Yeah most episodes are self contained, but throughout the years the personal lives of the characters change, and are referenced, nothing too complicated though.

I'm not sure if they reference previous cases that took place on the show, but at the least, some characters re-visit cases that happen before their tenure with the SVU squad (like Ice-T). I used to watch these marathons on USA in college, fun times. Haven't seen it in a while, but the cases are interesting, and the guest stars are always good.

Really? God I hope that means it's better. The show has been in the realm of the absurd the past couple of seasons.

wow... this is almost exactly from the dominque strauss khan stuff ...

I think Pino is smokin hot and was sad to see the dumb writers at Cold Case never develop his character into more of a sex symbol. Of course these were the same idiots who neutered Bobby Cannavale when he was on the show...

Hopefully SVU doesnt make the same mistake. This guy oozes sex appeal and needs to be in less clothes.

Can't figure out why he's not a bigger star...

I don't remember Stabler being written out at the end of last year, but this is a show that although I watch every week I don't really keep it in memory

cool, they brought in Cutter. hope he continues to make appearances here and there

Okay I just watched and it was pretty good for someone who has only seen a handful of episodes.

Can someone who watches this show regularly fill in the blanks. What happened to Stabler at the end of last season? They said he was involved in some shooting and accidently killed someone. Was that actually shown at the end of last season?

I know the writers hands were massively tied writing out Meloni, so I guess him retiring makes sense since they don't have him available.

The case was pretty compelling and I liked Benson's breakdown at the end after she got the news about Stabler.

They only introduced Kelli Giddish's character. I guess Pino will be introduced next week.

I'm familiar with Cabot, so it was good they brought her back and I guess Cutter is from the mothership?

It's on my recorder, but I haven't watched it yet.

Stabler has been going off the deep end for a couple of seasons with personal demons. I don't recall exactly what happened at the end of last season, but I felt he had been getting set up for a write-off for a while (whether it was a blatant attempt to keep his salary demands down, or whatever). His character was under a lot of stress, handling it poorly, and I was losing interest in the character and the show.

Stabler fatally shot the teenage girl that came into the precinct and shot all tue people in the holding cell.

In her wrath, she also shot and killed Sister Peg (who we hadn't seen in quite awhile).

We learn in this ep that its his 6th "good shoot", the AIB is making an example out of him, so rather than play their game, Stabler retired.

Cutter was on the last few seasons of Law And Order, alongside Alana De La Garza who was moved to Law And Order: LA during the revamp of that series.

The reference to Stabler having to shoot a teenage girl was taken from the finale last season. It wasn't an accident, she was shooting people in the police station.

Cutter mentioned that there was a new DA, effectively writing Sam Waterston out of the L&O universe as well.

Interesting episode, as they're seemingly preparing for the future and the end at the same time. This is likely Hargitay's last season, with Giddish taking the lead should the show continue. At the same time, they're adding the subplot of the entire department being phased out, which would be a way to end the show completely should the new cast not bring in the numbers.

Wow, Hargitay's last season? She's the highest paid actress on TV right now.

It's not definite that it's her last season, but it's a strong possibility. She's only signed to a 1-year contract. As mentioned earlier, bringing in 2 younger detectives (Pino and Giddish) might be an attempt to see if the show can get a little younger and get more younger viewers if it makes it to season 14.

saw Andre Braugher's name in the opening credits and then he turned out to be playing an attorney and not reprising his Homicide character

Alright, I know this show isn't really Must See TV for all you serialized TV nuts, but I just got caught up with this season leading into tonight.

Considering I've never watched a full season of SVU coming into this season, it was super easy for me to get into this.

I like the 2 new detectives. Danny Pino however is playing practically a clone of Scotty Valens from Cold Case.

I fucking love Kelli Giddish as Rollins. I think she's really sexy and I love her Georgian accent.

Out of the 4 recent episodes that I saw, my favorite was Double Strands with TR Knight as the Twins (and one being a serial rapist) Kelli Giddish was great in that episode. I also really liked the episode about the Basketball coach who is a child molestor.

Good stuff so far and the hour goes by really fast. If your behind on your SVU DVR records, I highly recommend watching them.

Okay, I have a question about the ADA's.

Alex Cabot (the hot blonde with glasses) and Casey Novak (the auburn haired one)

Do they have the same job? Is one of them a boss? Just curious why they rotate them every week.

Cabot was the original ADA on the show. Her character was written off around season 5 or so as going into Witness Protection. Novak replaced her. Cabot later had a guest appearance where she got out of Protection and was later moved to the L&O show Conviction. Novak was written out a couple of years ago because the actress was allegedly getting too fat.

It's been a revolving door since Novak left, with a younger woman brought in for a while, then Cabot for several episodes, etc. Hell, even Sharon Stone was given the spot for a few episodes. The role used to be a be a main character, opening credit spot, appeared in the cast shot. If I had to guess, I'd say they decided to use both as a way to appease fans of both ADAs, and a way to save on having another main cast member (especially with the addition of the new cops this year).

As for this week's episode. I liked the little scene with Belzer and Braugher, nice little inside joke for anyone that remembers Homicide.

The new writers have really reinvigorated the show. It was over-the-top silly the last couple of years.

At least they had a "moment" with Belzer (still playing the same character he played on Homicide).

Anyone else pleased that Ice-T and Belzer actually have substantial screen time now?

yes.

Yeah I think instead of hiring new actors after Meloni left, they should have just stuck with Benson, Fin and Munch.

I hope Andre Braugher comes back too.

Gilbert Gottfried was on

And he was horrible.

9 hours in interregation?
that's why you lawyer up immediately

Are you referring to last week's episode with the Navy rapist?

That was weird he was in there for that long and didn't lawyer up.

Yeah before the cops finish putting the cuffs on you you should be screaming "I want my lawyer!"

Random question, why did they even bother putting Benson and Harry Connick Jr.'s character together? Hargitay had more chemistry with Andre Braugher's character (and his character was way more interesting too).