"Scorched Earth"

Guest Star Franco Nero

My favorite primetime crime drama, Law & Order SVU, is back for its 13th season.  I was inspired by the show to start this blog.  This is not a summary of the episode, but a recap of the five best moments of the show.


This week on Law & Order SVU , an Italian diplomat and head of the Global Economic Club is seen leaving his posh hotel room; while moments later, a disheveled immigrant hotel maid stumbles out of the same room, obviously disoriented, and a victim of a sex crime.  Remind you of anyone, DSK?  That’s right. This week’s episode is ripped straight from the headlines of the Dominique Strauss-Kahn scandal earlier this year when the head of the International Monetary Fund and shoe in for the next President of France was accused of raping a Guinea immigrant hotel maid.  DSK gets off, pun intended. Does his fictional counterpart? Stay tune and see.


Here’s the Countdown to the Five Best Moments of the Show.
#5 Best Moment of the Show. The Italian diplomat is seated on the airplane on the tarmac, waiting to take off, but he’s still waiting for the laptop he carelessly left behind in the hotel room. Onto the plane walks Detectives John Munch (Richard Belzer) and Odafin Tutuola (Ice-T), “Ah, finally! You got my laptop?” the diplomat demands in an upper crust Italian accent.  Tutuola comes back with, “No, you’re under arrest. Capisci?” 


#4 Best Moment of the Show. Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) is escorting the victim, Miriam Deng (Anika Noni Rose), a Sudanese immigrant hotel maid, into the squad room when all the chatter dies down.  Everyone stops to stare at the woman who dares to bring down the rich powerful Italian diplomat.  It is so quiet you can hear a pin drop.  Way to be subtle, people.


#3 Best Moment of the Show. The Italian diplomat makes bail.  No surprise there.  Paparazzi, legitimate press, and protestors are camped outside their New York City Sutton Place townhouse, overlooking the East River.  The camera pans to a line of Black and Hispanic immigrant hotel maids in their uniforms demanding justice.  Power to the people!


#2 Best Moment of the Show. District Attorney Mike Cutter (Linus Roache) walks into the bar where all four SVU detectives are relaxing over a beer when he brandishes the headline of the local rag, The Ledger, “A Maid’s Tale”, and announces, “Another maid at the hotel just sold Miriam out”.  Cut to Benson’s look of disbelief.


Finally, the #1 Best Moment of the Show. Are you ready for this?  Olivia Benson speaks perfect Italian!  That’s right!  The camera stays on her as she speaks Italian to someone on the phone.  Just when does she find time to learn Italian in between chasing down perps and consoling victims?
Not bad for a season premiere. We get a glimpse at a new blonde detective transferred from Atlanta, GA.  She’s a little unorthodox, but then, who isn’t on SVU?  By the way, the diplomat gets off at the end on two out of the three charges.


Next week on Law & Order SVU , we are finally introduced to Detective Stabler’s replacement and new leading man, Danny Pino.  He’s tall, dark, and handsome; sure to be a hit with the ladies. The episode centers on a basketball coach who’s abusing his power with his players. Did I mention he’s also on the take?