Law & Order: SVU Post Mortem: EP Talks William’s Dark Twist and Olivia’s Hopeful Future
“Did I just see that? What the hell just happened?” That’s exactly how executive producer Warren Leight hopes viewers are responding to tonight’s Law & Order: SVU, in which Olivia’s ongoing saga with tormenter William Lewis finally reached its frightening conclusion.
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After a mind-bending manhunt and a tense game of Russian roulette, William shot himself in the head, leaving a blood-soaked Olivia in stunned silence for the episode’s final 10 seconds.
Below, Leight tells TVLine why he decided to kill William, how the terrifying ordeal will change Olivia and what we can expect from Declan O’Rourke’s surprise return.
TVLINE | “Fan-favorite” might not be the right term, but people have really grown attached to Pablo Schreiber’s character. Did you anticipate that?
We didn’t anticipate it, though I have worked with Pablo before. I had him for a season on Lights Out, and he killed for me twice before on Criminal Intent, so I know how good he is. He was my little secret, but I think word’s gotten out. I think what I didn’t anticipate, because you never know, is the chemistry between Pablo and Mariska. It’s pretty ridiculous the way they work together. They don’t just pick up where they left off — it’s deeper.
TVLINE | Then why kill him off?
I didn’t want it to become a trope. We sort of made that mistake on Criminal Intent by having a really talented actress, Olivia d’Abo, keep coming back as Goren’s nemesis. After a while, it felt gratuitous; Bobby Goren was the smartest man in the world, and yet she always got away. What we know about William is that he didn’t want to be in prison. The episode was called “Beast’s Obsession” for a reason. There’s a line in the script about how he could have gone to Canada, but he came back for Olivia, and that’s true. I feel like the couple on Homeland has nothing on these two.
TVLINE | Random side note: We had cupcakes at work the other day, and thanks to this episode, I hesitated.
[Laughs] I take pride in ruining things that people enjoy.
TVLINE | I can tell. So, why did you bring William back now? What did you hope to achieve with this final episode?
We had sort of teased that he was planning on escaping in the last episode, and I didn’t want his story to end in jail. And Pablo is a very interesting actor. He doesn’t want to do it just for the payday. He basically said, “I’ll do it, but this can’t go on too much longer.” So I said, “No, I wrote the scene where you die.” And he goes, “Oh, good. But I want to go out on my own terms.” That was his only demand, and I think that he did.
TVLINE | I agree. That final image of Olivia’s bloody face will haunt me forever. Does next week’s episode continue this story?
The scene where he blows his brains out wasn’t intended to be the final scene, but when we got there, I said, “I think this is how it needs to end.” I didn’t want to see the usual aftermath scene of people putting a blanket over him. I wanted to end with people asking, “Did I just see that? What the hell just happened?” The problem with that is that we had another episode ready to shoot right after, and it didn’t really reference [William], so we had to very quickly do a follow-up episode, which is called “Post-Mortem Blues.” That runs April 30 and picks up about 10 seconds before this one ends, with our squad desperately searching for Olivia. And no tricks here, we will see William’s body in the morgue. He’s dead.
TVLINE | William may be gone, but he won’t be forgotten. What scars will Olivia carry from this?
His affect on her definitely lingers. We don’t use the phrase “happy ending” on SVU, but I have hopes for her. We have a tentative title for the finale, which is “Spring Awakening.” Olivia has gone through an incredible crucible this year, and Mariska has done an amazing job with it, so both the actress and the character deserve a moment’s grace. I hope she gets it.
TVLINE | And Donal Logue is back! That was a nice surprise.
Yeah, that was our little surprise. I like keeping a secret for a while. After this episode, he assumes command of the squad room and will be there for the rest of the season.
TVLINE | How will O’Rourke shake things up while he’s around?
In a way, it’s kind of like when you come in as a new showrunner on a show that’s been going for 14 years or so. He just has a very different energy. He’s not a warm-and-fuzzy guy, but one of the things we’re working on is him being a father confessor to the squad room. He’ll have a moment with everyone where he asks, “What the hell is going on with you?” He’ll even have a sit-down with Fin and ask him why he’s stayed at SVU this long. He’s the outsider who can come in and look at things with fresh eyes … and then he goes off and does Gotham.
