Only four episodes earlier, we see Ice T's character Det. Tutuola get emotionally involved in a case of child abuse and vicious indifference to young, vulnerable children... and this episode cements his character's affinity for, and sensitivity in dealing with the plight of young black children in New York city.
It's frequently the case that the two lead detectives, Stabler and Benson are shown getting emotionally involved in rape cases or family abuse cases, but the writers are doing more to develop further social and emotional backgrounds for the other characters.
After 4 seasons in the show, we still know too little about Det. Tutuola's background save his being a native New Yorker growing up in "the 'hood". Getting off the streets to join the NYPD and transferring from Narcotics to give the show a more streetwise, tough cop to balance the family oriented Stabler, the cynical yet distant Munch and the sensitive female Benson - but these recent episodes are leading up to a development for his character which has some explosive potential....
Storywise the episode is less horrific than others, but as a vehicle for spotlighting Ice T's acting skills and developing his character's emotional mindset, this is a definite clincher.
It's frequently the case that the two lead detectives, Stabler and Benson are shown getting emotionally involved in rape cases or family abuse cases, but the writers are doing more to develop further social and emotional backgrounds for the other characters.
After 4 seasons in the show, we still know too little about Det. Tutuola's background save his being a native New Yorker growing up in "the 'hood". Getting off the streets to join the NYPD and transferring from Narcotics to give the show a more streetwise, tough cop to balance the family oriented Stabler, the cynical yet distant Munch and the sensitive female Benson - but these recent episodes are leading up to a development for his character which has some explosive potential....
Storywise the episode is less horrific than others, but as a vehicle for spotlighting Ice T's acting skills and developing his character's emotional mindset, this is a definite clincher.