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{{Template:Sidebar episode
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{{Sidebar episode
 
|sTitle = Scorched Earth
  
|sTitle = Scorched Earth
 
|aPrevReleasedInSeries = Smoked
  
|aPrevReleasedInSeries = Smoked
Line 12: Line 12:
 
|nAirdateYear = 2011
  
|nAirdateYear = 2011
 
|wsWrittenBy = [[David Matthews]]
  
|wsWrittenBy = [[David Matthews]]
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|wsDirectedBy = [[Michael Slovis]]
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|wsDirectedBy = [[Michael Slovis]]}}Detective Benson investigates when a hotel maid accuses a powerful Italian diplomat of rape.
−
}}
  
   
  ⚫
== Summary ==
−
Detective Benson investigates when a hotel maid accuses a powerful Italian diplomat of rape.
  
−  
⚫
==Plot==
  
 
The detectives of the Special Victims Unit are called to the scene when a hotel maid reports being assaulted by Italian diplomat Robert Distasio. Bureau Chief Mike Cutter and ADA Alexandra Cabot prosecute the high-profile case, which quickly grows more complicated as the maid's credibility is publicly questioned. Detective Amanda Rollins joins the Manhattan SVU from Atlanta, while Benson struggles to cope with the fall-out from the shooting in the precinct.
  
The detectives of the Special Victims Unit are called to the scene when a hotel maid reports being assaulted by Italian diplomat Robert Distasio. Bureau Chief Mike Cutter and ADA Alexandra Cabot prosecute the high-profile case, which quickly grows more complicated as the maid's credibility is publicly questioned. Detective Amanda Rollins joins the Manhattan SVU from Atlanta, while Benson struggles to cope with the fall-out from the shooting in the precinct.
  +
⚫
==Summary==
  
  ⚫
== Plot ==
−
The detectives investigates the sexual assault of a hotel maid named Miriam by Roberto Distasio, a well-known, wealthy and influential Italian diplomat.
 +
The detectives investigates the sexual assault of a hotel maid named Miriam by Roberto Distasio, a well-known, wealthy and influential Italian diplomat.
 
Detective Amanda Rollins joins SVU along with returned ADA Alex Cabot (who has returned from the Congo) and the new Bureau Chief, [[Michael Cutter|Mike Cutter]].
  
Detective Amanda Rollins joins SVU along with returned ADA Alex Cabot (who has returned from the Congo) and the new Bureau Chief, [[Michael Cutter|Mike Cutter]].
   
 
Miriam's injuries and the DNA evidence that was found in the hotel suite seem to indicate that Distasio is guilty, but the squad encounters many problems with the case and once Distasio is indicted, the case falls apart when the defense team digs into Miriam's past in Sudan and discovers inconsistencies in her story.
  
Miriam's injuries and the DNA evidence that was found in the hotel suite seem to indicate that Distasio is guilty, but the squad encounters many problems with the case and once Distasio is indicted, the case falls apart when the defense team digs into Miriam's past in Sudan and discovers inconsistencies in her story.
   
−
With her Miriam's credibility in question, Cabot continues to prosecute the case, but the jury cannot decide on the issue of the rape and only returns with a minor conviction. Meanwhile, Olivia has a hard time dealing with Elliot's absence after the shooting last season. In the end, Elliot resigns from SVU which visibly upsets Olivia.
 +
With Miriam's credibility in question, Cabot continues to prosecute the case, but the jury cannot decide on the issue of the rape and only returns with a minor conviction. Meanwhile, Olivia has a hard time dealing with Elliot's absence after the shooting last season. In the end, Elliot resigns from SVU which visibly upsets Olivia.
   
−
==Cast==
 +
== Cast ==
−
===Main Cast===
 +
=== Main Cast ===
−
*[[Mariska Hargitay]] as [[Detective]] [[Olivia Benson]]
 +
* [[Mariska Hargitay]] as [[Detective]] [[Olivia Benson]]
−
*[[Kelli Giddish]] as [[Detective]] [[Amanda Rollins]]
 +
* [[Danny Pino]] as [[Detective]] [[Nick Amaro]] ''(credit only)''
−
*[[Richard Belzer]] as [[Sergeant]] [[John Munch]]
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* [[Kelli Giddish]] as [[Detective]] [[Amanda Rollins]]
−
*[[Ice-T]] as [[Detective]] [[Odafin Tutuola]]
 +
* [[Richard Belzer]] as [[Sergeant]] [[John Munch]]
−
*[[Dann Florek]] as [[Captain]] [[Donald Cragen]]
 +
* [[Ice-T]] as [[Detective]] [[Odafin Tutuola]]
  +
* [[Dann Florek]] as [[Captain]] [[Donald Cragen]]
   
 
===Recurring Cast===
  
===Recurring Cast===
−
*[[Tamara Tunie]] as [[Medical examiner|M.E.]] [[Melinda Warner]]
 +
* [[Stephanie March]] as [[Assistant district attorney|A.D.A.]] [[Alexandra Cabot]]
  +
* [[Linus Roache]] as Bureau Chief [[Michael Cutter]]
−
*[[Stephanie March]] as [[Assistant District Attorney|A.D.A.]] [[Alexandra Cabot]]
  
