Thursday, November 13, 2014

Law & Order SVU “Chicago Crossover” Recap & Review



Law & Order SVU “Chicago Crossover” was the second episode in a three-way crossover with SVU. Chicago Fire, and Chicago PD. It’s been a long time since there’s been a complex crossover story line in the Law & Order universe, so this event was welcomed by fans.

The story arc began in the last few minutes of the Chicago Fire episode “Nobody Touches Anything”. While fighting a fire, firefighter Kelly Severide works to save a man and in the process, the man drops a box of photos. When Severide sees the photos contain disturbing images of young kids, he calls for the police, and in come the Chicago PD squad. While reviewing the photos, Detective Erin Lindsay discovers that one of the photos is of her half-brother, Teddy Courtney, who she believes is now living in New York. Lindsay makes contact with Rollins at Manhattan SVU, which sets up the SVU “Chicago Crossover” episode. The Chicago Fire segment of the crossover felt tacked on to the end of that episode, similar to last season’s SVU/Chicago PD crossover, so this segment of the actual crossover was the weakest. At least it was a believable scenario and good excuse for the Chicago PD and New York SVU team to work together. The Chicago Fire/SVU/Chicago PD may be the most complex crossover ever attempted and, despite the thin intro to the case in Chicago Fire, overall this series was a real treat and very well done.

Benson and Voight working together is initially like trying to mix oil and water. Both are determined and strong minded people but their approaches are miles apart. Benson is attuned to the needs of the victims - sometimes being too empathetic – but overall she has a level headed, structured, and paced approach. She knows what works to get information from both suspects and victims. But to Voight, she’s TOO careful. In my opinion from watching Chicago PD, Voight always has a lit fuse – a SHORT lit fuse. He does have a softer side (if you can even call it that) but for the most part, it’s not obvious. It’s hard to know which Voight you’re going to get – the one who fights for justice the right way, or the one that behaves like a bully and uses force and questionable tactics to get what he wants. (Too frequently, it’s the bully.) This may be the way he does things in Chicago, but that doesn’t mean his approach is right. At least Benson was able to use a simple threat of a violent outburst from Voight to get a suspect to cooperate. Benson was fierce in this episode and she did use force when needed; those were some moves she used to take down a fleeing suspect.(Nice editing of that whole chase scene.)

Benson compares Voight’s tactics to those of one of her partners – He Who Shall Not Be Named. (Okay I’ll say it – Stabler.) But while Stabler and Voight may seem similar, in my mind, Stabler’s intentions were good, while Vought’s motivations and tactics in his Chicago PD role have been shady and often questionable. With Benson not knowing what Chicago PD viewers know about Voight, it is understandable that she would think Stabler and Voight are cut from the same mold.

Thankfully, Detective Erin Lindsay didn’t get shot as some viewers assumed from the promo tease for this episode. Viewers should always take those promos with a grain of salt as more often than not they mislead. (That’s how they rope you in.)

I shared Voight’s disbelief that it’s taken 10 years to bring down this ring of pedophiles. It seemed a relatively simple task once the SVU team got involved – too simple. Did no one else ever check facial recognition on any of the other kids in the videos to track their identities or movements? This would have likely helped to see pattern in where these kids had been. Even more concerning is that they still didn’t have the "head of the snake," which apparently has been operating out of Chicago all this time. We should all hope that the real life Feds aren’t this ineffective.

Lou Taylor Pucci was excellent in his role of Lindsay’s half brother, Teddy.

I can appreciate the hard work that goes into creating a story line that can seamlessly transition from one show to another, not to mention from one city to another (and back again). This was a well written episode which incorporated the characters from Chicago PD so well that they fit in like they have always been there.

(Note: This was Law & Order SVU's 350th epsisode!)



Here is the recap:

Cast:
Mariska Hargitay – Sergeant Olivia Benson
Ice-T – Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Danny Pino - Detective Nick Amaro
Raúl Esparza - ADA Rafael Barba
Peter Scanavino - Detective Dominick Carisi, Jr.

