23 Heart-Pounding Law & Order: SVU Episodes Fans Will Never Forget

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit isn’t just a television show. At this point, it’s a cultural phenomenon. NBC’s hit drama series — following the group of detectives responsible for tackling NYC’s sexual criminals — is never at a loss for action, with twists and turns in virtually every episode. From the complex characters to the suspense-driven plot lines, SVU has become an NBC classic, with 24 seasons (and more to come).

With such a long-running tenure, which Law & Order: SVU episodes are the best of the best? That’s nearly impossible to answer, but these 23 episodes, below, still get fans’ hearts going.

“Nocturne” (Season 1, Episode 21)

A great episode from the SVU’s debut season is “Nocturne,” when Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler (Christopher Meloni) take down a disgusting piano teacher who had been molesting his students for years. Not only that, but he has managed to coerce many of his victims into abusing children, as well. The episode is a cerebral rollercoaster and quintessential SVU.

“Risk” (Season 4, Episode 12)

Season 4’s “Risk” brought the action after an infant overdosed on cocaine-laced baby food, leading the detectives to learn a major drug smuggling operation is being run by a corrupt cop. So what do Benson and Stabler decide to do? Go undercover, of course!

“Mother” (Season 5, Episode 3)

The SVU went toe to toe with doctor-patient confidentiality in Season 5’s “Mother” when a psychiatrist named Greta is found brutally beaten. One of the psychiatrist’s patients is likely responsible for the attack, but she refuses to disclose details about which of her clients is responsible.

In “Loss,” an undercover agent for the DEA is raped and murdered, causing the SVU to get tied up in said agent’s investigation. Loss” marks ADA Alex Cabot’s (Stephanie March) last episode in the main SVU cast, and it was a tense curtain call, to say the least.

“Brotherhood” (Season 5, Episode 12)

The shady underbelly of fraternity hazing was highlighted in Season 5’s “Brotherhood” when the squad investigates the murder of a fraternity pledge master. Once they realize the murder victim has a horrific history of assaulting pledges, the squad blows the cap off the fraternity’s systemic abuse. This SVU episode is goosebumps guaranteed!
“Scavenger” (Season 6, Episode 4)

Time is not on the squad’s side in Season 6’s “Scavenger,” in which a serial killer begins baiting the NYPD with details of his next attack. Benson and Stabler learn the suspect is a copycat of the “RDK” serial killer, which stands for “rape, dismember, kill.” It takes Stabler locking the suspect in the closet for him to finally confess to his crimes, but by the end of the workday, it was another success for the SVU.