SVU fans, were you satisfied with the William Lewis saga’s grizzly conclusion? Drop a comment with your thoughts on tonight’s final twist, and your thoughts on the rest of the season.
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Predictable. Trashy. The writers, especially Kevin Fox, were making rape jokes. Just the usual in SVU-land. I hate what has happened to my show. This will definitely be my final episode to watch.
I wish I could marry this comment.
WORD. Everyone involved in/with this show is disgusting on social media. Can they all be banned from using it? Then maybe they could make a good show again, but I really don’t think that’s possible again at this point. They’ve made such a mockery of this program.
What’s wrong with you people?? It’s a show, and it wasn’t trashy. Guess none of you are real fans.
All the hate must be from the Stabler fans….if you hate the show, why watch? Go watch Chris Meloni on FOX or USA for the old shows. The show was riveting from the minute that idiot broke out of jail to the end….
Don’t know whether the hate is from Stabler fans, but get a clue folks, Stabler’s gone, the show goes on, and Benson has been absolutely brilliant, even if we (the fans) weren’t too fond of her turning into the Big Bad Benson for a while. Mariska was awesome on Beast’s Obsession. I love that Donal Logue is joining the cast, taking the Sgt office (remember Benson was supposed to just be a replacement until Cragan’s position could be filled permanently). This ep was riveting with a great conclusion, IMHO.
Right?? I swear, I don’t know if Leight and I saw the same show or what, but “Did I just see that?” was NOT what I was thinking. What I was thinking: “Predictable. Boring. Whatever.” I didn’t catch the rape jokes – which is a good thing, please do NOT feel compelled to point them out to me now – but I was thoroughly unimpressed. If this is what SVU has become, I’m out, and it’s time to retire the thing completely.
Rape jokes, I don’t think you really understand what happened in this episode or the show. They would never do that know that rape victims watch this show.
They are talking about him retweeting rape jokes on Twitter during the episode.
I agree 100%. Very very disappointed 😠
Amazing episode. God I hope SVU gets picked up for one more season.
I love SVU and wish they would get rid of Rollins and have Cassidy come back. He and Liv deserve a happy ending.
AMEN. Their “breakup” was THE lamest thing I have ever seen in my life. They LOVE each other and that is how they end it? Cassidy NEVER said he did not want kids or a wife. Plesae.
He did, he said he can’t picture growing old. That meant he didn’t want a wife or a kid. They don’t really love each other, it was pathetic, They were never meant to be, his an idiot anyways. Olivia deserved so much better, they both knew this relationship would never last. Glad it’s over.
Agreed. Cassidy and Benson didn’t have the right chemistry. I felt Benson was more mature than Cassidy, who wanted to just have a girlfriend. Benson deserves a happy ending. Maybe she’ll get it with Baby Boy Doe, and a new man in her life! Also, I really like Amanda Rollins and she’s grown on me.
Thank you
He never actually said that. Many people don’t like getting old. AND I do not believe he did not want a wife or kids with a ten foot pole. They did it because they are lazy and didn’t want to deal with it. Simple as that. I don’t believe that Olivia wants kids and a husband THAt badly either. She can’t open up to Brian then HOW in the hell does she think she will have a good marriage? with ANYONE? Or be a good mother?
Back in season one he said he WANTED kids. And if you saw the deleted scene from the premiere? He told Munch he could not imagine his life without her! Then suddenly he doesn’t want that? Yeah me thinks WL had been smoking a little something. Cassidy was NOT an idiot either. Olivia does not deserve to be a single mother and according to Kevin Fox? She doesn’t NEED a man. So I don’t see her getting someone else. Who wants to be saddled with someone else’s kid? It’s not even HER’s.
No he didn’t say it. In season one he wanted kids. HE NEVER told her that he DID NOT want kids. Sorry.He’s not an idiot either. They DID love each other. I get you hate him but really? Don’t make stuff up Grow up.
It was excruciating to watch. I know it’s an acting and writing “challenge” for the SVU crew to do episodes like this but they are no fun to watch at all, terrorizing Olivia, who we all love, and tying up a young girl and threatening to rape and kill her. I know that SVU frequently pushes the envelope in what is acceptable to show on network TV…but it feels gimmicky, like they have to put the characters through these ordeals just to keep the show lively or something stupid like that.
