Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

10 Best Episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Season 12

Since its premiere on NBC in 1999, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has aired 25 seasons of gripping, suspenseful, and often emotionally charged investigations into some of the most heinous felonies. This long-running series has built a reputation as one of the best crime dramas on television, captivating audiences with its intense, realistic storylines. With so many incredible episodes to choose from, it's no wonder that Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has remained a fan favorite for so long. In this article, we'll be ranking the best episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, looking at some of the show's most memorable and memorable moments.

From the heartbreaking cases to the intense and dramatic courtroom scenes, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has been responsible for some of the most gripping television of all time. From the show's earliest days to its most recent season, there have been some truly incredible episodes that have stood out from the rest. We'll be looking at some of the most memorable and impactful episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, ranked from best to worst.

From the iconic characters to the intense investigations, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has made its mark on television as one of the best crime dramas ever. With so many great episodes to choose from, it can be difficult to pick out the best of the best. We'll be looking at some of the most acclaimed episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, ranking the best episodes from the show's 25 season run.

Written by Sophie and last updated on apr 26, 2024.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

Advertisement
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E7

#15 - Trophy (Season 12 - Episode 7)

A rape and murder investigation puts the detectives lives at risk.

The episode was rated 7.70 from 233 votes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E19

#14 - Bombshell (Season 12 - Episode 19)

Advertisement

A grifter named Cassandra strikes swinging men who frequent sex clubs.

The episode was rated 7.71 from 197 votes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E12

#13 - Possessed (Season 12 - Episode 12)

A young man finds that his girlfriend Larissa Welsh has been attacked in her apartment with evidence that points to her buried past. Detectives Benson and Stabler go in search of her attacker and discover that an elderly man, Orville Underwood, may have been involved in traumatic events of Welsh’s past. For the detectives, solving the case comes down to who was in possession of the evidence.

The episode was rated 7.72 from 221 votes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E6

#12 - Branded (Season 12 - Episode 6)

Advertisement

Two men have been branded and sodomised by someone. Is there a connection between these men, and what nut case is on the loose?

The episode was rated 7.74 from 224 votes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E2

#11 - Bullseye (Season 12 - Episode 2)

The brutal rape of a ten-year-old girl leaves her unable to recall her own name. Unfortunately, once Fin assists with the ID, the detectives find that she’s not the only one with memory impairment, and Dr. Huang is brought in to assess her home situation.

The episode was rated 7.75 from 267 votes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E10

#10 - Rescue (Season 12 - Episode 10)

Advertisement

With young Calvin in her care, Detective Benson continues the search for his drug-addict mother, Vivian, but Detective Stabler notices a strong bond forming between Benson and the boy. When Vivian’s name comes up during a rape investigation, Captain Cragen assigns Detectives Fin and Munch to the case instead. However, it will take more than Cragen’ s orders to keep Benson away.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 225 votes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E13

#9 - Mask (Season 12 - Episode 13)

Debbie Shields comes home to find her partner Ann Jackson being raped by a man wearing a haunting mask. Shields contacts Ann's father to notify him of her critical condition. As detectives Benson and Stabler interrogate Ann's father, Captain Jackson, his sordid past is revealed filled with sexual and alcohol addiction. Jackson's new role as a sex therapist is hindering the detectives from getting the information they need to solve the case and if Jackson won't comply, the detectives are going to have to get creative.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 213 votes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E21

#8 - Reparations (Season 12 - Episode 21)

Advertisement

Two high-powered attorneys face each other across the aisle when Casey Novak returns to the team, and Joe Dekker takes a leave of absence from his Los Angeles duties after his cousin is charged with rape. Dekker's unwavering belief in his cousin's innocence, and a court disturbance make Novak and Benson take another look at the evidence, which leads them to someone playing a very long game in the name of hatred.

The episode was rated 7.80 from 198 votes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E20

#7 - Totem (Season 12 - Episode 20)

When a young girl is found dead with a doll that is believed to have been left as a totem, detectives Benson and Stabler team up with Captain Jackson, a psychologist who assisted them with a recent case, to investigate her murder. Jackson joins the detectives as they retrace the girl’s last steps and go to meet with her piano teacher June Frye. Jackson’s skills prove to be invaluable in deciphering the meaning of the totem and ultimately finding her killer.

The episode was rated 7.81 from 190 votes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E16

#6 - Spectacle (Season 12 - Episode 16)

Advertisement

After the sexual assault of a young woman is videotaped and featured on a campus-wide intranet feed, detectives Elliot Stabler and Odafin "Fin" Tutuola go in search of the victim and her attacker. As they delve into the investigation, it becomes clear that the perpetrator created a spectacle to draw attention to his own issues.

The episode was rated 7.81 from 211 votes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E24

#5 - Smoked (Season 12 - Episode 24)

When a woman is murdered during an afternoon shopping trip with her daughter, Detectives Benson and Stabler are called in because she was scheduled to testify in their high-profile rape case. As the detectives continue to investigate the correlation between the murder and their case, they discover unlikely friendships that will lead them to the truth.

The episode was rated 7.82 from 233 votes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E11

#4 - Pop (Season 12 - Episode 11)

Advertisement

A young boy is found dead on a park carousel after being dropped off by his uncle Joe Gilbert. When Detectives Benson and Stabler learn that the boy was beaten to death they suspect that it could be the result of a bully at school. The investigation leads to an unsettling gambling ring. Detectives suspect that Gilbert's acquaintance, Joe Roberts is beating his wife Sandra and the case takes a horrifying turn.

The episode was rated 7.84 from 207 votes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E22

#3 - Bang (Season 12 - Episode 22)

When an abandoned baby is found on playground, Detectives Benson and Stabler go in search of the child’s caregiver. Upon meeting the nanny and her boyfriend, Ken Turner, they soon realize that he is also engaged to the baby’s adoptive mother, Dede Aston. As the detectives dig deeper into Turner’s malevolent past, they realize that the law may be on his side.

The episode was rated 7.85 from 195 votes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E23

#2 - Delinquent (Season 12 - Episode 23)

Advertisement

When a young woman finds a teenage boy asleep and naked in her bedroom, his mother, Bree Walsh, is quick to defend him. While Detective Benson and Detective Stabler try to figure out what truly happened, they also have to manage the sneaky teenager and his naive mother. As the detectives dig deeper, they discover how deceptive appearances can be.

The episode was rated 7.88 from 201 votes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S12E3

#1 - Behave (Season 12 - Episode 3)

A woman who has been raped multiple times is afraid to leave her house. The issue of unopened rape kits will see Detective Olivia Benson travel from New York City to Los Angeles.

The episode was rated 7.92 from 237 votes.

Search for TV shows...

About Series with Sophie

Welcome to our community!

We are a community of women who are passionate about our favorite series and want to share that passion with others.

Our mission is to create a space where women can discover new content, connect with like-minded individuals, and engage in meaningful discussions about the series we love.

We believe that everyone should have access to reliable and trustworthy information about their favorite shows, and we strive to be the premier destination for women seeking that information. Whether you're looking for recaps, fan theories, or just want to connect with other fans, we've got you covered.

So join us and be a part of our growing community of series enthusiasts!