Summary
Since 1999, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has held an important place in the zeitgeist. Centered around the Manhattan NYPD unit that handles sex crimes, SVU has played a role in changing the rhetoric around sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. Though no one could have predicted just how popular the show would become, it continues to garner new fans thanks to the stories it tells every week. SVU might have begun as just another member of the Law & Order franchise, but since then, it has taken center stage.
When Law & Order: SVU returns to NBC after the long hiatus, it will be airing its 25th season. SVU will be the first primetime television drama to do so and is second only to The Simpsons when it comes to primetime scripted shows that have 25 seasons or more. Due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, SVU will have a shortened season of just 13 episodes and will be airing its 25th season premiere eight months to the day after its 24th season finale. It might be one more season for Law & Order: SVU to hang on its wall, but it doesn't have to be just any season.
Law & Order: SVU has never had a problem hitting milestones. In 2019, as SVU began its 21st season, the show became the longest-running primetime television drama in history, surpassing the run of the original Law & Order. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) also became the longest-running character on primetime television that year, and the show became the longest-running primetime television show led by a woman. In 2021, SVU reached a milestone only two other primetime scripted shows have reached and aired its 500th episode (Lassie aired 591 before going off the air, and The Simpsons has aired 757 as of November 2023).
SVU isn't the only show celebrating a milestone when they return in early 2024. After a 148-day WGA strike and a 118-day SAG-AFTRA strike -- which overlapped for 75 days -- every show that planned to begin filming during the Summer of 2023 will be returning with a shortened season. Being able to write and film these shows after such long fights against the AMPTP is a huge deal for anyone making a television show that has been on hold for months. What will be most important for any show, and especially for SVU, is to take the opportunity to celebrate.
Whether it's celebrating the return of television or the 25th season of SVU, NBC has the opportunity to leverage SVU to support the other Law & Order shows. SVU has always been the most special of the franchise, given the topics that it covers. Many survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse have shared that SVU made them feel safe and helped them begin to cope with their experiences. The show is not without flaws -- no show about cops is -- but there are cultural conversations that would not be happening without the influence of SVU, and that is important to honor.
When considering the celebration of 25 seasons of a show, it's important to consider how to celebrate a character like Olivia Benson. Since the first season of SVU, Benson has been the driving force behind why many people are connected to the show. The first 12 seasons of the show also had the benefit of Benson's chemistry and connection with Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni), but even in older episodes, it is easy to see that Olivia is the key to the show's success. In Season 1, Episode 4, "Hysteria," Benson and Stabler are attempting to solve the case of a presumed sex worker who was found strangled with a plastic bag over her head, the victim of an assumed serial killer. It's Olivia, the junior detective, who not only confirms that they have a serial killer on their hands but that he has been murdering sex workers and placing them in positions so that they look like a string of paper dolls for 31 years. Olivia solved cases nearly as old as she was in the episode, and that was only the beginning of her tenure on the show. It's a testament to who Olivia is, even as a young detective, that she's able to solve such an important component of the case on her own.
After the departure of Elliot Stabler at the end of Season 12, SVU really began to center around Benson. Audiences got to see Olivia take on a new partner, train other members of the unit, and grow from detective to sergeant to lieutenant and finally to captain. She also dealt with several harrowing and traumatizing experiences, including her own abduction and assault. Eventually, viewers saw Olivia do something she'd always wanted to do when she fostered and then adopted her son, Noah. The growth she has experienced as a detective and a person is where much of the show's strength lies.
Part of what makes the celebration of Olivia Benson in Season 25 so important is that when SVU hit its last milestone, the episode left fans looking for more. Season 23, Episode 6, "The Five Hundredth Episode," brought back Nick Amaro (Danny Pino), which was certainly the highlight of the episode, along with the appearance of Donald Cragen (Dann Florek). Amaro returned for the team's help with a cold case and brought along Burton Lowe (Aidan Quinn), a writer and podcaster who also happened to be Olivia's ex-fiance. What the audience learned over the course of the episode was that Burton was not at all who Olivia remembered him to be, and she eventually realized that their relationship was not as safe as she remembered it being -- at 21 to her 16, Lowe had groomed her and committed statutory rape, a reality he was unwilling to face. For many fans, the episode wasn't the celebration of Olivia that they had anticipated, one both the character and its actress deserve. Season 25 is the perfect opportunity for the show to remedy that and prioritize celebrating such an iconic character.
A celebration of SVU's 25th season doesn't just benefit SVU -- it also would do great things for the viewership on both Law & Order and Law & Order: Organized Crime. Initially, Organized Crime was the only show that didn't get a full-season pick-up, but since all three shows will now have a 13-episode season, the doors are opened for plenty of crossover opportunities. When audiences last left Stabler, he was getting ready to go undercover, a plot device that was likely used to explain his not being around until halfway through the season. Now that the shows are returning on the same day, what makes the most sense is for the shows to be on the same timeline, which would put Stabler at either the end or near-end of his undercover assignment.
