Tensions are high for the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit squad as they take on a case without their fearless leader, Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay).
The Thursday, May 7, episode of SVU — titled “Old Friends” — has Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola (Ice-T) making a hero’s return to the show as he steps in as interim chief in Benson’s absence, and Us Weekly has an exclusive first look.
In the clip, Captain Renee Curry (Aimé Donna Kelly) gets reassigned to SVU following a huge demotion. She and Sergeant Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) are investigating a crime scene when Fin joins the squad.
“Lot going on in this place,” Fin notes while entering the scene as Rollins explains that he’s been made “acting SVU supervisor” amid Benson’s suspension.
“Not my idea of a good time, but here we are,” Fin admits.
The episode is set to follow the squad as they “untangle conflicting stories and long-buried secrets when a drug-fueled college reunion ends in sexual assault,” according to the official logline. With “internal pressure” put on the team by Chief Kathryn Tynan (Noma Dumezweni), Fin is tasked with making sure the SVU team continues to do what they do best.
While Hargitay’s Benson won’t be absent for the entirety of the installment — as teased in the episode’s promo — things are definitely different following her suspension from SVU.
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During the April 30 episode, titled “Impropriety,” Benson was arrested and held in contempt of court after refusing to reveal a victim’s history of sexual assault while on the stand.
“My duty is to protect the victim,” Benson said multiple times during the trial. “I can’t and won’t answer the question.”
While the victim eventually disclosed her own past abuse on the stand, Benson’s arrest caused Tynan to suspend her from the squad. Benson gave up her service weapon and badge before walking out of the precinct. ADA Dominick “Sonny” Carisi Jr. (Peter Scanavino) promised to appeal the decision as the episode came to an end.
SVU newbie Corey Cott (Detective Jake Griffin) hinted at major conflict between him, Benson and Tynan during an exclusive interview with Us in March.
“There’s some information that we’re going to learn about Griff’s Dad, and there might be some more skeletons in the closet than we know about,” he said at the time. “It’s gonna force Griff to have to make a decision between the squad and his loyalty to Tynan, his mentor. … I think it’s a very complicated place for him to be.”
New episodes of Law and Order: SVU premiere on NBC Thursdays at 9 p.m. and are available to stream the next day on Peacock.
