Written By Julie Martin and Warren Leight
Directed By Nick Gomez
After leaving Benson's promotion party at her apartment, Amaro and Rollins, both still tipsy, get involved in the pursuit of a suspected drug dealer. A standoff between the suspect, Amaro, and another officer leads to gunfire and an unarmed teenage African American boy is gravely wounded. When the revelation that the boy is unarmed, the SVU squad struggles to keep IAB Lt. Tucker and recently assigned Detective Cassidy (who is in the midst of vying for an IAB slot) from jumping to conclusions and painting Amaro as using excessive force. As the case becomes a public spectacle and more evidence against Amaro is brought forward, special prosecutor Derek Strauss (Greg Germann) pushes for a grand jury indictment and Amaro begins to wrestle over whether he did the right thing or not...and whether his badge is even worth saving. Meanwhile, Cragen announces his retirement from the NYPD and the office is officially turned over to Benson.
Tropes
- Armor-Piercing Question: An African American woman asks Amaro in the court whether he thinks he has done the right thing. It is evident that that question triggers something in him as he is ridden with guilt but convinced of having acted according to his training and therefore nothing to regret.
- Curse Cut Short: Rita Calhoun triumphantly declares her opponents will be "tripping all over their...ties," looking as if it is a mighty struggle not to say "dicks".
- Mistaken for Racist: Amaro is accused of having shot the boy because he was African American.
- Put on a Bus: Captain Don Cragen retires from the NYPD.
- Workaholic : Cragen mentions that he had devoted his life to the NYPD and forgot to live and spend enough time with his wife as a result. He advices Benson to not repeat this mistake.
