In Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 9, Episode 19, titled "Cold," Detective Chester Lake becomes central to a dramatic turn of events.
Summary of "Cold" (Season 9, Episode 19)
The episode revolves around Detective Lake's involvement in a case that escalates quickly after an old murder investigation is reopened. Wounded during a gunfight related to this reopened case, Detective Lake takes extreme measures. He escapes from the hospital where he was being treated and proceeds to take the original case's sole witness, Victoria Cartagena, hostage. This action puts him in direct opposition to the SVU team, who must then work to understand and resolve the volatile situation while dealing with one of their own.
Key Events
The primary events of the episode unfold as follows:
- Reopening of an Old Case: An investigation into a cold murder case is reactivated, drawing Detective Lake into its complexities.
- Detective Lake is Wounded: During the course of this investigation, Detective Lake is involved in a gunfight and sustains injuries.
- Hospital Escape: Despite his injuries, Lake orchestrates an escape from the hospital.
- Hostage Situation: Following his escape, Lake takes the only witness from the original cold case, Victoria Cartagena, hostage. This act sets up a tense standoff and a race against time for the SVU squad to de-escalate the situation and understand Lake's motives.
Episode Details
For quick reference, here are the core details of the episode:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Season | 9 |
| Episode | 19 |
| Title | Cold |
| Focus Character | Detective Chester Lake |
| Key Event | Lake escapes hospital, takes witness hostage |
The episode explores themes of justice, loyalty, and the pressures faced by law enforcement when their personal stakes become intertwined with their professional duties.
