Ep 12. Dear Ben

Detectives Benson and Rollins investigate a disturbing case that hits close to home in season 20 episode 12 of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, titled "Dear Ben."

The episode begins with Ralph, a man in his late 60s, going into a coffee shop to meet with his estranged daughter, Jenna. She is suspicious of her father's intentions and is initially hesitant to speak with him, but eventually agrees to sit down and have a conversation. It is clear from their interactions that there is a lot of unresolved anger and pain between the two of them.

Meanwhile, Benson and Rollins are called to a crime scene where they find a teenage girl who has been sexually assaulted. As they investigate, they quickly discover that the victim is involved in a local theater production and was likely attacked by someone associated with the show.

As the detectives try to piece together the details of the assault, they come across a series of disturbing letters sent to the victim by an anonymous stalker. The letters are filled with violent and graphic language, and suggest that the perpetrator has been watching the victim from afar for some time.

As the case progresses, Benson and Rollins begin to suspect that the stalker may be someone within the theater community. They start to question everyone involved in the production, from the director to the cast and crew, in an effort to identify the perpetrator.

Meanwhile, Jenna reaches out to Benson for help in reconciling with her father. She is skeptical of his motives, but Benson encourages her to give him a chance. The two of them sit down together and have an emotional conversation in which Ralph reveals a painful secret from his past.

Throughout the episode, there are several twists and turns as the detectives follow the trail of evidence and try to piece together the identity of the stalker. There are moments of tension and unease as they get closer to the truth, and the viewer is left wondering who the perpetrator could be.

In the end, the detectives are able to unravel the mystery and apprehend the individual responsible for the assault and stalking. The episode concludes with Jenna and her father making tentative steps towards reconciliation, and the detectives reflecting on the profound impact that their work has on the lives of those around them.

Overall, "Dear Ben" is a gripping and emotional episode that highlights the human cost of sexual assault and stalking. It deftly weaves together several storylines to create a compelling narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Fans of the show will no doubt appreciate the complex characters, nuanced performances, and thought-provoking themes that are central to the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit franchise.