It was understandable that Benson wanted to help find Maddie, especially given that she felt guilty about not stopping the kidnapper before he left New York with his victim. Benson’s obsession, while overdone, allowed Law & Order: SVU season 25 to explore the concept of vicarious trauma. However, once Maddie was rescued, there was little reason for the family’s continued presence. Her trial could have been off-screen, as many SVU trials are, or could have focused more on the legal proceedings and less on Benson comforting Maddie’s mother.

Most of the Flynns’ appearances could have been cut, which would have allowed more screen time for other storylines and given season 25 a more balanced feel. Their final appearance was especially ridiculous. It was unrealistic and silly for Benson to attend Maddie’s sixteenth birthday party, and there was no real reason for this family to remain on-screen post-rescue. Benson lending her necklace to Eileen Flynn with the comment that they won’t lose touch any time soon cemented the Flynns as a regular part of the series, which is something that Law & Order: SVU season 26 needs to reverse.