The first installment of the Neal Baer era is a doozy, pitting our intrepid SVUs against the defense-industrial complex. In a momentary distraction from family time, which became all too common during his time on the Unit, Elliot Stabler is pulled away from his family--in this case Maureen, a daughter who follows instructions POORLY--for a case in which he literally cannot help but become embroiled. Sure, jurisdiction and the vic's very speculative status as a special victim as it burned to a crisp are real-life hurdles that are completely ignored as Stabler and the Unit dig into the vic's eventually uncovered extremely terrible past.

Along the way, we find out that the US government paved the way for an especially odious pedo to victimize innocent youths without any roadblocks or pushback. We also get a Stabler traumatized for the first time and the introduction of one of the most beloved characters in the entire L&O universe. Fun is had amidst the tragic but fairly realistic world in which our victims live.

Sources:

Historical New York City Crime Date - New York City Police Department

Killings in the U.S. are dropping at historic rates. Will anyone notice? - David Lauter, Los Angeles Times

Most people think the U.S. crime rate is rising. They’re wrong. - Ken Dilanian, NBC News

Defund the Police? New York City already did. - Nicole Gelinas, Manhattan Institute

Military Spending by Country - World Population Review

Music:

Divorcio Suave - "Munchy Business"

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Next Week's Episode: Season 21, Episode 15 "Swimming with the Sharks"