Law & Order: SVU Season 27 Episode 18 Review: Mariska Hargitay and Melissa McCarthy’s New Sitcom?

Law & Order: SVU Season 27 Episode 18 “Gimmick” is, as an SVU episode, not great. There are a number of weird moments that don’t make a lot of sense given what we know about various members of the squad, and there are even inconsistencies around the case of the week itself. “He never regained consciousness” is the most glaring one, considering we literally see the victim—get this!—regain consciousness when motel staff finds him in the tub.

And the perp is…well. He’s just a giant caricature of the type of sports entertainment superstar who starts to believe his own gimmick way too much. That might have been interesting to explore, but we never get there. It also could have, at the very least, been satisfying to see that kind of guy brought to justice after over 20 years of getting away with it, but the one living victim who Captain Benson manages to guilt into taking the stand…lies and says none of it ever happened when he actually has his day in court.

Somewhat bizarrely (yet really an obvious recycling of set pieces) this marks the second hour this season featuring both a fan convention of some sort and a boxing ring. It’s just that Clint the cartoon villain with the mid-episode car dealership ad is banned from boxing now and participates in something that’s heavier on being in character and, maybe or maybe not, fixed fights than on the sport in its purest form. (Let’s take bets on if Captain Curry could’ve beaten his a**. I’m going with yes.) But whatever. Who cares? Because it’s the convention that actually provides the few moments that make this episode worth sitting through.

First up, there’s Corey Cott playing a giant fanboy version of Detective Griffin. That’s pretty fun, which isn’t a thing we should typically want from SVU, but when it’s an episode like this one, it’s fine. The real saving grace, though, is—surprise!—Melissa McCarthy being as ridiculous as ever while Mariska Hargitay plays an Olivia Benson who is…what I’m going to describe as “drowning in WTF.” Hargitay’s timing, paired with the flustered and totally awkward version of Liv she brings to the scene, is incredible. And, as McCarthy does what she does best, it’s pretty clear that both actors are loving every minute of it. Admittedly, I was left not quite sure if what I’d just watched was SVU or an improv challenge of some sort. But, quite frankly, I also did not—and still do not—remotely care one way or another because these two are hilarious AF.

(If anything, both actresses need to go coach and/or judge the next improv challenge on RuPaul’s Drag Race.)

Law & Order: SVU shouldn’t be a parody of itself, as a general rule. But some comic relief every now and then, especially when it’s this good, is welcome. To be clear, the entire interaction is goofy AF. I should probably hate it. But I just absolutely refuse. Sometimes, goofy and tacky wins—and for it to be a success, you need talent. This is one of those times, and there’s more than enough comedic genius to go around.

Honestly, someone please give these two their own sitcom already. Jasmyn Jewell and Baby Browns, anyone? And for the love of God, there’s no reason why Hargitay shouldn’t be on SNL. (Eh, other than time constraints.)

MORE: Our last convention was for fans of a teen dancer.