Guest stars:
Jason Beghe – Sergeant Hank Voight
Sophia Bush - Detectives Erin Lindsay
Jesse Lee Soffer - Jay Halstead
Lou Taylor Pucci - Teddy Courtney
Danny Mastrogiorgio - George Turner
Mark H. Dold - Bob Clinton
Isabel Shill - Jocelyn Cerpaski
Frank Deal - FBI Agent O’Connell
Donnetta Lavinia Grays - Lina Bagley
Sal Rendino - Deputy Warden Barberi
Christian Goodwin - Henry Thorne
J.T. O’Connor - Don
Joshua Warren – CO
Paul Mauriello - Daddy Bear


Previously:
While fighting a fire in Chicago, firefighter Kelly Severide works to save a man and in the process, the man drops a box of photos. When Severide sees the photos contain disturbing images of young kids, he calls for the police, and in comes the Chicago PD squad. While reviewing the photos, Detective Erin Lindsay discovers that one of the photos is that of her half-brother, Teddy Courtney, who she believes is now living in New York. Lindsay makes contact with Rollins at Manhattan SVU and offers to come to New York to help out.

Benson is at the park with Noah and Amaro, who is pushing Noah on a swing. Benson gets a call from Sergeant Voight from Chicago who says his people are on the way. She informs him a contact at Missing and Exploited Children found a link between the images found in Chicago and a video ring that has been sex trafficking kids for over a decade. Voight asks how this is even possible and Benson explains as soon as Detectives Lindsay and Halstead arrive she will brief them. He explains that for Lindsay, this is personal, one of the vics in the photos is her half brother. Benson promises to keep her eye on her. Voight thanks her and says this is a bad one, and Benson counters that they don’t get too many good ones. Benson explains this to Amaro as she swings Noah, and Amaro takes a photos=.

Later, back at SVU, Erin Lindsay and Jay Halstead from Chicago PD are in Benson’s office. As Fin and Amaro head towards Benson’s office, Amaro asks Fin if he worked with those two when he was in Chicago, and asks if Halstead is the guy who hit on Rollins. Fin says that is some other pretty boy. Benson makes the introductions. Rollins rushes in, saying she got stuck in the tunnel.. Halstead explains that the Chicago Fire department caught a fire vic, Andrew Llewellyn, who had a box full of these images which are traceable to this franchise. Rollins adds that Lindsay recognized one of the young victims. Lindsay explains that Teddy Courtney is her half brother; he ran away ten years ago and her mom won’t tell her how she knows but she knows he came to New York. Fin asks if that is who they are trying to locate. Benson replies that NCMEC ran Teddy’s face through the system and they found more images, and he is connected to pedophilia rind. She shows Rollins the file. Amaro explains that this pedophilia club is still active and they have upgraded to live streaming. Rollins asks if the Feds thinks this club streams from New York, and Benson replies they don’t know, but as soon as they find Teddy they are going to ask him. Amaro comments, “Assuming he’s alive.” Lindsay is silent and less than thrilled at Amaro’s comment. Rollins gives him the evil eye, and Amaro apologizes, saying if a kid goes through something like that…and Benson cuts him off. He shuts up. Halstead asks if they haven’t found him in the system, and Fin replies not as an adult. Benson tells them to try all AKAs, misspellings, and to check all juvie databases in the tri-state area and to run those old photos through age progression. Rollins adds to crosscheck against facial recognition against mug shots and DMV. Lindsay adds to check morgue photos of John Does. Benson states they will need Lindsay’s DNA too. She nods in agreement.

At the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on Friday, November 7, they see a live stream from the site in question with a young boy, Henry, who is about to be victimized. They are not sure from where the stream originated. The photos from Chicago are screen shots from 10 years ago from the same organization, the Chess and Checkers Club. Lindsay is appalled at what she sees, as the agent explains club members are making requests and watching from all over the world. She asks that they Feds know all this and can’t shut it down? The agent explains they are trying but so far, no. Benson says so they will.

