Ep 19. Appearances

In Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 4 episode 19, entitled "Appearances," the team of detectives at the Special Victims Unit is tasked with solving a case involving a teenage girl who claims to have been raped by her father. The girl, named Carly, tells the detectives that her father, Doug Waverly, a wealthy and respected businessman, has been sexually abusing her for years.

As the detectives start to dig deeper into the case, they realize that Doug is a master of manipulation, and has carefully crafted an image of himself as a devoted father and upstanding citizen. His wife and friends are quick to defend him, and even Carly's own therapist is hesitant to believe her claims.

However, as the detectives continue their investigation, they uncover evidence that seems to corroborate Carly's story, including medical records and a secretly recorded video of a therapy session in which Doug admits to the abuse. Despite this, Doug's powerful legal team works tirelessly to discredit Carly and protect their client.

Throughout the episode, the detectives struggle with their own emotions and biases as they try to balance the need for justice with the knowledge that Carly's accusations could ruin Doug's life and reputation. Along the way, there are tense moments and unexpected twists, as well as moments of heartbreak and compassion for the victims involved.

In the end, the case comes to a dramatic conclusion as the detectives work with prosecutors to make a final push for justice. Ultimately, the episode shines a light on the difficult and often painful work that members of the Special Victims Unit must do in order to bring justice to survivors of sexual assault and abuse.