S16.E03: Producer's Backend

[Tara Ariano]

A starlet tries to use her charms to get out of an arrest, but Amaro proves unflappable, earning him a spot back on the SVU squad. The same starlet is later charged with statutory rape, prompting a curious Benson to investigate the actress's own past.

[ShortyMac]

Can there not be a crisis involving Noah every week? It's getting old fast.

Edited October 9, 2014 by ShortyMac

[WendyCR72]

Can there not be a crisis involving Noah every week? It's getting old fast.

 

Which is why, more often than not, kids added to old shows are usually harbingers of suck.

[RafaelBarbas]

I'm glad I stopped paying attention to anything but Barba.

On a light note, did anyone notice the way they panned to Barba and that look he gave Olivia during the "outing" conversation? Foreshadowing maybe?

[2KllMckngBrd]

Which is why, more often than not, kids added to old shows are usually harbingers of suck.

I literally yelled at the screen, "no, not another week about that damn baby...I don't watch SVU for babies". I said at end of last season, that a little happy Olivia goes a long way. And I hoped that it didn't become 1 lady, and a baby. Luckily from previews, and the amount Olivia's in them, in the field, doesn't look like baby Noah takes over too much of next week. Also saw some Finn in there too, so happy joy.

 

Wasn't as good as season premiere, but definitely better than last week. Tinsley was played by the girl, from that waste of my summers' valuable time, Crisis. She played Dermott Mulroney's daughter. She wasn't that great a actress on that show either. And Tinsley Evans? Evans? If your name is Tinsley, your last name isn't Evans. It was nice though to see B&S's Uncle Saul.

 

So was this week Bryan Singer ripped from the headlines, but with girls? And a little Dina Lohan thrown in for giggles sake? The part before Amaro showed up, where Tinsley is getting into her SUV, I thought Tinsley was going to start it up, and then mow a whole bunch of folks over, like that NYC heiress a few years back. But as soon as Amaro arrived I knew this was the ep when he would be worked back in as a Det.

 

I like that Creasi is starting to fit in. But I did laugh when he made that crack about Amaro attracting trouble, and Amanda made that crack about the stash. Shaving that thing off took at least 5 years off his age. And how dare Amaro get all high and mighty about if he was going to work w/Amanda or Creasi. He was just lucky that Olivia went to bat for him, and got him back on the squad. Of course, we all knew it was just a matter of time before Amaro was back, but damn, at least be humble about it. I would like to think Amaro has learned that running around like a bull in a china shop isn't the best plan. But Olivia and Elliot got away w/it for over a decade, so don't have a lot of hope.

 

Still loving Barba. The look Raul Esparza got on his face when he made the Canadian connection was hot. Almost hot enough for me to forgive the fact that they didn't really explain how that was helpful in the moment. Later on they spelled out, that it was a federal charge, and why, but in the moment it didn't really make sense. They kept harping on the age of consent, and the different states, and how it didn't help them. How smart skuzzy mcskuzzerson producer was to pick girls and locations that age of consent statutes, would have run out on already. Then Barba gets the light bulb moment, and he and Liv exchange sultry mental high-fives (don't act like it was only me...ok...whatever), w/out any further explanation. I didn't get the Federal angle till the end.

[MrsRafaelBarba]

Rollins and Amaro still getting it in and doing a poor job of being low key.

Hey Barb a, with your smexy self.

[briochetwist]

Winnipeg Nights.  Sounds like an Oscar winner to me.  

 

Enough of the baby drama, this is the wrong show for it.

[Morbs]

The underwater blow job thing was from Singer's case, but I think overall the episode was based on Dan Schneider, a Nickelodeon producer who allegedly, the based on anonymous gossips kind of allegedly, molested Amanda Bynes.

Edited October 9, 2014 by Morbs

[2KllMckngBrd]

The underwater blow job thing was from Singer's case, but I think overall the episode was based on Dan Schneider, a Nickelodeon producer who allegedly molested Amanda Bynes.

Whoa. What? I had never heard that. Off to google. Thanx for the answer...err, correction. Damn. I just assumed Amanda Bynes was ONLY dealing w/mental illness. Damn, damnity, damn, damn,

[Everleigh]

That Dan Schneider thing is horrifying (if true), he's produced so many shows centered around young girls. But I don't know if those allegations are well known enough to be the inspiration here.

 

The episode was fine. Up until the baby Noah crisis cliffhanger at the end. Hopefully it's just a minor scare that doesn't dominate next episode. 

