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"Quarry"
SVU, Episode 6.13
Production number: E5217
First aired (US): 25 January 2005
First aired (UK): 27 June 2005
First aired (CAN): 25 January 2005
First aired (AUS): 18 May 2005
  th of 502 produced in SVU  
th of 502 released in SVU
  th of 1271 released in all  
Avery Shaw
Written By
Jose Molina

Directed By
Constantine Makris

Summary[]

A tip leads Benson and Cragen to the body of a seven-year-old boy, missing since 1980, and the detectives think the new information was a ploy to help the suspected killer, on death row for another murder, delay his execution.

Plot[]

During the talk, Benson realizes Biggs himself was molested as a child and he confirms it by revealing that his father abandoned him as an infant and he looked to another man he trusted as a father figure but that person abused him. Biggs breaks down in anguish, as he finally realizes the damage he had caused to so many children. He soon states that he did not tell anyone about Deacon but directs Benson to Avery Shaw, who used to follow Deacon everywhere and the latter had eyes on him.

The detectives raid Avery's apartment where they learn that Avery was stalking Deacon for years, including his college graduation and wedding. Munch also discovers that Avery was stalking Benson as well, with newspaper clippings of her acts on his wall. He remarks that Benson was a special cop in the eyes of Avery.

The detectives soon discover Avery was really the one who sent Benson the letters and it is revealed that Avery was molested by Deacon as a child, as well as the fact that he unwillingly helped Deacon bury Jeffrey Ronsen. The detectives then learn Avery has a child with his ex-girlfriend Kimber who refuses to give him up before they threaten to arrest her for being uncooperative. As they bring her out in cuffs, Avery promptly appears on the scene and tells the detectives that he won't protest and he is arrested.

Avery is then brought in and reveals to Benson that he stalked her because he sensed a kindred spirit in her and figured that she would be the best cop to take down Deacon. He admits to killing Deacon, since he saw they went after Biggs instead and his reason for shooting Deacon was not because of his rape but because he saw the latter viewing his latest tape, which was of Deacon molesting another kid. Hearing this, Cragen sends Munch, Benson, and O'Halloran to check out Avery's story before he asks Novak to arraign Avery that night.

The detectives raid Deacon's apartment and find a tape of Deacon with a young boy, just as Avery said. They soon locate a camera in the vents to see who his last victim was.

While in court, Avery is confessing to the crime and pleading guilty. However, at the same time Benson and Munch along with O'Halloran discover footage of Avery breaking in while threatening Deacon at gunpoint. Avery is asking if Deacon molests his son like that and Deacon is confessing to more deeds. It is also revealed Deacon molested kids because of his past trauma and chose Avery because he was vulnerable. It soon turns out that Avery did not shoot Deacon and tossed the gun on the couch before he left the apartment. The detectives fast forward and find out Deacon got a call and left while taking the gun with him. They soon realize Julia, Deacon's widow was the culprit because she was the only one who called him before he died.

They bring in Julia who tries to feign ignorance until Benson reveals a tape of her husband molesting their son. Overcome with grief, Julia confessed to learning of Biggs' raping Deacon to explain his lack of interest in her and it turns out that she learned about Deacon possibly hurting their son who confirmed it for her. Julia called Deacon that night and threatened to go to the cops before he came over with the gun. After a struggle, Julia took the gun and threatened him but he promised to leave them alone. However, Julia was overcome with rage about him hurting her son and followed Deacon before she forced him to drive to the tracks, where she shot him.

In holding, Avery reveals to Benson that he is aware of what Julia did to her husband but wants to take responsibility because he felt he should have stopped Deacon. He also reveals his fear of turning into Deacon and hurting his own son or other kids, since Deacon and Biggs followed the cycle. Benson consoles him by telling him that because he did not shoot Deacon, he is nothing like him. Avery is subsequently released before he is reunited with Kimber and their son Theo before Avery holds him.

Cast[]

Main cast[]

Recurring cast[]

Guest cast[]

References[]

Quotes[]

Cragen: [to Olivia] You want a cup of coffee?
Benson: Yeah, and two eggs over easy, some hash browns and toast. [Cragen gives her a look] Coffee's fine.

Cragen: [to Dr. Huang] Then tell me this, Doc. Why didn't Deacon admit to Olivia that Biggs molested him?
Dr. Huang: When you've been lying to everyone for 25 years, the lie becomes like a cancer, it just keeps spreading until it's out of control.
Benson: By now, it's bigger than he is.

