History Recap / LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnitS9E9Paternity

* AssholeVictim: Arguably, Leah Keegan. Regardless of whatever issues she had with her husband Jake, she was still planning to take Tommy (who Jake has raised as his son since he was born) away from him to be with her lover, while also greedily bleeding him for pay child support and alimony. She does this without any apparent concern for Tommy's well-being at being separated from his father and ''laughs'' (off-screen) when Jake begs her not to take his son from him--driving him over the edge into killing her.

* SurpriseCarCrash: Happens to Olivia and Kathy; Olivia gets out relatively unscathed but Kathy, heavily pregnant, is trapped in the wreck, and to make matters worse, the stress of the accident sends her into labor while she's still pinned and unable to move. They both make it, but it's a close call, as Kathy's heartbeat goes into extreme tachycardia and flatlines while in the ambulance, but the paramedic and the Mercy Hospital staff save her.
* SympatheticMurderer: Jake, who had just found out that [[{{Cuckold}} his wife has been cheating on him for years with another man]] and [[ChocolateBaby his son isn't his biologically]], leaving open the possibility that she could not only leave him but take the child who is for all intents and purposes his son away from him as well, as his parental rights would be more dubious due to the paternity issue.

* SurpriseCarCrash: Happens to Olivia and Kathy; Olivia gets out relatively unscathed but Kathy, heavily pregnant, is trapped in the wreck, and to make matters worse, the stress of the accident sends her into labor while she's still pinned and unable to move. They both make it, but it's a close call.

* HalfwayPlotSwitch: The episode's plot shifted twice. It went from Tommy Keegan's paternity fraud, to Jake's murder of Leah, and finally Kathy's MaternityCrisis.

The paternity of a missing young boy is placed into question when his nanny is murdered and all signs point to his mother's internet love interest, sparking a custody battle between the money-grubbing mother and her current husband over who has a better claim to the child. Stabler starts to wonder if he really is the father of Kathy's child given that they were apart for quite sometime but faces the possibility of losing his partner, Kathy, and the baby when Kathy and Benson are in an accident that makes Kathy go into labor.

* ModestyBedsheet: Leah Keegan.

* MaternityCrisis: More than two-thirds of the way through the episode, the case is solved, then suddenly Olivia and the very pregnant Kathy Stabler [[HalfwayPlotSwitch get into a car crash]] after a normal visit to the OB. [[MurphysLaw Then Kathy starts going into labor as she's pinned by the crushed car..]]

* AdultFear: When Elliot learns of Kathy and Olivia's accident, he's fearful that by the time he gets back to Manhattan, he'll reach Mercy to find both Kathy and her baby dead from their injuries. Thankfully, it doesn't come to that.
** Jake Keegan's ordeal is this as well. First his son is left to wander the streets after his nanny is murdered. Then he finds out that his wife has been cheating on him for years, his son isn't his, and his wife may be planning to leave him and take Tommy with her.

** Jake Keegan's ordeal is this as well. First the nanny is murdered and his son is left to wander the streets. Then he finds out that his wife has been cheating, his son isn't his, and his wife may be planning to leave him and take Tommy with her.

* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Elliot has a facial expression of this when he inadvertently reveals that Tommy is not Jake's son ''near'' Jake while ironically telling Olivia they shouldn't tell him that.

* SympatheticMurderer: Jake, who had just found out that [[{{Cuckold}} his wife has been cheating on him for years with another man]] and that his son wasn't his biological child, leaving open the possibility that she could not only leave him but take the child who is for all intents and purposes his son away from him as well, as his parental rights would be more dubious due to the paternity issue.

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The murder of a young boy's nanny leads Detectives Benson and Stabler to suspect her Internet love interest, "Casanova." However, the nanny's employers soon get into troubles of their own when the father finds out that his son is not his biological son. Stabler's family suffers a tragedy leaving his unborn child in serious danger after Kathy and Olivia are hurt in a car accident.

* AssholeVictim: Arguably, Leah Keegan. Regardless of whatever issues she had with her husband Jake, she was still planning to take Tommy (who Jake has raised as his son since he was born) away from him to be with her lover, while also greedily bleeding him for pay child support and alimony. She does this without any apparent concern for Tommy's well-being at being separated from his father and ''laughs'' when Jake begs her not to take his son from him--driving him over the edge into killing her.

* DiscOneFinalBoss: Jodi Simmons' murderer, who is caught and arrested fairly early in the episode.
* DrunkDriver: It's implied that the driver who caused Olivia and Kathy's car accident was drunk, as a cop on the scene tells Olivia that his car "reeks of booze".

