Written By Patrick Harbinson
Directed By David Platt
A van containing two young children ends up in the river and Beck finds herself drawn to the young girl, Eden, who stays with her over the course of the investigation. A tape found in the vehicle turns up a rather controversial attachment therapy technique called a "Re-birthing" ritual that saw a nine-year-old die. Beck tries to save Eden, only to find herself torn when it seems as though there is nothing she can do to help and Eden nearly burns down her apartment in a suicide attempt brought on by the abuse she suffered at the hands of her previous foster home.
This episode provides examples of:
- And Starring: "Special Guest Star Connie Nielsen" and the regular guest stars lineup ending "With Viola Davis and Ken Howard".
- Artifact Title: The episode's villains lock the children in cages.
- Break the Cutie:
- The episode revolves around physically and mentally-ill children being further traumatized by abuse within the foster system.
- This case, specifically the suicide attempt at the end, proves to be the last straw for Dani Beck and she leaves the Special Victims Unit as a result.
- Downer Ending: The episode ends with Dani leaving SVU and Eden back to the foster care system, despite the perps answering for their actions.
- Harmful to Minors: The Gablers subject their adopted children to corporal punishments.
- Interrupted Suicide: Eden tries to commit suicide, but Dani stops her just in time.
- Kill It with Fire: Eden attempted to commit suicide by walking to a fire.
- Living Emotional Crutch: Eden becomes overly reliant on Dani to function. Dani is eventually overwhelmed and ultimately had to reject her.
- Love Triangle: There is visible tension when Kathy arrives at the hospital to visit Elliot (who was stabbed) and sees Dani there.
- Murder-Suicide: Discussed. When Dani interrupts Eden's suicide attempt, she scolds the girl that she could've killed them both for starting a fire. Eden replies that she would be okay with that since it means they'll be together.
- Put on a Bus: Dani ultimately finds out that she can't handle the victims anymore and leaves.
- Troubling Unchildlike Behavior: The episode tackles Reactive Detachment Disorder, or RAD, a rare, but serious lifelong disorder, in which a child is unable normal, healthy relationships. For specifics;
- Marc is prone to violence, attacking both Huang and Stabler.
- Eden is a six year old girl who is both suicidal and has mental breakdowns.
- Yandere: Eden becomes so reliant on Dani to the point that she's okay if they die as long as they're together.
