Ep 14. Working Mom

In Law & Order season 7 episode 14, titled "Working Mom," the detectives of the Special Victims Unit are tasked with investigating the murder of a young boy in a Bronx housing project. The victim's mother, an overworked single mom named Erica, has been struggling to make ends meet while working long hours at a convenience store to support her family.

As the detectives dig deeper into the case, they discover that Erica's boss, a sleazy store owner named Benny, has been exploiting his female employees by forcing them to work long hours with little pay and subjecting them to sexual harassment and intimidation. When Erica tries to stand up to Benny and demand fair treatment, he retaliates by cutting her hours and making her life even more difficult.

Meanwhile, the detectives also uncover a web of corruption within the housing project where the victim lived. The building's superintendent, Mr. Ortiz, has been taking bribes from drug dealers to turn a blind eye to their activities and allow them to operate freely in the building. When Ortiz is questioned by the detectives, he admits to taking the bribes but insists that he had nothing to do with the murder.

As the investigation unfolds, the detectives struggle to uncover the truth behind the boy's death while also dealing with their own personal issues. Detective Benson is still reeling from the recent death of her partner, and Detective Munch is struggling to reconcile his own complicated feelings about women and work. Throughout the episode, the detectives work tirelessly to find justice for the victim and his family, even as they confront their own demons and the challenges of working in a high-stress environment.

In the end, "Working Mom" examines the complex issues of poverty, exploitation, and corruption in urban America, while also highlighting the resilience and strength of single mothers who are doing their best to provide for their families. With its nuanced portrayal of the challenges faced by working-class women, this episode of Law & Order stands as a powerful and thought-provoking examination of social justice and inequality in modern society.