XX.I: Man Was That Too Long!

#42 Minutes (X2)

SVU Season 20 began as it ended last season with two back-to-back episodes that only needed to be one. Rollins is pregnant, Stone is coping via women, Prosecco, and eggs, Benson's getting old, Fin commiserates, but he's like, ah, fuck it, and Carisi, well, he's still cute and I'm gonna place the long shot bet on him being the baby daddy.

The episode itself was a predictable, not very creative mishmash of relevant, timely topics, but the  combination of toxic masculinity, psychological and sexual abuse, and mass shootings was woven together in a tiresome, predictable plot. Benson's implied abortion revelation did provide the spark I needed to power through until eleven, though.

We can also add rabbits to the previously mundane, innocuous items SVU has rendered taboo.

Verdict

Not sure if Benson is just getting old or if there's more to the weakening lungs and lead legs story. She did look like shit when she and Carisi went to visit Mrs. Conway for the first time. But let's be real, I'm not confident Wonder Woman herself wouldn’t be able to last long sprinting in ninety degree heat clad in blazer and heeled boots. Take a cue from Fin, Benson, and get in the car. You're the boss for Chrissakes.

Rollins being pregnant again is so her, but, you know what? I get really annoyed when she talks about "back home" like it's the freaking Vatican. I give a C+ for hiding the bump from her colleagues; it was obvious when she was standing. Concealment was easier at the interrogation table. Poor Kelli Giddish--the blocking for her lines must have been filled with Rollins leans forward. So, if the doctor is the father she has a dilemma--go it alone again or give the dude a chance to step up...and be a man. We'll see. Rollins might be man enough for both of them.

20:1 he's the father.

I read a tweet this morning speculating Benson's advice about regret wasn't actually meant to be inferred that she had an abortion at some point; rather, it was Benson wishing she could take back or relive past decisions (such as the one where she let Tucker walk out of her life). If it's the former, I'm intrigued, but not as much as I was last night. Actually, the more I type about it the more I'm annoyed at the superfluous bombshell. Lazy.

The actual cases--father raping his son; enraged son becoming suicidal school shooter-- doubled as a vehicle for Carisi and Stone to do battle with daddy issues and baseball issues and metaphysical what-is-all-this-for issues. And I'm no negotiator, but I counted at least five cringe-worthy WTF are you saying moments in Carisi's baseball field talk-down. I also counted at least fifty zillion too many instances of Peter Stone preaching. Note to Nooch: This is Olivia Benson's show.

Finally, Benson's got the parenting blues because she's trying so hard to be a good mother, she's installed an LED peace sign in Noah's room and filled it with toys and antique trucks and what does she get in return? A shove goodnight. Well, that'll probably trigger a whole bunch of "oh, my God, his genes" and that little brat better be contrite in the morning, but, hey, Benson, he's growing up and has a mind of his own and where is Eddie and I'm confident Jack-as-Noah would have never behaved that way.

Ah, the good old  days...

Quotable:

"If they have to suffer to be close to Him..." I get Stone going religion (not that I care), but Benson's heaven comment was weird but then again maybe she's been hitting Unitarian services again, or she will be after that last scene. Love thy mother, Noah you brat.

"Mandatory Reporter..." Yeah, Benson knows all about that, thanks.

"John wasn't preaching strength, he was preaching power over others. That's not being a man. That's criminal." Good one, Stone. See? I don't hate him all the time. Well, yes I do.

"Peter."
"Peter."
"Peter."
SHUT UP WITH THE PETERS!

"Good, I don't want any statements thrown out later." Thanks, Stone, we weren't sure how all this works.

Cynical much, Fin?

Is It Next Thursday Yet?

The previews for next week's episode look decidedly more promising than ManUp/Man Down. Now that I think about it, I was never very excited for this premiere mostly because of the lackluster preseason hype and the knowledge we'd see a lot of Stone wrestling with his guilt (yawn) and Rollins dealing with an unexpected pregnancy (yawn) and Benson getting old (duh). I'm also about done with Noah-related Benson angst. It's overused and boring and also I was blocked by Buggle on Twitter so I harbor some animosity.

