...These Are Their Stories: The Law & Order Podcast

Partners in Crime Media

Kevin Flynn and Rebecca Lavoie invite special guests to talk about ripped-from-the-headlines episodes of Law & Order, SVU, and Criminal Intent. It's the f'ing OG of police procedurals! read less

Our Editor's Take

...These Are Their Stories: The Law & Order Podcast is more than a regular recap show. While the hosts rewatch episodes and discuss the plot, the talks go beyond that.

Each episode they choose from the Law & Order universe has plot elements related to actual cases. In one episode of SVU, there are details taken from the Long Island Serial Killer case. An episode of CI bases the narrative on the story of Lisa Nowak and the astronaut love triangle. That gives podcast hosts Kevin Flynn and Rebecca Lavoie another layer of content to analyze. They compare and contrast the details to the real-life case and its media coverage. The pair also invites guests to every episode to provide their professional opinion.

The podcast hosts have a long history of writing and dissecting true crime. A married couple, Kevin and Rebbeca wrote four crime novels together. They also created the podcast Crime Writers On. This panel show reviews other true crime podcasts, TV shows, and documentaries.

Outside of their partnership, Rebecca is a producer of the podcast Undisclosed. She also oversees the New Hampshire Public Radio online news division. Kevin was a TV journalist and won an Emmy for his reporting. He's also the author of the nonfiction Wicked Intentions and American Sweepstakes.

Of the two hosts, Rebecca is the one with the obsession for Law & Order. Therefore, she is on the panel with the guest, while Kevin is the primary host.

Since the TV show began 25 years before the podcast, the hosts of ...These Are Their Stories: The Law & Order Podcast decided not to review every episode. Instead, they pick the most exciting episodes.

When recapping the plot, the panel discusses plot holes, acting, and famous guest stars. The hosts provide context for when the episode first aired. They also point out how the perception of crime has changed since then. They are not afraid to identify cases of racism, misogyny, and other systemic issues with the plot. The hosts also enjoy reminiscing and making jokes at the same time.

New episodes of ...These Are Their Stories: The Law & Order Podcast debut every other week.

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L&O: First the singing, then the gunfire

L&O: First the singing, then the gunfire

Gunshots ring out after someone heckles the singer at mob-friendly Raimondo's restaurant. Briscoe and Green think a Hollywood producer at a different table was simply caught in the crossfire, but Van Buren says the bullet that killed him was from a different gun. The detectives nab a hitman who took advantage of the commotion to take out the producer. He says he was hired by an author who got stiffed on the movie adaptation of his Raimondo's-inspired book. But McCoy and Southerlyn learn it was Raimondo himself who sought revenge on both the writer and the producer for disrespecting his famous restaurant.We're talking about Law & Order season 14 episode 20 "Everybody Loves Raimondo's." Our guest from our April 17, 2017 episode is Chris Greene of RTÉ Two radio in Ireland.This episode is inspired by the real life shooting in Rao's restaurant by Louie "Lump Lump" Barone. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

Episodes

L&O: First the singing, then the gunfire

L&O: First the singing, then the gunfire

Gunshots ring out after someone heckles the singer at mob-friendly Raimondo's restaurant. Briscoe and Green think a Hollywood producer at a different table was simply caught in the crossfire, but Van Buren says the bullet that killed him was from a different gun. The detectives nab a hitman who took advantage of the commotion to take out the producer. He says he was hired by an author who got stiffed on the movie adaptation of his Raimondo's-inspired book. But McCoy and Southerlyn learn it was Raimondo himself who sought revenge on both the writer and the producer for disrespecting his famous restaurant.We're talking about Law & Order season 14 episode 20 "Everybody Loves Raimondo's." Our guest from our April 17, 2017 episode is Chris Greene of RTÉ Two radio in Ireland.This episode is inspired by the real life shooting in Rao's restaurant by Louie "Lump Lump" Barone. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

SVU: Ooops. I slept with my daughter!

SVU: Ooops. I slept with my daughter!

