Watching since 1999 and ... I understand why many of you are disappointed in this episode (myself included). I wouldn't throw it away on a 1 star review, but it definitely falls short in several ways.
I love a good bottle show, but for starters, the case in this episode is a terrible choice for an argument about moral grey-area. Is emotional abuse as bad as physical abuse? Yes. Anyone who thinks otherwise has apparently not been paying attention since about 1985. Was it justifiable homicide? Yes. Not only that, we have seen more than a handful of other episodes with the same basic premise go down on SVU and it was hardly even a question (Persona, for example). It's not even the first time we have seen Liv struggle with the idea of perjuring herself (anyone remember American Dream/Sanctuary?).
What trips this episode up, right from the get-go, is the leap the audience is expected to take in regards to the characters' attitudes. Finn's blasé act is a lie right out of the gate, as fans are aware of him admitting his feelings on abusers in the past. Rollins was six degrees colder than usual, as well, even though we all know she can show sympathy for victims despite her family issues. And Stone? Are we really supposed to believe him calling Liv a bleeding heart, after he's spent the last 3 shows following her around like a puppy? Not only that, but him going off on the defendant on the stand? The eff is he even doing near SVU, with what he said? Gross.
I would have given this episode 8 stars, if only Liv had lied at the end. I would have loved to see her character grow more diverse that way, after 20 years in the unit. Instead, the first 40 minutes of this episode are wasted, as we watch the same old ending. Such a shame. I think a much better bottle show would have been that one where the kid ejaculates on the girl's leg, and is still taken to court for penetrative rape, if we want to watch 4 seasoned detectives (in the most sensitive unit of the entire NYPD) argue about whether victims are human or not.
Great acting, and not much else, unfortunately.