Here's your token representation, people!

19.18: For whom do we serve?

Hello all,

I haven't blogged in a while due to:

a) the blahness of the past two episodes

...and...

b) I was hungover the day after Clowns.

The #42Minutes:

Fin and Rollins arrive at the scene where the beaten, bloody, and raped victim was found unconscious and suspiciously dressed with her tights on backwards and sans outerwear. At the hospital she gives her "name" but little else but Detective Sonny "Sherlock" Carisi comes through with boot evidence and narrows the crime scene to one of two fleabag motels where the dissolute manager bumbles and unsuccessfully tries to parry Fin's and Rollins' interrogation. More Carisi sleuthing leads them back to Sky (who had absconded from the hospital and is actually named Sandy), Rollins harangues her, Benson gets her to talk then talk some more, Sandy spills the story, Benson believes her, Stone needs more ammo, baby army boy confesses then recants then lies on the stand, Sgt. Preston stonewalls...for reasons other than military code...

Added episode bonus: Carisi shows us where not to stay when in Manhattan...

Jury of One:

Two questions ticker-taped through my mind during the #42Minutes:

1. What the fuck is up Rollins' ass?

2. Why did SVU have to beat up on the military again? 

Until we learn about the blood, it seemed this was a "classic" SVU case revolving around a reluctant, cynical victim, and a group of dudes covering for each other. Of course there had to be more to the story, but I was rolling my eyes thinking that "story" was similar to all the other times SVU writers have taken a swing at the armed forces. I should've had more faith...but then again, the sting of Eidteen lingers...

Back to the point of the ep in a second...

Rollins' attitude was, at best, distracting. She is a character I can both love and hate, but her incessant rebukes of Sandy flew way out of bounds...

"Saving New York one hooker at a time..." 

"110 lbs. of wasted skin..." 

"Ya missed a couple days' work. I can make that up to you, Sky..."

This week in "WTF (directed at Rollins) Faces."

To have her behavior buttoned up at the end by introducing Dr. Al the Philandering Cardiologist made even less sense. Rollins has a ton of baggage. Instead of using her sister, or Declan, or the gambling, or something from her Atlanta days as the explanation, we get a previously unmentioned (and probably never mentioned again) off-screen character. Rollins is not the most mature person in the world, and her mercurial nature has always gotten her into trouble. Her romantic relationships have not turned out well, and that thread in her background could potentially be explored with some depth and nuance. I don't think her nasty, case-long hissy fit was completely out-of-character, but the context should have been better defined or at least open to further exploration. 

Had the plot been, well, another plot...Dr. Al could've been the perp! Ooooooooooo!

Rollins, it's time for therapy. You're great sweet-talking the young men but you castigate the victim? C'mon, sister. 

Benson's ability to draw out Sandy's story then connect with her exemplified all we love, admire, and cherish about the character. She was pragmatic and empathetic without being sanctimonious or patronizing. She listened to Sandy when she needed to listen and consoled when Sandy needed to be comforted. And holy fucking shit OMB struggling to maintain composure when Sandy finished the mother story then grabbed the iPad...an Emmy-worthy two seconds.

This was just as powerful as "you matter."

That little spineless twerp Shaughnessy surely took lessons from the sniveling kid in the Eidteen ep Mariska directed and that's enough about him. 

I miss Barba, too, OMB.
If looks could kill....

After Stone essentially tells Benson either Sandy or Jim have to be the sacrificial lamb, she's like "no, fuck that" and invites herself into Sgt. Preston's Humvee (which was kinda adorable, btw). The two of them work through their own interpretations of the meaning of "service." Benson acknowledges and respects the risks Sgt. Preston faces if he testifies which he courageously does. While on the stand and under fire from the defense attorney, he declares:

"Gender identity isn't relevant to what I do. Just like whatever is in your pants isn't relevant to what you do."

Retweet, retweet, retweet, retweet, retweet, retweet, retweet, retweet, retweet, retweet, retweet.....

Maybe there is hope after all.

