‘Law & Order: SVU’ 25×05 Review: “Zone Rouge”

Law & Order: SVU 25×05 “Zone Rouge” finally — finally — gives Olivia Benson a chance to breathe a sigh of relief. Or, at least, the episode takes the unknowns about Maddie Flynn off her plate and has…as good of an outcome as can be expected for her. Of course, we could be snarky here and say that Liv didn’t need to start this landmark 25th season with yet another sense of agony, meaning all closing the book on Maddie does is set us right back where we started. But, eh. We already did that.

Instead, let’s talk about how our overall impression of this season’s fifth episode is a good one. Not only are we happy that this child isn’t just…out there, suffering, for the sake of a longterm narrative, but the forced feeling of some recent episodes is, thankfully, not here. (Dare we say, the vibes are right?) It’s in all the more technical elements, in terms of pacing and hitting the emotional beats in a way that gives them time to land without feeling sluggish or disjointed. There’s a good mix of urgency, intensity in those brilliant interrogation scenes, and even opportunities for learning about our newest character, FBI Special Agent Shannah Sykes. In fact, the near-instant strength of this new not-quite partnership, coupled with just enough of the familiar dynamic between Liv and Fin earlier on, is what makes the hour.

Not to mention, we really love the way Captain Benson seems to be collecting new girlfriends women for her squad the way her man on that other show seems to collect unofficial adopted children everywhere he goes. Let’s just hope that both Agent Sykes and Captain Curry get to stick around longer than Detectives Muncy and Churlish. (RIP.)

How does it feel, Liv????

One of the best parts of Law & Order: SVU 25×05 is seeing Liv meet someone who is…not exactly like her, yet just enough of a mirror to keep things interesting. In our preview, we almost instantly picked up on the potential for something more in the Benson/Sykes dynamic than might initially meet the eye. At the time, that was based on exactly zero evidence other than that one-minute clip. And that’s mostly down to something very subtle, yet there, from Jordana Spiro’s performance in that first appearance. The rest was seeing everything Sykes was able to do on her own — and that she did it on her own. Equal parts showing and telling, rather than all hitting us on the head with telling, if you will.

The longer Sykes and Benson work together, the more intriguing the pairing gets. Even after their uncertain start, before that first interrogation in Pittsburgh, Sykes admits she thought the kid in the photo was a boy. And as Liv tells her she’s “not the only one who’s guilty of tunnel blindness,” it’s one of those “ok. Now, be equally as gentle on yourself” moments. Which, of course, she can’t be. But…that’s kind of the point. And it makes Agent Sykes kinda the FBI’s answer to our Captain. Because she did accomplish so much, only to have that halting need to confess her guilt over the one thing she got wrong. And, then, there’s the rest of Law & Order: SVU 25×05.

Agent Sykes is in her field of work because it’s personal. And no, getting her to open up about that isn’t easy. In fact, she gives Liv the “I’m fine” lie over and over, with Liv clearly not knowing what to make of her or how to move forward. Which, the halting way Mariska Hargitay plays Liv just…wanting to speak up, yet not wanting to pry, yet not at all being sure of herself…is also utterly fascinating. Liv’s usually very good with people. Or, at least, she has a special talent for getting folks to open up to her. But with Shannah…not so much. And it’s clear she’s not quite sure what to make of it and wants to respect the other woman’s privacy. That, however, butts up against her usual instincts.

Not to mention, nobody ought to know better than Olivia Benson that a snappy or dismissive “I’m fine” and total denial that there’s even anything to be asking (or “fine”) about is just about being defensive. Defensive, but underneath, actually wanting someone to confide in. And the reason she’s the expert there is because…well. Do we really need to say it? Someone just hold a mirror up in front of our girl already, and there you have it.

Again, it’s not exactly the same. No, we’re not claiming two characters are perfect matches, by any stretch of the imagination. But, at the same time, they kind of…are? So, so, so, so, so interesting. And perfect chemistry between Hargitay and Spiro throughout to really nail those similarities that start off very subtle but grow and grow. We truly can not wait to see what happens when we get a chance to throw Curry more fully into the mix with Benson and Sykes.

