S16.E17: Parole Violations

[WendyCR72]

Detective Carisi's sister Bella prepares for her wedding to fiancé Tommy Sullivan and the upcoming birth of their child. But when Tommy falls back into bad habits and accuses his parole officer of rape, Carisi must investigate whether the claim is real or just another one of Tommy's excuses.

 

Looks like a Carisi-centered episode! With drama. Sigh. I guess no one can just have a happy family on SVU. Oh, well!

[Hero]

Didn't they do a male rape case episode? The lady who played Casey was in the episode.

Hopefully they don't ruin Carisi's character. I already hate what he says in the preview

[RafaelBarbas]

This was one of the only anvilicious episodes I actually liked, because the issue is so important. I've spent the last year hearing people say my younger brother isn't a survivor because his rapist is a woman. My mom and dad don't believe him either, because said woman is our sister too. So... this was all really important. Hearing them take a stand that this can happen to men.

 

I am angry at Carisi for his initial victim-blaming and Rollins for her attitude but in love with Barba for his handling of it.

[wknt3]

The Good:

Molly Price is a pro and did a great job with what she's given.

Some good Barba moments.
It wasn't a 2 parter.

 

The Bad:

Yet another case involving the squad's personal lives.
No Fin.

The writing. It was just a blah episode. And was there some sort of bet on how many SVU tropes they could cram into a single episode? You had the clumsy heavy handed handling of social issue (male rape by a female perp) the already mentioned case from the squad's personal life, the cartoonish villain authority figure (seriously people you must have access to the old scripts from the mothership take a look and see how you can have an executive or government official be unreceptive without cavalierly dismissing serious accusations out of hand), the all officers outside of SVU don't give a damn about anything but are just collecting their paycheck, St. Olivia and Noah and probably a couple I missed or forgot since I wasn't exactly glued to the screen.

Once again I found myself missing Cragen or a real CO. The scenes with Cragen warning them about the politics of investigating a PO or making a nod towards conflict of interest always added something to this sort of story.

This was a Carisi focused episode and I don't feel like I know him any better than I did before. He's the slightly goofy good hearted new guy who NYPD assigned to SVU without any apparent training on the issues. All they did was add some angsty family drama which distinguishes him from everybody else on this show how?
 

Overall this felt like a regression to me after what's been a season of progress. Both bad and boring wasting a good idea for a story about an issue that does need more exposure and a chance to really do something different with a new character.

[CleoCaesar]

The writing. It was just a blah episode. And was there some sort of bet on how many SVU tropes they could cram into a single episode? You had the clumsy heavy handed handling of social issue (male rape by a female perp) the already mentioned case from the squad's personal life, the cartoonish villain authority figure (seriously people you must have access to the old scripts from the mothership take a look and see how you can have an executive or government official be unreceptive without cavalierly dismissing serious accusations out of hand), the all officers outside of SVU don't give a damn about anything but are just collecting their paycheck, St. Olivia and Noah and probably a couple I missed or forgot since I wasn't exactly glued to the screen.

 

This was my problem with the episode too. It was just so...clunky. I liked it on the whole, but the Afterschool Special-ness of it all was cringeworthy at times. Male rape is a real issue, and one that should be treated seriously. But everyone - Carisi, the sister, Olivia, the defense lawyer - just spouted cliches about male rape (from both sides) and it all ended up feeling very by-the-numbers.

 

Barba still puts a smile on my face just by being on screen, though. I loved his confidence when he started cross-examining the witness who betrayed him.

[TV Anonymous]

Didn't they do a male rape case episode? The lady who played Casey was in the episode.

 

Indeed. Before Diane Neal played ADA Novak, she played a culprit who raped a man. In that episode ADA Cabot successfully had her convicted for rape. Therefore, the show questions whether female-on-male rape is possible or not is really out of place.

[WendyCR72]

Indeed. Before Diane Neal played ADA Novak, she played a culprit who raped a man. In that episode ADA Cabot successfully had her convicted for rape. Therefore, the show questions whether female-on-male rape is possible or not is really out of place.

 

Not to defend the sloppiness, because I'm not, but that was a long time ago with, no doubt, many different writers and behind the scenes people in the mix. I guess that's a pitfall when a show runs as long as this one has. Still, I'll concede that someone should have recalled this somewhere and/or better research and care should have been put into it considering that past history - and the general nature and theme of the show itself.

[lucindabelle]

Loved Marin Ireland..

But po was sort of a cardboard villain and why was every single person protecting her?

Wanted to smack opposing counsel.

