure he didn’t screw with the air. O’Halloran tells him to put it all back the way he found it. O’Halloran says he has to get back the lab and finish on the bug, which makes Stuckey ask if they mean a listening device. Benson tells him about the mosquito. As they try to convince Donnelly to go to a hotel, she says he home is safe. She sits down and yells “Ow!” and says that something stuck her. She begins to feel sick. Benson finds a syringe in the seat cushion and says she got a whole dose. Stabler carries her out and they race to take her to Mercy Hospital.

At Mercy, Stabler puts Donnelly on a gurney and the doctor says she is coding. Donnelly has been stabilized and she will be OK, she is sedated, There was potassium chloride in the syringe, the same drug used for lethal injections. Stabler tells Benson that O’Halloran is almost done with the DNA, and Benson tells him to go, she wants to stay with Donnelly for a bit.

At the lab, O’Halloran hears a knock and tells Stabler he is in there. But someone grabs his arm and sticks a knife into his chest. O’Halloran collapses to the floor and dies. Stabler then calls out to O’Halloran, and getting no answer, looks at his computer screen. He sees Stuckey’s face on the screen as the match for the DNA in the mosquito. He looks down on the floor and see O’Halloran lying there dead. Someone knocks Stabler out. It’s Dale Stuckey. He takes Stabler's gun and cell phone, which is ringing. It is Olivia. When asks where is Elliott, Stuckey says he went out for bite to eat and left his phone. He said the DNA hasn’t popped yet. He says Stabler won’t be long, he went to get sushi. After he hangs up, he drags Stabler away.

Later, Stabler comes too and sees Stuckey looking at him, Stuckey saying Stabler didn’t think he could do anything right. When Stabler asks what he has done, Stuckey questioned why he hasn’t already figured that out. Stuckey takes the knife out of O’Halloran’s chest, and Stabler says Stuckey tried to kill Donnelly and he gassed Zimmer. Stuckey says he killed O’Halloran too and now Stabler. He cuts at Stabler’s chest, complaining that Stabler should not have been mean to him and they were always making fun of what he did or said. He said he was trying to help the case as Harrison was bad man and should be in jail. He admits he screwed up a bit. Stabler states that Stuckey followed Munch and Fin to Coney Island and murdered that other woman. Stuckey says he put the thumbprint on the soda can to get Harrison. Stabler finishes the thought saying that this was so Harrison could go back to jail and Stuckey would be forgiven. Stuckey claps and says “Yay!!!! Now you’re figuring it out. Now you’re a detective.” Stabler reminds him that Harrison is in jail and that they can’t pin any of this on him. Stuckey continues to cut at Stabler, saying that one of Harrison’s paranoid pals could be implicated once he gets rid of the mosquito. But Stabler asks what makes him think that is the only evidence. Stuckey continues to be upset that everyone thinks he is stupid. Stabler asks if Stuckey is going to kill everyone who hurt his feelings. Stuckey covers Stabler's mouth with duct tape, and Stuckey says he has been a very busy little zebra. He continues to cut at Stabler as Stabler cries out.

Benson arrives at the lab and calls out to Stabler. She sees him, but Stuckey has hidden. Stabler tries to signal to her. Stuckey pulls the gun on her and tells her not to move. He tells her to put the gun down and she complies. He asks what she is doing there, and doesn’t want to have to hurt her too but he doesn’t have much of a choice, she has seen a little much. Benson begs him to calm down, sans says he did good. She comes up with the story she can tell Cragen to cover for them. She begins to work a head game on him, making him think that she can’t stand Stabler and she would be happy with him out of the way. She goes so far as to slap Stabler repeatedly, calling him a prick, saving “Liv do this! Liv do that!” as she hit him. She takes off the duct tape, and says she is sick of it and wants to hear him scream. Stabler tells her not to touch him. Stuckey tells them to both shut up, but then tells Benson to hit Stabler again. He says, “Don’t do it bitch” but she slaps him anyway. She yells, “No more orders out of you pal.” But Stuckey is not falling for it. She says if he knew half of what “this prick” has done, and somebody needs to take him out, she just didn’t know he felt the same way she did. Stabler tells Stuckey that Benson will turn on him too, and Stuckey hits Stabler. Benson says, “When this sonofabitch is out of the picture, I’m gonna need a new partner.’ When Stuckey asks what about Cragen, Benson tells him she has Cragen wrapped around her little finger, and the same goes with Munch and Fin. If she says the word, he will be it. She says she and Stuckey “get each other” and they are “connected.” She holds his hand. He says, “Let’s take care of the third wheel” and moves the gun onto Stabler. But Benson whispers “wait a second.” Benson says she wants him to watch, and when Stuckey asks “watch what?” Benson moves in closer and kisses Stuckey. She moves her hands to his face, and turns his back to Stabler. Stabler kicks Stuckey between the legs, and Benson knocks Stuckey out cold. She releases Stabler. He asks, “How’d you know?” Benson says that “Stuckey says you went to get sushi. You and raw fish? “ They look down to O’Hallloran’s body, and then to Stuckey. Stabler quips, “What a way to end” as we fade to black.



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