The debut episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’s twenty seventh season commenced with a second that has resonated throughout its devoted fanbase: the passing of the unit’s former captain, Donald Cragen. Thursday night’s installment noticed modern and previous detectives collecting in a neighborhood bar, united in grief and remembrance for the person who urged the squad via a number of the show’s maximum memorable eras. Olivia Benson, who joined SVU beneathneath Cragen’s management extra than many years ago, regarded visibly moved as she reunited with influential figures from her early career.
Season premieres frequently carry a healthful dose of nostalgia, and this 12 months turned into no exception. Benson’s access into the bar turned into greeted first via way of means of George Huang, the psychiatrist whose information helped the group navigate their hardest cases, after which via way of means of vintage pal and one-time love hobby Brian Cassidy. Their shared history, complete of each expert camaraderie and romantic entanglements, delivered layers to the bittersweet atmosphere. Benson and Cassidy’s lengthy and winding partnership, first depicted in 1999, provided visitors a comforting throwback to SVU’s formative days.
As recollections flooded in, video of Cragen at his retirement performed on a screen, encapsulating the willpower that described his years with the group. Benson, now captain herself, humbly admitted to Assistant District Attorney Dominick Carisi that her personal management fashion turned into without delay stimulated via way of means of Cragen’s mentorship. She credited him as “the first-class boss” she ever had and pondered at the training found out at some point of their a few years of running together.
The episode underscored Cragen’s fatherly role, now no longer only for Benson however the complete unit. He turned into the rock at some point of the departure of Elliot Stabler, the long-lasting foil to John Munch’s conspiracies, and the supporter for Odafin “Fin” Tutuola’s hard exterior. Stabler’s look outdoor the bar caused a poignant trade with Benson, as they reminisced approximately the ones golden years and recounted the inevitable march of time: “We’re getting into our all our buddies are loss of life era,” Stabler quipped, shooting the melancholic humor many longtime visitors felt.
Off screen, actor Dann Florek is alive and well, performing along his co-stars at some point of season filming. Florek’s presence at forged gatherings and latest appearances on SVU’s sister series, Law & Order: Organized Crime, have most effective reinforced his real-global reference to the forged he helped mold. In interviews, Florek mentioned his paternal instincts, echoing the warm temperature and aid he confirmed each on set and in character. As the brand new season of SVU unfolds, Captain Cragen’s legacy maintains to function a guiding light, shaping now no longer simply the fictitious squad however the actors and visitors who’ve grown along them.
