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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 12 Episode 3

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AIRED: Sep 29, 2010

9.0

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Episode Summary

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Detectives Benson and Stabler find their hands tied when a victim of multiple rapes refuses the rape kit because of the terror of her circumstances. Benson is determined to help, and sets out to find another way, but her research reveals that there are thousands of untested rape kits across the nation. Appalled, she still presses forward with the investigation, finally unearthing a lead in Los Angeles that might see some peace for her victim.moreless

Fan Episode Reviews (7)

A fantastic episode with a stellar guest cast headed by Jennifer Love Hewitt who gave one of her best ever performances as a multiple rape victim.

10

By Lady_Lancaster, Sep 08, 2011

Even in its 12th season, this show just keeps on bringing out episodes which are winners and lining up a terrific list of guest stars.

Jennifer Love Hewitt stars as Vicki Sayers, a young woman who suffers extreme agorophobia after allegedly being raped four times by the same man over a 15-year period. Vicki is absolutely convinced that the same man has been stalking and raping her but the perpetrator left no DNA evidence behind so the case is hard to prove.

Olivia Benson believes in her absolutely and does everything in her power to bring her rapist, William Harris, to justice. Helped by her fellow officers, Benson gives Harris a taste of his own medicine by having him stalked constantly followed by members of the SVU. The scene where Vicki describes the most recent rape as she endures a rape kit being done is very powerful indeed and Jennifer Love Hewitt is to be commended for such an excellent performance here and throughout the episode.

When there is evidence found which could link Harris to a succession of other rapes across the country, Benson is distraught to learn that, in some cases, the DNA has been lost or contaminated and, in others, that the rape kits of thousands of victims have never even been tested. Through sheer determination she keeps working and uncovers a storage locker which is filled with photographs, clothing and other trophies from Harris's career as a serial rapist.

When the judge, with regret, finds all the collected evidence inadmissable, some duct tape comes to light and Vicki tells Benson that on one occasion, he held her tied and captive for over 12 hours, meaning that he could be charged with kidnapping, a crime which, unlike rape, has no statute of limitations in any US state.

The final scene where Vicki confronts her attacker is powerful and lingering. Great writing, great performances and a great episode all round.moreless
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This episode investigates a man who's been terrorizing and raping victims all over the nation as he travels for business. The victim who starts the investigation has been stalked for 10 years by the same person.moreless

1.0

By goinupstream, Jun 28, 2011

This was an excellent episode and Jennifer did an amazing job of portraying the character ! The writers on this show are great! The actors are great, and it touches all of us who've had to endure abuse. If only in real life the perpetrators got caught all the time. It kept you on your toes, and you did get frustrated seeing what the victim was doing to herself which is VERY REAL for those of us who've endured sexual abuse, or helped others, and the portrayal of the slick lying, manipulative perp was also well done and acted out.moreless
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Wow!Just wow!

8.5

By sunnykimmy, Feb 16, 2011

This was a great episode. I never knew that rape kits aren't always immediately used to find the rapist. This was a good and very eye-opening episode about the backlog of rape kits that exists and how this enables rapists.Very impressive acting by Jennifer Love Hewitt. I loved her show Ghost Whisperer and the movie Heartbreakers but this is a new level of great acting for her. I have never seen her this serious on tv. Absolutely jaw-dropping. And I love Mariska's acting. She manages to bring it every week. It's like she has this bottomless well of feelings and you can see she loves what she does however disturbing and unsettling it might be. I loved the whole 'giving him a taste of his own medicine' part. It was pretty funny for such a serious series.moreless
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ABSOLUTELY AWESOME ! The best of the best (I know. I have all previous seasons on DVD and watch the repeats as well) A horrific circumstance, worked through to a positive elating ending. I jumped out of my chair and shouted at the end....YES! GO SVU !moreless

10

By LoveOlivia, Feb 16, 2011

I cannot say anything too over positive for the behave episode. Jennifer Love Hewitt was remarkable in her roll. Superb acting. It was great that this episode really focused on the needs of the victim, working every angle to get justice for the horrible crimes committed on her. I felt very angry when the perp was turned loose from the court on the first trial. Sometimes the law seems so very wrong. Shows a lot of screw up in our justice system. It was so good to see the hard work and determination given to the victim and the case pursued to a positive end. It bothers me to witness the element of the victim being smashed under the thumbs of authority figures. It was good to not see so much of that in this episode. there is something wrong with...innocent until proven guilty. Why can't we have a little...guilty until proven innocent. Get rid of those technical legal loopholes that obviously put the criminals right back out to do more harm. Olivia Benson was the driving force in this episode and SVU worked the case remarkably well.moreless
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rape kits not always being processed and a victim (J. love) being raped and stalked for years over and over

10

By paige1408, Feb 16, 2011

i honestly think this was 1 of the best episodes in a long time even better than the season premiere.. first lets start with Jennifer love Hewitt's acting... it was simply amazing. i don't think i've ever seen her act that well. i loved the scene where she was getting examined and telling her story and i was crying because it was so believable. i mean absolutely amazing. i would love to see her be in more serious roles like this that really show case her acting talents. ghost whisperer was great but this really showed what an amazing actress she really is.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Christopher Meloni	Det. Elliot Stabler
Mariska Hargitay	Det. Olivia Benson
Ice-T	Det. Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
Dann Florek	Capt. Donald Cragen

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Jennifer Love Hewitt	Vicki Sayers	Guest Star
Francie Swift	ADA Sherri West	Guest Star
Neal Bledsoe	CSU Tech	Guest Star
Peter Hermann	Trevor Langan	Recurring Role
Judith Light	Judge Elizabeth Donnelly	Recurring Role

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Episode Photos

Ice-T as Det. Odafin "Fin" Tutuola on La...

© 2010 NBC Universal, Inc.
Mariska Hargitay as Det. Olivia Benson a...

© 2010 NBC Universal, Inc.
Jennifer Love Hewitt as Vicki on Law & O...

© 2010 NBC Universal, Inc.
Jennifer Love Hewitt as Vicki on Law & O...

© 2010 NBC Universal, Inc.

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (3)
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- Olivia Benson: (about Vicki's 2000 rape kit) Why'd it take so long to test it?
  Rex Winters: 'Cause we have thousands of kits sitting in the freezer. How bad's your backlog?
  Olivia Benson: We don't have one. Every kit is tested after an assault, and the results are forwarded back to us and to the D.A.
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- Rex Winters: That was the lab. The DNA from Vicki's rape kit is degraded–
  Olivia Benson: Oh, I can't catch a break.
  Rex Winters: –But the tech's willing to testify he's got enough matching alleles to ID William Harris.
  Olivia Benson: I'm gonna collar this guy's ass, and then I'm gonna send it to you on a silver platter.
  Rex Winters: (chuckling) It's yours. California has a 10-year statute. The clock ran out on Vicki's rape three weeks ago.
  Olivia Benson: (shocked) You knew all along that you couldn't prosecute Harris?
  Rex Winters: But I knew you could. Go get the prick.
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- Vicki Sayers: Now I'll always know where you are. Be a good boy. (she slams the cell door shut) Behave yourself.
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NOTES (2)
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- Special billing was given to Jennifer Love Hewitt (Special Guest Star), Skeet Ulrich (with Special Guest Appearance by) and James Le Gros (and) for this episode.
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- Original International Air Dates:
  Canada September 28, 2010 on CTV
  United Kingdom March 6, 2011 on Universal Channel/Universal Channel HD
  Czech Republic December 4, 2012 on TV Nova
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