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!
Carisi must tread carefully when Maxwell’s husband becomes a person of interest in an SVU investigation. Benson sends Velasco to take an old friend into custody.
The episode was rated 7.49 from 254 votes.
A young man asks the SVU for help when he suspects his boss is preying on his sister; Velasco tries to convince a reluctant witness to testify in court.
The episode was rated 7.54 from 319 votes.
The SVU hunts for a violent suspect who killed a detective's child. Rollins ponders a potential opportunity.
The episode was rated 7.56 from 306 votes.
Benson and Carisi are baffled when a series of assaults have the same M.O. but different DNA at each crime scene. Muncy believes Elias Olsen has struck again and is determined to prove it. The crossover continues on Law & Order: Organized Crime S03E21 Shadowërk (II), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit S24E22 All Pain Is One Malady (III), and Law & Order: Organized Crime S03E22 With Many Names (IV).
The episode was rated 7.57 from 270 votes.
A home invasion and kidnapping lead the SVU to a shocking discovery; Muncy tries to fit in with the squad.
The episode was rated 7.60 from 338 votes.
A group of teens terrorizing tourists has the SVU squad working overtime; McGrath teams them up with the Bronx gang unit to track down a crucial lead.
The episode was rated 7.62 from 352 votes.
While Benson tries to help the gang member who attacked her, Duarte reveals a shocking piece of evidence in the case. Fin is tasked with hiring new detectives for the Bronx SVU.
The episode was rated 7.63 from 284 votes.
A recently released convict goes looking for his arresting officer, Fin Tutuola; Carisi tries to get an arrest warrant without a positive suspect ID.
The episode was rated 7.65 from 282 votes.
Rollins investigates an assault by a masked man at an underground party. Benson uncovers a suspect who may be valuable as a witness.
The episode was rated 7.65 from 335 votes.
A man with dementia confesses to murder, but Benson and Carisi believe there's more to the case; when rumors swirl around the squad room, Fin presses Velasco for the truth.
The episode was rated 7.69 from 278 votes.
As Benson and Carisi put a vengeful crime boss on trial, Fin tries to help a woman who was drugged and left for dead. Velasco takes drastic action to get information from a witness.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 293 votes.
Benson and Stabler combine forces on a global revenge-for-hire case. Fin and Bruno help a victim assaulted a second time. Jet's plan to hack the dark web backfires and puts the team in danger. The crossover starts on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit S24E21 Bad Things (I) and Law & Order: Organized Crime S03E21 Shadowërk (II). It continues on Law & Order: Organized Crime S03E22 With Many Names (IV).
The episode was rated 7.75 from 279 votes.
When Benson becomes the target of a ruthless gang leader, Capt. Duarte takes the case. Fin works with the Bronx SVU to help clear their case backlog. Sgt. Dixon offers to translate when a deaf student is raped.
The episode was rated 7.79 from 269 votes.
A young girl is shot and Cosgrove teams with Det. Jalen Shaw to track down her killer. Benson and Stabler assist and realize it's more than a typical homicide. McCoy and Price seek justice against an international crime ring, but complications threaten the case. The crossover starts on Law & Order: Organized Crime S03E01 Gimme Shelter (I). It continues on Law & Order S23E01 Gimme Shelter (III).
The episode was rated 7.79 from 402 votes.
Carisi and Rollins work together on an important arraignment. Benson tries to make Noah’s Christmas wish come true when a case falls in her lap.
The episode was rated 7.90 from 279 votes.
