Law & Order SVU & Chicago Fire/PD Crossover Promo

Here is the promo for the Law & Order SVU, Chicago Fire,  and Chicago PD crossover event that will air on April 28 and 29, 2015 on NBC.

Update: The episode now has a name: Law & Order SVU "Daydream Believer”.




2nd Promo released 4/22/15



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

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

Law & Order SVU “Granting Immunity” Preview Clips

Here are previews for Law & Order SVU “Granting Immunity” which will air on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC. The previews feature Mariska Hargitay, Raúl Esparza, and Missi Pyle.


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Granting Immunity” can be found at this link.








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

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

Law & Order SVU “Devastating Story” Recap & Review

“Devastating Story” was ripped from the headlines of the December 2014 Rolling Stone article “A Rape on Campus” which described a brutal gang rape at a frat house at the University of Virginia, a story later found to be suspect. In the SVU universe, the university of choice to tell their version of the story is the local cesspool, Hudson University. A lot of nasty stuff has happened at Hudson over the years and it’s a shock that this fictional university can remain open.

Maybe it's because I read and heard so much coverage of the Rolling Stone story,  but I found this episode dull and a huge waste of Rob Morrow.

Again, it’s Benson’s self –admitted preconceived notions that take the detectives and then Barba down the wrong path to accept the victim’s word as gospel and not properly vet her statements. I’m surprised Barba went ahead with this with so few facts.  He's getting soft.   I think I’ve mentioned this before but am forced to say it again: Benson needs to be more objective. She is a Sergeant, not an advocate or social worker. Yes, it is the SVU's job to support special victims but her role should be to first confirm that there IS a victim. She continues to take these weak cases to Barba and she expects him to work miracles. He needs to be the second line of defense and not take cases that simply don’t pass the smell test. Benson and Barba should first behave like devil’s advocates until the facts are exposed.  (Captain Cragen had this trait down pat.)

I also think it was wrong for Benson to tell President Roberts that Connor is a predator and make a veiled request to Roberts to handle it on her end. Benson still has no real proof that a rape took place. I wonder if Benson’s statement to Roberts could be used against her in the lawsuit the students were filing against the university and the NYPD?  It could be construed as police harassment or confirmation that the police had an agenda.

Carisi suddenly seems to have some frustrations with SVU cases and Rollins seems more than happy to call him on it. She told him once that this is SVU and get used to it, and then later if he couldn’t take something, then SVU wasn’t right for him. I am not sure if she was trying to impart real advice to him here, or if in some way she really doesn’t care for him or his methods and wants him to go elsewhere. We know Carisi had been moved around a lot in the past so possibly his manner of speaking his real thoughts and feelings out loud becomes annoying to others after a while.

It was obvious early on that Professor Dillon was a little too interested in furthering her own agenda on fixing rape culture. She sucked in everyone, including Skip. In real life, there is still a lot of discussion on what exactly is rape culture, and the real life Rolling Stone article and its subsequent credibly problems only added fuel to the fire. Benson says their case set the clock back 30 years. In my opinion, the real life case may be the first thing in a long time to re-open the discussion and get clarity on what is rape culture and how it can be eliminated by changing behaviors of both men AND women.  I hear from male viewers all the time who object to SVU perpetuating the thinking that women should automatically be believed whenever a woman claims she has been raped.  Along that line, Benson wanting Connor to have to pay in some way, even though the case has been dropped and all she has is Heather’s (less than credible) word, is simply wrong.

Here is the recap:

Cast:
Mariska Hargitay – Sergeant Olivia Benson
Ice-T – Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Danny Pino - Detective Nick Amaro
Raúl Esparza - ADA Rafael Barba
Peter Scanavino - Detective Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Jr.

