Spoilers ahead for January 20th episode of Law & Order: SVUSeason 23, also known as “Tommy Baker’s Hardest Fight.”
The cops of Law & Order: SVU had to solve a high-profile case of a popular fighter’s attack while the investigation ran into roadblock after roadblock, but the plot that might come back to pack a punch actually involved Benson Chief McGrath. The two haven’t exactly been trusted confidantesHe dropped some details about her in Season 23. “Tommy Baker’s Hardest Fight” that he could come to regret… depending on whether or not she’s willing to toe (or cross) the line and use them against him.
Benson was able to get a lot more from their time together in his office. McGrath began venting to Benson about home problems and an update on Baker. And all things considered, she probably wasn’t the person he should have turned to if he wanted her to be sympathetic toward him after more than 20 years in Special Victims. He spoke about his teenage daughter:
On Thursday, my wife and I waited until 2:30 AM to see the animals. The animals are out there, you know what we see. I was terrified to death. … And then she gets home, and she’s drunk. She’s hammered and she starts mouthing off to me. I mean, if I had spoken to my father like that, I’d have been put in traction. … Well, it was just screaming and yelling, and then she locked herself in her room and I shouldered the door open. Now, my wife is furious at me. After 32 years of marriage, I guess we’re entitled to a bad night or two, right?
When Benson first spoke about the topic, he was initially sympathetic.Stress of worrying about childrenin light of the work they do, but not as much when he began to talk about her. “mouthing off”and letting her in. Seriously, that’s the kind of speech that usually comes out of the mouths of perps on SVU! She later discovered that she was a courtesy of FinMcGrath didn’t mention that the situation was worse.
Fin took the time to have a one-on-one conversation with Benson. Rollins VelascoThey were out of the room (and Carisi nowhere to be seen), and he shared what McGrath didn’t during their conversation in his office. Fin explained the NYPD’s situation. “rumors”Around the chief:
So you’ve heard the rumors going around about McGrath, right? … A domestic incident in his house in Syosset late Thursday night. Cops were called. You were told that. … So he didn’t tell you when the Nassau County cops got there, he told them to report it as unfounded? That’s abuse of the badge, Liv. … Just maybe mention to him that you’ve heard the rumors. You got his back. Can’t be bad to have a little leverage on that guy.
All things considered It’s not the worst adviceOdafin Tutuola Benson didn’t burst into applause and indicate that she planned to get some leverage on McGrath even beyond what he told her himself, but she also didn’t dismiss the idea, and it would be hard to blame her if she tried to take some precautions for her unit. McGrath hasn’t exactly been a staunch ally all season, to the point that I was surprised that he would open up about a domestic situation to Benson of all people.
One more encounter was held between them before the end. “Tommy Baker’s Hardest Fight,” and it’s a little bit difficult to say for sure whether or not Benson was playing at anything. She did acknowledge the rumors and promise to keep his secrets, but also gave him a sincere speech about anger management and seeking counseling, and I didn’t get the impression that her promise not to out him for counseling if he sought it came from a place of trying to get leverage.
He also came out to tell her that if he decided to seek help, anyone who was interested would be. “can get a rung up by pulling me down”They will. This could be a hint that Benson is at least considering using information against him, but it’s a clear indication that he trusts her. We will have to wait and see if that trust is well-placed.
Benson plays the book almost as much as she can, but it was not always that way. The partner of Elliot StablerFor more than a decadeMcGrath knows that Special Victims’ lives are often not as simple as they seem. McGrath has crossed lines too, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that she could play a little dirty to protect others. Olivia Benson would be the one to find a way for McGrath and others to remain on the straight and narrow, while still protecting them.
Law & Order: SVU is unfortunately heading into a break, however, and won’t be back with any new episodes until after the Olympics. This being said, NBCThe company is expanding its offerings Law & OrderThursday lineup starts in February, when the original series is revived Premieres in the 8:05 p.m. ET time slotBefore you know it SVU9:00 p.m. Organized Crime10:00 p.m. Law & OrderCheck out the lineup for when it launches on Thursday February 24th. our 2022 TV premiere scheduleFor more information on viewing the Olympics, click here