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'Law & Order: SVU' Season 22: Is Irina killing her abuser justified? Episode 2 brings end to domestic abuse

The show depicted how mental torment inflicted by abuse from closed ones can trigger criminal acts

'Law & Order: SVU' Season 22 fared well in bringing up the grim realities of domestic abuse. The show that wears the badge for shedding light on pivotal and less talked about issues focussed on how mental torment inflicted by abuse from closed ones can trigger criminal acts. 

This week's episode showed a man named Dwight, who had spent the night at his girlfriend, Irina Novak's home. However, they are in an abusive relationship as revealed when the plot moves further. This is evident from injuries inflicted on Irina and her son Will. Later it is found that Dwight was electrocuted by a hairdryer in the bathtub. However, the twist comes as the plot indicates it could be premeditated murder.

One key element in the show is that as the elite New York police Department squad interrogates both Will and his mother Irina on the tragic death of her boyfriend, they notice that the mother and son are somewhat supporting one another. Neither of them wants the other one to be guilty of the crime which creates doubts for the viewers if any of them has committed the murder they are portraying as an accident. The climax of the show revealed that the mother and son were being fiercely protective of one another as one of them committed the murder to end the domestic abuse. The justice system serves as a moderate punishment for Irina knowing she murdered to end domestic abuse. However the moral question now is, is the murder justified if it is for the sake of goodwill and safety of the family. As the show threw light on mental health issues and domestic abuse, now many people are debating on the Internet if Irina did right in killing the abusive boyfriend, given she has been a victim of abuse for long. 

Actress Mariska Hargitay who plays Captain Olivia Benson tweeted after the show’s release on November 19 on abuse. She wrote, “Domestic violence is an issue that affects far too many women, men and children. But you are not alone. If you or a loved one needs help, go to http://ndvh.org” A user wrote what Irina did was right. “But, protecting your child these days from such awful awful abuse is allowed. Until your Final Judgement.”Another wrote on all the men who have talked badly to Will. “Geez why do all of the men in Will's life speak to him like he's trash? ‘How dumb are you?’ F*** off dad”.

A user lauded the SVU team to bring up domestic abuse.“@Mariska Ty & team #SVU.4 bringing awareness to this important issue tonight about domestic violence and child abuse. There are so many suffering in silence. Please know You’re Not ALONE. Call 800-799-7233 if u need to talk.”Some users did not support Irina’s conduct. A user wrote, “Finding it really hard to find sympathy for Irina. And these kids should be taken from her. Biological Dad too. Not one of them put Will’s well being first.”

Several counseling websites that aim to address the issue of domestic abuse have cited reasons behind it. This includes ignoring warning signs that something isn’t right or not listening to your gut. Other reasons include feeling pressured over the pace of the relationship or sacrificing one's life in the pursuit to spend time with a partner to name some. However, there are also ways to tackle abuse, as mentioned by the website Embrace Yourself.

'Law & Order: SVU' airs on NBC on Thursday nights at 9/8c.