‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ Recap – ‘Divide and Conquer’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT -- "Divide & Conquer" Episode 26003 -- Pictured: (l-r) Ice T as Sgt. Odafin "Fin" Tutuola, Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson, Kelli Giddish as Amanda Rollins, John Clarence Stewart as Det. Corgan -- (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 26003 of ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. This article also contains discussions revolving around sexual assault, which may be triggering for some individuals.
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Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we’ve pondered upon some fascinating and unsettling topics, courtesy of the new season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on NBC, and understandably so. After all, this series is indeed as smart as they come, and it is always ready to dig into the darkest aspects of the human condition and leave us with plenty to think upon when the episode comes to an end. But what makes this series so incredible and dynamic, is the sheer fact that it knows when to break away from its dark explorations of the worst parts of what we do, to offer up what the series is as its core. Which is a crime drama, and never was this more evident than during last night’s episode of the show.

For ‘Divide and Conquer’ saw the SVU and the Intelligence arm of the NYPD team up to look into a real potential problem in the city. For there was chatter that a group of thieves were roaming about the Big Apple, the kind that had quite the reputation. For these guys were all about the big score and were meticulous and their arrival in town likely meant they had eyes on something huge, and well… they did and they most certainly struck hard and true, and did something out of the ordinary. Because up until this case, they never harmed a single soul. But here, they assaulted one of their victims and that was why SVU had to be involved in the matter, and well… this act and the grand theft of gold and weapons from a safe their target harbored, prompted a massive manhunt.

One that saw both departments work hard to make sure it was the robbery group they thought it was. Because for them to break their modus operandi just did not make sense whatsoever. But thanks to the fine work of both teams, they began to find some clues, and it turned out that, yes, this was the group, and one of their members, was new and he had a rap sheet involving assault, and those clues allowed for them to discover… he was on the run and wounded. Because the group wasn’t keen on having someone put this much attention upon them, and they wanted revenge, and botched the kill. Prompting the NYPD to search the streets harder while both teams also worked to figure out how this group even discovered the haul they landed. Because it was nothing short of a massive secret and well, that allowed for the team to learn… that this was an inside job.

For a business manager decided it was time to get his hands on some serious money and retire, so he ratted out the haul to this group and of course, paid the piper since the cops uncovered his plot. But what he had to offer about the group, alongside the resurfacing of the rogue agent, was enough to bring this case to a close. Because once the rogue monster was caught, he sang like a bird and offered up all the details on where his cohorts were hiding, in exchange for a deal of course, and they in turn ratted on one another. Bringing an end to a long running string of crimes and peace to the harmed. For at last, she would be whole again and could put this madness behind her. Courtesy of the work of NYPD’s finest, and all of this made, for one engaging and intense tale. 
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Because this was just an old-fashioned crime drama. One filled to the brim with high stakes, such as saving the soul of the woman that was attacked, alongside a high-risk manhunt, and that made for compelling television. The kind that moved along at a brisk pace and featured some lovely twists and turns and did indeed bring forth much needed justice. Plus, it also featured the return of Kellli Giddish as Sergeant Amanda Rollins, and it was wonderful to see her back in action and as sharp as ever, and well, just like that, it’s onto the next case. One that will either dive deep into the darkness that men do or offer up more compelling and engaging stories such as this one. Until next time.

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