Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 24 Episode 19 Review: Bend the Law

At first glance, it seems like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 24 Episode 19, “Bend the Law,” will be history repeating itself by following a pattern in which a higher-up or their spouse is involved in a crime.

However, as the episode goes on, we come to realize Lorraine Maxwell is unlike any other boss we have seen in previous seasons of the show. She isn’t here to bend the law…or is she?

This episode puts Maxwell, Carisi, and Benson in a position they haven’t found themselves before, challenging them and their beliefs.

After underage girls are found performing sexual acts in a club where Maxwell’s husband is a member, it comes to the light that her husband is involved in what they believe is a sex trafficking ring.

The case is pretty straightforward. The girls are found minutes into the episode and they immediately tell Muncy and Bruno what is going on at the club.

When the men are interrogated, they call out Maxwell’s husband and shortly after evidence is found to confirm his involvement. That is when the facts of the case become less important than how the case will be resolved.

In previous episodes, Law & Order: SVU has had ADAs, judges, politicians, and cops involved in cases of sex trafficking and abuse. However, it always seemed like they had the perfect excuse and their spouses stood by them.

Lorraine Maxwell is the exception to the rule.

Every time Maxwell has come to the scene, we’ve known she is different from other people on the Eighth Floor.

She has always stood by Benson and shared similar views or agreed to follow her lead even when it wasn’t what she would have done. Benson has in turn reciprocated that.

That unspoken loyalty between the two women is very present throughout the episode. When Benson and Bruno show up to arrest her husband, Olivia is only speaking to Maxwell, keeping her eyes on her, and guaranteeing she isn’t embarrassed.

Because she understands her past, Benson understands what this new scandal means to Maxwell and wants to save her from the public embarrassment and the pain this trial will be causing her.

However, “Bend the Law” takes that loyalty a bit further when it becomes obvious to Olivia that Lorraine is lying about her husband’s death. Even though she promises to keep her in the loop of the investigation, she knows there is something Maxwell isn’t saying.

It is in that moment that we realize that Maxwell is in fact capable of bending the law to her own benefit. But this benefit is one that we can’t be mad about considering the man who died.

Law & Order: SVU Season 24 Episode 19, “Bend the Law,” is the first time all season when it finally feels like Carisi has found his footing.

It seems like Carisi always thrive when he finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place. In this case, he is stuck between his old boss (Benson) and his current boss (Maxwell).

However, as he has proven time and time again, his loyalty stands with both women. He makes it clear at first that he cannot be involved because he works for Maxwell. But Benson is the one to highlight they need him.

After Maxwell gives the okay, Carisi feels more comfortable working the case and going after her husband.

The one scene that proves exactly who Carisi is, is the moment in which the defense lawyer mentions he is taking the case for a promotion. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Carisi takes the case because it is his job, but we know he is taking it to protect Maxwell as well. He is the only one who will do what is right without second guessing her or his work.

“Bend the Law” isn’t entirely about Maxwell and her situation. It also focuses on Velasco and bringing his storyline full circle.

By pushing him to go find his old friend with Churlish, Benson is making him think and work outside the box. He will have someone with him to hold him accountable.

Velasco has been an enigmatic character from the beginning. We can’t tell if he is good or bad, if he wants to stick around or run away.

However, the moment we find out he recorded his friend for evidence, we finally know where he stands. He is willing to betray his past and his convictions to prove his loyalty to Benson.

It doesn’t seem like this case is closed yet, but as Benson said, it is a burden he no longer has to carry.

This road trip is also the best way for Velasco and Churlish to put an end to their dispute and come together. The merit badge he hands her at the end is the truce they needed to be able to move forward.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 24 Episode 19, “Bend the Law,” stands out as one of the best episodes of the season.

The storyline, the characters, and the resolution leave us wanting more episodes like this. Episodes in which it feels like the squad works together and the perps are brought to justice.

Stray observations

• There is hypocrisy in Benson’s comment to Velasco, “The only thing worse than a partner with no loyalty is a partner with blind loyalty,” when that is something she has been accused of in the past regarding Stabler.
• Where is Fin? His episodes this season have been less and less, and his personality and attitude are always missed when he isn’t around.
• Maxwell’s husband’s death is introduced perfectly. The dark lights, his erratic behavior, and the way he lashes out set the mood perfectly for what comes next.

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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.

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