More Law & Order: SVU Season 27 Episode 18 reactions

Jump scare!
“…but if I were you guys, I wouldn’t hold my breath…sorry, that’s not. what I meant.” There are two kinds of people…and I am the kind that chuckled.
Corny in a bad way: Them telling the audience everything they’re taking out of the bag and virtually none of it having much to do with anything at all.
Funny, yet weird for where their relationship is: Liv holding out that one finger and interrupting Griff, all, “you know what?” only for it to be because she’s getting a call about the victim.
Bold to call Homicide “short-staffed” and say they’d probably like your help, when Bruno’s out, Fin’s been out for most of the season, and Curry’s been dumped into a whole different gig entirely.
So many of these scenes could’ve been an email.
“I think it always is easier in hindsight, right?” Raise your hand if personally victimized.
Ok, so. “Yeah…families tend to bear the brunt of addiction.” This rings true in a lot of cases, including Rollins’. Like, she would know. She’s been through it with her family.
On the other hand, there’s this: “Pretty bleak existence.” “Yeah. Welcome to the life of an addict.” Rollins herself was in active gambling addiction while she was a detective. Not all addicts are what we see here with a stockpile of a bazillion drugs. And Rollins—an addict—currently leads a pretty good life! Before the pitchforks come out: Addiction isn’t something you just get over or cure—you can relapse at any time. Put another way, Amanda’s not currently in active addiction, but the disease never goes away. So, I just don’t find that particular comment to be at all respectful of her journey so far*, much less of the disease itself.
Another interpretation there could be that she basically just…isn’t fazed by any of it and is totally frank/matter of fact, more than in any way trying to be disrespectful. And that’s a fair one! But I tend to lean more protective with these sorts of things. When an episode has a number of things working against it—at least from the serious/case side of things—I’m also way less likely to give the benefit of the doubt when something rubs me wrong.
*And I hope “so far” continues, but most people in recovery talk about one day at a time for a very, very good reason.
“Kink gone wrong?” A question.
“All right, fanboy. Let’s keep the questions to the case.” “Ok, no promises.” This man is barely functioning enough to know what she’s saying.
“And. Don’t ask for too many autographs.” The way Liv leans in to make sure she’s in his line of sight, though.
I just…seriously…the whole exchange. Absolute nuts in a way that very few can pull off. Best/worst thing ever.
Hargitay’s had her moments over the years when she’s brought some humor to Liv (Liv’s not the one who stabbed the Captain with a pickle, ok). But this is some next level sh**. I LOVE IT. And it’s understated, which is a very, very smart choice!
“I’ve seen that you’ve got a spectacular set of baby browns.” True.
Like, every single line lands and has Liv like “???” but…in different flavors of “???” I don’t know how else to put it.
Her face after the “sticks” line??? The tone on “noted”???!
How many ways can you say “ok” while sounding amused, flattered, flustered, and weirded the F out??? Hargitay’s clearly trying to find out here.
“…but how’s your right hook?” “Uh, it’s—it’s—it’s actually not bad.” “I bet it’s pretty good.” We all know it’s more than that.
“Ok. Alright. I like ‘em spicy. If you’re a little low on funding, we can make some kind of arrangement. You know? I know my way around a pair of handcuffs if that floats your boat.” That seductive, conspiratorial whisper from McCarthy on the part about making an arrangement…
“Well, that’s tempting. But…” Tell me more about it being “tempting,” Olivia. Go ahead.
“Tried to sell him a photo. Half price. And the prick turned me down. I mean, who? In what world?” That “right” is so perfectly timed and 50% leading this crazy lady on, 50% “how did I get here.” Genius, genius, genius.
No, seriously, I should loathe this. BUT I LOVE.
GIVE MARISKA HARGITAY A SITCOM OR A HOSTING GIG ON SNL ALREADY.
OR. BARE MINIMUM. CAN SHE PLEASE BE IN MCCARTHY’S NEXT MOVIE???
TL;DR. PUT HER IN ALL THE COMEDIES YOU COWARDS.
“Thank you. Very much.” “Thank you very, very much.” …and she stares at Liv’s a**…I—.
Annnnnd back to your regularly-scheduled “something is wrong with this episode.”
The “occupational hazard” bit from these two…good stuff.
Liv being sooooo not interested while Griff is fanboying again has me like “well, we’ve all been there. Keep doing you and liking what you like, though, little buddy.”
Turns out Razor’s the one who can’t be trusted. No “crackhead” required. Wild, huh.
“We wanted to learn. So, you did what they told you. And maybe some of the guys took it a little too far, but…they were stars. That’s just the way it was.” Yeah…this is officially SVU again at least. But Benson does kind of lead this guy’s testimony in a way that, frankly, she should know better than to do—but maybe she’s still flustered from the mullet lady hitting on her. So, the way the courtroom drama plays out…could’ve been an interesting way to keep her in hot water with Tynan and others if the creative team had chosen to go that route with this hour. Kind of a shame they didn’t.
It’s Liv’s side eye when that woman talks about “personal touch” for me.
What even is this mascot and this random local ad spot in the middle of everything?
“O’Neill may be crazy, but he’s good at playing a role.” When I bring up certain pro wrestlers…
…certain actors…
…lots of folks in the public eye, really.
Imagine if we didn’t harass survivors, Captain.
This could’ve been a brilliant moment to draw Clint out and make him admit to what he did, but they just did…that with it. Ok.
Bleak, but a lot of people would take that kind of bribe. See also: Literally every major industry, it seems.
We didn’t spend anywhere near enough time with the brother actually acting like he cared for me to be like “I support his rights and his wrongs” with that murder. He was nasty and judgmental about his dead brother’s addiction and only seemed regretful when there was an opportunity to do sad boy hours about how he got Ian into the fandom or whatever. And yet, it’s also entirely predictable. Yay.
Let me go back and watch Liv get hit on by this woman again.
…when do we get the sequel? Kathy Griffin and Melissa McCarthy dueling it out for Olivia’s attentions? Anyone???
Just kidding: We all know Liv’s Alex Cabot’s girl.