Guest stars:
Rob Morrow – Skip Peterson
Laura Fraser - Jessica Dillon
Delaney Williams - Counselor John Buchanan
Ally Ioannides - Heather Manning
Kathleen Chalfant - President Roberts
Derek Klena - Connor
Josh Caras – Lance
Derek Goh - Brian Mackey
Jenna Wolfe - herself
David Rossmer – Counselor Ross Wolf
Sonian Manzano – Judge Gloria Pepitone
Tessa Hope Slovis – Goth Girl
Marley Ficarola – Zach Franklin
Mark Friedman – Counselor Parnes
Phil Echinger – Paparazzo
Dawn Yanek – Reporter
Meghan Leathers – Jane
Ruari Fay – Bill


The TV Show “America’s Worst Crimes” is airing with host Skip Peterson. He plays a dramatization of the rape of a college student referred to as “Jane” who was viciously raped on the campus of Hudson University by a “Bill” and a gang of frat boys. Meanwhile, Benson, at home tending to Noah, is watching the show, and she tells him he is not going to Hudson University. On the show “Jane” admits she did not go to the police but did report it to the school and they asked if she had been drinking or if anyone could corroborate her story. Benson’s phone rings; and it is Chief Dodds, and she confirms she is watching the show but was not aware of the situation. He tells her the mayor’s wife is watching the show and Benson is less than thrilled at this news. She says they are on it and as she hangs up the phone, she sighs as the show continues,

Later, in the SVU squad room, Benson and Rollins, Fin, and Carisi watch a replay of the show. Carisi asks if this si what she does on her Sundays off, and Benson replies her and Gracie Mansion. She adds One PP is pissed because they got caught flat-footed on national TV. Fin adds America’s Worst Crimes has a huge following so this will go viral. Carisi comments he looked into it and the report says the attack happened in December but the NYPD has no record of a complaint from the vic or Hudson U. Benson states “Jane” did say that Hudson ignored her and god knows they all have been down that road before. Rollins counters they all know the tail wags the dog but his TV show is in it for the ratings and they don’t know if any of this even happened. Carisi comments he is all for overtime but and asks don’t they have enough work to do? Benson reminds them this is not LMZ, it is a legitimate national news magazine who interviewed her, she disclosed, and Benson got a call from Dodds who got a call from the mayor so they are going to investigate. Rollins counters they don’t even know who this girl is, and Benson states America’s Worst Crimes does. Fin begs her not to make him talk to reporters.

In the studios of “America’s Worst Crimes” at 600 Seventh Avenue on Monday, March 16, Rollins and Carisi speak with show host Skip Peterson, who believes they are there about the Hudson story. Carisi comments that Skip has everyone talking, including their bosses. Skip states it is gratifying and not just for the Peabody buzz but if AWC is in a position to amplify what is going on behind those ivy walls…Rollins interjects that Skip amplifies, they investigate and they will need to talk to Jane. Skip counters that he would love to help, especially after what that girl had to suffer through but he can’t give her name. Rollins reminds him she was gang raped and now is not the time to hide behind the First Amendment. Skip states he is not falling on his journalistic sword; the only way Jane would talk is if he promised her anonymity. He adds she is scared to death of those fraternity boys. Carisi says they can find a judge who will compel him to hand over his sources and raw footage, adding this is a serious allegation. Skip says he will kick the footage request upstairs as it is not his call. As for Jane, he can put them in touch with the woman who shopped the story, and maybe she can convince Jane to talk to the NYPD. He waves them in.

Later, at Hudson University at 504 Riverside Drive on the same day, Rollins and Carisi speak with Professor Dillon to try to find out the identity of “Jane” but Dillon is reluctant because of Jane's problem disclosing with the university and that she is fragile right now. Carisi counters if Dillon gets in the way, they will go over or around her. Dillon comments that is was an interesting phallocentric choice of language. Rollins tries to recover and says her partner is still a “work in progress. “ She tries a different approach but Dillon says she doesn’t think Jane wants to deal with any of this but will give her a call and she walks off.