Back at SVU, Rollins tries to get Lindsay and Halstead to call it a night, but they still want to work. Halstead goes off to check another data base and Rollins speaks with Lindsay, who admits it is rough and this could have been her. Her youth was chaotic and she hasn’t seen Teddy in a long time. Her family is complicated. Rollins explains she has a sister she hasn’t spoken to in 2 years and it is also complicated. Fin calls out they may have something; Amaro adds they have aged up photos of Teddy and shows a photo of what he would look like at 17. He also shows a mug shot from juvie. Fin adds Teddy Voight was arrested 5 years ago for soliciting. Halstead is surprised the last name is Voight, and Lindsay explains they used to know each other. She confirms that is Teddy. Fin explains Teddy was remanded to a youth center, Amaro adds there were no subsequent arrests and nothing else in public records. Lindsay offers to go to the youth center but Amaro suggests he and Rollins take the first meet.

At the Westway Youth Center on Saturday, November 8, Amaro and Fin speak with Miss Bagley and find that Teddy has run away from the center both times he was there and there less than a week his last stint. The security is there to keep the street out, not the residents in; they are not in a prison. George Turner, who works security, does not remember Teddy. Bagley says all of their kids are damaged but some more than others. When Amaro asks if she has any idea where Teddy is now, she says nowhere you would want to take your wife and kids. Fin asks if there is anyone who may have stayed in touch with him, and she suggests Jocelyn Cerpaski, one of their success stories.



Later, Rollins and Halstead speak with Jocelyn who is reluctant to talk at first. She says they are not talking to a 14 year old prostitute, she is someone who wants to be a teacher. They try to reassure her and she says the last she heard, Teddy is working the piers.

Back at SVU, Lindsay enters Benson’s office and says they have a lead. Benson explains the West Village piers don’t usually come alive until after midnight. Lindsay asks if that is where people go when pedophiles are done with them, and Benson says some, getting up and closing her office door. She explains this is a rough scene and they don’t know Teddy is there. Lindsay regrets not looking for him years ago. She says she was 15 when he disappeared, and Benson asks Lindsay if she was supposed to do what exactly? Lindsay states not wait so long.

Later that night on the Christopher Street Piers in Hudson River Park, Rollins and Halstead check out the scene and Amaro and Fin work another area. Eventually, Rollins and Halstead spot him – he has a  tattoo on his back below his neck – and they bring him in.


Rollins, Amaro, Fin and Halstead walk into SVU with Teddy to a waiting Benson and Lindsay. Lindsay takes a long look at him and says “Hey Teddy.” He says he is not Teddy any more.

In the squad room, Teddy speaks with Lindsay while Benson watches nearby. He moans about where was she and their alleged mother when he was 13. Lindsay says she want to help but she just wants to go back. Benson explains that will not happen; they have him on narcotics possession. He won’t talk with Lindsay.

Meanwhile, Halstead comments to Amaro and Rollins that this has to be brutal for Lindsay, and she had it rough growing up. Amaro says it is rough when it is personal, and Halstead replies Lindsay is the toughest cop he knows. Amaro and Rollins give each other a knowing look, and Halstead picks up on it and says it is not like that, they work together. Amaro says they get it, and Rollins, with a look, adds “Totally.”

Later, Benson walks into the holding cell where Teddy is waiting and gives him a blanket. She tries to get him to talk and she explains she saw the photos as did Lindsay. Benson explains the same people that did what they did to Teddy ten years ago are doing it with another boy named Henry. She continues to ask for information to help Henry and others but Teddy says it is too late. She insists it is not and mentions Jocelyn who is doing great and is in school Teddy thanks her for the blanket and says he is tired.

