Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Episode 2 Review: ‘Dante’s Inferno’

Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Episode 2 ‘Dante’s Inferno’ is a stunner of an episode that powerfully blends the hazy dreams of a gravely injured Detective Stabler, the emotional turmoil of his loved ones, and all the typical action we’ve come to love about this series. Also! The hour finally — finally — ends our long (inter)national nightmare. We are, of course, referring to the lifetime it’s been since we’ve seen Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay do that together. (Maybe calling it a long nightmare is melodramatic, but unless you’re new here, you know what you’re getting into when you read these reviews. So. Not sorry.)

It’s no surprise that the man who’s been half of that EO magic for all these years (minus his disappeared era) understands it in a way that nobody else would, but it’s admittedly kind of unfair to learn that Meloni can do this whole writing thing super well — at least while paired with then-showrunner John Shiban — too. However. Let’s not discount any of the amazing work on display across the board. Seriously, we can’t stress enough how much the praise for this fascinating episode, which is both a departure for the series and — somehow — right on brand, doesn’t solely come as the result of Benson and Stabler playing partners again.

This entire cast continues to deliver on strong performances. Not to mention, ‘Dante’s Inferno’ features some fascinating stylistic choices — a slow fog hanging over everything, an off-kilter perspective as Elliot sees his loved ones fretting over him, disappearing and reappearing ghosts, shots of endless corridors and sounds that don’t quite break through the haze. It all adds up to something we can’t wait to watch again. And again…and again…

MORE: Don’t miss our thoughts on the Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 premiere.

The hospital patient

Usually, when we think of Meloni’s physical performance while playing Elliot Stabler, we think of the action. The fighting, the rage, the bloodied knuckles…even just being a big, bulk of a bald man in the corner somewhere as a pillar of support for one of his partners. Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Episode 2 definitely delivers on a lot of those elements, but what Meloni does here transcends all of that. There’s that faraway, glassy-eyed stare when he’s only partially conscious. A slurred question here, a not quite fully-present response there.

So, as Elliot journeys through his dreams of old-timey nurses’ uniforms or is alarmed by a bunny in a nearly-empty hospital hallway, the idea of physicality gets completely turned on its head. He moves very slowly and cautiously as he lifts his hand so Olivia Benson can protectively cradle it in both of hers. During his little trip to visit Teddy Bear, he winces, and breathes a certain way, limps and struggles as he sneaks through the hospital. Honestly, as a dancer, it’s very cool to be able to watch all of these movement choices — especially when he suspends before crashing toward the hospital floor or, later, when he begins stumbling after rescuing Sad Eyes…and then fully collapses after declaring “we saved her.”

Then, there are the hauntings. Bunny’s hauntings. In some sense, Elliot knows that girl’s dead before he has it confirmed. He just doesn’t want to accept it, but he can’t rationalize or distract himself in dreams. The storytelling in ‘Dante’s Inferno,’ both through the fascinating blend of what’s real with what’s imagined and all of these movement cues from Meloni, truly is top notch. Leaving us with the impression that Bunny’s ghost might have actually visited Elliot and left that medallion with him is a unique choice, one that makes us ask questions about how thin that veil between life and death may be. Maybe, as it turns out, Elliot Stabler’s belief in something has been right all along.

Or, eh. Maybe dude’s just still totally out of it. No way of knowing…which we love.

MORE: Remember Elliot’s reaction to losing Rita Lasku in Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 4 Episode 5?

The family

The Stabler family has been through a lot on recent years — and, considering the lack of intel on Joey, kinda guessing the tough times are far from over — and Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Episode 2 takes the time to really highlight how hard Elliot’s job is on them. Sergeant Bell, who’s also family by the way, has to fill his kids in on his condition. While they’re all noticeably rattled, worried, and maybe even grieving a little, it’s Eli’s hug to greet his Uncle Randall and Grandma Bernie that stands out most. Nicky Torchia barely controls that emotion, and when we think about the position Eli’s in here, in his uniform, having just had his celebration cut short by his dad’s injury on the job, that has to make the danger to himself more palpable than ever before.