Quotable:

"He was old. Like 40." 

Oh, you young people....(proving, once again, no matter the topic something in each episode always makes me chuckle)

"...After I teed it up for her..."

More Rollins BS. Even Sonny Bunny wasn't having it.

"But only one guy hit in the head with a lamp."

Fin always bringing the salient points.

"Throw a few dollars at some ass..." Really Fin?
But this exchange was more poignant than that. Fin thinks he knows everything about Preston. He doesn't. Good lesson for
us all.

"...by the stroke of a tweet from Air Force One..."

"I don't know what's gonna happen. Do you?"

Expertly and succinctly characterizing the current, precarious, state of affairs in American politics...without being pedantic. Nice.

"But after you people started with me, I looked in the mirror and began to see a piece of someone looking back at me...you know, it felt good."

Even though Sandy goes on to say that feeling disappeared after she was humiliated in court...ushering victims toward moments like this is the very essence of SVU...and at the end of the episode, I felt like Sandy could get back to that place.

Appearances:

Not the most impressive wardrobe collection this week though I do love a Benson in Blue. I guess I'm still in Barba withdrawal...

Preview pics and clips show trenches and OMB in green in the future, so there's that.

Tracking Tucker:

Trust...

They aren't all scum...

"You couldn't imagine not helping people. Believe me, I get it." (my wounds are still raw from Chasing Theo)

Next week MUST have room for some catch-up chit chat with Cabot and how in the hell can Benson omit TUCKERRRRRRRRRRRRR???

Is it Next Wednesday, Yet?

Regarding #NotJustAVictim and the calls for a regular cast member who is a member of the LGBTQ community...

Tweets indicate some members of the fandom saw this episode as an insincere token of representation...

Though I respect these voices, I fervently disagree with what is being demanded. Here's why:

1. In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories.

This show is about the pursuit of justice for victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. While some things have changed over the course of 19 years (ex: in earlier seasons it was common for the detectives to flippantly use "he-she" and "tranny" and then we fast forward to Transgender Bridge 17 years later and see the subject treated with extreme sensitivity and poignancy), the axes on which SVU rotates are the life-changing (sometimes life-ending), harrowing experiences of people who have suffered, endured, and live with the trauma of rape and sexual assault. Sometimes, SVU is the ONLY entity courageous and savvy enough to shed light on seldom-discussed obstacles facing officers, prosecutors, victims, survivors, and their families.

For someone like me, the character of Olivia Benson, her squad, and the crimes they investigate are a window into a world I hope to never have to experience first hand. However, the show continually reminds me of the horrors so many people have experienced and the inequities in our justice system. Equally important, the show forces viewers to acknowledge the fact that victims walk among us every single day carrying the invisible weight of their trauma. The show exposes the ugly reality that sexual assault victims are less likely to be believed and more likely to be shamed into silence than victims of any other crime. 

For those who have been assaulted (especially those who choose not to publicize what has happened to them), though fictional, Olivia Benson is theirs. She might be their sole source of comfort or the only voice that encourages them to keep moving toward hope and healing. 

Inserting a LGBTQ character will:

2. Fundamentally alter the purpose of the show

...and/or...

3. Become a source of contention that detracts from the purpose of the show

If the new LGBTQ character arrives and is, simply, openly living his or her life with a partner and maybe some kids and possibly a painful backstory...the backlash will be: "this person is not the crusader or the tortured soul or the chip-on-her-shoulder renegade we imagined."

If the character is "the crusader/the tortured soul/the chip-on-her-shoulder renegade," then the show becomes more about them and less about the victims. 

Two Benson lines from Service emphasize these points. 

"My priority is putting away the people who did this to you."
Extrapolation: the show's priority is to reveal the painstaking process of investigating and prosecuting sex crimes.

"Because it matters. Because you matter. And what happened to you matters."
Infuriatingly enough, SVU is still, in 2018, one of the only consistent voices repeating and insisting upon the legitimacy of this mantra. Adding a second mission to the show diminishes and mutes its original, intended message. It is saying to victims: "Yes, you matter, but not as much. Yes, the show seeks change, but it now seeks more important change. Yes, the show 'rips from the headlines' but LGBTQ headlines are so much more relevant than your headlines. Yes, we'll still seek justice for rape victims, but rape victims' stories have become so...mundane."