[Lizzing]

For as often as the Diane Neal pre Casey Novak ep airs on reruns, someone on the writing team should have had a clue.  Study for 3 weeks on reruns, and blamo, there you have it.  But at this point they are hard into bad recycling.  Please end it.  Now that Mariska's husband is off solving stain crimes, let them all take their residuals and live a nice, prosperous life in MHT.

[TV Anonymous]

Not to defend the sloppiness, because I'm not, but that was a long time ago with, no doubt, many different writers and behind the scenes people in the mix. I guess that's a pitfall when a show runs as long as this one has. Still, I'll concede that someone should have recalled this somewhere and/or better research and care should have been put into it considering that past history - and the general nature and theme of the show itself.

 

In the days of Law & Order, EADA Cutter did a case law involving a case that DA McCoy prosecuted when McCoy was an EADA himself. In real life, time elapsed between those episodes were quite substantial (I can not remember exactly). So no, no excuse. That is why a writer like J.K. Rowling had Harry Potter mythology expert to go through her later books. To check for consistency and mythology accuracy.

[Hero]

For as often as the Diane Neal pre Casey Novak ep airs on reruns, someone on the writing team should have had a clue. Study for 3 weeks on reruns, and blamo, there you have it. But at this point they are hard into bad recycling. Please end it. Now that Mariska's husband is off solving stain crimes, let them all take their residuals and live a nice,

prosperous life in MHT.

Lol! "Stain crimes." I hate that commercial.

[gesundheit]

That was a little ridiculous, they've done tons of cases with male victims before, and more than a few of them have had female perpetrators. Not to mention the very fundamental issue that these people are supposed to be trained in this stuff. Why do the actual SVU professionals have to be the dialogue stand-ins for the civilian peanut gallery all the time? Drives me crazy.

 

I pretty much worship Marin Ireland, though, so that was great to see her. And I love Carisi and he was adorable. Fun to see Piper Chapman's brother, too.

 

How convenient that the witness's arms were COVERED in massive track marks.

[Primetimer]

Carisi's sister's baby daddy is raped by his P.O., because SVU siblings can't just have boring functional lives ever.

Read the story

[lucindabelle]

Marin got her teeth fixed! Almost didn't recgonize her. I worked with her when she had JUST gotten her equity card...

[StaceyNotStacie]

I didn't hate the episode.  The topic was somewhat interesting and I think that I appreciated that there was no Benson or Rollins drama.  Based on how he described his other family members, I wonder if we will see them in future episodes; they made it seem like Carisi was the only normal member of the family.

[chick binewski]

So it wasn't just me who noticed some funkiness with the cannoli? And being coy with the cannoli is just another reason for me to loathe Judge Judy Rollins. I really liked that character when she first came on the show. Now, not so much. And am I the only one who wonders if Uncle Elliot sent baby Noah any presents? Seriously, this is the crap I think about. How much time can it take to film a Netflix series? Meloni can't show up for two-parter, breathe through his nostrils and stink-eye Barba who will respond with a witty retort?

 

Next week: Lydia. Rodarte. Quayle. Yay!  

[frogprof]

 

This child's hair is unacceptable at any hour.

 

Yet you assaulted us with not one but TWO photos of it. This has got to stop.

;)

 

ETA: "Rollins and Amaro have a weird moment regarding Carisi's cannoli (not like that, yegh)" made me spit Caffeine-Free Diet Coke EVERYWHERE. 

Edited March 26, 2015 by frogprof

[Empress1]

That was a little ridiculous, they've done tons of cases with male victims before, and more than a few of them have had female perpetrators. Not to mention the very fundamental issue that these people are supposed to be trained in this stuff. Why do the actual SVU professionals have to be the dialogue stand-ins for the civilian peanut gallery all the time? Drives me crazy.

 

Exactly. I did appreciate the biology bit; they got into that some with the ep about the girl who had an orgasm while being gang-raped, and I recall there being a male victim who was raped by another man, and he felt extreme guilt over his body's response. I think he was married or engaged and didn't want his SO to find out he'd been raped.

 

I had the same thought about Noah's hair and then I judged myself because he's a baby - but Lord, some one get that kid a haircut.

 

I like Molly Price.

[GarnetGirl]

Oh, how I loved the chart of SVU siblings! "Benson's half-bro, who kept getting himself framed for things" was particularly spit-take worthy. The best part of this episode was the Barba smirk, when you just know he is going to DESTROY the witness he's about to cross examine. I liked the guest stars, but I do not understand what Rollins was all super judgey about, when she was just in a similar situation with her commanding officer in Atlanta. I know Amaro talked about her sister, but the writers have dumped so many horrible back stories on her, the character is incapable of having a coherent reaction to anything.

