| "Ballerina" | ||
|---|---|---|
| ← | SVU, Episode 10.16 | → |
| Production number: 100 First aired: 17 March 2009 | ||
 | ||
| Written By Daniel Truly Directed By Peter Leto | ||
Plot
A single murder suddenly turns into a scene with three bodies, leaving Benson and Stabler to work with a strip club owner to find a murderer whose motive may be more about righteousness than perversity.
Detectives suspect that the murder suspect was thrown out of a window to his death, and their investigation focuses on the suspect's wife, her nephew who lives with them, and their unusual special relationship.
Summary
Episode summary
Cast
Main cast
- Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler
- Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson
- Richard Belzer as Sergeant John Munch
- Ice-T as Detective Odafin Tutuola
- Michaela McManus as A.D.A. Kim Greylek (credit only)
- B.D. Wong as Dr. George Huang
- Tamara Tunie as M.E. Melinda Warner
- Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen
Recurring cast
- Stephanie March as A.D.A. Alexandra Cabot
- Robert Klein as Defense Attorney Dwight Stannich
- Mike Doyle as C.S.U. Detective Ryan O'Halloran
- Noel Fisher as C.S.U. Technician Dale Stuckey
- Lindsay Crouse as Judge D. Andrews
Guest cast
- Carol Burnett as Birdie Sulloway
- Vincent Curatola as Marv Sulloway
- Matthew Lillard as Chet Sulloway
- Yuval Boim as Ephraim Iskowitz
- Raquel Alamzan as Maricela
- Daniel Frith as Kevin
- James Stahl as Stan
- Erica Bradshaw as Court Clerk
- Dionne Audain as Woman on Street
References
- Tisa Flores
- Phillip Goldberg
Quotes
| “ | No one ever said that life was fair, only that it was eventful. | ” |
–Birdie Sulloway, after learning that she's dying of paraneoplastic syndrome | ||
- Birdie Sulloway: Can I ask you something?
- George Huang: Of course.
- Birdie Sulloway: What do you think happens when this old circus folds up its tents and… and moves on? Is there another town on the other side, or is it all just a lot of nothing?
- George Huang: Those kinds of questions aren't exactly my specialty.
- Birdie Sulloway: Oh Chet... 30 years at your Aunt Birdie's side, and you never learned not to cross her.
Background information and notes
- This episode marks the first appearance of serial killer Dale Stuckey (Noel Fisher).
- Carol Burnett (Birdie) really was a dancer; she did Caberet shows, on Broadway, and night clubs, most of which she actually listed in the episode.
- The scene playing on the bedroom wall was actual footage of Carol Burnett dancing.
Episode scene cards
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
Sulloway Residence |
The Bailarina Room |
Sulloway Residence |
| Previous episode: "Lead" |
"Ballerina" Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 10 |
Next episode: "Hell" |