Law And Order Svu Season 12 Episode 20

Okay, let's talk about Law & Order: SVU. Specifically, Season 12, Episode 20. “Tower.” I know, I know. It's an older episode. But hear me out.

This episode has always stuck with me. It's the one where a teen mom, Chelsea, leaves her baby in a park. Then, the baby goes missing. Classic SVU setup, right?

Chelsea's Choices: Not a Fan Favorite

Let's be real. Chelsea makes some questionable decisions. Leaving the baby unattended? Huge no-no. I get she's young and overwhelmed. But still!

And here's where my unpopular opinion comes in. I’m not excusing child endangerment. But I kinda felt sorry for her. Okay, a little bit.

The Problem with How They Portrayed Her

The show paints her as…well, not the brightest bulb. She seems a bit ditzy. And maybe that's just the character. But it rubbed me the wrong way. It felt a little…stereotypical.

I mean, can't a young mom struggle without being portrayed as completely clueless? I think it's possible. Maybe it's just me.

I think that's important. I would've liked to see them dig deeper.

The Real Villain? Mr. Dodds!

Now, let's talk about the real bad guy. The guy who actually took the baby. A creepy dude named Mr. Dodds! shudders.

He's a loner. He's obsessed. You know, the usual creepy tropes. Classic SVU fodder.

But honestly? Mr. Dodds just felt… underdeveloped. They could have made him so much scarier. So much more disturbing.

He needed more layers.

Instead, he felt like a one-dimensional plot device. A means to an end. To get to the inevitable dramatic courtroom scene. Where Olivia Benson saves the day, of course.

I almost wished they focused more on him. That's quite a statement. More development to Mr. Dodds would have made the episode much more sinister.

Benson & Stabler: Always the Best Part

Even in a so-so episode, Benson and Stabler are gold. Their dynamic is always captivating. The way they play off each other? Perfection.

The way they solve cases is amazing. Their partnership is what made the show great. Even in Season 12.

And seeing Stabler's frustration with Chelsea? Classic. He's got that "I just want to shake some sense into you" look the whole time. We’ve all been there, right?

Final Thoughts (and another Unpopular Opinion)

“Tower” isn't the best SVU episode. I won't lie. But it's not the worst either.

It's got some problematic elements. The stereotypical portrayal of the young mom being the biggest one. And the villain could've been scarier. More nuanced. Like a Silence of the Lambs villain.

Here's my final, super-unpopular opinion. I think they should've explored the adoption angle more. What if Chelsea had chosen adoption from the start? What if the baby had gone to a loving home? I know, I know. That's not very SVU. But still, the what ifs are interesting. They make you think!

But it’s still watchable. Thanks mostly to Benson and Stabler. They keep me coming back for more. Even after twelve seasons. What can I say?