» 11-09: "PERVERTED" 2009.11.18 Options

[fifty8th]

A MEMBER OF A DANGEROUS BIKER GANG IS KILLED, AND BENSON IS THE PRIME SUSPECT While in the park, a family stumbles upon the sexually mutilated body of Clyde Vandyne, a member of a biker gang known for prostitution and contract killing. To everyone’s surprise, incriminating DNA evidence points to Detective Benson (Mariska Hargitay) as the prime suspect. Munch (Richard Belzer) and Fin (Ice-T) investigate the murder, while Stabler (Christopher Meloni) fights to prove his partner’s innocence. The detectives must find the missing link to both Vandyne’s murder and Benson’s involvement. Also starring: Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen), and Tamara Tunie (Dr. Melinda Warner).

[ReverseFleckerl]

An interesting FAQ on bail in New York.

I think Alex was working behind the scenes with Elliot. (Did he actually confirm to Olivia that he indeed took out a second mortgage? Not smart, since apparently the govt can keep a percentage, at least when the trial proceeds. Not sure about if the charges are dropped. Anyway, it couldn't and wouldn't have all happened that fast anyway. But whatev. Hence: the answer, Alex, is "What is an friendly anonymous rich DA for if not to bail out her boo?")

Heh. Ya gotta have fun where ya can.

[telelixir]

Well, color me surprised. That did not suck. And not just because we got to see Liv make a bunch of facial expressions involving more that just her one eyebrow.

The plot stuck to solving the crime that was shown in the teaser. Good.

I liked the partnership vibes between Elliot and Liv, but could do without the "Let's get you into bed" line that was put in for the tweens.

That was the fastest processing of a mortgage application that I've ever heard tell of.

I don't know about you, but if I am arrested for murder and a high-powered attorney tells me that "concerned friends" paid the retainer, I don't let it drop. I would demand to know by whom...unless I already knew, beyond the shadow of a doubt.

Was that a maternity sweatshirt? Because there was something very wrong with it, so much so that leather jacket couldn't even redeem it. I'm about to start thinking that the sweatshirt, nuddle, and files that were blocking the stomach throughout were deliberate - we've seen this before. Congratulations are in order?

I also cracked up every time Liv answered a question about her personal life, it sounded like a deflective lie.

O: I never needed a car but then I must have hit some sort of mid-life crisis last year.
No, Liv, you use it for trolling and the reason you haven't driven it for a month is because Alex came back to the unit after Paxton got pinched.

O: They invented this great thing, it's called delivery.
No, Liv, you and Alex always eat out...I mean get take out.

E: Planning a tropical getaway?
O: A girl can dream, can't she? Stop snooping.
No, Liv, Alex dropped those off when she brought you soup last night, and she's going to be pissed if you tell Elliot.

IAB: No boyfriend?
O: Are you interrogating me for murder or signing me up for a dating service?
Liv, try not to look like the the word "boyfriend" is laughable and then answer with a sarcastic question. It makes it look like you have something to hide...oh, wait.

Also, when IAB tells you that you are going to be strip-searched, try not to look like you just remembered that you have "Property of Alexandra Cabot" tatooed on your ass.

[PI Marlowe]

After seeing the NBC promos I was expecting this episode to drown in a sea of CSI-level technobabble about DNA. I was relieved when 1) the fabricated DNA evidence was discussed succinctly, briefly, and believably and 2) I later found out the situation was based on real, published research and technology. Good work, SVU. And double props for making a good - yes, good - episode that didn't have Alex in it.

All the major players had decent writing here, including Munch and Fin and even Lt. Tucker - Robert John Burke continues to do a good job with what is basically a one-note "hardass" character. Stabler and Benson's interactions in the opening scene captured the right amount of light-hearted bickering and genuine sibling-like concern. Same goes for the Stabler-M.E. Warner interactions which were colored with the right amount of Stabler's impatience - and the bare truth that Elliot often speaks before he thinks.

