"Scorched Earth" is Episode 1 in Season 13 of "Law & Order: SVU." The episode aired on September, 21, 2011 at 10 pm ET on NBC. It features Franco Nero, Stephanie March, Linus Roache, Jenna Stern, John Earl Jecks, Michael Mastro and Kathleen Garrett as guest-stars, with Kelli Giddish as the new detective from Atlanta; Amanda Rollins.
The episode opens with a rape case involving a maid (Miriam) and an Italian diplomat (DiStasio). The diplomat's lawyers claim DiStasio has immunity, while Detective Benson learns that Miriam immigrated from Sudan into the US.
SPOILERS!
Cutter (Roache) says they have no case, while Cabot (March) argues that New York might become known as a place where the rich and powerful can't be prosecuted, if they do not pursue the case.
DiStasio has a defense team, supposedly including members of the CIA, that is able to dig up as much dirt on Miriam and her past as possible. It's discovered from a coworker's audio recording that Miriam supposedly was out to get DiStasio's money. In the trial, DiStasio's lawyer brings up more evidence that says Miriam was a convicted prostitute in her homeland. Meanwhile, Olivia tries to dig dirt on DiStasio, still believing that some type of assault did occur. Rollins discovers that another maid made a complaint about the diplomat, but it went no further than him pushing her onto a bed, while DiStasio admits in court that he didn't stop having sex with Miriam even when she said no.
In conclusion, DiStasio is found guilty of unlawful imprisonment but not guilty of assault.
One aspect I enjoyed about this season opener were the tidbits of dialogue thrown in regarding American justice: "Man has facts, woman has words." / "(Cases that involve powerful people) are about perception, not reality." / And of course, you're innocent until proven guilty- or until your face and name is smeared by the press.
In the backdrop of this episode, detectives discuss whether or not Detective Stabler is returning. If you watched the Season 12 finale, you'll remember that Stabler was forced to shoot a young, armed girl. In reality, actor Christopher Meloni won't be returning to SVU, while rumors are spreading that the new detective, played by Giddish, will be taking Mariska Hargitay's place as Season 13 rolls on.
Overall, I feel "SVU" could lose definite momentum with the loss of Detectives Benson and Stabler, which means they'll have to come up with more creative storylines to support the show. Perhaps we'll be seeing more "ripped from the headlines" this season, as a result.
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