[CelticBlackCat]

We finally find out more about Carisi than he's just another pretty face who looks fantastic in a suit!  ;)  His sis, Bella, was great.  I love how Carisi really loves and cares about his sister, and put his previous feelings for her boyfriend aside to see the true situation.  I liked the actress Marin Ireland and how she portrayed her character.  It always cracks me up when New Yorkers talk a mile a minute about something important while they're walking on the street.  :D  I loved seeing Molly Price!  She was great in her role, even being the bad girl, which was opposite of her Third Watch character.

 

Noah's hair looks like he's trying to match Mama Olivia's hairstyle!

 

Barba shined (again)!  I'm glad he got to the bottom of the whole thing, kind of like Perry Mason with the witness-stand "confession" of Dolphy.

[Snookums]

How convenient that the witness's arms were COVERED in massive track marks.

 

 

I did love, though, how after Barba got through shredding the guy, he turns, leans to the defense counsel, and says "never trust a junkie." And the guy just says "Yeah." He tried but it didn't work, oh well. That little exchange highlighted that everybody knows the score and how the game is played.

[WendyCR72]

Is little Noah actually portrayed by a girl/twin girls? Could explain the hair, maybe?

[MorbidPet]

So the subject that men can also get raped is important to shed light on & the hiatus have been far to long but... no, that didn't do much for me & it makes me sad :(

I missed Fin big time!! And I've liked Carisi from the start but he's starting to feel cartoonishy. I can't explain it but there's something over the top with him & I don't like it.

And no! No more siblings. One per character that's where I draw the line (that goes for Rollins too even though she's my fave & had she had more siblings)

I wasn't a fan of Amanda this episode either. I get that they need to air voices that are both pro and con the case of the week but I find it really hard that Amanda would air her opinion that strongly after what she's just been through. Or maybe it's because of that? Maybe she's overcompensating? I dunno but I don't like it.
I saw tmblr posts before I watched the ep & I was prepared to breath dragon fire through the TV screen at Liv during that "roles being reversed/respected male officer abusing his power to coerce a woman in to sex"-speech but Liv made a valid point. I still think it was inappropriate & the Benson from earlier seasons would've watched her tongue as it clearly would/should affect Amanda w her past experience, & in front of Nick too. At least it wasn't a dig at Amanda, just thoughtless, so maybe that's progress?
Barba, Barba, Barba... we're seeing a lot of him lately which is fun(?) but the Barba from past seasons was much more entertaining & well written. Bring him back pls.

[Sarah D. Bunting]

"Oh, how I loved the chart of SVU siblings! "Benson's half-bro, who kept getting himself framed for things" was particularly spit-take worthy" - thanks! That guy, uch. I actually complained about that at length here: http://previously.tv/law-and-order-svu/where-theres-smoke-theres-michael-weston/

[Princess Lucky]

I liked the episode. As far as "SVU families in peril" episodes go, this was a pretty good one. There wasn't even that much drama, Carisi flipped out initially but calmed down even within that same scene (after he heard there was a gun involved). From the previews I was expecting him to actively argue against female-on-male rape, whereas in the actual episode Benson almost fondly sighed "Carisi..." and he was all "I know I know, you're right". And I was also expecting him to be more harsh with his future brother-in-law but he was actually pretty reasonable about it; he was apprehensive because of the guy's past behaviour but that didn't stop Carisi from believing him and then supporting him 100%.

 

That's the sort of thing I can get behind; a character-centric episode that informs us about a character without them being directly victimised or without them taking it too personally. We saw more of Carisi, we saw him with his sister, we got tidbits about their family (seemingly normal, tight-knit), we learned he loves working at SVU and idolises Benson (her amused reaction to that was pretty much the most I've liked her this season, by the way), and we saw Carisi being a good guy. Plus he brought cannoli. And the guest stars were all great. Marin Ireland and Michael Chernus had good chemistry with each other, and their interactions with Carisi as well as the other characters were compelling. And I did not appreciate how Molly Price's portrayal actually almost made me like a rapist. I mean. She was hilarious, broad and loud and just amazing. And in the end she dialed it back and brought the emotion and gave a somber explanation for her behaviour. Man, I love her. All in all, a solid outing in my book.