I liked the reference to the Detectives' almost callous use of the threat of prison sexual assault that the perp made at the end. It's been discussed before on the forums, but it's insensitive, even juvenile, and used too often. It's been used since the beginning of time - I was watching my Miami Vice DVDs the other day, and even Crockett and Tubbs weren't above using the possibility of prison rape is used to coerce some cooperation out of a suspect - but detectives in the Special Victims Unit should know better.

Speaking of Miami Vice, it's no green Ferrari Daytona, but how about that black 1965 Mustang ragtop with 289ci V-8 - Olivia has good taste in cars. That explains why Benson has no furnishings in her apartment - she spent it all fueling, garaging, and maintaining her car. The choice of the car shows something about Benson's character - as well as the fact that she works too hard to even enjoy it, seeing as how she hadn't driven it in a month. Seems like the vacation brochures may also have been wishful thinking...

If we don't find out that it was Alex who paid Langan's fees, I'm going to be very disappointed. I hope it's not just dropped and never brought up again.

[OkinawanSteel]

If we don't find out that it was Alex who paid Langan's fees, I'm going to be very disappointed. I hope it's not just dropped and never brought up again.

Well, if our dear friend Nancy is to be believed Elliot actually paid for that too, although I cannot fathom how he would have the kind of finances necessary to pay Langan's retainer, unless the reason Lizzie's never gotten her own very special episode is that he sold her on the black market for a hefty sum. Besides, why wouldn't they just be upfront about that too? Would Elliot call Langan?

Nope, I'm not getting into it. In my head it was Alex, unless stated otherwise onscreen.

[devans00]

Both Turmoil and Perverted had the subtext of Elliot and Olivia's past words/actions coming back to bite them on the ass. Elliot has way more sins to "pay" for than Olivia so I can take at least one more episode in this vein. I hope the Law and Order SVU can move on after that.

Although, it would be nice to see Elliot having a thought for someone other than himself since he almost got Captain Cragen fired.

I wonder if the topic of perverted DNA will be a one shot deal or if the existence of the technology change all the shows going forward. Guess I better tune in to find out.

[pmgiff]

Well, if our dear friend Nancy is to be believed Elliot actually paid for that too, although I cannot fathom how he would have the kind of finances necessary to pay Langan's retainer, unless the reason Lizzie's never gotten her own very special episode is that he sold her on the black market for a hefty sum. Besides, why wouldn't they just be upfront about that too? Would Elliot call Langan?

Nope, I'm not getting into it. In my head it was Alex, unless stated otherwise onscreen.

Yep, me too. As I stated in the Spoilers thread, I am 99.5% sure that it was Alex who retained Trevor. Reasons that we all saw were:
- of ALL the attorney's in NYC, Olivia just HAPPENS to have Trevor Langan come and represent her. Trevor, whom ALEX is friendly with and who have been seen before having dinner together.
- the only person in Olivia's life who would have the kind of money needed to retain Trevor is ALEX. Trevor's retainer is probably at least 15k-20k MINIMUM. No way do the boys at the squad have that kind of money. Maybe if they all pool it together, but is that really believable??? Um, no.
- Elliot mortgaged his house to get Olivia out on bail. Not much left to put down a retainer on Langan! Plus the retainer is money GONE, not like the bail money which he will get back! Besides, WHY would Elliot choose Langan as Olivia's attorney??? Of all the NYC attorney's, why would Elliot think of him? Answer: he wouldn't!
- When Olivia was being arrested in front of the squad, Finn picks up the phone and immediately dials the DA'S OFFICE!!! Why? Um, maybe because ALEX is there!!! He says he's calling the DA's office for an attorney. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the DA's office is who will be prosecuting her!! Finn=calls Alex
- When Olivia asks who retained Trevor, he simply says "concerned friends". Olivia doesn't even question him about this and seems to know exactly who hired him. This was made even more clear when Trevor says "and your buddy Alex Cabot won't be throwing softballs at us in court....". Why bring up Alex? Because she was relevant to that situation, that's why!