−
*[[Linus Roache]] as Bureau Chief [[Michael Cutter]]
 +
* [[Jenna Stern]] as [[Judge]] [[Elana Barth]]
  +
* [[Michael Mastro]] as [[Judge]] [[D. Serani]]
  +
* [[Tamara Tunie]] as [[Medical examiner|M.E.]] [[Melinda Warner]]
  +
* [[Ron Rifkin]] as [[Attorney]] [[Marvin Exley]]
   
 
===Guest Cast===
  
===Guest Cast===
−
*[[Anika Noni Rose]] as [[Miriam Deng]]
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* [[Franco Nero]] as [[Roberto Distasio]]
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*[[Franco Nero]] as [[Robert Distasio]]
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* [[John Earl Jelks]] as Mr. [[Achok (Mr.)|Achok]]
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*[[Kathleen Garrett]] as Mrs. Distasio
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* [[Kathleen Garrett]] as [[Sofia Distasio]]
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*[[Ron Rifkin]] as [[Defense Attorney]] [[Stan Exley]]
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* [[Anika Noni Rose]] as [[Miriam Deng]]
−
*[[Jenna Stern]] as Judge [[Elana Barth]]
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* [[Alexander Blaise]] as [[Pietro Fedeli]]
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*[[Michael Mastro]] as Judge D. Serai
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* [[Ben Van Bergen]] as Driver
−
*[[Folake Olowofoyeku]] as Adisa
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* [[Folake Olowofoyeku]] as [[Adisa]]
−
*[[Alexander Blaise]] as [[Pietro Fedeli]]
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* [[Kapil Bawa]] as Hotel GM
−
*[[Juan Veza]] as Cabot's Junior ADA
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* [[Helen Mendes]] as Jury Forewoman
−
*[[Minerva Paz]] as Court Clerk
 +
* [[Minerva Paz]] as Court Clerk
−
*[[Helen Mendes]] as Jury Foreman
 +
* [[Juan Veza]] as Cabot's Junior ADA (uncredited)
  +
* [[Marcia M Francis]] as Maid / Protester (uncredited)
−
*[[Kapil Bawa]] as Hotel GM
  
−
*[[Gil O'Brien]] as Reporter (uncredited)
 +
* [[Shevy Berkovits Gutierrez]] as Squad Room Detective (uncredited)
−
*[[Ben Van Bergen]] as Driver (uncredited)
 +
* [[Gil O'Brien]] as Reporter (uncredited)
   
−
==Quotes==
 +
== References ==
  +
*[[Italy]]
−
''Episode quotes''
  
  +
*[[wikipedia:Silvio Berlusconi|Silvio Berlusconi]] {{c|at the time Prime Minister of Italy}}
  +
*[[Sudan]]
  +
*[[South Sudan]]
  +
*{{W|Barack Obama}}
  +
*[[Elliot Stabler]]
   
  +
== Quotes ==
⚫
==Background information and notes==
  
  +
{{Quote|Absolute power corrupts absolutely.|John Munch about politicians.}}
−
*This is the first episode produced where [[Christopher Meloni]] is not part of the cast.
  
  +
⚫
*[[Kelli Giddish]] joins the cast as [[Detective]] [[Amanda Rollins]].
  
  ⚫
== Background information and notes ==
⚫
*[[Linus Roache]] joins the cast as the recurring role of Bureau Chief [[Michael Cutter]]. Cutter was previously a principle cast member of the original Law & Order series.
  
  ⚫
*[[Kelli Giddish]] joins the cast as [[Detective]] [[Amanda Rollins]] and her first lines show a notable Southern accent.
  ⚫
*[[Linus Roache]] joins the cast as the recurring role of Bureau Chief [[Michael Cutter]]. Cutter was previously a principal cast member of the original Law & Order series.
 
*Starting with this episode [[Tamara Tunie]] is moved from the main cast to a guest starring role once again.
  
*Starting with this episode [[Tamara Tunie]] is moved from the main cast to a guest starring role once again.
−
*This episode marks the end of the single-worded episode titles that have been in place since Season 4's episode [[Angels]].
 +
*This is the first time Stephanie March has appeared in a season opener since season 4's opener, [[Chameleon]].
  +
*Rollins mentions that she studied the murder of Angela Brown from [[Mercy]].
−
*This episode was inspired by the Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexual assault case.
 +
*This episode was inspired by the Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexual assault case; at one point Cabot actually refers to Distasio as "another DSK".
  +
*Cragen mentions that Elliot has been involved in six different shootings, including when he killed Detective [[Brad Kendall]] ("[[Risk]]"), killed an unnamed Snakehead ("[[Debt]]"), shot at [[Ray Schenkel]] ("[[Demons]]"), killed [[Christopher Rawlings]] ("[[Raw]]"), shot at [[Owen Cassidy]] ("[[Sugar]]"), and killed [[Jenna Fox]] ("[[Smoked]]").
  +
 
