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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 11 Episode 16

Witness

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7.7

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 3/17/10

A young girl claims to have been raped in the stairwell of her apartment building. The detectives investigate the possibility that she fabricated the rape to get attention, but later find themselves desperately tracking an eyewitness who had seen the attack then disappeared because she feared being deported to her home country of Congo, and the almost certain rape and violence that await her there.moreless

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Fan Episode Reviews (7)

Mariska Already has an Emmy How About giving Her(AND Stephanie) a Shot at an Oscar as well

8.0

By FrankHogan, Mar 11, 2013

Hello Mr Wolf. My name is Frank Hogan I've watched SVU since Day 1, and it just occurred to me that, at the end of this Episode, when Alex decides to go fight injustices in The Congo that, you could develop a movie,(Theater, as opposed to TV, and offer Mariska and Stephanie the main roles, which could give BOTH Mariska and Stephanie shots at an Oscar depending on the script) though the initial basis was this SVU story "Witness" They could be playing totally different characters Lawyers and Investigative Journalist or whatever. The Story could START in USA with their investigations taking them to The Congo and the story could develop from there. Just A Suggestion which I hope you'll consider. Like Madeline 68 Below, Alex is ALSO MY favorite ADA in the History of The Show, when she goes I always keep visualzing her back until she comes back. I'm a Liv and Alex fan and I hope you'llgive SERIOUS consideration to doing a theater Movie stemming from this Episode. Thanking You, Frank Hogan In Cork In Ireland. Long Live Liv And Alexmoreless
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Witness

7.5

By thefanof, Nov 28, 2011

This episode started off really well (a girl claimed to be raped, but a number of factors, including a man thinking she wanted to act out a fantasy made her testimony questionable) but it took a horrible turn right after that. The lawyer charging the rapist with murder? Are you kidding me? Because she cut her hand, which later got infected, while he was raping her? That was absolute insanity, and I am glad that charge did not go through. I am also glad with the ending, that the super annoying lawyer will be leaving to pursue other ventures. No one liked her and hopefully they can bring in someone good.moreless
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Ridiculous.

5.0

By carnagae1225, Oct 01, 2011

A woman, who likes to be the center of the attention, is raped. And because of her longing for attention and less the truthful personality the detectives are skeptical. Why wouldn't they? The actress who played her wasn't the least believable. She was just arm candy. The whole plot was so far fetched and unbelievable. The discovery of the rape suspect was contrived, and the witness side plot was somewhat sad, but just unneeded. The death of the victim was also very far fetched, flesh-eating virus? Really? The episode was painful to watch. And now Alex is gone for good. So Sad. She will be missed, this show has fallen 5 pegs because of this.moreless
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Powerful, intense, and petrifying

10

By livmariskafan, May 04, 2011

Wow, what a powerful episode. It makes me wonder if Cabot is ever going to come back, with the leave of absence and all. I love how they incorporated what is happening in the Congo into this episode. I don't know about anyone else, but it opened my eyes. I feel that Cabot did the right thing by protecting her until the trial. I also liked how Cabot wanted to leave with a huge amount of dignity this time, not with a shoulder wound. This really broadened my aspect of the lives people live, and, I hope, that SVU continues making episodes like this. It's these kind of episodes that brought me to love this show in the first place.moreless
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NOOOOOO! Alex is gone AGAIN!!!!!!

9.5

By madeleine68, Apr 20, 2011

Alex has always been my favorite ADA in the history of the show, probably even in the franchise. I am sooooo sad she left again and I hope she might come back soon. I LOVE HER! Anyways, this was a good way for her to leave. The first part of this episode was mediocre at best; more of a he-said, she-said. And then, surprise: she-said, he-said, she's dead. But part two more than redeemed part one. The episode highlighted an important issue (violence against women in the Congo) and Nardalee's story was just hearbreaking, made more poignant because it's true to life. Alex's empathy for her and the way she put herself on the line to protect Nardalee was very good.

All in all, I enjoyed this episode, even though it was very hard to watch.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Christopher Meloni	Det. Elliot Stabler
Mariska Hargitay	Det. Olivia Benson
Richard Belzer	Sgt. John Munch
Ice-T	Det. Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
BD Wong	Dr. George Huang
Stephanie March	ADA Alexandra Cabot

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Jonathan Charles Kaplan	Daniel Stegman	Guest Star
Molly Wright Stuart	Beth Stegman	Guest Star
Ray DeMattis	Nestor	Guest Star

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NOTES (3)
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- International Episode Titles:
  
  Czech Republic – "Ilegální svědek" (Illegal Witness)
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- The character Laine McAlister's (played by Diora Baird) name was changed to Lainie McCallum after the press release was sent out.
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- Original International Air Dates:
  
  Canada – March 16, 2010 on CTV
  
  Australia – June 10, 2010 on Channel Ten
  
  Czech Republic – April 17, 2012 on TV Nova
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