Ep 20. The Things We Have to Lose

The Things We Have to Lose is the twentieth episode of the 21st season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. This crime drama revolves around New York City's elite Special Victims Unit led by Lieutenant Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), who investigate heinous crimes involving sexual violence. In this episode, the squad is faced with a complex case of sexual assault, harassment, and victim shaming by a famous athlete.

The episode opens with the team investigating a vicious sexual assault case against a college student, who is reluctant to testify in court against her alleged attacker due to fear of public shaming. Benson and her team are determined to bring the perpetrator to justice, despite the obstacles presented by the powerful and wealthy family of the accused.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Christian Garland (Demore Barnes) is dealing with his own relationship struggles with his husband, who does not want to adopt a child and raises questions about their future together. Assistant District Attorney, Dominick Carisi Jr. (Peter Scanavino), is also facing challenges in his personal life as he navigates his relationship with his girlfriend, who is pressuring him to settle down and get married.

As the SVU team digs deeper into the case, they uncover a web of lies, deceit, and corruption that threatens to derail their investigation. They learn that the accused, a renowned athlete, had a history of sexual misconduct and had gotten away with it multiple times due to his wealth and fame.

The team faces numerous hurdles in their investigation, including pressure from the media, lack of cooperation from witnesses, and threats from the accused's powerful family. However, they remain determined to bring the perpetrator to justice, no matter the cost.

Throughout the episode, the theme of sacrifice is explored as the team is forced to make difficult choices in pursuit of justice. Benson, in particular, grapples with her own moral compass as she is confronted with the consequences of her actions and is forced to make difficult decisions about her future.

Overall, The Things We Have to Lose is a compelling and thought-provoking episode that deals with timely issues of sexual violence, victim shaming, and the abuse of power. It is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by survivors of sexual assault and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable, no matter their status in society.