Written By Jonathan Greene
Directed By Norberto Barba
A boy is found beaten to death on an amusement park ride. The mother claims a school bully is responsible, and further investigation reveals a ring of Taxi drivers who are operating a fighting ring where they bet on the outcomes of fights between their own children. The school bully was one such fighter and he was instructed by his stepfather to win the fights or he'd get beaten at home.
Tropes in this episode:
- Ambiguous Ending: Who shot and killed Hank? Nicky or Sandra? Not that it matters.
- Age-Gap Romance: There is only a decade between Hank and Sandra, but this is often treated as if it's very surprising and gives Sandra a reason to lie.
- Asshole Victim: No one mourns Hank after he abused Nicky and Sandra repeatedly and forced Nicky to beat Ethan to death.
- Bittersweet Ending: Hank is dead, Nicky and Sandra are free, but a little boy is still dead and Nicky will have to live with the guilt of killing him (albeit under duress).
- Boom, Headshot!: How Hank is killed.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: 13-year-old Nicky was put into a fight with the much younger and smaller Ethan. He protested, but his stepfather forced him to go along with it and to not hold back.
- Frame-Up: Hank has himself beat up by his cohorts and tries to frame Stabler for it. Stabler's history of roughing up perps and the fact that he did the same to Hank during questioning the day before doesn't help his case and it's only because Nicky decides to come clean that saves him.
- Hollywood Old: There is twelve years between Drea de Matteo and Adam Senn (Hank), and de Matteo was 39, but she's treated like an old woman with numerous pointed comments about her age and what Hank sees in her.
- I Am Spartacus: The episode ends with the squad asking who killed Hank. Nicky and Sandra simultaneously say "I did". With the evidence pointing to both equally, this is enough to ensure neither can be convicted.
- Locked Out of the Loop: Subverted. Benson only appears twice in this episode, and Stabler fills her in on Hank's death when Nicky initially confessed.
- Mama Bear: Subverted. Sandra only stayed with Hank and other abusive men to keep a roof over her and Nicky's head but she finally sees the light at the end and makes moves (either by killing Hank herself or taking the fall for Nicky doing it) to ensure that he can have a better future.
- Useless Bystander Parent: Sandra, although she ultimately snaps out of it (either by killing Hank to protect Nicky, or by taking the fall for him).
- Would Hurt a Child:
- Nicky was forced to hurt a 10 year old Ethan by Hank.
- Hank hits Nicky too, especially if Nicky loses a fight. Hank hit Nicky after Stabler secretly gave Nicky his business card.
- Would Hit a Girl: Hank also beats Sandra as well, but she doesn't press charges because he hits her where it's not possible for anyone to see.
- Villain of the Week: Hank Roberts.