Captain Olivia Benson thinks the creepy cleaver-wielding butcher who likes to wear clown masks is behind the disappearance of a teenager. EADA Peter Stone charges him with murder, although her body is never recovered. Detectives Carisi and Rollins discover the girl is alive and well, living in hiding and having a secret affair with her music teacher. But sh*t gets bananas when the mother confronts the couple. She confesses to her own affair with the teacher years earlier which left her pregnant. Although they never knew it, the teacher has been sleeping with his own daughter. We'll never ever get over SVU season 19 episode 17 "Send in the Clowns." Our guest for the April 11, 2018 episode is Kimberly from the Date with Dateline podcast.This episode is inspired by the case of Steven Walter Pladl. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

L&O: The politician's husband was bludgeoned protecting a trans kid

L&O: The politician's husband was bludgeoned protecting a trans kid

Cosgrove and Shaw investigate the murder of a right wing congresswoman's husband, a doctor bludgeoned in his home office. The detectives focus on a teenager who'd been secretly visiting the doctor's home. They learn the patient is a trans girl who'd been receiving gender affirming care despite her parents' objections, and Frank and Jalen arrest the dad for murder. His lawyer argues self-defense, and Price and Maroun quarrel about whether the victim should have been treating the 13-year-old without permission. In order to protect the teen from a withering cross-examination, McCoy offers a plea. But the political fallout from the trial might make things less safe for trans kids in the future.We're talking about Law & Order season 22 episode 19 "Private Lives." Our guest is Brady Carlson from the Cool Weird Awesome podcast.This episode takes its inspiration from the attack on the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

SVU: It's not the hot teacher! It's the catfishing wrestling coach!

SVU: It's not the hot teacher! It's the catfishing wrestling coach!

Nerdy teenager Zach is getting dirty pics and suggestive texts from his English teacher, but vanishes on his way to a secret tryst with her. Benson and Dodds learn Miss Barnap has been giving lessons in lust to some students, but the photos to Zach were actually sent by the school's wrestling coach. The squad later finds the kidnapped boy in the man's remote cabin. Zach's parents won't let him testify, so Olivia and Mike ask some of the coach's past victims to come forward. But one has a better idea...he gets a videotaped confession from the coach by torturing him to death. Also, Rollins apparently survived childbirth.In our 200th episode, we're talking about Special Victims Unit season 17 episode 10* "Catfishing Teacher." Our special guest is the winner of the "These Are YOUR Stories contest," Jon Gregory.Some inspiration for this episode comes from the life of former teacher Mary Kay Letourneau.*Note, because of a two-part season opener, some streaming services list this as episode 9. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

SVU: Amaro beats up that creep with the camera

SVU: Amaro beats up that creep with the camera

An online sting leads the squad to a photographer (Joshua Malina) who has fantasies about slicing up children. Murphy and Tutuola uncover his torture chamber, but Benson and Rollins can't find any real-life victims. Barba prosecutes him anyway, but the defendant is acquitted. Meantime, while already dealing with family issues, Amaro spots the photographer taking pictures at a playground. Nick beats him to a pulp and is quickly arrested.We're talking about Special Victims Unit season 15 episode 23* "Thought Criminal." Our guest is Kimberly from the Date with Dateline podcast. Inspiration for this story comes from the case of the so-called "Cannibal Cop" Gilberto Valle.*Note, because of a two-part season opener, some streaming services list this as episode 22. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

CI: She's not the killer because she can only poop in her home toilet

CI: She's not the killer because she can only poop in her home toilet

When three parents are killed in separate shootings, Goren and Eames learn their three-year-old children had all been accepted to an exclusive day care center. Is someone trying to get their own kid off the waitlist and into the school by picking off the other moms and dads? An overbearing matriarch found with the murder weapon would do anything to get her grandson in, but Goren de-deuces she couldn't do it because she can only poop in her home toilet. It seems the child's belittled mom set up her mother-in-law, and now she's taken school officials hostage at gunpoint.We're talking about Criminal Intent season 7 episode 15 "Please Note We Are No Longer Accepting Letters of Recommendation from Henry Kissinger." Our guest is Chris Farah from the DocuSweeties podcast.Inspiration for this episode comes from the real life case of the Texas cheerleader murder plot. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

