Original subtitles

In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered

especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate

these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special

Victims Unit. These are their stories.

Olivia.

Hey, it's good to see you. How are you?

I'm okay, you know, I'm just... A lot.

Yeah. What if you need to talk? Yeah.

Thanks.

Oh.

Don't worry, I'm bouncing. I'm not worried.

He was a great guy. Yeah. I'm sorry, Liv.

Good to see you.

Same. Yeah.

Yeah.

Okay, go.

Thanks.

I'm good. Thanks.

And I can't imagine my life any other way.

He was the best boss I ever had.

Everything that I know about being a captain.

It has been a privilege to have been able to serve with you.

Dan, I can't believe you're still at it. You too, Captain.

You both got your full pensions. Take them and live a little while you still

can. I've thought about it, Mikey. You should.

It's the best decision I've made in a while.

You thought about retiring?

Since when?

I mean, not like tomorrow. I mean, it's crossed my mind. I don't want to do this

forever. Do you?

Captain Benson.

New chief of detectives.

Catherine Tynan. Hi.

Good to meet you. I don't want to monopolize your time. Just wanted to say

heard great things. Your clearance rate is... Unbelievable.

I'm very excited to work with you.

I'm glad to hear it. When you got a moment, let's talk big picture.

You're the standard I'd like everyone else to meet.

I really wanted to work closely, learn how you do what you do.

I'll reach out.

And, um, I'm sorry about your loss. I knew Don in my early years.

No wonder you're so good.

How was that?

Interesting.

Great, and she's full of compliments, if nothing else.

Where the hell did she come from?

She started in YPD, but she's been in Philly for the last ten years, and I'm

hearing things.

Like what?

Like she's very hands -on, values loyalty.

She's bringing in some people from Philadelphia to fill in the ranks.

Good. Politically connected.

I think changes are coming. Just be careful.

Hey, Kari, what's up?

I'll meet you.

I'll meet you.

Hey, look, tell Finn to take the night off because he seems like he needs it.

Got it.

What you doing?

I thought Lou Fernelli rolled in there.

Very good night to that guy.

You all right?

I don't like humans.

Me neither.

All right.

I just feel like we're entering into our all -our -friends -are -dying era.

It's the worst era.

Absolutely. Not that you can go back, and not that I'd want to, but...

We had a pretty good run there for a minute.

Let's go do it.

It's different.

Get off my call.

Hey.

Go in there and say hello.

Love you.

Night.

Hey, come here.

Please, let her go.

Let her go.

Put your hands up. Put your hands where I can see them.

Get them up.

Get his gun.

How was the service?

It was nice.

You know, it was just sad.

This one.

This one hit hard.

I'm sorry. Yeah.

What do we got? Tell me.

Well, victim is Ella Parsons, 29.

Okay. We think the guy got in through the window at the fire escape.

She's pretty sure he used a condom. What's the time frame? A couple of

She was afraid he was filling the apartment, so she waited.

Okay. Canvassing the neighbors, checking street cameras. Anything?

Nothing.

How's that look out?

It's not too deep. I don't even think it'll scar.

Oh, good.

Thank you.

So, um... Yeah, um... I was lying in bed. Mm -hmm.

And I was just scrolling through TikTok.

I didn't even hear anybody break in.

Yeah.

And all the lights went out, and I thought it was just a regular power

you know. Yeah. But then I looked across the street, and I could see that all

the lights were on. So we think that he turned off the power, right, at the

breaker.

And then I could feel him in the room with me. Mm -hmm.

I froze, and then he got on top of me,

and he put a knife to my throat, and he said that if I screamed, he would kill

me. Do you see his face?

No, it's too dark.

And how long have you lived here?

This is a Metro B &B. I know they're illegal. I know I shouldn't have done

but I had a job interview out here. I know I shouldn't have done it. Listen to

me. I'm not the housing authority, and the only thing that I care about is

finding the man who did this to you, okay?

Now, what is the job?

It's cybersecurity, okay?

I just changed careers. I just totally changed my whole life.

How'd it go?

Good, yeah.

Really good.

I don't know, though. It's really competitive.

A lot of these places, it's just a bunch of dudes, you know, so it can feel like

nobody's in your corner but you. Oh, I get that.

So how about you consider me another person that's in your corner, all right?

And we're going to get through this, and then we're going to get you back to

your new life, okay?

Mr. Ruiz?

NYPD, can you answer some questions?

We're going to get you checked out at the hospital.

