The 20 Best Law & Order: SVU Episodes

Summary

• Engrossing mysteries, memorable guest stars, and social commentary make the best
  Law & Order: SVU
  episodes worth watching.
• “Behave” stands out with stellar performances and a satisfying conclusion showcasing Benson’s brilliance.
• “Scavenger” offers a unique twist on the formula with a killer taunting police, providing an exciting and elevated take on the show.

With 25 seasons and over 500 episodes, the best Law & Order: SVU episodes really stand out as exceptional. Beginning in 1999, the Law & Order spinoff centers around a New York Police Department unit known as the Special Victims Unit that deals with sex crimes. The show became the most popular show in the Law & Order franchise, outlasting the original series and becoming the longest-running live-action primetime show of all time. With such a long legacy, it is all the more impressive that the best episodes of the series manage to be so memorable.

As with all shows in the Law & Order franchise, each episode of Law & Order SVU deals with a new case with the detectives and prosecutors looking into the victims and the potential suspects. Given the subject matter of the show, many of these episodes are dark and disturbing. However, the standout episodes showcase the most engrossing mysteries, memorable guest stars, and important social commentary about the stories being told. Though there are many episodes to check out, these are the best Law & Order: SVU entries to watch next.

20 “Risk”

Season 4, Episode 12

Four seasons into the show, Stabler has his first on-screen shooting that results in the death of a suspect. That suspect also happens to be a detective who is part of a drug smuggling ring. The episode sees the SVU team led into an undercover sting operation after baby formula is found to contain liquid cocaine, and Elliot is forced to shoot the police officer involved in order to save his own life.

Officer-involved shootings occur several times throughout the show’s history, but this is one of the first times the audience gets to see how it affects someone like Stabler. He is always portrayed as a bit of a hothead, but taking someone’s life is hard for him, and he can’t avoid thinking about it because he’s placed on desk duty. It gives the audience a window into just how the job can get to someone like Stabler, who always wants to do the right thing, but can let his emotions get the better of him.

19 “Bang”

Season 12, Episode 22

Season 12 of SVU seemingly aimed to feature a lot of cases that were out of the ordinary for the detectives. This episode examines what it means for someone to be a “reproductive abuser,” which is definitely not something that appears often in the series. It’s a great episode for understanding the different forms abuse can take.

John Stamos guest stars as a man who intentionally seduces women and gets them pregnant. He admits to fathering over 40 children throughout America and Europe, and while he claims to love them all, he also moves on very quickly to his next conquest, not understanding that he’s repeatedly hurting the mothers of his children as he leaves them behind to have more children.

A special psychologist is brought in to help his victims, and he continues to live his life as though he hasn’t done anything wrong. By the end of the episode, however, there is a twist as someone ends up dead and the killer isn’t who the audience might have suspected.

18 “Brotherhood”

Season 5, Episode 12

SVU doesn’t often delve into storylines that feature male victims instead of females, but here, the story centers around a fraternity, so it does just that. The case involves one member of the fraternity being murdered, which opens the door into the abuse – sexual as well as physical – that pledges to the fraternity have suffered. One of the brothers ends up on trial for the murder, but the trial doesn’t exactly go where everyone thinks it will.

One of the aspects of an investigation this episode explores is what happens when a defense lawyer realizes his client is, in fact, guilty of the thing he’s trying to defend him from. The lawyer’s personal connection to the case leads to him making sure his line of questioning gets previously dismissed evidence back into the courtroom, effectively making sure his client ends up convicted. He never admits to doing it, even when Stabler questions him, but it’s clear that he did.

The episode reminds the audience that while lawyers are doing their jobs, they’re human as well, and no matter how good at the job they are, their personal bias could influence how they approach a case.

17 “Fault”

Season 7, Episode 19

…their feelings for one another are getting in the way of them doing their job…

For SVU fans, “Fault” is less about the case at hand, and more about the dynamic between Stabler and Benson. After seven years of working together, the two clearly care about one another – so much so that neither of them is willing to put the other’s life in jeopardy to save a kidnapped child, which becomes a problem for them.

