Wikia

"Influence"
←	SVU, Episode 7.22	→
Production number: 07020 First aired: 16 May 2006
	th of 295 produced in SVU
←	th of 295 released in SVU	→
	th of 1021 released in all

Written By Ian Biederman Directed By Norberto Barba

After a bipolar teen crashes her car in a suicide attempt, a rock star campaigns for her right to refuse medication.

Plot Edit

After teenager Jamie Hoskins accuses two of her classmates of rape, it is then proved that it was consensual. After the truth is found out, Jamie attempts suicide as she mows down 9 pedestrians with her car. The detectives discover that Jamie is bipolar and off her medication. Jamie is charged with murder and then later released on her own recognizance after she agrees to stay on her medication. Soon after, rock star Derek Lord (who is known for his negative views on psychology) becomes involved in Jamie's case and Jamie stops taking her meds. As Jamie insists on listening to Derek Lord's advice not to take medication or take a deal, Novak has no choice but to take her case to trial. During the trial, Jamie stops taking her medication and is forced back on them. When Benson visits her, she is upset but somewhat more open to reason, finally accepting that her parents are the ones that care about her rather than Derek and she reveals what caused him to be sympathetic to her and her to believe in him: he was commited to a psyciatric institution as a child and had electro-convulsive therapy which destroyed a chunk his memories. Novak brings this up at trial along with the fact that it seemed to have helped him as he stopped trying to kill himself and is now a very succesful man. Jamie is found guilty of vehicular manslaughter, but Novak promises to ask to have her sentenced as a juvenile which would result in her being commited to a residental psyciatric facility. Novak later reveals the source of her strong convictions during the case to Benson: she was once engaged to a man who was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia and she couldn't handle it, broke off the engagment and last she heard he was homeless, leaving her with guilt that she didn't help him.

Summary Edit

Episode summary

Cast Edit

Main cast Edit

Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler
Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson
Richard Belzer as Detective John Munch
Diane Neal as A.D.A. Casey Novak
Ice-T as Detective Odafin Tutuola
B.D. Wong as Dr. George Huang
Tamara Tunie as Dr. Melinda Warner
Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen

Recurring cast Edit

Peter Riegert as Attorney Chauncey Zeirko
Stephen Gregory as Dr. Kyle Beresford
Jill Marie Lawrence as Attorney Cleo Conrad
Tom O'Rourke as Judge Mark Seligman
Audrie J. Neenan as Judge Lois Preston
Caren Browning as CSU Captain Judith Siper
William H. Burns as Officer Robbins

Guest cast Edit

References Edit

Bipolar Disorder, Anti-Depressants

Quotes Edit

Casey Novak: Did you attempt suicide again after you left the hospital?

Derek Lord: No.

Casey Novak: And you're a famous rockstar with millions of dollars. Isn't it possible that psyciatic theraphy didn't just improve your life but may in fact have saved it.

Derek Lord: And no offense, Ms. Novak, but you're a lawyer.

Casey Novak: And you're a rock star. So you'll understand if I don't defer to your expertise on the subject.

Background information and notes Edit

Derek Lord's rants on psychiatry are based on actor Tom Cruise's rants on Brooke Shields seeking treatment for her postpartum depression.

Episode scene cards Edit

1	2	3
Lanchester Preparatory 318 East 82nd Street Monday, March 13	Technical Assistance Response Unit Tuesday, March 14	Arraignment Part 22 Friday, March 17

4	5	6
Trial Part 53 Tuesday, April 11	Trial Part 53 Tuesday, April 11	Trial Part 53 Thursday, April 13

Previous episode:
"Web"

"Influence"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Season 7

Next episode:
"Informed"

Seasons 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14