All Things Law And Order

Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order SVU, “Rape Interrupted.”

Update October 12, 2016: The air date has been changed to November 2, 2016.

Update October 15, 2016: It appears that NBC has moved this episode back to its original October 26 air date. Pretend like none of this has happened...(wink)

Law & Order SVU “Rape Interrupted” Air Date October 26, 2016 (9 PM ET/8C Wednesday NBC)

ANTHONY EDWARDS GUEST STARS - A sergeant (Edwards) makes Benson (Mariska Hargitay) choose between loyalty and duty when his son is accused of rape. Also starring Ice T (Det. Odafin Tutuola), Kelli Giddish (Det. Amanda Rollins), Raúl Esparza (ADA Rafael Barba) and Peter Scanavino (Det. Sonny Carisi). Also guest starring Corey Cott (Ellis Griffin), Anna Osceola (Janie Spears), Jenna Stern (Judge Elana Barth), Joseph Lyle Taylor (Mickey D'Angelo) and Kelly McAndrew (Diane Griffin).

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

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There was one line in this episode that summed it all up: “this whole case has been a big waste of time.” There are so many things wrong with how Benson handled this situation that I am not sure if I have the time, or the energy, to write them all down.

It was stated more than once that there was no law in the New York criminal code that stated what Tom did was illegal. I love the increased legal focus on SVU as of late but it is worthless unless Barba grows a spine and tells Benson he will not prosecute a case just because she wants him to or just because she finds a person’s behavior repugnant. Her logic that because Tom lied about who he was and that he didn't use his real name would negate Laura’s consent makes no sense. Using Benson’s logic, any time a person had consensual sex with someone who misrepresented their identity, or without knowing their sex partner’s real name, it would be rape. How many one night stands occur between consenting adults where names are never exchanged? Does that make them all rapists because they don't know who they really are? Her logic would make a rapist out of a married person who cheated on their spouse and had consensual sex, without telling their sex partner they are really married, not single. Her logic would mean that prostitutes, who likely don’t use their real names, would be rapists, as would be the people having sex with the prostitutes, who likely aren’t using their real names or identities either. Maybe in Benson’s world, she would prefer if people showed two forms of identification – a driver’s license or birth certificate or passport – to verify the person’s name before consenting to sex. (Maybe they should sign a contract too while they are at it.)

Clearly what Tom was doing was despicable, but as it was not illegal, Benson should have dropped the issue. I sensed that even Fin had concerns about how Benson was handling the case. It’s too bad there isn’t anyone on her squad that is willing to forcefully stand up to her. Her staff and Barba are becoming her enablers, and she is sending them all on wild goose chases.

I thought the defense case was handled well, with attorney Nikki Staines highlighting that while the prosecution presented the case as rape, she saw Laura’s behavior as prostitution. Staines was not wrong, with Laura admitting that she did consent to sex in order to get an edge in her son’s entry into Hudson University, which was something of real value. Both Benson and Barba should have seen that coming and realized, in addition to Tom not doing anything illegal, that it could be Laura who was engaged in the illegal behavior. The judge was right in challenging Barba on his motivations to present the case, and he was right to "encourage" Barba to make a deal. This case may have put Barba in a bad light not only with this judge but other higher ups.

As for the apparent suicide of the young Justin at the end of the episode, I put some blame on Benson. She knew what Tom did was not illegal, she knew that Laura’s marriage was headed for divorce, and most of all, she knew Justin was having a very hard time dealing with the humiliation that the case brought to him and the family. This poor kid was already a victim of his mother’s obsession with him going to Hudson University, and Benson hanging out the family dirty laundry was just another burden that this stressed out kid had to bear. Benson was more concerned with catching her “white whale” – the rapist of the week – than with the damage to the Collett family. She wanted to make a statement. Her statement was punctuated by Justin's suicide. Benson has yet to realize that her actions have consequences, however unintended they might be.

It was also mentioned early in the episode that Noah's language skills are underdeveloped for his peer group. This should be no surprise to SVU viewers.

I’m not sure what I was supposed to be feeling watching this episode. All I know is I felt angry and disappointed about how poorly both Benson and Barba handled the case.

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:
Wallace Langham - Tom Metcalf
Callie Thorne - Counselor Nikki Staines
Vincent Curatola - Judge Al Bertuccio
Paula Marshall - Laura Collett
Steve Rosen - Public Defender Guthrie
Conor Proft - Justin Collett
Chris Henrey Coffey - James Collett
Tiffan Borelli -Erin Dowling
Juney Smith - Stanley Korva
Andre Blake – Alden Kessler
Mac Brydon – Gary Bell
Paul DeBoy - Bill Sullivan
Tiffan Borelli – Erin Dowling
Julia Veron – Woman One
Lauren Hooper – Woman Two
Alan Barnes Netherton – Man One
Joey Mintz – Man Two

The Colletts - mother Paula, husband James, and son Justin get ready for the day. James and Justin are heading out of town. Laura gets a phone call and tells the caller she will she him soon. Later, Laura and the mystery man are kissing and he asks if she is sure she wants to have sex. She says absolutely, asking why does he think she is here?