 

I find it hard to believe that the producer guy would go through all the trouble of registering a script but not bother writing a half-assed treatment to make it look legit. It was said over and over again how smart and careful he was, and strictly filming projects in states where it's basically legal to have sex with teenagers is some pretty next level shit, so I found it hard to believe he'd be that careless when it came to registering the script.

 

I like the new guy a lot more without the mustache. I wouldn't mind if he stuck around, especially if he continues to annoy the other detectives a little bit.

 

As corny as the whole Uncle Nick scene was, I still found it cute. I like the relationship Olivia and Nick have. They seem to respect each other and look out for each other and there's no unnecessary tension, just a regular old friendship between co-workers. I just wish they'd let Olivia and Amanda be on friendlier terms.

 

Does anyone else feel like Amanda comes off as a bit needy when it comes to her and Nick? Or at the very least, it seems she's more invested than he is. She's so desperate to get him back on the squad and is constantly bringing his name up, not to mention him apparently not calling her back for some time in the first episode. I don't like it, it's not really a flattering look for her. Plus, based on their personalities, I would have guessed it'd be the other way around. If they're going to keep this thing between them up I wish they'd keep it in the background, along with Baby Noah. Also, they're super obvious. Who stands that close to someone when having a conversation, even if they are sleeping together.

 

So based off the look she gave Nick, Olivia knows they're together? And then sends them off to Canada together for a nice little romantic getaway on NYPD's dime. That was sweet of her. Hope the department didn't bother shelling out the money for two hotel rooms.

Edited October 9, 2014 by Everleigh

[silversage]

Thought it was interesting with the Noah cliffhanger but then the previews for next week show nothing of the sort.

[stillbored]

I really missed Finn in this episode. Especially as Liv was running out the door and she asked Amaro to hold down the fort. I was thinking "really? he's only been there for 3 years. And he is just coming off of street cop duty. Finn should be the one to hold down the fort". They didn't explain his absence and considering he has been a big part of the show/squad room - I wanted to know where the character was (when was the last time Ice-T wasn't in an episode??).

I'd like to know how Amaro got back on the squad so fast - especially since Tucker had JUST told Liv that he wasn't going back yet - and the next thing we see is Liv telling Amaro that he's back. (Speaking of that scene - I was actually annoyed that even though Liv was present at the time, the baby-sitter/nanny was going to give Noah his bath. Why pay for a baby-sitter when you're in the house?)

That was an really high quality dash board cam. The audio was amazing.

Why couldn't the LAPD investigate the drowing of that young girl again since recent evidence had come to light?

Hopefully next week they'll explain why Noah is at the ER (it seems odd to me that whoever called Liv didn't say something like "he had a fever/he fell off the bed" - whoever took him to the ER knows why the took him).

[MrsRafaelBarba]

The Dan Schneider allegations are pretty well known.

He was the name that immediately popped up, when Jamie Lynn Spears got pregnant.

Plus there are many photos online, of him being a bit hand sy with several Nick teen actresses.

[MrsRafaelBarba]

Finally realized why Detective Noob looks familiar,, another SVU repeat offender.

He appeared in the episode Monster's Legacy.

[TD3000]

I'd like to know how Amaro got back on the squad so fast - especially since Tucker had JUST told Liv that he wasn't going back yet - and the next thing we see is Liv telling Amaro that he's back.

I was thinking that Olivia told Amaro that he was cleared even though he wasn't. Then everyone would really be in trouble. But I guess the show just opted not to show us the rest of the process.

 

From the first time I saw the previews, I took this episode to be a take off the Bynes/Schneider thing, but there certainly were some other things mixed in as well (Lindsay Lohan I forgot to mention).

Edited October 9, 2014 by TD3000

[TaraS1]

The Dan Schneider who used to be on Head Of the Class?!  If so, wow - where have I been?  I had never heard that before!

 

I was good with this episode too, until that ridiculous thing with the baby at the end.  That seemed so out of place.  Add me to the list of people who do not care about this kid.

 

I really, really like the new guy.  And even though it will clearly end badly, I still really like Amaro and Rollins together.

[CMH1981]

I didn't pick up on the Amanda Bynes/Dan Scheneider connection, I was thinking it was more Bryan Singer w/Lindsay Lohan thrown in for who knows what reason.  I think the mom was the giveaway for the Lindsay Lohan connection, she was a piece of work.  So b/c Tinsley didn't know boundaries when it comes to sex she wasn't held responsible for the rape of a 15 year old boy?  Come on show, I mean Barba had a hard on to see this girl go down, and he just drops that part of the case to go after the producer?  He could have went after both.  