“Well, respect this…”

One thing Odafin Tutuola is going to do is support Olivia Benson, and we see that play out in classic fashion in Law & Order: SVU 25×05. Obviously, he makes that crystal clear to Captain Curry by explicitly stating he’s “got Benson’s back. First, last, and always,” but we could even argue that his initial show of distrust is all about protecting Liv. About showing that he remembers how they first met, that his CO-slash-friend might forgive, but he will never forget. And he’s going to be watching this new squad member, testing her, and making sure she’s not yet another person to let Olivia Benson down.

Then, there’s the actual case. It’s Fin who goes with Liv to interview Tanya Garcia, and it’s Fin who has this moment where he realizes what Liv’s about to ask him before she even has a chance to form the words. He might side-eye the crap out of her for wanting to go to the airport, but after hearing Olivia out, he gets her where she needs to go. Later, when the team splits up to look for Maddie, Fin goes with Liv. And he tries so hard to be the voice of reason, recommending they wait for more backup and some dogs to help them in the search. Everything he can do to keep his partner from getting too ahead of herself, he does.

With such an important case, all of that support is vital. And instead of being lost in the background of all the intensity, that (mostly) quiet support from Fin actually stands out. Beautifully, even. Sometimes, it doesn’t completely feel like the series honors that onscreen partnership between Ice-T and Hargitay as much as it should. But here, just that scene in the car is enough to elevate all those moments where either Ice or his character is doing something more in the background.

Let’s talk about Maddie Flynn

With Law & Order: SVU 25×05 being the episode that finally brings closure to the Maddie Flynn case, we’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about how some of that plays out. First: the good. Allison Elaine delivers one stunning performance, right from the beginning as a kid who’s fighting as hard as she can fight against the drugs being forced on her, terrified to get caught writing that note — yet, again, still not totally able to show it. Then, there’s the hug with Olivia (my heart), the combination of trauma and guilt as she tells her story in the hospital, and the outpouring of emotions when she sees her family again. Absolutely stellar.

Also as it relates to the Flynn family, it’s a great touch that Liv knew Maddie’s parents would know her. Same goes for the extra detail of Peter recognizing her handwriting, even when it was shakier/sloppier than usual because of the drugs. And getting that press conference moment at the end of the episode, as such a stark contrast to the mess in the season premiere, is so valuable. It works as both a nice bookend to an extended arc and also goes a long, long way in terms of healing the wounds Olivia’s gained from this whole mess. (Or, at least, it has the potential to do that.) Those emotional looks and little nods between Olivia and Maddie…Eh, fine. One could probably argue they’re a bit much? But we’re not doing that. It was sweet. Sometimes, you just need to feel good, and this hit the “comfort show” spot.

Then, there’s the evil. For starters, there’s just…the pure evil that is George in that interrogation scene, which is actually a strong point of “Zone Rouge” itself. (And, again, wow on Hargitay and Spiro throughout.) But here’s where things start to go a bit sideways. There is something deeply, deeply disturbing — in a bad way — about what our perp does to hide Maddie in plain sight. Because all the wrong people, who believe and tell gross, bigoted narratives are going to get absolutely the wrong message here. Kind of like what happened earlier in the season, just not at heavy handed.

To be clear, George — the kidnapper and trafficker — forces drugs on children. And changed Maddie’s appearance…and forced her to go by a different name to keep up the ruse. If we could be a little — no, a lot — more careful about story bits that could be twisted in harmful ways, that’d be great. If we need to spell out what that last part means, you either are not affected by this or don’t care. And if you actually believe the things we’re warning against there, politely exit the tab or window from which you’re accessing this review.