Great. Thank you.

Benson.

I'm on my way.

You guys came all the way down here empty -handed?

I'm getting an order and a pizza.

Give me a PlayStation.

We got the initial report back from the Brooklyn cops.

Is there any possibility that this is the beef from an old case?

Man, I wish it was.

I got play.

It's a rope of dope. Now I'm the dope.

Could happen to anybody.

I'm gonna find them.

They got my gun.

Hey.

So, quick question.

Who the hell gets jumped on the way home from a cop funeral?

Brutal.

Yeah. Okay, I just sat next to the board chair of this hospital at a fundraiser

and she's getting you a private room.

And I accept any and all preferential treatment.

Find out who caught this at the 7 -4 and make sure they're handling it right.

You got it.

Liv, you don't have to stay here. I'm fine. I know. I'm just staying until you

get your new room.

So, where are we?

Rape kit was negative for fluids, positive for spermicide. So Ella Parsons

right about the condom.

BSU is still gathering prints. There are hundreds.

Hairs from at least 30 individuals.

They're focusing on the ones found in the bed and on her.

Four distinct hairs on her alone.

So a rental that doesn't change the sheets. How lovely.

The apartment is owned by Eric Burnett. Now, he says he's been upstate since

Wednesday. Driving back now should be at the precinct any second.

Okay, and how long has he been renting the stuff out? He says he's been renting

it for 18 months.

Did you hear from the super?

Nothing. All right, so go pay him a visit and apply the pressure.

Captain Benson, this is Eric Burnett.

Hey, you guys wanted to see me?

So these are all in reverse chronological order. I figured you guys

to know who stayed there.

I keep very meticulous records. Oh, I can see that.

I just can't believe that this happened there.

So you were upstate?

Yeah, in Utica since Wednesday.

Dog sitting for my brother. I got the call this morning and I jumped right in

car I'm gonna have you sit down sure and write down your movements in the last

24 hours. Okay, absolutely

I've

been looking for you Yeah, sorry, I just I've been busy well clear your

calendar and come down here

Can you remove your tool belt, Mr. Ruiz?

Yeah.

Yeah, of course.

You know why I'm here?

That girl in 3E.

But you didn't think you needed to call me back?

I did, but I had a lot of stuff going on.

You have teeth, 3E?

It's just the one set that I gave to her.

Were you here last night?

I was asleep.

What time did you go to bed?

I don't know, like 8.

Wow, that's... Really early?

Yeah.

Maybe you went to bed even earlier than that.

Maybe.

And maybe you sleep really hard, so you didn't hear me knock.

And you didn't hear anybody do anything all night.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's what happened. Okay, so some advice, Mr. Ruiz.

Giving the worst alibi in the history of alibis is not the way to play this. I'm

not lying. Because here's what I see.

You're out here, the day after the attack, installing security lights.

And that tells me that you care about the people in this building.

I don't care about where you're from or what your immigration status is.

I'm looking for a rapist, okay?

So why don't you help me out?

Right there.

That's the third floor.

Any of the other stairwell cameras pick them up? Yeah. Yeah, they all did.

He knows where the cameras are. You never see his face.

What I did.

You're absolutely positive you got a good look.

Oh, yeah, yeah. Clear as day.

Mr. Burnett, I am so sorry. It's just taking a little bit longer to process

police report.

Okay.

So, what kind of dog?

I'm sorry?

Your brother? We were dog -sitting.

Oh, right.

I don't know. Just some kind of mutt. Yeah.

Name?

Jake. Jake.

That's cute.

Hey, will you do me a favor and would you write down your brother's contact

information so I can verify that?

He's traveling out of the country. Oh.

You know, so I don't really have a contact for him. You know what? I'm

go. Sit down, Mr. Burnett.

Sit down.

Do you know what the problem is with meticulous guys like you?

They think they're smarter than everybody else. So they get careless.

And then you know what they do?

They make mistakes.

You said that you were in Utica.

Or was that a mistake?

Now before you answer me, keep in mind that I already know the answer.

I think I need a lawyer.

Detectives, I don't have to emphasize that this is a 30 -plus year veteran who

was attacked on your turf. We absolutely get it.

It's a top priority for us. Bottom line, we're all over this.

Tell your man Finn to sit tight.

Order up, detective.

Come on, is there anybody you've been looking at?

There's, uh, what's his name?

Who's the guy who's with Yammer?

Cricket. Cricket.

Hangs out in the outside.

Talk your ear off.

Thank you.

