Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Episode 15.20 Beast's Obsession

In a spectacular display of planning and opportunism, William Lewis induces his own death (and auto-resuscitates), kills a guard outside the ICU, rapes a nurse (stealing her scrubs and car keys) and walks scot-free out of the hospital, no questions asked. Relaxed and in control, he calls Benson to tell her he "misses" her - which springs SVU into full alert. As they scramble to find Lewis' location, another wrench enters the equation - Murphy, the undercover agent who enlisted Rollins for help a few weeks back, informs the unit he will now act as captain. He explains that Benson cannot lead a manhunt when she's the target of the man they're hunting.

Not only does this force Benson to step down, but Murphy orders her not to interfere with the investigation and, much to her surprise, he assigns two agents to her security detail. Meanwhile, a lead sends the rest of SVU to the home of Dr. Cole, Lewis' doctor in prison - and they find her dead, her daughter Lauren stripped and brutalized... and her other daughter Amelia missing.

Lauren, under specific instructions from Lewis, describes her rape to Benson in detail and informs her that Lewis will kill Amelia unless Benson "tells the truth." Devastated by Lauren's story, Benson clues in Murphy and tells him how she lied during the Lewis trial - but he refuses to allow her to make a statement to the press. His shrewd move pays off when Lewis contacts SVU directly to reiterate the situation, and SVU pinpoints the cell's location - except he's not with the phone when they arrive. Somehow Lewis is always one step ahead...

Benson and Murphy argue about whether she should issue a statement - he thinks Lewis will kill Amelia either way. But Benson decides not to take that risk, and on live television, she confesses to lying during the trial. Six hours later, without a word from Lewis, Murphy orders Benson to get some rest at the hotel, with her security guards in tow. Benson appears resigned to a hands-off approach the rest of the night... until she receives a text from Lewis who demands she meet him alone.

After giving her security the slip and commandeering a vehicle, Benson ends up right where she started the year - in cuffs with Lewis pointing a gun at her. He toys with Benson, using his knowledge of all his past victims to tap into Benson's fears. She attempts to keep the focus on Amelia's whereabouts, but when Lewis brings her to an abandoned granary and shows her Amelia all tied up (but alive), he gives her an impossible choice - whom should he assault first?

Benson volunteers and offers no resistance to his gropes and grabs - an immediate turn-off for the psychopath. Armed with two guns, he decides to play a new game: Russian roulette. He places a single bullet in a revolver and starts them off - click! He's safe. When Benson hesitates on her turn, Lewis points the other gun at her head... and then at Amelia's. Benson concedes and pulls the trigger - empty. Sounds of SVU approaching give Lewis another idea - he turns on Benson's radio so they can hear. The game continues and another intense pass occurs - again they're both safe. Two chambers left, one bullet, Lewis' turn - click! But instead of passing the gun back to Benson, Lewis puts it to his own head and switches the radio off. He prophesizes that no one will believe he killed himself, and besides, he wants this to be the last image she'll see; he pulls the trigger. His blood splatters across Benson's face, and he drops to the ground, dead. Benson trembles in her seat, in shock, traumatized...