‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ Recap – ‘First Light’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT -- "First Light" Episode 26009 -- Pictured: (l-r) Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson, Amy Landecker as Katharine Vernon -- (Photo by: Scott Gries/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 2609 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 to some individuals.
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We firmly believe that when we say ‘I do’ to our once and future partner, and enter into the realm of holy matrimony, that the person we love… will be everything we hope for and more. They will be our support network; they will love us unconditionally and of course… grow with us. But above all, they will protect us from harm and do no harm. For they love us and need us as much as we love and need them, and sadly… that doesn’t always end up being the case. For sometimes we grow apart in love, and fall out of it, and sometimes harm is imparted in a relationship through a variety of means. Everything from infidelity to dark acts we could never dream them capable of.

But thankfully, we can, with the right support network… exit a bad marriage and if things went supremely south, get the help we need to heal and recover and find the right person for us. But one common denominator when it comes to seeing our love fall to pieces, is that the actions that lead to its end are quite visible in nature and allow for us handle them head on. But what if… someone we loved and adored was trying to harm us from afar, and did everything they could to keep it a secret? What would that look like and what kind of harm would that impart? Well, it just so happens that the next episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, explores just that. 

A feat that ‘First Light’ accomplished by introducing us to a lovely couple that really seemed to be couple goals. For Katherine and Harris Vernon lived in a nice home, had that vibe that perfect couples always have and even worked in similar fields to nurture similar interests. But one fine, day, their garage was defaced with the word ‘whore’, and a thumb drive showing a sexual encounter between Katherine and another man was sent to her workplace and her husband’s. But there was a big problem with this. In that, Katherine had no memory of being with this man, and she looked inebriated on the recording, leading her to believe that she was assaulted. Which put the team into action, and they quickly found the man responsible and in doing so, uncovered a hideous secret.

In that, it appeared that Harris drugged her and set this whole thing up. But of course, more proof was needed to solidify that and eventually the team found evidence. Since there was a professor at Harris’ school who assaulted Katherine in a similar state because Harris claimed it was her fantasy, and he of course, observed. Plus, the team found that Harris set up a fake account on a forum for such acts, with the same story. All because, Harris had dark fantasies and desires that he wanted fulfilled, and rather than be open about them with his wife, he decided it best to just make it happen whether she liked it or not. Which spoke to a disgusting betrayal of trust, and the show properly explored not only how this could happen, since a lack of a sexual spark motivated these interests, but also how badly it could rip a person to shreds emotionally.

Thankfully though, Harris paid for his crimes and Katherine found closure, and we learned… so much. Such as how people can change, even those we love, and we have to be cognizant of that possibility and act accordingly. Preferably through healthy communication and actions that are healthy to our relationship, and that made for a powerful episode. One that really did shock the audience for certain but won us over in the end. Thanks to that proper ending, and through Carisi’s journey in this tale. Since we also learned he was still struggling with the events of ‘Cornered’ and it was impacting his work here. But a good support network will put us on the right path, and he’s back on that now and will undoubtedly find his way forward and that’s a good thing. Because the team needs him to help bring down more of the twisted individuals that choose to bring great harm to others. Until next time.

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