Back at SVU, Rollins hangs up the phone and tells Carisi that was Dillon who says Jane will not talk to them and Jane will come forward when and where she wants. Carisi asks what does that mean, and Rollins explains Jane is scared to make an official complaint and knowing what they knew, she can’t blame her. When Carisi questions where does that leave them, Rollins replies it’s back at square one. Carisi comments that Dillon is now help, then says, speaking of which, what was that crack about him still being a work in progress? Rollins explains that Dillon is a rape advocate and has a chip about male detectives and she figured she could earn her trust if she aligned herself with her. Carisi comments he doesn’t even get what a rape advocate is, adding there is no burglary advocate or carjacking advocate. Rollins looks at him with surprise and asks when the last time a carjacking victim got asked if they were sure they didn’t want their car to be stolen? Carisi admits he gets that but still Dillon is just getting in their way. Rollins states dryly that is SVU and to get used to it. Carisi grabs his coat and Rollins asks where he is going. He explains it is back to campus, he does not want to tell the Sarge they come up empty handed.

Meanwhile, Benson walks outside with Barba and she is on the phone with the Italian press and she gives no comment. When she gets off the phone, Barba asks if they are on this already, and she explains bad news in New York travels fast. She adds already there are Twitter campaigns and campus rallies and demands to revoke the frat’s charter. Barba states this explains why the mayor’s office and DA is all over this – and him. He asks if they have Jane yet, and she explains Carisi is trying but the closest he and Rollins got his Jane’s self=proclaimed advocate, Professor Dillon. He asks if she will produce Jane, and Benson explains that Jane is afraid of fraternity retribution if she goes public and she doesn’t trust the police. Barba comments Jane is not going to talk, and Benson shaker her head and frowns. Barba says he can subpoena the show or the professor, and Benson thinks there has got to be an easier way. Jane said on the AWC that she disclosed to the university, and when Barba comments they did not specify whom, Benson suggests going to the top and find out. He asks her if she wants him to come with, and Benson thinks it is not necessary. She explains she and President Roberts have history.

At the office of the president at Hudson University at 504 Riverside Drive on Monday, March 16, Benson meets with President  Roberts. Roberts says Jane spoke to her and she followed protocols to the letter. Roberts says the first time she heard of any gang was on the show, when Jane came to her there was only one individual and she says she is not at liberty to disclose who that is. The reports are confidential, it’s university policy. Benson counters that anonymity ceased to exist when a crime has been committed and asks what exactly did Jane say? Roberts replies that what Jane described was regrettable drunken sex, not rape. Benson counters about the 4 men holding her down, and Roberts again states Jane mentioned one student only and admitted she was intoxicated and she went willingly back to the frat with her date. She asked Jane if she wasn’t sure that the sex was consensual and Jane proceeded to become defensive and left her office. Benson asks with sarcasm that Roberts didn’t bother to talk to her date, and Roberts says she did, and he said the sex was consensual and he seemed credible and is well regarded and has no prior complaints. Benson looks like she can’t believe she is hearing this. Roberts adds the next she heard about it was last night when they were blindsided on television. Benson states that now that these allegations have been made, she will need Jane’s name and the name of the student she claims attacked her. They hear chanting from outside and Roberts realizes Jane has not come to them. She tells Benson that means whatever happened, Jane hasn’t filed a criminal complaint which means her own responsibility remains protecting the confidentiality of both students. Roberts gets up to look at the protesters outside her window who are repeating “We.Are.All.Jane.” She turns to Benson and tells her to excuse her, she has a firestorm on her hands. Benson gets up and walks out of the office.

Law & Order SVU “Granting Immunity” Promo

Here is the promo for Law & Order SVU “Granting Immunity” which will air on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC.

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Granting Immunity” can be found at this link.








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

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

Dann Florek, Andre Braugher to Return to SVU for May Episode

TV Guide reports exclusively that Dann Florek and Andre Braugher will return to Law & Order SVU for a May 2015 episode. Read the story here: Exclusive: Which Former Cast Member Is Returning to Law & Order: SVU?


