This article contains a mention of a sexual assault.
Warning! This article may contain spoilers forLaw & Order: SVUseason 26, episode 8, “Cornered.“Dominick Carisi’s recent behavior inLaw and Order: SVUis a reminder of what separates him from his ADA predecessors. Carisi’s recent storyline involved a substitute teacher inappropriately looking at Rollins' daughter and other young women, causing the ADA to confront the man. DuringLaw & Order: SVUseason 26fall finale, Carisi is in a hostage situation at a grocery store. Both examples pivot toCarisi’s need to help others and confront bad guys without solely using his expertise as an attorney.
Carisi’s character arc leading to the events of “Cornered” presents an intriguing showdown for the ADA because he goes through physical and psychological implications when trying to stop the robbers. Both the leering man plot and the grocery store robbery episode both exhibitCarisi’s strengths as a lawyer and ex-copwho’s willing to do anything to help others when it comes to personal safety and life-and-death scenarios. Secretly,Law & Order: SVUseason 26, episode 8 also highlights his unique advantage asOlivia Benson and her team’s current go-to ADA.
Carisi Uses His Cop Skills In Law & Order: SVU Season 26, Episode 8
Carisi Being In Danger Further Enhances His Character Arc
When Carisi confronts a leering man during his multi-episode arc inLaw & Order: SVUseason 26, he uses his expertise as a former cop to approach his suspected perp and take action to prevent him from harassing any women, including Rollins' daughter. Carisi takes this situation personally because he is a caring protector of his family and a civil servant of the people who is adamant about ensuring everyone’s safety. Carisi also learns an important lesson in this case by understanding that even people who commit wrongdoing, like the leering man, must seek help to learn from their mistakes.
…Carisi uses his experience both as an ex-detective and an attorney to negotiate with the robbers and ensure the safety of the hostages.
In “Cornered”, Carisi is placed in a more extreme situation as he is taken hostage in a grocery store by two male robbers, who also hold the deli owner and two young women in captivity. Carisi is fearful during this crisis because, while he was a cop who had experience with other dangerous scenarios like this one, he is now an attorney and family man who has been away from physical danger for a long time. However, Carisi uses his experience both as an ex-detective and an attorney to negotiate with the robbers and ensure the safety of the hostages.
Carisi’s Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Obsession Highlights The Toll Rollins' Absence Is Taking
Carisi’s reaction to learning about a pedophile in the community in Law & Order: SVU season 26, episode 7 shows how much he needs Rollins.
Carisi’s recent situations with the leering man and the grocery store robbery are pivotal to his characterization because his raw emotions and facing danger head-on in recent episodes were rarely seen for some time. This allows him to unveil his vulnerabilities and his strengths as both an attorney and former cop when placed in precarious situations. Additionally, however,Law & Order: SVUseason 26 may have set up a bigger arc for Carisimoving forward.
Carisi Is The Only Law & Order: SVU ADA Who Started Out As A Detective With Benson’s Team
Carisi’s Experience As Cop And Lawyer Makes Him Versatile
Unlikeprevious ADAs like Casey Novakand Rafael Barba,Carisi is unique becausehe has a point-of-view from both sides as an attorney and former detective. Carisi initially tries to bargain with the robbers as an attorney by giving up his watch and wallet, as well as ensuring a light prison sentence inLaw & Order: SVUseason 26, episode 8. However, when the lead robber, Boyd Lynch, sexually assaults one of the two women in the store, Carisi reverts to being a detective by getting defensive toward the robbers and refusing to follow their demands.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Cast
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is a television series that premiered in 1999. Set in the criminal justice system of New York City, it follows an elite team of detectives who investigate sexually-based offenses, focusing on their efforts to solve complex cases and seek justice for victims.
