Recap
This is just a recap on the episode that aired on 01/03/18. We open in the Mall of Manhattan. Shella has lost Noah and she calls Liv to let her know. When she get's to the mall, I really thought that Live was going to punch Shella, I know I would have.
Photo credit: Twitter/Google
Liv
Through the series, we have seen the big tough Benson that can handle anything. What I loved so much about this episode is that you see her walls come down. You see her falling apart. Even with Lewis she didn't show as much pain, anger, and fear as she does with Noah. I think we all felt that pain as we have all grown to love Liv and Noah.
Finding Noah
Someone targeted Noah and Liv. She has been on the job for nearly two decades. There are so many grudges and too many threats to count. But who was the kidnapper? As Liv is breaking down in Shella's appartment, Fin finds a lead the Carisie chaised. As Shella is calming Liv down and telling her she is Noah's mother and has every right to be hurt and scream, it was Shella who arranged the kidnapping. That look on Liv's face when she found out, Shella was going to die. No matter what anyone tells Liv, she will always do what she feels is right, and she knew where her son was and how to get him. So she did.
When She Found Noah
She found him in a cabbin that was owned by Shella's sister. I think she held it together pretty well. She is Noah's mother, no matter who's blood runs through him. She couldn't go get another boy, like Shella told her to. There is only one Noah, and Liv's heart belongs to him. When she led him outside and shut him out, everyone could see the relief on her face as she broke down. Knowing now that her son was safe in her care.
Phot credit: Twitter/Google
Family
Most people believe that blood is what makes a family. I call those the Shellas. Then we have the Livs. The ones that know that it's love and compassion that make a family. Noah is her son, blood or not. That is her boy. The best part of all of this is, yes Liv was looking forward to having a real family. That's why Shella was around. But through the episode, you see Liv smile every now and then. At the end you see her family.
Barba, Rollins, Fin, Carisie, Jessie, and Noah. That is a family.
*Phot credit: Twitter @hargitayisbea
My thoughts
To me, family was never about DNA. Seeing a different side of Liv was amazing. The work put into this episode was some of the best I have seen in a while. We all love seeing Liv act tough and bust a few heads, but seeing that she is just like everyone of us once in awhile is great. Seeing that she has a breaking point, and that we don't always have to be holding it together. You may have had a rough time with your kids, bills, health problems, the list goes on and on. But you don't have to have it all together, or act like you do. We are all human and we all have our breaking points. I hope you enjoyed this commentary. Stay tuned for more L&O: SVU Commentary.