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"Closet"
SVU, Episode 9.16
Production number: 9016
First aired: 22 April 2008
  {{{nNthProducedInSeries}}}th of 502 produced in SVU  
{{{nNthReleasedInSeries}}}th of 502 released in SVU
  {{{nNthReleasedInAll}}}th of 1271 released in all  
Lincoln Haver
Written By
Ken Storer

Directed By
Peter Leto

Summary[]

Benson and Stabler probe the murder of an investment banker. Elsewhere, Benson starts dating a newspaper editor, but his work conflicts with her position at the department.

Plot[]

After a gay man is murdered, they investigate suspects with the prime suspect being a star professional football quarterback Lincoln Haver who is a closeted gay man.

Tucker interviews Benson and soon reveals that he went through her phone. He discovered that she was talking to a reporter named Kurt Moss and accused her of leaking information to him. However Benson explains that she and Moss having actually been dating. Tucker asks if anyone knows and Benson denies that, as he accuses her of lying but she once again states she and Moss have been dating. Now convinced, Tucker believes Moss was using her.

After the interview Benson has been suspended with pay, which Stabler and Cragen being angry with Tucker. However Tucker informs them Benson has been seeing a reporter while taunting them on not knowing about this.

Stabler visits Moss who is aware of who he is. Stabler asks Moss to tell IAB that Benson is not his source. However, he refuses to name who is. He also asks Stabler if he did not think it odd that Benson did not mention their relationship, but Stabler says he respects her privacy. Benson then comes in and questions things and Moss decides to help clear the matter, despite her protests. With this Stabler leaves, with Benson apologizing and Moss showing no ill will. However, Moss brings up her attitude of handling things alone before he starts questioning why she doesn't move in with him. She tells him it's complicated but promises to talk later and kisses him goodbye.

The quarterback is "outed" in the media during the investigation apparently due to Olivia accidentally revealing his secret, and he becomes a beating victim himself. The quarterback, Lincoln Haver, is convicted of the murder despite his lawyer using the fact that he has brain damage from football as a defense.

At the trial, it turns out Lincoln is the victim's husband (they had secretly married in Canada). Regardless, Lincoln is charged with the murder and convicted. After the trial is over, Benson and Stabler witness Lincoln's agent Gary on TV with a new football player and reveals that he'd found Lincoln kissing the dead man in the bathroom when he claimed he didn't know. The two search his apartment and find the murder weapon and he confesses to the crime as well as outing Lincoln. Lincoln is released from prison, he thanks the detectives for his release but is no longer able to play, due to his permanent brain damage. Lincoln remarks on the irony of football giving him everything but then took it away. The detectives watch as he solemnly walks off.

Cast[]

Main cast[]

Recurring cast[]

Guest cast[]

References[]

Quotes[]

Benson: Looks like he died laughing.
Dr. Warner: Or screaming.

Stabler: 'Scuse me. Your manager around?
Candayce: You're looking at her. Mm. I'm Candayce. You wanna join my club, handsome?

Stabler: Where were you last night?
Freddie Ramirez: Hanging with friends.
Stabler: Doing what?
Freddie Ramirez: Stuff.
Stabler: Where?
Freddie Ramirez: Around.
Stabler: Okay, hey -- I want you to start answering my questions in complete sentences.

Benson: So some football player is gay, what is the big deal?
Stabler: Look, it is. You got millions of kids with these guys' posters hanging off their walls. They idolize 'em.
Benson: As long as he's sleeping with women.
Stabler: Lincoln Haver is my kid's hero.
Benson: Well, let's go pay him a visit. Maybe Linc will sign an autograph for Dickie.

Benson: [about Lincoln Haver] How screwed up is this? Our perp is now the victim.

Cragen: What the hell did you two do?
Benson: Uh, not what you think.
Cragen: Tell that to the gay rights groups picketing one PP.
Stabler: We never talked to sportsman Larry.
Cragen: Well, somebody did. The brass is demanding a full investigation.
Stabler: You're joking.
Cragen: I wish.

Tucker: Paper went to press before Larry's broadcast. Now explain why you called Mr. Moss last night.
Benson: We've been dating.
Tucker: Who knows about it?
Benson: No one.
Tucker: So you're creating this fictional booty call to save your own ass.
Benson: He's my boyfriend.
Tucker: And you're his source.

Stabler: You're a son of a bitch.
Tucker: Your partner has been sleeping with an editor at The Ledger for months.
Stabler: Get outta here.
Tucker: Well, you obviously don't know Detective Benson as well as you think.
Stabler: I know she'd never torpedo a case.
Tucker: Forgive me if I questioned your judgment, but you didn't even know she was screwing the paper boy.

Kurt Moss: You two have worked together for a long time. There must be a reason why she didn't tell you about me.
Stabler: Hey, pal, her personal life is her business. I'm here trying to save her job. Now if you care for her you'll help me.
Kurt Moss: What do you want?
Stabler: Tell IAB Olivia wasn't the source of the leak.
Benson: What are you doing here?
Stabler: I'm trying to convince your boyfriend to give you a hand.
Benson: I don't need help from either of you.

Cragen: Lincoln Haver is out of his coma. One PP wants him locked up.
Stabler: Oh, so yesterday, he was the victim of a hate crime, and we were getting grilled.
Cragen: And today, the media has moved on. The brass doesn't want a murderer getting special treatment because he's gay or a football player.

Benson: I outed you. I'm sorry.
Lincoln Haver: It was bound to happen. You have any leads on his killer?
Stabler: Lincoln, we're here to arrest you.

Novak: We have DNA access to the apartment, motive and Lincoln's confession. You're client doesn't even have an alibi.
Rebecca Balthus: My client doesn't know what happened that night. He's confused.
Novak: What, he confused committing murder with a little slap and tickle?

Casey Novak: [about Haver and Haines's marriage in Canada] I got blindsided today. How did you miss their "Big Fat Gay Wedding?"

Benson: D'ya want another one?
Stabler: I can't.
Benson: You know, I just broke up with Kurt, and you said you'd be there for me.
Stabler: I am. Eli's driving Kathy crazy.
Benson: I'm kidding, go home.

Stabler: Love sucks.
Gary Lesley: Yeah, doesn't love--Screw love!

Lincoln Haver: I had it all. Career, someone I loved... football gave me everything. And then took it all away.


Background information and notes[]

  • Benson alludes to the events of this episode when dealing with another quarterback with brain damage in the episode "Spiraling Down".
  • During the protest about "outing", a protester's poster is upside-down.
  • A closeted gay football player is also a plot point in the episode "Gridiron Soldier".

Episode scene cards[]

1 2 3

Williams House
210 Essex Street
Friday, March 7

Practice Field
Bronx, New York
Monday, March 10

Apartment Building of
Lincoln Haver
352 Franklin Street
Monday, March 10

4 5 6

Office of Kurt Moss
New York Ledger
137 West 58th Street
Tuesday, March 11

Mercy General Hospital
365 West 32nd Street
Wednesday, March 12

Arraignment
Part 44
Wednesday, March 12

7 8 9

Neuropsych Lab
Wednesday, March 12

Trial Part 44
Monday, April 7

Trial Part 44
Tuesday, April 8

Previous episode:
"Undercover"
"Closet"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Season 9
Next episode:
"Authority"
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