 

I must say, I've really come to like Carisi and I thought this sort of low-key (for SVU) episode was a pretty good showcase for him. He's been shown to be goofy and without too much baggage, so a more serious/intense episode (like Rollins or Amaro have gotten) would have seemed out of character or over the top or unearned. So I liked that they used his positive qualities to good effect; he's sweet (which we saw in all the scenes with his sister), green ("I din't know that was possible, teach me Sarge"), almost overly invested in helping the victims ("I believe you"), and prone to delivering food. What's not to like?

 

There was also a lot of Barba goodness which I greatly appreciated. It was fun to see him save the day at the end. And Amaro was being nice for a change, and supportive. These moments remind me why I like him (and then he turns into Buzz Killington again). Rollins was being harsh and I agree it was strange, especially because she's been shown to kind of like Carisi, but I guess someone had to be the naysayer. I did like that Carisi interpreted her reactions as "tough love". And Benson was also pretty good; I like the Carisi/Benson dynamic because he's the only one who just sees her as "the Sarge", not as a detective or an old partner etc etc. He defers to her because of her rank, her experience and his own youth and inexperience. His presence makes her authority seem more valid somehow.

 

Lastly, on a shallow note, Danny Pino's body is just, yeah. His butt may have distracted me once or twice. And Peter Scanavino's legs and lips sure are somethin'.

[Hero]

Lastly, on a shallow note, Danny Pino's body is just, yeah. His butt may have distracted me once or twice. And Peter Scanavino's legs and lips sure are somethin'.

I totally agree with you on this. Scanavino's lips and body are amazing. Pino is not very far behind.

[myKingAndQueen]

So now every actor from OITNB was on SVU. (except Larry? But jeez, we don't need to see THAT happen)

 

Barba was great.

[mtlchick]

My God, it seems that every NYC cop show hates Staten Island.  First Blue Bloods and now this?

[Kel Varnsen]

I kind of liked this episode. For a family drama episode it was one of thd better ones. Still like Carisi. And Barba destroying that junkie on the stand was hilarious.

But what is Rollins's problem? The way she was trashing Carisi's almost beo in law seemed crazy for someone she didn't know. I really wanted Carisi or someone to remind her of all her issues and shit she has gonnen into the last few sasons, but i guess the show is only 40 minutes long. Carisi ciuld have at least said "wanna bet he is not guilty ?".

[WendyCR72]

My God, it seems that every NYC cop show hates Staten Island.  First Blue Bloods and now this?

 

Yeah, it's everywhere. I sort of got Mike Logan, when he returned to the franchise via CI hating on it as it seemed to be some sort of punishment for what he did on the Mothership, but the rest? I don't understand.

[MorbidPet]

Carisi ciuld have at least said "wanna bet he is not guilty ?".

They used that one in Undercover Mother, Nick said it to her so I'm pretty happy with the writers not letting Carisi stoop to that level too. Shows maturity that he could see that as 'tough love'.

I'm not making an excuse for her though, I didn't like her attitude either but I guess the writers feel the need to have both the pro & con voices in the squad room, I however wish they could keep the cons to outside the squad as I'd like them all to always believe the victim first & foremost, of course being aware of the wolf-criers that unfortunately are out there too.

[LeGrandElephant]

Indeed. Before Diane Neal played ADA Novak, she played a culprit who raped a man. In that episode ADA Cabot successfully had her convicted for rape. Therefore, the show questions whether female-on-male rape is possible or not is really out of place.

It's been awhile since I've seen its, so correct me if I'm wrong. But as I recall, that episode starts with a woman who was killed, and it turns out her friend (pre-Casey) killed her because she was going to own up to the fact that they had raped a man at her bachelorette party. So she got convicted for murder, right? Did she get convicted for rape too?

ETA: never mind. I now remember Cabot saying "what do you propose, a tumescence exam?" (Because I had to look up the word) so they must hsvr tried the rape case too.

Edited March 31, 2015 by LeGrandElephant

[Morbs]

What was wrong with Marin's teeth before?  I didn't notice them.  I picture her having smaller teeth, kinda like Amy Poehler, but nothing terrible.  I like her a lot.

[MrsRafaelBarba]

Indeed. Before Diane Neal played ADA Novak, she played a culprit who raped a man. In that episode ADA Cabot successfully had her convicted for rape. Therefore, the show questions whether female-on-male rape is possible or not is really out of place.

Season 3, episode is titled Ridicule.

[CelticBlackCat]

What was wrong with Marin's teeth before?  I didn't notice them.  I picture her having smaller teeth, kinda like Amy Poehler, but nothing terrible.  I like her a lot.

