Law & Order: SVU 24×19 “Bend the Law” manages to do something that the series hasn’t for a few episodes: actually make the two (seemingly) at-odds parts fit together in a way that makes some kind of sense. No, we’re still not really here for what’s been done to Velasco — and Churlish, really, too — this season. But, at least, this particular chapter of that story is as bearable as possible. One does, however, still wonder why such a significant, and significantly negative, piece of his backstory is still, always, playing second fiddle to something bigger. Maybe with some more time on its own, with more development, it wouldn’t be…this.
The latest such “something bigger” is, of course, the tragedy of Division Chief Lorraine Maxwell’s marriage. Her case — or, rather, her trash husband’s case — is horrible on uncountably many levels. But, at least, Lorraine’s realization about Roger and Elle Santini’s about her husband Anthony (aka, Velasco’s old buddy “Chilly”) are both part of a larger theme. Basically, men aren’t shit, and you might never really know a person. Oh. And something about blind loyalty that Olivia says at the beginning.
And basically, everyone’s doing dirty work to get what they want here…which is outright foolish at times, yet just letting interesting human flaws get the better of people at others.
TL;DR Betty Buckley did that
Regardless of the many…frankly, not great…turns this case takes, Betty Buckley makes it impossible to turn away. She is so fantastic here, as someone who thinks she’s finally found her happiness after a previous awful marriage, only to have it all come crashing down. I don’t know how she does it, or even if this is going to come across in exactly the right way, but there’s something in Buckley’s performance that makes Chief Maxwell suddenly very small and very old. Old in a way that, unlike actual aging which isn’t a bad thing — no matter what Hollywood beauty standards and corporate interests may tell you — just shows a sense of exhaustion. Like it’s been so, so many years of struggling, and she’s just tired.
Suddenly, she’s not Carisi’s boss, or the person who occasionally has to play hardball with our Captain Benson. Lorraine is only a woman who has lived through far too much, and the ability to keep dealing with it has just been sapped right out of her. And that sense is so very subtle when she first finds out Roger’s involved in this case, where you can see it, along with some doubts, seeping in but not taking over, only for the character to just keep…shrinking, almost, as it becomes more and more obvious that this man is guilty as sin. Even so, she tries to hold it all together, put on a good show of still being in control — still having the legal knowledge to give Roger, who’s too arrogant to take it, some advice — until she just can’t take it anymore.
The most absolutely heartbreaking scene is, of course, the one where she’s alone with Captain Benson and asks whether or not she’s somehow “to blame for all this.” Not only does Buckley give the character so much emotion and vulnerability there in the scene itself, but it’s also part of how so many victims process what’s happened to them. But, as Liv tells her, none of this is Lorraine’s fault. This is all on Roger. Full stop.
Now, where SVU 24×19 starts to make things both interesting and entirely questionable is, of course, with Roger’s demise and its aftermath. Again, if we’re assessing things purely from an acting standpoint, Buckley is incredible there, too. Lorraine’s irritation and firm “this is not happening” over the anniversary dinner are both perfect. (And seriously, my dude, WTF? Did you think you’d just patch everything up with some DoorDash? “Sure, I was involved in human trafficking involving teen girls, but mmm, food!” Bitch, please.) Also perfection: The restraint, the tightly-controlled, slow movements toward a choking Roger after making it very clear she’s not going to help him. And that cold, calculating look in her eyes is something else. Then, there’s the “oh, Roger” line.
Just lump positive adjectives out here, guys, and that’s how we should describe Buckley’s work.
…but the implications here, both for Maxwell and Benson, are not great. You’re looking at an NYPD Captain who, throughout the case actually, tries to keep this crime as quiet as possible to help the Trial Division Chief. And then, the obvious understanding between the two women at the end…On the one hand, it’s great wish fulfillment. I’m sitting here, like, “yes. Let him choke.” It’s also much more true to life for people involved into the system to be corrupt as hell and do each other much, much more problematic favors than this.
But, especially for Liv, it’s not the greatest look. She’s been a total hardass about someone from Velasco’s past — even in this very same episode, she sends him off to make things “right.” Whatever that even means — but she’s willing to sweep things under the rug for Maxwell. And they even have their mutual understanding at the end? That Lorraine will “be the first to know” if anything comes up that contradicts her statement?
Yeah, characters who are neither all good nor all bad are the most compelling. And Liv’s doing some probably wrong things for some pretty solid reasons here. It’s not exactly like, say, she’s wildly out of character and helping out a serial groomer at the expense of victims or whatever. (Yes. Still bitter.) But, still. Something doesn’t quite settle.
