Written By Amanda Green
Directed by David Platt
A woman (Karen Goberman) suffering a high-risk, potentially fatal pregnancy is kidnapped as she approaches her delivery date, leaving detectives to try and determine which of their multiple suspects actually committed the crime. The persons of interests are her ex-boyfriend and the father of her unborn child (Gabriel Olds), his new girlfriend (Kellie Martin) and his would-be mother-in-law (Shirley Knight).
This episode provides examples of:
- Accidental Murder:
- Daniel accidentally shoves the ransom collector towards a speeding van.
- Rose Granville was the one who had Annika kidnapped. She only meant to scare her away from her daughter and Daniel's lives but since Annika suffered Death by Childbirth, Rose becomes guilty of first degree murder in addition to kidnapping.
- During the investigation, Melinda Granville becomes aware of what her mother has done but chooses not to tell the authorities, thus technically committing Murder by Inaction.
- Actor Allusion: This isn’t the first time Shirley Knight guest starred in a season premiere of SVU as a Bitch in Sheep's Clothing with blood on her hands.
- And Starring: Shirley Knight in the guest-stars lineup.
- The Baby Trap: The main reason Rose Granville had Annika kidnapped, as she believes that either Annika will use the baby to goad Daniel into leaving Melinda or Daniel's old feelings would resurface and would leave on his own accord.
- Beach Episode: Annika was kept in an abandoned beach house.
- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Rose Granville projects herself as an upstanding citizen, but she's not above arranging for someone to be left alone to die.
- Bittersweet Ending: Leaning towards the bitter. Kidnapper Greg Jezic is dead, and his boss Rose Granville is off to death row for ordering Annika Bergeron's kidnapping and murder, and Daniel and Annika's child Celia is safe and now in Daniel's custody. However, Annika is dead, and Daniel and Melinda's relationship is ruined after it's revealed that she chose to be complicit with her mother's abduction of Annika.
- Chekhov M.I.A.: Annika Bergeron is the Victim of the Week, but she's missing throughout the episode, and locating her and her soon-to-be-born child is the episode's main plot.
- Chekhov's Skill: Elliot helped deliver all four of his children, and thus he immediately knows what to do when he and Fin find Annika in labor.
- Death by Childbirth: Annika has a high-risk pregnancy and was abducted. Her OB-GYN informs the detectives that if she goes into labor and doesn't get medical attention right away, she will probably die. She goes into labor while she's being held captive, and dies minutes after giving birth.
- Downer Beginning: The Season 5 premiere ends with a Death by Childbirth and the child's father having a Broken Pedestal for his fiancée and (especially) her mother.
- Foreshadowing:
- Munch sarcastically remarks that maybe Annika is somewhere near a body of water.
- Rose Granville is in clear Tranquil Fury when detailing the story of her husband's infidelity.
- Lingerie Scene: Olivia and Elliot telling Daniel that he is the father of Annika's baby happened in Daniel and Melinda's bedroom.
- Murder the Hypotenuse:
- Melinda Granville commits this via Murder by Inaction — she becomes aware of her mother's kidnapping of Annika during the on-going case but didn't tell the authorities.
- Subverted with Rose Granville. While she had Annika kidnapped to scare her away from her daughter and Daniel's lives, she wasn't planning to kill Annika and didn't account for Annika's Death by Childbirth; regardless, she shows no remorse whatsoever that Annika died.
- My Beloved Smother: Rose Granville opts to remove Annika from Melissa and Daniel's lives on her own accord. While Melinda didn't rat her out to the authorities, she's visibly pissed at her mother's actions.
- One-Steve Limit: Melinda Granville and Recurring Character Melinda Warner, the latter of whom is mentioned by name despite not appearing.
- Pregnant Hostage: Annika Bergeron, the Victim of the Week. Her poor health complicates matters, and the detectives have to find her within 36 hours or she and the baby will die.
- Rags to Riches: Daniel Lester didn't want to be a Starving Artist like Annika, so he begins working for the Granville's company as an architect, and then becomes engaged to his boss' daughter.
- Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!: When Daniel Lester is charged, Rose Granville remarks that her lawyer will talk to the D.A. since the last two went to law school together.
- Sex with the Ex: Daniel and Annika had a one-night stand months after their breakup. Them conceiving from this is what kick-started the plot.
- Spoiler Title: Anyone surprised the episode had a Downer Ending?
- Two First Names: A man named Daniel Lester is one of the episode's central guest characters.
- Undying Loyalty: Daniel Lester's best friend from prison refuses to rat him out.
- Uptown Girl: Daniel Lester came from a poor background and is set to marry the wealthy Melinda Granville.
- Wham Line: Elliot hearing a weakened "Help!" in the beach.
- What You Are in the Dark: Melinda Granville didn't tell the authorities that her mother was the one who had Annika kidnapped despite condemning her actions.
- Woman Scorned: Rose Granville never got over her husband (and Melinda's father) cheating on her and leaving her for her former secretary. Seeing how Daniel conceived a child with his ex-girlfriend is enough for her to have Annika murdered to ensure her daughter and Daniel will be Happily Married.
- You Have 48 Hours: Even less with 36 hours, as finding Annika within that time frame is the objective or else her pregnancy could be fatal (which ultimately happened).