When Elliot stops to help an injured Olivia instead of following a suspect, the offender kills one of the children he kidnapped and gets away with the other. When he later uses Elliot as a shield, Olivia cannot bring herself to try to shoot him because she doesn’t want to hit Elliot. Their actions cause them to snipe at one another throughout the episode and blame each other for the loss of one of the kids before admitting that they don’t want to see the other person get hurt.

The end of this episode sees Olivia request a new partner because she realizes, maybe more so than Stabler, that their feelings for one another are getting in the way of them doing their job. At this point in the series, their feelings aren’t romantic, but they are strong enough to distract them. It makes for an emotional episode.

16 “Ballerina”

Season 10, Episode 16

Burnett was nominated for an Emmy for her role.

“Ballerina” is very much the standard when it comes to twisty SVU episodes. Though it first appears that there is a straightforward murder investigation going on, more bodies pile up, and no one is being completely honest, so the twists just keep coming.

To be frank, the specifics of the case are not what makes “Ballerina” great. It does provide a format for later twist-filled episodes to follow, but what makes the episode truly great is the guest stars. Carol Burnett is a former ballerina and Matthew Lillard is her nephew. Actual footage of Burnett as a young dancer is used in the episode, lending to the authenticity of it.

Both actors are primarily known for their comedic timing, but they play these too-close relatives perfectly. They are unsettling, mesmerizing, and just on the side of creepy. Burnett was nominated for an Emmy for her role.

15 “Behave”

Season 12, Episode 3

Despite this episode being a crossover with Law & Order: LA, which only lasted a single season, it stands out thanks to some stellar performances from guest star Jennifer Love Hewitt as well as some sharp writing. Hewitt played a woman who suffered assault by the same man multiple times, in different cities, over the course of a decade. Benson teams with Los Angeles detective Rex Winters who handled the case when the victim lived in LA.

The episode delivers a satisfying conclusion that also shows the brilliance and determination of Benson as a detective.

The Law & Order: SVU episode deals with the challenges of handling a case that is about older crimes and still finding justice. Benson and Winters encounter issues such as misplaced evidence and statute of limitations which have been struggles brought up in real-life cases. However, the episode delivers a satisfying conclusion that also shows the brilliance and determination of Benson as a detective.

14 “Authority”

Season 9, Episode 17

In one of the most surprising guest star roles on Law & Order: SVU, Robin Williams stars in “Authority” with his performance being the standout aspect of the episode. Williams played Merritt Rook, a man who despised authority so much that he began finding ways to challenge it on a large scale. Those ideas ranged from organizing flash mobs and performance art to impersonating a police officer.

While this is not the first time Williams played a villain, it is a reminder of how effective he can be in these types of dark roles, and Williams ended up earning an Emmy nomination for his appearance. The episode also combined elements of real cases, like the “strip search phone scam”, with nods to psychological studies by Stanley Milgram. It all combines for a layered and exciting installment in the series.

13 “Dominance”

Season 4, Episode 20

While a high body count does not necessarily make for a good episode of Law & Order, “Dominance” kicks off with a quadruple homicide with a couple arriving at a celebratory dinner to find everyone else dead. This makes for a thrilling start to the episode with high stakes as the detective team races against the clock as more bodies pile up, and they become desperate to end the bloody spree.

The case itself is a shocking one with details that are haunting and dark.

The episode is also a fun rarity, with the entire detective team working together on the case. While Law & Order: SVU is always an ensemble, “Dominance” fully utilizes the entire cast and makes it feel like a special episode in the series. The case itself is a shocking one with details that are haunting and dark. Ian Somerhalder and Jason Ritter turned out standout performances as a pair of brothers responsible for the spree.

12 “Scavenger”

Season 6, Episode 4

While Law & Order: SVU has had years of success following a very specific and well-known formula, it is a lot of fun seeing them try something new. That is part of the reason the episode “Scavenger” stands out from the bunch as it finds the detectives following their clues after the fact, the team was led on a scavenger hunt by a criminal while he still had his victim.

Similar to real-life serial killers like Zodiac Killer and BTK, seeing a killer taunting police and playing games with them feels like an exciting and elevated take on the show. At times, it even feels like they are dealing with the Batman villain, The Riddler, with rhymes and riddles that would lead to the next step in the mystery. While it was a bit over-the-top, it provided for a fun episode in which the audience can play detective as well.

