In the annals of Law & Order: SVU, a few episodes stand out as unforgettable, leaving viewers pondering long after the credits roll. Among these standout episodes is one where a journalist lands in prison for protecting Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay). If this episode doesn’t ring a bell, don’t worry—we’ve got all the details and the fan reactions that have reignited interest in this dramatic storyline.
Season 7, Episode 10: “Storm”
This 2005 episode is a masterclass in twists and turns. It begins with three young girls fleeing from a man after enjoying a carousel ride in a park. The oldest, Tasha Wright (Keke Palmer), dashes into the street with her sister Lola, getting hit by a car. The man seizes the opportunity to escape with the other sister, Nicki Wright (Nickayla Tucker), leaving Tasha and Lola behind.
Detectives Benson and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) discover that the man kidnapped the sisters in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Stranded on their roof as their mother and grandmother drowned, the girls were taken by a pedophile who brought them to New York City. To locate Lola, the detectives release a fake story to the media, claiming an unidentified girl is in a coma, hoping witnesses from the park can help identify the man.
Enter Jackson Zane (Matthew Settle), a reporter from The New York Ledger. Skeptical of the story, Zane digs deeper and learns Tasha isn’t in a coma and left with a detective. Stabler tempts him with an exclusive if he holds off on running the story.
Tasha eventually identifies the kidnapper in a video from the park. They trace him to Clark Corman, later revealed to be Alvin Dutch (Russell Hornsby), a sex offender. However, before they can extract more information, Alvin dies from anthrax poisoning, complicating the case further.
With Zane’s help, Benson and the team locate Nicki through Alvin’s former cellmate. They rescue her just in time from anthrax infection. The anthrax, discovered to be military grade, is traced back to a research facility in Louisiana involved in bioweapons engineering.
The Leaked Information
The FBI takes over the case, warning the detectives against leaking any information. However, Benson, determined to uncover the truth, leaks details to Jackson, who publishes the story. The move results in the release of the Wright girls and leads to the discovery that the anthrax came from a van driven by Michael Delpit (Leo Marks), who smuggled it for cash. With crucial information from Delpit, the case breaks open.
Benson’s commitment to the truth puts Jackson in a tough spot. Despite facing prison time, he refuses to reveal Benson as his source, upholding the principle of a free press. “I give them your name, they win,” he tells her. Jackson ultimately serves five years for obstruction of justice.
Fan Reactions
On Reddit, fans recently revisited this poignant episode. One user posted screenshots from Benson and Jackson’s final conversation, sparking a lively discussion. “This guy is probably still in jail 15 years later for not naming Olivia as his source,” read the post’s title.
“I’m guessing she wouldn’t have made captain and lieutenant if it were known she leaked this info. Or still be on the force,” one fan speculated.
Another fan expressed a desire to see Jackson return. “I feel like they should make him come back somehow,” they said.
The emotional weight of the episode resonated with many. “Ugh, the ending of this episode was so sad,” one fan lamented.
This particular episode of Law & Order: SVU remains etched in the memories of fans, a testament to the powerful storytelling and complex characters that define the series.
