23x04 One More Tale of Two Victims

i'm still on the fence about velasco and i don't see how tamin couldn't have continued to be on the team even with his addition, but i think i understand the reason for garland's exit now. svu has covered the spectrum of real world issues in terms of sex crimes and law enforcement, but one thing they do admittedly shy away from at times is the realism of an entrenched police department and the bureaucratic nonsense that good law enforcement officers and district attorneys come up against. i like benson being in charge of the unit and being able to push for the agenda that all victims should matter equally, but the fact of the matter is that to this day, inequality and marginalization are massive stains on the effort to combat sex crimes in this country. having someone more concerned with optics and how "good" a witness a victim makes is entirely realistic and authentic, and as much as i hate mcgrath's character, people like him do exist, especially in established positions of power. him acting as an overarching antagonist to the goals of benson's unit makes complete sense.

that said, it won't make for good television in the long term. i imagine that he'll serve as a plot device for part of the season, maybe a large majority of it at the absolute most? otherwise the tension and distress will quickly sour for a viewing audience.

most importantly i think this is setting up olivia to become the svu chief, which prior to these last two seasons i would have said does not suit her character or personality at all—however, given her injury, the fact that she has a son, and the added stressor of an intensely intimate relationship back in her life in the form of stabler, it does have legitimacy. and i can see olivia considering it since it would be significantly less active duty, without removing her from a position of authority within the department. and as a teacher who has seen the benefit of getting involved at a legislative level, i recognize the appeal of having a character whose career trajectory follows the path where they can make changes to policies, and where their decisions are broad strokes instead of small, localized details. i do think THAT makes sense for olivia's character and history, and i think the story arc with mcgrath will likely set her up to see the role she could have within the department after so many obstacles and hurdles these last few seasons.

or she convinces garland to come back bc tbh i love him and miss him already