Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 7 Episode 17 Class

In the seventeenth episode of the seventh season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, titled "Class", the detectives of the Special Victims Unit are called to investigate a young girl who has gone missing from her wealthy prep school.

The episode begins with fifteen-year-old Alex tucking in her roommate and saying goodnight before she disappears without a trace. The SVU team led by Detectives Stabler and Benson are called to investigate the disappearance and soon learn that Alex's school, St. Mary's, is home to an elitist group of students who think they are above the law. The detectives suspect that Alex's classmates know more about her disappearance than they let on but are met with hostility and resistance when they try to question them.

As the investigation continues, the detectives learn that Alex was a scholarship student at St. Mary's and was often bullied and excluded from the wealthy students' social circles. They also discover that a group of students have a secret club where they invite a "picking" girl to their party and compete for points by hooking up with her. Alex was the chosen girl at one of these parties, and the detectives suspect that her disappearance might be related to the club.

The SVU team's investigation takes them deep into the insular world of the rich and powerful as they encounter a powerful lawyer, a cold-hearted headmistress, and a group of privileged teens who would do anything to protect their secrets. The detectives face numerous obstacles, including a corrupt school administration, a lack of cooperation from the students and their families, and threats from those who want to keep the truth buried.

As the search for Alex intensifies, tension rises between the SVU detectives and the school administration, who are more concerned with protecting the school's reputation than finding the missing girl. In one heart-wrenching scene, Detective Stabler confronts the headmistress, played by Golden Globe winner Shirley Knight, about her lack of empathy and seemingly indifferent attitude towards Alex's disappearance.

At its core, "Class" is a story about power, privilege, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. It is a timely examination of the culture of entitlement and toxic masculinity that permeates many elite institutions and the devastating consequences it can have on those who are deemed less desirable or worthy.

Overall, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 7 episode 17 "Class" is a gripping and thought-provoking episode that delves deep into the complexities of class and social status in modern society. The talented cast, including Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni, deliver powerful performances that make this episode a must-watch for fans of the show and newcomers alike.