Ep 22. Competence

The episode titled "Competence" is the 22nd and final episode of the third season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In this episode, the team deals with the case of a teenage girl, Samantha Weaver, who was brutally raped and beaten up in the bathroom of her school. Samantha is in a critical condition in the hospital and the team is tasked with finding out who did this to her.

Investigations reveal that Samantha was a promising student and was about to graduate high school with flying colors. She had also secured a scholarship to study at a prestigious college. However, the team discovers that Samantha was involved in a relationship with a much older man, who was also her boss at a local restaurant. The team quickly identifies the man as their prime suspect.

As the case progresses, the team discovers that the suspect has a history of sexual misconduct and had been fired from his previous job for harassing a coworker. Despite this, the suspect continues to maintain his innocence. He insists that he did not harm Samantha and that he was at the restaurant during the time of the attack.

In order to prove his innocence, the suspect agrees to take a polygraph test. However, the results of the test are inconclusive and the team is left with no solid evidence to tie him to the crime.

The team then shifts their attention to Samantha's friends and classmates, and discovers that Samantha had been a victim of relentless bullying and had even attempted suicide in the past. They suspect that one of her classmates might have been responsible for the attack.

As the team narrows down their list of suspects, they finally discover the identity of the attacker. However, the situation takes a shocking turn when the suspect turns out to be someone that they never expected.

The episode "Competence" deals with a sensitive issue of sexual assault and harassment and sheds light on how victims sometimes find it difficult to come forward and report such incidences. The episode highlights the importance of believing victims and the crucial role that law enforcement agencies play in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

The show maintains its standard of providing gripping drama while sensitively and thoughtfully addressing the issue of sexual assault. Overall, "Competence" is a powerful and thought-provoking episode that is sure to keep viewers engaged till the very end.