"In the criminal justice system, sexually-based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories."
This hard-hitting and emotional series from NBC’s Law & Order brand chronicles the life and crimes of the Special Victims Unit of the New York Police Department, the elite squad of detectives who investigate sexually based crimes. Created by Emmy Award-winning producer Dick Wolf, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has been picked up for its twelfth season. Combined with Law & Order -- the second longest-running drama series in the history of television -- and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, the "Law & Order" franchise reached its 600th episode in the fall of 2005.
The drama follows Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni), a seasoned veteran of the unit who has seen it all, and his partner, Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), whose difficult past -- a product of rape -- is the reason she joined the unit.
Comments
@Teena Welcome back Teena :), it has been a very long time, it's good to see you active again, I'm doing okay thank you :)
@Foaman Thank you so much. I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you sooner but I've been working doubles 5 to 6 days a week and am now online again when I get the chance. I finally get at least 2 days off a week to catch up on errands, watching my shows and now having an online presence again. I hope you've been well! :)
@Teena I'm sorry to hear about your mom Christine, may god rest her soul in eternal peace.
Most shows should have a proper season ending like the one SVU had imo, cliffhangers aren't always best especially for procedural shows, a show as consistent and as old as this doesn't need to shock viewers to tune them in for the following season. They can change things around but they can be subtle about them you know what I mean
@Foaman I agree. When the father was talking about his son and you think he's in a coma and he could still recover, then he says that they are harvesting his organs and he just completely breaks. I became emotional too. It reminded me of when my father finally accepted my mom wasn't coming back (when she passed away). I didn't think of the non-cliffhanger like you, but when you worded it the way you did, I looked at it differently and I agree. It was almost an ending, instead of a cliffhanger, because it was the end of that particular group as a squad, and because the member didn't leave (like he was supposed to) he actually was killed on the job. They wanted it to have a proper end, even though it's coming back for another season. (Yay! I love SVU!)
@Teena The season finale definitely put tears in my eyes, SHOW SPOILER the scene with the father and how he finally took it in was very moving.
It's weird that there wasn't a cliffhanger but I'm glad it didn't have one, just to let next season be a fresh beginning with a new squad member joining in.
The Season 17 finale was so sad, but very well acted. The only thing I didn't care for was that there really wasn't a cliffhanger. Two things to contemplate until the Season 18 premiere:
1.) Who's behind the Barba death threats?
2.) Who will be the new member of the SVU squad?
@Teena I completely agree with you :)
And season 17 can't start soon enough..
@Foaman I know what you mean, people sometimes are almost offended shows like this are on, and stating they would never watch them. I don't understand that..... It's real-life, it's awful sometimes and their are some sick people out there, but people need to know that to protect themselves. Also, I think they do each case well, be it fictionalized, it still looks at it in a way that it isn't just entertainment and it's not disrespectful to people who have went through such traumas. I think that's why it has stayed on so long, along with how developed each character is, they get you attached, like you really know them, that's good writing. I agree, I really liked Amaro (I watched him on "Cold Case" as well) and I'm sad to see him go. When Elliot left I didn't think they would find a suitable replacement, but they did, hopefully they will come through for all of the fans again by filling those shoes. Plus, the new character should have anger issues, because I think every other set of issues is taken by other characters. I can't wait for Season 17 to begin! :)
@Teena Exactly, the one thing I love the most about this show is how realistic most of the stories are. I know some people who can't get themselves to watch this show because they don't want to know or understand the pain and agony these kinds of victims go through, they don't wanna know how evil, sick and disgusting people can really be.. Is it okay for people to wanna remain ignorant? I personally don't think so, stories like these could help protect so many people from falling victims to sex crimes.
This isn't your average cop drama, this is much deeper than that.
It's sad to see Amaro leaving, he was one of my favorite characters, was like a mini-Eliot, I hope they get a suitable replacement, hopefully someone with anger issues too, this show just needs to always have one present.
@Foaman I completely agree they always know how to keep it exciting and "ripped from the headlines" occasionally too. I totally get it about Christopher Meloni, no going away, just, oh, he's taking his retirement. But, I do look forward to more and seeing how they go now that Danny Pino left.
@Teena They just know exactly how to keep it exciting after all those years. Although to this day I'm still bitter about how Christopher Meloni's character (Elliot) exited the show but I do know it was his choice.
Will be looking forward to the new crossovers.
Now there is going to be four-way crossovers thanks to the new 'Chicago' show.... 'Chicago Medical'. Some people say it's too long a run, but it just keeps getting better after 16 seasons, just like @Foaman said. Along with the crossovers, who couldn't be hooked?!
After watching 16 seasons, the show still manages to amaze me, even after the many changes to it's core over the years.
Thank you Dick Wolf.
NBC Renews Law & Order: SVU for 14th Season (goo.gl/pZvs5)
Here is an article on how Mariska Hargitay is planning to take on a lighter load, but at the same time will be in every episode.
http://www.tvguide.com/News/SVU-Hargitay-Voice-NBC-Greenblatt-1035894.aspx
This show looks to be significantly changing, heading forward. Every procedural goes through this, with people leaving and reducing roles. It just took this show longer to get there. They were lucky to hold the core together as long as they did.
B.D. Wong is leaving for Awake.
http://www.tvguide.com/News/BD-Wong-SVU-1035421.aspx
Stephanie March and Diane Neal are returning:
http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/07/05/stephanie-march-diane-neal-return-to-svu/
Kelli Giddish (Chase) and Danny Pino (Cold Case) just signed on as regulars:
http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/06/27/law-order-svu-kelly-giddish-and-danny-pino/
Ice-T signed on for two more years:
http://www.tvline.com/2011/06/ice-t-law-order-svu-renews-contract/
A bit shocking, but Christopher Meloni just left:
http://www.tvline.com/2011/05/chris-meloni-exits-law-order-svu/