People demanding regular LGBTQ representation on the show have lost sight of the show's core goals. As the calls for this change grow more numerous and more fervent, they drown out the voices of the men, women, and children for whom the show was intended to speak. 

19.15 Uncle Dom Screwedupis

The #42Minutes

Carisi’s niece Mia accuses classmate Ethan of raping her in a dorm room at the much-maligned Hudson University which, btw, is desperately in need of some positive press. Ethan is found responsible but, big whoop, is suspended for a year but it is kind of a big whoop for Ethan because he’s kinda screwed higher-education wise especially since he actually didn’t do it but then he did do it so back to the courtroom we go. Carisi is torn between family and being a cop and even though Benson gave him a very stern “don’t screw up” he screws up but Stone makes Ethan incriminate himself on the stand so that’s two weeks in a row someone’s had a courtroom outburst only this time the rapist is found guilty. Stone's 1 for 1 but, arguably, we could count last week as a win, too.

This week in Carisi WTF faces...with Heller making an appearance because she's the embodiment of WTF.

 Jury of One: 

I’ve spent the whole damn day trying to figure out whether or not the story was too Eidified for me. Mia lied at first and “creates” a rapist who comes back and actually rapes her…on one hand a case like this was necessary for Stone to truly be baptized into the world of sex crimes and "imperfect victims," but on the other hand the lie resulting in revenge rape sorta rubbed me the wrong way but on the other hand there was no "she deserved it" undertones and on the other hand (yes I know this is four hands), the reality is, many situations like this one, in the hands of callow college kids quickly spiral out of control.

When your kid's photograph is the same size as your laptop screen...

Enraged Carisi has never been appealing to me; it doesn't suit is character and it doesn't align with Scanavino's strengths. The outrage at the beginning in the coffee shop was painfully contrived and the ceaseless zooms made the histrionics even more histrionc-y.

Stone's mission to ingratiate himself with the squad remains cumbersome and awkward, so it felt odd to have him transition from unproven outsider to "good prosecutor" to soulful, searching idealist, to mojo-tastic courtroom maestro. 

Please like me, guys...

I may have overreacted a bit at the last scene with Benson and Stone (or maybe I'm talking myself into thinking that I overreacted). When I watched it again it didn't seem flirty and was more a like a glaring BARBA IS GONE reminder because, well, Stone's name is on the closed door and since when did that office see anyone in play clothes? I'm not here for Benson-as-Cougar, I am here for a mentor-mentee relationship so please tell me that's where this is headed. Maybe it's the bangs, but they have Mariska clearly looking older and more...motherly...and they have zero chemistry together (so far...as I said last week, I'm really hoping that's intentional). But, but, but...there are too many possibilities dangling out there--baseball (OMB can get her own tickets, thank you very much and also Noah likes the Yankees), Stone's troubled relationship with his late father, his willingness to learn and drink, and, well, he's cute.

The episode fell flat and I'm more than a little bummed about that. Maybe it was because Mia hadn't really "existed" on the show before this? Maybe because Stone's presence is clouding everything for me?

...Maybe I need to stop obsessing over this damn show?

Quotable:

"My client's an idiot, he's no rapist." Please invite Heller back anytime. 

"Nobody implies the crime was somehow her fault..." My favorite part of Benson schooling Stone but...um...I know he hasn't done sex crimes before but shouldn't he know this?

"We're not gonna say anything about what happened the first time." Carisiiiiiiiiii. Everyone was so quick to forgive him but he seriously fucked up and I can't believe after inserting himself into the investigation he let Mia handle the apology on her own. The Sonny I know would have arranged a sit down and been present for it. 

"I think he should go back to Chicago."
I'm not arguing, Rollins.