Afterwards, Lindsay speaks with Benson and asks since Teddy won’t talk, what do they do? Benson states they keep trying, and meanwhile he’s locked up; they have him on drug possession and solicitation. Lindsay says Teddy is the victim, and Benson asks if Lindsay wants Teddy to run back to the piers. She says no. Benson asks if she can think of anyone he may have confided in, maybe her mother? Lindsay shakes her head no, saying if he did, her mother wouldn’t remember. Amaro and Rollins asks Benson if she needs anything from them, and she says she doesn’t know. She adds they have hit a wall with Teddy. Rollins suggests Jocelyn might know more and Benson tells them to take another run at her.

At Pushcart Coffee on Sunday, November 9, Amaro and Rollins speak with Jocelyn about Teddy and tell her Teddy was a victim of a sex trafficking ring. She gets upset and questions that he was the victim, and she quickly gets her stuff to leave, spilling a cup of coffee. She races out of the shop. Amaro asks Rollins if she mentioned the pedophile ring the last time she talked to her, and Rollins says no, but she got arrested for hooking at 14 and she can guess as to how she got turned out.

Back at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Amaro and Rollins find that Jocelyn was arrested for prostitution 5 years ago and found many more photos of her after he ran her face through the system. Amaro comments she was raped and beat up the same as Teddy and Rollins comments they knew each other from the street. The agent says the images are from the same Chess and Checkers club and they see a old streaming video where Rollins spots Teddy’s tattoo on his back in the video with Jocelyn. Amaro wonders who gets to tell Lindsay?

Back at SVU, Benson and Lindsay speak with Teddy about the video and he is flip about it. They try to convince him to help and Benson comments none of this was his choice, they drugged him, broke him, and twisted him. Lindsay says this is not him and she knows that he is the sweetest boy and would never hurt anybody. He finally admits he did, he had to. It was his idea to do it as they knew who they would send in with Jocelyn if it wasn’t him – someone older, rougher, and she wasn’t ready for that, Jocelyn was his friend. They were done with him and he could do what he want until he was arrested a year later. He saw Jocelyn at the center and did not know what to say. Lindsay says she is okay now but he has to help them stop these people. He asks what do they want to know? He was a kid, and he never knew where he was or knew anybody’s name. He was in a dark room on a lousy mattress eating corn chips when he wasn’t doing….Benson stops him asks where did this happen. He says a bunch of places, all crappy. It was different men, coming and going. He explains there was one guy everybody was scared of. Benson asks if they called him by name, and when Teddy does not reply, she asks if he was in any of the videos. Teddy explains never on camera, he would just come in at night and do him in the dark sometimes. Lindsay looks more upset, holding back tears. Benson asks in a whisper what did he look like? Teddy, rattled, replies he was white, middle aged, average. Lindsay asks how did they get to him initially, and Teddy says that the first time he went to the youth center her hated it. There was this guy who worked there who said he knew a way he could get out and earn some money and have a room of his own. Lindsay asks what guy was that?


Back at the youth center, Bagley is surprised Benson, Lindsay and Halstead are looking for George. She realizes he has been talking to one boy, Henry, and George said he ran away a week ago. Benson shows her a photo of Henry and she confirms it is him. They see on the security camera that George is leaving his post. As George exits the building and runs off, Benson makes chase and radios that she is in pursuit of a male, white, 40s, and their location. Lindsay catches up and as she is just ready to grab George, a bicyclist hits her and knocks her to the ground. Halstead stops to check on her as a police car arrives and blocks George’s path. Benson catches up to him and he tries to swipe at her with his baton, but Benson punches him and then flips him over her shoulder and throws him to the ground, much to Halstead’s amazement. Lindsay tries to get up and puts her hand to the back of her neck and sees blood. Her legs crumple in a faint but Halstead catches her.

Later, Lindsay is in the hospital recovering and Sergeant Hank Voight is at her bedside. He says she has a concussion and she is going back to Chicago. She asks what about Teddy, and he replies that she did her part; he should have looked out for him and it is on him.