11 “Loss”

Season 6, Episode 4

Usually, the focus of an SVU episode is placed on the survivors of a crime and the detectives investigating it. This is another episode that plays around with the established formula with the focus placed on attorney Alex Cabot in what was planned as the character’s final appearance. While dealing with a murder case, it turned out the man Cabot was prosecuting was connected to a drug cartel, leading to her life being put in danger.

While it is not unusual for the heroes of the series to be put in danger, “Loss” is a particularly tense episode.

While it is not unusual for the heroes of the series to be put in danger, “Loss” is a particularly tense episode. It is interesting seeing Cabot dealing with the idea of doing her job in the face of danger and doing what is necessary to keep her family safe. It introduces an interesting moral dilemma with a surprising ending that leads to Cabot’s exit from the series, although she did return on several occasions.

10 “Pixies”

Season 2, Episode 9

While such cases are talked about a lot more today than when these episodes first aired, Law & Order: SVU always explored cultures of abuse in certain industries with some of their most memorable episodes. One of the most notable examples of this is the harrowing entry “Pixies”. The episode is not only about the murder of a star gymnast but a series of abuses in the gymnastics community.

As with many of these episodes, “Pixies” is particularly hard to watch and takes a disturbing look at how vulnerable children are in the hands of their own caregivers or mentors. It’s even more horrific to recall that these same abuses continue to go on today with the episode being disturbingly timely. It also features a standout guest starring role from a young Kate Mara as one of the athletes.

9 “Scorched Earth”

Season 13, Episode 1

The thirteenth season premiere of the series had big shoes to fill with it being the first episode since Christopher Meloni left Law & Order: SVU. However, the episode managed to succeed thanks to telling a riveting case with many different aspects to it while also making for one of many Law & Order: SVU episodes inspired by a real case. Based on the Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexual assault case, the episode deals with an Italian diplomat being arrested for assaulting a hotel maid.

While the episode did acknowledge Stabler’s retirement, there was enough going on to be distracted from his absence

While the episode did acknowledge Stabler’s retirement, there was enough going on to be distracted from his absence with the episode dealing with attacking the credibility of victims and what happens under laws of diplomatic immunity. Actress and singer Anika Noni Rose was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for her outstanding work on the episode.

8 “Hammered”

Season 11, Episode 4

“Hammered” not only dealt with the effects of alcohol in the case but also in the life of ADA Sonya Paxton in an intriguing case. Scott Foley guest stars as a man accused of a brutal assault. However, he makes the case that he is an alcoholic, which is a disease, and therefore should not be held accountable for his actions. Paxton is particularly incensed by this attempt at a defense.

This episode brought out the best of the team, but it also highlighted how much human nature makes us all dangerous to ourselves or to one another. Even Stabler made rookie mistakes with a suspect in this episode, which paralleled the mistakes made by the alcoholics in the episode. SVU often strives to demonstrate human fallibility and the effects of substance abuse, but this was one of the most deft examples in the show’s history.

7 “Undercover”

Season 9, Episode 15

Benson is the most beloved character in the entire Law & Order franchise, and it is episodes like “Undercover” that highlight how she earned that reputation. Following accusations by a young female prisoner that a guard has been assaulting the female prisoners, Benson puts herself at risk by going undercover inside a prison. It makes for one of the hardest episodes to watch, as Benson is subjected to brutal treatment and shows her in a more vulnerable position than fans are used to seeing.

It’s not just Hargitay’s performance nor Olivia’s horrible experience, which leads to PTSD, that made this episode so moving

It’s not just Hargitay’s performance nor Olivia’s horrible experience, which leads to PTSD, that made this episode so moving, but also the light it shone on how prevalent prison attacks are, especially those perpetrated by the guards on the inmates. It also shows the heroic determination of Benson to see justice served at any cost.

6 “Charisma”

Season 6, Episode 7

There have been enough movies and documentaries about cults and their leaders to know that these larger-than-life characters can be extremely dangerous. As such “Charisma” is able to go over-the-top with some of its storytelling, as this fictional story is not as wild as some of the real-life ones. Jeff Kober plays a terrifyingly realistic cult leader/con man named Abraham who takes out rich women’s husbands, destroys most of the people in his cult, and kidnaps a 12-year-old so he can steal her trust fund.

