Law & Order: SVU season 19: Brooke Shields on playing Noah’s grandmother

Law & Order: SVU October 12, 2017

At the end of this past Law & Order: SVU season 19 episode, the truth was revealed regarding Brooke Shields and her character. She is playing Noah’s grandmother, and with that serves as a substantial threat to the adoption Benson already made of the child. When she did so Benson didn’t believe that there was a grandmother out there for Noah to potentially adopt him someday, so suffice it to say, this big reveal comes as a shock. Sheila Porter is not an evil woman on the surface — she just wants her family and thinks that she can give Noah a good life. This is what makes things so complicated.

Also, you just have to remember that it was only recently that the other controversy tied to Benson and Noah was cleared up. One door closes, and then another door opens with more trouble coming in from the other side.

Shields spoke out on the subject of playing Sheila to TVLine recently, noting just how complex the situation was and what her purpose is within the story:

“But I think what fans will understand is that both of these woman actually have a valid argument, and what does that mean? It is about winning? Is it about finding the healthiest compromise?” I’m not there to replace [Olivia]. I’m not there to undermine or stamp her out, so I’m not an adversary in that way.”

Is there a way for these two women to coexist and both care for the child? This is one of the primary things that will be a focus during this story for good reason. The reality here is that it doesn’t seem feasible for both of them to have a custody agreement or the like; if Sheila gets the child, the best thing she could hope for is the opportunity to see him here or there. The struggle here is that Sheila doesn’t quite understand the relationship that is there between Benson and Noah. She hasn’t seen it or realize that it is one of the best homes possible for him.

When new showrunner Michael Chernuchin noted before the season that one of the main missions of this season was put Benson through all sorts of hell, he wasn’t kidding. It’s only been a few episodes and so far Mariska Hargitay’s character has faced two different situations where it felt as though she could lose her child. This is not the sort of crisis that any normal person is able to recover from in any sort of normal way. Hopefully, some of the other members of the SVU squad will be there to support her — she’s strong enough to take on the crisis on her own, but she really should not have to.

Do you think Benson can still find a resolution here?

Let us know some of what you think below!

(Photo: NBC.)

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One Comment

Brian
October 12, 2017 @ 9:57 pm

Michael Chernuchin is clearly on to something with Benson. (Although i wasn’t crazy about another “Cassidy” moment at the end) If they do that too often it will stop being interesting and more like a formula that stops working). One of the things I feel is interesting is Benson’s complete lack of family. Although we know he has a brother out there. He’s not someone she can depend on. Benson is portrayed as a solitary individual. We know her mom is dead and her father was a rapist who is dead as well. However what about aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins? Did she ever experience a “family life”? Why this is important is that Noah has no one else either. Benson is it for him. But with a grrandmother out there perhaps there is a chance for Noah to have a broader family and support system. My guess is that Benson and Grandma Porter will come to terms and somehow work out a positive continuing relationship for Noah. Of course we are going to have to go through fire first before that happens, but I think the exercise will be well worth it for the charachters, actors and fans.