The BEST episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 23

Every episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 23, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 23!

Delves into the dark side of the NYC underworld as the detectives investigate and prosecute various sexually oriented crimes, including rape, pedophilia, domestic violence, and the abuses of children, the disabled, and elderly victims of non-sexual crimes who require specialist handling, all while trying to balance the effects of the investigation on their own lives as they try not to let the dark side of these crimes affect them.

Last Updated: 5/16/2024Network: NBCStatus: Continuing
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One More Tale of Two Victims
star
7.79
301 votes

#1 - One More Tale of Two Victims

Season 23 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/7/2021

The SVU searches for a serial rapist who preys on mothers with young children. Benson and Fin struggle under the tightened reins of Chief McGrath.

And the Empire Strikes Back
star
7.75
338 votes

#2 - And the Empire Strikes Back

Season 23 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/23/2021

Benson's loyalty to Garland is tested. Rollins and Carisi try to keep their witnesses on board when the congressman is identified as a suspect.

They'd Already Disappeared
star
7.74
314 votes

#3 - They'd Already Disappeared

Season 23 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/4/2021

When a teenage sex worker disappears, Rollins and Velasco find a key clue in a pile of neglected missing persons reports.

A Final Call at Forlini's Bar
star
7.71
281 votes

#4 - A Final Call at Forlini's Bar

Season 23 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/19/2022

The SVU provides help and protection for a longtime domestic violence victim, but when she winds up at the defendant's table in court, Rollins surprises Carisi with a formidable opponent at trial.

The Five Hundredth Episode
star
7.68
326 votes

#5 - The Five Hundredth Episode

Season 23 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/21/2021

Amaro asks the SVU for help in clearing a convicted man's name and brings a figure from Benson's past back into her life.

Promising Young Gentlemen
star
7.68
280 votes

#6 - Promising Young Gentlemen

Season 23 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/10/2022

Carisi's niece helps a friend report a sexual assault. Benson investigates a college's secret society that preys on female students.

Never Turn Your Back on Them
star
7.67
324 votes

#7 - Never Turn Your Back on Them

Season 23 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/23/2021

The search for a missing witness leads Fin and Kat down a dangerous path. Chief McGrath puts pressure on Garland and Benson to get a conviction.

Fast Times @TheWheelHouse
star
7.65
310 votes

#8 - Fast Times @TheWheelHouse

Season 23 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/14/2021

The SVU faces the fury of social media fans when they arrest two popular influencer brothers.

Silent Night, Hateful Night
star
7.65
298 votes

#9 - Silent Night, Hateful Night

Season 23 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/6/2022

The SVU is called in to help investigate a wave of hate crimes on Christmas Eve. Rollins catches up with an old flame.

Tangled Strands of Justice
star
7.64
286 votes

#10 - Tangled Strands of Justice

Season 23 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/28/2022

Garland asks Benson to reopen a missing persons case he worked as a rookie officer. A victim in one of Carisi’s recent cases is arrested.

Eighteen Wheels a Predator
star
7.64
284 votes

#11 - Eighteen Wheels a Predator

Season 23 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/14/2022

Rollins and Fin investigate an assault in Kentucky that has striking similarities to that of a victim found in Central Park. Benson receives intel that turns the case upside down.

Once Upon a Time in El Barrio
star
7.61
292 votes

#12 - Once Upon a Time in El Barrio

Season 23 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/7/2022

Velasco asks Benson for help finding three girls who were trafficked from his hometown to New York City.

I Thought You Were on My Side
star
7.58
311 votes

#13 - I Thought You Were on My Side

Season 23 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/30/2021

Benson and Rollins must contend with the FBI and the Organized Crime bureau when a rape victim identifies a dangerous mobster as her assailant.

Nightmares in Drill City
star
7.57
311 votes

#14 - Nightmares in Drill City

Season 23 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/11/2021

Carisi asks the SVU for help with a murder investigation when one of the witnesses shows signs of abuse.

People vs Richard Wheatley (1)
star
7.57
311 votes

#15 - People vs Richard Wheatley (1)

Season 23 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/9/2021

Carisi tries Richard Wheatley for the murder of Kathy Stabler. Benson finds herself at odds with a friend when Barba agrees to take the case.

Directors: Michael Smith
Video Killed the Radio Star
star
7.52
279 votes

#16 - Video Killed the Radio Star

Season 23 - Episode 14 - Aired 3/3/2022

Benson investigates allegations against a popular radio personality. Rollins goes undercover when a shocking confession leads to another crime.

Sorry If It Got Weird for You
star
7.52
274 votes

#17 - Sorry If It Got Weird for You

Season 23 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/17/2022

The creator of a dating app is accused of using it to rape women. Velasco's experience as an SVU detective is put on trial.

If I Knew Then What I Know Now
star
7.52
294 votes

#18 - If I Knew Then What I Know Now

Season 23 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/24/2022

A young woman learning about her birth parents asks Benson for help. Carisi and Rollins weigh the risks of taking their relationship public.

Tommy Baker's Hardest Fight
star
7.49
278 votes

#19 - Tommy Baker's Hardest Fight

Season 23 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/20/2022

When a popular fighter doesn't show up for the biggest bout of the year, Rollins and Velasco are drawn into a complicated web of secrets. McGrath confides in Benson.

Burning with Rage Forever
star
7.43
293 votes

#20 - Burning with Rage Forever

Season 23 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/13/2022

A boy disappears after meeting up with an online gamer. Benson suspects her son is being bullied.

Did You Believe In Miracles? (1)
star
7.42
283 votes

#21 - Did You Believe In Miracles? (1)

Season 23 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/5/2022

When a student's school reports a girl missing, the squad must track down a trusted family friend for answers. Benson gets a Mother's Day surprise. (Continues in Law & Order: Organized Crime S02E20)

Confess Your Sins to Be Free
star
7.36
272 votes

#22 - Confess Your Sins to Be Free

Season 23 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/12/2022

When the only evidence in a crime is a church confession, Carisi must find another way to prove his suspect guilty. Benson agrees to meet with an old friend seeking to make amends for past transgressions.