Law & Order Season 25 Episode 9 & Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 27 Episode 9 Crossover Review: Snowflakes / Purity

When a crossover takes place, fans always wonder how each episode will make sure their beloved characters have enough screen time. This is particularly true of a show like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which has a tendency to sacrifice characters’ screen time. However, the crossover between Law & Order Season 25 Episode 9, “Snowflakes,” and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 27 Episode 9, “Purity,” surprises us, and the episodes find the perfect balance between the characters.

Of course, Jessica Brady and Olivia Benson occupy the majority of the episodes’ run-time, and we can’t say we’re mad about that. On the contrary, allowing the captains to take the lead and shine through with their very different personalities is what makes the episodes so strong.

While the storyline isn’t anything new because we have seen stolen embryos and white supremacist stories before, Brady and Benson’s involvement and their unforced chemistry are what make this a memorable storyline.

Benson is never afraid to take the lead, even when she is playing the guest role. She doesn’t hesitate to take over the first interrogation, which takes place in Brady’s precinct. This is something fans of the show expect because we know how Benson operates.

However, Brady proves she isn’t afraid to move Benson off the driver’s seat and take over. She can be just as badass and authoritarian as Benson. The difference lies in their empathy and attitude.

While Benson knows when to give attitude and be tough, she always leads with her empathy. This has been called her superpower, and it has been known to help solve a case or two. But Brady lacks that empathy, or she at least keeps it under lock and key.

Brady is much more straightforward, isn’t afraid to roughen up a few suspects, and can lie her way through an interrogation to get what she wants. Once again, it makes us wonder if Benson is destined to be paired with people who have a rougher edge to them, people who aren’t afraid to bend the rules she so relentlessly follows.

For a brief moment, it seems Brady’s behavior will cost them the case, but their luck soon changes again. Truthfully, Brady knows what she is doing. Just like Benson knows when to use her superpower, Brady knows when to use hers (a resting-b-face paired with a toughness that cannot be corrupted).

Pairing Benson and Brady together is the smartest thing this crossover could have done.

Even though Law & Order Season 25 Episode 9, “Snowflakes,” and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 27 Episode 9, “Purity,” don’t bring anything new to the table, they do help highlight the fact that Benson has been around the block for a while. She has the perfect knowledge of what happens with these victims, the IVF process, and the criminals behind this operation.

But there is a connection in there that the crossover only glimpses for a split second: Benson also has an adopted son who is a product of the criminal world. The moment the Valenti mother mentions she doesn’t want to think about her son that way, we know Benson resonates with this. She is the only one in that room who can understand what that mother means.

And while we know Benson can handle these conversations and knows what’s going on, we wonder if it’s really necessary for her to be the one doing CPR on Bruno as well. The moment he gets on that ambulance, it’s as if Benson became a paramedic. She is applying pressure to the wound and performing CPR.

We get it, she is Wonder Woman, but couldn’t we afford to have another paramedic in the ambulance? Seems a bit ridiculous to put her in that position as well.

The Law & Order Season 25 Episode 9, “Snowflakes,” and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 27 Episode 9, “Purity,” crossover isn’t a mind-blowing two-hour event that changes the course of the franchise. However, it does establish the authority that both Brady and Benson have on their shows.

These women carry their shows on their shoulders, and it’s nice to see them get that recognition while proving they can solve any case thrown their way.

While not many may be fans of the crossover events, watching Mariska Hargitay and Maura Tierney work together feels like a masterclass in Dick Wolf performances.

Stray Thoughts:

• Benson and Stabler fans probably notice that Benson calls Stabler for help on a lead. While this does help their case, those shippers probably wish Stabler had been part of the crossover. After all, we wonder what is truly happening with that character now that his show seems to be MIA.
• On the same train of thought, is there something going on between Bruno and Benson? It seems Benson pulls her hand away from him the moment Curry walks into her office. Could there be something brewing there?
• There is something tender and motherly about both Benson and Brady pointing out the blood they still have on each other after a tragedy.

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What did you think of these episodes of Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

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