Law & Order: SVU seems to have two main types of episodes that I really enjoy. The first are episodes with really fantastic guest stars and engaging cases. The episode with Jennifer Love Hewitt fell into that category. The second type are episodes that focus on one of the main characters. Sometimes those episodes are hit and miss, but some stand out as excellent. I really liked the episode where Stabler’s wife got into the car accident with Benson and nearly gave birth while trapped in the car. That’s one of my favorite scenes of this show.
I’m happy to say that tonight’s episode is actually a combination of those two types of episodes. Not only are there very good guest stars (with Maria Bello chief among them), but the focus on Benson’s life, and her mother’s rape, brings a familiar depth to the story.
The case of the week is a bit more complex than most. A woman’s body is found in a laundry facility. After some tangents, her body eventually leads Benson and Stabler to Jason Gamble, who turns out to be an extremely crazy and creepy former prisoner. At first the detectives believe he is their suspect, but it turns out a lot of the trophies he had were from victims before he was even born. They suspect his father may have been the rapist and murderer, but then eventually wonder if his cellmate, Walter Burlock, is to blame.
While digging for more victims, Benson tracked down Joan Arliss, who was raped in 1970. Unfortunately, Joan can’t provide any information about her rape because she’s close to death, but Benson reveals the rape to the woman’s daughter, Vivian (played by Maria Bello) and Vivian is convinced that the rapist is her father.
This is where the case turns personal. Benson becomes convinced that she and Vivian are half-sisters, and that their mothers were raped by the same man. A DNA test, however, proves this to be false. Instead, it appears that Vivian’s mother was raped by Burlock.
The recent addition of ADA Jillian Hardwicke to the cast continues to be enjoyable. Melissa Sagemiller fits in well with the cast, and manages to hold her own against creepy suspects and hard-edged defense attorneys. Unfortunately, she throws a wrench in the detectives’ case and they have to let Burlock go on a technicality. When Burlock and Vivian cross paths, in the precinct she realizes that he could very well be her father and this leads her to kill him and then go on the run.
But not before the big twist that I, frankly, absolutely did not see coming. Before killing Burlock, Vivian dropped her young son, Calvin, at the police station and left a letter, stating that she had transferred all parental rights to Benson. I have to say, that threw me for a loop. It also opened up a fantastic new storyline about how Benson will deal with having a child. Stabler has always has his children popping up in various episodes (and some episodes have focused on them), so I am very interested in seeing what happens with Benson and Calvin. I really hope they don’t try to minimize the impact that having a child will have on her life and work and will explore the situation. I also hope that his presence in his life means that we’ll see Maria Bello again on the show, if she ever comes to reclaim her son and/or get brought to justice for Burlock’s murder. Bello was a terrific guest star who slipped easily into her role as a former alcoholic and pill-popper.
Overall, I think this was a terrific episode. While I wasn’t as invested in the actual case as I have been in the past, the personal story concerning Benson really grabbed my attention.
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You need to listen more carefully. Vivian did not transfer her parental rights to Olivia . She signed a form to allow Olivia to apply for guardianship of Calvin. That specifically does not cut off her parental rights. Since Maria Bella is supposed to be back for another episode, she will likely be back to reclaim her son when she is clean again.
And there is no evidence that Vivian killed Burlock. It is only a theory would wouldn't make it to court without something to back it up.
I thought what Olivia said was that the sheet of paper was a "notarized transfer of parental rights" followed by "Vivian made me his guardian". I maybe be wrong about the first part, but that doesn't mean if Vivian should return (and I hope she does) that she won't be able to get her son back. I'm sure she can.
As for the murder, of course it would require more evidence (which is something this show tries to find on a weekly basis in every difficult case). It's only a theory, but it seems to be what the detectives believe. If Maria Bello is coming back, then I suspect that episode will focus on trying to discover if she is guilty or innocent. But I really liked this episode overall and would very much like to see Maria Bello again. She was a terrific guest star!
I thought what Olivia said was that the sheet of paper was a "notarized transfer of parental rights" followed by "Vivian made me his guardian". I maybe be wrong about the first part, but that doesn't mean if Vivian should return (and I hope she does) that she won't be able to get her son back. I'm sure she can.
As for the murder, of course it would require more evidence (which is something this show tries to find on a weekly basis in every difficult case). It's only a theory, but it seems to be what the detectives believe. If Maria Bello is coming back, then I suspect that episode will focus on trying to discover if she is guilty or innocent. But I really liked this episode overall and would very much like to see Maria Bello again. She was a terrific guest star!
Clarissa, you did listen carefully. Vivian did transfer her parental rights to Olivia, which means that Olivia has complete custody of Calvin and it severs the legal guardianship between Vivian and Calvin, but doesn't mean that the emotional bond is cut. It doesn't make sense for Olivia to have to apply for guardianship given that Vivian skipped town and there is no one to watch over the kid until her return. Vivian's friend, who probably helped her skip town as well, might not be eligible either.