| "Mea Culpa" | ||
|---|---|---|
| ← | SVU, Episode 20.09 | → |
| Production number: 20009 First aired: 15 November 2018 | ||
 | ||
| Written By Michael S. Chernuchin & Julie Martin Directed By Mariska Hargitay | ||
Summary[]
Stone takes his own case to court when a woman from his past accuses him of sexual assault.
Plot[]
While waiting at the pier, Stone is approached by Benson who tells him that Gregg is talking with DA's office for a plea deal while all the charges against Stone have been dropped. However, this is bittersweet for Stone because he invited Sarah to the hotel, where she was raped by someone he thought of as a friend. Benson tries to relieve him of guilt because he didn't know what would happen. She then brings up how a DNA test confirms that Gary is indeed Emma's father, while bringing up how Sarah was previously worried on this. Stone realizes Sarah had always assumed he was the father.
Benson apologizes to him for his whole ordeal, as well as how she seemed to have doubted him. He shrugs that off, stating that's why he works with her because she continued her investigation, even when Stone started doubting himself.
Cast[]
Main cast[]
- Mariska Hargitay as Lieutenant Olivia Benson
- Kelli Giddish as Detective Amanda Rollins
- Ice-T as Sergeant Odafin Tutuola
- Peter Scanavino as Detective Dominick Carisi, Jr.
- Philip Winchester as A.D.A. Peter Stone
Recurring cast[]
- George Newbern as Dr. Al Pollack
- Eddie Hargitay as Officer Eddie Montero
- Mary Hodges as Judge Anita Wright
- Lauren Noble as Carmen
- Meredith Holzman as Attorney Naomi Ziegler
Guest cast[]
- Alexandra Breckenridge as Sarah Kent
- Shawn Parsons as Roger Madden
- Kevin Kane as Gary Kent
- Tessa Albertson as Alicia Beck
- Austin Peck as Reggie Gregg
- Inga Schlingmann as Leanne Rose
- Cedric Cannon as Borough Commander Ray Bryant
- Carly Connors as Emma Kent
- Nathaniel Floyd Peart as Bartender
- Jacopo Rampini as Waiter
References[]
references
Quotes[]
- Rollins: We all realize that this sucks.
- Carisi: Yeah, you know what sucks, Rollins? This is what sucks. A busload of nuns could say that Peter Stone was in Albuquerque at the time of this rape. And still, somewhere in the back of my mind, every time I see him I'm gonna wonder, "did he?" That's what sucks.
- Benson: So we spoke with Sarah.
- Stone: Hm.
- Benson: She said that you raped her and her husband wants to press charges. Her story is credible, Peter.
- Stone: What about my story? Because I know I didn't rape anyone.
- Benson: There were two people in that room, and I wasn't there.
- Stone: And you said you believe me.
- Benson: I also believe her. Look, Peter, if this was anyone else we wouldn't be having this conversation.
- Stone: So that's it? You're just gonna arrest me now?
- Benson: I have to. If you want to call a lawyer, we...
- Stone: I am a lawyer.
- Benson: Peter, I'm sorry for everything that you went through. And I'm sorry if it seemed like I doubted you.
- Stone: Don't be. Liv, that's why I work with you. You know, the thing is when all the noise was coming at me, there was a moment I doubted myself.
Background Information and Notes[]
- "Mea culpa" is a Latin term meaning "through my fault", and it is used for confessions of wrongdoing, especially in law and religion.
- As he was being arrested in the last episode ("Hell's Kitchen"), A.D.A. Chris Hodges screamed at Peter Stone that he would get accused by a woman too which happened in this episode.
- The song playing at the bar when Stone tries to get Leanne Rose another drink is "Love Song" by Zak Abel. The song is reused later in the season 22 episode "Trick-Rolled At The Moulin'".
- Two deleted scenes from this episode were posted on Youtube:
- ADA Stone is alleged to have committed the central crime 15 years ago, but the statute of limitations for second- and third-degree rape were only five years prior to 2019, which were extended to 20 and 10 years, respectively. The statute of limitations for first-degree rape was only five years, per N.Y. Crim. Pro. Law § 30.10. As a result, neither ADA Stone nor his friend Reggie Gregg, who actually committed the crime, could actually be legally arrested and prosecuted for the crime, as this episode aired in 2018.
Episode scene cards[]
| 1 | 2 |
|---|---|
|
Drag Bunt Bar |
Kent Residence |
Footnotes[]
| Previous episode: "Hell's Kitchen" |
"Mea Culpa" Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 20 |
Next episode: "Alta Kockers" |