Appearances

I KNOW OMB has worn that brown and black jacket before and it's hell to want to find it and not have time to scrub though the past few seasons. I'm almost positive it was early 17 but if someone can locate it, thanks, because it's realllllllly bothering me and I would hate to have to take a personal day to do it but then again it's supposed to rain this weekend.

Tracking Tucker

Surely Cabot's return will include catch-up girl talk and we'll at least get a mention. I'm sinking into ship despondency. Someone help.

(But OMB couldn't stay for dinner with Stone cuz she had plans with Ed. So there.)

Is It Next Wednesday, Yet?

I was on, like, my sixth drink by the time the promo aired so I don't really know what I'm looking forward to; however it is certainly NOT Barba and Stone bonding over booze.

Don't know about y'all, but I thought I was in trouble when I watched her burst through the doors.

19.14--Justice for Cassidy

The #42Minutes

Whoops...we forgot to tell ya about him, Stone.

Cassidy's "epic tantrum" causes a mistrial and sets a child molester free. The situation sucks all around--a new trial will traumatize victims all over again, Stone wonders what the hell he got himself into, and plucky, well-connected Detective Holiday stands her ground when SVU tries to wrest the case from homicide after Dr. West is found stabbed to death in his home. Several people and God had a motive to kill the doctor, but Cassidy is PoI #1. Benson's pretty much the only one not sold on Cassidy' guilt but she keeps that to herself at first and directs the squad to investigate even though it's not their case anymore. Thanks to fish DNA (or something like that) they are able to narrow the suspect pool fairly easily and in the course of a follow up interview with a victim's family, Benson notices the smoking gun, er, smoking fidget spinner.

These things have been trouble from the get.

Jury of One

My aversion to all things Cassidy certainly is not a state secret and I still hate him; however, good for the writers for creating a more layered and nuanced backstory for the character. It was evident Brian has come to the realization that the trauma from his abuse has infected his entire existence and prevented him from actually loving the "love of his life." No, Cassidy never was and never will be good enough for Olivia, but at least now we know there's more substance to the man and his jackassery had a lot, if not everything, to do with the devastating and enduring effects of the abuse he suffered as a child. Unfortunately, Cassidy's nightmare wasn't ameliorated by his father beating the shit out of the baseball coach. 

This week in OMB WTF faces

I may be a cold-hearted bitch, but I'm still not letting him off the hook for a couple of things. First of all, dude, man the fuck up and deal with your mistake (and good job, Rollins for demanding he do this and, on a side note, why does she have the key? Oh wait, she was running point on the mission to help Liv harbor a murder suspect and also provide a home for her child--Noah, the real child, not Cassidy). How dare he ask Liv to help him? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it--the two of them have a deep connection and history and they trust each other (once again, I share Rollins' incredulity)--but that was typical fucking Cassidy and epitomizes everything I loathe about him.

(second gripe in Quotable)
Oh, oh, oh, Kudos to the writers for tying up all the Cassidy loose ends in a neat little knot...they did their homework and hit a home run.

LOL poor Stone...he must've aged ten years during this one case, good luck pal. And good luck to viewers...I really hope the awkwardness was intended. Maybe I have a Barba hangover, but he already seems to be an ill-fitting member of the team (fictional and nonfictional). However, I think I ship Stoliday.

I L. O. V.  E. how Rollins and Benson are being written. Cassidy was absolutely spot-on with his skeletons-in-the-closet comment, but Amanda has proven herself and Liv has cut her some slack. After all, OMB hasn't exactly been a rigid adherent to policies and procedures either. Good for Rollins for simultaneously standing her ground with the boss and being loyal and also for verbally smacking Cassidy into reality.

Oh, Noah...

Damn observant kids...

Quotable:

"It's a little early in the morning for stick up your ass." The teased tension between Holiday and the squad did not disappoint. I hope this isn't the last we see of her. Could be an interesting arc--another new member with a powerful father? Then again if Mr. Holiday is anything like Dodds, never mind.

"I wear them to clean my toilet."
Burrrrrrrrrnnnnnn. But here are some frozen veggies for your head. Seriously, though...she kept the sweats? Also...that apartment sure as hell expanded in the past few years. Bri musta been amazed. 

