Patrimonial Burden

"Patrimonial Burden" is the sixth episode of the seventeenth season of the show *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*. It centers on the fictional Baker family, who stars in a *19 Kids and Counting*-style show called "Baker's Dozen". The Baker family is based on the Duggar family and many themes in the episode mirror the molestation scandal.

## Background

On October 12, 2015, NBC announced that it would be airing an episode of the show *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* titled "Patrimonial Burden", which was based on the scandal that made news earlier that year in which Josh Duggar had molested four of his underage sisters as a teenager.

Peter Scanavino, who plays the role of Detective Carisi on SVU, spoke to the press about the episode while on set:

> "With the Duggar one, it was like the double-whammy because it was his sisters and the fact—I mean, honestly, I feel like we're dealing with some topics this season that feel a bit meatier than some lunatic fringe family...I wouldn't mind doing one just because I have never been so infuriated with someone's level of hypocrisy, and lying, and then displacement of responsibility onto something else. When I think about that guy, it boils my blood, I will say."
>
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On October 23, 2015, the first promo for the episode was aired.

Although the episode was officially based on the Duggar family, the show aired their general title card about the show being fictional, and even referenced the Duggars and their scandal in the episode, making it clear that the fictional Bakers existed in the same universe as the real Duggars.

## Family

The show focused on the fictional Baker family, led by parents Frank and Pam, who had 10 children:

**Other related characters**

* Pastor Eldon - the family's pastor and lawyer
* Pete Matthews - a long-time cameraman of Baker's Dozen

## Plot

The episode begins with the Baker family, who is from the fictional town of Allanville, NY, attending the purity ball of thirteen-year-old Lane Baker in Manhattan. When Lane faints during a father-daughter dance, she is taken to the hospital, where the family learns that she is pregnant. Due to her age, the Special Victims Unit is called, but the family is reluctant to talk to them. Although the family tries to return back to Allanville, claiming the local police there will handle the situation, the Manhattan SVU is able to determine from the family's website that Lane was in their jurisdiction on a mission trip around the probable conception date, giving them cause to pursue the case further.

See this link for a full recap of the episode, including spoilers.

## Cast

Below are the cast members specific to this episode. A full list, including the show's regular cast, can be found here.

* Frank Baker - Christopher Sieber
* Pam Baker - Geneva Carr
* Tymber Baker - Rachel Annette Helson
* Graham Baker - Angus O'Brien
* Summer Baker - Bridget Mcgarry
* Lane Baker - Victoria Leigh
* Parky Baker - Luke Trevisan
* Pastor Gregory Eldon - Ryan Devlin
* Pete Matthews - Chris Elliott
* Judge Elias Barnes - Richard Poe

## References

1. ↑ http://www.eonline.com/news/705401/law-order-svu-is-taking-on-the-duggars-and-19-kids-and-counting-with-a-twist
2. ↑ http://www.etonline.com/news/174618\_first\_look\_at\_law\_and\_order\_svu\_duggar\_inspired\_episode/