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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 13 Episode 1

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7.9

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 9/21/11

A powerful Italian is investigated after a maid accuses him of rape.

Fan Episode Reviews (7)

Interesting and Very Sad

9.0

By MisterrSearcy, Jan 05, 2012

I've been a fan of Law and Order SVU for years and one of the reasons why this show last was because of the phenomenal acting and partnership of Stabler and Benson. When first watching this episode and learning that Christopher Meloni wouldnt be coming back this shock the hell out of me. This episode allowed Mariska to shine and really show her acting abilities. Now its taken me a while to get used to this new cast, but i think SVU can make it besides they have Detective Amanda Rollins played by Kelli Giddish, who was on Chase and Detective Amaro played by Danny Pino from Cold Case. There is hope people give it time and remember the power that Detective Olivia Benson has had on us for years.moreless
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SVU at Its Best

10

By Shinigami-Niko, Dec 13, 2011

I have to say, seasons 11 & 12 were utter snooze-fests for me. The seasons had their good episodes here and there, but the majority of the episodes bored me to no end.

This episode, however, has completely renewed my faith in the show. Well written. Well acted. Everything was on spot. I was dying during the commercial breaks for need to know what was going to happen next. Great to see Alex back as well! And the new character looks like she will be a great addition to the show!And the ending scene! Powerful! I've gotta hand it to Mariska, she is a terrific actress.Of course, Elliot not being in the show is a huge blow to any fan, but I think that, if things continue at this rate, the show can do well without him.moreless
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This episodeis an example ofwhat Law & Order: SVU is all about. Proof that the showdoesn't need Christopher Meloni to be: "engaging", "thrilling", "moving", and "awesome" with performances that'll just make you "feel moved to applaud"!moreless

10

By jmortonloci, Dec 13, 2011

So here we are, 13 years later. Christopher Meloni (Detective Stabler) has decided to depart the show to pursue a film career and B.D. Wong (Dr. Huang)has gone to another NBC series (Awake). Kelli Giddish (from NBC's Chase)joins the cast, coinciding with these changes as Detective Amanda Rollins, a detective from Atlanta who wishes to live in New York and be a Special Victims Unit detective. SVU also has a new show runner, Warren Leight (from Law & Order: Criminal Intent)

The case: the rape of a hotel maid (Anika Rose). The attacker: an Italian diplomat (Franco Nero). Rose's performance playing this African maid was just mind-boggling and outstanding, and despite the fact that her character lied about some gruesome things that happened to her in Africa, when it happens in America the defense tries to "dirty her up" just to get off this Italian diplomat (Nero). If you ask me the new SVU writers are actuallytrying (and succeeding) to keep viewers interested, I neveronce turned away from the episode! Rose's performance was simply outstanding.

The case is "ripped" from the Dominique Strauss-Kahn hotel rape but the trial seems to be more than just being about "another DSK". And since the tenth season I believe (episode "Lead") we see a full "trial" on SVU; arraignment, prelim hearing, the actual hearing,jury deliberation, closing arguments and the verdict -- basically SVU is back to 'the old days' (where it should have never left). Stephanie March's Alex Cabot returns from the Congo, full force. Linus Roache (who in my opinion had TOO much input in the case) is now playing B.C. Mike Cutter - Roache seemed 'bland' too me for some reason, he seemed to give the role more passion on the original Law & Order series.

But on a more personal note with the SVU characters: Kelli Giddish did fairly well in the season premiere -- I know most people mostly hold resentment and animosity towards Giddish and Pino because Chris Meloniand B.D. Wong have gone but; SVU does not need them for the show to continue to be "engaging" and it's not like Stabler was just "up heaved" from the show, the writers had him mentioned all over the premiere episode.

The end of the episode is the real topper though. Capt. Cragen (Dann Florek) tells Benson (Hargitay) that Elliot "signed his papers", meaning he's choosing to leave the SVU and retire from the NYPD. Liv leaves Cragen's office and tries to be alone as quick as she can, Fin (Ice-T), Munch (Belzer), and Rollins (Giddish) noticing a change in Liv. Benson goes to the interrogation room and breaks down.

