This article contains spoilers from Law & Order Season 24, Episode 2.Olivia Benson crosses paths with a divisive defense attorney in Law & Order Season 24, but the episode didn’t address the fallout from their last appearance together. Rita Calhoun (Elizabeth Marvel) appeared in some of​​​​ Law & Order: SVUs best episodes, and is often a controversial figure because she represents the accused. She and Manhattan SVU’s Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) have tangled several times in the past, as Benson stands up for rape survivors and Calhoun defends the perpetrators.
Benson and Calhoun’s guest appearance was one of Law & Orders most anticipated episodes for season 24. During this crossover episode, Benson testified for the defense in a case involving a rape victim who was charged with murder. The story put Calhoun and Benson on the same side for the first time since Calhoun defended Benson against William Lewis. However, Benson and Calhoun barely interacted; Instead, Benson confronted members of the Law & Order Cast about their perceived lack of empathy for the defendant.
Law & Order Season 24, Episode 2 ignores Benson and Calhoun’s story
Benson was appalled by Calhoun’s attitude the last time they met
Benson and Calhoun didn’t spend enough time together Law & Order Season 24 Despite their contentious relationship. Calhoun has been a thorn in Benson’s side since season 14 of Law & Order: SVU. Calhoun almost always defends wealthy people accused of rape, including those she knows are guilty. Benson’s disgust with her came to a head after Calhoun unsuccessfully defended a corrupt judge who had raped several women. During their final confrontation, Calhoun advised Benson that standing up to powerful men was dangerous and that Benson should learn to “Lie back and pretend you’re enjoying yourself.”
This was the last time Calhoun appeared in the franchise before she and Benson worked together Law & Order Season 24. However, no mention of the incident or any findings among the characters. Instead, Benson appeared as a defense witness in a case involving a client of Calhoun’s, putting them on the same side for the first time since the argument. The only time they interacted was in court or in the district attorney’s office.
Addressing Calhoun’s SVU history could have made her case in Law & Order season 24 better
Her defense as a rape victim would have been stronger if her prior history had been acknowledged
Law & Order Missed an emotional gut punch by ignoring Calhoun’s story. Calhoun’s job was to defend a woman accused of murdering an innocent man, and she claims the woman believed the man was stalking her. She took matters into her own hands because she didn’t get any help from the police department after she was arrested. Taking the case was a marked departure from Calhoun’s past habit of defending clearly guilty reapistsYet there was no recognition of this fact.
Unfortunately, Calhoun’s story is not acknowledged, so it is unclear whether she took the case because she passionately believed in it or if it was just another paycheck to her.
Bringing in Calhoun’s story may have made her choose to protect a victim Law & Order More powerful. It might also have redeemed Calhoun if she had acknowledged that she was wrong to think that, as a female defense attorney, she had to defend rich scumbags to protect her career. Unfortunately, Calhoun’s story is not acknowledged, so it is unclear whether she took the case because she passionately believed in it or if it was just another paycheck to her. It is interesting, however, if this issue will be revised in Law & Order: SVU Season 26.