* RightBehindMe: After finding out that Tommy is not Jake's son, Olivia and Elliot were discussing whether they should tell Jake...only to realize that Jake is [[OhCrap right there overhearing them]].

* SympatheticMurderer: Jake, who had just found out that [[{{Cuckold}} his wife was having an affair]] and that his son wasn't his biological child, leaving open the possibility that she could not only leave him but take the child who is for all intents and purposes his son away from him as well, as his parental rights would be more dubious due to the paternity issue.

* SympatheticMurderer: Both male perps this episode come off somewhat sympathetic. One was rejected by a younger woman, the other was basically [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Cuckold cuckolded by his unfaithful and possibly gold digging wife]].

* CleanPrettyChildbirth: Kathy [[ScreamingBirth goes into labor]] while in the ambulance with the help of Olivia and a [[DeliveryGuy male EMT]]. The baby comes out mostly clean with just a few splotches of blood and placenta.
* MaternityCrisis: More than two-thirds of the way through the episode, the case is solved but Olivia and the very pregnant Kathy Stabler [[HalfwayPlotSwitch get into a car crash]] after an inocuous visit to the OB. [[MurphysLaw Then Kathy starts going into labor as she's pinned by the crushed car..]]

* SurpriseCarCrash: Happens to Olivia and Kathy; Olivia gets out relatively unscathed but Kathy, heavily pregnant, is trapped in the wreck, and to make matters worse, the stress of the accident sends her into labor while she's still pinned and unable to move. They both make it, but it's a close call.

* RightBehindMe: After finding out that Tommy is not Jake's son, Olivia and Elliot were discussing whether they should tell Jake...only to realize that Jake is [[OhCrap right there overhearing the].

** Jake Keegan's ordeal is this as well. First the nanny is murdered and his son is left to wander the streets. Then he finds out that his wife has been cheating, his son isn't his, and his wife may be planning to leave him and take Tommy with her.

A boy covered in blood is found by the SVU, but unable to locate his parents, a news report is broadcasted, using the boy's name, Tommy, to see if anyone claims him while Stabler takes him home to Kathy so he can be given a bath. Shortly thereafter, Tommy's father Jake Keegan shows up to claim him.

When word comes that the father can't reach his wife, Leah, they arrive at the house to find the nanny, Jodi, murdered. Leah is found at a hotel having sex with her boyfriend.

They find Jodi's killer, but there's a twist: DNA taken during the investigation has revealed that Jake Keegan is not Tommy's biological father. This results in Stabler arguing with his wife, Kathy, about her unborn child and whether it was biologically Stabler's or not, outraging her. Stabler is soon called back to the Keegan house to arrest both Jake and the boyfriend, Matt, when they got into a fistfight over Tommy.

Matt files for custody of Tommy, and shortly thereafter, Jake drops Tommy off at the precinct and disappears. Stabler and Benson find Leah dead at the house and no sign of Jake, assuming he went up to his place in North Forks to commit suicide. Stabler was supposed to take Kathy to the doctor that afternoon, but Olivia offers to cover for him so he can go deal with Jake.

On the way to the doctor's appointment, Olivia's car is t-boned on the passenger's side. Olivia is unharmed and uses her radio to call for help, but Kathy, who was on the side that was hit, is knocked unconscious, appears injured, and is trapped in the crushed car. As help arrives, Olivia tries to help get Kathy stabilized. Kathy soon regains consciousness, but she tells them of a new problem: her water's broken and she's going into labor. Meanwhile, Elliot has successfully talked Jake down and is met at the scene by Fin who tells him what's happened to Kathy.

As the FDNY work to free Kathy from the car, Captain Cragen arrives with NYPD backup and puts her on the phone with Elliot. She's successfully loaded into the ambulance, but as they drive away, she tells the paramedic the baby is coming and it won't wait until she reaches the hospital. Kathy delivers a healthy baby boy, but just as she holds him for the first time, she passes out, her vital signs crashing. The paramedics radio ahead to alert the hospital as they work to try and save Kathy's life, while Olivia, now holding the baby, watches helplessly as Kathy's heartbeat flatlines.

Elliot rushes into Mercy Hospital sometime later, and upon locating the room where his wife and baby are, he's relieved to find Kathy alive and recovering well. Afterwards, Elliot thanks Olivia for saving Kathy and his baby son's life, and reveals that Kathy wants to name the baby after him, causing Olivia to quip that that is just what the world needs, another Elliot Stabler.

