Law & Order: SVU Season 28 Episode 4 Review: ‘Arcana’

Law & Order: SVU Season 28 Episode 4 “Arcana” is about as weird and appropriate for spooky season as an hour of this particular series can be. This isn’t The X-Files. It’s definitely not Castle. And it’s not any series similar to either of the above. So, despite one fun conversation in the bullpen and a delightfully-unimpressed Fin’s trip to see a psychic with Rollins, we know from the start that this isn’t going to be a case of teasing a possible supernatural element and/or trying to open any skeptics’ minds. This isn’t a “spot the horror tropes” sort of journey either. (But it’s possible to find a few just the same.)

And yet, the series still manages to make a true mystery out of the squad’s latest investigation. Something’s clearly off from the start. We can tell pretty early on that the victim, Beatrice Witt, is holding something back. Oh, and Curry and Benson don’t quite seem to know what to make of her. Then, there’s a jump scare when Detective Griffin opens the door to what he expects to be an unoccupied room. “Shrieking old lady with long, white hair” might be part of the creepy factor—a witch, a ghost, something…else, maybe—in the horror genre. But, in the world of SVU, she’s just Beatrice’s mom, who needs round-the-clock care for Alzheimer’s. She’s also part of a tragic backstory, a victim herself, and a loving mom who took the blame when her daughter freed them both from a living nightmare.

That’s one part of the mystery solved. The keys to Beatrice’s case turn out to be her own daughter’s dream, her drawings, and proof of someone lurking in the attic. Not something—again, no ghosts here. Still, that sound coming from the attic so easily could’ve been just about any kind of thing that goes bump in the night. So, the spooky vibes continue. The way Law & Order: SVU Season 28 Episode 4 plays with these elements that make you think “oh! Halloween! Scary story,” only to ground them in the series’ usual brand of storytelling, makes it an incredibly interesting episode.

Somehow, the hour also manages to mix in some gutting personal moments for both Benson and Curry. It shouldn’t work. Olivia’s story about her childhood and Renee’s story about her husband should feel jarringly out of place. This investigation has the potential to be a mess with an unreliable witness. Throw in some of the awkwardly cute and/or just outright funny comments and moments along the way, and seriously, this could—no, should—be a ridiculous, clownish disaster.

And yet! It’s good. Very good, even. So, maybe this episode has a supernatural element after all. I mean, how else should I explain what I just watched?

MORE: Here’s what we thought of the Season 28 premiere.

Law & Order: SVU Season 28 Episode 4 tells us more about Curry’s past

Although Captain Curry isn’t alone in being a non-believer here, Beatrice picks up on there being something more to her skepticism. At one point, she even directly comments on how Curry doesn’t like her. But, as Curry rightly points out, “like has nothing to do with this job.” The job is finding out the truth and getting justice, which she’s obviously dedicated to doing. Even so, she’s not quite herself during this investigation, and when she asks Beatrice if she can communicate with the dead, there’s something combative about it that Curry typically reserves for suspects, not victims. Beatrice’s answer isn’t good enough for her—she says she’s “going to label that a non-answer” in a way that can only be described as her in “tough cop in interrogation” mode.

At this point, despite Curry outranking him, Griff tries to get her to change tactics with a quiet “hey, Curry” and tiny shake of his head. It’s so small, but it’s a great way to show that he’s comfortable enough with her as a partner—and knows her well enough now to know this isn’t quite her—to giver her that gentle sort of warning. She does not, however, back down. And, as it turns out, Renee Curry has a good reason for not trusting someone who says she can talk to the dead.

At first, Law & Order: SVU Season 28 Episode 4 only tells us part of the story. Renee shares that her mother-in-law took her to see a psychic when her husband died, and she got a generic answer based on a cold reading. Honestly, having someone play with your feelings like that when you’re grieving would be bad enough no matter what the relationship was like. So, for Curry to kind of strike a slightly accusatory tone with Beatrice and keep that super-controlled sense of “I dare you to try to lie and deny this” in every expression as she essentially tells Beatrice she knows how she tricks her clients…makes sense. (But judging Beatrice based on this scammer from her past and treating her accordingly isn’t really fair. Which Curry knows and shows she’s sorry for, in her own way, later on.)

Beatrice even gets it. Yes, she defends herself and what she does. But she also validates Curry’s feelings, which is something that someone trying to con her wouldn’t do.

Aimé Donna Kelly is great in that initial confrontation. There’s something especially strong in how she manages to give us that little bit more after Beatrice says what she does “truthfully seems to help people.” It’s like there’s a moment of recognition that this person is different. And yet. There’s still something extra. Instead of the relief we might expect after realizing she’s not in the presence of yet another con artist, it’s like Curry almost feels a deeper sense of loss, then quickly shoves it all down.

At the end of the hour, in what I think is an even better scene for Kelly, we learn even more about why getting scammed by that psychic has stayed with her and affected her work during this case. She and her husband were separated when he died, but they hadn’t told anyone—not even Gabe, the son we met for the first time last season. So, it’s not just about being mad this person gave her some generic message, not even about being angry her mother-in-law took her to see a psychic in the first place. She’s been carrying guilt alongside that anger and frustration (not to mention the grief) for not just telling the truth.

