Law and Order: Special Victims Unit S17E18 Unholiest Alliance Review

Law and Order SVU has finally returned from hiatus, with a new episode, Unholiest Alliance! It aired on March 23, 2016. This episode was much awaited for in the SVU lovers community, as it picked up after Lieutenant Benson was transferred to Community Affairs pending results of and investigation into IAB Captain Tucker's alleged involvement in a sex trafficking ring. Sergeant Dodds was acting commander of SVU, and in my opinion, I was expecting him to fall in the pressure of this case. A quick background on this episode, the investigation picks up, SVU and the church at each other's throats. Nina and Natalia are headed out of town, sure that they are targets of the high ranking officials in the church, and they're forced off the road. Later in the hospital, Natalia tells detectives that she witnessed a priest rape and murder Nina. This is later confirmed with a photo array and Nina's body being found in the woods. Lieutenant Benson is not particularly happy with her new workplace, but what can she do? When the church officials are questioned, they quickly move to save themselves, disowning Father Eugene to attempt to look like they're on the correct side. Meanwhile, it's not looking good for Tucker, given the fact that the investigation is being assisted by letters/emails shared with police saying that Tucker knew about this trafficking ring long before and didn't ever say anything. Finally, as a last ditch attempt to take down the church's involvement, Detective Carisi questions Eugene again, and he finally comes clean. He tells where buried church records are, and they effectively clear Tucker's name. The episode closes with the squad finding out that Olivia is returning and Chief Dodds(not Sergeant Dodds) warning the SVU squad to watch their backs since the church has friends in high places.

  Tell me in the comments below what you thought of this episode, what you thought of Carisi seeming to fall apart at the end, Benson coming back, and how many of the squad members know that Ed and Olivia are dating? Also, what did you think of Olivia's seemingly too many glasses of wine at the end of the episode, and Ed telling her she should slow down? Let me know, and look out for next week's episode, Sheltered Outcasts!