"We're the ones who botched the trial." Come. On. Olivia. The Lieutenant was really starting to annoy me in the middle of this episode because  she was on the questionable side of rationality a couple of times. I don't often get frustrated with her, but when I do it's usually because her gigantic heart smothers her brain. She stuck her neck way, way out for this prick without knowing what we all sort of guessed. For the record, Tucker would've never asked her to do that. In fact, he demanded the opposite.

"...You were never gonna bare your soul to me..." And Liv is supposed to feel guilty about this? You can't accept this yet you also couldn't bare your soul to her? 
"I was trying to explain to Morrison what happened between you and I..." More like you were trying to explain it to yourself, dude. YOU TOLD A STRANGER ABOUT LEWIS AND DIDN'T THINK THAT WOULD HAVE ANY CONSEQUENCES? Unforgivable. Sorry.

Appearances:

Hell of a way to spend Valentine's Day.

Tracking Tucker

I need him in bed with her. It would've been so great if Tucker met Cassidy at the door with a gun.

Also this reminded me of Dr. Keppler and Lead and Tucker was in that episode.

That is all.

Head Scratchers:

What will arise from Stone's "something came up" comment and Carisi's closed dry cleaners???

Is It Next Wednesday Yet?

Puh-lease let this be the last of Cassidy. For his sake, disclosing to Stone, maybe, was a tiny step forward. I hope he finds peace, but Olivia has moved on. I haaaate that she was left in the dark because I feel like it leaves a door open for him to return, and I can't decide how OMB would have reacted if he'd revealed that deep, dark secret to her. Maybe Cassidy was being considerate and saving her from having another person to save...or maybe he saw no upside to telling her.

Surely he'll have to find a new job. I mean...really...how can he possibly have any more credibility in the courtroom? Oh! Also! I was irked by him telling Liv he was begging Stone for his job when he was really pleading for Reggie's fate. Anyone with a quarter of a heart and a modicum of common sense would agree Reggie deserved the lighter hand of the law. 

Anyway...I hope the message to Dean Winters was dig deep and go all in because this is your SVU swan song. He gave an impassioned performance and displayed a range I didn't realize he had. Well done, Dean, but...Bye.

This was beautiful and perfect. Olivia expecting to see him still there...but no. For once her being alone didn't tug at my heartstrings. She's better off without him.

I am soooooo excited for Carisi drama I'm almost willing to skip the weekend.

Nooch.13: A Rushed Exit for Our Beloved Barba

The #42 Minutes

As Jack McCoy gives Ben Stone a final encomium to a chapel full of  mourners, Aaron Householder has fled to Sheepshead Bay with his very ill and very-in-pain son. Aaron and his wife are at odds about ending baby Drew's life, so he takes off, but he doesn't really have an end game because what's a guy to do in Brooklyn with a paintball gun and a little one who needs round-the-clock care? Either Benson knew the weapon was harmless and not one of the dozens of law enforcement personnel missed that or she's temporarily nuts because she disarms herself (even the gloves!) and heads inside. Aaron and his wife tell their ten-month-old's story separately to Benson and Barba and we all agree their dilemma absolutely sucks and nobody should ever have to agonize over this and also that baby was beautiful, I mean...those eyelashes...was it even a real baby? If not, fooled me.

Anyway, perhaps seeking redemption for what he didn't do for his father (we'll forgive the continuity flub for now), Barba pulls the plug and...

"You killed the baby?"
"I expedited his passing."
"That's gonna be a tough hair to split in the courtroom."

I'm chagrined to admit it, but I had to chuckle a little at Benson. Her incredulity is always so endearing.

Jury of One:

Thank you Mr. Nooch for not drowning us with Benson sanctimony and agony over babies and breathing and kidnapping and parenthood and, for that, I'm willing to let you slide on the do you have kids line because Benson's had that in her quiver for a while now and I suppose she deserves to use it. ONCE. ONCE IS ENOUGH.