The coming season brings changes to the original Law & Order, which is losing another lead actor. Jeffrey Donovan's departure will change the makeup of the precinct yet again. Law & Order returned to primetime in February 2022 and has lost one of its main characters every year since; first Anthony Anderson between seasons 21 and 22, followed by Donovan between seasons 22 and 23. Reid Scott (best known for his role on Veep) was announced to be replacing Donovan on November 22, 2023. Law & Order: Organized Crime has also had its share of changes, with the show now on its sixth showrunner in just four seasons. Previous crossovers have provided opportunities for both Law & Order and Organized Crime to see higher viewer numbers and have allowed all three shows to tell more in-depth stories (and keep them consistent). It also does something that many SVU fans hope for every week and brings Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler together.
When Law & Order: SVU's 24th Season and Law & Order: Organized Crime's 3rd season finished, the audience could be sure of one thing -- something big had happened between Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler. In SVU's Season 24, Episode 22, "All Pain Is One Malady," Benson and Stabler partnered together to take down a revenge-for-hire website, Shadowrk. After bringing down several of the people involved, Benson and Stabler fly to Ohio to help the FBI track down the main person behind Shadowrk. When Organized Crime's Season 3, Episode 22, "With Many Names," picks up, Benson and Stabler have discovered that the website is now advertising a hit on both of them. Though they're grounded from helping with the case, they aren't forced to stay in the FBI Field Office, so the two of them and their security escorts head to a diner for lunch, where Benson is shot, and Stabler must carry her to safety. By the end of the episode, Benson is back in her office, and Stabler brings her a gift, one he hopes will "lead her to happiness." It was a moment that thrilled Bensler fans all over the internet.
While fans of the 'ship are still waiting for the kiss that is 24 years in the making, to see the former partners engage in several intimate exchanges was an important step forward. With such a short season coming up, there is likely pressure to fit a lot into the 13 episodes, including additional movement in the Benson and Stabler relationship. As SVU considers how it wants to honor this monumental season, it makes perfect sense to spend time on their partnership-turned-something else. Not only would it honor the relationship that started the show in 1999, it would give the audience ample opportunity to see the growth both characters have been through since Stabler's departure at the end of season 12 -- and his return in SVU's Season 22, Episode 9, "Return of the Prodigal Sun."
Season 25 of SVU began filming on November 27, and fans are ready to see where the writers and actors take the show during this historic season. A celebration of Olivia Benson, all she has done for the survivors on SVU, and all that the show has done for survivors everywhere seems like a no-brainer. What NBC will do and how they will promote and honor the show, is a question that can only be answered with time.
Law & Order: SVU will return to NBC on January 18, 2024 at 9/8c. The show can currently be streamed on Hulu and Peacock.
This series follows the Special Victims Unit, a specially trained squad of detectives in the New York City Police Department that investigate sexually related crimes.
Here is the original post:
NBC Has a Huge Opportunity with Law & Order: SVU's 25th Season - CBR - Comic Book Resources
- Seeding a gay community in LA, the gay liberation revolution - Los Angeles Blade - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Britney Spears's 'Baby One More Time' music video debuted on ... - Yahoo Entertainment - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- 13 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Britpop Bands - Hello Music Theory - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- The top advertising campaigns of 2023 according to Australian ... - AdNews - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- The 25 Best New Movies Streaming in November 2023 - TheWrap - November 30th, 2023 [November 30th, 2023]
- Jets' Aaron Rodgers 'attacking' rehab, eyes return this season - WABC-TV - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- ESG counteroffensive is missing big guns - POLITICO - POLITICO - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- The increasingly radical climate movement, explained - Vox.com - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Imani Winds inspires with recital celebrating composers of color at ... - EarRelevant - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- The Super Models Tells the Story of the Original Fashion Influencers - AnOther Magazine - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- What constitutes a master? Don't ask Jann Wenner The Daily ... - Daily Free Press - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- The Conviviality of Ivan Illich (Part I) | by O.G. Rose | Oct, 2023 ... - Medium - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- SickKids unveils more future-focused VS campaign to match new ... - The Message - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Top 6 Iconic Classic Rock Bands of the '60s - American Songwriter - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Brent Harold: The renaissance of union logic - Arizona Daily Star - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- German bishops conclude tense gathering with all eyes on Synod ... - Catholic World Report - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Slasher Saturdays: The Hills Have Eyes (1977) Vs. The Hills Have ... - Horror Obsessive - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Listen to Scott Drebit Discuss His New Book A CUT BELOW: A ... - Daily Dead - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Whitney Houston Hairstyles: Tribute to Her Unparalleled Elegance - PINKVILLA - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Frosted Lipstick, Chunky Highlights & Thick Eyeliner: Every Beauty ... - New Zealand Herald - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- From Alphas To Betas: Science Says There Are Three Types Of ... - Evie Magazine - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Russell Brand is a product of the horrifically misogynistic noughties - Prospect Magazine - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- The Enduring Magic of Lorde's Pure Heroine and HAIM's Days Are ... - Paste Magazine - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Climate activists: How far is too far in raising the climate alarm? - Daily Maverick - October 3rd, 2023 [October 3rd, 2023]
