Over its 26-season run, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has become iconic for its intense portrayal of catching and prosecuting criminals. Typically, the perpetrators are unknown to the cops tracking them down, but in the Season 17 episode “Collateral Damages,” that dynamic was flipped on its head. In one of the show’s most shocking twists, it was revealed that recurring character Hank Abraham, (Josh Pais), the Deputy Police Commissioner, was part of a massive children’s pornography ring involving high-level people. Abraham had already become a pretty unlikable character, both to the audience and to the other characters on the show, but it was his personal connection to a fan-favorite SVU character that really packed an emotional punch, making this episode a memorable one.
Hank Abraham Kept His Crimes Hidden Since Season 15 of ‘Law & Order: SVU’
Audiences are first introduced to Hank Abraham in Season 15, Episode 6, “October Surprise,” when he was the campaign manager for mayoral candidate Alex Muñoz (Vincent Laresca). After Muñoz loses the election, Abraham convinces his opponent to hire him as the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information at the NYPD, securing his position as a recurring character on SVU. His abrasive personality and morally questionable beliefs often ruffled feathers, leading to confrontations with his colleagues, especially Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and ADA Rafael Barba (Raúl Esparza).
In “Collateral Damages,” Abraham shows up to the precinct after detectives arrest retired boxing champion Teddy Hawkins (Danny Johnson) during a sting operation for taking inappropriate photos with an undercover officer. He gives rare praise to Benson and Barba for the arrest, commenting that it will look great to the public. As Abraham leaves, Teddy offers to make a deal in exchange for bigger names they’d want to arrest, setting the stage for a bigger reveal.
The clue trail eventually leads Detectives Dominic Carisi (Peter Scanavino) and Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) to an apartment building, where they’re shocked to find Pippa Cox (Jessica Phillips), a much more beloved recurring SVU character, answering the door. When she brings the detectives inside, it’s revealed that Pippa and Hank are married. As they step into his office, Hank is caught red-handed downloading child pornography. At that moment, it’s not just the crime that’s horrific — the look on Pippa’s face makes the moment even more devastating.
“Collateral Damages” Highlights the Ripple Effects of a Horrific Crime in ‘Law & Order: SVU’
What makes “Collateral Damages” such a memorable episode is how it portrays the devastating impact of Hank Abraham’s crimes on his family, as well as the cops and DAs handling the case. Jessica Phillips delivers a powerful standout performance as Pippa, who is completely blindsided and devastated for herself and their young children. Having two recurring characters familiar to the audience involved in the case was a smart way for the writers to make the shocking plot reveal have more of an emotional punch. While, in some cases, it’s easy to question whether the spouse knowingly turned a blind eye to their partner’s crimes, Pippa’s character has already been established as someone who would’ve acted if she suspected something was wrong. As an attorney who works cases involving children, her world is completely shattered. In a heartbreaking moment with Olivia, Pippa reveals just how dev astated she is by her own ignorance after all the years spent with Hank.
On the flip side, Hank’s fall from grace is equally compelling, as he’s been a foil to Olivia and her team with his abrasive and morally ambiguous nature. Josh Pais has successfully played similarly obnoxious roles, most notably in Ray Donovan, so viewers are comfortable seeing him as a sharp-tongued, caustic character. However, in the aftermath of Hank’s arrest and confession, he takes a much darker emotional turn that continues to have ripple effects on both his family and colleagues, hence the episode title. Benson and ADA Barba know they have to handle the case with care, but their struggle to hide their disgust adds another layer of complexity to the episode. It’s something they wouldn’t have to do with a perpetrator they weren’t familiar with, which gives the episode a unique twist while still staying true to the procedural formula.
Like many SVU episodes, the subject matter is heavy and disturbing, but the writers manage to handle it with care, allowing for genuine character moments and highlighting the emotional toll such a case takes on everyone involved. “Collateral Damages” is a tough but unforgettable watch that stands out as one of the best episodes of Season 17. Despite the difficult subject matter, the episode’s exploration of family, betrayal, and the long-lasting effects of such a devastating revelation make it one of the series’ most powerful and memorable episodes.
