Ep 8. Starved

In Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 7 episode 8, titled "Starved," the team investigates a case involving the death of a construction worker. The victim, Alex Garcia, died after falling from the fourth floor of a building he was working on, but the circumstances surrounding the incident are suspicious. Detective Stabler and his partner, Benson, find out that Alex had been struggling with an eating disorder, which they think might have played a role in his death.

As they dig deeper into the case, the detectives discover that Alex was part of a support group for people with eating disorders called Overeaters Anonymous. They attend one of the group's meetings to gather information and come across a young woman named Becky. The team learns that Becky had been involved in a relationship with Alex and that she was also struggling with an eating disorder. They suspect that she might know more about Alex's death than she is letting on.

The investigation takes a turn when the detectives find out that Becky's boyfriend, a professional boxer named Manny, had been physically abusing her. Manny denies any involvement in Alex's death, but the evidence against him starts to pile up. Meanwhile, another member of the support group, a man named Colin, becomes a suspect when his therapist reveals that he had been stalking Alex.

As the case unfolds, the detectives have to navigate the complex world of eating disorders and its impact on the lives of those affected by it. They learn about the dangers of diet pills, the pressure to conform to society's standards of beauty, and the devastating effects of eating disorders on individuals and families.

Throughout the episode, the team is faced with difficult ethical questions regarding patient confidentiality, the responsibility of therapists in reporting potential dangers to their patients, and the importance of mental health services in preventing tragedies like Alex's death.

"Starved" is a gripping episode that shines a light on important topics such as eating disorders, domestic violence, and mental health. The show does an excellent job of exploring these issues with sensitivity and nuance, while also delivering a compelling storyline full of twists and turns. Fans of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit will not be disappointed with this thought-provoking and emotionally charged episode.