Probably nothing.  I think it was just a snarky remark that poster made which was a backhanded compliment to Marin and to brag that she knew an actress way back when.  I think the post was in bad taste and unnecessary.  I too like Marin Ireland's acting in this ep!  I also think she's pretty in a natural way.

[minamurray78]

 they made it seem like Carisi was the only normal member of the family.

 

Yikes.

J/k still love u Carisi

 

How much time can it take to film a Netflix series? Meloni can't show up for two-parter, breathe through his nostrils and stink-eye Barba who will respond with a witty retort?

 

 

I got all nostalgic just reading that. A Barba-Stabler tete à tete would be epic.

 

Barba, Barba, Barba. Can not get enough.

[Packerbrewerbadger]

I thought Carisi and Bella looked like they could really be siblings, almost twins!

If we remember the previous episode about male rape, shouldn't have Mariska H remembered it also?

[The Wild Sow]

Life imitates SVU!
http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/allegheny-co-jail-inmate-files-lawsuit-claims-ther/nkk6X/

[Dot Com]

Life imitates SVU!

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/allegheny-co-jail-inmate-files-lawsuit-claims-ther/nkk6X/

"We're seeking damages because you can't do that.”

For some reason that made me chuckle. I can just imagine that being said in court. I can also imagine that Barba would have a sassy comeback.

[kb3]

Petty, petty, petty I know. But the accents. The shouting. The inability to hold a conversation at normal tone. I know the show is set in New York and those would be the accents... but I can't. I can hardly listen to Carisi as it is. It made the whole show even harder to watch.

 

I suppose that is accurate set dressing for those apartments. Though realistic, it was hard to watch and realize that there are people who live in that squalor 

 

It's the flip side of "everything said in a British accent sounds so refined". Everything that gets said in a New Yawk accent just grates on the ear.

[lucindabelle]

Please. I'm not bragging, I just know her, and she used to have a noticeable gap between her teeth. She ws in the play "reasons to be pretty" playing the ugly girl so it's not as if she hasn't captiqlized on not being conventionally pretty. Just go back and look at her older work and you'll see it. Sorry you felt it in and taste I was just literally saying didn't recognize her.

It was hard to find an image of her showing it because most images of her sh her with her mouth closed because no doubt she was self conscious about it,

Lbut here's one.

http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/60th+Annual+New+Dramatists+Benefit+Luncheon+ie5KXfagEBxl.jpg

I

Edited April 6, 2015 by lucindabelle

[Dot Com]

I get it lucindabelle,

One of my favorite (mostly TV) actors is Mark Sheppard (Crowley on 'Supernatural', Romo Lampkin on 'Battlestar Galactica' just to name a few). When you watch some of his older stuff you notice his teeth are quite different than they are now. At some point a few years into his acting he must have gotten veneers or something. I've never noticed any of his other fans saying anything about it but I definitely noticed it.

[lucindabelle]

Thank you for that! I truly wasn't snarking. I love her. But she looks different. And good for her. This is no doubt the reason so many of her old pics are closed mouth.

[CelticBlackCat]

Yes, good for Marin Ireland for having gotten whatever dental imperfections she may have had fixed.  I did notice a majority of her online pics were her smiling close mouthed.  She's lovely either way.  It is hard for me to believe that you wouldn't recognize someone because a gap in their tooth was no longer there.  We're not talking about a Renee Zellweger plastic surgery transformation here.  Anyway, I'm glad you didn't mean to be snarky and bragging that you knew an actress in her early days.

[lucindabelle]

Thanks for understanding-- I think it's one of those things where when you do see a friend onscreen you double-check to be sure so I go to that little marker. I suspect if I didn't know her or had never met her I wouldn't look for that thing.

 

She's an amazing actress. At the time I worked for a theater company and we had been doing a tryout of this show on a college; I insisted and so did the playwright that the artistic director of the home company hire her; but he hadn't seen her and hired someone else who gave a good audition-- and hten failed to grow in the role.

 

Boy, is he sorry now.

 

(btw, despite her last name, she isn't Irish! :) I was writing something once on people of Irish descent and I sooooo wanted to include her. Drat.

 

I think people in the public eye should feel free to do whatever they want to do to keep working and feel good about themselves.

It's clear the gap in her teeth isn't so defining that it's why people hire her. Unlike, say, Jennifer Grey and the unfortunate nose job which made her look soooo very different.

 

And Renee Zellweger saying she's just rested.

Honey.

Edited April 6, 2015 by lucindabelle