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

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

Law & Order SVU “Granting Immunity” Photos

Here are advance photos for Law & Order SVU “Granting Immunity” which will air on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC. The photos feature Mariska Hargitay, Kelli Giddish, Danny Pino, Ice-T, Peter Scanavino, Missi Pyle (as Trudy Malko), Jefferson Mays (as Dr. Rudnick), Emily Dorsch (as Principal Schwartz), Hari Dhillon (as Attorney Varma), and David Margulies (as Dr. Eric Setrakian).

Photo by: Michael Parmelee/NBC 2015 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

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

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

Law & Order SVU “Devastating Story” Preview

Here are two preview clips from Law & Order SVU “Devastating Story” which will air on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 9PM ET on NBC. The previews feature Mariska Hargitay, Peter Scanavino, Kelli Giddish, and Rob Morrow.


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Devastating Story” can be found at this link.







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

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

Law & Order SVU “Parole Violations” Recap & Review

“Parole Violations” was a simple, predictable, yet tightly written episode that was saved only by the performances of the guest stars. Marin Ireland was great as Sonny Carisi’s sister who was high strung and bouncing off the walls a bit. It’s understandable considering that she’s pregnant and isn’t sure at first whether her boyfriend Tommy was really raped or just lying to cover up an indiscretion with his parole officer. Michael Chernus was believable as the guy who is trying to get his life back together but find himself being taken advantage of in the worst way by his creepy parole officer, played to the nauseating hilt by Molly Price.

This was a decent feature for Peter Scanavino, giving viewers the chance to see him interact with family. We find he has two other sisters and it seems like Sonny may be the only one who is relatively normal and has a good sense of himself. I suspect that giving him two more sisters in addition to Bella leaves the door open for more family dysfunction at a later date, hopefully they won't be "special victims."

It was interesting that Rollins seemed skeptical of Tommy at first, likely because she’s seen the same behaviors in her sister, and we all know that didn’t turn out too well. I also suspect that she is still stinging from her own experiences with dealing with people in power who demand sexual favors, which may have helped her ultimately to see Tommy’s side of the story.

Barba commented that he couldn’t find one DA there who had taken a case like this to court. Clearly he forgot about a case that ADA Cabot took to court in the season 3 SVU episode “Ridicule." (Long time fans will recall this case as the first time Diane Neal appeared on SVU, as a suspect, not as ADA.) I think there was another case but now I can’t seem to find it.

And just for the record – always take the cannoli.

Here is the recap:

Cast:
Mariska Hargitay – Sergeant Olivia Benson
Ice-T – Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Danny Pino - Detective Nick Amaro
Raúl Esparza - ADA Rafael Barba
Peter Scanavino - Detective Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Jr.

Guest stars:
Michael Chernus - Tommy Sullivan
Marin Ireland - Bella Carisi
Molly Price - Donna Marshall
Joseph Lyle Taylor - Counselor Mickey D'Angelo
Chris McKinney – Ralph Kessel
Ami Brabson – Judge Karyn Blake
Biniam Tekola - Jordan Dolphy
Danny Rivera – Mover
Sean Patrick Folster – Court Officer
Christian Frazer – PO #1


Sonny Carisi is at his sister Bella’s apartment and she gushes over having a baby and all the baby things she now has. She and her boyfriend Tommy will be married in April. Tommy enters and surprised to see Carisi, then explains he has a meeting with his parole officer. Carisi asks how that is going and Tommy avoids answering, while Bella says Tommy got a promotion and is head of a moving team. Carisi thinks this is good news for Tommy’s PO. Bella adds they have a doctor’s appointment in the afternoon for her first sonogram. After Tommy leaves, Carisi takes in all the changes, and Bella gives him a loving punch and says they are happy, which makes him happy too.

Later, Tommy meets with Donna, his parole officer and he is antsy because she is very late. He explains he had a doctor’s appointment and when Donna tells him he should have made it a different date, he explains it is for Bella and she is pregnant and he tells her about his promotion. Donna seems to think this is a lot of stress and then orders he do a urine test. She tells him the bathroom is flooded – he asks “still?” – and she orders he do the test right there in the office. Donna threatens that if he declines, she’s ship his ass upstate right now He reluctantly complies.

