‘Law & Order: SVU’ season 17, episode 4 preview: ‘Institutional Fail’ brings in Whoopi Goldberg

More than likely, you have heard the casting news already linking Whoopi Goldberg to “Law & Order: SVU.” How could you not? It’s one of the biggest TV stars in New York City making a notable guest spot on a popular New York show. Granted, Whoopi appeared on another offshoot of the franchise years ago, but she’s far from the first person to play more than one character in the universe.

Her episode is entitled “Institutional Fail,” and in true “SVU” fashion, the show is not going to look to give you an episode similar in any way to Wednesday’s “Transgender Bridge.” This is instead a story about Child Services letting down the people who need them most, and then looking within to see just what the problem specifically is. Goldberg’s character is going to enter the discussion more as there are questions about whether or not she doctored reports to put some of the blame on someone else.

Take a look at the synopsis below; the one thing that this episode likely has in common with “Transgender Bridge” comes in the realm of relevance:

“A starving toddler found wandering the streets alone leads detectives to the home of Manuela Ozuna (guest star Jessica Pimental) and another child in grave condition. The police question Department of Child Services caseworker Keith Musio (guest star John Magaro), whose vague and backdated reports on the family suggest he hadn’t checked on the children in months. When the overworked Keith accuses his supervisor, Janette Grayson (Goldberg), of orchestrating the false reports, Chief Dodds (guest star Peter Gallagher) promises to conduct an internal investigation. But when neglect leads to death, Barba (Raúl Esparza) takes matters into his own hands and arrests them for manslaughter. Meanwhile, Dodds indicates some changes coming to Benson’s (Mariska Hargitay) squad.”

(Photo: NBC.)