Remember last week’s “ripped-from-the-headlines” case? Well, SVU came back with another one this week, but in my opinion this one turned out better…though it was all too similar to several past episodes. “Producer’s Backend” begins with a car crash where Detective Amaro, still working the beat, comes across drunk celebrity Tansley Evans. Evans accuses Amaro of sexually assaulting her during her arrest, as if Amaro isn’t in enough trouble as it is. After reviewing dashboard-cam—and a lot of strangely persistent remarks from Rollins to Benson about getting Amaro back—Lt. Tucker finds that Amaro’s arrest procedure was flawless.
Dashboard-cam
Lt. Tucker as he miraculously declares that Amaro can return to SVU
Soon, the detectives find that Evans is guilty of statutory rape of a 15-year-old boy. The detectives uncover several more instances of Evans’ foolish behavior which leads Barba to press harder on her sentence in court.
Meanwhile, Amaro meets Noah for the first time in Benson’s apartment. Benson gives the babysitter specific directions to dry Noah’s hair after bathing him because he has been coughing lately. Lovely foreshadowing, SVU writers. Then Benson reveals that Amaro should don his suit because he is allowed to return to SVU.
Later, the detectives find that Evans was forced to sleep with countless men under the direction of producer Adam Brubeck, to climb the fame ladder and gain new acting roles. Unfortunately, the statute of limitations has run out on Brubeck, so the detectives have to look for another way to collar him.
Evans cuts her wrists in agony over the case
They head to his house where they find a rather disgusting pool party in action, featuring tons of teenage girls in bikinis in the company of older men. The detectives question Brubeck, who says he does not recall ever being alone with Evans, and leaves. Rollins and Amaro then have a close conversation in the cabana that causes Carisi to wonder if he “is interrupting something” when he enters, moments later. There has been no previous indication of a possible relationship between Amaro and Rollins until now…I, for one, am a bit confused.
Amaro and Rollins share a brief moment…
Finally, the detectives discover recordings of Brubeck’s “auditions” from past years and note that he never actually turned one title into a movie. After interviewing the girl from the tape in Canada, the detectives find Brubeck guilty of sexual tourism—punishable by up to 30 years in prison!
All seems to be well in the squad room until Benson runs out, saying to hold down the fort because Noah is in the ER. Black screen. The end. Surprise, surprise: writers are using Noah for a cliffhanger…though I appreciate that he’s doing more than getting kidnapped or cuddled.
Benson on a mission!
Exciting side notes:
-Dana Wheeler-Nicholson, the actress who plays Evans’s mother, also plays Gail Stanwyk in my favorite movie, Fletch (I had a good 15-minute struggle before I made that connection)
-Detective Carisi shaved off his goofy mustache (Rollins isn’t too happy about it, but I am)
Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to Detective Carisi’s upper lip.
What is your take on the potential Amaro-Rollins relationship? More thoughts on Noah?
I Ride With Detective Benson 
Even though I rarely watch any TV, I have seen Law and Order a few times. I really enjoyed it because I like suspenseful and mysterious crimes. This post was very well written, and it gave a good summary of the episode. I enjoyed the post even though I do not keep up with SVU.
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