A psychiatrist is almost fatally attacked - possibly by her patient, but she refuses to reveal information due to doctor-patient confidentiality. Two patients become suspects; one a serial rapist and one a frat boy with fugue states. While the serial rapist is found with tools of his past crimes, his librarian girlfriend can't believe he is a possible suspect. The hyper-concerned sister of the college student gives clues to the emotional state of her traumatized brother. Eventually, detectives Benson and Stabler find a link between the attack, a child abuse and an unsolved homicide.