Got it wrong again.

Kalil, come on.

Oh.

They're not like us.

There were no eyewitnesses. Their victim is unable to identify the perpetrator.

And if Carisi is going to argue DNA, your honor needs to know that my client

owns the apartment where the assault took place. Of course, his DNA is

but it has nothing to do with the crime charge. What Your Honor needs to know is

that when first confronted, the defendant gave the investigating

elaborate, very detailed story about his whereabouts at the time of the crime.

A story that we've been able to prove was an outright lie, demonstrating

consciousness of guilt. They've demonstrated no such thing, and if

they've got... Well, we also have a witness that can place the defendant

the scene at the time of the crime.

That's news to me. I haven't been notified about a lineup. Because the

wasn't necessary.

The witness has a prior relationship with the defendant.

All right, gentlemen, save your rhetoric for the trial.

Bail is set at $20 ,000.

Next case.

Yo, Cricket, you're looking for a stolen gun. I don't know anything about it.

Not what we're hearing, my... You got any weapons or needles on you? No way.

All right, turn around.

Now, listen.

You know how bad you screwed up attacking a cop? I didn't, I swear, I

Do I look like I'm beating up anybody?

I bought that off some girl. I don't even know who she is.

Where's the gun?

Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Dominic Carisi. I will be presenting a case to

you entitled The People of the State of New York vs. Eric Burnett.

You'll be hearing from three witnesses.

The victim, Ella Parsons.

Captain Olivia Benson with the Manhattan Special Victims Unit. And first, you'll

hear from Jorge Ruiz, who will be giving you an eyewitness testimony.

Now, at the conclusion of my presentation, I will be asking you to

charge of rape in the first degree.

Okay, let's get started.

So his phone is disconnected or he's not picking up? I don't know.

Did he seem shaky before?

Curry said there may be an immigration issue.

There may be an immigration issue?

Sorry, so you're saying this isn't going to happen?

Can you get the indictment without him?

Yeah, I can get a jury to indict, but without a witness, I cannot go to trial.

So get the indictment and I will get the witness.

Okay.

I'm going to get him, Ella.

Captain, you've got to be kidding me.

Hi, who's in charge here?

Thank you.

Excuse me.

I'm Captain Olivia Benson with Manahat Special Victims Unit, and I have a key

witness who lives in this building who may have gotten caught up in your

operation. Name?

Jorge Ruiz.

He's on the list, but we don't have him. He wasn't home. So he's our only

witness.

against a rapist, and he is coming in and testifying on his own volition, so I

would very much appreciate a little bit of discretion here.

Captain, I'd love to help you, but my hands are tied. Your witness is a

convicted felon. Let us know if you find him before we do.

Close it.

Let's go.

rolls up on my witness's residence, and we're all just going to pretend that

this is a coincidence.

Come on.

He dropped the dime so he could get his client off the hook.

Prove it. How about I take you to the DDC and we let them decide? How about

that? Do it.

It won't fix the fact that your case is based on the word of an illegal

convicted felon. That's a bogus charge. Your Honor, Ruiz got caught up in a drug

sweep. He had $100 in his pocket.

If you had a real lawyer, that charge would have been dropped. And if he were

this country, legally, none of this would matter. There's no citizenship

requirement to testify in a felony case.

Even if everything you say is true, Mr. Creasy, there's no remedy this court can

offer. And we're about to go to trial. So I suggest that you locate your

because I'm not adjourning this case.

So, Camilla, I just want to assure you that your cousin is not in any trouble.

We just want to talk to him. Well, I don't know where he is. Has he called

or made any attempt to contact you?

Nope. It's understandable if Jorge is afraid.

But we can offer him some protection. Yeah, so instead of testifying in open

court, he can do a conditional examination with a judge on video, one

Where? It would have to be at the courthouse. No.

He could get arrested there. If it comes to that, then we can help him retain an

immigration lawyer.

And then what?

He gets sent to El Salvador or Sudan?

You're right. It is definitely a risk.

But all I can say to you is without Jorge's testimony, then a rapist is

go free.

And that is not Jorge's fault.

But if that sounds even a little bit wrong...

Maybe it's worth the risk.

I would like to leave this with you.

It has my personal number on the back.

And if you or Jorge want to talk to me, I'm available 24 -7.

I'm Fat Jimmy.

Well, it depends on who's asking.

I got a call for you.

Hey, yo, what's up, Fat Jimmy?

Detective Tutuola.

I thought you was dead, man.