[Primetimer]

What starts as a routine car accident balloons into an investigation of a Hollywood sex ring, yet somehow a starlet's momager almost manages to be grosser than all the perps.

Read the story

[abbottrabbit]

The Dan Schneider who's also married to and produces that terrible "Hungry Girl" cooking show? Yikes.

[Scottish Girl]

I just can't with Mariska anymore. I think she's becoming a worse actress as she ages. I don't remember ever thinking she was bad in the first several seasons, but now? When she's TIP I get second-hand embarrassment. It's like I can see her ACTING, a la Jon Lovitz. Idk, it makes me feel bad. The whole show was good until the end when Noah went to the ER. Anyone else?

[Bill C.]

The Noah thing was so random and OOTB it just...no.  And they didn't explain Fin's absence from this episode, did they?

 

And while the Dina Lohan-oid was definitely more of an OTT mess than just about anybody else on the dark side of the law in this episode ("insimulating"...oh, geez), the one thing that I took away from this episode as per Tara was

 

Barba makes a case for sex tourism, which is surely the first time this charge has ever stuck to anyone who tried to get their rocks off by travelling to WINNIPEG.

 

Seriously.  When was the last time anybody on TV mentioned frigging Winnipeg when it didn't involve hockey?

[WendyCR72]

I just can't with Mariska anymore. I think she's becoming a worse actress as she ages. I don't remember ever thinking she was bad in the first several seasons, but now? When she's TIP I get second-hand embarrassment. It's like I can see her ACTING, a la Jon Lovitz. Idk, it makes me feel bad. The whole show was good until the end when Noah went to the ER. Anyone else?

 

Maybe she's just bored. Although, even if she is, the pile of money she is likely being paid ought to be some sort of motivation to try.

[MorbidPet]

I found the episode a little boring for some reason. I mean the case and its similarities to actual child starlets are of course upsetting and probably all to real for many aspiring actors & actresses. My love for Ron Rifkin couldn't even make it interesting for me.

 

Things I liked though; Nick back on the squad, no more porn stache, Amanda commenting on no more porn stache, everything about Barba and - even though it really have nothing to do with the actual episode and was rather crude - Warren retweeting a tweet about Rollaro joining the mile high club

 

I didn't like Fin being absent and that this wasn't explained at all. And no, I didn't like that cliffhanger either, babies are boring on a crime show. And it seems the promo monkeys are at it again since I'm pretty sure Nick will be the one in danger in next ep and not Amanda so much but we'll see.

 

As for Mariska being a bad actress I don't really agree, sure she has delivered a few lines lately that seems a bit odd to me but my biggest problem is that Olivia has become such a dull character to watch. I mean she was the one I looked up to before and was amazed with her talent for dealing with these cases & victims, and co-workers, seeing how she's a product of rape herself & the stigma of that. But she lost that fire, I think when Stabler left and then the Lewis travesty didn't help either. I was hoping that the child she's craved for so long at least could bring some life back in to her but it seems he's more draining her than anything else. Too early yet though to count out it can't happen so here's to hoping...

[Ms Blue Jay]

I like the new guy a lot more without the mustache.

 

I was so attracted to him.  That was the scariest part of the episode!

 

I felt so bad for the Tinsley actress when snot was running down her face.  Couldn't they reshoot the scene?  I found it so distracting.  Come on SVU must have a budget for that considering how many hands they must pay to rip headlines.

 

I think there was an episode of NBC's The Office also in Winnipeg.  Named Winnipeg.

 

Thanks for letting us know about Dan Schneider.  I really didn't know.  What I Like About You is one of my all time favourite shows (not a joke) and it's so sad to see what has become of Amanda.  So sad.  

Edited October 10, 2014 by Ms Blue Jay

[txhorns79]

The Dan Schneider allegations are pretty well known.

 

Honestly, I had no idea who that was until it was mentioned here.  The Lindsay Lohan/Amanda Bynes/Bryan Singer connection seems to me what they were going for. 

 

And did anyone notice that Paul from The Wonder Years (who I think is now an actual attorney) was playing the perp's lawyer at the end?  It took me a moment to recognize him, but that was definitely him. 

 

And I, like many others here, rolled my eyes at "Noah is in the ER!" 