Back at SVU, Benson is in her office watching a live stream of Henry as Voight enters. They are pleased to meet each other. Benson asks how is Lindsay and Voight says she is feisty and he is sending her home under protest. Benson explains the live video stream and Henry’s situation, and that NCMEC just called that the video was streaming live. They watch in disgust. Benson confirms these are the same people who had Teddy. She adds the suspect they have got hurt during the chase and he insisted going to the hospital but they are bringing him in now for questioning.

Later. Amaro and Rollins have George in the interrogation room and show him where Henry is now. George insists she didn’t know anything about that, and while Voight and Benson watch, Voight asks if they call this an interrogation? Benson’s phone rings and as she moved to answer it, Voight asks why don’t they put on some music and dance with the guy. Benson answers the phone and it is Fin. He just talked to a kid at the youth center who said he saw Henry get into a grey SVU with New York plates the day he disappeared but did not get the plate number. She tells him to call DOT and check traffic cams. After Benson hangs up, she tells Voight there is progress and he asks if they got plates, and she shakes her head no. Voight puts his gun on Benson’s desk and states why doesn’t he go in there and help. He barges into the interrogation room and says hello to George, introducing himself as Sergeant Voight and he will be assisting Amaro and Rollins. Amaro says, “excuse me” and Voight goes on to say he is from Chicago and they do things a little differently there. George says he has been telling them this is all a mistake, and Voight tells him it seems George is the one making the mistake, pimping children out to rapists. When George denies it, Voight gets in his face and comments that while they are getting beat up and violated, George is sitting in this nice comfortable chair. Voight lifts up the chair and tips it over, knocking George to the floor. Voight comments that is not very cooperative, and George says he didn’t do anything wrong, and when he stands up, Voight grabs his neck and pins him to the wall. Benson storms into the interrogation room as Voight points his finger at George’s face and asks where is the boy? When George says he does not know, Voight takes a swipe at his face and says “Wrong answer.” Benson calls out Voight’s name to stop. He says he’s got this, and he grabs George by the hair, asking if he knows what it feels like to be raped, then pushes George’s head to the table. He leans over George and says “Powerless.” Benson tersely says, “Sergeant Voight. My office. Now.” Voight looks up and glares at Benson and then storms into her office. He picks up his gun from her desk as Benson walks in, slamming the door. He asks what are they doing? Rationalize, project, minimize - he read that handbook. Benson states it works, and Voight counters so does terrorize when it is called for. Benson admits she understands that all too well, she had a partner that used to work like that and sometimes it was effective and sometimes it led to false confessions and overturned convictions. She adds that if you align yourself with the perp’s world view, you get what you need. Voight thinks he gets there faster. Benson firmly states not legally. Voight counters that what happens in the box stays in the box. Benson smiles and says maybe in Chicago, but he is in New York City now. She reminds him that he is here as a courtesy and he has no jurisdiction, and if he pulls that crap again she promises him he will arrest him. The streaming video comes back on line and Henry is looking even more panicked. Voight says if she has a better idea, he is all ears.

Later, in the squad room,   the detectives comment they still can’t trace the location of the video and they are still trying to locate Henry’s parents. Benson and Voight are in the interrogation room showing George the live stream with Henry. They explain what is coming up for Henry and confront him with information that indicates George came into some cash, and Benson threatens to leave George with Voight while she gets some coffee so George can explain it to Voight. George panics while Voight rolls up his sleeves, and then George admits they wanted actors and he gets $1,000 when he send them someone. He gets a call every once in a while and he gets the money when they pick up the kid, confirming it is a grey SUV. He doesn’t know where he takes them. Benson smiles and says that is not good enough as she moves to leave, and as Voight moves closer, George says when they came to pick up Henry, the guy was made because he was late and he said in order to beat the traffic home, he had to pay a double toll, $22.50,  and he took it out of his money.

