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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 5 Episodes
Season 5 Episode Guide
25 Episodes 2003 - 2004
The fifth season of this crime drama marks the exit of ADA Alex Cabot (Stephanie March), whose refusal to back down from a case involving an international drug cartel leads to her entering the U.S. Federal Witness Protection Program. After she leaves, ADA Casey Novak (Diane Neal) is assigned to work with the SVU squad, but she struggles with the nature of the work after her first case centers on a serial child molester. Fred Thompson makes several appearances this season, portraying his "Law & Order" character of DA Arthur Branch.
Episode 1
Tragedy
Tue, Sep 23, 2003 60 mins
The search is on for an abducted woman who's about to give birth. Rose Granville: Shirley Knight. Melinda Granville: Kellie Martin. Daniel Lester: Gabriel Olds. Laura Bergeron: Marisa Ryan. Annika Bergeron: Karen Goberman. Sam Marlett: Clarke Thorell.
Episode 2
Manic
Tue, Sep 30, 2003 60 mins
Misuse of a prescription drug is involved in the killing of two students. Barry Moredock: John Cullum. Joe Blaine: Rory Culkin. Sandra Blaine: Mare Winningham. DA Branch: Fred Dalton Thompson. Jane Wellesley: Amy Hargreaves. George Waddell: Bill Cwikowski. Dean Reynolds: Patrick Dizney.
Episode 3
Mother
Tue, Oct 7, 2003 60 mins
After a psychiatrist (Susanna Thompson) has been raped in a crack house, she's very uncooperative with the investigation. Robert Logan: Jon Abrahams. Christina Logan: Sherri Parker Lee. Jordan: Daniel Zaitchik. Dominick: Bill Thompson.
Episode 4
Loss
Tue, Oct 14, 2003 60 mins
While constructing a murder case, ADA Alexandra Cabot becomes the target of a Colombian drug cartel. Jack Hammond: Mitch Pileggi. Rafael Zapata: Jacinto Taras Riddick. Tim Donovan: Josh Hopkins. DA Arthur Branch: Fred Dalton Thompson. Sister Peg: Charlayne Woodard.
Episode 5
Serendipity
Tue, Oct 21, 2003 60 mins
The discovery of the bodies of a newborn and her mother leads to a doctor (Martin Donovan) coming under suspicion. Diane Neal joins the cast as ADA Casey Novak. Ron Wolcott: Jack Gilpin. Kelly Wolcott: Barbara Garrick. Molly Stratton: Jolie Peters. Judge Lois Preston: Audrie Neenan.
Episode 6
Coerced
Tue, Oct 28, 2003 60 mins
A homeless schizophrenic (Leland Orser) kidnaps a 5-year-old boy in this harrowing episode in which Beverly D'Angelo begins a recurring role as public defender Rebecca Balthus.
Episode 7
Choice
Tue, Nov 4, 2003 60 mins
A rape leads to the case of a woman (Josie Bissett), her abusive husband and the rights of their unborn child. Felicity Bradshaw: Shirley Jones. Lorna Scarry: Mariette Hartley. Rebecca Balthus: Beverly D'Angelo. Craig Fulton: Ricky Aiello.
Episode 8
Abomination
Tue, Nov 11, 2003 60 mins
A psychiatrist and his son (George Segal, Jonathan Tucker) are implicated in the murder of a gay model. Emma Dishell: Daphne Zuniga. Dave Seaver: Michael Boatman. DA Arthur Branch: Fred Dalton Thompson.
Episode 9
Control
Tue, Nov 18, 2003 60 mins
A mother and daughter (Jacqueline Bisset, Samantha Mathis) both claim to have killed a man who held the younger woman captive. Mickey Hargitay (Mariska's dad) has a cameo in the first scene. Horace Gorman: Austin Pendleton. Samuel: Joseph McKenna. Granger: David Thornton. Lauren White: Linda Powell. Judge Petrovsky: Joanna Merlin.