It’s good that she finally lets that burden go. It’s also a good sign that Beatrice is able to make a light offer of a “friends and family discount” and get that grin out of her in the end. Closure is important, and now, Curry has some version of it. The same goes for putting any tension or hard feelings during the investigation aside. Curry includes this unspoken apology in there, somewhere, for taking her feelings about that psychic from the past out on Beatrice. Also unspoken: Beatrice understands and forgives her—no hard feelings.

I’m also really impressed by how Law & Order: SVU Season 28 Episode 4 is able to let us know more about Renee Curry’s life through how she interacts with this victim. If viewers had questions or made assumptions about Gabe’s dad, now we know the truth. By tying that to the case in this way, the survivor still stays just as much a part of the storytelling as she deserves. And, well, she gets some validation here, too. Because it seems like maybe, just maybe, Beatrice could be the real deal. If nothing else, she’s as close to it as it gets. Besides, she meets the bare minimum of not actually wanting to take advantage of people. So, let’s just say I want to believe.

MORE: Recently, we saw how Renee Curry’s close relationship with her son can sometimes make difficult cases hit that much harder.

Olivia Benson opens up about her childhood

Longtime SVU viewers know about Olivia Benson’s mom Serena, how she died falling down some stairs outside a bar, how Liv spent her childhood suffering because she was a reminder of what her rapist father did, how her mom’s alcoholism and abuse shaped her, and so much more. Her desperation to get out of that house almost surely contributed to serial groomer and rapist Burton Lowe preying on her—his fault, not hers in case there’s anything at all unclear about the phrasing. Now, Law & Order: SVU Season 28 Episode 4 adds another layer of pain to this story.

The scene where Olivia tells Beatrice about her childhood is brilliant on every level. There’s a vulnerability and heartbreak in Mariska Hargitay’s performance that, let’s be real, is equal parts expected at this point and remarkable. The pacing lets us sit with that emotion as Liv digs deep into her memories and draws out that broken, protected piece of herself that she often keeps hidden. (As far as we know, she’s never shared this exact detail, and precious few people ever get to see her some of those oldest wounds at all.)

Olivia can’t make eye contact; her voice breaks in so many places, it’s hard to keep track. And the simple lines, delivered in that smartly-timed way nobody does like Hargitay, paint such a vivid picture of a lonely, unloved little Olivia who was embarrassed to let others know just how starved of even the smallest bit of care she was:

“I would set my alarm, I’d get myself dressed, I would pour my Cheerios, and I’d pack myself a lunch. And I—I’d even write little notes to myself, and I would put them in my lunchbox. But the note said, ‘dear Olivia…I love you. Always and forever, Mom.’ Because other kids had notes in their lunchboxes, and I didn’t want them to know that my mom…was, you know, passed out drunk from the night before, and I wouldn’t see her until I got home from school. And then, she’d be, you know, drinking again.”

It hurts to watch; it hurts to hear the places where Olivia rushes or starts and stops, struggling to get the words out—all because it hurts her too much. Also, for me, like I had those notes from my mom. They came with stupid happy faces that embarrassed me a little as I got older and everything! So, to think of someone with the heart that an Olivia Benson has not even getting that much from her mom and wanting to hide it…ouch. Just…ouch.

Additionally, for all Beatrice is going through, and for as much as she’s clearly dreading having to reveal her deepest, darkest secret, that story brings an overwhelming amount of sympathy and empathy out of her. That’s probably the smartest part of this scene—the way our captain letting her victim fully see her helps reveal the truth about everything. But, of course, the absolute best part of it is the performance quality from Hargitay and Susannah Flood. Hargitay can make just about anything work. But it continues to be a breath of fresh air to see her get to breathe through it and not have to force anything because the material and scene partner are simply there.

MORE: In Season 26, Liv visited Serena’s grave and talked about forgiveness…but whatever that episode was trying to do, it missed the mark.

