‘Law & Order: SVU’ 25×11 Review: “Prima Nocta”

Law & Order: SVU 25×11 “Prima Nocta” sees the return of Kelli Giddish as Amanda Rollins, which kinda…sums up everything, both right and wrong, about the episode. Checking in with one of Olivia Benson’s longtime friends — even if the series has never quite known how to flesh that out, other than in fleeting moments here and there — is a good thing. In fact, it’s probably the closest we’ve come to truly seeing Liv have a life this season. Not to mention, seeing Amanda at home means Rollisi scenes, and all that domestic bliss means giving Peter Scanavino something to do. (Other than play an ADA who everyone treats like he’s still a detective, of course.)

Even the idea that Rollins would go back to familiar territory after realizing she was bored as a professor makes complete sense. In fact, arguably, her struggle here — the one that Liv, ultimately, discusses in the end scene — is a compelling one. Amanda needs to figure out what works for her — what makes her happy, as Olivia puts it — and find a way to make that work. But rushing into a decision and falling back on her safety net, after being unemployed for all of five seconds, isn’t healthy.

Rollins is “back” but…not really

Given the time to work through her trying to figure out where she fits, this would be a great setup for some deep character work. And it’s much, much better than…whatever the Liv “development” has been as of late. (More on that below.)

But there isn’t time. This is just yet another plot point to pick up, tease, and drop. Because there are two episodes left this season, Giddish isn’t even a series regular, and that’s that. Maybe we can revisit it at some point in the future, but that’s a huge maybe and one that depends on way too many factors. So, opening up that potential for development, without there actually being any potential, winds up becoming a disservice to both the character and the audience.

And that’s without even beginning to get into how out of line having this person — capable as she is! — who isn’t a cop anymore be so heavily involved in this case. Throw in her husband being the ADA, and we have a huge issue. (Remember when it was a big deal, actually, for Rollisi to just be dating while involved in the same cases? Maybe we hallucinated that.)

Fans of the character, especially those who ship Rollisi — are there any Rollins fans who don’t? Honest question — will probably leave Law & Order: SVU 25×11 just…happy to see her, and them, again. There’s nothing wrong with that, whatsoever. Especially when their content, when you don’t think about it beyond this one-episode snapshot, is fun actually.

But, big picture…the episode leaves a lot to be desired. Especially when one considers we’ve burned through 11 out of 13 episodes in a landmark season…without doing much, beyond a single episode, to honor the character that made Season 25 possible. And having to point that out feels icky, for lack of a better word, because it’s like Liv and Amanda are in some kind of competition. Like one can’t have any kind of chance for growth, or depth, or personal fulfillment if the other does.

But it should not be either or. If it is — sorry, not sorry — the actual main character should get the arc that feels worthy of a main character. That is, consistently, not the case. And that’s a problem.