Yeah, they keep trying.

I'm Sergeant now.

Sergeant?

Okay.

What's this, a zoom arrest or something?

I'm out of the game, Sergeant.

That's what I heard.

But I figure you still know everything that goes on in that neighborhood.

I'm hoping you can help me find something I lost.

Hey, how's it over in Brooklyn?

Couple of hairbag detectives working it. Seems like it was random.

Junkies looking to score.

Anything else?

No.

What do you got for us?

Well, we hit a wall on the Parsons case. Either we need more evidence or another

witness. How about another rape?

He's done it before. A rape in a Bronx sublet five years ago. Same M .O. and

Burnett own the apartment.

The perpetrator held a knife to the victim's throat and raped her in the

There was no sign of forced entry, and the case remains unsolved to this day.

Your Honor, at best, the people have two rapes five years apart that occurred in

residences my client owns.

He's owned numerous apartments in the city. Two nearly identical rapes. Your

Honor, this is the definition of a common schema plan. It's prejudicial,

I agree. Mr. Carisi, I'm going to deny your application. In my view, the

prejudicial effect of this evidence far outweighs its probative value.

The prior case is inadmissible.

Gentlemen, tomorrow morning.

I'll draft my motion to dismiss tonight.

Oh, I know this is not ideal. And even if we can't find new evidence tonight...

The fact is that ADA Carisi can make a motion to dismiss with a leave to

represent, which means we can bring it back to court.

Okay, now, it may take a little longer, but I'm not giving up on this.

So, yeah,

I'm going to go home.

So, Ella, you can't give up on this.

I really, I appreciate all of the things that you guys have done. It's amazing.

I can't believe it, but it's just, I just... What is the best case scenario

here? Just getting some guy deported for testifying? That sucks.

I don't want to do that.

But that is not our only option.

I don't have anybody out here with me.

And I just, I want to get on with my life.

And I am...

How do you not get so tired doing this every day? I couldn't do it?

Did you get the job?

Me?

What? You're not taking it?

I don't think so.

Are you good at what you do?

Yeah. That you have this voice inside that tells you that you're not good

enough?

That you're not worthy?

I get that.

Because I have that same voice inside.

But I had this really great boss who believed in me and who

told me that I was worthy.

And then eventually, I started to believe it.

He worked a lot longer than he needed to because he was so good at his job and

because it gave his life meaning.

He and I were a lot alike, and I don't think that I fully realized it until

after he was gone.

I'm sorry.

You are correct, Ella.

These cases are hard.

They're brutal. You're not wrong about that.

But I am here with you.

It is okay that you are tired.

Because I'm not.

And it's okay if you don't want to fight.

Because I'm still going to fight for you.

I guess what?

I'm not the only one.

I've been in this country for 22 years.

I got a job.

I'm really good at it.

Paid my taxes.

I sent money back to my family.

And I was arrested 15 years ago, but it was for something that I didn't do.

And we are going to do everything that we can to protect you.

So my choices are to run and hide and hope that they never find me or to just

leave my whole life and just go back.

And now you're asking me to do something nice for my government?

Why would I do that? You're right.

You're absolutely right.

And if you got up and walked out of here right now, nobody would blame you.

But the fact of the matter is, Mr. Ruiz, you came in here tonight, which tells

me that you want to do what's right.

Whether or not you get something back in return.

Captain. Hikers on the way up.

What? How do they know?

Come.

There's a back stairway. No, let's don't play.

Did you make too much? They don't have a warrant. Doesn't matter. They take our

witness and we can't do anything about it. Hold on a second. I need you to

me. Can you do that?

Velasco, arrest him.

What? Now.

Arrest him now.

Captain Reese, you're under arrest. Captain Vincent, you're interfering with

federal operation. No, no, no, she's not.

Jorge Ruiz is a material witness, and he's in the custody of the NYPD. Do you

really want to help a rapist go free?

He's ours, okay? Take him to holding.

Once he provides a testimony, no, no, we'll release him.

Is this you?

You have been obstructing this operation from the beginning.

That is a federal charge.

Put your hands behind your back.

Oh, no.

Captain. It's okay.

Stand down. Stand down.

The field office director sends his regards and apologizes for the

misunderstanding.

Well, these things happen. Your arrest is voided, so let's get the hell out of

here.

You're out of your mind.

I'll take that as a compliment.

She's a genius, but she's a lucky one.

Judge Fitzsimmons owes me a favor. He agreed to sign off on the material

order, but I got to get it to him now to think so that we're covered.