Meanwhile, back at SVU, Carisi enters and offers cannoli to his co-workers. Bella rushes in, frantic that Tommy did not come home last night. She last spoke with him after her sonogram and he was still waiting for his PO and now his calls are going to voice mail. She did not call his parole officer. He takes her to an interview room and tells her not to worry, they will find him.

At the 11th precinct on Thursday, February 26, Carisi has found Tommy who was arrested for a bar fight. Carisi doesn’t want to cover for him and also says because Tommy is now in the system, his PO has already been notified. Tommy says he is not worried about that, and when Carisi says his PO officer will stick it to him, Tommy explains that “she” already has so no way she will bust her now. Tommy says his PO made her do it, and Carisi gets enraged, throwing Tommy against the car, angry Tommy cheated on his pregnant sister. Tommy explains she made him do it at gunpoint and begs Carisi not to tell Bella.

Later, back at SVU, Carisi explains Tommy’s problem with Benson and seems skeptical considering Tommy’s past history, Benson reminds him if Tommy was assaulted, Tommy will need his support. Carisi explains Tommy doesn’t get that he was assaulted and Benson explains it is hard for women to disclose but for men…she asks what Tommy told him. Carisi explains that his PO pressured him into sex after an in-office urine test and she pulled a gun on him. Carisi thinks because Tommy is a guy he had to be into it or nothing would have worked. He suspects Tommy went on a bender and cheated on Bella and that this is a ruse. Benson thinks Tommy was raped. Carisi asks if that is possible, and when Benson says “Carisi” he says he gets it, it is possible, but Tommy is never going to go there. Benson counters not with Carisi he won’t.

At 517 West 22nd Street on Thursday, February 26, Benson and Amaro approach Tommy while he is on a moving job. They discuss Tommy’s problem and Tommy tries to brush it off but Benson and Amaro convince him, for Bella’s sake, to go to the hospital to be test for STDs and evidence. They ask him to bring them his clothes from last night, Amaro saying that Donna is his PO and they don’t know what she would do or say about Tommy. As Tommy gets called back to his work, Benson gives him her business card and tells him to come in tomorrow and bring in the clothes he was wearing and they will take his statement. He takes her card and agrees.

Later, back at SVU, Benson discusses the situation with Carisi, Amaro, and Rollins. When Carisi hears Tommy came in and gave his statement, he asks if he was credible. Amaro seems supportive but Rollins seems skeptical, saying it looks bad that Tommy did not disclose until AFTER he violated his parole. Benson tells them to do their due diligence and see if CSU turns up anything on the clothes. Carisi explains Tommy hasn’t told his sister yet and they have to slow this down, and Benson tells Carisi he can’t be part of this investigation but he can walk Tommy and his sister trough where it can go. He agrees and then walks off. After he leaves, Benson continues the discussion with Amaro and Rollins. Amaro says Tommy’s PO, Donna Marshall, graduated with a Masters in social work and was at the top of her class. She has been at the downtown office for over a decade. Rollins adds that Donna’s boss, Ralph Kessel, cited her on the DOC website as having the lowest recidivism rate in his department. Benson suggests they invite him in. Rollins comments if they think the NYPD has a blue wall, they know how the department of corrections is going to frame this. Benson says she does, but wonders what if the genders were reversed, asking if Rollins is saying a respected male officer wouldn’t abuse his power to coerce a woman into sex? She reminds them of t he look they saw on Tommy’s face and his affect and they know something happened to him and they should take the case as seriously if it was a woman accusing a male PO.

Later, Benson welcomes Ralph Kessel into her office along with Amaro. When they explain a parolee made a rape accusation against a PO, he is surprised to hear it was against a female PO, Donna,  and the accusation was made by a man. Benson explains that Donna pulled a gun on him and Ralph jokes about it and doesn’t believe it. Benson says legally they have to follow up and that he has to cooperate. He says of course, then asks for the name of the lying son of a bitch who is yanking their chain, saying if he is filing it is public record. But Benson doesn’t give him the name, only saying it is early in the investigation and it is clear Donna has his confidence so they’ve heard everything they need to. Benson get up from her desk to signal he should leave and he thanks them for having him.

