‘Law & Order: SVU’: Benson Packs Up Her Desk — Judges, Lawmakers Suspects In Catholic Schoolgirl Sex Crimes

Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 17 is titled “Manhattan Transfer.” Since this is the final episode before the hiatus, fans expect the NBC crime drama to be shocking. The title itself doesn’t reveal too much information, but the synopsis for “Manhattan Transfer” reveals it will be a troubling and difficult case for SVU detectives. What is an NYPD sex crimes unit supposed to do when the sexual exploitation of Catholic schoolgirls leads to suspects that are judges, district attorney’s, police officers, and even lawmakers? That is exactly what Olivia Benson and her squad will be dealing with in Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 17.

According to the synopsis for Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 17 not only reveals that those working in law are suspects but that charges are filed. However, will the powerful suspects have to pay for their crimes?

Have a great weekend, #SVUDiehards. Don't even think about the HUGE bombshells in next Wednesday's #SVU pic.twitter.com/mBRKPwNZny

— Warren Leight (@warrenleightTV) February 26, 2016

“An investigation into the sexual exploitation of underage Catholic schoolgirls,” Carter Matt wrote about the synopsis for “Manhattan Transfer,” “leads to shocking charges against judges, legislators, DAs and members of the NYPD.”

Olivia Benson and her squad have dealt with corrupt lawmakers, judges, medical examiners, and even police officers in previous episodes of Law & Order: SVU. However, the synopsis for “Manhattan Transfer” makes it sound like this is on a much larger scale. Instead of just a few corrupt individuals, could the SVU detectives be dealing with a huge group of their own guilty of sex crimes against underage Catholic schoolgirls? Since the press release states that charges are filed, there will likely be a trial. But how can ADA Rafael Barba be sure that the judge presiding in the case isn’t part of it? Will there be too many people involved? Will the power of the suspects make the case too difficult?

? allthingssvu: 0liviabenson: Rafael Barba is a National Treasure.   I want to take him home with me. https://t.co/qHgkTaWTWq

— Mel E Hart (@MelEHart) February 24, 2016

The official promo for Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 17 states that “Manhattan Transfer” will involve a sex scandal that reaches those in the highest level of power. In the video clip, it looks like a party with teenage girls, wearing tight and short dresses, lighting cigars for the men in the room. Judge Wheeler and a congressman are identified by SVU detectives while they are observing in the surveillance van. Benson and the others are shocked at the faces they recognize on the surveillance video.

In the “Manhattan Transfer” promo, SVU detectives bust up the party with their weapons. However, the narrator teases that it could bring down the SVU. As for ADA Barba, he seems upset with Benson. He tells Olivia that they are “done talking,” and Barba does not seem pleased. In the next scene, Benson is seen packing her belongings in a box, including the nameplate on her desk. Could she be leaving Law & Order: SVU? Olivia Benson is one of the most popular characters – and Mariska Hargitay is one of the original cast members. Hopefully, this is just something temporary or she will unpack that box by the end of Season 17, Episode 17. Law & Order: SVU won’t be the same without Benson.

A sneak peek for Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 17 shows Amanda Rollins speaking with three teenage girls. The detective is asking the teenagers about the party. It turns out they met some other girls at a concert and were invited. The camera zooms to Benson, who is giving Barba the details on the bust. Those arrested include judges, congressmen, district attorneys, investigators, members of the NYPD, and Judge Wheeler, which is a name and face Barba recognizes. When it comes to Judge Wheeler, Barba says he isn’t surprised.

The Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 17 sneak peek also reveals there might be a problem with the bust. Another agency was working the investigation from another angle. The vice detectives say that the SVU ruined their operation. The other problem in “Manhattan Transfer” is that none of the girls are talking, and according to Benson, they have pimps who have complete control of them.

Spoilers Guide published promotional photos for Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 17. One shows a woman in the hospital with an arm sling and cuts on her face. She isn’t a teenager, so how is she related to the case? Did she know information and get assaulted for talking? Another image features a woman sitting in what appears to be a youth’s bedroom. She is possibly the mother of one of the teenage girls. The bedroom is filled with crosses, complete with pictures of praying hands. The woman looks confused and devastated. Then, what appears to be that same woman is sitting in an interrogation room with Sonny. She is wearing a police jacket which is far too big for her small frame. Sitting on the table in front of her is a blonde wig.

Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 17 airs March 2 on NBC.

[Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images]