It isn’t that often that an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit focuses on the character Dominick “Sunny” Carisi.
He has had a handful of episodes where he plays a huge part in the events of the story. Probably the most notable example being when he went undercover at a homeless shelter in the 2016 episode “Sheltered Outcasts.”
Carisi has had a storied journey on the show. He started out as a detective who may not have had quite the sensitivity to be an SVU detective. However, he quickly proved himself a capable cop. It is revealed early on he is studying at night school to become a lawyer. He is eventually admitted to the bar and became a prosecutor. Carisi has served as SVU’s ADA since season 21.
A hostage situation
In the 2024 fall finale episode, “Cornered,” Carisi is front and center as the star. The episode finds Carisi being taken hostage in a deli that he frequents. It just so happens the deli is located just a few blocks from One Police Plaza, the headquarters of NYPD.
When Carisi is late for a meeting, Benson (Marissa Hargitay) heads to the deli to see what is causing the delay. Just as she reaches the deli, Carisi is forced, at gunpoint, to lock the door to the deli. He and Benson lock eyes for a moment, and Benson gets the point immediately. She realizes Carisi is a hostage and she quickly calls for backup.
When the SWAT team arrives and starts to coordinate the scene, Benson calls Carisi’s wife, Sergeant Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish). Rollins has returned to NYPD and works in the intelligence division. She brings Amanda up to speed, and Amanda hurries to the scene of the crime.
Inside the deli, things quickly get intense. One of the robbers, a young man named Deonte (Keith Machekanyanga) is clearly in over his head. His partner Boyd (Silas Weir Mitchell) is the more unhinged of the two, and he spends the episode being demanding of the victims.
As soon as Carisi arrives to the deli and realizes a robbery is taking place, he immediately jumps into action. He is friendly with the deli worker, Ali (Turhan Troy Caylak), and tells Ali to comply with the orders given by the two robbers. Carisi also does not hesitate to give up his valuables, including his wallet and wedding ring in order to appease the robbers. To make the stakes higher, two young women are also hostages.
Meanwhile, outside of the deli, Benson stays while a hostage negotiator arrives. The two butt heads, especially when Amanda arrives. As the spouse of one of the victims inside of the deli, it isn’t the best idea for Amanda to be at the scene of the crime. However, there is no telling Amanda to leave. Benson coordinates Velasco and Silva to find out as much information as possible about the two robbers.
An important episode for Carisi
Peter Scanavino as Carisi truly shines during this episode. Most of his scenes lately have been in the courtroom or in the SVU squadroom giving advice to the police. It was a nice refreshing change of pace to have him immediately jump into the role of protector in this episode.
It was almost like having Detective Carisi back for an episode. And although Carisi doubts himself, he is quick to think during the entire ordeal, which leads to a better outcome than if he wasn’t there.
That’s not to say everything is all sunshine and rainbows during this episode. In fact, Boyd even shows a far darker side later in the episode as he takes one of the women to the freezer alone.
It is implied he assaults her, though never fully confirmed. However, her reaction when she is freed leaves little to the imagination. And there is one fatality during the robbery. Suffice to say it’s a painful blow for Carisi, who blames himself for not acting fast enough.
Aftermath
As the episode concludes, it is clear that Carisi is struggling with what happened to him. He is obviously suffering from PTSD and that he should get some help. Benson even offers to refer Carisi to her therapist. Carisi politely declines, saying therapy isn’t for him.
In the final scene, Benson and Rollins watch as Carisi greets his law clerk (he left for the deli at the beginning of the episode to get flowers for her). Both Benson and Rollin muse that Carisi is not okay, and he definitely needs help dealing with what happened to him.
While the episode ends without informing viewers whether Carisi will seek help for what happened, it certainly leaves the door open. Although Carisi turned down Benson’s therapy offer, it’s likely he will talk with someone about what happened.
As Carisi is a Catholic man, he will likely talk with a priest before talking to anyone else about what happened. And who knows, he may even eventually agree to therapy, given some time. In the promo for the first episode of 2025, Carisi appears to be back at work, ready to take on the next SVU perp.
SVU and the original Law & Order are set to return for the second half of their seasons on January 16, 2025. At this time, it is not clear yet when Law & Order: Organized Crime will return. It will not air on television with its counterparts, instead airing exclusively on Peacock.
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