A serial rapist strikes again after two decades of silence, and SVU is determined to uncover the elusive criminal and bring justice to his many victims. Stone discovers that his father worke... Read allA serial rapist strikes again after two decades of silence, and SVU is determined to uncover the elusive criminal and bring justice to his many victims. Stone discovers that his father worked on the case before it went cold.A serial rapist strikes again after two decades of silence, and SVU is determined to uncover the elusive criminal and bring justice to his many victims. Stone discovers that his father worked on the case before it went cold.
- Sergeant Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
- (as Ice T)
- Mae Patton
- (as Carol Ann Bell)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe trawling of a genealogical website for a familial genetic match of a suspect seems to be inspired by the Golden State Killer out of California.
- Goofs23:49 Edgar Noone's residence is 501 Weet 21st Street, however when Edgar is walking up to his residence, he is coming from the corner of 10th Ave, street sign and arrow showing one way from left to right (northbound) which makes his residence between 9th and 10th Avenues on the south (even numbered side) 400 block. Wrong block and wrong side , 501 West 21 is on the north side, not south, between 10th and 11th Avenues.
- Quotes
Noah Benson: [to Olivia] Why are you home early?
Olivia Benson: I thought we'd spend a little time together.
Noah Benson: I want Lucy.
Olivia Benson: [sighs] Okay, so, uh, Noah, we all get in bad moods sometimes and that's okay. And sometimes it's not about Lucy or olives or homework. Right? It means that we're upset about something else. What's wrong, honey?
[Noah doesn't answer]
Olivia Benson: You can tell me. Noah? Tell me.
Noah Benson: It's Jeremy. He keeps asking where my dad is. I told him he's in heaven.
Olivia Benson: That's right, Noah. He is.
Noah Benson: Did he love me?
Olivia Benson: Oh, sweetheart. Honey, of course he did. Very, very, very much. And someday, when you get older, I promise you I'm gonna tell you all about him. But for right now, it's just... it's just Team "You and Me." And I feel so very lucky to be on that team.
Noah Benson: Me too.
Was hoping though that "Dear Ben" would execute the development well and not be too dominant and too soapy as too much of the latter seasons' personal life subplots have been. "Dear Ben" turned out to be a wonderful episode, that executed both the personal life drama and the case quite splendidly (the former surprisingly so). There were not many great episodes of Season 20, but this was, like "Alta Kockers", one of them and one of the few of the season to have very little wrong with it.
My only real issue with "Dear Ben" actually was everything with Noah, that added absolutely nothing to the story and it did make me cringe to be perfectly honest.
Otherwise, the episode is wonderful. Immediately standing out is the acting, with Phillip Winchester giving his first solid performance of the show and a contender for his best appearance. Mariska Hargitay is steely and sympathetic, did not find her annoying at all and didn't think her overused. All the team members had something to contribute to the case and it's all compelling, especially Carisi. Fin is also delightful with some amusing lines.
The case was very early seasons 'Special Victims Unit' and also reminiscent of episodes from Seasons 11-14 that focused on the whole around the case, the victims and perpetrators and their circumstances. It has a good amount of suspense, even with the perpetrator not being a surprise, and also just as much emotion. Stone's conflict revolving around his father is much more compelling and heartfelt as well as makes more sense than his storyline with his sister. Great too to have the impact of her death being put to one side after the previous episodes exhausted it to very erratic effect.
Did find the ending very touching. The script has punch but is also tactful, it doesn't preach and neither does it sugar coat. Production values as ever are slick and with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear with the theme tune still memorable and the direction is accommodating yet tight enough.
Concluding, wonderful. 9/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jun 3, 2023