Ep 10. Ill-Conceived

In Law & Order season 14 episode 10, titled "Ill-Conceived," the team at the 27th precinct are tasked with solving a complex case involving a surrogate mother and a prominent New York City couple.

The episode opens with a young woman named Gemma Morales, who is seven months pregnant with twins via surrogacy. She is rushed to the hospital after experiencing severe abdominal pain, which turns out to be a ruptured placenta. Despite the doctors' best efforts, one of the twins dies, leaving Gemma distraught and heartbroken.

Detectives Fontana and Green are called to investigate the case and soon discover that Gemma was acting as a surrogate for a wealthy couple, the Rileys. The Rileys are in the middle of a contentious divorce and both want custody of the surviving twin. The case quickly becomes complicated as the detectives try to determine who is responsible for the death of the other twin and whether Gemma's health was properly monitored throughout her pregnancy.

As they dig deeper into the case, the detectives learn that Gemma had been living with her boyfriend, Luis, and his sister, who had hired a lawyer to represent them in the surrogacy agreement. The lawyer, however, seems to have some shady dealings, including falsifying medical records and concealing important information from Gemma.

As the detectives build their case against the lawyer and the Rileys, they must also deal with Gemma's emotional state as she struggles to come to terms with the loss of one of her babies and the uncertainty of what will happen to the surviving twin.

Meanwhile, DA Branch and ADA Southerlyn must navigate the legal system and determine whether the Rileys should be charged with any crimes in relation to the death of the twin. The case becomes even more complicated when the Rileys produce a letter from Gemma giving them custody of the surviving twin in the event of her death.

"Ill-Conceived" is a suspenseful episode that takes viewers on a rollercoaster of emotions as they follow the detectives' investigation and struggle to determine who is responsible for the death of the twin. The episode also delves into the complicated world of surrogacy and its legal implications, raising important questions about the responsibilities of surrogate mothers, intended parents and their legal representatives. The actors deliver strong performances that showcase the complex emotions involved in the case, ensuring that viewers will be gripped until the very end.