"Wrong Is Right" | ||
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← | SVU, Episode 2.01 | → |
Production number: E1403 First aired: 20 October 2000 | ||
Written By David J. Burke & Jeff Eckerle Directed By Ted Kotcheff |
Summary
The Manhattan Special Victims Unit struggles with the Morris Commission's uneasiness over Stabler and Jeffries while they investigate the murder of a man whose crotch was set on fire after he was shot in the face.
Plot
The Manhattan SVU squad investigates the murder of Andrew Croft, who was set on fire. Stabler's eldest daughter, Maureen, sees Croft's body as Stabler drives her home from the beach. Meanwhile, Stabler and Jeffries are under investigation by the Morris Commission, which causes Jeffries to be transferred to desk duty in order to further explain herself.
The squad finds out that Croft's adopted son, Michael Goren, murdered him and set his genitals on fire. He confesses, claiming it was an accident, but they don't believe him. Munch discovers through a confidential informant that Croft was actually a convicted child molester who abused at least 11 boys in both the United States and Canada. The detectives suspect that Croft was abusing Michael as well. The new ADA, Alexandra Cabot, only agrees to a deal if Michael admits to the abuse, but he refuses, so she charges him with second-degree murder.
Munch discovers that Andrew's past was covered up when he manufactured parts for weapons for the government during Operation Desert Storm. He learns from the company's head of security, a good man, that Croft's criminal record was covered up to prevent trouble crossing country lines.
Stabler talks to Michael's best friend, Danny, who admits Andrew tried to rape him and he broke off his friendship with Michael after he did nothing about it. Stabler reveals that Michael was molested since he was eight and while he might've been strong enough to fight him off now, he wasn't then, and now had no one to turn to. Danny then understands and Stabler asks more questions.
On the stand, Michael finally confesses to the molestation, once Cabot brings up Danny and accuses Michael of being raped too. Michael admits that he hated what Croft did but says he was used to it until Croft brought over someone else to abuse him. He refuses to name his other abuser, who lived across the street and who help Croft rape and murdered a boy in Belgium. Shocked, Cabot asks Michael who the person is though Michael is reluctant because of the latter's connections. After assuring him of his safety, Michael finally identifues the man: Craig Prince, head of the company that covered up Andrew's past.
Munch and Stabler arrest Prince for his crimes while his stunned colleagues watch and the detectives reveal the grand jury indicted Michael on manslaughter charges but because of this evidence and his testimony, Cabot made a deal with Michael.
Cragen testifies to the Morris Commission in Stabler's defense. He tells them about the horrific crimes that Stabler sees every day, and says that it is only natural that he would think about killing people who victimize innocent women and children. He adds that Stabler should be commended for keeping those impulses in check. Cragen's defense of Stabler saves his job, but as the episode ends, Detective Odafin Tutuola arrives to take Jefferies' place.
Cast
Main cast
- Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler
- Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson
- Richard Belzer as Detective John Munch
- Michelle Hurd as Detective Monique Jeffries
- Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen
Recurring cast
- Stephanie March as A.D.A. Alexandra Cabot
- Isabel Gillies as Kathy Stabler
- Erin Broderick as Maureen Stabler
- John Driver as Police Commissioner Lyle Morris
- Lance Reddick as M.E. Taylor
- J.K. Simmons as Dr. Emil Skoda
- Ice-T as Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola (uncredited)
Guest cast
- Adam Kaufman as Michael Goren
- Gerry Bamman as Craig Prince
- Paul Wesley as Danny Burrell
- Nathan Wetherington as Jason Sloan
- John Doman as Munch's Informant
- Laura Regan as Denise Sandler
- Lauren Kressel as Student #2
- Michael X. Martin as Principal Dietz
- Christopher Wynkoop as Local Police Officer
- Geoffrey Ewing as Ralph Noble
- Denise Burse as Counselor Scheider
- Albert Bigelow as Ryan Witherspoon
- Suzanne Grodner as Teacher
- Michael Hollick as Coach
- T.J. Kenneally as PD Eisendrath
- John McGinty as Policeman #1
- Elizabeth Martin as School Secretary
- Curtis Holbrook as Student #1
References
- Belgium
- Bosnia
- Canada
- Andrew Croft
- George Kazinski
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- Iraq
- Israel
- Persian Gulf War
Quotes
- Benson: What happened?
