Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (season 18)

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (season 18)

Season 18 Promotion Cover
Starring
Country of origin United States
Release
Original network NBC
Original release September 21, 2016 (2016-09-21) – present

The eighteenth season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit debuted on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 on NBC.[1]

Rick Eid, who previously worked on Law & Order, became the executive producer and showrunner, following Warren Leight's departure from the series at the conclusion of the seventeenth season.

Production

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit was renewed for an eighteenth season on February 1, 2016, by NBC.[2] It was announced in March 2015 that season seventeen would be show runner/executive producer Warren Leight's last season on the show; he signed a three-year deal with Sony Pictures Television, his contract allowing him to work on SVU for one final season.[3] On March 10, 2016, it was announced that Rick Eid would replace Leight as showrunner on this season.[4]

Storylines and cast changes

It was announced at the end of the seventeenth season that recurring star Andy Karl (who portrayed Sergeant Mike Dodds) would be departing the cast. He was killed off on the season finale by corrections officer Gary Munson.[5]

It was announced on July 22, 2016, that SVU would do a ripped from the headlines episode based on Making a Murderer. Henry Thomas will appear alongside Kelli Williams in the episode about a convicted rapist who is exonerated after DNA is freshly tested. Ice-T's character, Fin Tutuola, originally arrested Thomas' character 16 years earlier and then begins investigating him again when he is linked to a deadly crime. Williams will play Melanie, a rape victim who initially identified Thomas' character. On August 20, 2016, it was announced that the season premiere would pit ADA Rafael Barba (Raúl Esparza) against Lt. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) on opposing sides of the verdict.[6] The episode "Rape Interrupted" (which guest stars Anthony Edwards), was ripped from the headlines based on the Brock Turner sexual assault case, where Turner sexually assaulted an unconscious girl and was later convicted of three felony sexual assault charges. Turner was leniently punished as he only served three months of his six-month sentence, though he originally faced 14 years in prison based on charges. Executive Producer Julie Martin told The Huffington Post, "It is a phenomenon. Unfortunately, there have been several cases like that over the spring and the summer." Hargitay pondered if a similar case were to happen on the show: "Like if I was the detective on that case? It could be healing to somebody to see what should happen. [Seeing] justice," Hargitay continued, "If a judge would do a different sentence. You know, that’s healing for people to see the right thing, the just thing happen."[7]

Cast

Main cast

Recurring cast

Guest stars

On July 29, 2016 it was announced that Vice President Joe Biden would appear in the September 28 episode ("Making a Rapist") as himself to talk about the backlog of rape kits.[8][9] [10] Henry Thomas also appeared alongside Kelli Williams in the episode, Thomas portraying a convicted rapist who is exonerated after DNA is freshly retested.

On September 8, 2016 Hollywood Reporter reported that Anthony Edwards would guest star on SVU. Edwards starred on the NBC medical drama ER as Dr. Mark Greene; in season four of the medical series, Mariska Hargitay guest starred as Greene's love interest, Nurse Cynthia Cooper.[11] Later TV Guide announced that Edwards would be portraying Benson's very first partner out of the Academy, Sgt. Patrick Griffin in "Rape Interrupted". Griffin's son is the suspect in a rape investigation that puts Benson at odds with ADA Barba and Griffin.[12] Hollywood Reporter announced that rapper-actor Wyclef Jean was guest starring in the episode "Broken Ryhmes" (originally titled "Bad Rap") as a famed music producer whose client is embroiled in an assault case. Mitchell Edwards portrayed Hype in the episode as well.[13]

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
3901"Terrorized"Alik SakharovRick Eid & Julie MartinSeptember 21, 2016 (2016-09-21)18017.83[14]

When Lt. Benson finds a boy alone in Central Park, he draws a gun on her. The SVU team finds the boy's parents as they execute a planned terrorist attack at the park. When the father is killed by police in a shootout, the boy's mother says that she was forced to carry out the attack, as she was raped and beaten for five years by the father and his brother. Benson and Barba are at odds over the mother's claims, with Benson pushing for leniency. Meanwhile, a distraught Deputy Chief Dodds accuses Benson of getting his son killed.

3912"Making a Rapist"Michael PressmanKevin FoxSeptember 28, 2016 (2016-09-28)18026.09[17]
When a DNA rape kit is tested 16 years later, the man originally convicted of the crime, Sean Roberts, is released from prison. One month after his release, the victim's daughter is found raped and murdered with evidence pointing to him. Meanwhile, Fin Tutuola is accused of framing Sean as payback for tarnishing his arrest record, having been the original arresting officer.
3923"Imposter"Jean de SegonzacRick Eid & Gavin HarrisOctober 5, 2016 (2016-10-05)18035.76[18]
The SVU team is sent to a fancy hotel when a woman accidentally overdoses on drugs, claiming to have been raped by a man, Tom Metcalf, posing as the admissions director for Hudson University. As the investigation unravels, they learn that the man has victimized multiple mothers desperate to send their children to the university. When Metcalf is charged with rape, ADA Barba is forced to make a deal with the judge, who believes the case is not fit for prosecution.
3934"Heightened Emotions"Alex ChappleJulie Martin & Celine C. RobinsonOctober 12, 2016 (2016-10-12)18055.88[19]
A troubled athlete with a double life claims she was raped after she is found by police officers drunk and bleeding. SVU come to help the woman, but the case eventually becomes very shaky when she starts to show signs of a mental illness. Meanwhile, Rollins' sister Kim is released from prison on parole, claiming to be totally reformed, and she and Amanda try to rekindle their relationship.
3945"Rape Interrupted"Michael PressmanJulie Martin & Brianna YellenOctober 26, 2016 (2016-10-26)18085.85[20]
After Ellis Griffin, the son of Olivia's former partner Patrick Griffin (Anthony Edwards), is accused of rape, Olivia is faced with a tough decision when Patrick pressures her to drop the investigation, which causes tension in the squad room and between Olivia and Patrick.
3956"Broken Rhymes"Adam BernsteinRick Eid & Jeffrey BakerNovember 9, 2016 (2016-11-09)18065.55[21]
After a transgender individual is assaulted in the bathroom, SVU questions the CEO of a record label (Wyclef Jean) who may be linked to the assault. The case is believed to be a hate crime. Things take a twist, however, when several people are murdered by the prime suspect of the assault.
3967"Great Expectations"[22]TBATBAJanuary 4, 2017 (2017-01-04)1807TBA
3978"Unstoppable"[23][24][25]TBATBATBA1804TBA