=== Episode scene cards ===
  
=== Episode scene cards ===
 
{| class="grey" width="100%"
  
{| class="grey" width="100%"
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|}
  
|}
   
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{{Template:Episode
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{{Episode
 
|Previous = [[Smoked]]
  
|Previous = [[Smoked]]
 
|Title = Scorched Earth
  
|Title = Scorched Earth
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|Season = 13
  
|Season = 13
 
|Next = [[Personal Fouls]]}}
  
|Next = [[Personal Fouls]]}}
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[[Category:SVU episodes]]
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[[Category:Crossover episodes]]
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[[Category:Season Premieres]]

Revision as of 17:31, 19 May 2020

"Scorched Earth"
← SVU, Episode 13.01 →
Production number: 13003
First aired: 21 September 2011
  {{{nNthProducedInSeries}}}th of 502 produced in SVU  
← {{{nNthReleasedInSeries}}}th of 502 released in SVU →
  {{{nNthReleasedInAll}}}th of 1271 released in all  
File:Benson & Cabot Scorched Earth.jpg
Written By
David Matthews

Directed By
Michael Slovis

Detective Benson investigates when a hotel maid accuses a powerful Italian diplomat of rape.

Summary

The detectives of the Special Victims Unit are called to the scene when a hotel maid reports being assaulted by Italian diplomat Robert Distasio. Bureau Chief Mike Cutter and ADA Alexandra Cabot prosecute the high-profile case, which quickly grows more complicated as the maid's credibility is publicly questioned. Detective Amanda Rollins joins the Manhattan SVU from Atlanta, while Benson struggles to cope with the fall-out from the shooting in the precinct.

Plot

The detectives investigates the sexual assault of a hotel maid named Miriam by Roberto Distasio, a well-known, wealthy and influential Italian diplomat. Detective Amanda Rollins joins SVU along with returned ADA Alex Cabot (who has returned from the Congo) and the new Bureau Chief, Mike Cutter.

Miriam's injuries and the DNA evidence that was found in the hotel suite seem to indicate that Distasio is guilty, but the squad encounters many problems with the case and once Distasio is indicted, the case falls apart when the defense team digs into Miriam's past in Sudan and discovers inconsistencies in her story.

With Miriam's credibility in question, Cabot continues to prosecute the case, but the jury cannot decide on the issue of the rape and only returns with a minor conviction. Meanwhile, Olivia has a hard time dealing with Elliot's absence after the shooting last season. In the end, Elliot resigns from SVU which visibly upsets Olivia.

Cast

Main Cast

Recurring Cast

Guest Cast

  • Franco Nero as Roberto Distasio
  • John Earl Jelks as Mr. Achok
  • Kathleen Garrett as Sofia Distasio
  • Anika Noni Rose as Miriam Deng
  • Alexander Blaise as Pietro Fedeli
  • Ben Van Bergen as Driver
  • Folake Olowofoyeku as Adisa
  • Kapil Bawa as Hotel GM
  • Helen Mendes as Jury Forewoman
  • Minerva Paz as Court Clerk
  • Juan Veza as Cabot's Junior ADA (uncredited)
  • Marcia M Francis as Maid / Protester (uncredited)
  • Shevy Berkovits Gutierrez as Squad Room Detective (uncredited)
  • Gil O'Brien as Reporter (uncredited)

References

Quotes

“ Absolute power corrupts absolutely. ”

–John Munch about politicians.

Background information and notes

  • Kelli Giddish joins the cast as Detective Amanda Rollins and her first lines show a notable Southern accent.
  • Linus Roache joins the cast as the recurring role of Bureau Chief Michael Cutter. Cutter was previously a principal cast member of the original Law & Order series.
  • Starting with this episode Tamara Tunie is moved from the main cast to a guest starring role once again.
  • This is the first time Stephanie March has appeared in a season opener since season 4's opener, Chameleon.
  • Rollins mentions that she studied the murder of Angela Brown from Mercy.
  • This episode was inspired by the Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexual assault case; at one point Cabot actually refers to Distasio as "another DSK".
  • Cragen mentions that Elliot has been involved in six different shootings, including when he killed Detective Brad Kendall ("Risk"), killed an unnamed Snakehead ("Debt"), shot at Ray Schenkel ("Demons"), killed Christopher Rawlings ("Raw"), shot at Owen Cassidy ("Sugar"), and killed Jenna Fox ("Smoked").

Episode scene cards

1 2 3

Arraignment Court
Part 11
Tuesday, June 28

Sutton Place Townhouse
16 Sutton Square
Wednesday, June 29

Pre-Trial Hearing
Part 42
Monday, August 8

4 5 6

Superior Court
Part 42
Tuesday, August 9

Superior Court
Part 42
Thursday, August 11

Superior Court Summation
Part 42
Thursday, August 11

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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Season 13 		Next episode:
"Personal Fouls"
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