Best Episodes
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 nov 24, 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!
Two families are left to pick up the pieces of their lives when a rape case goes terribly wrong.
The episode was rated 7.68 from 267 votes.
Sergeant Benson tries to help a domestic violence victim who stands by her man.
The episode was rated 7.70 from 359 votes.
A woman who accused her father of raping her when she was six now says the accusations were false. With the help of attorney Bayard Ellis and retired captain Kragen, SVU tries to get to the truth and make sure justice is served.
The episode was rated 7.70 from 292 votes.
When a professional relationship crosses the line, Detective Rollins must face her past to support another female officer.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 284 votes.
The team tries to find a bike messenger -- who has kept a video diary of his troubles with women -- before he can commit another violent act; the new deputy chief calls Benson's leadership into question.
The episode was rated 7.72 from 361 votes.
Three young girls' search for a mythical character leads to one of them becoming injured and the other two disappearing.
The episode was rated 7.77 from 346 votes.
Carisi's future brother-in-law makes a rape accusation against his female parole officer, forcing Carisi to investigate whether his sister's fiancé is telling the truth or allowing his old bad habits to resurface.
The episode was rated 7.79 from 317 votes.
A serial rapist strikes in several cities where the rape kit backlog stalls the investigation.
The episode was rated 7.80 from 350 votes.
Amaro's by-the-book handling of a starlet's arrest gets him back on the SVU squad in time to investigate the actress's latest offense, statutory rape.
The episode was rated 7.80 from 378 votes.
A college student becomes a target after her work as an online porn star is discovered by her classmates.
The episode was rated 7.80 from 353 votes.
Benson struggles to balance work and her new role of foster mother; when Amaro arrests a young prostitute with connections to Noah's mother, his undercover work sets off a dangerous chain of events.
The episode was rated 7.82 from 431 votes.
A mother goes undercover as a madam to find her daughter. Further investigation leads Benson to find out who Noah's father is.
The episode was rated 7.83 from 273 votes.
SVU and Chicago PD officer Erin Lindsay try to track down Lindsay's half-brother, who may be able to help take down a child pornography ring. The crossover starts on Chicago Fire S03E07 Nobody Touches Anything (I). It continues on Chicago P.D. S02E07 They'll Have to Go Through Me (III).
The episode was rated 7.96 from 503 votes.
In the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episode titled "Surrendering Noah," Sergeant Benson and ADA Barba find themselves in a high-stakes trial against Johnny D, who is charged with sex trafficking, rape, assault, and kidnapping. However, the case takes a personal turn when Baby Noah's adoption becomes entangled in the proceedings. Benson fears for Noah's future and safety, adding an extra layer of tension to the intense courtroom showdown. Will the outcome of the trial change the squad forever?
Fans of the show have mixed emotions about this episode. Some find it emotionally gripping, even upon rewatching it, while others are captivated by Mariska's radiant appearance in a stunning light blue outfit. However, there are also criticisms about the season finale's unexpected plot twists and a perceived snub towards Stabler in Benson's dialogue. Some fans feel that Nick deserves a more emotional sendoff, and the omission of Stabler was unfortunate.
In one particular scene, there is a newspaper image that raises questions among viewers. How did the paper obtain the image, and would they really print a picture of a deceased person on the front page? Additionally, there are concerns about the logistics of having both Johnny D and another character in the same van, uncuffed, and how a shank ended up inside. Despite these inconsistencies, fans acknowledge that the show can sometimes stretch believability for the sake of entertainment. With a high turnover of cast members, they have also noticed frequent changes in the beginning theme of the show.
Overall, "Surrendering Noah" is an intense episode that delves into the personal lives of the characters and raises important questions about the safety and well-being of Baby Noah. Fans will be on the edge of their seats as the SVU squad faces a threat that could have long-lasting consequences.
The episode was rated 8.00 from 304 votes.
On Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, the episode Daydream Believer (III) brings a crossover with Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. A decade old New York City case has a similar crime in Chicago, so officers from Chicago travel to NYC and join the squad to investigate. The crossover begins with Chicago Fire S03E21 We Called Her Jellybean (I) and Chicago P.D. S02E20 The Number of Rats (II).
Rafael Barba, the Assistant District Attorney for Manhattan, is a key part of the episode. Barba is a fan favorite for his intelligence, wit and dedication to justice. His involvement in the case is sure to be an exciting moment as the team from Chicago and the squad from New York work together to track down the suspect they had to release earlier.
The episode was rated 8.05 from 386 votes.
