Townhouse Incident
- Episode aired Jan 13, 2016
- TV-14
- 42m
Benson winds up stuck in the middle of a hostage situation after her babysitter tells her that something suspicious is happening at the home of another family she works for.Benson winds up stuck in the middle of a hostage situation after her babysitter tells her that something suspicious is happening at the home of another family she works for.Benson winds up stuck in the middle of a hostage situation after her babysitter tells her that something suspicious is happening at the home of another family she works for.
- Detective Amanda Rollins
- (credit only)
- Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
- (as Ice T)
- ESU Capt. Sasso
- (as Shaun T. Andrew)
- Richard Crivello
- (as Anthony Grasso)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe details of the home invasion including the rape of the teenager and trying to get the mother to withdraw money from the bank are based on the Cheshire, CT home invasion murders from 2007.
- Quotes
Lucy Huston: Hey, Detective Carisi.
Dominick Carisi, Jr.: Hey, Lucy, uh, Liv's not here.
Lucy Huston: She's not? I'm a little worried. I sent her to the brownstone of another family I sit for. I had a really strange vibe from the mom...
Dominick Carisi, Jr.: What did Liv say about it?
Lucy Huston: Well, I haven't been able to talk to her. She sent this weird text.
Dominick Carisi, Jr.: [Carisi looks at Lucy's phone for a moment and then runs back to the squadroom]
Dominick Carisi, Jr.: Guys, we have a problem here. Liv just texted this to her babysitter.
Odafin Tutuola: [Reading from the phone] Stuck at precinct all day. Pick up William from daycare. He has a play date with Lewis today.
Rafael Barba: William Lewis? That's not good. When did you last hear from her?
Mike Dodds: I texted her a few hours ago about the push-in rapist. She answered back.
Rafael Barba: But you didn't actually speak to her?
Mike Dodds: No
Rafael Barba: And now she's sending us a text about William Lewis?
Odafin Tutuola: That's gotta be a code for 10-13.
- ConnectionsReferences Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Community Policing (2015)
"Townhouse Incident" turned out on first watch to be much better than expected. Did find one scene in bad taste that also bothered a lot of fans. On rewatch, it holds up and is every bit as good. It is a long way from being a show high point and it is not one of the best episodes of Season 17 (as well as nowhere near one of the worst), but it delivers on the tension that is expected from this type of story and is not as drawn out or as ridiculous as feared.
Still felt that the much-criticised rape scene was completely gratuitous and seemed to be a cheap way of bringing back Olivia's traumas.
Also felt that Barba and Fin were under-utilised, Fin especially has next to nothing to do and is bland.
However, a lot of things about "Townhouse Incident" are good. To me, it is the best looking episode of Season 17. Especially the photography, which has more slickness and variety in types of shots than has been seen in some time. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone. The episode is sympathetically yet uncompromisingly directed, especially in the more tense second half.
Furthermore, the script is intelligent, taut and thought-probing, with a lot of talk but not in a way that rambles or feels padded and it doesn't get too melodramatic. There is also a tense and adrenaline filled story that doesn't get too predictable and doesn't feel dragged out or far fetched. Mariska Hargitay has the right amount of steel and vulnerability, things that she always brought whenever there was an Olivia in peril type of story. The supporting cast fare solidly, was very unsettled by the perpetrator. Did like that Tucker had softened and a lot more likeable (and that is saying something) than he was in the early seasons.
In summary, very well done though won't be for all tastes. 8/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Sep 26, 2022
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD