Fault (4 Apr. 2006)

A serial paedophile murders members of a family and kidnaps the two younger children.

Director:

Paul McCrane

Writers:

Dick Wolf (creator), Michele Fazekas,

Stars:

Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Richard Belzer

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Meloni	...	Detective Elliot Stabler
Mariska Hargitay	...	Detective Olivia Benson
Richard Belzer	...	Detective John Munch
Diane Neal	...	A.D.A. Casey Novak (credit only)
Ice-T	...	Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
BD Wong	...	Dr. George Huang
Tamara Tunie	...	Dr. Melinda Warner
Dann Florek	...	Captain Donald Cragen
Lou Diamond Phillips	...	Victor Paul Gitano
Mike Doyle	...	Forensics Tech Ryan O'Halloran
Joel de la Fuente	...	TARU Tech Ruben Morales
Rebecca Wisocky	...	Dr. Paula Greenfield
Jeff Biehl	...	Jake
Felecia M. Bell	...	Mrs. Oliver (as Felecia Bell Schafer)
Matt Landers	...	Glen Portney

Storyline

Solid investigative work leads the detectives to a violent repeat sex offender, Victor Paul Gitano, who was recently released back onto the streets. Gitano, a cold blooded murderer and pedophile, is in possession of a cache of hunting knives, and has kidnapped two children and has nothing to lose. The manhunt for Gitano brings Detectives Benson and Stabler to a bus terminal where a violent and emotional showdown with Gitano takes a dangerous turn.

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Plot Keywords:

detective john munch

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 April 2006 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wolf Films, NBC Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The events of this episode, and the decision Elliot and Olivia make at the end, were written to let Mariska Hargitay out of the show for a period of time while she was on maternity leave.

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Goofs

While the cops are watching the videotaped therapy session featuring killer Victor Paul Gitano (Lou Diamond Phillips), the image of his face zooms from a mid-shot to a close-up while he is talking. A genuine videotape of a therapy session would show the subject from the same angle and apparent distance from the camera throughout. A mid-session zoom would require a third person present to work the camera, and a therapist would not want another person in the room because that would compromise doctor-patient confidentiality.

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Quotes

Captain Donald Cragen: Olivia, what's up?
Det. Olivia Benson: I want a new partner.

User Reviews

Outstanding episode

Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni did a remarkable job. This episode was my favorite episode of the season. I was impressed how Benson and Stabler carried the hostage situation. Though I was a bit upset on how Dick Wolf ended the episode with Olivia asking Cragen for a new partner. I understand that Olivia and Elliot need a brake from each other…..they have been partners since the show began seven seasons ago. Elliot and Olivia both are putting each other ahead of the job….to some extend that is a good thing, but at this point they are putting the other too much ahead of the job, and that is when judgments are going to be question.