More on Law & Order: SVU 25×11

• “Not a word to Daddy.” “…Mommy hid the extra pancake in your briefcase!” They are. Adorable.
• Look at these two, with the marital bliss, while the other two F***heads can’t even text.
• …and see, that’s another problem: It should not be “let’s always set you up to see what EO could have been but doesn’t.” Maybe if it was actually a (still unfair/pitting women against each other) device to get Liv thinking that…sure. But no. It is not. She does not even see all this and, apparently, does not even keep in touch with her bestie enough for said bestie to know about her hiring Curry.
• Which, side note: Amanda’s all asking about Liv and the whistleblower dude…except that Bruno was literally already at SVU when Rollins worked the big end-of-season case. Did I hallucinate him being there?
• …hm. Nope! Did a command+F on the review. Bruno came up. Multiple times!
• “I know how hard you’ve been working to find yourself.” You should try it sometime, Captain. In, like, a real way — not with the toxic therapist of zero boundaries.
• “So. You going crazy yet?” Yes, thanks for asking.
• Olivia Benson, having actual phone conversations that aren’t directly about a case (yet) and even making time for lunch? Seems fake.
• Love Mariska Hargitay and Kelli Giddish playing this “are you offering” bit like they’re practically flirting.
• “We investigate sex crimes, mostly.” Ok but “we” is doing a lot of work there.
• Rollins, alone with a victim…when she doesn’t even go here anymore.
• Can we really not find a way to bring back major characters that involves logic?
• Pretty sure the audience does not need help understanding “you’re going to remember me.”
• “You think she could still be a cop.” “It’s NYPD, Fin.” Ok. I laughed. Brilliant delivery from Hargitay.
• “We share all of our passwords.” This…is a recurring theme lately, it feels like.
• I know Fin and Phoebe never actually went through with their wedding — 84 years and a billion missed opportunities ago — and all, but…feels kinda silly for him to be surprised Jenna stayed with her parents the night before her wedding.
• And the groom had to explain what a rehearsal dinner was…because…????
• “The only thing any of us are jealous of? They both found the love of their lives. Some of us aren’t so lucky.” Someone tattoo that last sentence on Olivia Benson’s forehead already.
• “English. Professor?” LOL.
• “Except the guy that we’re looking for? Doesn’t exactly sound like a prince.”  This is so very “old school procedural,” right down Hargitay’s tone and facial expression. Is it corny? Yup. Is that kind of the point? Hopefully. Will I take it? Yes. Did it feel like it needed a “dun, dun” after it? Most definitely.
• “Black and average height.” …because the NYPD always does a great job with this description. Yikes.
• Giddish and Ice-T are always fun together. The shooting range scene, complete with the little throwback to Fin’s “unmarried life” and him trying to nudge Amanda into talking to Carisi, is a gem.
• What was the point of adding Curry to the squad if she’s just going to take a constant backseat like this? Imagine the interesting stuff we could’ve had with her being uncomfortable with Rollins, who is probably technically not a detective, being such a huge part of this case.
• “You expect me to remember what I was doing last year?” Relatable.
• “We were on the couch, watching her stories together.” Makes me think of my Grannie.
• “…the only smart one of the bunch is a lawyer. One call.” And the way she wags that finger. Again…I miss my Grannie.
• “We got outplayed by a retired burlesque dancer.”
• Love how much Giddish and Scanavino just…over-act their characters’ affection (if that makes sense) in the flower shop. Rollisi shouldn’t need to fake being madly in love, sure. But they realize they need to fit their perp’s idea of what that looks like…and that is not their normal.
• If that one dude loves going undercover on that other show so much, though,imagine the olds pretending to get ready to elope after 87 years…
• The shy way she bites her lip when she admits she’s “kind of excited about this.”
• But, here’s a problem with so much great Undercover!Rollins content (aside from, you know, her not being a cop): It makes it look like that whole squad just can not function without her expertise. She’s not “helping” Olivia for old times’ sake; she is the center.
• And a Rollins-centered episode is fine! Just…make it make sense on a macro level. Begging.
• Let’s try that another way before we just get accused of hating the character for hating’s sake. Again: Centering Rollins when she drops in as a special guest isn’t bad; the way she’s centered here, however, is.
• Literally nobody needed Bruno to tell us why this guy took all the bedding. Nobody is brand new here at this point. It is SEASON TWENTY-FIVE.
• “What the hell is she doing?” “Her job, Counselor.” Oh, you can tell he’s not just upset about the integrity of the case here.
• “You mean your wife, the detective who arrested my client?” Yeah…and wait until she hears Rollins doesn’t even go here.
• “I’m not a bad person.” And Liv’s look.
• Benson slamming that table. The intensity in Hargitay’s voice. Mmmhm. There’s my unhinged Benson that actually still manages to be Benson.
• “I don’t know, Ma’am! I guess I just got tired of waiting for my own best day.” Are we…please, for the love of God, tell me we’re not supposed to have Liv reflect on this. Because that shot after…oy vey.
• So, to be clear: They talk about finding yourself, not rushing things, and Liv no longer needing Amanda (as a detective) by the time Amanda’s “finally available.” Also the “safety net” comment. But it leads…nowhere. Not even with Liv still wearing that very obvious necklace. Ok!
• Honestly, what are we even doing here at this point?

Thoughts on Law & Order: SVU 25×11 “Prima Nocta”? Leave us a comment.

Law & Order: SVU airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.