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"Vanity's Bonfire"
SVU, Episode 14.07
Production number: 14008
First aired (US): 14 November 2012
First aired (UK): 27 November 2012
First aired (CAN): 15 November 2012
First aired (AUS): 14 February 2013
  th of 502 produced in SVU  
th of 502 released in SVU
  th of 1271 released in all  
Svu1407
Teleplay By
Gwendolyn M. Parker

Story By
Gwendolyn M. Parker & Warren Leight

Directed By
Michael Slovis

A baby kidnapped from a playground leads to a twisted case of lies, betrayal, and infidelity.

Summary[]

The abduction of a baby from a city playground quickly turns into a custody dispute when the kidnapper swears she is the child’s biological mother. She also claims the father is a high-powered legal expert, sending Detectives Benson and Amaro on an investigation that forever changes the lives of two unsuspecting families.

Plot[]

In court, Hannah's mother takes the fall for the crime, while Kent is guilty at his actions. As a result of both of his affair and lies, Hannah and her mother cut ties with him as they share one final embrace.

Cast[]

Main Cast[]

Recurring cast[]

Guest cast[]

References[]

  • Wendell Feeney
  • Erin Murphy

Quotes[]

Rollins: The dad videotaped Tessa getting sunscreen put on. I mean, is that what parents do now? Just record everything?
Amaro: Well, you don't want to miss a moment.
Rollins: If my mother took me to Walmart for the Easter photo and to the mall for the one with Santa, by the time my sister came around? No one even bothered with that.

Benson: Captain, I gotta tell you. By the look in her eye, Dia may have a connection to this baby.
Amaro: Well, what I saw in her eye was a whole lot of crazy.

Cragen: Dia Nobile made bail. She has a healthy bank account for a freelancer.
Benson: Well, she might have a silent partner. She's claiming that Tessa's father is Kent Webster.
Cragen: Kent Webster? He's on the short list for the Supreme Court. She's a former yoga instructor. On what planet do these two cross paths?

Dia Nobile: I'm not a stalker. Ken loves me.
Rollins: He's got a funny way of showing it.

Dr. Warner: You do know, even if it turns out that Kent is the biological father, there's no way I can prove he knew about the baby.
Rollins: Oh, he knew. I mean, come on, the sexting, the burner cell. He knocked up his mistress and then dummied up a bunch of legal papers to keep her quiet. He's a sociopath.
Benson: He told her that this would be resolved within a year and now she's trying to remind him.
Rollins: You know, Kent did send her photos of his "king." Any way to verify?
Dr. Warner: Not without seeing the original in a similar state. You want to ask for that subpoena?

Benson: Gillian, if Hannah confronted Dia, a jury will understand her emotional state.
Gillian Webster: Would they? A jury would understand a 15-year-old being invited over there for an apology, and instead being shown a home-made sex video, so she could understand how truly beautiful their lovemaking was?
Benson: But if that's how this went down...
Gillian Webster: No, no, it didn't. People always talk about the joy. They say, "How sad it will be that you'll miss her: her first kiss, her wedding.." What parents really want is to protect their child. I'm... I'm begging you, let me protect my child. It's the last thing that I'll be able to do for her. Please?

Benson: [to Amaro] Gillian has made sure that Hannah gets counseling. For everything. The counselor is gonna report directly to me. Nick, I can do this on my own. If you have any doubts...
Cragen: [as he walks into the room] So Gillian's confession. She raised that heavy crystal and repeatedly struck Dia's head?
Benson: Mothers have been known to lift a car when their adrenaline's pumping.

Background information and Notes[]

  • This episode is similar to "Blood Brothers", as both cases have a wealthy man having an affair and conceiving a child and losing his family at the end.

Episode scene cards[]

1 2

Loft of
Dia Nobile
245 Vandam Street
Sunday, October 7

Law Offices of
Feeney, Braxton and Goldstein
Patchogue, Long Island
Monday, October 8

3 4 5

John Adams Law School
12 Washington Place
Tuesday, October 9

Chez Dumal
136 Duane Street
Wednesday, October 10

Superior Court
Part 10
Monday, October 15

Previous episode:
"Friending Emily"
"Vanity's Bonfire"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Season 14
Next episode:
"Lessons Learned"
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