Then, there’s Bernie and Randall. Obligatory “Ellen Burstyn is a gift” comment for this Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Episode 2 review because, uh, good God. Because of its appearance in the trailer, many viewers already knew to expect the “do not make me bury you” line. In context, Burstyn’s performance is even better — especially after the remarkable back and forth with Dean Norris’ Randall about whether or not Elliot would want a priest. However, for Burstyn, the true masterpiece comes at the end. After her son has busted out of the hospital, put himself in more danger, and nearly died. Again.

“I was taught not to cry. You know? A policeman’s job is stressful enough without making it any worse, you know. So, first your father. Then you. Now, my grandson. I just…I know you think I’m going crazy. But it’s you! It’s you that are driving me crazy. For 70 years, I was made to smile. Smile, you know, and hold my breath. And you went off to work. I just…hold my breath. That I won’t get the phone call. Or the visit.“

As Burstyn delivers these absolutely heartbreaking, devastating lines that detail a lifetime of worry, and pain, and constantly being on the verge of losing the ones she loves while having to stay strong for them — one generation after another — it’s hard to do anything other than look on in awe. Or, really, to just cry right along with her. When she speaks, as Bernie, about holding her breath, Burstyn does exactly that. To whatever extent she can hold her breath while still being able to speak the lines, at least. And then, she gasps for air. Starts over, pauses, sobs in places…with the waves of deep emotion rolling over her, crashing and crashing right along with her. Just absolutely brilliant, brilliant work.

And Mama Bernie isn’t the only Stabler to get tearful at Elliot’s bedside in Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Episode 2. Early on, as Elliot is unconscious following getting (literally) hit by a truck, it’s big brother Randall’s turn. Dean Norris usually gives us kind of…hilariously trying, yet often failing, big brother we’ve come to know and love. (After, um, initially hating his guts.) But in ‘Dante’s Inferno,’ Norris brings all the complicated dynamics of the brothers Stablers’ relationship into full, exquisite focus. Yes, he starts off trying for anger and judgement. He lectures his brother about “what a mess” Elliot is (true), chastising him for “still running around, trying to make Dad proud.”

But it’s what’s underneath all of that bitter annoyance that matters most. After Randall finishes his speech, asking El “why don’t you leave it alone, you sonofab—ch? WTF do you think you’re doing? That’s no way to live” — Norris turns away. Takes a beat. And when he isn’t looking directly at his little brother, his true feelings start to get away from him. He can’t hold back. The pain starts to get to him. That deep exhale from Norris speaks volumes about a man trying so very hard to keep his feelings in check…and failing. And that smile, the one that expresses the exact opposite of what a smile should, is a total killer.

When he finally gets to the heart of the matter — “I’ve hated you for a really long time. But I love you. I love you,” the delivery is perfect. Norris portrays a Randall who is brutally honest, both with himself and his brother. And just…there’s a fondness there, even under all the hurt, that really does show that the “I love you” is probably the most truthful thing the man has ever said to Elliot.

Also, side note? Big same on Randall’s lines here. Any and every fan of Elliot Stabler felt that…probably the woman we’ll discuss next most of all. And yes, that banter about coleslaw that comes next is some very welcome comedic relief. Thank you, Christopher Meloni and John Shiban for that.

MORE: Ellen Burstyn and Dean Norris also gave us powerful performances during the Stabler family dinner in Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 4 Episode 4. And the brotherly bond between Randall and Elliot was on full display for most of that season, particularly in Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 4 Episode 12 and the Organized Crime Season 4 finale.

