Is the fix in for Esperanza Morales?
By: Jacob Politte, Online Editor
Law & Order SVU: “Redemption In Her Corner”
Season 21, Episode 13
Airdate: 1/30/20
Has there ever been a boxing episode of SVU? I’m sure that over the past 470 episodes, there’s been at least a couple. That being said, I do always love when SVU wades into the sports world. It’s always a fun environment to play around with.
In “Redemption In Her Corner” newbie Officer Kat Tamin again takes center stage, and once again pushes boundaries while trying to take down a perp, and Benson gets all up in arms about it. That’s rich; Benson has routinely pushed the same boundaries that Tamin does on a consistent basis ever since we first met her in 1999. Benson may be in management now and may have to reign Tamin in, but she really has no room to talk.
When Benson says “If you’re too close to the case, you’re not helping the victim,” it should be noted that it’s a direct quote from Captain Don Cragen. But given her history, that line rings hollow coming from Benson.
The perp that Kat goes after is her former boxing trainer, Romeo. She senses that something is off after seeing a barely dressed young woman exiting his trainer’s room. Her suspicions turn out to be correct, but Kat definitely should have been more discreet in taking him down.
If anything, Romeo was basically a McGuffin for the episode’s real perp. Romeo dies after being punched in his gym by Esperanza, the young woman who knocked out Tamin in an exhibition bout in the episode’s opening scene. Growing up, Esperanza and her sister were raped by their father, who disgustingly is still doing everything he can to keep the girl’s quiet. When Esperanza finds out that the allegations against Romeo are true, she knocks him out and his head hits the ring steps hard on the way down. He dies from a brian bleed at the hospital, and Esperanza could be facing up to 15 years in prison.
Ultimately, Esperanza and the SVU work together to take down her father, reuniting with her sister in the process. As a result of her cooperation, Esperanza only has to serve 2 years at Green Haven Correctional, and possibly less time than that with good behavior.
Also in this episode, former ADA Rafael Barba returned via webcam! He’s in Iowa, ironically investigating corruption in the Iowa Caucuses. He appears in this episode to check in on Benson following Tucker’s death. It’s a brief, comforting scene that hopefully will lead to a much bigger appearance from Raúl Esparza in the not-too-distant-future.
JACOB’S FINAL RULINGS:
– For the record, I really like Jamie Gray Hader. I recently saw an interview that she did with EOnline while promoting this episode, where she reveals that she was collecting unemployment as recently as 2018. She’s a great actress who I can tell really appreciates the opportunity that she’s been given. I’m glad that she’s found what hopefully will be a long-term gig.
– Benson avoiding Tamin’s boxing match is exactly me trying to get out of anything ever. No way she forgot about that. Also the fact that she’s using her kid as an excuse not to go to things is a true mom move.
– Tamin walking in to work hungover is exactly like me walking into my 8am math class during my first year of college at Southeast Missouri State.
– Barba grew a beard. It’s… not what I expected.
– Why is Carisi going to Tamin’s boxing match? They clearly don’t like each other based on the events of “Must Be Held Accountable.”
– What was up with the boxing ring announcer’s metal eyepatch?
– I’m probably wrong, but I feel like this was the first time I’ve heard “I need a bus” in quite awhile. I love that phrase.
– The bedside arraignment was funnier than it should’ve been, including the immediate death before everyone left the hospital wing.
– LaGuardia… Hospital?
– You’re telling me that a 19-year old killed this big professional boxer?
– Hadid is back and while she didn’t do anything legally wrong this episode I honestly cannot wait for Barba to come back and take this woman’s job when she’s ousted for corruption.
– This show is gonna be so weird once Rikers shuts down and all the jails look more modern.
– Carisi has every right to be mad at Tamin for nearly tanking his case. I think he already understands exactly how ADA Peter Stone felt for the season and a half that he managed to last before splitting town.
– Is it legal for a cop to pay a witness? I’m pretty sure that it’s not.
