December Solstice

"December Solstice"
←	SVU, Episode 16.16	→
Production number: 16016 First aired (US): 25 February 2015 First aired (UK): 12 April 2015 First aired (CAN): 25 February 2015 First aired (AUS): 11 June 2015
	th of 502 produced in SVU
←	th of 502 released in SVU	→
	th of 1271 released in all
Written By Ed Zuckerman Directed By Sharat Raju

A literary icon's life becomes a tabloid headline.

Summary

Celebrity author Walter Briggs is the focus of a feud between his sixth wife, Charmaine, and his daughters from previous marriages. The fight over control for both his well-being and his estate becomes a criminal case when Charmaine is accused of abusing her husband. Meanwhile, Barba struggles with his own family drama when he goes against his grandmother's wishes.

Cast

Main cast

• Mariska Hargitay as Sergeant Olivia Benson
• Danny Pino as Detective Nick Amaro
• Kelli Giddish as Detective Amanda Rollins
• Ice-T as Detective Odafin Tutuola (credit only)
• Peter Scanavino as Detective Dominick Carisi, Jr.
• Raúl Esparza as A.D.A. Rafael Barba

Recurring cast

• Jefferson Mays as M.E. Carl Rudnick
• Sharon Washington as Judge V. Hayes
• Susie Essman as Attorney Arlene Heller
• Sandy Duncan as Judge Virginia Farrell

Guest cast

• Marcia Cross as Charmaine Briggs
• Mercedes Ruehl as Lucia Barba
• Emily Bergl as Judith Briggs
• Susan Pourfar as Delilah Briggs
• Kate Jennings Grant as Judge Marian Adams
• Michelle Hurst as Ms. Thwaites
• Anne Betancourt as Catalina Diaz
• Jennifer Van Dyck as Dr. Brenda Tedroe
• Steven Shaw as Frederick Worth
• Robert Vaughn as Walter Briggs
• Jason Bowen as Devon Wallace
• Chris Harnick as Reporter #1
• Drew Grant as Reporter #2

References

• Melinda Warner
• Ellie Porter
• Johnny Drake
• Electroejaculation

Quotes

Episode quotes

Background information and notes

• Emily Bergl and Susan Pourfar, who play sisters in this episode, previously guest-starred together in the Law & Order: Criminal Intent season 5 episode "Vacancy", although they didn't share a scene together.
• Another case centered around the electroejaculation method is the season 7 episode "Design", where April Troost drugged her victims with Rohypnol and used this method to sell their sperm at a sperm bank where she worked at.

Episode scene cards

1	2	3	4
Townhouse of Walter and Charmaine Briggs 61 East 65th Street Saturday, February 7	Gollier Lemay Health Center 102 East 77th Street Saturday, February 7	349 West 47th Street Saturday, February 7	Westchester County Courthouse White Plains, New York Saturday, February 7

5	6	7	8
Apartment of Catalina Diaz 113 McClellan Street Bronx, New York Saturday, February 7	Westchester General Hospital White Plains, New York Sunday, February 8	Arraignment Court Part 11 Monday, February 9	Supreme Court Part 17 Tuesday, February 10

9	10	11
Saint Teresa Assisted Living 6072 Riverdale Avenue Tuesday, February 10	Supreme Court Part 17 Tuesday, February 10	Supreme Court Part 17 Wednesday, February 11

Previous episode: "Undercover Mother"

"December Solstice" Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 16

Next episode: "Parole Violations"