Law and Order
Register
Advertisement
"Scorched Earth"
SVU, Episode 13.01
Production number: 13003
First aired (US): 21 September 2011
First aired (UK): 11 March 2012
First aired (CAN): 21 September 2011
First aired (AUS): 19 January 2012
  {{{nNthProducedInSeries}}}th of 502 produced in SVU  
{{{nNthReleasedInSeries}}}th of 502 released in SVU
  {{{nNthReleasedInAll}}}th of 1271 released in all  
Svu1301
Written By
David Matthews

Directed By
Michael Slovis

Detective Benson investigates when a hotel maid accuses a powerful Italian diplomat of rape.

Summary

The detectives of the Special Victims Unit are called to the scene when a hotel maid reports being assaulted by Italian diplomat Robert Distasio. Bureau Chief Mike Cutter and ADA Alexandra Cabot prosecute the high-profile case, which quickly grows more complicated as the maid's credibility is publicly questioned. Detective Amanda Rollins joins the Manhattan SVU from Atlanta, while Benson struggles to cope with the fall-out from the shooting in the precinct.

Plot

The detectives are called to the scene when a hotel maid named Miriam Deng, who immigrated from Sudan 3 years ago, reports being raped by Italian diplomat Roberto Distasio, who is the head of the Global Economic Trust, and is favored to become Italy's next prime minister. Distasio claims that he has diplomatic immunity. Cabot and SVU Bureau Chief ADA Mike Cutter prosecute the high-profile case.

Miriam's injuries and the DNA evidence that was found in the hotel suite seem to indicate that Distasio is guilty, but the squad encounters many problems with the case, and once Distasio is indicted, the case falls apart when the defense team digs into Miriam's past in Sudan, and discovers inconsistencies in her story.

With Miriam's credibility in question, Cabot continues to prosecute the case, but the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict on the issue of the rape. They find Distasio not guilty of assault, but guilty of unlawful imprisonment.

Also, Detective Amanda Rollins, who has a degree in forensic science, joins the Manhattan SVU, transferring from Atlanta, Georgia, while Benson struggles to cope with the fall-out from the shooting in the squad room -- after being forced to kill teenager Jenna Fox, who was shooting up the squad room in an attempt to get to her mother Annette's killer, Eddie Skinner, Stabler felt guilt-ridden about shooting Jenna. Cragen tells Benson that Stabler has chosen to retire, which visibly upsets Benson.

Cast

Main Cast

Recurring Cast

Guest Cast

  • Franco Nero as Roberto Distasio
  • John Earl Jelks as Mr. Achok
  • Kathleen Garrett as Sofia Distasio
  • Anika Noni Rose as Miriam Deng
  • Alexander Blaise as Pietro Fedeli
  • Ben Van Bergen as Driver
  • Folake Olowofoyeku as Adisa
  • Kapil Bawa as Hotel GM
  • Helen Mendes as Jury Forewoman
  • Minerva Paz as Court Clerk
  • Juan Veza as Cabot's Junior ADA (uncredited)
  • Marcia M Francis as Maid/Protester (uncredited)
  • Shevy Berkovits Gutierrez as Squad Room Detective (uncredited)
  • Gil O'Brien as Reporter (uncredited)

References

Quotes

Munch: [about politicians] Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Cragen: [telling Benson that Stabler retired] Elliot put his papers in, there was nothing I could do.


Background information and notes

  • Mariska Hargitay now gets the "starring" billing in the opening credits, as Christopher Meloni (as Detective Elliot Stabler) is said to have left SVU by the end of the episode.
  • First episode showing Olivia speaking fluent Italian. Mariska Hargitay speaks 5 languages fluently: English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Hungarian.
  • The term "scorched earth" refers to a military policy of destroying all resources and materials in a territory so invading adversarial armies aren't capable of obtaining and utilizing them.
  • Kelli Giddish joins the cast as Detective Amanda Rollins and her first lines show a notable Southern accent.
  • Linus Roache appears in a recurring role of Bureau Chief Michael Cutter, reprising his role from the original Law & Order series, which had ended its first run in 2010 with the episode "Rubber Room".
  • Starting with this episode Tamara Tunie is moved from the main cast to a guest starring role once again.
  • This is the first time Stephanie March has appeared in a season opener since Season 4's opener, "Chameleon".
  • Rollins mentions that she studied the murder of Sarah Brown from "Mercy".
  • Cragen mentions that Elliot has been involved in six different shootings, including when he killed Detective Brad Kendall ("Risk"), killed an unnamed Snakehead ("Debt"), shot at Ray Schenkel ("Demons"), killed Christopher Rawlings ("Raw"), shot at Owen Cassidy ("Sugar"), and killed Jenna Fox ("Smoked").
  • As of this episode, SVU was the only series in the franchise to air following the cancellation of Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Law & Order: LA until 2017 when Law & Order True Crime premiered.
  • This is the first episode to feature Warren Leight as showrunner. Weight was previously showrunner for Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
  • Detectives or any officer above a patrol level cannot "transfer in" to a police department from another city. While this is commonly shown as happening on police shows, in fact the only law enforcement position ever filled laterally by an outsider on occasion is the chief. All others are promoted from within, and must meet police standards for the state in which they work. In the example shown here, a detective working for the Atlanta police department would need to resign, and then be hired by the NYPD, attend training, and become certified for New York. They would then start as a patrol officer, and after that be eligible for promotion under NYPD rules.

Episode scene cards

1 2 3

Arraignment Court
Part 11
Tuesday, June 28

Sutton Place Townhouse
16 Sutton Square
Wednesday, June 29

Pre-Trial Hearing
Part 42
Monday, August 8

4 5 6

Superior Court
Part 42
Tuesday, August 9

Superior Court
Part 42
Thursday, August 11

Superior Court Summation
Part 42
Thursday, August 11

Previous episode:
"Smoked"
"Scorched Earth"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Season 13
Next episode:
"Personal Fouls"
Seasons 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425
Advertisement