In the alternate universe where the show is good, Liv can't use the law to justify her refusal to speak. She's doing it for personal reasons, convinced as she so often is that she's in the right, that everyone else is wrong.
In the alternate universe where the show is good, the trial hinges on her testimony. Without her the defendant walks. Liv wants this. No one else does. Carisi is furious.
In the alternate universe where the show is good, Trevor only took the case as a favor to Liv. They talk about it. He asks why she's doing this. She says she has to. That's not true; she only wants to. It feels the same to her, though.
In the alternate universe where the show is good, Trevor comes to her while she's in holding. He calls her arrogant. There is real fear in him; the fear that this time she has gone too far. He knows her, admires her, respects her, has seen her claw her way back after Lewis, helped her bring her son home, warned her away from Burton and watched that whole thing explode. He has shared her bed. He knows she's not as strong as she looks; he knows where the cracks are. He fears this may break her.
In the alternate universe where the show is good, Rollins is there. Rollins does what Liv won't, and takes the stand. Lies, maybe, so that she can give the same testimony. So that this thing can just end. She blames Liv for putting her in that position. Carisi is furious, but she did it for him, too. Besides, she hates when Liv gets all self righteous. Liv doesn't get to decide what justice is all by herself. Rollins thinks Liv is wrong.
In the alternate universe where the show is good, Bruno has to be physically restrained when Tynan comes to take Liv's badge away. Liv sits her badge, her gun, on a desk; she won't deliver them into anyone else's hands. The camera lingers on the badge until it fades to black.
In the alternate universe where the show is good, the next episode opens with Liv at home, on the phone with Fin. He regretfully tells her he can't talk about work; she knows that means he's being watched. She tells him not to worry about her, she needs a vacation. She may even take Noah away for a few days. She's lying.
In the alternate universe where the show is good, there's a knock on her door as she hangs up with Fin. When she opens it Elliot is on the other side with a bankers box in his hands and a grim expression on his face. He knows Tynan is gunning for Liv and they're gonna take her down together. Benson and Stabler, riding again. They are going to break the rules, they are going to do whatever it takes to end Tynan, and restore Liv to her throne. Whether she deserves it is never in question, not for them. Everyone else is wondering, though.
