This really is going to be the most dramatic reality TV episode ever! Law & Order: SVU‘s Wednesday, May 11, episode centers on a sexual assault accusation on a fictional dating series similar to ABC’s The Bachelor, and Us Weekly was on the NBC drama’s set for all the exclusive behind-the-scenes details!
The long-running crime procedural’s episode, entitled “Assaulting Reality,” features a fake reality show called Heart’s Desire, in which Ryan, a tennis pro from San Diego, has steamy dates with Melanie, the virgin, and Gigi, the villain.
After the man of the hour goes on a romantic carriage ride with Melanie, the two end up getting drunk back at the house. They make their way to the Dream Suite, but things don’t end well, as Melanie later accuses the hunk of raping her.
The Heart’s Desire host is the appropriately named John Valentine, and the set is filled with candles, along with (naturally) rose petals and bouquets. (The SVU producers have clearly done their Bachelor research.)
During the shoot, an SVU producer explained off-camera to the extras comprising the reality show’s audience that those with birthdays between January and September would be Team Melanie — meaning they were to cheer for her — while people born between October and December were Team Gigi. (Poor Gigi got only three measly months!)
The hilarious lines of dialogue include such gems as the host asking, “Will Ryan find his Heart’s Desire?” and Ryan making such astute observations as, “Gigi is a blast and hella sexy, but Melanie is wife material.” Yes, Ryan has a way with words.
Us can also exclusively reveal that guest star Larisa Oleynik (Mad Men, Pretty Little Liars) will play Lizzie Bauer, a Heart’s Desire coproducer who helps SVU’s Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Fin Tutuola (Ice T) with the investigation while also continuing to work on the dating show.
Watch the episode’s trailer in the video above.
Law & Order: SVU airs on NBC Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET.