People don’t watch police procedurals to see the primary characters tortured, but to see a crime solved each week. This isn’t The Walking Dead or Game of Thrones, it’s a Law & Order show. That carries over 20 years of expectations and brutalizing the cast isn’t one of them.
Amen! It used to be a new case every episode, always different, and the courtroom parts were half the show and just as riveting as the chase.
Amen! OMG! So true! This show has always been about the story, the victims, the case – and now a lot of it is the love lives of the detectives, their addictions and what not. This is not a character driven show. None of the Law & Order’s ever were. As Sam Waterston said before, At the end of the day, Law & Order is about people who show up and do their jobs.
This has been lost and no – this has nothing to do with Chris Meloni leaving although that really contributed to the down trend of this show. But I am an original Law & Order fan and I have become used to comings and goings of cast members. With each departure came an opportunity to bring on a new and compelling character not to replace the one who left so much but to bring in a new dimension. Just like in real life when someone resigns from work, the next person brings something else to the table. And instead of that we get a copycat Elliot in Amaro. I mean seriously – anger issues, wife issues, Catholic issues, sound familiar?
It’s time for this show to gracefully bow out. I’d rather have it end now – on a high note – since they said this is the highest rated season since Leight took over – rather than when they have to end it. End it on your own terms.
I have so much respect for this franchise and if it were up to me, I would love to have one more season – to wrap all the loose ends – but a shortened season. When SVU ends, it would be the end of the Law & Order era. So while I absolutely hate what SVU has become, my love for the franchise especially for the original makes me say, give it a proper ending. Grant it the proper final season that the mothership never got and then let it bow out with dignity.
Dick Wolf has a new franchise to pour his energy into and so instead of letting SVU, the only Law & Order fizzle out, please let it go the right way. Tell them they’re canceled now so that they can still shoot a proper series finale or renew it for a FINAL season so that the people behind this veritable franchise can start creating the ultimate final season.
This show sucks who cares
The show has been on the air for over twenty years You’re a small minority who doesn’t like the show..Most shows don; ‘t stay on that long.
Ratings ploy. Pure and simple. It was sickening. When will this be cancelled?
Never, you find another show then. Stop trashing it if you hate it.
Aw icy must be Warren in disguise. Most people here thought it was terrible. Get over it.
What a trashy show this has become. This makes me sad.
I agree and it also makes me sad. Impossible to watch, really disgusting. Dunno wtf is wrong with the writers. Just terrible
Where was Cassidy tonight? Glad William is gone!
Gone, he broke up with Olivia during the last episode. I’m glad bensidy is over never was meant to be, he’s an idiot
Wrong. SHE broke up with HIM. AGAIN! Warren NEVER said they broke up.
I thought the episode was great. Very realistic. Both actors did an amazing job.
I totally agree.
Realistic? You must be a retard. This episode was the farthest thing from ‘realistic.’
Wow. I must have not watched the same show. Tough crowd tonight.
I hope the writers don’t make Olivia go through another agonizing trial and question the integrity of her badge anymore. They need to move off of terrorizing her. She’s seen more horrible situations in 14 years than anyone on SVU. I want Chris Meloni to be paid whatever rediculous amount of $$ he wants and come back. This show is missing the chemistry between B & S. Stabler! Stabler! Stabler! Ugh!! Why did he have to leave????
Enough with Meloni he’s been done with SVU, this crap about him is old and annoying .He left because he wanted to, he’s moved on and on a new tv show. Can’t anyone realize that he’ll never come back to SVU. Get over it already and move on,
i agree completely, thank you its about time people realize it
Stabler(Christopher Meloni) left because he was having problems with Dick Wolfe(the executive producer of the show) and making $400,000 an episode wasn’t enough for him. If he was offered the chance to come back, they would probably offer him less than half of what he was making. He burned a lot of bridges on his way out the door. Sorry.
