Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 24 Episode 12 Review: Blood Out

A lot goes down on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 24 Episode 12, “Blood Out.” But in the essence of the show’s true nature, let’s leave Benson and Stabler for last, shall we?

The episode does give Fin the opportunity to show why he has been such a constant for so long. It also teases with the possibility of finding a replacement for Amanda — and at least it’s a good one.

Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to Duarte and, unless they decide to go the supernatural route, he is not coming back. His death makes sense for the storyline, but it’s disappointing that we won’t see him push Benson’s buttons once more.

Let’s Talk About Bruno

Bruno joined Law & Order: SVU a couple of episodes ago and has been working with Fin ever since. It wasn’t obvious if this dynamic would work since Fin has always been skeptical of new partners.

However, this match seems made in heaven, and the two are always on the same page. Bruno is the perfect combination of Benson’s heart and Fin’s attitude — probably why he fits so well.

This time around, “Blood Out” sets the two men on a different case than the rest of the unit as they find a rape victim in a trash truck. With Fin’s experience and Bruno’s empathy, they are able to connect with the victim and solve the case.

It is interesting to watch the show present two cases at the same time as it is something Law & Order: SVU used to do in the good old days.

The problem here is everyone is so invested in Benson that it gives this new case little room to grow.

Nevertheless, it gives Fin the opportunity to continue proving himself. There is a reason this man has lasted on SVU for as long as he has. His value is far greater than he gives himself credit for.

While Fin is still in The Bronx, Benson comes back to Manhattan SVU to find the precinct empty, reminding her of all the people who have left her.

This sets the tone for her and Fin to have a very honest conversation in which they call each other best friend and sister.

Their relationship is one of the best on Law & Order: SVU.

Fin has always been there for Olivia in his own way, making sure she is okay. Now that Amanda is gone, he is taking a more present friend role — Benson even jokes about calling him Amanda.

It is because of this connection they have that Fin feels free to suggest Bruno joins their team. However, the circumstances in which he makes the suggestion could have been better.

Hopefully, this isn’t the last of Bruno and he will come back. He brings a freshness to the show that we expected to get from Muncy, but haven’t fully received.

The Oscar Papa of it All

After the attack, it was obvious this case would be personal for Benson. Her son was the target and now he has to stay away until this is resolved.

Once again, this storyline brings out some of Mariska Hargitay’s best acting as you can tell she is fully immersed in the plot. Her interactions with Oscar Papa show Benson is a mother willing to do anything for her son.

But the interactions with Duarte also reveal how she is feeling about the case. And more importantly, they let us see who Duarte really is.

During the court scene, Duarte reveals why he is so set on capturing Oscar Papa and ending BX9. Yes, he wants to stop gang members, but he truly wants to bring peace to his neighborhood.

This shows us a more humane side to a detective who had gotten on Olivia’s nerves and put the life of her son at risk. She seems to notice it as well.

In true nature to every detective or lawyer on Law & Order: SVU, it looks like Duarte is also falling for Benson’s charm. They share a drink and a laugh, finally getting the two of them on the same page and good terms.

However, the night takes a turn for the worst and Duarte is murdered — machete style to show him he cannot come for BX9.

It is then that Oscar Papa confesses. The confession feels a bit rushed, but it makes sense that after taking out the one detective who had been after him for years, Oscar Papa is ready to call it quits.

At least on the outside, because he does mention a huge part of his gang is in prison and he will be in touch with them.

What is extremely disappointing is his confession only goes as far as Duarte, and he refuses to confess for the rapes. It would have been decent to see him pay for everything, but his sentence is long enough for him to never walk out.

His promise to not touch Benson’s son seems real, and hopefully this is the last we see of BX9.

The Elephant in the Room

Promo for “Blood Out” promised a hug and face grabbing between Benson and Stabler that the episode does not deliver. This is probably what will infuriate fans the most when it comes to the episode.

Teasing comes with every show, but when it continues to happen to grab fans’ attention and then deliver less than two minutes of a scene with deleted moments, it gets old.

Benson mentions to Carisi that Stabler is picking Noah up because he is the only person she trusts with her son’s life. This makes perfect sense.

In moments of distress, Benson has always relied or wanted to rely on Stabler. The Lewis Saga being the perfect example as she said her old partner would have known what to do.

So, she tasks Stabler with the one assignment she cares about the most. She does it once things have calmed down because she knows how he would have reacted otherwise.

And then comes the moment everyone had been waiting for. The scene that made people who don’t usually watch the show tune in to see if Benson and Stabler finally kissed.

To everyone’s disappointment (but probably no surprise), they in fact do not kiss.

The editing of the scene seems to have been done last minute and very rushed. The placement of their faces and the distance between the two of them changes with every second.

One moment their faces are touching, the next Olivia’s head is completely distanced from him. Is this because there are multiple scenarios of this scene, and Law & Order: SVU combines all of them? We will never know the truth.

If we analyze the moment between these former partners, the scene (minus its editing) is perfect. They are both finally admitting to each other that they want to be together.

Benson says she wants him, but is afraid things won’t work out. After years of therapy, Benson is opening up. It is still sad to see she doesn’t fully believe she deserves happiness.

Everyone is so focused on the will they/won’t they of it all that we forget the biggest issue “Blood Out” presents: Velasco.

We have always known Velasco isn’t afraid to bend the rules and play with the truth, but how far will he go? Clearly, far enough to do something illegal.

Benson doesn’t have the emotional capacity during this episode to deal with the evidence that Churlish (who hopefully will come back) brings to her, but this issue needs to be addressed. What Velasco does cannot go unnoticed.

Hopefully, in upcoming episodes of Law & Order: SVU Benson will simultaneously accept she deserves happiness and go after Stabler and Velasco for the mistake (crime) he made (committed).

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Law & Order: SVU airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.

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