‘Law & Order: SVU’s Biggest Episode Broke the Franchise’s Most Frustrating 10-Year Trend

Law and Order: Special Victims Unithas thrived for years thanks to its ensemble cast, particularly Detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni). Benson and Stabler’s partnership was a major draw for SVU fans; most loved their deep trust, while others hoped for a potential romance to blossom. Naturally, audiences were shocked when Meloni departed the series after Season 12, since it marked the beginning of a seismic shift in SVU‘s storytelling. Eventually, Meloni returned as Stabler in the Season 22 episode “Return of the Prodigal Son.”