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dillanholliday
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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Secrets Exhumed (2013)
A+ Story Telling BUT...
Dana Lewis appeared in episodes S07E06 Raw, S08E01 Informed, S12E08 Penetration and of course in this episode.
Her story from start to finish has been a wild ride. We first meet her undercover where she hurls her undercover ideology constant at the detectives. She grew to care for Detectives Benson and Stabler and the paths of all these officers would cross at various stages... Until this episode that is. Obviously Detective Stabler is no longer on the force at this time but the fact this story came to an end without him is quite a bummer in my opinion.
She is a unique side character who writers could cycle back to every few seasons. We watched as her character grew and adapted off screen which in a weekly episodic program is rare for an adjacent character like Dana. On one hand, I am thankful that for once a character has a full story. Many of the ADA's and Judges from prior seasons seem to just disappear with no rhyme reason or closure. On the other hand, this story (while influenced by real events) does not seem to be a fit for the character of Dana Lewis.
All of that aside, I will award this episode 10/10 stars. The story was compelling. The actors were brilliant and believable in the disbelief that a beloved friend could commit such an act.
It makes me wonder if the writers were smart enough to realize we would have blinders for a recurring character... Perhaps we the viewer were supposed to feel the same way as Benson. Betrayed.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Redemption (2001)
Character Development for Stabler
You either love Elliot or you hate him. This episode did him no favors.
He begins by throwing a tantrum after a grandfather accused of touching his grandchild is set free by a jury. He remarks that the system is broken. Elliot is of course sensitive to kids he has 4 of his own after all. He had promised the girl everything would be ok.
Later the detectives are called to a brutal crime scene and Elliot begins getting visually annoyed while interviewing the victims friend. Olivia Benson has to step in and call Stabler away.
This episode does a great job showing the growing riff between Benson and Stabler. They have arguments and even not so subtly barb at one another. These arguments come only a few episodes after Olivia told Stabler "If you can't trust your partner, it's time to find a new one." or something to that same effect.
When Stabler and Benson are interrogating David Steadman (1st suspect) Elliot gets physical pushing him against the wall. Olivia again tries to intervene. Steadman gives his alibi and is quickly left alone. Upon a follow up they learn that Steadman was in the hospital during the time of the crime.
It's at this point we meet Stabler's old mentor/partner John "Hawk" Hawkins. Hawk and Stabler are tasked with investigating Roger Berry who is the paroled Soho Killer.
Hawk and Stabler go to the apartment of Berry. Hawk kicks in the door and Stabler asks "Do you have a warrant?" The two of them begin to search the apartment.
They duo try to find Berry at his mothers residence. The bicker until Stabler says "Sometimes finesse goes a long way." Hawk responds "Finesse is for fairies." (That did not age well)
Stabler and Hawk argue at a bar about grandstanding then they apprehend Roger Berry who tries to resist after they find him on the pier with a noose around his neck.
Hawk and Stabler begin interrogating Berry and after an outburst from Berry, Hawk begins literally slapping the suspect around. Stabler then intervenes.
Upon further investigating Hawk and Stabler learn that Roger Berry wasn't the Soho Killer in the first place. He was wrongly convicted. Hawk got him to falsely confess.
Hawk and Stabler begin following up on Arthur Blessard an IRS worker and former neighbor to Berry. It turns out Blessard was using tax returns as a way to find victims. Stabler, Hawk, and Benson apprehend the suspect. Benson interrogates the would be victim while Hawk and Stabler interrogate Blessard.
Hawk and Stabler start screaming at the suspect and once again Hawk gets physical threatening to "put your (Blessard's) through that wall."
When Blessard says "I'll be sure to tell my lawyer." Stabler retorts "I didn't see anything."
Hawk smiles ear to ear.
It becomes rather clear that Arthur Blessard was setting up Roger Berry. The detectives have to go back 18 years to try to find a way to connect Blessard to the original murders. They do.
Stabler and Hawk try to apprehend Blessard who tries to escape to the roof. The detectives chase him down. Hawk catches Blessard who is dangling from the roof. Hawk crushes his fingers telling Stabler "We both know the system is broken." Stabler talks Hawk into saving Blessard.
A good story slightly tarnished by its rather rushed ending. This is a common predicament for SVU.