Meanwhile, Rollins confirms to Teddy that George is there but they still need his help. Voight comments to Benson that he is not allowed to bounce a guy around but she is allowed to threaten that he will? Benson explains she is just using the cards she is dealt. Rollins asks if they got anything, and Benson replies not enough. Voight walks up to Teddy and comments it has been a long time, and Teddy asks what is he doing here? Voight says he is sorry and he should have kept a better eye on him, and Teddy says he wasn’t as pretty as Erin. Voight states he did not know he would disappear, and Teddy replies that here he is. Benson interjects there will be plenty of time to talk later but right now, they need Teddy’s help. She shows him and image of Henry in a room and asks if there is anything familiar. When Teddy says no, Voight asks if he is sure and asks him to look again. Teddy explains he left that a long time ago. Benson asks him to think about it and see if anything comes to him. She walks away with Rollins and Voight and comments they spoke to Jocelyn who has been in the room more recently and maybe she will remember something. When Rollins explains Jocelyn’s reluctance, Voight suggests arresting her. Rollins asks for what, and Voight answers “point taken.” He asks Benson if she is any good at undercover.

Later, Benson and Voight, pretending to be Henry’s parents, and with Rollins and Amaro, meet with Jocelyn in the coffee shop and they explain Henry’s awful situation. They plead for her help.

At SVU, they all arrive back in the squad room with Jocelyn where they continue the undercover ruse for Halstead’s benefit so he can take Benson and Voight away. They take Jocelyn to an interview room where Teddy is waiting with Fin and Rollins and they try to talk things out. She is confused as to why Teddy did that to her, and he explains that it was better if it was him and not somebody else. Rollins asks for her help and she looks at the image of the room with Henry in it, and she says she was in that room. It was after Teddy left. They drove her across a long bridge to get there. She was blindfolded and remembers the tires on metal.

Meanwhile, Benson, Voight, Amaro and Halstead observe from Benson's office. Benson recalls the issue about the tolls that George mentioned and Amaro thinks it is the Battery tunnel and the Verrazano Bridge going to Staten Island.

Back in the interview room, Jocelyn hears a voice she recognizes named Bob, and Teddy remembers a last name – Clinton. In the interview room, Benson tells them to cross reference Bob Clintons on Staten Island with any owners of grey SUVs.

Later, at 57 Nelson Avenue in Staten Island on Sunday, November 9, Fin and Amaro are watching from a car while Rollins and Halstead work from SVU. TARU is still searching through Staten Island IPs. The video stream is up again. Rollins tells them to get Benson and Voight to south to Eltingville.

As Henry’s situation becomes dire, Voight breaks down the door and Benson walks in with him and Voight yells for them to freeze, turn around, and to get their hands up. Rollins and Halstead can see this go down on the video feed. Benson sees two others try to exit and radios to others asking who has eyes? As Benson tends to Henry, the two men are apprehended by Fin and Amaro who are waiting outside. Benson tells Henry it is all over, and he says he wants to go home. Voight takes Clinton away.

Back at SVU, they arrive with the perps as Fin comments that three pieces of crap are delivered. Halstead asks who are the other two guys with Clinton, and Voight states they are tech support and don’t know anything. Halstead asks if they believe them, and Amaro comments the way they were crying in the car…Benson finishes, saying if they had anything to offer, they would have given it up. Rollins walks up and says they have a problem. She shows them her laptop with the image of a young girl, which says “tune in tomorrow” with a 11 year old girl named Gabriella. The ring is still in business but they don’t know where. Voight comments they have that prick but still don’t have the head of the snake. Benson says Teddy said there was a guy everybody was afraid of and suggests they see what Clinton will give up.

In the interrogation room, Voight, along with Benson, pressures Clinton about who is his boss and where is the other girl. Clinton knows they don’t know and asks for a DA, saying he knows things – people - they will never find out without his help. He just wants full immunity. Voight asks how about if he buys him a Mercedes and see if he can drive out of here? Clinton insists on full immunity, and Benson counters that when the next kid goes live on line, he will lose any tiny leverage he thinks he has. Clinton says if it was tiny they wouldn’t be having this conversation. Voight steps behind Clinton and puts his hands on Clinton’s shoulders and as Clinton squirms, Benson says they will think about it. Voight takes his hands off Clinton and Benson adds in the meanwhile, she will send him to the tombs and let him think about his options, adding that people get a lot of clarity there. Benson and Voight leave the room.