Afterwards, she is in a bathroom, the tub is filling, and she is drinking a glass of wine with a concerned look on her face.

Later, Carisi and Rollins are at a scene. The victim is Laura Collett who is on her way to the hospital with an apparent overdose. There was no note. Maintenance found her at 2:00 AM; the tub started overflowing and leaking into the room below. Carisi asks if she checked in alone, and Rollins says they aren’t sure, they are trying to pull video but the room was in her name. They key card was last used at 9:56 PM. No witnesses and nobody heard a peep. Carisi notes the room looks romantic and Rollins says they will check the wine for narcotics. Fin is also there and says there is an outcry witness – the suspect, via text. He has no name; he called the number a few times and there is no answer and no voice mail. Laura’s last text was 11:56 last night. Carisi reads the message which states “He raped me. Burn in hell.” Carisi thinks this is clear but Fin counters that Laura sent a text to the same guy 10 minutes earlier. Carisi reads that text which says, “Incredible night. Just gotta say it – best sex ever!” Carisi questions that in 10 minutes Laura went from the best sex ever to “you raped me”, wondering how the hell does that happen?

Rollins, Carisi and Fin return to the SVU and they bring Benson up to speed. There were no drugs in Laura’s system and the doctor did a full tox scan and there were no “date rape” drugs. They talk about Laura’s “change of heart” and Fin wonders what turned this into rape? Benson asks that TARU said the texts went to a burner and Rollins confirms. Benson recaps the info they have on the victim and Rollins adds Laura is 42 and has a son. Carisi shows Benson a screen shot from her phone. Rollins says it is just another perfect family. Carisi says it is too early to be that jaded, and Rollins jokes next time she will wait until noon. This husband is at the hospital and Benson tells them to head down there and see what he knows

Later, at Mercy Hospital at 365 West 32nd Street on Thursday, September 15, Carisi and Rollins speak with James Collett. He is surprised they are investigating her for an overdose of pills. When Carisi says they are trying to understand what happened prior to that, James is confused. Carisi explains the text message rape accusation, and James still is confused. Rollins says they are trying to figure out who she was with. James explains he last talked to Laura in the late afternoon; he and Justin were in Boston visiting colleges. Carisi asks if James knew she was staying at the Luxembourg hotel last night, and James and he looks stunned and says nothing. Carisi questions if she had any idea how Laura was with and maybe it was somebody at work, and James says Laura doesn’t work. She is involved with various charities and they were happy, at least he thought they were. All she thinks about is college admissions for their son who will be going next year. Carisi knows this is overwhelming for James but asks to consent to a rape kit. He nods in agreement.

Back at SVU, Benson asks the detective what do they have. Rollins and Carisi review the hotel security footage: At 6:14PM Laura walks into the lobby and she says hello to a tall white man, early 40s, decent looking and well dressed. They will run him through facial recognition. Benson tells them to take the image to the hotel and show it to guest, doormen, etc. Rollins asks Carisi if he wants to take a ride to the hotel but he explains he can’t; Barba set him up with an interview with an ADA from Brooklyn . Rollins asks if he will have to grow a beard and start making artisan pickles. She laughs and he says he is just seeing what is out there and for the record, he likes artisan pickles. As they step into the elevator, he asks her how he looks, and she replies, “Like a cop.”

Sometime later at SVU, Benson is on the phone with Lucy and asks how did Noah do and, looking disappointed, asks if she talked to the teacher. She looks sad and when she gets off the phone, Fin asks if there is a problem with the little guy. Benson explains that Noah’s language skills are slightly underdeveloped relative to his peer group. She insists she has been doing her best – reading, talking, singing. Fin asks if he is not getting into the fancy school, and Benson says she doesn’t know yet. She asks for an update on Laura, and Fin explains that the rape kit came back with no semen or bruises or abrasions but she did have sex; they found traces of condom lubricant. Nothing on facial recognition and nothing on social media. Fin shows her that Laura DM’d her son some time before the incident and Laura tells him she is sorry and to call her, and he replies that she makes him sick and he hopes she dies. Carisi, who has returned, says maybe the kid found there was somebody else and he will go back to the hospital and see what he knows. Benson asks how it went with LaRosa, and when Carisi stops dead in his tracks, Benson asks if Carisi doesn’t know she hears things. He smiles and walks off without answering.

