Law & Order SVU “Spellbound” Sneak Peeks

Here are previews for Law & Order SVU “Spellbound” which will air on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 9PM ET on NBC. The videos feature Mariska Hargitay, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino, Stuart Townsend as Declan Trask, and Kristen Hager as Abby Dunne.


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



SVU_18019_Clip1_16x9 from Chris Zimmer on Vimeo.



SVU_18019_Clip2_16x9 from Chris Zimmer on Vimeo.



Please note: These videos have a limited life and may be removed at any time, so catch them while you can!


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 “Real Fake News" Recap & Review

“Real Fake News” was accurately titled, with a fake news story that indirectly pointed to a real child sex trafficking ring. The episode draws from the real-life - and debunked - “Pizzagate” conspiracy theory, which attempted to tie members of the Democratic Party to a non-existant human trafficking ring run out of restaurants. This episode enforces how silly some of these theories can be, and, even when confronted with the truth, that some people are so gullible they still buy into the lies.

This well-constructed story had all the elements of an excellent episode. Each detective had an important part to play in the investigation;  the case got personal when there was an attempt to smear Benson and Rollins through their children; and there was plenty of action. Mariska’s performance came alive when she demanded a retraction from the creep who ran that disgusting fake news web site “Endless Truth.” She seemed to be enjoying it. There were also some surprises, with one of suspects trying to shoot himself while under Fin’s watchful eye (it was the unis who failed to properly clear the scene) and the sad shooting of the Congressman (James Waterston, son of Law & Order’s Sam Waterston).  This episode was well directed, giving the sights, the sounds, and the feel of being right there with the squad every step of the way.

When, in the ending scene, the restaurant owner asks if this is ever going to stop, the answer in reality is no, at least not in the near future. Carisi also verbalizes his frustration with the issue of fake news, saying there ought to be a law, but the Congressman rightly says it is not so easy. But while freedom of speech is protected, this only protects people from government censorship or retaliation, it does not protect people from slander, libel, and other limitations. I understand that while Benson demanded a retraction from the “Endless Truth” web site, I wished that she had taken a harder stance and try to find a way to have him prosecuted not only for his lies, but for indirectly spreading child porn and the eventual murder of the Congressman. At least in reality there are prominent web sites who are working harder to stop the spread of fake news stories. Too bad they didn’t do this a year before this last presidential election.

This episode is the first episodic mention that Fin is now a Sergeant, having passed the exam. (The only other mention made was in a deleted scene from the Law & Order SVU episode, “Net Worth”. Of course, Fin quips he didn’t get a perfect score, so it may be quite some time before he gets transferred to a Sergeant position elsewhere, as Benson had indicated was the usual next step. I don’t recall Benson being moved to patrol when she was made Sergeant, so she was probably just teasing him.

Here is the recap:

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

Guest stars:
James Waterston - Congressman Luke Bolton
Patch Darragh - Ron Duca
Kevin Carolan - Ronald Fleming
Tabitha Holbert – ADA Rose Caliay
Stephen Park -Eugene Lee
Brian McCarthy - Malcolm Barnstable
Bronwyn Reed -Lucy Huston
Roslyn Ruff – Computer Crimes Tech
Naiya Ortiz - Marian
Michael Baldwin – Vincent Johnson
Justin Ahdoot – Raj Garg
Barbara Miluski – Judge Lisa Peck
Jonatan Marimow – Jerry
Hadasa Isolino – Christabel
Kristen Solis – Maria
Shea Grant – Daughter
Jack Nawada-Braunwart – Noah Porter Benson


As Benson steps out of the elevator at SVU with Fin, she calls him “Sergeant” Tutuola, and says that wasn’t so bad. He replies that he hates tests. She asks, “Even when you pass?” He replies it's a little less, then. Smiling, she comments that she will miss him because they transfer new Sergeants to patrol, and he counters that first he has to get appointed and that may not happen for a while, he’s number 622 on the list. Benson, surprised, says “What?” and he replies with a laugh, “I didn’t get a perfect score. “ As he walks off, Rollins rushes in and says she is sorry for being late; the babysitter didn’t show and she had to park Jesse with her sister. Benson comments that maybe Lucy can pick her up after she drops Noah at preschool, asking if Rollins wants her to call her. Rollins replies, “Yes, please.” Carisi approaches and asks where everybody has been, it’s just been him and the Congressman, who walked in a half hour ago and has been waiting in her office. Fin comments that a Congressman waiting for a half hour…and Rollins finishes that he must really want her vote. Benson asks Carisi what does he really want, and Carisi explains he just wants to talk to her.

