Eli Stabler (Nicky Torchia) is framed for the murder of a young woman. Mariska Hargitay guest stars as Captain Olivia Benson from the Special Victims Unit.
Tropes
- Bearer of Bad News: Bell appears at Stabler's place to tell him that Wheatley is now a free man (as the DA is refusing to retry him).
- Call-Back: The situation with Eli mirrors Donald Cragen's situation in the SVU episode "Rhodium Nights" (with Eli waking up with a dead woman).
- Christmas Episode: The title for this episode.
- Crossover: This episode picks up right after the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episode "People Vs. Richard Wheatley"
- First Day from Hell: The cop who finds Eli - it's his 3rd day on the job. While conversing with him, the cop also mentions that he nearly quit on his first day.
- Freak Out: Eli is in such despair that he nearly commits suicide, but a cop talks him out of it.
- Funny Background Event: Bernadette puts up a Grumpy Bernie Sanders ornament on the tree.
- It's All My Fault: Bernadette blames herself for Eli's predicament.
- Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: Jet is hesitant to assist Stabler at first, as the murder took place in New Jersey (and therefore outside their jurisdiction), but Bell allows it.
- The Reveal: As soon as Stabler and Bell leave, Angela throws her cane away and walks without any effects to pour herself some wine - she has been faking being debilitated by the poison attack.
