Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)

Man Down (2018)

Mariska Hargitay: Lieutenant Olivia Benson

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Quotes 

• Amanda Rollins : Just explain this to me. Why is Roe v. Wade sacrosanct and the Second Amendment disposable?

  Olivia Benson : Maybe because one kills.

  Amanda Rollins : In Georgia, they both do. You know? Jesus, what is worse? I mean, to have your kid killed or have your kid be the one that's killed somebody else.

  Olivia Benson : Mm. Amanda, you're you're not thinking of...

  Amanda Rollins : I don't know if I need another baby. I don't know if I want another baby. All I know is, if I was back home, the choice would be a lot easier. There'd be no choice.

  Olivia Benson : Give me your phone.

  Amanda Rollins : What?

  Olivia Benson : Just unlock it and give it to me.

  [Rollins unlocks her phone and gives it to Olivia; Olivia pulls up footage of Jesse] 

  Amanda Rollins : That's playing dirty.

  Olivia Benson : I distinctly remember when you showed that to me. You told me that was the best moment of your life. This is your decision to make alone, and I will defend to the death your right to make it, but regret is an awful thing to live with.

• Olivia Benson : Peter, this is not your fault.

  Peter Stone : I made the decision to cross-examine him. I could have stood up, and said, "No questions, Your Honor." I could have looked in that boy's eyes and seen how fragile he was and damaged. I should have seen past the brave face, thought about sparing his soul any more pain instead of winning my case.

  Olivia Benson : Peter, you were trying to save him.

  Peter Stone : I didn't have to cross-examine him.

  Olivia Benson : Yes, you did. His father raped him, for God's sakes.

  Peter Stone : And then I raped him all over again up on that witness stand.

• Olivia Benson : So that's it? It's over? Sam goes to prison, probably for life. I get that. He deserves it. But the father... the father just gets to walk away?

  Peter Stone : No. This isn't over. Not by a long shot.

• Olivia Benson : [to Stone]  Your cell phone died?

  Peter Stone : How'd you find me?

  Olivia Benson : Carmen and I go way back.

  Peter Stone : I'd fire her if she wasn't the best assistant I ever had.

• Olivia Benson : Amanda, this is not our fault.

  Amanda Rollins : I'm just saying, under Stone's theory...

  Olivia Benson : Yes, and we did not put guns in Sam Conway's apartment.

  Amanda Rollins : He could have gotten a gun anywhere. He could have used a knife, a bomb

  Olivia Benson : Please don't go all Second Amendment on me.

• Olivia Benson : [after John Conway's rape acquittal]  What just happened?

  Peter Stone : The D.A. just asked the same thing. Not as politely.

• Olivia Benson : Children are dead, Peter. Two sets of parents are mourning a dead child.

  Peter Stone : And Sam's in prison for it.

  Olivia Benson : We already lost Sam, Peter. This is about the next Sam Conway.

• Olivia Benson : What do you think?

  Peter Stone : You saw it.

  Olivia Benson : Actually, I didn't. I'm sorry, I just couldn't stomach listening to "The world according to John Conway".

  Peter Stone : Well, it didn't go great.

  Olivia Benson : Meaning?

  Peter Stone : I'm calling Sam as a rebuttal witness.

• Olivia Benson : [Amanda is looking indecisive into the fridge]  You know, I heard if you stare long enough, a cheesecake will magically appear

  Amanda Rollins : How long do I have to stare for a slice with strawberry topping to show up?

• Lisa Martin : My clinical evaluation is Sam is not legally insane. He wasn't insane during the time of the shooting. He knew that firing the gun was wrong. He knew the consequences. He has remorse.

  Odafin Tutuola : Two kids are still dead.

  Olivia Benson : Did he say why?

  Lisa Martin : I mean, in a roundabout way. I mean, this is not rocket science. He grew up in a household with a very traditional view of masculinity, taken to the extreme. Like a toxicity.

  Peter Stone : To be a man, you have to kill animals, win ballgames, you-you don't cry, you tough out whatever comes your way.

  Olivia Benson : Even your own father sexually assaulting you.

  Peter Stone : Thank you, Doctor. You'll testify if need be?

  Lisa Martin : Yes. But I hope need won't be. This boy is on the verge of a collapse.

• Molly Conway : [to Olivia]  I know what you're going to say and you're wasting your time.

  Olivia Benson : You don't have to go home with your husband.

  Molly Conway : And you said it anyway.

  Olivia Benson : We can open a case with Child Protective Services.

  Molly Conway : Break up our family?

  Olivia Benson : Get Sam out of the house, protect him. That's been your instinct.

  Molly Conway : The best way I can keep Sam safe is to stay with him.

  Olivia Benson : How? You can't watch him 24/7.

  Molly Conway : John knows he crossed a line.

  Olivia Benson : Crossed a line? Molly, he raped your son.

  Molly Conway : And a jury found him not guilty. Maybe I didn't see what I thought I saw.

  Olivia Benson : Oh, stop, stop, stop.

  Molly Conway : All John ever wanted was to keep us safe. Me, Brian, Sam.

  Olivia Benson : And you believe that? You believe him over what you know?

  Molly Conway : As a mother, I have to! I am choosing to! Because the alternative: court hearings, legal and emotional battles for months, years. That doesn't sound like what's best for Sam or my family.

  Olivia Benson : Promise me, at the very least, at the very least, you'll get Sam counseling, and for Brian, and for yourself, Molly.

  Molly Conway : We don't need your help. We don't ever need to speak again. Excuse me.

  [walks away]