Nooch.12 She called Barba a Schnauzer...smh

The #42 Minutes

The Ann Coulter-esque Martha Cobb is attacked by a mob and raped by one of its sign-wielding members with the tube part of the sign during a speech at Hudson University (which, btw, sure could use some positive press). In the melee someone struck Cobb over the head, and she's "pretty sure" the guilty party is Justin Vi-something-or-other but "pretty sure" means "I don't actually know" just like Benson's "I don't have much time for reading" translates to "fuck you, Martha."

Kudos to Casting!

Assessment

We still have a long way to go before S19 is anywhere near as terrible as Eidteen, but Nooch & Co. are not doing "ripped from the headlines" well. They're overdoing it.

Rhea Seahorn was phenomenal as Ann Coulter. If anyone bothers to make a documentary about AC, Seahorn's a shoo-in for the lead role. Jonathan Judge-Russo's Randy Platt (Andrew Anglin meets Richard Spencer) was laughable, the script was overloaded with trite right and left wing talking points, and only Carisi and Rollins were spared lines better suited for a nine-year-old.

"Do you think she'd make a false accusation for political reasons?" (first day at the rodeo, Barba?)

"That doesn't seem so harmless to me." (yeah, Benson, we all heard it but I get you sometimes like to state the obvious)

"(Platt) took a sign from a lady in Virginia and hit her over the head" (which, of course, clearrrrrly indicates he's a rapist, right Fin?)

THEN...Justin has the poster! Justin has the poster! Oh, FFS, y'all. You don't think there's any chance he maybe, uh, dropped it?

Dude, if you're gonna wear the hat, will you at least wear it? I was waiting for Rollins or Carisi to grab the bill and tug it down.

Once again, fidelity to the headlines obstructed creativity. I would have really liked to see Benson and the squad under intense media and public pressure as they seek justice for a victim everyone loathes. Instead, all characters end up exactly where they began.

Quotable:

"But you are a survivor and I really want to help you get justice."
"...be well. Take care of yourself."
Benson class and dedication at its finest.

"My moral compass has gone a little haywire."
Ominous...

"Old line of duty injury..."
Carisi charm with the conservative moms.

Appearances:

This week's installment of OMB WTF faces...

Downplaying the bangs FTW!

Tracking Tucker

This was the Barba-Benson show, so not much room for anyone else. I'm sure Tucker was holding down the fort during the day and spending the evenings reminding OMB how important and beautiful and wise and amazing she is and also waiting on her hand and foot because that's what Ed does.

Head Scratchers:

Does a juror get to make an outburst like that? Barba did open the door, but still...

I did NOT have to scratch my head about "doxxed!" I KNOW THAT ONE! So there's one positive outcome of Intimidation Game. 

I found it odd Liv wasn't in court when it was revealed Coulter spurned Platt's advances, but, of course, the Lieutenant's busy and she and Tucker probably had some thing at Noah's school.

Is It Next Wednesday, Yet?

No direct mention of Sheila and Noah, but OMB still looks like she needs a vacay and next week won't help. And neither will the still-unresolved whatever's going on with the shifty Bill Dodds. Sometimes you do play politics, dontcha Fin? And in the let's-invite-everyone-back-except-RJB category, Ken's set to appear on a future episode! Grandpa Fin will surely make me melt which probably means Ken's arc will have nothing to do with his child.

How do IIIIIIIII say goodbyyyyyyyye....

Barba's gone and fucking Cassidy's returning yet again. What is life?