Benson Surprised Carisi with a Reassuring “Pep Talk” on SVU: “Look at You…”

Some cases hit close to home, and A.D.A. Sonny Carisi found himself feeling vulnerable during SVU‘s latest.

While the steadfast lawyers of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit always impress, A.D.A. Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino) makes it his mission to go above and beyond to secure justice for the elite squad.

Whether he’s interrogating witnesses during an explosive courtroom showdown or giving legal counsel to the detectives about their best direction on slapping charges, Carisi’s history as an SVU detective-turned-lawyer has made him uniquely equipped to deliver glimmering results.

During SVU’s April 2 episode “Vivid,” Carisi navigated an intense courtroom challenge after Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) discovered a rapist abusing patients undergoing an experimental drug trial for PTSD. The episode ended with Benson and Carisi sharing a sweet, yet painful heart-to-heart, along with an unexpected “pep talk.” Here’s what happened.

Carisi came to the courtroom ready to win on SVU

After the squad learned the dastardly actions of a once-trusted therapist working alongside the company developing a “miracle drug” for mental health treatment, ending the system of abuse proved easier said than done. After confirming the assailant had assaulted three women, arresting the corrupt therapist was simple enough, but after he quickly pleaded guilty to preserve the drug company’s ongoing efforts, Benson found herself grappling for a way to deliver justice once and for all.

While the rapist was behind bars, the system in which he operated was alive and well, so Benson asked Carisi to go after the drug company in an effort to shut it down. Carisi warned Benson that it was a long shot, an entirely different legal rodeo with various potential setbacks. But Benson remained determined to see the company face the consequences of allowing predators to abuse patients during their treatment, so Carisi agreed to attempt a Hail Mary.

Carisi argued tooth and nail in the courtroom, leveraging the drug company’s shady practices and lack of checks and balances to show that the potential for abuse was still present. However, with the judge hearing testimony about a “ground-breaking miracle drug,” and several money-hungry investors willing to comply with whatever regulations were needed to continue operation, the judge couldn’t grant Carisi’s request to shut the operation down. The medical trial would proceed as long as the CEO was replaced and major changes were implemented. Carisi could file for an appeal.

Benson gave Carisi a “pep talk” after the trial on SVU

Despite the undesirable verdict, Carisi’s assistant in the courtroom congratulated him on going down swinging. As Carisi and Benson headed back to the 16th Precinct, Benson asked Carisi if he was going to say ” I told you so” after they chose to punch above their weight.

But Carisi had no interest in rubbing the predictable ruling in her face, instead sharing a heartbreaking story that informed his eagerness to see the case through.

“When I was a kid, my mom had an abortion,” Carisi explained. “Nearly killed her Catholic heart, the baby would have been born with all kinds of problems. All this information came out about this antidepressant that she was using off and on. I remember this fancy lawyer, he came to our house, and he wanted her to join a class action lawsuit. He told us that hundreds of babies have been born with birth defects because of that drug.”

“What did she do?” Benson asked.

“Class action was denied certification, the case never went to trial,” Carisi sadly revealed. “My mom, she couldn’t afford to file an individual claim, so… that was that.”

While Carisi’s mother wasn’t helped by the justice system, Benson was eager to remind Carisi that their case was still a victory. The rapist was going to prison, the drug company’s CEO was being replaced, and real change was being implemented. It wasn’t all an L.

“You didn’t really lose this case today,” Benson comforted him.

“Look at you with the pep talk,” Carisi smiled. “Usually I’m the one telling you that we did all that we could.”

“Well, people change,” Benson shrugged with a smirk as the pair headed back to the precinct.