At the hospital, Carisi speaks with Justin who says she is still unconscious but the doctors are optimistic, wondering if he is trying to placate him. Carisi shows him the photo of the man and Justin doesn’t know him. Carisi mentions the text Justin sent and Justin explains she kept bugging him about Hudson and she really wants him to go there, thinking it is so prestigious. Carisi explains his mother didn’t even know he applied to college and two days before classes started he asked if he could borrow $400 for books, he just got into St. John’s. Justin says his mom has been on 4 campus tours of Hudson, sat in on 6 lectures and had 3 lunches with some guy from the admissions office. The other day she asked Justin to have lunch with him and it might be the difference maker, and he snapped. He states he is sick of her stress over it, He is the one applying. He hopes that is not the last thing he ever said to her. Carisi asks if she ever mentioned the name of the guy and Justin replies no. Justin worries Laura took those pills because of the fight and Carisi says no, telling him to put that out of his head. He thinks she loves him very much and because of that she will make a full recovery.

Back at SVU, Carisi smacks the printer to get it to work, and Fin tells him he has to hit it hard. Carisi complains that wireless is overrated – that and putting lemon in water. Carisi tells Fin that Justin said his mother was working with someone from admissions at Hudson. Carisi has 27 males and 18 women in that department. Fin wonders that it takes all those people to look at applications and say yes or no. Rollins approaches and says nobody at the hotel recognizes the man. She did get a name = Laura signed it at 6:33 PM and a guy named Alden Kessler signed in at the exact same time, and Carisi says that name is on the top of his list – the director of admissions.

At Hudson University at 504 Riverside Drive on Friday, September 16, Rollins arrive at the office of Alden Kessler and it is a black man. Carisi shows him the photo of the man and Laura and he does not know them. Rollins explains why they are there and shows him a paper with a signature, asking if that is his. He says no, adding he never set foot in the Luxembourg hotel. Rollins explains there is a rapist out there pretending to be him. They think someone is using his name and that Laura’s son Justine applied to Hudson. Kessler bring up Justin’s information on h is computer saying Justin’s info is exception but they get two thousand with similar credentials and they only take 400 and the others go to international students and athletes. Carisi asks if he is saying it is tough to be a rich white kid with great grades and Kessler says at elite universities. Rollins says that must make him pretty popular, and Carisi asks if any of the rich parents try to influence his decision. Kessler replies no, never, that would be unethical. Rollins asks if any offer sex, if he wanted to exploit his power in a sexual way. He says he has been offered outrageous things and there have been sexual advances, Rollins gets a message and tells Carisi Laura just woke up and Benson is on his way to the hospital. Rollins thanks Kessler and says they will be in touch.

At the hospital, Laura explains to Benson that she met the man on campus at the café and he said he worked at admissions. Benson mentions the text about best sex and then the rape text. Laura explains he figured out he was not Alden Kessler as the man mixed up a few statistics and she got suspicious. She had looked him up and he was on some professor’s Instagram page. She was stunned and she called the man she just had sex with and she confronted her and laughed at her and he hung up. She called him again and he didn’t answer. She sent the text as she wanted to know how disgusting he was. She didn’t mean to hurt herself, she was trying to numb the pain, she would never abandon her family. Benson thinks out loud that Laura did not know his true identity so she never consented to have sex with him. Laura looks confused and asks what is Benson saying, was what he did a crime? Benson replies she is saying that what he did to her was rape.

Back at SVU, Fin comments that Laura screwed some guy trying to get her kid in college, and, acting like it is funny, he says Laura got played. He adds that lying to have sex is part of the game. He mentions that back in the day, he pretended to be Melle Mel’s cousin and ask Benson if she is saying that is rape. Benson replies that things have changed, and Fin counters not that much, everybody is lying in the club, trust him on that. Benson states Laura consented to having sex with Alden Kessler, not some stranger pretending to be him and that’s rape. Benson says to find the guy and asks if they have any leads. Carisi says the wine bottle came back negative for prints and he found a few notes written to Laura on Kessler’s stationery. Benson thinks if the stationery is legit, the guy has access to Kessler’s office, adding it is time to take another college tour.

Back at Hudson University at 504 Riverside Drive on Friday, September 16, Rollins and Carisi walk the grounds and Rollins brings up that guys have been lying for years. She thinks it is disgusting but where do you draw the line? She brings up a few hypotheticals but Carisi thinks this guy is different, he is a predator. Rollins says this is gray; they are cops, not lawyers. Carisi tells her to speak for herself. She laughs and says she keeps forgetting, and Carisi jokingly asks if that is an insult. She says it is a compliment.

Inside, they find someone who ID’s the man as Tom Metcalf, campus security. He hired him two months ago as they had extra security during application season. He punched out at 5:12 and Carisi asks if they can call Tom to find out where he is and pretend he has to talk to him about work or something. The man agrees and makes the call.

Pages

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Law & Order SVU “Rape Interrupted” Episode Information

Thursday, October 6, 2016

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Wednesday, October 5, 2016

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Monday, October 3, 2016

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