[MrsRafaelBarba]

Here's my take on the end scene...

Think it was done to show how mishaps with a child can happen anytime.

My guess, Noah had fever and/or ear infection.

Nothing earth shatterinit iig like gunfire at the kiddie park.

The writers were a wee bit anvilicious, but I think that what they were going for.

If I'm right, expect a brief mention from Olivia next week.

Or someone will ask how Noah is doing.

[Kel Varnsen]

And did anyone notice that Paul from The Wonder Years (who I think is now an actual attorney) was playing the perp's lawyer at the end?  It took me a moment to recognize him, but that was definitely him. 

Interesting because the same actor is doing a guest role this season as a white supremacist gang leader on Sons of Anarchy.

 

Why couldn't the LAPD investigate the drowing of that young girl again since recent evidence had come to light?

 

 

I didn't get that either. I mean they said that LAPD ruled it an accidental death right, which means no one was ever charged. And there is no statute of limitations on a homicide right? So why not just hand the evidence over to LAPD and let them charge the guy with murder or at least manslaughter.

 

Also when that actor kid mentioned he did a ride along with some NYPD detectives, I was hoping he would say something like "their names were Lupo and Bernard, you know them?"

[RedheadZombie]

I thought of the Lohans of course, but I also immediately assumed they were basing it off Roman Polanski.  The episode really chilled me in a way, because there are adults who would agree that Tinsley is not a victim.  In fact, I read a woman's comment about Roman Polanski's victim on a gossip site yesterday.  The poster claimed (in full sincerity) that Polanski's thirteen year old victim was a willing participant, and asked for the alcohol, drugs, and anal sex.  In fact, poor Polanski was probably set up by the victim's pimp of a mother. It blows my mind that someone can still think this way.

[Dot Com]

Here's my take on the end scene...

Think it was done to show how mishaps with a child can happen anytime.

My guess, Noah had fever and/or ear infection.

Nothing earth shatterinit iig like gunfire at the kiddie park.

The writers were a wee bit anvilicious, but I think that what they were going for.

If I'm right, expect a brief mention from Olivia next week.

Or someone will ask how Noah is doing.

In the scene where Amaro was with Olivia and the Babysitter. Olivia told the babysitter to make sure to dry Noah's hair completely because he still had a cough. It was said somewhat quietly so not everyone might have heard it.

Edited October 10, 2014 by Dot Com

[lucindabelle]

I was not expecting the sexual tourism and was impressed with a real legal surprise at the end. Haven't had that in a long time.

[Princess Sparkle]

I have to say I got two genuine laughs that were from intentional moments (as opposed to the many unintentional ones). Once when the 15 year old boy said "...Seriously?" when his dad asked why he didn't tell him he'd had oral sex with Tinsley, and then at Carisi at the pool party with his giggle followed by "You just pushed Brody Clark!" Even though I know he can't stick around, I'd be perfectly happy with Carisi staying forever - without the stache, he's actually pretty good looking.

For the "Ripped from the headlines" piece, I saw both Bryan Singer and Dan Schneider - the pool party orgies being Singer, but the many, many molestation rumors for young girls in his movies/shows being Schneider.

What I didn't understand was why they couldn't prosecute for Tinsely - she said the first instance was when she was 13, but then said it happened for the next few years. Couldn't they pick an instance from when she was raped when she was 15, since that wouldn't conflict with the statute of limitations? At first I thought it would be because she wasn't a credible witness, but they seemed to get caught up on the statute part.

I did miss Finn - half the reason I watch SVU is because I like to hear a good Finn quip.

Interesting because the same actor is doing a guest role this season as a white supremacist gang leader on Sons of Anarchy.

I can't tell if you're making a joke about the urban legend about Paul from the Wonder Years, but in case you're not: Josh Savino, who played Paul on the Wonder Years, was in this episode as a lawyer. Marilyn Manson, who did not play Paul, is the white supremacist leader on Sons of Anarchy this season.

Edited October 11, 2014 by Princess Sparkle

[candall]

If it were up to me, Olivia would stay at the precinct and run the squad.  She doesn't

 **  w h I s p e r  **  at people there. 

Drives me crazy.

 

.

[Snookums]

Can there not be a crisis involving Noah every week? It's getting old fast.

 

 

Seriously. Does the babysitter morph into Good Dog Carl the second Olivia's out the door?

