Ep 1. Chameleon

In Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 4 episode 1, titled "Chameleon," the unit investigates the brutal rape of a woman found in Central Park. As the detectives delve into the case, they discover that the perpetrator is a master of disguise who has eluded capture for years. Along the way, the team faces a number of obstacles, including misleading witnesses, a lack of physical evidence, and a possible connection to a separate crime that occurred in the same area.

The episode begins with SVU detectives Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson responding to a call about a woman who was attacked in Central Park. When they arrive on the scene, they find the victim savagely beaten and left for dead. The woman, who goes by the name of Karen, is rushed to the hospital, where she undergoes surgery to repair the extensive damage to her face and other parts of her body.

Stabler and Benson begin the arduous task of gathering evidence and interviewing potential witnesses, but the investigation doesn't get off to a great start. No one in the area saw or heard anything, and there's no physical evidence to link the crime to a specific perpetrator. As the days go by, the detectives become increasingly frustrated, realizing that they're dealing with a criminal who's extremely skilled at covering his tracks.

Their breakthrough comes when a witness comes forward with a possible ID for the perpetrator. The witness claims to have seen a man lurking in the park who matched the description of a known criminal who's been on the run for years. The detectives follow up on the lead and discover that the suspect, who goes by the name of Chameleon, is a master of disguise who's able to change his appearance at will.

With this new information, the detectives shift their focus to tracking down Chameleon and bringing him to justice. They quickly realize that he's even more elusive than they initially thought, as he's able to change his appearance and identity with ease. The detectives find themselves playing a game of cat and mouse, following leads that seem promising only to have them lead to dead ends.

As the investigation progresses, the team realizes that there may be more to the case than meets the eye. They discover that there may be a link between Karen's attack and a separate crime that occurred in the same area. The detectives race against time to unravel the complex web of lies and deception surrounding Chameleon and bring him to justice before he can strike again.

Overall, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 4 episode 1 is a tense and compelling crime drama that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The episode is expertly crafted, with a tight plot, well-drawn characters, and plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers guessing until the very end. Fans of the series won't want to miss this captivating episode.