Scorched Earth

"Scorched Earth"
←	SVU, Episode 13.01	→
Production number: 13003 First aired: 21 September 2011
	{{{nNthProducedInSeries}}}th of 502 produced in SVU
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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

• Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson
• Danny Pino as Detective Nick Amaro (credit only)
• Kelli Giddish as Detective Amanda Rollins
• Richard Belzer as Sergeant John Munch
• Ice-T as Detective Odafin Tutuola
• Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen

Recurring Cast

• Stephanie March as 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 M.E. Melinda Warner
• Ron Rifkin as Attorney Marvin Exley

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

• Italy
• Silvio Berlusconi (at the time Prime Minister of Italy)
• Sudan
• South Sudan
• Barack Obama
• Elliot Stabler

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 principle 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

Previous episode: "Smoked"

"Scorched Earth" Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 13

Next episode: "Personal Fouls"