[GarnetGirl]

I liked this episode. As with most SVU episodes, there was way too much stuff crammed into it, but I did like the girl who played Tensley. I really like Carisi. He is the only detective who got it right last week, and seemed to be the only one investigating, instead of pontificating, this week. I love how he annoys Amaro and Rollins- I hope he stays around without getting sanctimonious like everyone else. As always Barba is my favorite- Righteously Indignant Barba ("Sexual Tourism- Section 24-23C of Title 18!) or Oh-My-God-Why-Are-We-Investigating-This-We-Have-No-Evidence-For-Me-To-Prosecute Barba (almost every scene he was in last night) are two of my favorite Barbas (although I am waiting for Babysitting Barba, which will automatically become my favorite if and when it happens). I think the end scene was to set up Peter Gallagher's character to come in and question if Olivia can handle being a mother and a squad commander. (Eyeroll, facepalm, etc.) I'm pretty sure Noah is going to be just fine.

[TimetoShine]

I also liked the episode (although I feel weird saying "liked" but I'll go with it). 

 

More importantly, I really like the new guy. He's fresh and different and it's not all about his personal life. They better not get rid of him. 

[Dot Com]

I wouldn't mind seeing a little bit of Barba's personal life. For all we know he has a wife or husband and three kids at home. But I don't need to see a whole lot of drama concerning his personal life like with Amaro. I wouldn't mind a little follow up to the case against his friend who was running for mayor. Do some people hate him now because they think he set his friend up?

Edited October 12, 2014 by Dot Com

[WendyCR72]

I wouldn't mind seeing a little bit of Barba's personal life. For all we know he has a wife or husband and three kids at home.

 

But...what about Liv? Kidding! Don't care. But if that did happen, it would be the Elliott/Olivia wishful thinking (for some out there in TV land) all over again, and would SVU repeat itself like that?

 

Oh, wait. Of course it would. Never mind then.

[Lebanna]

Honestly, I will be singing and dancing with delight if we never find out anything at all about Barba's private life. Or Carisi's (please Mom, can we keep him?) for that matter. It's nice to have some characters where we don't have to see them being total fuck-ups in their personal relationships, like everybody else on this show. Once they get partners and kids etc, the writers have to give them pointless family drama that honestly is not the reason I watch Law and Order. When do we ever see Finn's son, unless his fiance is being gay-bashed or something? Already Benson's new baby is permanently in annoying danger.

I do ship Barba and Benson a teeny bit, but I certainly don't want to see any of it until the last episode, if then. Barba's my favorite on this show now that Munch is gone, but he wouldn't be if I have to sit through his Very Special Barba's Taking It Personally after his husband's step-sister's nephew's dog has been attacked! episode. Then he'll be just like all the others.

[Diana Berry]

This show should now be titled " Law & Order: SVU-The Noah Crises

Edited October 14, 2014 by Diana Berry

[WendyCR72]

This show should now be titled " Law & Order: SVU-The Noah Crises

 

 

I thought it was The Trials and Tribulations of Olivia Benson: Sour Detective. I mean, going by this season's key art with just Olivia, looking dour as hell, that fits.

[fivestone]

I'm not saying I'm dying to see Baby Benson all the time, but they've got to bring the kid in once in a while to make it believable, you know? How many times have characters been introduced one season and then magically disappear the next? That works with sitcoms, but for a respected drama, that's not gonna fly. One way or the other, we've seen a lot of characters transition (or be forced to transition). Like Olivia moving on from so much of her angst about being a rape baby and coping with her sexual assaults. Fin being tolerant and then accepting his sons homosexuality. The team accepting Barba in as a permanent part of the team and not the revolving door of DA's. Amanda getting in deep with her gambling and then trying to work her 12-Steps program. Amaro dealing with divorce and the discovery of another child. Etc. etc. etc.

And with Olivia being the main character, her growth/change arc is going to be more prominent than the other ones. We've seen her transition into Sergeant and now a working single mom who runs a department. It's another transition but I think the more seasoned she gets and the older her kid gets, we'll see less and less of it.

[Sarah D. Bunting]

 

That works with sitcoms, but for a respected drama, that's not gonna fly.

If this were still a respected drama, I'd agree, but even this one did such a piss-poor job making the Li'l Stablers' various crises of extreme dumbbrattitude compelling that I certainly don't need them to spend time taking another run at it.

 

I'd also REALLY like it if they made Rollins less of a mess.

[Dot Com]

I'd also REALLY like it if they made Rollins less of a mess.

AMEN!