Olivia Benson quotes from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Is everything all right?

Benson

Oh, I'm fine.

Lieutenant, what's going on?

Benson

You'd know better than me.

Did something happen?

Benson

You're telling me that you didn't know?

Know what?

Benson

That I'm out. Effective immediately. Uh, Carisi, Rollins, as of now, Sergeant Dodds is acting commander of SVU, so... congratulations. [pause] That's it. You're dismissed.

Benson

This is Mr. Zimmerman. He represents one of our visitors.

Two of them, actually. Greg Searle is one of mine. And if you think he's your rape suspect, you're wrong. It's not his profile. He's an ephebophile. Means he goes for younger girls.

[rolls her eyes] That's a wonderful argument.

He was shot once in the chest, once in the groin?

Benson

Well, the M.E. thought that the shot in the groin was first.

Of course it was. Somebody wanted Alvin to have a couple seconds to think about who shot him and what his life would be like without his pecker. [Benson looks confused] Vonnegut? [Benson shrugs] Slaughterhouse-Five.

This girl didn't realize she was raped until she saw it on live TV?

Benson

I know, I know.

I get the "she said". What's the "he said"?

I don't know what I'm gonna do when I get home. I feel lost.

Benson

That's normal. It takes time, Melanie. But you will get through this, I promise.

Until today, Gary just... would make me go down on him, but I said I didn't want to do that anymore; I was back with my boyfriend. He got mad. He hit me. And then he raped me.

Benson

How many times did this happen?

I don't keep count. At least once a week since I got out. I'm on his route. I thought it was bad enough when I was inside.

Fin

Did he assault you in Rikers?

He never hurt me, but when he'd take me back from a visit, he'd make a stop in the chapel.

Fin

There are no cameras there.

He knows what he's doing. He'd say "You do me a favor, I do you one."

Benson

Meaning?

Meaning I get to see my kids. Don't get stripped searched, thrown into solitary. Don't get my teeth knocked in.

Benson

Did you report this?

In Rikers? The COs and the gangs run that place. Every female inmate there knows that. Every time he'd do me, he'd say "Cry all you want, but you're just a broke, black crack whore. Who's gonna believe you?".

Benson

I do, Charisse.

Barba, you don't know me or who I am, but we know a lot about you. Things people would want to know.

Is that a threat?

A threat? No. A threat would be, right here, right how, I push you down these steps, get your skull cracked open, bleeding to death.

Really? In front of all these people? Maybe they wouldn't be able to save me, but they'd sure as hell catch you. Alright, amigito, tell you what - you wanna murder a DA right here, surrounded by all these cops and cameras? Spend the rest of your life in prison? Here. Here's my home address. You come by anytime you want.

Benson

Hey. Everything all right?

Not really. Someone just threatened to kill me.

Benson

What?

Who was it?

Just a face in the crowd. Tell the squad to watch their backs. This is just the beginning.

His last day at SVU, he does this. He knew better. He's known since he was six, since I was a beat cop. DV is the most dangerous situation in the world. What the hell was he thinking?

Benson

That he wanted to be like his father. A hero.

Benson

If I could do it again, I... I wouldn't have left him in that house. I have more experience. Maybe I could've talked to him...

Dr. Lindstrom

Talked Munson out of it? Or overpowered a 6'8" man with a gun and nothing to live for? You said there were two children there. You got them out. They have their mother.

Benson

And Chief Dodds doesn't have his son. Why does he deserve that?

Dr. Lindstrom

Or do you mean why do you deserve to live when Dodds is dead? You've got to mourn this loss, but you cannot judge yourself for feeling relieved that you survived.

Benson

I can't?

Dr. Lindstrom

You are lucky to be alive, and Noah is lucky that you are. But that is not why you left that house. I know you think you know everything, but no one could have predicted what was going to happen there. It was Dodds' time. It wasn't yours.

The rape claim has nothing to with the terrorism charges. It could make her more sympathetic in the eyes of the jury. Raise the question of whether she was really a willing participant in the crime.

Put the brakes on the rape investigation for now, 'til the trial is over. Let the defense claim rape all they want.

Benson

I understand that there is something bigger at play here, I really do. I get it. But I'm not sure that should matter.

Are you serious?

Benson

With all due respect, Chief, I can't not do this. I'm just trying to do my job.

With all due respect, you doing your job cost my son his life!

He didn't mean it.

Benson

Sure he did. He's not wrong, either.

Where were you two mornings ago?

I was home in bed 'till 8:30, and then I went to work.

So you weren't at Luka's apartment?

No.

Benson

So you didn't have sex with her that morning?

Of course not.

Benson

So those scars and those bruises on her stomach and on her legs and on her back.

Is that the belt you used on her?

Benson

Hey, she asked you a question.

I want a lawyer.

Benson

Okay. But you're going down with or without a lawyer.

Ana is a terrorist, and a tramp. Do you really think anyone cares about her?

Benson

I do. [nods to Rollins] And so does she. And trust me, that's enough.

Are you a cop or a defense lawyer?

Benson

I did what I thought was right.

You are aware that our goal is to win this case?

Benson

I am. What did you want me to do? Perjure myself?

I just got done talking to the chief, the D.A., and the mayor. They're livid. Already looking for a head to serve up on a shiny, silver platter. They stuck their necks out with the feds just to get this case. Losing is not an option. So please, pretend you're on our side, not theirs.

My dad used to have an expression. He said "The greatest sin any person can commit is the abuse of power." And the greatest abuse of power is rape. It takes a woman a long time to heal. And when the victim isn't believed, when she goes through the invasive process of having a rape kit put together, and then it's stuck on a shelf somewhere, and then the rape kit is never, ever tested, we fail. We fail her. We fail so many women. I'm proud to say today we did not fail. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of law enforcement, the whole legal system, the victim's advocacy groups, and particularly my friend here, Lieutenant Olivia Benson of SVU. Congratulations, Lieutenant.

Benson

Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Vice President, we are so honored to stand here today with you to announce that in beginning to clear the national rape kit backlog, we have taken rapists off the streets. We have prevented future crimes. We have given victims closure. And we have also righted a terrible wrong. Sixteen years ago, Sean Roberts was convicted of a rape here in New York City that he did not commit. By processing an untested rape kit in Detroit, we were able to identify the real rapist and set Sean free.

Benson

How are you?

Fin

I'm good. Bad guy went down, that's all that matters.

Benson

Well, if you ever feel like talking...

Fin

Talking's overrated.

Justice sure isn't pretty some days.

Benson

Damn ugly this time.