| "Thought Criminal" | ||
|---|---|---|
| ← | SVU, Episode 15.23 | → |
| Production number: 15023 First aired (US): 14 May 2014 First aired (UK): 1 June 2014 First aired (CAN): 14 April 2014 First aired (AUS): 26 June 2014 | ||
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| Teleplay By Peter Blauner Story By Peter Blauner & Julie Martin & Warren Leight Directed By Adam Bernstein | ||
The SVU pushes legal and moral boundaries to put a sexual predator behind bars - even though he has not technically committed a crime.
Summary[]
Under the guidance of Lieutenant Murphy, Sergeant Benson and the SVU take an active approach to catching sex offenders. They target Simon Wilkes, a well-regarded photographer with a secret life. An undercover investigation finds his graphic, sadistic fantasies may have crossed the line into reality, at a child's expense. But the case becomes impossible when no evidence of a victim is found.
Plot[]
Under the direction of Murphy, the SVU squad embarks on a mission to catch sexual predators by enticing them in a fake internet stream.
This tactic leads to a minor offender named Gordon, but Murphy wants a bigger catch.
Meanwhile, Amaro is walking with Maria and Zara are in the Park. Maria tells him that she has been offered a job in Los Angeles and she and her daughter will have to move. At first, Amaro is upset until Maria offered him the chance to reconnect and come with them. Nick begins to consider the offer.
The detectives lean on Gordon for intel on his worst associates and he clues the team in to a fantasy website focused on young children and one particularly unsettling participant named Simon Wilkes (who makes his living as a well-respected photographer).
Murphy and Rollins go undercover as rich art lovers at one of Wilkes' exhibitions. Murphy name-drops users from the site, feigning interest in "other" work Wilkes might have for sale.
Wilkes takes the bait and after talking outside the gallery, he agrees to procure a boy to further their mutual interests. Armed with the taped conversation, Murphy goes to Barba, who warns him that the government doesn't indict people for imagining things.
Everyone on the squad sides with Murphy and he enlists Fin off the books to pose as a human trafficker in an effort to squeeze more dirt on Wilkes. It is discovered that Wilkes owns a secret soundproof room filled with torture instruments.
Murphy arrests Wilkes and when they case the room, Rollins locates photos that indicate some serious crimes. It is later discovered that Wilkes photoshopped the photos & the room showed no evidence of DNA.
The SVU squad calls up Dr. Huang for a psych evaluation. Although Wilkes sticks with his story about how he's only fantasizing (and not acting) on his impulses, Dr. Huang believes that his torture chamber represents a gun about to go off.
During the trial, Barba tries his best to guide the jury, but without any clear crime, the case appears weak. The team digs deep for any missing leads and discovers Wilkes' ex-wife (who resides in Toronto).
It is discovered that the ex-wife discovered Wilkes' propensity for dark online material and moved away to protect their son. When they blindside Wilkes in court with his son and ex-wife, he breaks down.
Wilkes admits that his fantasies caused the divorce even though he never acted on them. Despite his breakdown, the jury is unconvinced and Wilkes is cleared on all charges.
Later on, Amaro discovers that Maria and Zara are moving to Los Angeles after Maria received a job offer there.
While Amaro walks by a playground, he notices Wilkes taking photos of the kids playing. Amaro asks him to stop, but Wilkes won't. Amaro snaps and assaults him. In the end, the police show up and handcuff Amaro.
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
- Raúl Esparza as A.D.A. Rafael Barba
Recurring Cast[]
- Donal Logue as Lieutenant Declan Murphy
- Nia Vardalos as Attorney Minonna Efron
- Laura Benanti as Maria Grazie
- Kate Blumberg as Mrs. Wilkes
- Sharon Washington as Judge V. Hayes
- B.D. Wong as Dr. George Huang
- Joshua Malina as Simon Wilkes
- Stephen C. Bradbury as Judge Colin McNamara
- Alison Fernandez as Zara Amaro
- Diomargy Nuñez as Officer Sanchez
Guest Cast[]
- Brian Baumgartner as Gordon Montlieff
- Welker White as Paula Walker
- Kimiko Glenn as Lily Deng
- Anne Carney as Jury Foreperson
- Jason Iannacone as Uni #1
- Rory Duffy as Uni #2
References[]
Quotes[]
- Amaro: Why are we talking to this guy? Just charge him and lock him up.
- Murphy: This squad needs to evolve. Little cases make big cases.
- [to Dr. Huang about Wilkes]
- Murphy: Will he act on these impulses?
- Dr. Huang: Well, here's another analogy: some people just talk about suicide, but we worry about them when they go out and they buy a gun.
- Minonna Efron: I'd like you to ask yourselves, have you ever had thoughts you knew you would never act on? I know I have. I'm sure the D.A. has. Cheating on your spouse? Killing your boss, maybe an in-law? Think about it. Better yet, don't think about it. Don't. Otherwise you'll be where Mr. Wilkes is now.
Background information and Notes[]
- This marks the final appearance of Maria Grazie.
- Nick chooses not to go to California but in the next season finale, he chooses to go in the episode "Surrendering Noah".
- Simon Wilkes' online alias, Erastes, is a Greek term for an older man who is in a relationship with a teen.
- Attorney Minonna Efron mentions Nick Amaro chasing attackers of his home with a baseball bat from "Amaro's One-Eighty".
Episode scene cards[]
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
City Payroll Office |
The Stanshall Innes Gallery |
Rikers Island |
Dewitt Clinton Park |
| 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|
|
Arraignment Court |
Home of |
Supreme Court |
| Previous episode: "Reasonable Doubt" |
"Thought Criminal" Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 15 |
Next episode: "Spring Awakening" |