‘Law & Order: SVU’ season 15 spoilers: Mariska Hargitay and a dangerous singing-show star

Is Olivia Benson taking on the world of “American Idol”? Not exactly. For one of the upcoming episodes of “Law & Order: SVU,” we are not going to have an episode that is necessarily “ripped from the headlines,” mostly because the actual case here is not based on anything that actually happened in real life. However, it is a case that works to address the following question: What in the world happens when you have a star of a popular singing show that winds up being accused of a terrible crime? How and when do you exercise caution? This episode is called “Dissonant Voices,” and it airs on Wednesday, November 6.

In the synopsis below, you can read some of the specific details as to what this case is going to be about, and how Mariska Hargitay’s character in particular is going to be in the middle of trying to figure out the best course of action:

“Singing coach Jackie Walker (guest starring 2013 Tony Award-winner Billy Porter) is at the height of his career, with a featured role on television’s biggest reality show, ‘American Diva,’ and a steady position teaching music at a prestigious New York City school. When a four year-old student comes forward with claims of sexual abuse, Detective Rollins (Kelli Giddish) asks the squad to be mindful of Walker’s reputation, but Benson’s (Mariska Hargitay) investigation uncovers evidence that condemns the popular personality. As the case becomes public, more and more victims come forward, but Walker refuses to come clean.”

While you have a singing show as a setting here, what this case actually reminds us the most of is a different form of the Jerry Sandusky incident at Penn State. This one is going to be an especially difficult one to watch, so as always, let’s hope that the right amount of caution and restraint is used in telling their stories. Typically, “SVU” is pretty good at that, and this is hardly the first time that crimes involving young victims has been addressed.

Is this episode going to be a little too uncomfortable for you? We want to hear what you think about it below.

Photo: NBC