But I’ll still take it. It’s complicated and unsettling, and it doesn’t look great within the justice system. But…wish fulfillment with watching Roger choke. And, then, there’s the nice parallel to an earlier episode, where both these women discussed the legal dilemma of letting a traumatized child victim, who killed someone to protect the next baby, go without digging too deeply. And Lorraine’s only crime, if you can even call it that, is just a deliberate decision not to help her husband. That’s quite a bit different than actually poisoning someone and not quite a crime (as far as I know). So. It works, especially when you think about having Mariska Hargitay and Betty Buckley together like that.
It’s a sticky situation, and it’ll be interesting to see where everyone draws their own line.
…but it doesn’t mean the outcome here is exactly how justice should work.
Speaking of justice…
Regardless of how their attempts to keep things as out of the public eye as possible for Lorraine’s sake actually benefited Roger, one thing that absolutely works about “Bend the Law” is Carisi and Benson’s dedication to working the case, regardless. Yes, they’re uncomfortable. But no, they’re not going to let it go either. Roger is foolish enough to try playing on his roundabout connection to Liv, but she is absolutely not having it — right from the start. And while both she and Carisi certainly treat the situation as delicately as possible when Chief Maxwell is around, there’s never once a question of whether or not they’re going to follow any and all leads.
Additionally, the link to Carisi’s boss gives us plenty of quality time with him. Olivia also gets to spend more time with him, going over the stresses of the case and trying to work out what their next steps are. Those scenes are pretty solid. With that being said, one of the best bits, from both Hargitay and Peter Scanavino, is their twin reactions of horror when they turn away from the interrogation window to find Chief Maxwell and Roger behind them. It’s like they’re shocked, stuck, and — possibly the highlight of the highlight — just really having some kind of “can you believe this shit” moment together.
Scanavino’s absolute strongest moment in Law & Order: SVU 24×19 doesn’t even involve Hargitay, though — doesn’t really need to either. Although Carisi doesn’t actually get to have a full trial and really do his thing in court, he does get that super tense moment with the defense attorney. The other guy really tries to rile him up and make him nervous, but it just goes nowhere. Or, rather, it goes in the opposite direction of what the defense wants: Carisi puts him in his place. That “but you apparently don’t know me. At all” is just delivered so well. Absolutely loved it.
Whatever the dilemmas here are, Carisi’s not backing down from a challenge. He’s also probably, out of everyone, the most firm in his desire to handle this case in a just manner. That heated moment in Captain Benson’s office toward the end, where he’s stressing out (at best) over the idea of Roger’s death being a bit convenient, is another great one for him.
Meanwhile, in Maine
The other half of Law & Order: SVU 24×19 also features great performances — especially from Octavio Pisano as Velasco grapples with his past. But unlike the A story, I’m not sure if I’ll take this one? In the first place, this particular arc has been a mess from the beginning. It came out of nowhere, gave us a terrible first impression of Churlish, and it’s just…ugh. Not to mention, there’s the issue of Liv, kind of, constantly moving the goalposts. And what even with her putting Velasco’s recording in her desk like that at the end? So, she was tough on her detective all along, just to do…what? Nothing? Or just nothing for now until she finds the information (illegally-gained, just like Churlish’s recording of Velasco) useful?
Uh…huh. Ok, then.
It all just seems very pointless, needlessly putting stains on two members of Liv’s squad. Even so, Detectives Churlish and Velasco do make an interesting sort of partnership here. And they do have their little moment in the end. I just feel like we could’ve still had that without…this. Just, some kind of better way.
The B story isn’t a complete waste, though. Velasco does get to see that Chilly has made something of himself, and the way they discuss their trauma together at the bar hits a lot of strong notes. There’s even, maybe, something in there about how we really can’t keep those terrible memories in the past. They’ll always come back to get us, no matter how far we run or how hard we try to keep them locked away. (And the episode showed us that message, rather than dropping heavy-handed pseudopsych drivel on us as a way of telling it! Mazel tov!)
But it bears repeating: This one’s been doomed from the start. And it’s a real shame because Pisano and Joseph Castillo-Midyett, who plays Chilly, truly deliver on some touching work here. Same goes for the scene in the car between Pisano and Kailena Mai. There are just too many problems overall, right down to Velasco resorting to the same illegal tactics Churlish used to kick off this whole disaster of events. If SVU could be done with illegal recordings forever, that would be fantastic.
More on Law & Order: SVU 24×19
- Since we didn’t get to do it elsewhere in this word vomit of a post: Holy shit, look at her.
- “Shouldn’t you be at home, alphabetizing your merit badges or something?” Shouldn’t you have learned, by 20-fucking-23, that mocking women — especially Black women — for working their asses off is not a good look? And can’t Churlish be someone other than “chick who works too hard” yet? No? Ok.
- Olivia Benson, in full “don’t fuck with me” mode, in her office. Yes. Always yes.
