Torch (28 Apr. 2010)

One of Stabler's former partners joins SVU as an ADA, and helps Benson and Stabler find an arsonist responsible for the deaths of two girls.

Director:

Peter Leto

Writers:

Dick Wolf (creator), Mick Betancourt,

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	...	Sergeant John Munch (credit only)
Ice-T	...	Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
BD Wong	...	Dr. George Huang (credit only)
Tamara Tunie	...	Dr. Melinda Warner (credit only)
Dann Florek	...	Captain Donald Cragen
Sharon Stone	...	A.D.A. Jo Marlowe
Justine Cotsonas	...	Emily Sullivan
P.J. Benjamin	...	Deputy Fire Marhsal Couric
Lindsay Crouse	...	Judge Andrews
Jeremy Allen White	...	Michael Parisi (as Jeremy White)
Georgia Lyman	...	Officer Whitney Bowman
Jason Jurman	...	Mitch Shankman
Sam Waterston	...	Jack McCoy

Storyline

When two sisters are killed in a fire, Detectives Olivia Benson and Eliot Stabler are confused about why they are called to investigate. They soon discover that Stabler's old partner, ADA Jo Marlowe, has been put on the case -- despite the absence of a sex crime -- because the two victims were so young, and that she has enlisted the duo to help. However, as the investigation continues, Benson and Stabler find that the case might be more suited to their department than anyone originally assumed, and Stabler's interrogation tactics threaten to get the detectives into trouble.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 April 2010 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wolf Films, Universal Media Studios (UMS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

The case in Texas Dr. Drexel mentions, in which an innocent man was convicted due to faulty application of arson analysis, seems to be a reference to the real-life case of Cameron Willingham, a man executed in Texas in 2004 for the arson murder of his children. In 2009, an independent review of the case by the Texas Forensic Science Commission found that the evidence in the case did not sustain a finding of arson.

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Connections

References Law & Order (1990)

User Reviews

When SVU's "stunt casting" works!

Of the three remaining airing shows in the "Law & Order" franchise, "SVU" is known for having guest stars that rarely do television: Ellen Burstyn, Ann-Margret, Margot Kidder, and Robin Williams, just to name a few. "Torch" added Sharon Stone to that list of luminaries as she started her first of four episodes as ADA Jo Marlowe, once the partner of Det. Stabler (Chris Meloni). Stone brings her trademark sexiness to the role, even suggesting that her character might've considered more than just a working relationship with Stabler. Her addition to the cast is inspired and hints at a little tension brewing between her and Benson (Mariska Hargitay) in regards to Stabler.

Kevin Anderson is extremely good as the father of two young victims killed in a house fire and the primary suspect in their murder. It's also refreshing to see veteran character actor Brad Dourif as an expert on fire who aids Stone in her efforts to find out what really happened in the fire.

Oscar nominee Lindsey Crouse returns again as Judge Andrews and "L & O's" Sam Waterston stops by reprimand Stone's Marlowe.

The resolution for this story is truly a surprisingly fresh one.