Mariska Hargitay's performance was well in the whole episode, but at the end she goes from "Excellent" to simply "Breathtaking". So I say again: SVU doesnot need Chris Meloni back to be "thrilling"! If SVU's writers keep it up like this, SVU is going to be around for along time. Thank goodness Neal Baer has decided to go on to "greener pastures" -- I don't like to think how this episode would be if he were still at SVU's helm.

A 10/10 from me! I hope SVU continues down this path and doesn't stray back to what it became from the eighth season until it's twelveth!

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7.5

By thefanof, Dec 13, 2011

The show clearly did not prepare for the loss of Stabler as their explanation for his leaving was forced, but the show has done a lot to set itself up for another season. The new detective is annoying and could be the kiss of death for this show, but I'll give her more time before I form a true opinion.

What I do know is that if they keep bringing us good cases like this then the show will be in a good position to keep its ratings up. The idea of SVU taking down a top foreign politician is farfetched, so I am glad they had him only get charged with a minor felony, but it was a very interesting storyline. That's what post-Stabler SVU will need.moreless
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A strong storyline to start off the season, but weakly reviews what transpired between this season and the last for Elliot Stabler.

7.0

By ElmStSurvivor, Dec 08, 2011

This show has always been entertaining to me with it's powerful and emotional stories, but part of the reason the show has been one of my favorites for so many seasons is because of (former) Detective Elliot Stabler.

Now that Chris Meloni has left the cast, I have my doubts about the shows lifeline. Mariska is without a doubt a very powerful and talented actress, but seeing Olivia without Elliot won't be as gripping as the show should be.

Fin, Munch and Cragen have always been strong and unique characters as well, but Stabler stood above them all.

Detective Rollins seems like she'll be a very interesting and influential character, but we've seen many characters come and go: From Beck to Lake, and Novak to Paxton. I have yet to see the next detective in line, but I know for sure, he'll be no Elliot Stabler.

I do plan to continue to watch the show, to see how the series progresses without one of its leading actors, who's been part of the show since the beginning, but I don't have my expectations very high.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Mariska Hargitay	Det. Olivia Benson
Ice-T	Det. Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
Kelli Giddish	Det. Amanda Rollins
Dann Florek	Capt. Donald Cragen
Richard Belzer	Sgt. John Munch

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Anika Noni Rose	Ms. Deng	Guest Star
Franco Nero	Roberto Distasio	Guest Star
Jenna Stern	Judge Elana Barth	Guest Star
Stephanie March	ADA Alexandra Cabot	Recurring Role
Linus Roache	Bureau Chief Michael Cutter	Recurring Role
Ron Rifkin	Marvin Exley	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (1)
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- Cutler says that there's a new D.A. So evidently McCoy resigned, lost the election, or chose not to seek reelection.
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NOTES (3)
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- For season 13, Judith McCreary has been promoted from consulting producer to co-executive producer. Other new additions to the opening credits include Warren Leight (L & O: Criminal Intent, Lights Out, In Treatment) executive producer (and showrunner), Bryan Goluboff (Lights Out, In Treatment) and Julie Martin (L.A. Law, Homicide: Life on the Street, Law & Order, L & O: Criminal Intent) as co-executive producers, Robin Veith (Lights Out, Mad Men) as producer, and Mark Dragin (L & O: Criminal Intent, L & O: LA) and Jonathan Strauss as co-producers. Strauss has been a casting director for the series since season five. It is rare for a casting director to receive this bump. He will continue his casting duties and join the post-production team.
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- Tamara Tunie returns to a recurring character since her bump to main cast in season seven.
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- Original International Air Dates:
  Canada September 21, 2011 on CTV 2
  United Kingdom October 16, 2011 on Universal Channel/Universal Channel HD
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