Benson enters her office to find Congressman Luke Bolton waiting. They greet each other and Benson asks how can she help him. He explains that according to the internet, he is the customer of an underage sex trafficking ring out of a Chinese Restaurant called the Coral Dragon. Benson asks “You are?” and he explains no, he’s not, but facts don’t seem to matter these days, it’s fake news but a lot of people seem to believe it. Benson comments they are people on the internet, and Luke says they are real people but they have drawn some crazy conclusions from his emails – he got hacked. Benson comments she’s heard about it, adding that the NYPD got hacked as well and she had to change her password about five times. She still gets nervous every time she logs on. Luke says he wishes that were the only problem here; it’s a dangerous situation – the owner has received threats. Benson says that is not good, but…Luke cuts her off and says he just put out a statement but he is afraid he only made the situation worse. He asks if she can send someone to take a look at the place, the “teenage sex slaves” are supposedly held captive in the basement and establish that it is not true. Benson asks if anyone would believe it, and Luke replies that one hopes the NYPD is still a trusted institution. Benson says it is nice to think so. Luke emphasizes this is an alleged sex crime, and asks that they investigate alleged sex crimes, don’t they? Benson replies yes, they do.

At the Coral Dragon Restaurant at 130 Mott Street on Wednesday, April 19, Fin and Carisi arrive and Carisi comments he guesses they can pick up some General Tso chicken while there are here. Fin adds that Rollins wants some sesame noodles. Carisi quips that maybe tomorrow they can investigate Italian. They enter the restaurant and speak with Mr. Lee, who says the Congressman told him they were coming. He says he has been getting death threats and his employees are as well. Carisi comments he can pass that along to the other detectives and asks if Mr. Lee can show them around. But as they move off, a man yells as he enters the restaurant, holding a gun. As people scream, he asks where are the girls in the basement for sale, then tells the patrons to stay calm and he is not there to hurt anybody. Carisi tries to talk him down and explains he is a police officer. The man says good, he can help him self-investigate. Carisi again tries to talk him down and when Mr. Lee tries to back away, the man fires the gun into the ceiling and says they are not done here. Fin says yes we are, and has his gun trained on the man’s head. Carisi also pulls his weapon and tells the man to get on his knees and hand him the gun slowly. The man hands over the weapon and gets on his knees.

Mr. Lee comments that this is out of control, wondering who will eat there now. Carisi says they will get the precinct to provide security but hopes this is a one-time event. As they take the man away, he yells for them to do their job. Fin replies, “Why don’t you shut up.” The man asks them to show them the basement, the man insists he saw the building plan on line and tells them to look through that door. Mr. Lee opens the door and it is a storage closet with cleaning supplies in it. Fin holds up a mop which has fallen and asks the man if this is his teenage sex slave, and examines the walls which are concrete block and there is no secret door. They get the man out of there.

Law & Order SVU “Spellbound” Photos

Here are advance photos for Law & Order SVU “Spellbound” which will air on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 9PM ET on NBC. The photos feature Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino, Raúl Esparza, Ami Brabson as Judge Karyn Blake, Stuart Townsend as Declan Trask, Kristen Hager as Abby Dunne, and Elizabeth Marvel as Counselor Rita Calhoun.

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

Photos by: Michael Parmelee 2017 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 “Spellbound” Promo

Here is the promo for Law & Order SVU “Spellbound” which will air on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 9PM ET on NBC.


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Spellbound” 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 “American Dream/Sanctuary” Season 18 Finale Episode Information

Here are the details for the 2-episode season 18 finale of Law & Order SVU, “American Dream” and “Sanctuary” airing on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 on NBC. “American Dream” will air at 9PM ET and “Sanctuary” will air at 10PM ET.


