‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ Recap – ‘Duty to Hope’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT -- "Duty to Hope" Episode 25013 -- Pictured: (l-r) Katie Housley as Jane Emery, Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson -- (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season 25 Finale of ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
If there is one particular question each and every one of us would like to ask police officers, but rarely if ever, get the chance… it would have to be… why did you choose this career path? Because let’s be honest… the police aren’t in the best of standing with the public right now, and that’s tough to reconcile. Not to mention… this is a dangerous and depressing gig. For people with nothing to lose or who simply don’t care, put those wearing badges in harm’s way, and they impart nasty harm on innocent people. Through acts that are dark in nature and disturbing for certain. So why then, would anyone want to willingly wear that shield and chase after monsters of that caliber?

Well as it turns out, the season 25 finale of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, takes the time to answer that particular question. A feat that ‘Duty to Hope’ accomplished by giving Captain Benson and her team, one awful monster to deal with. For the city was under siege from a serial assaulter, who committed awful acts, in the midst of his attacks and well, they were under fire from a new hot shot in the District Attorney’s office… to bring this monster in post haste. But alas, clues were scarce, and the attacks continued and well… one lone surprise clue was enough to seemingly bring forth charges at last. Since the man who matched the evidence, named Billy… was also correctly identified by the victim. But something about that did not sit right with Benson.

It just felt too perfect and too coincidental and well, she was right. Because the attacks continued, and it was obvious that the NYPD had the wrong man in custody and was tearing a family to pieces in going this route. Since Fin had to go the extra mile to cover for Billy’s son when he crossed a line in anger. If anything, all of this put incredible pressure on the unit, and left them drifting because they could not catch a break. But thankfully the bravery of a new victim, who was spared the worst parts of the assault because of said bravery… managed to secure a big fat clue for the unit to look into. One that finally offered up a legit name for a suspect, mainly because he was former military, and well, that revelation brought about one explosive finale to this story. 

Wherein the perp, made life hell for the police. Because he knew he was caught, and he was cornered, so he naturally… opened fire on anyone that came within inches of his home and was fully prepared to end his life and the life of his partner in a violent manner if it meant avoiding jail. But thanks to the stunning bravery of Benson and the NYPD, only one person died on this day, the perp, giving rise to peace to the victims, truth about who their attacker was… and the reason why Benson and others wear the badge. Because despite the horrors they face and the danger that surrounds the job, officers akin to Benson are hoping to inspire hope in others. Hope that evil can be beaten, hope that better days lie ahead for those who were wounded and hope… in humanity. That we can in fact, overcome our worst instincts and be better as a species.

Which made… for quite the uplifting season finale (one that also featured a lovely voice cameo from Christopher Meloni as Stabler) and that’s saying something. Because everything before that moment was downright scary. Because the attacks here were simply brutal and disgusting, as was the behavior of the new kid on the block and her deep want of charges regardless of innocent until proven guilty and due process. But that is what makes the ending and the message so worthwhile. Since it does speak to a counter to that, to a real desire from good people to make the world a better place, and that definitely answered our question and reminded us why we enjoy this tough show, so much. Because it does provide that hope and it does remind us that there are agents out there fighting the worst of us. Until next season.   

---

Watch ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’

Powered by JustWatch