Written By Jonathan Greene
Directed By David Platt
A pediatrician (Lawrence Arancio) who was convicted of sexually assaulting his patients is murdered by a developmentally delayed young man (John Gallagher Jr.) suffering from the effects of lead exposure.
Tropes
- Asshole Victim: Pedophiliac doctor Gilbert Keppler was killed by Jeff Lynwood, one of his past victims.
- The Bus Came Back: Alex Cabot returns to the show after a four-year absence.
- Comfort Food: A twisted version. Because Jeffrey Lynwood has pica
, he ate or licked non-nutritive items, including his toy cars which had lead in them. - Continuity Nod:
- With the return of Alexandra Cabot, they reference her being placed in witness protection, as well as Velez and Liam Connors; the former recently died in prison while the latter was extradited to Ireland.
- Cabot explains that it was Jack Mccoy who asked her to come back.
- Both Judge Moredock and Judge Petrovsky, who have prior relationships with Alex, take a moment to welcome her back, although they also both make it clear they aren't going to go easy on her.
- Cabot and Moredock reference how she used to be Moredock's student in Constitutional Law
- Crying Wolf: One of Keppler's victims had previously made a false accusation against a teacher to escape punishment for smoking marijuana, which complicated things when he made a legitimate accusation against Keppler.
- Double-Meaning Title: The episode title creates this based on how it's pronounced. It can mean "lead" as in clues to solving a crime (as was the case when SVU investigated the crimes of Dr. Keppler, the Hospital, and Lynwood) or it can refer to lead poisoning which is what caused Lynwood's developmental disorders.
- Get Out!: Judge Moredock to Lionel Granger, after tearing him a new one for allowing his developmentally disabled client onto the witness stand.
- Golf Clubbing: Jeff Lynwood uses one to kill Dr. Gilbert Keppler.
- Non-Idle Rich: Jeff Lynwood obviously comes from a well-off family, but he still opts to work in a fast food chain.
- Put on a Bus: Kim Graylek departs the show after only half a season, making her the shortest tenured main cast member to date.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: After Lionel Granger puts Jeffrey on the witness stand despite his obvious mental difficulties, Judge Moredock calls him a disgrace to the bar and outright threatens to report him to the disciplinary committee.
- Refuge in Audacity: Shortly after Keppler is convicted for pedophilia, he sues SVU and his employers for not arresting him sooner.
- Spoiler Opening: The "Special Guest Star Stephanie March" citation kinda ruined the surprise return of Alex.
- Wham Line: The aforementioned Special Guest citation in the Spoiler Opening.
- Wham Shot: Alex, not Graylek, being the one to meet up with SVU following Keppler's murder.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Judge Moredock gives one to Cabot for prosecuting an obviously mentally disabled man.