- Stabler: I talked too much. Again!
- John Munch: Reevaluation stinks.
- Monique Jeffries: Truly. Best crime stats in thirty years and they're reevaluating?
- John Munch: It's how it works. We get rid of the criminals they fear, they start fearing us. Public hates tough cops 'til they need one.
- Alexandra Cabot: You want me to secure a search warrant for the offices of a defense contractor to search classified national security files for evidence in a sexually motivated homicide?
- John Munch: Yes, you got a problem with that?
- Alexandra Cabot: (dials a number) Judge Hermann, please. Uncle Bill ... look, I need a little favor.
- Elliot Stabler: What're you doing up?
- Maureen Stabler: I couldn't sleep.
- Elliot Stabler: Did you have a nightmare?
- Maureen Stabler: You have to sleep to have nightmares.
- Elliot Stabler: Of course, what was I thinking?
“ | A child molester only has power as long as his secret is kept. You tell the truth, his power is gone. | ” |
–Alexandra Cabot |
“ | What are the odds that you have a picture of Senator Joseph McCarthy tattooed on your ass? | ” |
–John Munch |
“ | I want to see your spook ass NOW! | ” |
–John Munch calling his informant |
- Craig Prince: You're hurting me!
- John Munch: Not our concern
“ | This little boy's mother stuck his hands on a frying pan until his fingers burned off. This rape victim required twelve hours of surgery to have a steel plate put into her head after her attacker pummeled her with a claw hammer. This one didn't make it! Is there anybody on this panel who doesn't share Detective Stabler's anger for the perpetrators? This man is a good cop! As his Commanding Officer, I stand with him and every good cop who faces these horrors day after day and has the strength to keep his impulses in check. Now if you can look at these pictures and not understand that, the problem here isn't Elliot Stabler, is it? | ” |
–Donald Cragen |
Background information and notes
- This episode features the first appearances of two new regular cast members. Stephanie March appears as A.D.A. Alexandra Cabot, while Ice-T briefly cameos as new Detective Odafin Tutuola. Ice-T previously appeared as Seymour 'Kingston' Stockton in the franchise's only movie.
- This episode also means the end for Michelle Hurd as regular character Detective Monique Jeffries. Jeffries had sex with a man whom she knew was a suspect in a case. After being seen as a possibly unbalanced person by the Morris Commission, Jeffries is reassigned to desk duty while she is re-evaluated. This is one of three episodes in the second season in which Hurd appears in the opening theme. The other two are "Asunder" and "Runaway".
- Deleted scenes from this episode included a meeting between ADA Alexandra Cabot and Captain Donald Cragen, and also a bathroom scene between Detective Elliot Stabler and his wife, Kathy.
- From this episode forward, Chris Meloni is credited as Christopher Meloni.
- When Elliot Stabler comes into the office wearing a Hawaiian shirt, John Munch makes a snide comment about Jimmy Buffett. Jimmy Buffett is an American singer-songwriter whose songs typically revolve around beaches, tropical islands and laid back parties. His fans, dubbed "Parrot-Heads," generally assume the uniform of a Hawaiian shirt and shorts when Buffett plays a concert that they go to see.
- The Twin Towers of the old World Trade Center are briefly seen in this episode.
Episode scene cards
1 | 2 | 3 |
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Amsterdam Apartments |
Radial velocity, INC. |
Special Victims Unit |
4 | 5 | 6 |
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Adams High School |
Rikers Island |
Grand Jury Room |
7 | 8 | 9 |
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Adams High School |
Grand Jury Room |
Special Victims Unit |
Previous episode: "Slaves" |
"Wrong Is Right" Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 2 |
Next episode: "Honor" |