Later, Benson is at her desk and Amaro and Fin walk in. Amaro says they followed up with Child Service who located Henry’s parents, adding that Henry is OK – considering. Fin states that Jocelyn went back to school this morning and made it clear she doesn’t want to see them again – or Benson. Teddy spent the night in the break room like he hadn’t slept in years. Benson tells them to wake him up and see if he can pick Clinton out of a photo array. As Amaro and Fin exit, Voight enters and says Halstead is on his way back to Chicago but he would like to stick around to see if he can turn Clinton. Benson explains that the DA will be there in an hour and they will review options. Voight wants a crack at him first, but Benson puts up her hand and says “whoa” with a slight smile. Her phone rings and she asks “When?” then says “Okay” and she hangs up the phone. She tells Voight that was the tombs; it looks like somebody beat Voight to it.

Later, at the tombs,  Clinton lay dead in a pool of blood and Rollins asks the guard if they call this protective custody. The guard says the CO stepped away for 2 minutes and when he came back, Clinton had a shiv in his neck. Lester Davis did it, he is awaiting trial on armed robbery. Rollins states they will need to see Davis’ call logs and visitor logs and to see his cell.

With the detectives back at SVU, Benson hears that Davis got one call that morning, and Fin states an hour later he shanked Clinton. Voight asks if there was any luck tracing the call, and Rollins said it was from a throwaway cell. Amaro says TARU could only confirm it was sold in Chicago. Voight gets a call from Lindsay who says she has bad news: Andrew Llewellyn and the cop guarding him were both just shot to death 20 minutes ago. Voight breaks the news to SVU that the fire vic who had the pictures that started all this and one of their own has been murdered. They are stunned. Benson says that snake head is in Chicago. Voight gets back on the line with Lindsay and says he is coming home. As Benson looks at Voight, we fade to black.





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13 comments:

Unknown said...

loved it *.*

chillicothe20 said...

I really enjoyed it. Just as with last year's crossover, I am made very uncomfortable by Voight's tactics. Benson was great in slowing him down and smartly using his temper as a cudgel to get the suspect to cooperate. I don't watch either of the Chicago shows, so maybe Voight is not as bad as he seemed, but to an outside viewer like me, he seems very corrupt and I would want his job taken away, and maybe prison time (how much worse stuff has he done that I haven't seen?). Our SVU members (save for Elliot and Nick) have never been so over-the-top or blatantly unethical in their interrogation techniques.

As for the episodes as a whole, the latter two wove together well, and the acting was pretty solid. Benson was the strongest and most level-headed as she has been in a while. Good to see.

And what is up with Nick hanging out with Liv and Noah at the park? Aren't he and Rollins hooking up, or was that awkward scene with them evidence that is over? I don't think Nick and Liv are hanging out romantically, but it was still surprising. I guess he has a kid that is far away and he misses her, so maybe he is just around as an experienced parent.

Laurie F said...

The Chicago Fire part of the crossover wasn't much. It is a stretch to call the Fire part of the crossover a real crossover. It helped them to hype the event only.

The SVU part and the Chicago PD segments told a really good story. The teams work well together. I can't stand Voight. Period. I don't like him on Chicago PD and I didn't like him on SVU. Voight is an *ss. His tactics ARE dirty. It would be nice to think he learned from Benson bur I wouldn't bet on it. I hate to pick on the actor themself but Jason Beghe's voice is grating to me. That could be a part of why they liked him for the part but I can't help being aggravated every time he opens his mouth. I like Sophia Bush too but her throaty, raspy, whispery voice is grating too. I hate even listening to myself say these things but it is what it is. I DO like Chicago PD and think this show can do very well. The crossover was an opportunity to get viewers to sample both shows and it was a huge success. I;m very happy for both shows!