The Benson and Stabler partnership

Coming into Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Episode 2, a lot of us were wondering how Christopher Meloni’s 84 many years of acting out one-half of EO’s iconic partnership would translate to him writing for himself and Mariska Hargitay. To make one of the biggest understatements in the history of TV criticism, let’s just say it works out rather well for Meloni. He doesn’t only understand his own character and how he relates to the one true love of his life better than anyone else, but he actually understands Olivia Benson’s feelings better than just about anyone other than Mariska Hargitay.

Speaking of Hargitay: Thankfully, Meloni also knows what his scene partner is capable of and how to capitalize on her well-known, yet often wasted, talent. The work Hargitay puts in in Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Episode 2 has got to be her best in years. Easily. Almost as if giving her material to work with…puts her to work. Right from the start, when Liv listens to the (barely audible) doctor explain El’s condition to her, Hargitay just devastates us. The series of tiny little changes in her expression, portraying a Benson who fears Stabler is leaving her again, going through the what ifs, the missed chances, and reacting to the battered state he’s in have us like wow.

Of course, it doesn’t end there — far from it. We get the insecure Olivia, who still doesn’t fully see herself as part of her partner’s family. Yet. Noticeably, she never lets herself get too far away, even while she’s giving Randall and Bernie their space. In the background, although blurred, we see her there. We see her, on the outside looking in, just as worried — with just as much to lose as the others — and wanting so badly to help but not knowing if she should. Then, there’s the silly and sassy Benson-to-Elliot’s-Stabler — the one who is a little caught off guard, initially, when Randall offers her brisket but jumps right into it once she figures him out.

We could go on and on forever about Olivia alone. But Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Episode 2 feeds us a feast of Elliot and Olivia moments. Meloni and Hargitay give us the perfect picture of how much love is between these two people, and they do it in so many different ways, both large and small. Elliot dreams about Olivia, and he wakes up because of her voice. (Whatever you do, don’t think about “…if I heard your voice, I wouldn’t have been able to leave.”) And what of her care and careful management of him when he first wakes up? That reassuring, loving smile from Liv on the “scare ya?” “No. Not even a little” EO scene just drops when Elliot asks about Bunny, and we know instantly that the news is going to be bad.

But Hargitay only lets go of Olivia’s soothing, protective positivity when Meloni lets Elliot slip back to wherever his still-foggy mind goes. These two people are partners through and through. Let that apply to either the fictional or real-world counterparts. Or, more appropriately, it’s both. Later in the hour, when Elliot knows the truth about Bunny, he confronts Olivia during a private moment. He’s not angry, hurt maybe; but he just wants the truth now that he’s in a clear enough state of mind to realize he probably didn’t get it before. And all of these quiet beats, where Stabler takes in the information and/or Benson glances at him to make sure he’s ok — make sure they’re ok — are, again, so good. They’re incredible.

These people are incredible together. Always, everywhere, in every scene.

Possibly the most EO scene of all in Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Episode 2 is the one where Olivia finds Elliot getting ready to leave the hospital so he can save Sad Eyes. She’s all “are you kidding me” and facepalming her way through this man’s nonsense, exasperated as always. And he tells her he’s doing the same thing she’d be doing…and they just…get each other. “You know me better than anybody. You can’t expect me to lie down on that bed and do nothing” indeed. Because she does know him best, and he’s not even afraid to start to get a bit angry with her to say so. (But just a tiny bit.)

…if we totally lost track of our train of thought from remembering how quickly she turns back toward him after his “stand there and watch me get naked” line, well. Probably nobody will hold it against us. Same goes for her need to touch him, to grasp both sides of his face and lean in like she’s going to kiss him before asking why he always has to be so difficult. (But seriously, they were insane for that.)

Anyway.

Of course, Olivia relents but lays down some ground rules. And of course, Elliot finds a way to break all the rules. That’s who they are, and it is so good to have them back.

MORE: Here’s what happened when we last saw EO in the Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 3 finale. And during the middle part of the big ‘Gimme Shelter’ Law & Order crossover. Remember Benson and Stabler working perfectly in sync during Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 2 Episode 20?