  • Note: This episode was originally scheduled to air on October 26, 2016, but it was pulled from the schedule.[24]

Reception

No. Title Air date Ratings/share
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 DVR
18–49 		DVR viewers
(millions) 		Total
18–49 		Total viewers
(millions) 		Rank (week)
1 "Terrorized" September 21, 2016 1.8/6[14] 7.83[14] N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
2 "Making a Rapist" September 28, 2016 1.6/5[17] 6.09[17] N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
3 "Imposter" October 5, 2016 1.4/5[18] 5.76[18] N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
4 "Heightened Emotions" October 12, 2016 1.4/5[19] 5.88[19] N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
5 "Rape Interrupted" October 26, 2016 1.5/5[20] 5.85[20] N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
6 "Broken Rhymes" November 9, 2016 1.3/4[21] 5.55[21] N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

References

  1. ↑ Webb Mitovich, Matt (June 28, 2016). "Fall TV 2016: Your Handy Calendar of 120+ Season and Series Premiere Dates". TV Line. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  2. ↑ Harnick, Chris (February 1, 2016). "Law & Order: SVU Renewed for Landmark Season 18, Chicago Med For Season 2". E Online. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  3. ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (March 13, 2015). "'Law & Order: SVU' Showrunner Warren Leight Sets Overall Deal with Sony TV (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  4. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (March 10, 2016). "'SVU' Finds New Showrunner in 'Law & Order' Alum Rick Eid". Variety. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  5. ↑ Harnick, Chris (May 25, 2016). "How Law & Order: SVU's Big Finale Death Will Shake Up the Show". E Online. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  6. ↑ Swift, Andy (August 20, 2016). "Law & Order: SVU Season 18 Pits Benson vs. Barba — Fall TV First Look". TV Line. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  7. ↑ Ledbetter, Carly (September 21, 2016). "Why You Should Expect A Brock Turner–Inspired Episode On 'Law & Order: SVU' This Season". The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  8. ↑ Kelley, Seth (July 29, 2016). "Vice President Joe Biden Will Make a Cameo on 'Law & Order: SVU'". Variety. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  9. ↑ Pannozzo, Sharon; Lewis, Erika (July 29, 2016). "VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TO APPEAR ON 'LAW & ORDER: SVU'". NBCUniversal Media Village. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  10. ↑ Harnick, Chris (July 22, 2016). "Law & Order: SVU Taking on Making a Murderer in Season 18". E Online. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  11. ↑ Stanhope, Kate (September 8, 2016). "'Law & Order: SVU' Sets 'ER' Reunion With Anthony Edwards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  12. ↑ Gennis, Sadie (October 20, 2016). "Law & Order: SVU Exclusive: Get a First Look at the ER Reunion with Anthony Edwards!". TV Guide. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  13. ↑ Stanhope, Kate (September 28, 2016). "'Law & Order: SVU' Enlists Rapper Wyclef Jean for Guest Role". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  14. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (September 22, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Empire' adjusts up, 'Designated Survivor' adjusts down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  15. ↑ Osorio, Francesca (September 20, 2016). "Law and Order SVU Season 18 Supports Police Brutality? Episode 1 Revealed". thegamersdrop.com. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  16. ↑ "New 'SVU' Boss Goes In-depth on Topical Season 18". ew.com. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  17. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (September 29, 2016). "Wednesday final ratings: 'Empire,' 'Lethal Weapon,' 'Criminal Minds,' 'SVU' & 'Blindspot' all adjust up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  18. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (October 6, 2016). "'Empire,' 'Survivor,' 'SVU,' 'Chicago PD' adjust up, 'Black-ish' adjusts down: Wednesday final ratings". TVbytheNumbers. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  19. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (October 13, 2016). "'Empire' and 'The Goldbergs' adjust up: Wednesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  20. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (October 27, 2016). "'Survivor,' 'SVU,' ABC comedies adjust up, 'Designated Survivor' adjusts down: Wednesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  21. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (November 10, 2016). "'Black-ish' adjusts down, others hold: Wednesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Great Expectations". The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Unstoppable". The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  24. 1 2 Gonzalez, Sandra (October 14, 2016). "NBC pulls Trump-like episode of 'Law & Order: SVU'". CNN. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  25. ↑ Stanhope, Kate (October 25, 2016). "'Law & Order: SVU' Reschedules Donald Trump-Inspired Episode". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 25, 2016.

External links

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