The Best Episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 17

When the investigation of Corrections Officer Gary Munson deepens, he and his union take drastic actions that threaten the lives of ADA Barba and the SVU squad.

Director: Alex Chapple

Writer: Warren Leight, Julie Martin

The squad revisit a crime scene where bodies were buried by a serial killer. Rollins tries to get a confession, but the killer reveals shocking new info instead.

Director: Jean de Segonzac

Writer: N/A

A serial killer reveals shocking new info and problems in the case mount as Barba faces slick lawyers in court.

Director: Alex Chapple

Writer: N/A

Benson is taken hostage when she tries to stop a home invasion.

Director: Nick Gomez

Writer: Brianna Yellen

Two high-profile suspects are arrested in the takedown of an online pedophile ring following a sting operation.

Director: Rosemary Rodriguez

Writer: Samantha Corbin-Miller

A sexual exploitation case involving Catholic schoolgirls results in surprising charges against people in esteemed leadership positions, including judges, lawmakers, lawyers and cops.

Director: Alex Chapple

Writer: N/A

When one of their own is implicated in a cover-up, the SVU struggles to unravel a sex trafficking operation deeply-rooted in government offices, the police department, and the Catholic Church.

Director: Jean de Segonzac

Writer: N/A

A corrections officer is arrested for sexually assaulting female inmates in and out of prison, and the union that supports him targets Barba and the SVU.

Director: Jonathan Starch

Writer: Warren Leight, Julie Martin

When a transgender teen is assaulted by high school bullies, the case quickly escalates to tragedy, and the squad agonizes over whether the punishment fits the crime.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

A malnourished toddler is found wandering and leads police to another ill child from the same home. The investigation eventually lands the Department of Child Services in hot water. Meanwhile, Chief Dodds tells Benson to expect some changes at her squad.

Director: Martha Mitchell

Writer: N/A

Chicago P.D. detectives Lindsay and Dawson join the SVU in the hunt for two escaped murderers they helped to convict. The crossover continues on Chicago P.D. S03E14 The Song of Gregory Williams Yates (II).

Director: Alex Chapple

Writer: Warren Leight, Julie Martin

Detective Carisi lives undercover at a homeless shelter to determine if one of its sex offender residents is the suspect in a string of neighborhood rapes.

Director: Mariska Hargitay

Writer: Ed Zuckerman

When a pious TV family's reputation is shattered by a teen pregnancy scandal, SVU uncovers the reality behind the reality show.

Director: Martha Mitchell

Writer: N/A

The search for a missing teenager takes an emotional toll on Dodd, DNA could lead to the teen's abductor.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

A woman is followed home and raped outside her building, where several neighbors witness the crime but fail to call for help.

Director: Michael Pressman

Writer: Robert Brooks Cohen

When a lack of evidence leads Barba to drop rape charges against a popular actor; Rollins takes matters into her own hands.

Director: N/A

Writer: A. Zell Williams

A young model is raped by a renowned fashion house photographer, who looks to his successful brother to make the charges disappear.

Director: Martha Mitchell

Writer: Penelope Koechl, Jill Lorie Hurst

An unarmed black man is shot by three police officers who claim they were following proper procedure while pursuing a rape suspect. As racial tensions mount throughout the city, Barba indicts the three cops.

Director: Jean de Segonzac

Writer: N/A

A violinist is raped by her colleague, but he doesn't remember committing the crime and claims he was drugged and robbed by a hired escort. Meanwhile, Rollins' mother throws a baby shower for her; and Sgt. Mike Dodds reports to work at the SVU squad.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

A high school student plans a clandestine hookup with his female teacher but ends up in a far more sinister situation.

Director: Michael Slovis

Writer: Kevin Fox

The producers of a reality TV dating series make Benson and the SVU team part of the show when they investigate a contestant's claim that she was raped.

Director: Alex Chapple

Writer: N/A

A murky he-said, she-said date rape case ruins the futures of two high school students.

Director: Mariska Hargitay

Writer: Céline C. Robinson

Lt. Benson seeks justice in the trial of child abductor Lewis Hodda, but when a plea deal is rejected, Barba must rely on decades-old evidence to make his case and faces off against former SVU colleague Dr. Huang.

Director: Martha Mitchell

Writer: Ed Zuckerman