Abraham makes for a terrifying villain in the series with Kober’s effective performance never allowing the character to become cartoonish. It makes for a fascinating look at how someone so evil and capable of such things can convince so many people to follow him.

5 “Hothouse”

Season 10, Episode 12

One of the most powerful things about SVU is its willingness to address modern issues that often don’t get enough attention, from human trafficking to incel violence. In season 10’s “Hothouse,” Modern Family‘s Sarah Hyland is featured as a stressed-out student who kills her roommate. It’s already disturbing because she’s just a teen who still looks like a little girl, but it’s also worrisome because it points a finger at the achiever culture in schools today.

“Hothouse” was a well-done episode with some twists and turns, one of which included Benson posing as a madam.

While many parents claim they had it harder without the Internet to help with studies, today’s students are pressured with advanced studies, competitive programs, and outside forces older generations never contended with. This episode really helps illustrate the kind of anxiety that can result from this culture. “Hothouse” was a well-done episode with some twists and turns, one of which included Benson posing as a madam.

4 “Zebras”

Season 10, Episode 22

Season 10’s “Zebras” is often cited as the most outrageous episode of Law & Order: SVU which also makes for one of the most entertaining. The episode features some interesting inside-the-squad drama when CSU Dale Stuckey makes a mistake. However, that is only the bugging as it turns out that the young cop is actually a killer. This leads to some great moments like Benson kissing Stuckley in order to distract him and save Stabler’s life.

This was an incredibly dramatic turn after watching Stuckey’s transformation from fresh-faced CSU to sociopath, and his catchphrase, “Bing, bang, bong,” took a whole new meaning. The episode also pointed out that people in law enforcement can easily become criminals. Law & Order: SVU can sometimes get too over-the-top when trying to shock the viewers, which results in some silly episodes, but “Zebras” balances its tone effectively.

3 “Conscience”

Season 6, Episode 6

When it comes to memorable Law & Order: SVU killers, having a young child as the culprit makes “Conscience” a particularly memorable episode. When a 13-year-old is discovered to not only have murdered a five-year-old but to have abused multiple children at camp, he’s diagnosed as a sociopath. However, the episode is filled with many twists and turns that show Law & Order: SVU‘s willingness to push the boundaries in its storytelling.

Guest star Kyle MacLachlan has a memorable role as the father of the murdered child, who is also a psychologist, that insists there are no redeeming qualities in the young murderer.

Guest star Kyle MacLachlan has a memorable role as the father of the murdered child, who is also a psychologist, that insists there are no redeeming qualities in the young murderer. It makes for a memorable showdown that has become one of the most infamous moments in the show. It is another example of the series teetering on the edge of being ridiculous but delivering a hugely engrossing story.

2 “Nocturne”

Season 1, Episode 21

One of the most important things that Law & Order:SVU has done as a part of pop culture is raising awareness and illustrating how boys and men are also victims of assault. In the first season’s 21st episode, “Nocturne,” the story focuses on a piano teacher who not only abuses his charges but also influences one of his victims to go on and become an abuser themselves.

Law & Order: SVU is great at helping us empathize with people in order to see how they became who they are and why they do what they do. Sometimes a monster is a monster, but sometimes it’s an innocent child who was warped by an awful person. While not shying away from the crimes this victim has committed on his own, the episode explores how his life was altered by his own abuse and how it would certainly have taken him on a different path had he not experienced that trauma.

1 “911”

Season 7, Episode 3

It should come as no surprise that the best Law & Order: SVU episode of all time is Mariska Hargitay’s Emmy Award-winning episode from season seven, “911.” In it, Detective Benson has to race the clock to locate a little girl who has called 911 for help from a room in which she’s trapped. Her location, of course, continues to change as Benson fights to save her before it’s too late.

The hour of television makes for one of the saddest Law & Order episodes while also being an unforgettable and tense ride. It features Benson in all her heroic glory as well as some of her most compassionate moments. The police procedural format of the show does not always do the character justice, but she is made layered and complex in this episode. Hargitay became the first main actor in the Law & Order franchise to win an Emmy for their performance in the series.