Law & Order SVU “American Dream” Air Date May 24, 2017 (9 PM ET/8C Wednesday NBC)

2-EPISODE SEASON FINALE BEGINNING AT 9PM -- A hate crime against a Muslim family results in the death of their daughter. When a crucial witness in the case is deported, Barba (Raúl Esparza) is forced to drop the charges against a suspect, and tensions rise between communities on opposing sides of the case. Also starring Mariska Hargitay (Lt. Olivia Benson), Ice T (Sgt. Odafin Tutuola), Kelli Giddish (Det. Amanda Rollins) and Peter Scanavino (Det. Sonny Carisi). Guest starring Peter Gallagher (Chief Dodds), Kirk Acevedo (Det. Ray Lopez), Poorna Jagannathan (Maya Samra), Melanie Chandra (Lela Samra), Gil Perez-Abraham (Hector Ramirez) and Tyler Elliot Burke (Mitch Jenkins).

Law & Order SVU “Sanctuary” Air Date May 24, 2017 (10 PM ET/8C Wednesday NBC)

SVU SEASON FINALE CONTINUES -- The unexpected release of a suspect in a hate crime case leaves Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Barba (Raúl Esparza) caught between two families seeking justice for their loved ones. As public protests escalate to violence, Benson goes to desperate lengths to make an arrest. Also starring Ice T (Sgt. Odafin Tutuola), Kelli Giddish (Det. Amanda Rollins) and Peter Scanavino (Det. Sonny Carisi). Guest starring Peter Gallagher (Chief Dodds), Kirk Acevedo (Det. Ray Lopez), Poorna Jagannathan (Maya Samra), Melanie Chandra (Lela Samra), Gil Perez-Abraham (Hector Ramirez), Massiel Mordan (Soledad Ramirez) and Tyler Elliot Burke (Mitch Jenkins).

# # # 

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “American Dream” & “Sanctuary” 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 “Real Fake News” Photos

Here are advance photos for Law & Order SVU “Real Fake News” which will air on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at 9PM ET on NBC. The photos feature Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino, Frank Deal as FBI Agent O'Connell, Naiya Ortiz as Marian, and James Waterston as Congressman Luke Bolton.


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Real Fake News” can be found at this link.

Photos by: Michael Parmelee 2017 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 “Real Fake News” Sneak Peeks

Here are preview clips from Law & Order SVU “Real Fake News” which will air on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at 9PM ET on NBC. The videos feature Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino, and James Waterston.


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Real Fake News” can be found at this link.




Please note: these videos have a limited life and may be removed at any time, so catch them while you can!



SVU_18018Clip1_16x9 from Chris Zimmer on Vimeo.


SVU_18018Clip2_16x9 from Chris Zimmer on Vimeo.




SVU_18018Clip3_16x9 from Chris Zimmer on Vimeo.




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 “The Newsroom” Recap & Review

“The Newsroom” could have easily been titled “Life at Fox News” as it mirrored the recent happenings at Fox News with founder and former CEO Roger Ailes. Maybe SVU didn’t want to mirror Ailes too much as they selected Christopher McDonald to play the pervy CEO role. Mind you, he played his character with perfect lecherousness, although I would have expected Harold Coyle to be older and far less attractive.

It was fabulous having Peter Gallagher reprise his role as Chief Dodds, allowing him and Benson the opportunity to close the loop on Sergeant Mike Dodds’ death. They deftly wove this into the story via Harold Coyle alleging that Dodds died and the case closed quickly as a result of  both Benson’s incompetence and some sort of NYPD corruption. Those threats only made Chief Dodds angry and not only strengthen his resolve to pursue a case against Coyle, but also to patch things up with Benson. I believe that Chief Dodds is one of the few people that we’ve seen in years that Benson actually has some real chemistry with. (I attribute that to Peter Gallagher, who always is so likable no matter what role he’s playing.) Too bad he is her boss.

We also find that Barba was on suspension as a result of the situation he mentioned in “Know It All” where he gave money to a junkie witness in a previous case.