Munch: Deacon killed Jeffrey Ronsen?
Benson: It wasn't shame that drove him to suicide, it was guilt. My victim is my perp.

[Benson has one last interview with Lucas Biggs on death row]
Benson: Somebody murdered Deacon Brinn. Somebody you knew that you abused him.
Biggs: I never abused Deacon or any of the boys. I loved them.
Benson: Your love ruined their lives.
Biggs: I didn't do anything wrong.
Benson: Come on, Lucas. You know that's not true.
Biggs: What'd I do wrong? I was born with these feelings. I don't know why I have them. They were always there. Wasn't exactly like I had a choice.
Benson: Neither did the 117 boys you molested.
Biggs: I never hurt them. It never hurt me.
Benson: You were abused.
Biggs: [after a moment of pause] My father left when I was a baby. And when I was about 9, this man moved across the street. He was the only one I could talk to. He loved me, he cared for me. And touching me was how he showed it.
Benson: I'm sorry.
[Biggs starts to break down in tears]
Biggs: I never meant to hurt the boys!
Benson: Lucas, Deacon Brinn is dead. And the killer knew what you did to him. Just tell me who you told.
Biggs: No one!
Benson: There has to be somebody. In jail. Somebody who knew you back then. Somebody who knew about you and Deacon.
Biggs: There was a little boy. He used to follow Deacon and Jeffrey around. And Deacon used to look at him the way I looked at boys.
Benson: What was his name?
Biggs: Avery. His name was Avery.

Kimber Faulk: When it came to having children, Avery didn't just have issues; he had a subscription. Someone really screwed him up when he was a kid.

Benson: [to Avery Shaw] You could've gone to anybody in this precinct with what you knew. Why me?
Avery Shaw: I read about you in the papers about how you never sleep when you're on a case, about how your whole life is about helping kids.
Benson: Same with my partner, same with any of my colleagues. You singled me out, you stalked me for weeks. Why?
Avery Shaw: There was just something about you. I knew you would understand. You and me, we're so alike.
Benson: No, we're not alike. You killed a man.
Avery Shaw: So have you.
Benson: I didn't have a choice.
Avery Shaw: Neither did I.

Munch: We're looking for leads on Deacon's murder, not "America's Skankiest Home Videos".

Benson: How's Dickie?
Stabler: A handful. He's demanding cookie dough ice cream and "Jackass" 24-7. He reminds me so much of me, it's scary.
Benson: Didn't know you were a "Jackass" fan.
Stabler: I mean getting what I want. According to Kathy, it's not one of my more endearing qualities.
Benson: Before you and Kathy had kids, did you ever wonder how they were going to turn out.
Stabler: All the time, still do.
Benson: At least you know what you're passing on... half my genes are drunk and the other half are violent and cruel.

Background information and notes[]

  • When they are at the funeral of the boy and capturing signatures; They cut to the computer screen so Munch can verify who Robert Hooper is, Munch closes what appears to be the Outline and Numbering window in Microsoft Word. There is no reason for this window to be open, a search window would have fit much better.
  • This is the third episode in which Detective Olivia Benson has a stalker. Her first stalker was Richard White in the first season episode "Stalked". Her second stalker was Eric Plummer in the third season episode "Wrath". Her fourth stalker would be Brady Harrison in "Perverted". Benson's worst stalker by far is William Lewis.
  • One of the pictures of Benson that Avery Shaw put up is her in front of a shop in Chinatown from the episode "Debt".
  • Shaw mentions that Benson killed a man. At the time, Benson had killed two people in the line of duty Roger Silver in the episode "Disrobed" and Eric Plummer in the episode "Wrath".
  • Goof: It is said that Lucas Biggs played in the Independent League. The Independent League had not been created in the 1980s.
  • The opening scene of this episode is reused in the episode "Justice Denied" as a flashback. The suspect that Benson got the confession from is revealed to be Omar Pena.

Episode scene cards[]

1 2 3 4

Reutz & Son's
Funeral Home
855 Amsterdam Avenue
Friday, December 10

Sussex I State Prison
Waverly, Virgina
Friday, December 10

Tate Residence
Bronx, New York
Monday, December 13

Crime Lab
One Police Plaza
Tuesday, December 14

5 6 7

Apartment of
Deacon Brinn
175 West 77th Street
Wednesday, December 15

Apartment of
Kimber Faulk
344 East 13th Street
Thursday, December 16

Arraignment
Part 46
Thursday, December 16

Previous episode:
"Identity"
"Quarry"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Season 6
Next episode:
"Game"
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