'Law & Order: SVU' season 17 spoilers: Team tracks down kidnapped teen in episode 8 'Melancholy Pursuit'

A teenager is kidnapped in the upcoming episode of "Law & Order: SVU." Facebook/NBC

Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargita) and her team of specialists will take on the case of a missing teenager in the upcoming episode of the long-running NBC series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

In "Melancholy Pursuit," Cartermatt reports that a young girl's disappearance will alert the authorities to a possible abduction. To track down her kidnapper, they need to rely on DNA evidence. The Special Victims Unit (SVU) must process the data flawlessly, or all hopes of finding the teen will crash down. Meanwhile, Sgt. Mike Dodds (Andy Karl) will not fare well in this episode, as he will reportedly crack under pressure.

The website posits that the young operative has been demanding too much from himself. Having a living legend for a father is difficult for him, as he has been trying to step out of his shadow. Deputy Chief William Dodds (Peter Gallagher) has established himself in the force and any bloodline of his is in danger of being scrutinized. Mike feels the pressure and struggles because of it. He wanted to prove his skills as an agent, both to his boss Benson and to himself.

Last episode, the squad was busy unraveling the secrets of a virtuous family who stars in a reality TV show. Their daughter, a mere 13-year-old kid, discovered that she was pregnant. Her parents were mystified, as she was homeschooled and has had no interaction with men. Lane (Victoria Leigh) was about to take a purity pledge and there was supposed to be a big event to celebrate her choice. But she fainted while dancing with her father and the secret came out when she was rushed to the hospital.

The SVU had a couple of suspects. The camera man of the reality show was one, as Lane admitted that she has engaged in sexual activity with him. But the man has had a vasectomy several years ago and it was impossible that he got her pregnant. The other suspect was the girl's brother, who had a history of harassing girls in their town. Ultimately, the trail led to the pastor's door. It turned out he had been raping Lane and her sister Summer (Bridget McGarry). Just like Lane, he also impregnated the 15-year-old teenager.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC.

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