Written by Judith McCreary
Directed By David Platt
A history of domestic violence on both sides blurs the waters regarding the alleged rape of the wife of an NYPD officer by said officer.
Tropes
- Domestic Abuse: The police officer and his wife apparently both like to smack each other around.
- Downer Ending: Jeffries leaves SVU for good. It's clear Cragen wishes he did things differently. Additionally, the husband/rapist is acquitted and he and his wife are seen passionately kissing, likely to resume their cycle of domestic violence.
- Frying Pan of Doom: The opening scene has the wife beaning her husband with a pot. A neighbor later remarks on her aim.
- Marital Rape License: The plot of the episode. It is discussed how the law recognizing a man can in fact rape his wife is a relatively recent thing. The jury finds him not guilty, but Cabot sees the case as a victory as she was the first to get this type of case past the Grand Jury, paving the way for someone else to succeed.
- Rape Discretion Shot: After she throws a frying pan at him, the cop is seen dragging his wife inside as she screams and struggles. The next scene is of her in the police station, reporting that she's been raped.
