Written By Julie Martin and Warren Leight
Directed By Michael Smith
A prostitute is visited by one of her lovers before he goes on a killing spree throughout NYC. When she later goes missing herself, it's up to SVU to convince the wider NYPD that she's worth saving.
Tropes Include:
- Daddy Had a Good Reason for Abandoning You: Downplayed. Angela learning about Jeannie's prostitution messed her up, and decided to cut her off from her and her daughter's life so they can avoid being "tainted" by her. Fin had to stage a mini-intervention for Angela, telling her that Jeannie exhausted all options and that entering sex work was the only way she could give Angela and Johnny a better life than her.
- Halfway Plot Switch: The episode starts with SVU teaming up with the FBI to stop a rampaging serial killer on the loose. When he's dealt with, the episode then switches to the SVU trying to convince Jeannie to give up her life of prostitution.
- Hooker with a Heart of Gold: Jeannie is a loving mother, grandmother and daughter, a devout Catholic, and is also a sex worker.
- No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Jeannie risks her life to help the cops catch the killer and as a reward they "help" her by arresting her.
- Phone-Trace Race: Jeannie had to keep the perp talking on the phone in order for the FBI to trace his call. Especially unusual since in earlier episodes where they did this, it only took a few moments to trace a call whereas in this episode, it's a straight example of the trope.
- Secret Secret-Keeper: Jeannie tries so hard to make sure her son Johnny never learns of her profession, saying that he's the only one in the family that views her with any kind of respect. The ending has him reveal that he knew the entire time when he followed her one night, but unlike his sister Angela, Johnny understood why she let herself enter that life and never once shamed her for it.
- Then Let Me Be Evil: Angela's harsh rejection of Jeannie is basically the reason why she never tries to break out of prostitution.