More on Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Episode 2

Going to have to say it: I kind of hate Christopher Meloni for this. It’s not enough for him to be a great actor and the internet’s Zaddy. Dude also had to go and write something this good. Absolutely rude. Leave some winning for the rest of us, my dude.
Bell on her phone, Bell looking sick as Elliot partially wakes up and sees her face hovering above him…always give me more Bell.
Olivia Benson had a personality again. Yes, God.
Kind of unfortunate that Olivia had such comically unbelievable “magically wake someone up from a coma” powers on SVU earlier this season. Because I had that in the back of my head, the idea of El calling out for Liv and going toward her light instead of the light comical on first watch. On second, though…whew. She’s really that for him.
“I knew you’d be here.” Mama Bernie, biggest EO shipper. I know that’s right.
…but does that, plus the fact that Liv’s here so early on, mean Emotionally Dumb and Emotionally Dumber have actually been speaking? Because the series that’s from Benson’s perspective is, once again, completely failing this relationship and her.
Oh, God. Jet’s face after she sees Vic blow his brains out. Ainsley Seiger always, always finds those openings to steal the spotlight.
“And great friends.” “How long?” Too long, Randall. You don’t want to know.
“Long. From the beginning.” …of time.
But, again, it’s much easier to just forget SVU exists and take this Benson and Stabler as reality. Otherwise…like…are y’all really good friends, when you never speak and she’s lost her personality in that other parallel universe? No. So, we refuse it.
“Hers is better.” I—.
“She’s young. She’ll make it.” And yet.
“You like saving people?” Bunny’s accusatory look, right there, is Elliot’s mind telling him the truth. Prove me wrong.
Maggie Toomey is so good. Keep her forever. I don’t care if that means this series has to become sci-fi or fantasy (or whatever) to do it.
But why does this man look like that in one of those goofy hospital gowns?
“What are you doing calling in?” Ayanna Bell. Is. Tired.
Benson and Stabler are married, part 239847398473: CAPTAIN Benson kicks in, all, “DETECTIVE. WHERE ARE YOU.” Him: “What do you mean, Cap.” “Are you lying down?” “Yeah, yeah. I’m in my bed.“ He is not, and she knows. SHE IS. IRRITATED. The “ok” and covering her face, though.
“The less I know, the better. What’d the F—er say?” Smart, Reyes. Very smart.
That “I’m sorry” to Bunny, with the guilt all over his face. I want to die.
The mumbling about “I saved the girl. Where is the girl.”
“You’re not gonna cuff me, are ya?” PLEASE DO.
I’M TIRED OF Y’ALL.
“Want me to say I’m sorry?” “No. I want you to tell me it’s all a bad dream.”
Captain Benson, strutting into that interrogation room like she owns the place! (Because she does. She so does.)
I love me a good mirror shot.
…heart hurts, though.
“I’m not done here. I’ll be at your disposal.” Stay here forever! Make the BensonBot make sense by having her sit in for you over there!
Um ok but how did someone clock Reyes as a cop but never Stabler? When Stabler’s face was literally all over the news that time.
Jet. Looks. Sick.
…and now, totally rattled.
“LIV, DON’T LEAVE!!!” Uh…huh.
“Come here, Mama, come here. Ok. I love you, I love you. It’s ok. You can breathe, can breathe.”
He is so soft.
“Did you have a bad dream? “Yeah. I’ve been getting them a lot lately.” “About what?” “Things I’ve lost.” Oh, ok. He thinks he’s lost Liv. (He deserves to after ghosting us for 10 years, the bald you-know-what that he is.)
But also: HER GRIEF FOR HER SON AND THE WAY SHE PUTS HER HAND ON HIS CHEEK.
For her to get the help she needs and whatnow?
Bell and El. She’s got her eye on him. [Wiggles hands]
THE HUG.
That is one heck of a shot there at the end, of him doubled over with his hands on his head. Ouch.
What an episode. Wow.