Epibits: 1015 “Fools For Love” (2000)

Original Air Date—23 February 2000
A man is accused of raping and killing his girlfriend’s sister and another victim. Prosecutors make a deal with the girlfriend for her testimony against the accused, but they also suspect that she was a willing participant in the murders. via IMDB

That was fast, only a few episodes after conceiving of the DREAM TEAM, I experienced one.  And wow, on top of it being a DREAM TEAM episode, there was an SVU crossover, two semi-high profile cameos, and some oddly placed commercial breaks.  I have little to say about the actual episode, but much to say about the trivia surrounding it.

CROSSOVER!
We’re teased early in the opening credits with Special guest appearances from Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay, even before the basics of the case are laid out.  However, there’s certainly a sex crime angle on it already, so a pop in from those two would not be outta place.

Commercial Break…
It’s S. Epatha Merkerson (say that three times, fast. I dare ya!) in a commercial for Coricidan HBP!  Surely some well placed Tivo bait, which, frankly, worked.  Is that Lt. Anita Van Buren sitting on a bed? Why does she have braids? Why aren’t they at the station, is Ed about to give her the business? What? a crummy commercial?

Introducing… Ellen Pompeo
Ellen Pompeo appears as the victim! Or the victim’s sister, or the weird accomplice? Anyways, she’s here, 5 years before her breakthrough on Grey’s Anatomy.

The amazing irony of her appearance in this episode of L&O is that she has like three crying scenes.  An early teaser to her main talent on Grey’s. That is, of course, other than wearing long sleeves under short sleeves.  The Pompeo Special.

DREAM TEAM, Assemble!
Well, with Van Buren mentioning A.D.A. Abbie Carmichael prior to her actual appearance, I can feel the DREAM TEAM coming together.  We’re 4 of 5 now (assuming Jack is in it, of course).  All we need now is D.A. Adam Schiff played by Steven Hill, and we’ll be complete…  BOOM. Schiff it is, albeit brief, but we’ll count it.

Special Guest AND Commercial Break
The department’s pysch gets to evaulate Pompeo, and its none other than JK Simmons. Who, you ask? He’s one of those dudes that’s in every other show or movie you watch, but you never remember his name. Hey, isn’t that the Dad from Juno? Hey isn’t that the boss at the Daily Post in Spiderman?

Speaking of… another well placed commercial!  It’s a promo for the Burn After Reading DVD, with a scene starring JK Simmons. Uncanny, I tell ya.

Summary
A pretty decent episode, but honestly, I’m distracted by all the star power, crossovers and weird commercials. Anyways, close ‘er up for us Jack.

McCoy FTW
A.D.A. Abbie Carmichael: How do you wash it off, Jack?
A.D.A. Jack McCoy: I wish I knew…