Rollins’ Token Appearances In Law & Order: SVU After Her Exit Hurt Her Character
Rollins’ appeal was in her unique blend of fiery independence and need for love and acceptance. She was a complicated character who had moved from Atlanta to New York to escape her family — and the trauma she experienced when she was sexually assaulted. Throughout her run, Rollins faced serious personal issues, such as an active gambling addiction and difficulty setting boundaries with her reckless and sometimes lawless younger sister, Kim (Lindsay Pulsipher), while developing a close friendship with Benson (Mariska Hargitay). Unfortunately, Rollins’ guest appearances tell a different story.
Since leaving Law & Order: SVU, Rollins exchanged a job she hated for one she loves — but is never seen working. Instead, she is little more than an extension of Carisi. Her cameo appearances are limited to a few scenes in which she attempts to support his recovery from trauma, help with the court case against his attacker, or confide in Benson that she’s worried about him. While it’s understandable that Rollins is concerned about her husband, reducing her to nothing but a concerned wife diminishes her character
How Rollins Cameo Trend Doesn’t Match SVU’s Mission
Law & Order: SVU has always been about supporting survivors. Although it is primarily a procedural, every story is chosen with the aim of helping real-life survivors of sexual assault feel empowered and aware that they aren’t alone in their struggles. Rollins’ original story offered a role model for real-life survivors, as she was someone who had endured multiple traumas, sometimes making serious mistakes because of her pain, but was dedicated to personal growth.
However, Rollins’ cameo appearances focus only on her role in Carisi’s life, which contradicts the strong messaging of her original arc. This problem is particularly egregious in “Accomplice Liability.” While both Carisi and a rape survivor, Tess, are struggling to deal with what happened to them during the trial of the surviving robber who held them hostage, the story focuses mostly on Carisi. This has the unintended implication that Carisi’s pain is more important than Tess’, and Rollins’ cameo for the purpose of supporting her husband reinforces that idea.
Law & Order: SVU Needs To Use Rollins’ Appearances Better
It wouldn’t have made sense for Rollins to ignore Carisi’s ordeal. Naturally, she’s going to be there when he’s held hostage — and again when he needs support during his attacker’s trial. However, Law & Order: SVU could give Rollins a story beyond being a supportive wife. For example, she might have struggled with guilt over putting off work obligations during Carisi’s trial. Conversely, she could have used job resources to get inside info about the defendant while being careful not to go so far over the line that she risked her job.
