: Following the arrest, Carville publicly confesses to her affairs on her show, while the defense argues there is a deeper story behind the victim's death. Key Cast & Guest Stars
: Critics noted that while the "ripped from the headlines" premise felt sensationalist and "sleazy" on paper, the performance by S. Epatha Merkerson (Lt. Van Buren) remained a standout. [S20E12] Blackmail
: The police coordinate a sting operation to arrest the blackmailer, Dennis di Palma (played by Raúl Esparza), as he accepts a check from Carville. : Following the arrest, Carville publicly confesses to
: Detectives Lupo and Bernard discover the body of Megan Kerik, a journalist for a celebrity gossip site, at an abandoned construction site. Van Buren) remained a standout
: Some viewers consider it a weaker entry in an otherwise strong final season of the original run, though it is often cited by fans for Raúl Esparza's "bad guy" performance before his hero turn on SVU . "Law & Order" Blackmail (TV Episode 2010) - IMDb
: The investigation reveals the victim was having an affair with Vanessa Carville (played by Samantha Bee), a prominent daytime talk show host.
Season 20, Episode 12, titled " Blackmail ," originally aired on January 15, 2010. The episode centers on the investigation into the death of a journalist and a subsequent high-stakes extortion plot involving a famous talk show host. Episode Summary