‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ Recap – ‘Children of Wolves’

4/12/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT -- "Children of Wolves" Episode 25009 -- Pictured: (l-r) Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson, Aimé Donna Kelly as Capt. Curry, Kerry Butler as Denise Lynch -- (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 25009 of ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’. This article also contains discussions regarding sexual assault, which may be triggering to some individuals.

It is definitely worth speculating that this era of peak television has both changed our perception and the role of the crime drama. For these stories, used to be a little heavier in nature and were seen as an opportunity to learn about the darkness that does persist in our world. Making them essential tools to understanding the nature of crime while offering ideas upon the best ways for us to combat it as everyday citizens while police officers fight the good fight against the worst of the world. But that need now to have more of these shows on the air, has made them quite entertaining in nature and watered down some of the important messages they’ve harbored in the past.

Which makes them a little less effective as a teaching tool or a moral compass, leaving all of us to wonder if we are in fact, looking at a paradigm shift for the genre. One where we just see them as a good time and pure escapist television through and through. Well as it turns out, such speculation may be hasty in nature. For the deeper role that these stories serve and their importance to guiding our moral compasses isn’t fading away just yet. In fact, some of the most prestigious crime shows on the market are still showcasing those critical themes that give us so much to ponder upon in our daily lives away from the wonder of television, and for proof that this is the still the case, look no further than last night’s episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

For ‘Children of Wolves’ was a supremely moving hour of television. One that truly explored those two aforementioned elements in a powerful manner, and it accomplished such feats… via one rough day for Captain Olivia Benson. For early on in this tale, she came to learn that Noah poked through the all-important files she wanted to keep a secret from him until the time was right. Which forced her to answer some tough questions about the past, alongside some moral questions about the nature of evil in the world. Which also rattled her to no end since it prompted her to face dark moments in her life, the kind she thought were behind her and well… the universe just made life more difficult for her come the morning. For when she reported for duty, she was immediately immersed in one disgusting case.

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT -- "Children of Wolves" Episode 25009 -- Pictured: (l-r) Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson, Ryan Buggle as Noah Porter Benson -- (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)

Wherein a pair of innocent teens were assaulted in the middle of the park in the middle of the night, and where one of them was barely hanging onto life itself, while the other went missing. Which of course, pushed Olivia and her team into action with special fervor and fury. Because those discussions from the night before and this manner of cruelty and darkness ignited a fire within Olivia. One that demanded justice and demanded that the bad guys pay and pay dearly and pay the piper they did. For Olivia and her team were relentless and left no stone unturned and wasted little time in chasing what turned out to be… a wolf pack of sorts. Who roamed the coast looking for victims and were now off to jail thanks to Olivia’s desire to serve justice, in an extreme manner no less. All so the fallen in this tale, since death did come into play, and so those under harm… could find a sense of justice.

But while that did make for an intense hour of storytelling, there was mention that this rough day for the captain, featured critical depth and powerful lessons and well, those are all present in the plot and its subtext. For instance, the visceral nature of the Wolf Pack, and their actions… provided us with a no-holds barred look at all things crime. Which in turn reminded us of the fact, crime has a great and grave impact upon lives, and changes the course for so many, and its horrors were certainly felt here and that truly did inform… it’s not showcased on television for entertainment value. But to truly remind us that there is a darkness to our world we MUST combat. And the how for that, came from Olivia. Who showcased that we cannot just stand idly by. We must go after it, stop it, and make sure it is known that it is wrong and there are consequences.

Which made for plenty to ponder upon, and it was wondrous that the show reflected upon how best to prevent this kind of darkness going forward, which was exhibited by way of that final conversation with Noah. Since Olivia made it clear, we need to explain evil to the young, and help them understand it is a choice more often than not and can be prevented if we hold to our better angels. All of which brought forth, one of the finest episodes of the franchise to date. Courtesy of a powerhouse story that moves you, unsettles you and truly speaks to the fact that these shows are indeed more than entertainment... they’re a window, a guide and a chance for change if we open up to what the stories have to say, and Mariska Hargitay deserves a round of applause for her acting and directing in this tale. Since that drove the messages home, and it was simply wondrous to have the premier franchise in crime drama, reset the narrative and remind us all what these shows need to and can accomplish. Until next time.

Watch ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’

0 Comments