I hope they address this in a future episode. But knowing them, they will just sweep it all under the carpet and forget about it so we can have more perp of the week stuff......

[Kara6891]

I think its pretty obvious that it was Alex who paid Langan's retainer. I mean who else could it be? Pmgiff pretty much hit all the points of proof. The writers are well aware of some/most viewers' knack for reading into a A/O relationship and sometimes I wonder if they intentionally throw in some subtextual stuff for us to pick up on or is it all accidental. Either way, I'll continue to ship for my favorite not-realized lesbian couple.

I was kind of surprised with what the story led in to. But I'm glad for once Olivia's previous actions are coming back to bite her, because I'm kind of sick of the Elliot-centric episodes. I remember someone stated a few weeks ago (perhaps during the Rosie Perez episode) how they hated that Liv and El tend to make light of prison rape and use it to intimidate the suspects. Well perhaps we'll see the end of that. Ahh, who am i kidding?!!

I also liked that Olivia's stint in prison and her PTSD was FINALLY brought up, even in secondary conversation. Did she really say she had already gotten help for that? I wished they would have actually shown some of this help.

I wonder if the topic of perverted DNA will be a one shot deal or if the existence of the technology change all the shows going forward. Guess I better tune in to find out.

I was so intrigued but the topic that I'm about to go do a little research to see if there is any validity to it. However, even if this technology exists, I don't think it will be brought up again. I doubt they'll ever be able to close a case if dna evidence were always in question.

ETA: because intimate and intimidate isn't the same thing.

This post has been edited by Kara6891: Nov 21, 2009 @ 8:47 pm.

[pmgiff]

So I do have one question in regards to this episode: When exactly was this episode filmed? Was it filmed directly before TURMOIL? Or was it one of the episodes that was switched around from the original filming order?
Because if it was filmed directly after Turmoil and was meant to be shown right after Turmoil, then Alex not being in it would make sense. But it doesn't make sense in the fact that Cragen is back to work and it hasn't been 30 days yet since Turmoil's events......

Anyone know the exact FILMING order of the episodes this season so far and upcoming?

[ReverseFleckerl]

So how did the IAB meanie know Olivia had seen a shrink outside the department? Kinda creepy. . .

This post has been edited by ReverseFleckerl: Nov 19, 2009 @ 1:50 am.

[Corleyan]

Just to touch on a couple of points:

Trevor's retainer - logically I believe Cabot to have been one of the only people in Olivia's life that had that kind of money ready at a moment's notice. I dont know the fee we'd be talking about but I am sure the rest of the squad didnt have it lying around. I also dont believe that it was the squad because of the way Trevor said "concerned friends" - given that later we see Elliot allegedly paying Liv's bail, there is no reasons for Trevor not to say "your squad" earlier. I infered from his comment that whoever paid the retainer wanted to stay anonymous and if Perverted and Turmoil are in order, I can quite believe Alex is not going to want Liv to know that after stabbing her in the back, she still forked out that kind of cash. And without an apology, no doubt!

However logic hasnt played a part in this show for a while so I am not sure what to assume except that this will never ever be addressed again.

Liv's bail - thanks for the FAQ on NY bail, ReverseFleckerl, very interesting. So I guess either Elliot stumped up the whole $250k, most of which he got back or he got a bond which would have been $25k+the extra cash the bondsman asks for, none of which he would have got back.