I found this episode highly enjoyable and fast paced. But something gnawed at me while watching it live and that got even stronger as I recapped it: the victim(s) were completely unsympathetic. Of course, Heidi was not to blame for being raped, period. Heidi did, however, allow Harold Coyle to sexually harass her for years and while she complained about it after the rape, she never seemed to say no to Coyle as long as it benefited her career or her bank account. Once it came to rape, the line was drawn and she was clearly traumatized. The same thing for Margery, who didn’t turn on Harold until she herself was close to being raped. These women were willing to look the other way as long as they were being compensated. Again, there is no excuse for rape but I find it inexcusable when women (or men) allow harassment to continue over long periods. This only emboldens the harasser.

I was surprised that Benson suggested Heidi may have a better chance with her case in civil court. Had Heidi formally taken that action before Barba turned down the criminal case, it could have torpedoed Barba’s case and made it look like Heidi only made the rape claim for money. She was fortunate she was advised later not to go that route.

Here is the recap:

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

Guest stars:
Peter Gallagher - Chief William Dodds
Christopher McDonald - Harold Coyle
Bonnie Somerville - Heidi Sorenson
Mark Moses - George Thanos
Peyton List - Margery Evans
J.C. MacKenzie - Counselor Richard Pace
Beth Chamberlin - Gwendolyn Gates
Jenna Stern – Judge Elana Barth
Paloma Guzmán - Davina Delucci
Joanne Baron - Counselor Diane Schwartz
Stephen Bradbury – Judge Colin McNamara
Danny Wolohan – Steven Turner
Jacob Ware - Mark James
Mellissa Miller – Christine Davis
Joanna Howard – Diane Douglas
Christine Jones – Alana Reed
Heather Girardi – Counselor Allison Bell
Amber Owens – Female Anchor
Michael Chenevert - Reporter #1
Dawn Yanek - Reporter #2
Jack Nawada-Braunwart – Noah Porter Benson
Tyree Simpson – Desk Sergeant


On the set of an HNT Morning Live, Heidi Sorenson thanks Benson for appearing on the segment. Heidi comments she hasn’t seen Benson “forever” and when she asks Benson how is she, Benson says she is good, just a little nervous. Heidi tell Benson not to be, she is a pro. Co-anchor George Thanos asks who they are waiting for, a damn actress,  then the actress - Davina Delucci – arrives. She has been escorted to the set by Harold Coyle, who says he practically kidnapped her. He kisses her while Heidi and George look on with mild annoyance and discomfort. The show then opens and introductions are made. The hosts explain Davina alleged she was raped on the set of her 2007 film by her co-star in the film’s infamous sex scene. Heidi first asks Benson to tell them about workplace sexual assault. Benson says it happens all too often and is one of the least reported crimes as women are afraid of not being believed or losing their jobs. Davina explains she was scared if she said anything she would never work again, her rapist was her co-star and director. While Davina explains how she was assaulted, Heidi seems to feed her comments as if she knows exactly what Davina is going through. Benson picks up on this and gives Heidi a questioning look. When George says he can’t imagine what she is going through, Heidi hotly counters of course he can’t because it never happened to him. George gets a strange look on his face and the producer Steven Turner motions for them to cut the interview and George does so. When they cut off the air, Heidi quickly excuses herself and Benson follows. She asks Heidi if she is okay and what just happened.  Heidi blurts out that Harold Coyle raped her in January on a couch in his office. Producer Steven Turner suggests that Heidi get some air, but she says she is fine, she is just tired. Benson counters she thinks they need to speak, and Heidi backtracks and said to forget what she said, she didn’t mean any of it. She races off and Benson watches, stunned.

Back at SVU, Benson and the detectives replay the segment. Benson asks the detectives if they all saw that, and Rollins asks if that was an on-air disclosure. Fin comments they were watching live, and they couldn’t cut away fast enough. Benson states then Heidi told her that Harold Coyle raped her. Carisi adds he’s heard a lot of rumors about that guy; he’s paranoid and he is a predator. Rollins asks Benson how well she knows Heidi, and Benson explains they met at a women in New York panel year ago and they stayed in touch. She doesn’t see Heidi making this up. Rollins questions if Heidi gave her any more details, and Benson says no, she backtracked and is now not returning her calls. Carisi asks what is their move now, and an officer nearby interrupts and has a man with him who says it is urgent. Benson asks how can she help them, and he says he saw her on HNT this morning and asks if Heidi was talking about Harold Coyle. Benson questions why does he ask, and the man explains that he assaulted his wife. Benson appears stunned.

