After Law And Order: SVU Gave Carisi The ‘Wake-Up Call’ He Needed, Peter Scanavino Talked Filming His Most Emotional Moments With Mariska Hargitay

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In a powerful start to the 2025 TV season, Law & Order: SVU didn’t shy away from presenting deeply personal dramas. The winter premiere continued the storyline from the heart-wrenching fall finale, focusing on ADA Carisi who was still grappling with trauma. He returned to work in the opening episode of the new year titled “First Light,” yet he seemed unsettled as memories of his deli incident resurfaced. It became evident why Peter Scanavino mentioned earlier that Carisi required some “tough love.” This was provided by Captain Benson. After the episode, Scanavino shared insights about Carisi’s emotional awakening and filming the climactic scene with Mariska Hargitay.

In a regrettable turn of events during his initial case of the year, Detective Carisi found himself stumbling in such a way that it appeared unjustifiably likely that a rape victim would be denied justice. This realization was not lost on him when he received a call from District Attorney Baxter, portrayed on Law & Order by Tony Goldwyn. In a poignant moment of vulnerability, Carisi confided in Benson during an emotionally charged scene where they were the only two in the courtroom. He admitted that his spirits were so low that he couldn’t find joy even amidst his children opening their Christmas presents and hinted at a possible loss of emotional capacity, suggesting that he was no longer feeling the passion required to secure a victory in his cases.

In addition, he acknowledged his anger, a sentiment Benson subtly highlighted. She brought up all the effort he’d invested to transition from detective to prosecutor, and in a tender gesture, she urged him to “snap out of it” and “return.” This exchange, though brief, was crucial for Carisi. Although he couldn’t rectify his mistakes in court, he did secure the necessary leverage for a plea deal, ensuring some justice for the victim. (You can now watch this episode with a Peacock subscription.)

As a movie enthusiast, when I recently chatted with Peter Scanavino about the pivotal Carisi episode of Season 26, I inquired about his insights on why Benson was the ideal candidate to rouse Carisi from his coma. Considering that the winter premiere showcased Kelli Giddish as Amanda Rollins, Carisi’s spouse, Scanavino revealed:

Due to their long-standing bond, if someone can communicate openly and sincerely with you, it signifies that they care about you. Thus, when Benson hears “You need to wake up” from him, he understands the message because trust has been established over more than a decade between them. If it were anyone else, he might have dismissed their words as just noise, but since there’s mutual respect in their relationship, he can listen to what she says.

The conversation proved effective; not only was the husband who orchestrated the assault of his wife sentenced to 25 years in prison due to Carisi’s plea deal, but also flashed a smile at the end of the episode while having dinner with Rollins and their three children. Although it wasn’t a typical therapy session like on SVU, Scanavino continued:

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The conversation was successful; not only did Carisi’s plea deal ensure that the husband who organized the assault of his wife would spend 25 years in prison, but also showed a smile at the end of the episode while having dinner with Rollins and their three children. It wasn’t quite like a therapy session on SVU, as Scanavino explained further:

Essentially, she’s emphasizing that this is a wake-up call and a stark reminder of the consequences if the victim doesn’t change their ways. Prosecuting this case effectively is dependent on this realization, which seems to be an important aspect as well.

The significance lies in the fact that the scene was acted out by Mariska Hargitay and Peter Scanavino, not merely because Hargitay has starred in more episodes of the “Law & Order” franchise than any other actor. In truth, Benson and Carisi share a rich history, and as per Peter Scanavino, his on-screen partner was instrumental in shaping their emotional scene from the winter premiere. He explained:

In each episode, it’s evident that certain scenes are crucial for the development of your character, and this one definitely fell into that category. I wasn’t entirely sure how to approach it, whether I would be irritated or not. However, having Mariska, who I admire deeply and is an exceptional actress, made it easier. She essentially guided the scene, allowing me to respond off her cues. I knew my character’s motivations, and the scene progressed naturally, leading to some pleasant surprises during filming.

As yet uncertain if “First Light” marked Carisi’s definitive departure from this storyline or if the memories of the deli hostage crisis will re-emerge, he appears to be back to his usual self at present. Following a genuine smile shared with family during the winter premiere, everything seems relatively normal for him in the next episode… as peaceful as life ever is on Law & Order: SVU! Take a look at the trailer for the upcoming episode below:

Don’t miss the upcoming episode of “Law & Order: SVU,” Season 26, titled “Master Key,” airing on NBC this Thursday, January 23 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. In the current TV lineup for 2024-2025, “SVU” follows “Law & Order” Season 24 at 8 p.m. ET and precedes “Found” Season 2 at 10 p.m. ET. Regarding potential crossovers between “SVU” and “Law & Order: Organized Crime” Season 5, we’ll have to wait for the premiere date of Christopher Meloni’s show on Peacock as a streaming original.

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2025-01-21 15:37