Ep 20. Father Dearest

The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 13 episode 20 titled "Father Dearest" is a gripping crime drama that follows the SVU team as they investigate a string of brutal murders committed in the name of an extremist religious cult. The episode begins with a young girl, Ashley, being brought into the hospital with severe burns all over her body. When the SVU detectives arrive at the hospital to interview her, they discover that Ashley's father, Pastor Ryan, is the leader of a doomsday cult that believes in ritualistic sacrifice to cleanse their sins.

As the investigation deepens, the detectives uncover more disturbing evidence of the cult's activities. They learn that the cult has been involved in other cases in the past, such as child abuse, rape, and murder. However, they have always managed to evade the law and carry out their heinous deeds in secret. Now, with Ashley's testimony, the detectives have a chance to finally bring them to justice.

The SVU team is under pressure to act quickly before the cult can carry out any more killings. They are also faced with the daunting task of trying to get Ashley to testify against her own father, who has brainwashed her into believing that his actions are justified in the eyes of God. As the detectives delve deeper into the cult's inner workings, they realize that the problem is much bigger than they initially thought. They uncover a web of lies and deception that stretches far beyond the cult's immediate members.

The tensions run high as the detectives race against time to save Ashley and stop the cult from carrying out any more violent acts. However, they are continuously hampered by the cult's fervent devotion and willingness to do anything to protect their leader. This leads to several intense confrontations between the SVU team and the cult members, with each side determined to achieve their own goals at any cost.

As "Father Dearest" reaches its climax, the detectives are faced with their toughest challenge yet. With Ashley's safety at stake, they have to confront Pastor Ryan in a dramatic showdown that will push them to their limits. The episode ends with the detectives finally putting an end to the cult's reign of terror, but not without suffering some devastating losses along the way.

Overall, "Father Dearest" is a tense and emotional episode that showcases the strong bonds and unwavering determination of the SVU team. It is a powerful exploration of the complexities of religious extremism and the lengths people will go to in the name of their beliefs. With its gripping storyline and outstanding performances, this episode is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.