Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 27 Episode 18 Review: Gimmick
It is quite funny to hear Benson say they will keep the case from homicide because they are short-staffed on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 27 Episode 18, “Gimmick,” when she is only working with two other team members. She is just as short-staffed as they are but believes they can take on anything that comes their way.
However, as the investigation goes on, it feels like Benson’s sixth sense was at play when she decided to keep the case because it ends up being a sexual abuse case that homicide wouldn’t have been able to work. Whether it’s the many years of experience or a mere coincidence, everything falls into place, making it a case that only Benson’s squad can work on.
While the “not guilty” verdict and the victim’s brother killing the murderer isn’t something new, it is a great depiction of this storyline and the power O’Neill thought he had.
The case is nothing new. Many times before, we have seen stories of coaches or “heroes” taking advantage of their position of power to abuse those who admired and trusted them.
In the same way, we have seen them walk free only to be later avenged by the victims themselves or someone in their family. Nevertheless, the storyline presents a few moments of relief in which certain scenes allow the viewers to breathe and have a good time (if that’s at all possible while watching this show).
The first of those moments happens when Benson and Griffin arrive at the fighters’ expo, and she can see him fangirling over the fighters. In her usual captain Benson voice, she makes fun of him in a loving and funny way. She reminds him to ask pertinent questions and not to ask for too many autographs; a cute little moment before everything gets worse.
This brief moment between them is a reflection of the growth their relationship has gone through. Even though she may not have trusted him at first, she knows now that she can because he opened up to her. By being honest with her about Tynan and his feelings, Griffin gained the trust, respect, and loyalty of the most important person on the show.
Another great moment, if not the greatest of the episode, happens when Melissa McCarthy shows up. It is even more entertaining if you know that, as McCarthy posted on her Instagram, everything was planned as a surprise for Mariska Hargitay, who had no idea who would be playing that role.
McCarthy plays another fighter at the expo who sits alone at her booth waiting for fans to approach her. The moment Benson stands in front of her, the funniest scene of the episode happens as McCarthy’s character starts flirting with the captain.
While, again, it’s nothing new that a woman flirts with Benson as she is being questioned, it’s done in perfect McCarthy humor that keeps the audience giggling before the tension of the episode takes over again.
Mentions of the babes in blue, Benson’s baby browns, the character liking them spicy, and her knowing her way around handcuffs only add to the scene’s comedic elements. They are also a reminder that if she could, Hargitay would absolutely kill it doing comedy.
Last but not least, and absolutely not funny at all, is Carisi’s moment in court. For a split second, his training under Barba shines through, and he pulls out the big guns he learned from the best.
Carisi pushes, teases, and gets under the suspect’s skin to try and get the jury on his side one last time. Even though this doesn’t work and O’Neill walks out free, it shows that there are times when Carisi’s time as ADA makes sense.
He isn’t the best we have seen on the show, but there is an underlying passion that comes through when he really puts his all into a case. Hopefully, we will continue to see moments like this one.
What did you think of this episode of 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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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.
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Lara Rosales
By day, Lara Rosales (she/her) is a solo mom by choice and a bilingual writer with a BA in Latin-American Literature known as a Media Relations Expert. By night, she is a TV enjoyer who used to host a podcast (Cats, Milfs & Lesbian Things). You can find her work published on Eulalie Magazine, Geek Girl Authority, W Spotlight, Collider, USA Wire, Mentors Collective, Instelite, Noodle, Dear Movies, Nicki Swift, and Flip Screened.