Now granted, I have never worked in mortgage loans in the US, but I have in the UK and the fundamental principles are likely to be the same. So:

a) if Elliot took a 2nd mortgage out without Kathy knowing, then Kathy is not a co-party to the 1st mortgage. I find this incredibly surprising when they have kids as essentially it means Kathy technically has no rights to their marital home.

b) 1st mortgages take several days to arrange, mostly due to the amount of supporting paperwork that requires to be completed by the applicant. 2nd mortgages take a lot longer as they involve the assessment of equity in the person's property to see if there is enough value in the property to meet both mortgages and a whole lot more paperwork.

c) No-one takes a mortgage for $25k. Maybe they increase their 1st mortgage by $25k but even then its such a low amount that you would almost always recommend a straight out loan unless the person was struggling so badly that they needed 10-25years to repay it. And if Elliot needed to spread his $25-30k over that long, he sure as hell has no money for Trevor Langan.

d) Mortgages have huge interest rates and big penalties for early repayment (obviously...because the banks make their money off this type of loan). Even if Elliot went down the road of posting the whole $250k which he was getting back, the penalty clause for repaying all that so quickly would have been pretty hefty. Possibly in the region of $25-30k that he would have lost going down the bailbondsman route. And I just dont believe given Elliot's age/salary that he has a spare $250k of equity in his house anyways.

So essentially...we are meant to believe that Elliot "gave" Olivia $25k+? Just like that? If her comment about not being able to afford Trevor is anything to go by, she isnt exactly in the position to repay it there and then either. Talk about going above and beyond...

Again, perhaps I am applying too much logic but I think they would have been better off just staying down the route of "concerned friends" for the bail too...it made far more sense than Elliot.

And WORD to everyone who has called out Elliot on being bitchy to Warner. As I was watching, I was muttering "Jesus, stop alienating the only person who is still actually being civil to you!" I am actually wondering if they are building up to some sort of massive Elliot breakdown by the end of the season...it just seems like the rage is building and its going to need to find a release somewhere...

[aristocat]

So how did the IAB meanie know Olivia had seen a shrink outside the department? Kinda creepy. . .

That's what I want to know too. Did 6Pax know about it?

About the bail money. It was Olivia who said it was mortgage, Eliot just said the house was not in danger. Like I said on the spoiler thread, this whole episode had an Alex undertone. She's the only one with the kind of money needed for Trevor and the bail. Also, Olivia has a midlife crises the same year she's back in contact with Cabot and buys a MUSTANG? It could've been a gift, like an apology for not calling for three years, and it probably came with a letter jacket. And the brochures in Liv's apartment could be: "Alex, I'm sorry I've been such a bit*h to you, but I found this small, romantic island and I want you to let me show you how sorry I am by going with me..." or something to that extent. And as someone already said, Fin calling the DA's office was completely illogical except if he was directly calling Alex.

Damn, I was happily out of shippers land after Turmoil and they just pulled me back in with this!

Also, did anyone else have a 'Wrath' vibe coming from this ep?

[boewyr]

This wasn't terrible and I was expecting it to be. While the plotting wasn't great, Our Heroes all seemed in character and the dialogue was pretty good. So it was watchable. Advantage of Dawn DeNoon, I guess, she's been on the show longer than Baer. Most of the time she at least gets the characters right.

The Twisted!Perp! was a pretty good actor. I think I've seen him on freaking everything but nothing this big. Certainly made that penultimate scene pretty tense. Mariska did some of the best stuff she's done in a while, too.

So is Twisted!Perp!'s motivation considered meta? There was a discussion here about prison rape being a threat and inappropriate and all that.

Stabler, seriously, he makes Don Draper look like a good husband. Even if Liv was "innocent" and wouldn't jump bail, mortgaging your freaking house for bail without telling your wife?

Word on Alex Cabot paying for Liv's defense. I'll assume that was an olive branch. Also continues the running thing where when someone needs a lawyer, Alex makes a call and Langan shows up.

I am glad that the writers/producers have come to their sense and aren't wasting March's episode count on one's where she'd just pop up for an arraignment.

[NirgDrah]

I liked it a lot.

Good things:
First and foremost I like that Liv owns a black mustang. Yeah baby.

Other than that, this was not badly written. The plot was little contrived but the structure and storytelling and characters where good. I loved the opening scene, where the little girl asks: “what the hell is that” and then her mother says “the devil”. Often the opening scenes are just filler but this was foreboding. And the squirrel thing was cute too. The attention to detail was amazing in this ep, it wasn’t the usual rushed twisty turny bullshit someone actually thought things over.