More on Law & Order: SVU 25×05

• Maybe, just maybe, even if the kid was an addict, they wouldn’t deserve the mocking and the recording them for funsies? IDK.
• “I don’t make friends with Internal Affairs, but I am gonna eat one of your donuts. Under protest.” First, always eat the donuts. Correct. Second, does Fin really not see that Liv’s IAB girlfriend is way, way cooler than her IAB boyfriend was? Come on, now.
• Curry-Benson-Sykes triangle. Hit us with the AO3 links. (Who needs Stabler?)
• …j/k Benson needs Stabler.
• “Yes, I did, Fin. You don’t listen.” Ok. So. See, Fin is Liv’s rock, like, 80-90% of the time. Not 100%. Just so we’re clear.
• The other “???” part of the Fin of it all: “…and you need a Rollins.” Feels like he’s trying to say Curry’s only here because she’s a woman to check a box or fill a quota. Or whatever. Probably just sensitive to that like the other thing…but still.
• Liv scarfing down that donut is everything.
• “Protocol is protocol.” Y’all will butt heads. I will eat popcorn. Let’s go!
• “…for proving that I’m not imagining things.” Babe. Love you, but these grieving parents are not here to make you feel better about yourself and your instincts.
• Oh, ok. Liv can FaceTime with people in Pittsburgh, but that other dude is too expensive to film a 10-second thing to dump onto a faux-ne screen. (See, what I did there?) Seems legit.
• The water bottle with the drugs…were they channeling Kamila Valieva’s pappy’s water glass?
• “Cash lies out of one side of his mouth while the other’s smiling.” Men.
• “I already told you he’s a liar. What do you think.” The bitter smile here!
• Liv really accepted this girl’s gum, only to toss it almost instantly. Ok then.
• The back-and-forth with Sykes watching Liv take charge on that train, then start to unravel a little…only for something similar to happen with Sykes taking over, only to unravel…and Liv to be like “what the…” Genius.
• So much like Olivia Benson, she even has a gray hoodie. So true.
• New head canon: Peek-a-boo compass is symbolism. Liv’s not sure if she wants El, or Shannah, or Renee.
• Or there’s this.
• “I’m so sick of blue state DAs. Too spineless to take anything in front of a judge that’s not a royal flush.” What in the pro-fascist fanboying?
• Going to pretend that didn’t happen because this character is otherwise fun.
• Their faces when they hear George will talk to them only.
• When Olivia grins and looks away, you know she’s about to murderalize you.
• “You think that you can hurt me? For losing Maddie? That’s cute. You could never hurt me anymore than I’ve already hurt myself.” That last part is so me-coded. Also: Siri, play Liv some emo music.
• The way she gets in his face and stalks him like a lioness stalking her prey though.
• “So. There’s a girl-shaped hole in your heart. Maybe your new friend can help you fill it.” Going to pretend the context is waaaaaaayyyyyy different here.
• “Talk about what?” “Ok.”
• The police dog. I want.
• “I’m fine.” Liv: [rolls her eyes]. Me: How does it feel, Olivia Margaret Benson? How. Does. It. Feel.
• “Are you?” “Yeah. Are you sure you’re not just projecting?” And Liv’s face.
• “I don’t feel her in the world anymore.” Ouch.
• Sykes’ first name is pronounced the way the goyim think you’re supposed to say mine. They would be wrong in their assumption.
• …but why does everyone — especially every woman — on TV in this line of work have to have a tragic backstory?
• Are we…are we going to talk about how folks were telling Captain Benson to retire after that car accident a couple years ago, and now she’s…in this kind of shape? Also, she should not be running off alone like that. Come on now. WTF.
• Sykes just has to stand back and realize she may never get this moment, huh?
• I want that flannel.
• Super way for Benson and Sykes to give the Flynns privacy, even when they’re actually all in the same hospital room.
• Something about bringing coffee…
• “Do you want me to lie?” “Yeah, that’d be great.” Anyone else’s brain automatically jump to Buffy and “Lie to Me”? Or are y’all normal.
• “It has been a month.” Same.
• “It’s hard to get her to open up.” “I’ve noticed that.” How does it feel, Olivia Margaret. Hmmm??????????
• “I mean, they’re like my lost years.” 10 of them. The big, bald shanda can relate. (It’s Yiddish. Look it up.)
• You can’t interrupt Liv on her “first real day off in a while” if she’s literally with Agent Sykes, discussing joining/being loaned out to the squad.
• Let’s put this behind us and let Liv make real progress without new trauma now, ok?

Thoughts on Law & Order: SVU 25×05 “Zone Rouge”? Leave us a comment!

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