“Rorschach,” the latest Law & Order: SVU episode, offered a twist as convoluted as its titular psychological test. A young influencer couple’s idyllic road trip—meticulously documented for their followers, naturally—turned grim when they were attacked at a campground. Ellie Hughes (Jen Parker Davis) ended up in critical condition, and Chris Becker (Graham Patrick Martin), her boyfriend, suffered a stab wound. Initially, the involvement of the FBI hinted at a multi-state manhunt. But soon enough, the familiar faces of SVU were on the scene, sniffing out the ever-present scent of a sex crime.
As Detectives Bruno (Kevin Kane) and Silva (Juliana Aidén Martinez) teamed up with FBI Agent Harrison Clay (Josh Cooke), the investigation revealed cracks in the couple’s social media facade. Chris’s story had more holes than a Swiss cheese, and whispers of domestic abuse began to circulate.
While Ellie remained comatose, with doctors muttering the dreaded “brain-dead” diagnosis, her mother clung to hope, convinced of her daughter’s continued presence. Turns out, mom’s intuition was sharper than the whole combined intellect of the SVU squad. Ellie eventually regained consciousness, offering the key piece of information needed to expose Chris as the assailant.
The episode’s not-so-subtle message about the deceptive nature of social media happiness was laid on thicker than Benson’s (Mariska Hargitay) NYPD-issue foundation. The couple’s online perfection masked a troubled relationship, one that ultimately led to violence. In a bonus twist, Chris’s mother also earned herself a pair of bracelets for helping her son skip town.
With its exploration of distorted perceptions and hidden truths, “Rorschach” at least justified its title. It also very much clearly channeled the 2021 Gabby Petito case.
Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 6 “Rorschach” aired Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 9/8c on NBC.
