Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Burned

Season 8, Episode 11, Aired 1/9/07

Episode Summary

Stabler and Benson find themselves on opposite sides when Valerie Sennet accuses her estranged husband, Miles Sennet, of breaking into her home and raping her. Because Miles has no history of violence and Valerie refuses to allow detectives to use her daughter Tessa as a witness, he is soon released, and Stabler and Benson continue to clash as Benson remains convinced that Miles raped Valerie and is a danger, and Stabler believes it may be a case of a wife crying foul to punish her soon-to-be ex-husband.moreless

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Cast & Crew

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Richard Belzer

Det. John Munch
Mariska Hargitay

Det. Olivia Benson
Ice-T

Det. Fin Tutuola

Fan Episode Reviews (28)

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Finally, SVU appears to be getting back to its core.

10

"Perfect"

By fewiii, Mar 29, 2011 Report Abuse

"..When love warps to hate..." That's as good a phrase as any to describe "Burned". Unlike in previous episodes so far this season, the personal storylines didn't overshadow the core storyline (which is usually how SVU has been). There was enough tension in the squad room between the detectives to make it what has made SVU great: human beings trying to come to terms with yet another helping of the worst of humanity while dealing with their own personal lives. The resulting complexity is what has made SVU "must see TV" for me through its run.

Clearly, "Burned" is the best episode so far this season, and here's hoping it will continue.moreless

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Better than I thought it would be or could have hoped for. My absolute favorite episode!

9.9

"Superb"

By smileygrumpy, Mar 29, 2011 Report Abuse

When the fans thought the issues between Benson and Stabler were over, the writers come through with the talk they needed to have. The classic arguing between them kept me wondering if they would ever agree on this case or any other case ever again. The insults being hurled in both directions were consistently \"below the belt\" keeping me wondering if one of them was going to blow. I was so preoccupied with them I forgot the hospital scene was coming. Kathy and Benson talking was insightful. The writers out did themselves with this one. If this is any indication of how the rest of the season will go, I know I will be glued to my seat every week.moreless

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well, i'm still so giddy/ shocked that i can't even...i...speechless, right now.

10

"Perfect"

By niknay88, Mar 29, 2011 Report Abuse

amazing. this is THE SVU episode. the one. it's perfect. there have been others that came close. but no. complete perfection. which is crazy, because i bet they'll get better. o my gosh. i can't even put into words....whew. olivia and kathy talking. the perfect conversation. the conversation we've wanted them to have for years. elliot and olivia hurling insults at each other. they were vicious. but still perfect. the case was so gut wrenching and hideous, but it perfectly fit the elliot and olivia plotline. valerie wasn't raped. o my god. and o, the screams in the burn unit. wow. the text message! she knew he was awake. of course she would. "things change." yes, elliot, they do, and i've never been happier.moreless

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E0 L0VERz dREAM!

10

"Perfect"

By BaBiiGiiRLT, Mar 29, 2011 Report Abuse

Did you see that?OMG!I love Kathy now!!She was so pushing Liv to reliese how much she really loves Elliot and then the fighting omg It was too cute or me!I wanted them to fight and all my riends thought I was stupid but you see?Olivia and him got closer because of it!Ha I knew they would now jst wait for \"the kiss\" lol!Im typing alot so I can fill the hunderd word thing up because this episode only needs one word:Fabulaus!!Olivia and Elliot belong together and this was the best episode ever!I loved when they were fighting and Elliot said the longest relationship thing than Olivia used that at the end!Well It was brillent!moreless

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Probably one of my favorite episodes ever

10

"Perfect"

By cfenn2010, Mar 29, 2011 Report Abuse

I loved the way the show dove into the elliot/olivia relationship, the below-the-belt insults...
Elliot: I\'m the longest relationship you\'ve ever had with a man!

Elliot: This case just has too many red flags no good cop would like.
Olivia: Especially not one with a failing marrige and a history of violence. (after olivia slams the suspect into a wall, Elliot watches) Olivia: You have a problem?
Elliot: Just glad to see someone else with anger issues.
The scene at the end was unbeliveably cute and undoubtadly every E/O shippers dream. The text message, the conversation, the teasing-
Elliot: Yeah I could go for a bite. Who\'s paying?
Olivia: Well, you do have four kids and you\'re going through a divorce, so...I guess you.
Elliot: (smiling) That\'s what I thought.
So friggin amazing...and the long-awaited (yet rather awkward) conversation between Liv and Kathy...she called Dani \"the stunner\" hehe...all in all, defintily in the top ten svu episodes of all time.:)moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- At the end of the episode when Benson and Stabler are talking outside Stabler's apartment on the stairs, Stabler takes a sip of his drink, but later has to remove the lid from the drink that had been placed on the ground. Edit
Notes
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- Original International Air Dates: Czech Republic March 23, 2010 on TV Nova Edit
- Special billing was given to Blair Underwood (Special Guest Star) and Michael Michele (and) in this episode. Edit
- Eriq La Salle makes his Law & Order: Special Victims Unit directorial debut, which reunites him with former ER castmates Mariska Hargitay and Michael Michele, and former ER writer and producer Neal Baer, now an executive producer with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. This was also a mini-reunion for three former Homicide: Life on the Street stars (Michael Michele, Richard Belzer and Peter Gerety), although none of the three shared a scene. Edit
Quotes
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- Kathy Stabler (to Benson, about Elliot): You know things about him I will never understand. Edit
- Elliot Stabler: You said he was escalating, you were right. Olivia Benson: You think that's what I want to hear? He set her on fire, Elliot. Who could have anticipated that? Elliot Stabler: If I had listened to you, we could have prevented this. Olivia Benson: How? Elliot Stabler: Have Novak push for remand, get a blue and white on him. Anything but make excuses for the guy. Olivia Benson: Miles Sennet chose gasoline and a match, not you. He didn't just want her to kill her, he wanted her to suffer. Elliot Stabler: He said he wanted her dead. I just wasn't listening. Olivia Benson: Well, you weren't the only one in that room. I was there, too. Edit
- Olivia Benson: You hungry? Elliot Stabler: I could go for a bite. Who's buying? Olivia Benson: Well you are going through a divorce, and you do have four children, so I guess … you are. Elliot Stabler: That's what I thought. Edit
Allusions
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- This episode appears to be ripped from the headlines of the Roger Hargrave case. In September of 2005, Judge Richard Palumbo had dismissed a protective order barring Hargrave from going anywhere near his estranged wife, Yvette Cade. Less than a month later, Hargrave entered the cell phone store where she worked and doused her with gasoline before setting her on fire. Cade survived, with burns over 60% of her body and years of rehabilitation ahead of her, and Hargrave was charged with attempted murder. Yvette Cade has since become a well-respected advocate for the rights of abused women. Edit