‘Law & Order: SVU’ season 15, episode 3 preview: The Trayvon Martin-inspired episode arrives

Next week, “Law & Order: SVU” is going to dive itself knee-deep into some controversy, which should not really come as too great of a surprise. This is a place that the show has lived within many times already. However, we suppose that the biggest stunner here is going to be that the show is basically on a case in Trayvon Martin that is held very close in viewers’ minds. It’s something that triggers an emotional response, as there are questions about everything from gun rights to racism.

Then, just to make this episode even more controversial, the “George Zimmerman” in this case is basically the show’s version of Paula Deen. It’s a “ripped from the headlines special,” and one sure to get many people out there talking. The title for this episode is “American Tragedy,” which we do personally find to be very affective given that it was the title of a Theodore Dreiser book about a court case involving a murder that really became emblematic of the American Dream gone bad. These are very different circumstances, but a tragedy nonetheless.

Read the full synopsis for this episode below:

“A string of rapes on the Upper West Side raises concerns across the city, and while Detectives Tutuola (Ice-T) and Rollins (Kelli Giddish) question everyone who fits the suspect’s description, celebrity chef Jolene Castille (Shepherd) fears she’s the next victim when someone follows her home. The SVU arrests her for shooting and killing the unarmed teen, and her attorney (Tambor) faces off against ADA Barba (Raúl Esparza) in a trial that tests the limits of the jury’s moral and legal responsibilities. Meanwhile, Detective Benson (Mariska Hargitay) continues to struggle with the aftermath of her traumatic ordeal.”

What do you think is going to be coming up on this episode, and do you think the show is perhaps going a little too far with this sort of twist? Be sure to share your thoughts below!

Photo: NBC