- This, on the other hand…“Because the only thing worse than a partner with no loyalty. Is a partner with blind loyalty. But you already know that.” Ma’am, I know you aren’t trying to work through some shit about your loyalty to a certain bald someone with statements like that. Y’all’s loyalty was anything but blind. You’d better know that, or else I’m coming through the TV and fighting you.
(And gladly getting my ass kicked for trying.) - “More like…in, out.” This is where this case became some bullshit before it even started. We get it. Roger’s trash. And so are all these other rich white men in this room.
- “Calm down. You’re hysterical,” and then she pulls out a goddamned gun, thus proving the whole “lulz irrational, hysterical woman” thing. Ok then. Shooting that dude in the balls is another one of those “wish fulfillment, but WTF did I just watch” sorts of issues, too. Like, what.
- “Well, I’m assuming he did something to deserve it.” I mean…Yeah. (Like I said: wish fulfillment. But WTF.)
- “Roger, I’m not playing favorites here.” (Narrator: She is, later, but with this man’s wife. The one who actually deserves some grace.)
- “…sitting there like Renaissance popes.” (And, let’s be real: Modern-day Church officials.)
- “Captain, you learn a lot about a man in that time. His morality, his character.” And yet.
- “It was just oral. I was promised a Balenciaga bag.” There are a lot of levels on which I absolutely can not with this.
- Mmmmm, coffee. Legit.
- “Alright, so what do you need?” “Besides a sleep study?” And her reaction. A buddy comedy! (Also: Can relate.)
- Chilly, my dude, your wife is a terrible liar. Usually, that’d be a good thing. But uh…
- Absolute masterpiece: The many different emotions Pisano filters through when Velasco sees Chilly in that classroom .
- Oh, shit. That Olivia Benson head tilt.
- Show your next potential love interest this episode. If they don’t want to vomit over the whole “nymphettes” thing, that’s a red flag. Get away. Run, don’t walk.
- Maybe old isn’t the right word up above in the section about Maxwell’s case. Maybe it’s just…weary? Diminished? Stripped down? Unwell? Words are hard.
- This man is disgusting, yelling up in Lorraine’s face. I’m not upset that he choked later. No one should be.
- “Excuse me for wanting to do a little more digging before I ruin someone’s life.”
- “Lorraine, I know that you’ve already been through one abusive marriage” (note: implies this one is abusive, which is correct) “but that wasn’t your fault. And neither is this. Roger’s choices are his! And his alone.” “You always speak with such conviction, Olivia. I wish I could believe you now.” Pain.
- (…and Lorraine’s line is also me at Olivia when she lies and plays like she doesn’t want to do unspeakable things to Zaddy.)
- On the other hand, while Lorraine is Roger’s victim, this episode didn’t really focus on those young girls — also very much, repeatedly, victims — nearly enough.
- Look defense bro: You don’t get to talk about chutzpah. We do not claim you as one of ours.
- “How about you talk to that scared little boy back in Juárez? … Because he’ll tell you he’s never going to forget what you did for him that night.”
- Again, with how Roger gets in Lorraine’s face and accuses her of just being mad he doesn’t need her money this time(???), plus the way he’s convinced he’s getting away with this, I’m not mad he choked. And yet.
- “I don’t think about it much. I keep those memories where they belong — in the past. At least I try.” “Well, I’m not going to lie. I can’t stop them from creeping into my present.”
- This teacher or vice principal or whatever really thought she was going to pull a gun on a cop like that huh? Ok. Lots of hysterical women, doing hysterical women with guns things. Still with the “lulz, women, amirite?” approach. (Which, to be clear: It’s gross, actually.)
- “Your ex-husband was right. The way he kept you in line, humiliated you. I think you deserved it, you’re such a castrating bitch.” I just think that, hey, too many men actually think like this. And fuck every single one of them.
- But also: Betty Buckley, y’all.
- …Liv letting El choke on his own bullshit when, though. Except, like, let him just get a little scared. We’d like him to survive, unlike this dude.
- “So you knew I’d be giving Chilly’s confession to Benson, and you what? You wanted to watch? You want me to get you some popcorn?” “I didn’t come for the snacks or the sanctimony.” Get him.
- …and why is even the “good” guy at this level of absolute trash in how he speaks to women? (We all know why.)
- “But you unburdered yourself, Velasco. And eventually, that’s…that’s gonna feel really good.” You’re unburdening yourself when, Captain? Also: Be for real, Liv. For just five seconds.
- “I loved him, you know. Despite everything. Do you believe me?” I just.
- Choose your fighter: Liv delivering the “heartless” lines here or Lorraine in 24×04.
Thoughts on Law & Order: SVU 24×19 “Bend the Law”? Uncomfortable with it all, yet stunned by the performances like us? Or do you disagree with some of that? Leave us a comment!
Law & Order: SVU airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.