- Pride Anthems at WHBPAC June 2nd at 8PM - Hamptons.com - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- The illuminating influence of Eric Huntley - Peoples Dispatch - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- Want Sofia Richie Style? Try These Cheap Nordstrom Finds - Who What Wear - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- What will Saudi-Iran rapprochement mean for the Palestinians? - +972 Magazine - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- EU as Arbiter of Ideological Elegance? The European Conservative - The European Conservative - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- Catholic theology yesterday and today: A Thomist's response to Dr ... - Catholic World Report - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- Andy Warhol exhibition coming to College of DuPage - Chicago Tribune - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- COVER STORY | Arlo Parks Embraces the Intimacy of Aliveness - Paste Magazine - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- The Number Ones: The Black Eyed Peas' Boom Boom Pow - Stereogum - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- 7 First-time ASTRA Exhibitors You Don't Want to Miss This June - Gifts & Decorative Accessories - May 28th, 2023 [May 28th, 2023]
- Curator Lesley Lokko on the Venice Architecture Biennale: 'It's about ... - Financial Times - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- German revolution of 1848: A precursor to today's democracy - DW (English) - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam to open 21st August 2023 - Hospitality Net - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Ruin America? Joe Manchin is just getting started. | Will Bunch ... - The Philadelphia Inquirer - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- How the MTV logo captured the creative spirit of the 1980s - Creative Bloq - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- I give up I cant do that: The song that made David Crosby want to quit music - Far Out Magazine - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- How We Loved and Lost the Hot Girl Summer - The Swaddle - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- 5 Laid Back Essentials From Faherty Prove The Hype - Fatherly - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- 'How to Blow Up a Pipeline' director Daniel Goldhaber explains the ... - The Real News Network - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- The Totally Rockin' History of Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem - Collider - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Was The Hunger Games Renaissance Planned All Along? - GameRant - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Michael J. Fox Looks Back on Hollywood Triumphs, Setbacks and Why Parkinsons Is the Gift That Keeps on Taking - Variety - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- It's Raining Ramen! A Brief History of Jewish Asian Fusion - Aish - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Ted Weber's Wesleyan Political Theology - Juicy Ecumenism - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- What do the British Royals and Cleopatra have in common? - Firstpost - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Pakistan Army won't bounce back easily this time. Imran Khan ... - ThePrint - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Five years since #MeToo, Tarana Burke is looking beyond the hashtag - Yahoo News - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- After Florence Pugh Freed The Nipple, Olivia Wilde Supported The Movement On New Magazine Cover - CinemaBlend - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Barbara Kay: The Movement to Normalize Pedophilia Hits a Roadblock, but We Mustn't Let Our Guard Down - The Epoch Times - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Is it Time to Decolonize Global Health Data? - Research Blog - Duke University - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Claire Foy Doesnt Think Women Talking Could Have Been Made Before #MeToo - Yahoo Entertainment - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Can the Congress rewrite its chronicle of a death foretold? - Scroll.in - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- We need a strong nationalist as a president - Daily Sun - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- The 19th Century Movement to Canonize Columbus - Catholic Exchange - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Audemars Piguet toasts 50 years of Royal Oak with new watches, book - New York Post - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Claire Foy Doesn't Think 'Women Talking' Could Have Been Made Before #MeToo - Yahoo! Voices - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Best Bets: 6 nights of live music at Wussow's and more - Duluth News Tribune - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Five Burning Questions: Bad Bunny Spends a 13th Week at No. 1 With Un Verano Sin Ti - Billboard - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- San Diego artist uses creativity to uplift Black culture and 'determine how we are seen' - The San Diego Union-Tribune - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The Premier League at thirty - what should it sound like next? - Broadcast - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Steve Braunias on Peter Ellis case: 'Moral panic, contaminated evidence and an innocent ghost' - New Zealand Herald - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Constituency Statutes: The Overlooked Predecessor to the ESG Movement - JD Supra - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- 10 books to add to your reading list in October 2022 - Los Angeles Times - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- The Multiple Religions Coexisting Within the Catholic Church - Crisis Magazine - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- 2023 Oscar Predictions The Rules of the Game - Awards Daily - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Kathy Sheridan: Brace yourselves for where Giorgia Meloni and Italy end up - The Irish Times - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- The rise and fall of Sir Philip Green, the retail king who fell from grace - Evening Standard - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- The lying flat movement standing in the way of China ... - Brookings - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Namwali Serpell Distills the Disorienting Experience of Grief in 'The Furrows' - Shondaland.com - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Dance & House Music Ruled the Summer. What Now? - Complex - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- It is time to back a new party in the elections - Morning Star Online - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- The empty feminism of Dont Worry Darling - The Guardian - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Sunburn The morning read of what's hot in Florida politics 9.26.22 - Florida Politics - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- GOP candidate Trevor Lee ran a secret Twitter account that attacked LGBTQ people and Utah Gov. Cox. Now he's been rebuked by Republican leadership. -... - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Peeling Back the Slasher-Inspired Look of HBO Maxs Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin with Cinematographer Anka Malatynska - Dread Central - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- If theres a settlement, XRP will pump: Finder founder and other experts speculate on ... - Stockhead - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]