Actually Christopher Meloni was NOT having problems with Dick Wolf. His contract was up and he was invited to stay with an insane amount of money and he refused. He wanted to do other things. As much as I miss Stabler, I am a Chris Meloni fan first. Chris Meloni is happy with where he is now. Since leaving SVU he has done SO much – things that he could never do if he were still in SVU. It was HIS choice to leave. He is HAPPY. As an actor – Chris wanted to be able to expand his horizons. It would be sad for him to have all the talent that he has only to be tied just one role – iconic as that role might have been. Plus, as he recently said, after 12 years, he wanted to do something lighter. Something that didn’t leave him with such a heavy feeling after being so in touch with the character and the role. Elliot Stabler was an amazing character but he was intense, angry and his job did not leave a pleasant feeling after the day is done. Imagine having to be immersed in the types of stories that SVU tackled for 12 years. It should be understandable why he said enough. Heck as much as I loved the show from Seasons 1 thru 12 there is a point in a marathon that I say no more. And that’s me – a viewer who only has to deal with it 40 to 45 mins at a time. Imagine the actors and the writers and everyone. They are immersed in those kinds of stories with so much tragedy and heartache and violence. So please stop saying crappy things like that. I am an Elliot fan – but save maybe for hopefully one scene not unlike what George Clooney did for ER as Doug Ross, I am okay with Chris leaving. I am happy for him. Stop maligning him because he doesn’t deserve it.
I agree with most of the comments tonight. I am not a fan of this episode. I would have preferred a smarter ending. My interpretation of a smart ending? One that out smarted the criminal. I feel like he won. A child was terrorized and Olivia ruined for life;well the rest of the season. If she knew so well, why not profile him. Why not create scenes that drives the dude to drive into the Hudson river, or into pole, because he could no longer overpower a woman–in this case Olivia or maybe even a girl child, or both of them. I would love to see more shows that allow the woman to actually control her attacker. What could you have done with this show, if the older sister had had the fortitude to shoot her victim. If not kill him, at least wound him enough for them to get away. Come on let’s have some creativity. I knew he would kill himself. Where is the surprised, yo yo back forth with the crazy man, to watch him kill himself in the end. He continued to torture women, omg, little girls, and me.
I don’t like to see Olivia getting tortured!! I miss Stabler!
Hm… I have been a huge fan of this show for some time, but this last season, it began to lose me. I’ve discovered that while I continue to record it, I never actually look forward to watching it anymore. I actually say, “Oh yea. I taped L&O SVU. Guess I should watch that, if only for Amaro.” When I realized William was back on a murdering/raping spree tonight, I actually rolled my eyes and told my dog, “I’m sick of this guy and this story. I hope someone dies, even if it’s Olivia, just so we can be done with it.” And the way it ended did not leave me in the frame of mind that the producers hoped. Instead, I said, “What was just the point of this?”
Something went wrong this last season, somewhere. I’m not liking Rollins and I’m missing that funny detective who wore the shaded glasses.
I don’t think I’m going to record anymore. I kept hoping I would start liking it again, but it’s not happening. I have to agree with the above commenter that it’s starting to get a bit trashy. I miss the days when it had thought-evoking, what-would-you-do episodes with a beginning and a conclusion.
For the past couple of years I’ve forgotten to watch a lot of episodes. I guess that means I’m tired of the show. It’s had a good run but it’s gotten kind of stale.
I wish the original L&O was still on. I never got tired of watching that. But eventually Lt. Van Buren would have retired and once she was gone, the heart would have gone out of the show.
I wish the mothership was still on too! For me the heart of that show was Jack McCoy! If Sam Waterston had left that show, I think the show would have ended there. Thankfully I never had to go through that.
I am still pissed at NBC for not giving it it’s proper final season. I mean after 20 years that’s what you do? You can’t even give it a proper final season? And as much as I do not like what SVU has become, the fact is when you end SVU, you end the era of Law & Order and that is a big thing. (NBC – you should really do a Law & Order TV movie and give us the proper ending we mothership fans DESERVE!)
SVU has to end. But I hope NBC can end it the proper way. Either tell them now that they are cancelled so they can still film a decent series finale OR renew them and declare upon renewal that it will be the last season and the season would be shortened so that way the people behind SVU can work on giving us the best final season befitting the end of the Law & Order era.
I forget to watch a lot of episodes. I guess that means I’m tired of it. It’s had a good run but it’s gotten a bit stale.
I wish the original L&O was still on. I never got tired of watching that. But eventually Lt. Van Buren would have retired and with her gone, the heart would have gone out of the show.