Meanwhile, back at Tommy and Bella’s apartment, Bella is irate, saying she can’t believe it, asking if he had sex with his parole officer. Carisi tries to step in and she questions that he is defending him. Carisi explains that what happened with Donna and Tommy wasn’t sex; she forced him, she had a gun. Tommy swears to god, but Bella pushes him back, not believing it happened out of the blue, asking why would she do that? She asks him to tell her he didn’t come on to her, and he replies no, if he had a thing with her does she think he would be telling her about it? Bella asks what kind of sex was this, and Carisi explains it was not that kind of sex. Bella continues to berate Tommy, asking that he has sex all the way. Tommy counters that he had a gun to his head. Bella doesn’t believe the gun was at his head the whole time, saying “no chance!” Tommy says she is his PO and she said she could bust him right there so he did what she told him to do. Bella nags him that he couldn’t do it when her parents were asleep two doors down but he had no problem with a gun to his head? Sonny tells her that his boss has been doing this for a long time and she says this does happen, and she believes him. Bella is shocked that Carisi told his boss and asks in a loud voice if everybody knows Tommy slept with Donna but her? Tommy emphasizes he did not sleep with her and to stop saying that. There is a loud knock on the door and a woman’s voice yells out to Tommy, saying he’d better be in there because it is past curfew. Bella asks who is that, his girlfriend? . Carisi asks if Tommy has a home visit tonight, and Tommy says no as he moves to answer the door. Bella also makes a move to the door but Carisi puts his hand on her shoulder to stop her. Tommy opens the door and Donna walks in with two officers, saying this is a home inspection and to stay right where he is. She stops dead in her tracks when she sees Carisi and asks who the hell is he? He points to Bella and says he is her brother. Tommy questions if he can ask what this is about, and she says he can just shut his mouth. Bella stands there stunned, with her mouth agape. As they move through the house, Tommy says there is nothing here, but the other officer asks him what did Donna just say? Bella asks Tommy what did he do, and Tommy insists he didn’t do anything. Donna calls from another room saying she got something, and she brings out bags of oxycodone, saying it is ready for retail. Carisi looks stunned and Donna tells Tommy to put his hands behind his back. Tommy insists he’s never seen that before and Donna tells him he is under arrest for the possession of illegal prescription drugs. Tommy says those are not his, and Carisi tells him not to say another word unless he has a lawyer present. Donna says he’s right, he’d “better call Saul.” As they take Tommy away, Carisi shakes his head. Bella slams the door and asks Carisi why he didn’t tell them he is a cop. Carisi explains that would not have helped the situation. Bella is apoplectic, complaining Tommy is drinking, cheating, and now drugs…she’s supposed to be having this guy’s baby and she doesn’t even know who he is. She storms past Carisi and walks into another room,

Later, in jail, Carisi and Amaro speak with Tommy who swears those drugs are not his and thinks Donna planted them because he made the accusation and asks if they told her. When Amaro explains they spoke with Donna's supervisor, Carisi is surprised and Tommy says they should have never done that, those two are thick as thieves. Carisi tries to assure Tommy they were just doing their jobs but tells Amaro a heads up would have been appreciated. Amaro tries to get Tommy to focus on now, and asks if he can prove the oxy wasn’t his. Tommy asks how can he do this, and Amaro asks if his drug tests are all clean. Tommy says yes but Donna is claiming he is a dealer. He asks to call everything off about the accusation but Carisi explains it doesn’t work that way, they found the stuff in his house. Tommy comments that he’s done, he’s a three time loser. Carisi says not if they can prove she had a motive and was trying to discredit him. Amaro advises to go forward with the rape accusation as it makes the bust look like payback. Tommy asks who will believe him now, and Carisi says he does.