A boy covered in blood is found by the SVU, but unable to locate his parents, a news report is broadcasted, using the boy's name, Tommy, to see if anyone claims him while Stabler takes him home to clean up. Soon, someone Tommy recognizes as his father shows up to claim him.

When word comes that the father can't reach his wife, Leah, they arrive at the house to find the maid, Jodi, murdered from being raped and beaten. Leah is found at a hotel having sex with her boyfriend.

Soon, it is discovered that Jake Keegan is not Tommy's biological father. This results in Stabler arguing with his wife, Kathy, about her unborn child and whether it was biologically Stabler's or not, outraging her. Stabler is soon called back to the Keegan house to arrest both Jake and the boyfriend, Matt, when they got into a fistfight over Tommy. Things worsen as, by law, Tommy is connected to Jake, meaning he pays for alimony and child support, even though he's not Tommy's biological father.

Matt files for custody of Tommy, but while Jake does show up with him, he sends him with another detective and leaves. Tommy fears they have abandoned him, and when Stabler and Benson look for them, they find Leah dead at the house and no sign of Jake, assuming he went up to his place in North Forks to commit suicide. Stabler was supposed to take Kathy to the doctor that afternoon, but Olivia offers to cover for him so he can go deal with Jake.

Soon, it is discovered that Jake Keegan is not Tommy's biological father. This results in Stabler arguing with his wife, Katherine, about her unborn child and whether it was biologically Stabler's or not, outraging her. Stabler is soon called back to the Keegan house to arrest both Jake and the boyfriend, Matt, when they got into a fistfight over Tommy. Things worsen as, by law, Tommy is connected to Jake, meaning he pays for alimony and child support, even though he's not Tommy's biological father.

Matt files for custody of Tommy, but while Jake does show up with him, he sends him with another detective and leaves. Tommy fears they have abandoned him, and when Stabler and Benson look for them, they find Leah dead at the house and no sign of Jake, assuming he went up to his place in North Forks to commit suicide. Stabler heads up to confront Jake while Olivia takes Katherine to see the doctor. Stabler reaches Jake and is able to talk to him before having him arrested, while Elliot calls to check up on Olivia and Katherine. However, a sheriff's department cruiser arrives with Fin to tell Elliot some bad news and that the NYPD Aviation Unit helicopter is waiting back at the sheriff's headquarters to take them back to Manhattan.

Olivia was able to take Katherine to the doctor, but on the way back, just after Olivia hangs up from her call with Elliot, Olivia's car is broadsided by a black car, leaving Katherine severely wounded. Olivia is unharmed, and retrieving her handheld radio, she notifies dispatch that she needs the FDNY at her location. She climbs out of the wreckage as the FDNY arrive with Battalion Chief 30, Ladder Company 64, Engine Company 99, and FDNY EMS personnel, but once they deactivate the passenger airbag, which didn't deploy, and disarm the car battery, they realize someone needs to get in to place a collar on Katherine to ensure she doesn't have spinal injuries. Olivia volunteers to climb back in to do so. Katherine soon regains consciousness, only to reveal that her water's broken and she's going into labor. Instructed by the FDNY EMS Paramedics, Olivia is able to insert an I.V. and give Katherine fluids as the firefighters work to use the Jaws of Life and their other hydraulic equipment to remove the crumpled roof from the car to get Katherine out, as she whimpers that her contractions are getting stronger. Captain Cragen arrives with NYPD backup, including ESU rescue personnel, and once Katherine is out of the wreckage, she's loaded into one of the FDNY Ambulances, Cragen tells Olivia that NYPD are locking down all intersections between the crash site and Mercy Hospital so the ambulance gets there quickly, and the ambulance screams off towards Mercy as the FDNY Paramedics perform an emergency delivery in the ambulance. Katherine delivers a healthy baby boy, but as she cradles the newest member of the Stabler family in her arms, she passes out, as the monitor shows her going into cardiac arrest as her heartbeat is crashing. The paramedics radio ahead to Mercy to prepare the E.R. and Trauma Room as they work to try and save Katherine's life, while Olivia, now holding the baby, watches helplessly as Katherine's heartbeat flatlines.

Elliot rushes into Mercy Hospital sometime later, and upon locating the room where his wife and baby are, he's relieved to find Katherine alive and recovering well. The FDNY EMS were able to save her life, and she shows off Elliot's new son to him. Afterwards, Elliot thanks Olivia for saving Katherine and his baby son's life, and reveals that Katherine wants to name the baby after him, Baby Eli Stabler, causing Olivia to quip that is just what the world needs, another Elliot Stabler.