Olivia Bensons card of death! Love it

The acting was good, MH was very good, not over the top just intense and believable.
And Benson looks hot even when she’s sick. Or maybe not hot but adorable and vulnerable in a non-unpretty crying way, anyway I love her. And she as a mustang. Much shallow.

Elliot always treats Liv like a child doesn’t he? Nothing changes from s1.

A fucking nuddle!? I consider this a good thing because it hilarious. It’s one of those things that’s so bad it’s good. Why does Benson have a nuddle? Must be to compensate for the Mustang I guess. But I’m afraid a nuddle is to a hot chick in a mustang what a mustang is to a middle aged overweight bald guy with a hair piece. Totally unconvincing.

Stabler was bearable in this ep. I hated him but just in a general annoyance kind of way, not a I hope Olivia runs him over repeatedly in her Mustang kinda way.
Biker guy: “back of steroid”
Go biker guy!
Stabler failing to kick the door down, nice touch!
And Boowie knife? Geez Chris... what is wrong with you.

Threatening people with prison rape biting Benson in the ass was really good. But unfortunately she’s also the only person in the squad who will feel guilty about it. I don’t think any of those guys would really care that much.

Munch pointing out the grammatical error in the biker logo, nice.

My guess is Alex paid for the laywer and the bail beause Elliot never really said it was him, he just didn’t deny it.

Question: where is the necklace?!

Best ep in years, full of irony and subtext.

And Liv secretly owns a mustang I don’t think Elliot even knew the way he says: ‘It’s Livs car?’ I’m interpreting that as “Liv owns a Mustang?” because at that point there was really no reason to assume she did it so that couldn’t have surprised him. And I just like it better that way, Liv’s secret mustang.


bad things:

The soulful poets mumbling.

I find it slightly disturbing Benson always yells for help when she’s attacked. She can stop a speeding car by standing in front of it, she has enough super powers to stop some little perp.

Why is there no scene of Liv jumping into her sweet little mustang and then revving it up, V8 beast roaring, chasing after a perp? Why? why you bastards?
Probably because it’s gayer than desk sex with Alex.

[ReverseFleckerl]

Yeah, there really was an interesting subtext going on in this episode. I don't know exactly what that subtext was and have no doubt, unfortunately, that it will never really be made clear. But still.

I also found very interesting all those tidbits you pointed to, aristocat. The references to 1) midlife crisis last year 2) tropical vacation were too deliberate to not mean something, right? Right? All right, it's SVU and the threads will continue to dangle, but in any other show, I'd expect some sort of pay-off. Then Olivia very neatly dodging the boyfriend question and not pressing about Langan's retainer at all? Hmph. I want some payoff (but won't get it, I know, I know.)

I think it is just that there was finally a writer who could play with the characters and the viewers in a way that no others have in a long time. There was a veritable feast for viewers inclined to ship either A/O or E/O. (Honestly, I try to watch with an E/O lens occasionally because it all fascinates me. I want to see what others see just so I can . . .see, you see? But I FAIL! I just couldn't read the E/O interactions in this ep as anything but sibling/long-term detective partners love and affection. I really did try! But I just can't SEE anything romantic there. ::Sigh::)

I too thought MH did a good job. Huh. And I actually, dare I say, enjoyed watching this episode as an hour of mindless entertainment instead of an hour of horrifyingly bizarre fodder for all-out snark attacks. Huh. Weird.

I know I am likely the only one who feels this way but I just can't hold it in any longer: I think Stabler is grotesque and unattractive. Not just his personality (which is, indeed, grotesque and unattractive more often than not.) He looks like . . . like . . .a muppet! a balding, squinty-eyed, thick neck/small headed MUPPET for cripes sake. ;;shudder:: Whew. Glad I finally got that out.