Maria Bello's Performance Saves 'Law & Order: SVU', Episode 'Rescue'

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This episode opened up with a somewhat controversial event (not exactly involving SVU authority), which led to a completely unrelated set of events where detectives did have authority to step in (well, sort of). This tends to be the ongoing formula for SVU, as well as other branches of the TV show, probably because it kills time while making the show contain more twists, and not forcing the main plot to be stretched too thin.

Such is the case with "Rescue," a personal drama more than a crime episode. Still, the show does attract some high-profile actors, which makes for a more zestful storyline. This week Maria Bello reoccurred her role as Vivian, and it was her performance that kept "Rescue" afloat.

SPOILERS!

The episode opens up with people partying, drawing on a girl's face that is presumably drunk and passed out. Turns out the girl (Kate) was dead from internal bleeding. Detectives learn she gained many enemies when an accidental prank was published online, of her rating all the guys she slept with. Although this plot sounds interesting, it is quickly decimated ten minutes into the episode when the girl who threw the party admits to accidentally killing Kate.

Bent on catching the person who raped Kate, detectives learn that a substance found within her is also commonly used by medics. Detectives learn that two medics are literally "partners in crime," each covering up one another's crimes of rape and theft. The man charged with theft is easily turned and wears a wire while his partner gives details on his encounters. Once the partner sees police (in a somewhat dramatic fashion,) he breaks the window of the restaurant with a chair, locks himself in the back of the van, and kills himself with an air embolism.

Amidst all of this, Olivia is taking care of Calvin; the son entrusted to her by the junkie Vivian (Bello). In a connection with the former case, police happened to find Vivian's prints. Olivia tracks her down, finding her stoned and living in a dump in the South Bronx. Against Vivian's protest, Olivia takes her in for the previous charge of suspected murder (of her father). Vivian's close friend Sarah comes to the police and admits she killed Vivian's father, however. She is charged and released on bail. After hearing gunshots, Olivia finds Sarah dead at the wheel; Calvin's father shot Sarah as he blamed her for the reason Vivian got back into drugs.

So, clearly there are many angles this episode could have taken. But instead we'll have to settle for the scenes with Bello, who (surely with the assistance of make-up) does a genuine impression of a junkie. I also thought her dialogue with Olivia at the conclusion by the courthouse was noteworthy, although I wish the show would once and awhile take it a step further; if you're going to turn the case into something personal between detective and suspect, you should give it some depth. For example, when Vivian contradicts Olivia's know-it-all, saintly nature, by saying that some people are just "too damaged" to get help, it would be refreshing to hear Olivia give an honest answer versus just playing the good cop or standing there in silence (She was playing the role of mother to Vivian's son, after all- Personal stock was definitely invested).

"Law & Order: SVU" airs on Wednesdays at 10 pm ET on NBC.