Hoped for better. Like the show but really needs to step it up again.
I never feel like they push the envelope too far. I just read a few comments about about how the show goes to places that are too brutal. and wanted to respond as a viewer with a completely different experience. I like this Law and Order show the best. (The original was good too, but this is the only side one I like.) I feel like they stay in touch with what real crimes are being perpetuated on the outside and put those in for the season, too. Anyway, completely amazing acting with Benson, especially when she had to pull the gun. I can’t. The way she responded to things and the way William responded were a nice counerpoint. He was so psychopathic calm and damaged and flippant and she was reacting like a reasonable and traumatized person would. I also really realized how much William had focused on Olivia and was a nice mix of showing somebody who can’t stop needing to do hurtful destructive things. They handle these subjects with the honesty it needs. And that’s all that stuff really needs- honesty- because it’s more important than dignity because those moments rob you of dignity.
Wonderfully said!
Absolutely!
Terrible writing and story line. No doubt that this was a painful episode to watch. The writing was controdictory to the whole permise of the show. I cannot stress enough how the writing has gone down from past seasons. Very disappointed. I think the audience deserve better. Haven’t we evolve in television?
This episode was excellent, couldn’t leave my seat until it was finish. Well written.
Why bring Logue in only to have him leave for another show next year? Benson in a Supervisor role failed creatively and they obviously need someone else. They need to get that figured out.
In all fairness the show hasn’t been picked up for another season yet they might be trying to set up for a good ending/closure.
Not a chance, it was a dumb move to bring Lewis back. The episode was good, Mariska had the best acting skills in this episode.
I was referring to Logue. And I liked the episode.
Definitely starting to lose me with the constant focus on the torment of the detectives. I like Rollins (contrary to a lot of posters) but that gambling thing annoyed me. Amaro shooting the kid was annoying, the benson torturing was just disturbing. Hopefully things get back on track or else my Wednesday tv will become criminal minds and Chicago PD
Agreed! The good part about Law & Order was that it focused on the case, not the cops. It gets boring when characters suddenly have a nemesis. I like Pablo Schreiber and Donal Logue, but this episode was boring. Even when Lewis was mauling Olivia’s chest, the look on her face wasn’t fear but more like, “oh, for pete’s sake”!
My thought was that they turned this storyline into Criminal Minds.
Oh I definitely said “What the hell did I just see” at the end. It just wasn’t in the context that Warren Leight was wanting it to be. What a terrible episode. Hell, what a terrible show. I’m so done with it. Any other recommendations for this time slot on a Wednesday night? I need a real drama.
Terrible show, this is a real drama show. This is 2014 if you want drama go watch a soap opera which are terrible and annoying.
The writing has been going down the potty for about 4 seasons now. Thankfully, Mariska can turn crap into gold.
I Loved this episode, great job to everyone involved! I can’t wait to see what happens next with Olivia, and I hope the show gets picked up for another season.
Definitely didn’t need another William episode. It was gratuitous torture for ratings sake.
Uncomfortable to watch torture porn
I can’t see how Rollins can continue to stay on the squad when Olivia told her flat out that she can’t trust her.
I’m not too crazy about the ADA they have this year. They haven’t had a good ADA since Alexandra Cabot.
I thought Stabler was a jerk. After all the years he was Benson’s partner, he could have done her the courtesy of telling her he was leaving. It was a really sh*tty move just sneaking off like that.
Rollins is going to be there. She’s the new hot babe, She has a gambling problem that can keep coming back(although no more threatening to kill her dog; Yes, that really is her dog). Amazing for someone who works in a unit that tries to protect women from being forced to have sex against their will, She has no problem selling the use of body to pay off her gambling debts. We already know that she was raped by her former boss in Atlanta. I’m sure that Dick Wolfe is hoping that she can help carry the show in 2 years, when Mariska Hargitay will probably say ENOUGH! I know everyone loves Christopher Meloni, but Kelli Giddish and Danny Pino were great additions to the show. I would love to see Jane March back as ADA Cabot. Should they have written a goodbye episode for Stabler and Benson? Probably, but the thought was that Meloni was going to work out everything with Dick Wolfe and come back for another year.