Ep 18. Bedtime

In the 18th episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 11, titled "Bedtime," the team investigates the mysterious death of a six-year-old child who was found in her bed, reportedly smothered. Initially, the case seems to be a straightforward murder investigation, but as detectives Benson and Stabler delve deeper, they discover a web of secrets that goes far beyond the tragic death of the little girl.

The episode opens with a grieving family and a scene of detectives investigating the child's room, trying to piece together what could have happened. The parents of the little girl, the Tennants, are inconsolable, and the detectives must tread carefully when questioning them about their daughter's last moments. However, as the investigation progresses, the detectives uncover a number of disturbing facts about the Tennant family.

One of the things that immediately strikes Benson and Stabler is the fact that the Tennant's other daughter, a nine-year-old named Sophie, is missing. The Tennants claim that she is at a friend's house, but the detectives quickly discover that Sophie has been missing for two days, and her parents did not report her absence to the police. As the team begins to dig deeper into the family's history, they discover that the Tennants have a troubled past.

Mr. Tennant, it seems, has a history of domestic violence, and he has served a prison sentence in the past for attacking his wife. The Tennants also have a tumultuous relationship, and the detectives learn that Mrs. Tennant has a history of mental illness. As they conduct interviews with the Tennants' other family members and friends, Benson and Stabler begin to piece together a picture of a deeply dysfunctional family.

The team's investigation takes a surprising turn when they receive a tip-off about a creepy online predator who has been lurking in the background of the Tennant family's life. The predator, who goes by the username "Mr. Sandman," has been sending messages to Sophie, pretending to be a friend. The detectives speculate that Mr. Sandman may have played a role in Sophie's disappearance, and as they begin to trace his online activity, they discover that he has been grooming other young girls as well.

What follows is a tense race against time as the detectives try to locate Sophie and bring Mr. Sandman to justice. As they close in on the predator, they uncover a shocking twist that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

"Bedtime" is an emotionally charged episode that showcases the talents of the cast and crew of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The writing is sharp and engaging, and the pacing of the episode keeps viewers hooked from beginning to end. The investigation is intriguing, and the characters are multi-dimensional and complex, adding depth and nuance to the story.

The standout performance of the episode comes from Mariska Hargitay, who plays Detective Benson with sensitivity and depth. As Benson navigates the complexities of the case, she also has to confront her own feelings about child abuse and the toll it takes on victims and investigators alike. Her performance is powerful and engaging, and she anchors the episode with a sense of emotional depth and authenticity.

In conclusion, "Bedtime" is a powerful and engrossing episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit that will appeal to fans of the show as well as newcomers. It is a gripping and emotional journey that explores the dark side of human nature while also highlighting the resilience and strength of the human spirit.