Episode 10
Shaken
Tue, Nov 25, 2003 60 mins
A toddler who collapsed in a park had been severely shaken; under suspicion are his babysitter, his single mother and her boyfriend. Evelyn Prichard: Cynthia Ettinger. Dr. Anne Morella: Julie White. Sarah Rendell: Nicole Leach. Veronica Nash: Olga Merediz. Rebecca Balthus: Beverly D'Angelo. DA Arthur Branch: Fred Dalton Thompson.
Episode 11
Escape
Tue, Dec 2, 2003 60 mins
A prisoner escapes and a deputy US marshal teams up with Benson to try to find him.
Episode 12
Brotherhood
Tue, Jan 6, 2004 60 mins
A university fraternity leader is killed and the deceased's father, a lawyer, represents the student who stands trial.
Episode 13
Hate
Tue, Jan 13, 2004 60 mins
A lawyer claims that his client was biologically and genetically predisposed to hatred and violence.
Episode 14
Ritual
Tue, Feb 3, 2004 60 mins
The discovery of a dismembered young African-American male leads detectives to a child-slavery operation.
Episode 15
Families
Tue, Feb 10, 2004 60 mins
After a teenager's body is found, it's discovered that she was pregnant and tests indicate a case of incest.
Episode 16
Home
Tue, Feb 17, 2004 60 mins
Checking on a 7-year-old boy found eating from rubbish bins leads to fratricide and a controlling mother.
Episode 17
Mean
Tue, Feb 24, 2004 60 mins
After a teenage girl's body is found in the boot of a car, Benson and Stabler discover that the deceased had been harassing a classmate.
Episode 18
Careless
Tue, Mar 2, 2004 60 mins
A sickly 6-year-old is killed and the investigation involves the child's foster parents, a case worker (Julie Hagerty) and a scam. Carolyn Maddox: CCH Pounder. Sam Dufoy: Cress Williams. Lori-Ann Dufoy: Malinda Williams. Megan Rose: Jazz Raycole. Father Lucas Hendry: Keith Randolph Smith. Judge Preston: Audrie Neenan.
Episode 19
Sick
Tue, Mar 30, 2004 60 mins
Two children claim that they were molested by a billionaire (Will Keenan). Judge Clark: Marlo Thomas. Nora Hodges: Cindy Williams. Chauncey Zeirko: Peter Riegert. Judge Terhune: Philip Bosco. April: Madeleine Martin. JJ: Shane Haboucha. Jeremy Ostilow: James Colby. Ann Ostilow: Jennifer Van Dyck.
Episode 20
Lowdown
Tue, Apr 6, 2004 60 mins
In the investigation of the strangulation of a Bronx assistant district attorney, the deceased's sexual preferences provide a clue. Judge Clark: Marlo Thomas. Andy Abbott: Michael Beach. Maryellen Abbott: Bethany Butler. Chauncey Zierko: Peter Riegert. Tina Gardner: Romi Dias. Charles Horner: Stephen Payne.
Episode 21
Criminal
Tue, Apr 20, 2004 60 mins
A professor and an ex-con are among the suspects in a university student's murder.
Episode 22
Painless
Tue, Apr 27, 2004 60 mins
A defense lawyer (John Cullum) challenges the assisted-suicide law in a case involving a hearing-impaired embryologist (Marlee Matlin). Brooks Harmon: Robert LuPone. Allison Nerrit: Annie Campbell. Maria: Toni D'Antonio. Cyndi: Liza Colon-Zayas.
Episode 23
Bound
Tue, May 4, 2004 60 mins
An elderly woman's strangulation leads to a case involving other murders and a home-nursing company run by a brother and sister.
Episode 24
Poison
Tue, May 11, 2004 60 mins
The case of a mother suspected of trying to poison her adopted child leads to a clash between Novak and an arrogant judge.
Episode 25
Head
Tue, May 18, 2004 60 mins
The fifth season ends with a bizarre paedophilia story involving a 12-year-old student, his alcoholic mother and his principal.