More Law & Order: SVU Season 28 Episode 4 reactions

Full offense: If I die and someone contacts me on behalf of a relative who wants to know where some expensive watches are, I’m haunting the F— out of all involved.
Seeing all these candles just made me remember that time Hargitay lit 500 candles for ~~her 500th birthday~~ the 500th episode. Someone please have the fire department on standby when Episode 600 airs. Thank you in advance.
“And then, sssssome…thing—I don’t know. Possessed me.”
A lot of this episode’s success hinges on whether or not we can both be like “WTF is happening here” and actually want to know the answer. So, Beatrice has to seem like she’s simultaneously on the verge of revealing that she thinks a ghost attacked her (or whatever), outright lying, so traumatized by what we learn about her past that she might be confused, and 100% genuine and sure of the facts she’s sharing about her assault. Susannah Flood accomplishes all of the above. Maybe it’s witchcraft. Who knows?
“Hey, uh, captains.” Amazing. No notes.
Love how Flood rushes the delivery when Beatrice tells Benson about being “filled with adrenaline or whatever” and running to her daughter’s room. (For what it’s worth, the “adrenaline or whatever” totally could’ve been a Gray…in the world of Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House. If anyone who reads this gets the reference, thank you for that.)
Am I the only one who originally thought “the daughter is imaginary and/or a spirit” when Beatrice reacted the way she did to Liv asking about her? Once we learn about Beatrice’s past, it makes so much sense that she’d be extra protective. But I was skeptical AF there for a bit. Until I saw proof with my own eyes, that is.
Is this where I make a FROM reference? Because, like, Victor’s drawings…Emma’s drawing…I could see those existing in the same world. Just saying.
“I communicate with loved ones who are deceased.” “So, you speak for the dead?” “No, I listen to the dead. For the living.” This exchange is, like, Olivia’s clearly not a believer but treading carefully. Meanwhile, this woman thinks Liv’s the crazy one for not getting it. Perfect.
Hilarious partner moment alert! Curry giving Griff that look on that “nobody here?”
“Did you disturb her? Is she ok?” “Is she ok?” This poor boy would never survive a haunted house.
“I had him wiping my a** in the middle of the night.” With the way he practically smirks through this, methinks Mr. Cohen may be a handful. Additional evidence: refusing to be left “parked under some bridge.”
“I’m not superstitious. But something creepy’s going on in that house.” Tell! Me! More!
Everything about the squad banter is so good. Such a throwback to the best days of this series. Truly.
“And the vic is a psychic. Uh. Too bad she didn’t foresee this coming.” Insert Rollins glare here. For what it’s worth, I don’t think anyone other than Fin could’ve gotten away with that particular level of dark humor.
Curry and Fin vs. Rollins and Griff on this whole supernatural issue: Seems correct.
“I mean, all I’m saying is there’s no ghosts. There’s no poltergeists. It’s just us.” “Amen.” “…us and the aliens.” And everyone’s like WHAT just in time for Liv to come in with that hand up, like, absolutely not. “Don’t get him started” indeed.
Munch would’ve loved this. Since this is fiction anyway, I’ll just go ahead and say his spirit’s in that room, egging Fin and his alien conspiracies on. I bet he’d be so proud of Fin. Truly.
…and an update on “our man Bruno” for some continuity after Benson told him to take some time at the end of Episode 3! Do we think a chess club is on brand or not, though? I keep changing my mind.
Fin just squinting his way through “you think she can actually talk to the dead.”
…and then, his facial expression after he hears about the peonies. 10/10. No notes.
I have no idea why this woman needed to use the tarot deck to reveal the story about Beatrice’s mom being a murderer. It’s maybe the closest this hour gets to a little bit too much? But I’ll take it because it gives me all of Fin’s hilarious reactions.
Excellent work on the (lack of) video quality in this recorded testimony.
I like that, rather than promise something he knows he can’t guarantee, Griff promises it’s not their intent to agitate Sarah. An honest dude, now that last season’s mess is over. Good boy.
“If this guy gets to go free because my girl got to stay innocent, I really am ok with that. Because what I’m not going to teach my daughter, today or any day, is that I can’t protect her.” After what that family has been through? Oh, yeah.
Super, super stuff from Lisa Emery throughout this hour. That total switch from not even being responsive to all that hate Sarah has for her dead husband…wow.
And then, there’s the whole spitting in Griff’s face thing—sorry to him.
“Your mom doesn’t have any sort of infectious diseases, does she?” Guess Curry hasn’t trained him that well after all, huh.
Kittycorn! (Yes, it’s a “Frequency” throwback. I even said I wanted that kid’s caticorn in the random thoughts section of that review.)
“Who needs sketch artists when you have seven-year-olds?”
“And he was a clean shaven piece of garbage.”
“Am I going crazy, am I being paranoid, am I seeing things?” Me watching this episode and expecting it to be terrible but actually loving it.
The “guardian angel” comment feels a little bit at odds with a character who originally was, uh, not big on faith. Then again, she’s gotten more open over the years. So, because a kid easily could’ve believed, only to have life steal that from her, I guess I’ll go with it. But it’s still a slight nitpick of what could’ve been a perfect scene.
“I want you to tell me what really happened with your father.” And then, Beatrice’s jaw drops in shock and horror while her eyes fill with barely held back tears. What a reaction from Flood.
Beatrice telling her story, Liv reacting…PAIN. Especially when Beatrice admits she was afraid the man on top of her was her dad back from the dead. Both crushed me in that moment. Wow.
“I really think that part of her hates me for it. Because..I killed her husband.” That is an unfathomable amount of guilt to carry around since childhood. Particularly when it was right alongside being relieved that monster was gone, I’d bet.
First, the (metaphorical) skeletons in the Witts’ closet, then the parasocial creep in their attic. Burn the house down, honestly.
“Is it weird that I—I feel sorry for him?” Better person than me.
“And I just wanted to say on behalf of my profession that I am sorry for how that psychic misused you and your mother-in-law.”