This could have/should have been a two-parter. Everything felt hurried. Barba needed more heart-to-heart convos with Maggie and he definitely needed one last scene with Benson at the bar perhaps to spill more about his guilt/deets about his father's illness. Though Maggie's desperation was palpable, Barba's decision seemed abrupt and a little, uh, capricious, for he doesn't actually know this family, but what's done is done and and I'm surprised they didn't show him being perp-walked and damn he looked super uncomfortable and a little annoyed at the defense table...

Despite the compacted plot, this was a logical culmination for the ADA's run on the show. With Benson's urging, Barba has grown to appreciate the various "colors" of people and cases and circumstances. Taking care to consider all those nuances would undoubtedly tax the most durable of prosecutors, and, as he walked away and left Benson alone (don't worry, she's used to it and fuck forehead kisses), I was happy for him.

Quotable:

"A man shouldn't do what he can, he should do what he must without regard for consequence or repercussion." Barba certainly took that to heart. BTW....

Hate to gossip at a funeral, but...is he yacht guy? Is he?

"The law...the law...the law..." Oh boy, back to the drawing board on that black-and-white thing, OMB.

Also, they looked very cold. Winchester doesn't freeze well.

"I'll take that as a compliment." So I'm gradually inching to the edge of my couch cushion as Benson's in the house with Aaron, and she's sitting down, and WHY IS SHE SO RELAXED? and OMG she's WALKING TOWARD THE GUN. WHAT ARE YOU--oh, paintball...alright, alright, that's the last time I doubt you, OMB, but Tucker may not let ya off so easily.

#Badass

Appearances

I need the story on this new ring RIGHT NOW!

Tracking Tucker

In addition to grumbling about her going into the house, I'm sure would have lovvvved to find out she ordered everyone to stand down and everyone actually followed the order because remember when Captain Reese all but laughed in Tucker's face outside the Crivello townhouse when the Captain suggested ESU do the same thing?

#BringBackBobby

I miss that smirk.

Head Scratchers

There are too many loose threads hanging with regards to Stone--rocky relationship with father, no family, played baseball--just enough for folks to latch on and ship him with Benson and please let's not make that happen. They don't look good together and he's also like 20 years younger and "Cougar" doesn't exactly fit her character and she's with Tucker anyway.

Is It Next Wednesday Yet?

I already miss Barba because who's gonna thump Liv on the head when she helps Cassidy? I cringe at the thought of Bensidy III and I also nearly choked on my IPA when I saw them hug in the promo, but, hopefully OMB's not yet through the wringer and if the next ep follows the pattern, Cassidy's presence will not have a happy ending. And I am SO OKAY  WITH THAT.

Iiiiiiit's Olympics time!

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?

Nooch.11 Culture Shock

The #42Minutes

What initially presents as a terrorist investigation turns into an SVU case which turns into a a Barba-led trailblazing mission to dismantle "sexist, misogynistic pig" workplace culture. As an enduring, all-encompassing fix, it doesn't exactly work, but, as he put it, "the wheels are turning" and leaked grand jury proceedings end up hitting Optimum Air where it hurts most. Unfortunately the company's financial downfall doesn't seem like it will translate to any far-reaching substantial change (shocker) and will most likely be disregarded as an isolated incident.

The fight continues...

Also, Fin's onto Chief Dodds' shade and the rest of us will be theorizing about the mystery memo for the rest of the winter.

Be honest, how many of y'all have tried to piece together that upside down inside out text?

Assessment

Sorry, guys, but all I could think about in the first minute was filming that scene and people shouting "LEAN TO THE LEFT. OKAY, NOW LEAN TO THE RIGHT. FLIGHT ATTENDANT! DROP YOUR TRAY! SEATBELTS EVERYONE! SEAT! BELTS!"

Fake airplane scenes are cheesy 90% of the time on any show, and this was no exception. Like...while everyone was excoriating Tara for putting the lives of over 100 people in danger I'm thinking, uh, guys, there were 30 tops. And also why are we bothering with locked cockpit doors when future terrorists can use the beverage carts as battering rams?