In the interview room, Mark James explains to Benson and Rollins how his wife Amy was raped by Harold Coyle. They did not go to the police as Amy said Harold made a tape which made it look like they were having an affair and Harold said if she went to the police, he would release the tapes. After that, she was depressed and committed suicide 6 months later. He wants them to go after the network as they knew about Coyle and didn’t do a damn thing. Mark adds that Harold did not threaten her directly, it was the producer, Steven Turner, who said if Amy went after Coyle, it would be scorched earth and HNT would destroy them.

Later, Fin and Carisi approach Steven Turner as he enters the HNT office building. He tries to blow them off but they say they are there about Amy James. He suggests they talk to the lawyers but Fin says they will ask them to turn over the tapes of Amy that Harold was blackmailing her with. Steven says they are off base. Carisi says now they have two allegations of assault and that a publicist who is mentally unstable is easy to discredit but the star of the network, not so much. Harold arrives in the building, surrounded by reporters. Harold, there with Margery Evans, and he explains Heidi was emotional after hearing Davina’s story and that is why they love her here. When asked what is next for her, Margery states she hopes to follow in Heidi’s footsteps and she considers her a mentor. As Fin and Carisi watch, Steven said the real reason why Heidi had her breakdown is because she is trying to renegotiate her contract and she found Margery Evans is being groomed to replace her. Carisi asks groomed by who, Harold Coyle? Steven explains this is a brutal business for women, there is a shelf life, no matter how much plastic surgery they get.

At the apartment of Heidi Sorenson at 472 East 51st Street on Thursday, March 16, Heidi opens the door to find Benson, and Heidi states she told her she didn’t want to talk. Benson says please, it is important. Heidi sighs and as she walks away from Benson, Benson follows and asks if it is true that she is renegotiating her contract with HNT. Heidi explains she is exploring her options. Benson questions if that is why she doesn’t want to tell her the truth about what happened this morning. Heidi states she should have never said his name out loud like that. Benson asks why, because it isn’t true or because she is scared of getting fired. Heidi gives her a look but doesn’t answer. Benson says okay, let’s say it is true. Heidi counters that she is not ruining her career because she had a weak moment; she fixed it and apologized to Harold personally and he knows it won’t happen again. Benson questions if she knows Amy James, and Heidi replies she had “problems.” Benson comments he had tape on her, and when Heidi reacts strangely, Benson asks Heidi if he had tape on HER as well. Heidi insists no, but Benson says they can fight this. Heidi tells Benson not to judge her and don’t worry, she is not going to kill herself. Benson suggests to Heidi when she is ready to have a serious conversation, Heidi knows where she is. Benson quickly turns and storms out. Heidi gets a look of worry.

Back at SVU, Benson is at her desk and Rollins enters her office and announces that Chief Dodds is there. He enters Benson’s office, greeting her and Barba, who is also present. Dodds explains that One PP got a call from Steven Turner at HNT, and asks if they are investigating Harold Coyle on assault charges. Benson states it is very preliminary, and Dodds questions who is the complainant. Benson emphasizes it is really very preliminary, and Dodds says that is what Turner said, adding that her detectives are basically throwing spaghetti against the wall. Barba interjects that, with all due respect, he is hoping Dodds is not instructing them to stay away from HNT. Dodds states of course not, a powerful, bombastic news organization with a penchant for suing law enforcement who go after enemies on Twitter and who have friends in the current administration. Benson says that she hears him. Dodds adds that if they have reasonably there individuals in such organizations that may be guilty of sexual assault, of course she has to investigate…just have a damn good reason. Benson acknowledges that she hears him. He states he will leave them to it, and he exits her office. Benson comments to Barba, “So, happy to be back at work yet?” Barba replies, “After that, it almost makes me miss suspension.”