Top 10 BEST Law & Order: SVU Episodes
These are the stories of the police and the district attorneys who represent the people in the criminal justice system. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Law & Order SVU Episodes.
For this list, we’ll be looking at episodes of this crime-drama TV series that made us cry, cringe, and/or completely forget that we were watching television. We’re only focusing on “SVU” here. Also note that there will be spoilers ahead!
#10: “Behave”
Law & Order has always attempted to take real-life cases and convert them into compelling episodes, but sometimes they break the fourth wall and address the public. The season twelve episode, “Behave”, revolved around backlogged rape kits. After the episode, Mariska Hargitay (aka Detective Olivia Benson) and her costars took a few minutes to discuss this issue with viewers. Her plea to national law enforcement and criminal justice systems is heartbreakingly sincere, and it left many sitting in stunned silence. When it comes to the episode itself, “Behave” is bursting with sincerity and urgency even after all this time, and left an indelible impression on those who watched it.
#9: “Raw”
Things tend to go from bad to worse for Detectives Benson and Stabler. When they investigate a school shooting that killed one and injured several others, they discover that one of the victims is being molested. After the abuser is apprehended, Detectives Munch and Tutuola stumble upon an underground neo-Nazi ring. However, the story doesn’t stop there. This episode highlighted the issues of white supremacy and domestic terrorism and both began and ended with examples of outrageous violence. The final courtroom scene is punctuated by a sudden shooting, proving that no one is safe. Gang violence and hate crimes are a pervasive problem, and they affect everyone, innocent or guilty. By perfectly visualizing this message, “Raw” is a brutally unforgettable episode.
#8: “Zebras”
In the Law & Order universe, things aren’t always as they seem. This was certainly the case for the season ten finale, which led viewers on a wild (and occasionally hilarious) ride to uncover the truth and find a murderer. This quirky episode tackled conspiracy theorists (in the form of Munch’s ex-wife), and had one of the most surprising twist endings of any Law & Order episode. Sometimes the greatest enemies are the ones that call themselves our friends, as Detective Stabler discovers. The beauty of this reveal is that it’s sewn into the fabric of the entire episode, warranting several rewatches.
#7: “Nocturne”
This season one episode addresses one of the most complex issues facing victims of rape or sexual molestation: the cycle of abuse. While many episodes of SVU tackle troublesome topics, “Nocturne” does so in a heart wrenching, stomach-plummeting way that audiences are rooting for the prodigious victim of a child molester. That is, of course, until it’s revealed that the victim is not as innocent as he first appears. The cycle of abuse is a very real thing, but it’s often ignored. By shining a light on the subject, SVU actively helps victims of abuse from repeating the cycle, which is an amazing feat. Equally, “Nocturne” on its own is an amazing episode.
#6: “Venom”
When the child of a police officer commits a crime, it can be tricky to draw a line between professional and personal responsibilities. So, when Sergeant Fin’s son becomes a suspect in a homicide case, the entire SVU team is floored. And while it seems like Fin’s nephew Darius (played by Ludacris) is the one to blame, Ken’s cousin threatens to claim nepotism if Fin’s son isn’t charged. It’s easy to assume that the family members of police officers, detectives, and investigators are immune to crime. But this episode helps prove that that idea is just ludicrous.
#5: “Pixies”
Several episodes of Law & Order: SVU are based on true stories, and “Pixies” focuses on the very real pressure young gymnasts endure while working toward Olympic gold. And while it’s easy to blame adults, especially those that have creepy intentions, it’s sometimes better to look a little deeper. Children training to take part in an Olympic sport are encouraged to be competitive, sometimes to a fault. But this SVU episode does a brilliant job of exposing why that’s not necessarily a great thing to instill in young athletes, showing that some competitors may be willing to kill for their chance at a moment in the spotlight.
#4: “Charisma”
Cults can ruin lives, and not just the lives of willing adults. Often, cults focus on children as a means of continuing their teachings, and keeping adults from leaving. In “Charisma”, one particularly slimy cult leader “marries” and impregnates a 12-year-old girl named Melanie. As awful as that sounds, it actually gets worse when the doctor reveals something to Detective Benson. This heartbreaking episode reveals how cult leaders can take over the lives of seemingly well-to-do people, brainwashing them into acting irrationally. It is difficult to watch despite its powerful message. Even Detective Benson struggles to handle her feelings after this case.
#3: “Conscience”
Many people assume that sociopaths are made, and not born, but sometimes this just isn’t the case. According to Dr. Huang, sociopathy is a personality disorder and it’s not readily treatable. This episode explores the psyche of Jake O’Hara, a 13-year-old murderer without a conscience. He murders out of boredom and brags about it, two characteristics of sociopaths. He is likely to kill again, prompting his victim’s father to take action. While the death of any child is a tragedy, this episode explores the death of a child sociopath, which is a pretty complex topic.
#2: “Mean”
Bullying is a serious issue that affects the lives of millions of young people every day. When vicious online gossip turns violent, the police are required to get involved. This episode premiered in 2004, and unfortunately, its theme and message are still terrifyingly relevant. As the initial prime suspect in this episode reveals, fake friends can ruin your life. It’s crucial to know who your friends really are. Some might be good-hearted folks who are looking out for your best interests, but a few might be plotting against you in a major way, like a certain teenage murderer in this episode
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Fault”
“Slaves”
“Demons”
“Scavenger”
“Authority”
#1: “911”
It’s only fitting that the number one spot goes to one of SVU’s most intense episodes, “911”. From the very moment it begins until the last few seconds, “911” is a heart-pounding, nail-biting, adrenaline ride. And it all begins with a simple phone call. Little Maria is kidnapped, but she struggles to describe her surroundings and the detectives can’t trace her call to a reliable location. Benson is devastated that she can’t find the girl. This episode prompted parents everywhere to teach their children what to do if they are ever kidnapped, like things that could help law enforcement find them. It also reinforces how important CPR is. Those are some fantastic lessons.