Sooo...Flight Risk exemplifies my problemo with SVU making a statement about the egregious and unforgivable doings of real-lifers. In case anyone out there was still ignorant about how corporations and businesses establish and get away with maintaining sexist, toxic, and demeaning means and methods of operation, this episode preached it plain as day.

The manual reads:

1. Embellish minor infractions and contextualize them so the victim appears incompetent, foolish, and derelict in duties.
2. Recite laudatory (yet insubstantial) talking points and platitudes such as "I have two daughters" and "I let my assistant have the day off so she could attend the women's march."
3. Disregard and/or trivialize complaints and debase the plaintiffs.
4. Resolve allegations with empty promises and/or monetary compensation (anything that avoids bad press or the legal system)
5. Have confidence in public outrage's ephemeral nature.

This week in OMB WTF faces...

The episode would have been more interesting if...

A. It focused on Barba's culture-changing crusade...he and Benson pushing all the prickly corporate buttons and maybe being told to stand down but they don't (sort of like in Institutional Fail) and Barba's path away from the show is a political one. I really thought at the end he was going to tell Benson he was running for office.

B. NYPD's own culture was called into question and whatever the hell is going on with Benson and that memo unfolded alongside the case against Optimum Air and the episode ends with Benson and Rollins sitting in her office, bewildered, because how in the hell didn't they notice they, too, were under siege by their employer's very own boys' club?

In other news, Rollins is D.O.N.E. with pilot worship.

For the record, CEChauvinist Petruchio, er, Fleming and his Mengele-esque memo made my skin crawl.

Quotable:

"I felt cheap...devalued."
"I could shrug it off."
In a nutshell, the only ammunition women have to fight back.

"Jurors don't like difficult women."
Not only jurors, OMB.

"An interesting marketing strategy if this was the sixties." The scene at Optimum's headquarters and Benson's what-the-serious-fuck reactions were priceless.

"Come tomorrow there's gonna be a new t-shirt...Logan Carter, rapist."
Cue eye roll. Carisi, you nerd.

And in the Dodds (yes, Fin, we want you to cut him) file...

"They don't need Special Victims inventing a defense for her." Fuck you, Dodds and excuse me is this statement not grounds for him to be reassigned? Damn.

"If there's one thing I hate, it's a hypocrite." See above.

There are plenty of openings for Dodds to be a bad guy. Even though he and Benson seem to be in one of their periods of detente, he's not (nor has he ever been) 100% on her side. We needed neither a memo nor interview rumors to know this, but it's nice to be reminded and I'm excited for all of this to play out...

Thanks but no thanks on the welcome back hug, Amanda.

Appearances

Welcome back gray trench and red blouse with the silver clasps and hello camel blazer!

Benson's clearly (and admittedly) exhausted. Did anyone else notice how unenthusiastic she was as Barba presented his grand plans for changing the world?

Petition for the immediate return of bangless Benson. C'mon, people.

Tracking Tucker

What I would've given for a freshly-showered Tucker to come waltzing into the living room while Dodds was there...

And I can't believe Barson Tweeps didn't go ga-ga over this (then again, I probably have most of those people muted)...

Excuuuuuse me but the only hand Benson is supposed to touch when looking at a phone is TUCKER'S!

Head Scratchers

1. Now Dodds is at the apartment? Sheesh. Can I get a fucking invite? I'll tidy up...

2. Is my Cassidy-as-Fin's-Source theory correct? I actually hope not because my stomach turns thinking about how the writers could make OMB buy Cassidy's attempt at redemption and go running back into his arms and that would be so ridiculous and OOC but I really do think these people hate me that much.

Is It Next Wednesday, Yet?

Important, poignant story? Yes.
Gripping television? No.

Loose threads abound, though...

Is Barba's departure temporary or permanent? Punitive or self-imposed? Will Stone be friend or foe? Is McCoy's return Munch-esque or something more meaningful than a cameo? How long will Fin keep whatever he knows from Benson and will his gallant deed end up backfiring? Can I not be constantly dreading Bensidy 3.0?

What the hell else are they going to do to Liv?

In the meantime, would it be possible for OMB to get some fucking sleep in the next two weeks?