NoSpamReceived said...

^ Voight's tactics, temper, decisiveness & voice are the things that I find really really attractive.
I *LOVE* the contrast b/t his character & Benson & this episode(s) displayed it well.

NoSpamReceived said...

Jason Beghe on his voice:"I’ve always had a low voice but I was in a bad car accident, I was intubated and in a coma for 3 ½ weeks, so it got gravellier.”

Unknown said...

Really enjoyed this episode. It was my first time watching Chicago Fire and Chicago PD and they were good as well.I can't believe Amaro asked Fin about Halstead hitting on Amanda. And don't even get me started on the exchange between Rollins, Amaro,and Halstead. I found it funny because Nick and Amanda are doing what they think Halstead is doing with Erin Lindsay.

MorbidPet said...

Okay since I'm boycotting Fire (cause they killed the most awesome character on the show) I didn't watch it but I spoiled myself online and it seems there wasn't much about the crossover in that ep so I didn't miss much.
Anywho SVU and PD was okay. The case was gripping and interesting and this time they really were allowed to call it a crossover. Good guest stars (Maisie had grown up a little - only a movie buff would get this reference).

I would've liked just a tad bit of Rollins/Ruzek/Amaro tension. After all the PD writers wanted Rollins to hook up with him (ok, that I don't know for sure but who else would it have been?) in Chicago so couldn't they have left just a flirtation or something in there. Warren really is too much of a dad *lol*

Can someone tell me if we were supposed to read something into Amanda's excuse for being late? Stuck in the tunnel? Was that a hint to something? Liv seemed pissed at her as usual but what is unusual about that?!

@Ana - of course Rollins & Amaro went there in their thoughts, their minds are guilty so ;)

Unknown said...

I find it interesting that everyone was uncomfortable with Voight. All I could think was STABLER, STABLER, STABLER. And when Voight started to pull up his sleeves as Benson pretended to leave the security guard alone to be interviewed by Voight, I was like CLAAAAASSIC STABLER. Ahhh, old times, old times, hahaa. Maybe it is because I don't watch CPD as religiously as L&O SVU, but I don't agree that Voight and Stabler's aggression come from entirely different places. They both want the bad guy behind bars and are passionate about what they do.

Also noticed Carisi wasn't in this episode, so our game spin the wheel on which 2 male detectives appear each episode continues...

Chris Zimmer said...

I think is see the difference between Stabler and Voight's because I've seen Voight's behavior on Chicago PD. Yes, Stabler and Voight both have anger issues, but the motivation for their violent behavior come from very different places, in my opinion. I never thought of Stabler as cop with a dirty background but Voight screams dirty!

chillicothe20 said...

I agree, Chris. I was going to say that while both seem to have temper problems, Elliot's seemed to be borne out of being frustrated and maybe his being a father, rather than straight malice or some kind of power trip. I do not watch PD regularly, but from what I have seen of Voight, it feels like he thinks he is above the law and what is acceptable. He seems to think he is allowed to be that way because only the results matter, or he deserves to be for some reason. Again, I have not seen much of it, so maybe his actions are better explained on the show, of which I said I have not seen much. Still, Stabler and Voight seem like Apples and Oranges.

Keith said...

I watch both shows fairly regularly and Voight paints himself as a dirty cop, but he actually has some kind of line that is driven by wanting to keep the streets safe. I think the whole Benson/Voight thing is to show two different parallels. Both are great leaders and want justice, but have two different ways of getting them. And when you think about it, the reason why Benson got the answer was because of Voight so she used that to get the result. Seemed to have worked :)

Unknown said...

Is there a follow up to this episode? Just wondering. I'd like to see it if there is.

Also, I don't like Hank's voice either but I thought I was just being picky.

Chris Zimmer said...

@Maria Frank - this episode was part of a three-way Chicago Fire/SVU/Chicago PD crossover event. The stgory continued with the Chicago PD episode "They'll Have to Go Through Me" which aired right after this SVU episode.