SVU: Will Arnett is adopting kids for all the wrong reasons

SVU: Will Arnett is adopting kids for all the wrong reasons

A Guatemalan boy is discovered in a bus luggage compartment. His friend tells Benson and Stabler they were running away from the child molester who adopted them and kept them locked in his apartment for sex. Before they can question Brett Jansen, he's found murdered in his bed. Olivia and Elliot learn Jansen is among those who've been traveling to Central America to bring back boys for their own pleasure. Munch goes undercover to bust the travel agent arranging the trips (Will Arnett). Was Jansen killed to protect the pedophile ring? Or was it because his love for the boys wasn't sweet enough?We're talking about Special Victims Unit season 4 episode 6 "Angels." Our guest is Alexis Linkletter from "Unraveled" and "The First Degree" podcasts.Inspiration for this story comes from the 1999 case of Marvin Hersh. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

L&O: They don't believe she's being stalked. Now she's dead.

L&O: They don't believe she's being stalked. Now she's dead.

Briscoe and Curtis look for the stalker who threw Andrea Blake down the stairs. Is it the computer hacker with a taste for opera or the creepy neighbor with the telephoto lens and X-rated website? But inconsistencies in the victim's story lead Lennie and Rey to suspect she faked the attack. Soon after, Andrea is murdered in her apartment.The defense attorney gets the 911 call tossed, saying she already falsely accused the defendant once. To save the case, Briscoe tells McCoy he believed Andrea's story all along, which everyone knows is a lie. Curtis refuses to perjure himself, so McCoy must attack his credibility to get a murder conviction.We're talking about Law & Order season 8 episode 18 "Stalker." Our guest is Jenn Jackson from the We Talk $hit podcast.Plot points for this episode come from the death of Canadian nurse Cindy James. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

SVU: The rapist likes his mommy's boobies

SVU: The rapist likes his mommy's boobies

Detectives Churlish and Muncy investigate a rape accusation against the son of a rich, domineering real estate mogul. When Benson goes to arrest Martin Parish, she finds Connie Parish breastfeeding him. Carisi's rape case falls apart when the victim recants, then dies before testifying before the grand jury. The squad learns her cocaine was laced with industrial abrasive, which is also the cause of Martin's failing health. He refuses to testify against his mother, until his long-absent father returns to say he lost the taste for Connie's boobies when he learned she was trying to kill him with the same abrasive. We're talking about Special Victims Unit season 24 episode 18 "Bubble Wrap." Our guest is Melody Carlisle from the "Heaving Bosoms" podcast.A few plot points in this episode are inspired by the controversy around actor Armie Hammer. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

SVU: An evil children's author leaves Stabler blinded

SVU: An evil children's author leaves Stabler blinded

Benson and Stabler learn the kidnapper and rapist they're looking for is children's book author Saul Picard. When they take him into custody, Picard head butts Elliot into a car window, leaving him temporarily blind. The feds want to bring Picard back to Louisiana where child rape is a capital offense. Huang says the suspect is schizophrenic and belongs in a hospital, not death row.Novak schemes with a defense attorney to keep Picard in NY. Motivated by personal reasons, Casey's plan to sabotage her own prosecution to save Picard puts her at loggerheads with new District Attorney Jack McCoy and a vengeful Benson, seeking revenge for Stabler's injury. We're talking about Special Victims Unit season nine episode seven "Blinded." Our guest is Ronald Young Jr. from the "Weight for It" podcast.A minor plot point alludes to the life of author Theodor Geisel, aka, Dr. Suess. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

L&O: Only Briscoe heard the killer's confession...and no one believes him

L&O: Only Briscoe heard the killer's confession...and no one believes him

Lennie Briscoe and his new partner Ed Green investigate a fatal mugging. They can't make an arrest stick to suspect Bobby Sabo, who enjoys taunting Briscoe, but the senior detective says Sabo spontaneously confessed to the crime while they were out of earshot from Green. Van Buren isn't confident the confession happened. Tensions boil over between the detectives as Briscoe feels his trustworthiness and age are questioned. McCoy's case is about to fall apart when the evidence gets thrown out. But Carmichael objects to a deal that might close two cases and reveal the truth about that disputed statement.We're talking about Law & Order season 10 episode 6 "Marathon." Our guest is Mary Payne Gilbert from the Pink Shade podcast.Inspiration for this episode comes from the 1999 murder of Jacqueline Frezza. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

SVU: The victim is a call girl! And a pole vaulter!

