Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 25 Episode 3 Review: The Punch List

Having an episode like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 25 Episode 3, “The Punch List,” with little to no screen time from Benson, allows other characters to shine and show why they’re still part of the squad room.

Even though the captain is still around to see the case closed, her main focus is outside the squad and with Maddie’s parents. Will this happen more throughout the season?

Nevertheless, the episode makes up for the ball drop from last week, and brings back the audience’s attention to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 25.

Bruno and Fin Get to Shine

Fin has been around for enough seasons for us to like him, but few are the episodes in which he gets to shine beyond his one-liners, and this is one of those instances.

As for Bruno, we have come to like his dry sense of humor and personality, but that’s all we truly get to see of him these days.

Luckily, that changes for both characters on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 25 Episode 3, “The Punch List,” as they are the ones to take the lead. Not only do they prove their worth, they are a great support system for the victims.

Nobody can deny the show is about Olivia Benson, but allowing other characters to have their moments in the spotlight is what makes the squad room so special. After all, Benson can’t fight the bad guys all on her own.

Because one of the victims was a man, having two male cops on the case helps. They can connect with him on a different level and show they understand his feelings.

With such a small squad room, it makes perfect sense that every detective gets their moment to deal with the victims and interrogate the suspects. Velasco has gotten better at this.

The young, inexperienced guy who first showed up, acted on impulse, and had many secrets has matured into a sensitive and thoughtful detective.

Even though he isn’t the lead detective on the case, his support is key to Bruno and Fin’s ability to help Tess and Ray. This collaboration has been a key component of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 25.

It is also Velasco who is able to tell Tess that the case is closed and the perps will pay for what they did to her. Instead of going with Bruno and Fin to share the news, he goes with Benson.

As much as we’re used to her being the one who brings comfort to the victims, it should have been the other two who closed the case.

They worked the case while Olivia went to take care of another victim’s family, so shouldn’t they be the ones to deliver the good news?

Olivia and Maddie: A Bracelet Bond

After the ending of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 25 Episode 1, “Tunnel Blind,” it was obvious that Benson would hold on to Maddie’s case until she was able to solve it.

In the past, we have seen Benson become obsessed with a case, which has always helped catch the perp. But does it seem fair that she drops another victim to go be with Maddie’s family?

One of the reasons viewers love Benson is her commitment to victims and survivors. We understand why she is still very much present in the lives of Maddie’s parents.

However, that shouldn’t mean she leaves in the middle of a conversation with a victim to tend to them. Luckily, this allows the rest of the team to shine.

Showing up for Maddie’s parents is Benson’s way of keeping her promise. If she can keep their hope alive, maybe that can keep Maddie alive.

On the first few episodes, we see Benson wearing Maddie’s bracelet and telling Amanda that she won’t be taking it off until she finds the teenager.

This promise changes on this episode when she leaves Maddie’s bracelet in her music box. Could this be the physical representation of her promise to Maddie?

If she leaves the bracelet there, the girl will find it when she returns home. It’s another silent way of her saying she’s not giving up.

As tough as Benson is and as much experience as she has working SVU, she is definitely struggling with this case.

In the past, she might have gone home, downed a bottle of wine, and pushed her feelings away. But that is not the same Olivia Benson we see now.

Instead, the episode ends with Benson showing up at a new therapist’s office to try and deal with her PTSD.

As she waits, she touches the compass Elliot gave her. When he gave her the necklace, he said he hoped it would lead her to happiness.

That is exactly what Benson is doing by showing up for herself at the therapist’s office and taking care of herself.

If last week was a total letdown for victims because the episode excused a rapist, this episode makes up for that.

Even though the show has been around for over two decades, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit isn’t perfect. The storylines won’t always be perfect.

But episodes like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 25 Episode 3, “The Punch List,” remind us the victims and survivors are still the most important part of this show.

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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.

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