See you later. Okay. Buy the jailbird a drink, will you?

Really? Congratulations.

It was an incredible save.

Well, it would probably be better if I didn't get arrested for every case, but

your husband is very good at his job.

I got something sensitive I need to talk to you about. Okay. I haven't even

talked to Sonny about it.

What? What's going on?

Look, in a normal circumstance, I would directly go to Finn with this, but...

I don't know what else to do here.

What about Finn?

So, Bruno and Velasco, they walked into this bar that Intel has under

surveillance for drug dealing.

They're probably looking into Finn's vault.

And we have somebody inside.

Did you know that Finn lost his gun?

No, I did not.

If we hadn't had somebody in this bar, this probably would have all gone away.

Listen, this is a confidential report. No one else is going to see this.

I just figured enough people were keeping you in the dark.

Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you're about to

give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

Yes. Have a seat.

No, not in my courtroom.

Jimmy, tell them they can wait outside, but they are not welcome here.

Mr. Ruiz, you did a great job. I couldn't have asked for a better

Mr. Ruiz, put your hands behind your back if you're under arrest.

Okay, listen, they're going to take you to the detention center. I already spoke

to legal aid. Your immigration attorney's name is Maria Cox.

She'll be there. She'll be waiting for you.

Listen to me. Do everything they tell you to do and try to help her.

This is the best vacation ever?

My deaf perception is still messed up, but I'm starting to enjoy the challenge.

That's very good.

What's up?

Ben, how long have we worked together now?

Live.

I thought that I...

Put in the time and the work to earn your trust.

Look, they were following my orders.

And you need to come from this. I'm willing to take.

This was not about trust.

This was about protecting you.

I don't need to be protected, Ben.

We look out for each other. We always have looked out for each other.

I know.

I'm sorry.

Look, I know that we're closer to the end than the beginning.

I feel that I still have more to do.

And we all need to decide how we want to go out.

But if you are willing to throw away all the years that we have worked together,

all the trust that we have built, then maybe you should retire.

You know, I thought this might have been a message for me to get out while I

still can.

But I'm not throwing anything away, Liv.

And I'm not ready to retire till I earn your trust back.

Well, this night keeps getting better. I'm being called to 1PP.

Captain, thanks for coming in. Thanks, Chief. So if I may, I would like to

you some context to explain my interactions with ICE.

Not necessary.

Look, it's not my favorite thing that my captain got taken into federal custody,

but it was a smart play, and luckily it worked out.

Maybe next time, loop me in?

Yes, if I can, I will, yes.

You're kind of running your own police department over there, aren't you?

Which, hey, it's clearly working for you. The results speak for themselves,

But I really value communication.

I understand. Great. And in the good news department, I got your witness in

fever.

That's an edge fever?

Mm -hmm.

How?

I spent a career gathering favors and just made a couple of calls.

Honestly, it wasn't even that hard.

The guy cooperating in a rape trial.

Nobody's upset about that.

And Mr. Ruiz has been released and in the process of becoming a legal

How's that for a happy ending?

I... I... This is incredible news.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you. I did want to talk to you about one thing.

Okay. Get your read on an idea I've been kicking around. Please, sit.

I'm thinking about consolidating special victims across all five boroughs and

creating a deputy chief position, which would be here in 1PP.

Every unit reporting to one chief.

And I'd like you to consider taking that job.

Oh, Chief Steinem, I, um... I, uh,

actually don't know how to respond to that.

I know, it's crazy.

But maybe it's not crazy.

Think about it.

Way more authority, the opportunity to get everyone on the same page.

Take what you do in your own squad and do it all over the city.

I don't know, kind of a great way to think about ending your career.

I'm not thinking about ending my career any time soon.

Oh, God, no, definitely not now. I wouldn't accept that.

Just down the line.

Anyway, think about it.

I'm, I'm, um, I'm not looking to, to make any changes anytime

soon. Yeah, I get that.

Change is hard.

Oh, last thing.

I know that you're down and out with Sergeant Judge Lawler being out of

commission. I have the perfect detective for you.

Known him since he was a kid. He'll be a great addition to your squad. You know,

I actually think that we will manage without an extra body.

Seriously, I have to insist.

You won't be sorry.

He'll start right away.

Well, then we will give him the welcome that he deserves.

And I could not be more excited for him to learn from the best.

Thank you, Chief.

Captain.

Yes?

I'm glad Finn got his gun back.

Detective Velasco.

Get it.