"Loss" "Loss" is one of those "very special" episodes that deals with the apparent death of long-time ADA Alex Cabot (Stephanie March). It gives Mariska Hargitay a juicy scene at the very end, when it is revealed that Cabot is actually alive. Up until now, Olivia Benson was under the impression that her friend was dead, having died from a gunshot wound inflicted by drug cartel assassins. Olivia's startled reaction at seeing Cabot alive is superb--as is her renewed grief upon learning that Cabot is entering the Witness Protection Program. Olivia had found her friend, only to lose her all over again. As she openly reveals the tender side of the normally tough-as-nails Olivia Benson, Hargitay's tearful scene is very touching.

"Escape" In "Escape" Benson is held hostage in a motel room by Mike Baxter (Stephen Lang), an escaped convict who is also holding a prior victim whom he was accused of sexually assaulting ten years ago. It's an intense scene, and Lang--who appeared in such films as Manhunter and Gettysburg--is an actor of considerable skill. Hargitay easily holds her own with him during this emotionally charged scene. She remains calm and collected throughout, trying to connect to Baxter, who still proclaims his innocence of the crime that he was jailed for. Hargitay deftly manages to show flashes of anxiety through Olivia's cool exterior as she verbally wrestles with an extremely hysterical man with a gun. By the end of this scene, Olivia begins to wonder if Baxter may indeed be innocent after all. Olivia Benson has often been described as being the most empathic and compassionate of the SVU detectives, and Mariska Hargitay's great performance in this scene shows why.

"Down Low" In "Down Low" an Assistant District Attorney named Jeffery York is found dead in his car. He was brutally murdered during a sexual encounter. This case hit Olivia hard from the moment she finds out who the deceased was, because she used to date York five years ago. Olivia gets a further shock when, during the investigation, it turns out that York was HIV-Positive. This means that she may have been exposed to the disease when she and York made love. Once again, Hargitay shines by giving a subtle performance that is filled with apprehension over her health, as well as regret over not really knowing the man whom she had a one-time fling with. She skillfully creates genuine sympathy for Olivia without incurring any sappiness.