"Law and Order: SVU: season 17 episode 8 will take a darker and more emotional tone as it involves a case of a missing teenage girl. The episode, titled "Melancholy Pursuit," will step away from the main SVU team as it gives the spotlight to newcomer Seargent Mike Dodds (Andy Karl).
According to the official synopsis from IMDB, Dodds will get really affected by the case. Given that Mike is a new member of the team following his recent re-assignment, it is likely this episode will spend time exploring more of Mike's history and relationships, particularly his current stand with his father.
Very little is known about Dodds at this point, with the only real connection being his father, current SVU Deputy Chief William Dodds (Peter Gallagher). William Dodds played a more significant role in the previous season and was also responsible for adding Mike to the SVU team when Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) was promoted to lieutenant.
Mike, on the other hand, has spent much of season 17 under the limelight as Benson and the rest of the SVU team take up most of the screen time but this episode will see Dodds step up his game as the case takes a heavier toll on him. It is likely by the end of the episode whatever secret Dodds has buried will be put under the spotlight for the whole team to see.
The synopsis also reveals that the SVU team will rely on DNA samples in order to identify and apprehend the abductor. However, the synopsis does not reveal how or where the DNA sample is taken and if it relates to any of the members of the team. It is speculated by fans that either the victim or the abductor has a history with Mike.
"Law and Order: SVU" season 17 episode 8, "Melancholy Pursuit," airs this Nov. 11.
