Twists and turns lead to a surprise ending in “American Disgrace”

SVU writers returned to their classic script writing this week for Season 16’s second episode, “American Disgrace.” Following season trends, the detectives investigate a “ripped-from-the-headlines” case, this time involving basketball phenom, Shakir Wilkins.

At first, everything seems cut and dry: several young women accuse Wilkins of rape, the company he represents–Orion Bay–fires him, and the trial begins. Orion Bauer, owner of the Orion Bay company, expresses his sadness and surprise in Wilkins’s foul play. Soon though, the tables turn as one of the victims admits to Rollins and Barba that she was paid off to say that Wilkins raped her. Slowly, the other women come clean, too.