SVU: The victim is a call girl! And a pole vaulter!

Benson investigates the rape of a housewife spotted jumping between rooftops. Jenna Miller has a big secret: she's been doing sex work. She has an even bigger secret: she's the world record-holding pole vaulter who could lose her endorsements if her double life were exposed. When the defendant's attorney suggests she's losing her good looks, Jenna responds by ripping off her blouse in court. With Barba's case tanking, Carisi and Rollins suspect Jenna's behavior might be the result of an undiagnosed mental illness. Meanwhile, Amanda remains unsettled after her sister makes parole and moves in with her and Jessie.We're talking about Special Victims Unit season 18 episode 4 "Heightened Emotions." Our guest is Wah Lino from the DocuSweeties podcast.This episode is based on the life of former Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

SVU: The little old lady who owns the slaughterhouse is the killer!

SVU: The little old lady who owns the slaughterhouse is the killer!

Benson and Stabler look for the killer of Laura Santiago. Their investigation uncovers cock fighting, radical vegan feminists, and hundreds of photos of women's butts. The detectives learn Laura was secretly filming an exposé on conditions in a slaughterhouse. Olivia goes undercover at the meat packing plant to find the missing film, but the left-handed foreman confesses quickly to the right-handed stabbing. Benson and Munch confront the elderly owner of Donna Rosa's Meatballs about whether she'd kill to protect the family recipe. This episode has everything! We're talking about Special Victims Unit season 11 episode 20 "Beef." Our guest is Roberta Blevins from the "Life After MLM" podcast. The story takes cues from the work of muckraker Upton Sinclair.This podcast was recorded in front of a live audience in Dallas, TX. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

L&O: Logan's childhood priest is at it again

L&O: Logan's childhood priest is at it again

When a cop is shot in a park, Logan recognizes him as childhood friend Billy Marino, who'd been trading phone calls with their old priest, Father Joe Krolinsky. He and Briscoe learn Krolinsky left the priesthood and started a family, but Logan confides in Cragen (now assigned to Anti-corruption) Father Joe molested altar boys and even put the moves on him. The detectives learn Krolinsky gave Billy $50,000 as hush money. With all his sex assaults beyond the statute of limitations, McCoy charges Krolinsky with conspiracy to hide his past crimes. But the former priest has a shocking defense: he said young Billy recruited victims in the neighborhood and the cash was a belated payment for crimes beyond the statute of limitations. Kincaid notices Krolinsky's wife is skipping the trial - and perhaps she has family secrets to share.We're talking about Law & Order season five episode twenty "Bad Faith." Our guest is Hank Krutulis from the "Procedural Veneration" podcast. The crimes of former priest James Porter serve as the inspiration for this episode. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

SVU: Diane Neil and her friends rape a male stripper

SVU: Diane Neil and her friends rape a male stripper

Olivia and Elliot learn Sydney, a woman who died of accidental autoerotic asphyxiation, was one of three friends who raped a male stripper at a bachelorette party. Stabler is among those who don't believe a woman can rape a man, but Benson and Cabot go after Pam and Amelia (played by Diane Neil). At trial, the exotic dancer admits he was suing Sydney and she told her friends she was going to settle. The detectives think it's a great motive for murder and reopen the investigation of her death.We're talking about Special Victims Unit season three episode ten "Ridicule." Our guest is Natalie Grillo of the Obsessed Network.Some inspiration for this episode comes from the 1977 “Manacled Mormon” case. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