* AdultFear: When Elliot learns of Kathy and Olivia's accident, he's fearful that by the time he gets back to Manhattan, he'll reach Mercy to find both Kathy and her baby dead from their injuries. Averted when Elliot arrives in Mercy and is relieved to find Kathy alive and holding his new, and healthy, baby son, thanks to the efforts of the FDNY EMS and Mercy Hospital staff.

Olivia was able to take Katherine to the doctor, but on the way back, just after Olivia hangs up from her call with Elliot, Olivia's car is broadsided by a black car, leaving Katherine severely wounded. Olivia is unharmed, and retrieving her handheld radio, she notifies dispatch that she needs the FDNY at her location. She climbs out of the wreckage as the FDNY arrive with Battalion Chief 30, Ladder Company 64, Engine Company 99, and FDNY EMS personnel, but once they deactivate the passenger airbag, which didn't deploy, and disarm the car battery, they realize someone needs to get in to place a collar on Katherine to ensure she doesn't have spinal injuries, Olivia climbs back in to do so. Katherine soon regains consciousness, only to reveal that her water's broken and she's going into labor. Instructed by the FDNY EMS Paramedics, Olivia is able to insert an I.V. and give Katherine fluids as the firefighters work to use the Jaws of Life and their other hydraulic equipment to remove the crumpled roof from the car to get Katherine out, as she whimpers that her contractions are getting stronger. Captain Cragen arrives with NYPD backup, including ESU rescue personnel, and once Katherine is out of the wreckage, she's loaded into one of the FDNY Ambulances, Cragen tells Olivia that NYPD are locking down all intersections between the crash site and Mercy Hospital so the ambulance gets there quickly, and the ambulance screams off towards Mercy as the FDNY Paramedics perform an emergency delivery in the ambulance. Katherine delivers a healthy baby boy, but as she cradles the newest member of the Stabler family in her arms, she passes out, as the monitor shows her going into cardiac arrest as her heartbeat is crashing. The paramedics radio ahead to Mercy to prepare the E.R. and Trauma Room as they work to try and save Katherine's life, while Olivia, now holding the baby, watches helplessly as Katherine's heartbeat flatlines.

Matt files for custody of Tommy, but while Jake does show up with him, he sends him with another detective and leaves. Tommy fears they have abandoned him, and when Stabler and Benson look for them, they find Leah dead at the house and no sign of Jake, assuming he went up to his place in North Forks to commit suicide. Stabler heads up to confront Jake while Olivia takes Katherine to see the doctor. Stabler reaches Jake and is able to talk to him before having him arrested, while Elliot calls to check up on Olivia and Katherine.

Olivia was able to take Katherine to the doctor, but on the way back, just after Olivia hangs up from her call with Elliot, Olivia's car is broadsided by a black car, leaving Katherine severely wounded. Olivia is unharmed, and retrieving her handheld radio, she notifies dispatch that she needs the FDNY at her location. She climbs out of the wreckage as the FDNY arrive with a Battalion Chief, Ladder Company, Engine Company, and FDNY EMS personnel, but as they realize someone needs to get in to place a collar on Katherine to ensure she doesn't have spinal injuries, Olivia climbs back in to do so. Katherine soon regains consciousness, only to reveal that her water's broken and she's going into labor. Instructed by the FDNY firefighters trained as [=EMTs=], Olivia is able to give Katherine fluids as the firefighters work to use the Jaws of Life to remove the crumpled roof from the car to get Katherine out, as she whimpers that her contractions are getting stronger. Captain Cragen arrives with NYPD backup, including ESU, and once Katherine is out of the wreckage, she's loaded into one of the FDNY Ambulances, Cragen tells Olivia that NYPD are locking down all intersections between the crash site and Mercy Hospital so the ambulance gets there quickly, and the ambulance screams off towards Mercy as the FDNY Paramedics perform an emergency delivery in the ambulance. Katherine delivers a healthy baby boy, but as she cradles the newest member of the Stabler family in her arms, she passes out, as the monitor shows her going into cardiac arrest as her heartbeat is crashing. The paramedics radio ahead to Mercy to prepare the E.R. and trauma room as they work to try and save Katherine's life, as Olivia, now holding the baby, watches helplessly as Katherine's heartbeat flatlines.

!!This episode provides examples of: