Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Watch: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 1 Episode 1

S1 EP1

TV-14

582 episodes27 seasons

US Release

~ Hope in the darkness. ~

Overview:

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.

Created by:

Dick Wolf

Status:

Returning Series

Language:

English

First air date:

9/20/1999

Last air date:

11/20/2025

Key words:

detective
sexual abuse
sex scandal
domestic abuse
sexual violence
domestic violence
criminal
sex trafficking
interrogation
district attorney
courtroom
assistant district attorney
sex crime
sexual assault
sex trade
sex slavery
sex offender
dark
gritty
suspenseful

Seasons

Specials

6 Episodes

Season 1

22 Episodes

Season 2

21 Episodes

Season 3

23 Episodes

Season 4

25 Episodes

Season 5

25 Episodes

Season 6

23 Episodes

Season 7

22 Episodes

Season 8

22 Episodes

Season 9

19 Episodes

Season 10

22 Episodes

Season 11

24 Episodes

Season 12

24 Episodes

Season 13

23 Episodes

Season 14

24 Episodes

Season 15

24 Episodes

Season 16

23 Episodes

Season 17

23 Episodes

Season 18

21 Episodes

Season 19

24 Episodes

Season 20

24 Episodes

Season 21

20 Episodes

Season 22

16 Episodes

Season 23

22 Episodes

Season 24

22 Episodes

Season 25

13 Episodes

Season 26

22 Episodes

Season 27

9 Episodes

Cast

Mariska Hargitay

~ as ~

Olivia Benson

Ice-T

~ as ~

Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola

Dann Florek

~ as ~

Donald Cragen

Richard Belzer

~ as ~

John Munch

Christopher Meloni

~ as ~

Elliot Stabler

Kelli Giddish

~ as ~

Amanda Rollins and 1 more

Peter Scanavino

~ as ~

Dominick 'Sonny' Carisi Jr. and 1 more

BD Wong

~ as ~

Dr. George Huang

Tamara Tunie

~ as ~

Dr. Melinda Warner

Raúl Esparza

~ as ~

Rafael Barba

View full cast & crew

Reviews (2)

M
MovieGuys
Written 1 year(s) ago
3
This series is a poster child for the way the US wants the world, to perceive its justice system.

Hard working, earnest police, backed by an imperfect but mostly well meaning, justice system.

Of course, if you look behind the veil nothing could be further from the truth. The justice system and not just in the US, mind you is abusive and broken. More often than not failing victims and on a certain level, criminals, who often started out as victims of its indifference and outright cruelty.

I find long running series like this one annoying, in so much as they largely, shore up establishment narratives, rather than exposing them, for what they are.

Acting is reasonable but feels a little forced and unrealistic, at times. Its not helped by rather predictably, formulaic characterisations.

In summary, I rate this series down not just because its somewhat formulaic and bland but because, in my view, it does the truth of the world we live in, a disservice. Things can only improve when reality is exposed for what it is, not buried beneath pro establishment, "the system mostly works" narratives.
N
Nicki
Written 1 year(s) ago
9
26 SEASONS there's a reason SVU is the longest-running primetime live-action series on American television. Every year this show is a must watch. The storylines are compelling and the actors are usually current, former or up-and-coming stars. Some "fans" have complained about the changing of cast members but I think it's what keeps the show fresh. Hoping for many more seasons with Benson to come.