SVU: Cassidy is accused of rape and Amaro learns he has a son

SVU: Cassidy is accused of rape and Amaro learns he has a son

Before testifying against the pimp who had him shot, a former sex slave says Cassidy raped her when he was undercover. When Amaro and Munch go to his apartment to question him, they see Olivia exit his bedroom.Though Brian says it's a frame-up, he goes on trial for the assault. His attorney confronts Amaro on the stand with Cynthia Mancheno, the woman he had a relationship with while undercover ten years ago. Nick learns he's the father of her nine-year-old son and Cynthia's boyfriend is using the kid to mule drugs. The squad goes undercover to get the boyfriend off the street and prove Cassidy's innocence.We're talking about Special Victims Unit season fourteen episode seventeen "Undercover Blue." Our returning guest is Nettie Smith from the Oh Hell Yes podcast.Some inspiration for this episode comes from a controversy around undercover officers in Britain's National Public Order Intelligence Unit. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

CI: Who cut the wire causing an actor to fall to his death?

CI: Who cut the wire causing an actor to fall to his death?

The lead actor of the financially-troubled, accident-prone Broadway musical "Icarus" falls to his death after his safety wire is cut. Goren and Eames learn the show's demanding director (Cynthia Nixon) couldn't convince the producer to fire him and wanted his understudy to perform that night for the benefit of a theater critic. When the detectives discover an insurance policy that would cover investors' losses if the lead was killed, they get the show's dramaturg and producer to turn on each other.We're talking about Criminal Intent season 10 episode 7 "Icarus." Our returning guest is Brandi Brown.This episode is inspired by the ill-fated musical "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark." New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

SVU: Hayden Panettiere dabbles in child porn

SVU: Hayden Panettiere dabbles in child porn

Lisa, a teen with a fake ID, is murdered on a rooftop. Benson and Stabler learn she and her friend, Angela (Hayden Panettiere), teased high school students with colored sex bracelets, were big on the apps, gave oral for designer clothes and turned tricks at a fancy hotel. But it didn't stop there for the HIV-infected victim. Lisa also earned money as an underage porn star. Meanwhile, Stabler pressures Kathleen to give up whether her boyfriend pressured her to give it up.We're talking about Special Victims Unit season six episode fifteen "Hooked." Our guest is Michelle Rubenstein from the Total Betty Podcast Network.Plot points for this episode come from the life of actress Traci Lords. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

SVU: The serial killer doctor helps catch a serial killing doctor

SVU: The serial killer doctor helps catch a serial killing doctor

When a new body washes up on his beach burial ground, imprisoned serial killer Dr. Gregory Yates points Amanda to a mummified murder victim in a townhouse. He says the culprit is his old friend Carl Rudnick, the deputy chief medical examiner. After Yates's girlfriend tells Benson she has incriminating evidence, Rudnick kills and dismembers her, then flees dressed as a woman. Rollins and Carisi capture the doctor, who hires both Calhoun and Buchanan to defend him. Barba fears Rudnick's improbable self-defense claim is working with the jury, but Sonny uncovers video of the suspect saying the wrong things while talking to himself. Meanwhile, Rollins learns she's pregnant. We're talking about the Special Victims Unit two-part season seventeen opener, episode one "Devil's Dissections" and episode two "Criminal Pathology."* Our guest is Lauren van der Meer from the Drinks with Death podcast. Some plot points are taken from the Long Island Serial Killer case.*Note: some streaming services list this as a single episode. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.

L&O: Chevy Chase's antisemitic traffic stop leads to murder!

L&O: Chevy Chase's antisemitic traffic stop leads to murder!

When washed-up actor Mitch Carroll (Chevy Chase) is pulled over for drunk driving, he goes on an antisemitic tirade, all while covered in blood. Green and Cassady trace his pistol to the murder of the Jewish TV producer he felt ruined his career. But the detectives learn Carroll's son pulled the trigger in his own bigoted rage.McCoy and Rubirosa try to prove the father's hate speech drove his son to murder. When the actor shows he's willing to let his boy take the fall, the teen turns on his dad and tells the truth.We're talking about Law & Order season 17 episode 7 "In Vino Veritas." Our returning guest is BFF Molly McKean.This episode takes cues from the 2006 drunk driving arrest of actor Mel Gibson. New episodes of "These Are Their Stories" will return on July 10. Stay subscribed for great content.