Carisi attempts to put aside his role as prosecutor to serve as a witness in a trial. Benson tries to help a rape survivor struggling with her recovery.
Two episodes in a row have revisited cases from earlier this season. Both "Let Me Bring Pardon" and "Accomplice Liability" frame the stories around the same plot beats that occurred previously. Last week, it was all under the guise of a new crime. It was a basic retread with nothing interesting to say. But now, the narrative recognizes the emotional power that comes from lingering trauma. The characters all have different reactions to what they endured. As a result, that creates new complications when the case finally goes to trial. This was expected. Carisi frequently dropped hints about the prosecution of Deonte for holding people hostage at a deli. The narrative needed to resolve this story at some point. The season also recognizes how cases are slow to go to trial. They don't happen immediately. That has always been one of the biggest structural flaws of the Law & Order format. It tells the entire story in the span of an hour. In reality, these cases linger for a long time. As such, the detectives and prosecutors have to worry about and carefully manage the emotions of their victims and witnesses. It takes time to prepare a strategy. Big reveals can still occur when the case finally goes to trial. That happens here. The focus remains on the victims. That's unique. The show has the time to delve fully into what this experience meant for Carisi, Tess and Elizabeth.
It's suggested that Carisi hasn't returned to normal since he was victimized. He never wants to view himself that way. However, Olivia and Rollins know they have to support him. Recent episodes have shown Carisi functioning with the same narrative purpose as always. He is the prosecutor who works alongside the SVU team. It's been fairly standard. During trial prep, Rollins confesses that her husband hasn't returned to her just yet. She was afraid he was killed. He emerged from the deli unharmed physically. He still carries the emotional trauma of that day. It's only through the trial concluding with a guilty verdict that he will be able to move on. Everyone acknowledges that. Carisi tries to insert himself into the prosecution. There is no reason to doubt ADA Rourke's abilities. She came in from Brooklyn to handle this case. She listens to the SVU team advocate for the rape charge despite it being unlikely to earn a conviction. She follows their lead. She also isn't emotionally compromised because of her connection to Carisi. She hears his suggestions. They aren't a team. He must testify as a victim. He has prepped others to control their emotions while on the stand. Nevertheless, Carisi delivers an emotional outburst after being dismissed. He can't control himself.
Meanwhile, Tess' life has changed dramatically since she was raped. The man who sexually assaulted her is dead. Boyd was killed by Deonte. That didn't provide peace or comfort to Tess. She could no longer rely on the world that had always supported her. Instead, she alienated her loved ones and fell down a dark path. She sought out drugs to deal with this pain. Her life hangs in the balance. She literally flatlines while going through withdrawal. She almost dies yet the doctor in charge is confident in her recovery. That is never questioned. The narrative has to quickly move forward to her being on the witness stand. She has to come forward and share her experience. She was locked in a room with Boyd for forty minutes. Deonte did nothing to save her. He didn't take that time to free himself from Boyd's influence either. The defense strategy was built around Deonte operating under duress. He fell into a familiar pattern of listening to Boyd no matter what because he protected Deonte when they were in prison together. That strategy fails. Deonte holding a gun was threatening to everyone in the deli. He never hurt anyone. He still delivered emotional stress and trauma. A conviction is the only way to free his victims of that pain and agony.
A conviction is exactly what Rourke delivers too. She dealt with difficult personalities trying to influence the case. She handled herself well. Carisi will recommend her if she wants to transfer to the Manhattan prosecutor's office. It's unclear if that's what she wants or what the audience should desire. She stepped in for this important story. Carisi couldn't prosecute the case himself. It was still important. This was a pivotal moment in his life. He needed to trust someone who could get the job done. It wasn't satisfying to simply have Deonte accept a plea deal. That offer was on the table. That could have resulted in ambiguity amongst the victims over how to move forward. Instead, they each had their time in court to confront him. They had varied reactions to that moment. Tess didn't believe she was strong enough to do it. She survived. She isn't broken after the jury fails to convict on the rape charge. That aspect offered a broader way into how the show typically functions. Justice is still delivered. That message is predominately clear. Carisi's pain has been eased. Tess and Elizabeth appreciate him even though he will always worry about them. More happened to them after their trauma in the deli. Carisi is only catching up now. They are forever bonded. That is obvious while suggesting some sense of normalcy can return. Rollins leads with that hope. Carisi seems more like himself in the end. That makes this an incredibly satisfying episode. Probably the highlight of the season to date.
