Law & Order: Special Victims Unit backdrop
Crime•Drama•Mystery

The Best Episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21

Every episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21!

Binge this in 14h 20m•Peaking at 10.0/10

In the criminal justice system, sexually-based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit.

Airs on
NBC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons27

All123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 1 - I'm Going to Make You a Star
    8.0/10(696 votes)

    #1 - I'm Going to Make You a Star

    S21:E1

    When an actress accuses a high-powered media mogul of attempted rape, Benson finds herself in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. Changes in the squad room put Carisi between a rock and a hard place.

    Director:Norberto Barba
    Writers:Warren Leight, Peter Blauner

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 2 - The Darkest Journey Home
    7.3/10(626 votes)

    #2 - The Darkest Journey Home

    S21:E2

    Benson works with a young woman to help her remember the details and suspects in her rape. In order to learn a new witness interview technique, Rollins and Fin have to experience it for themselves.

    Director:Jean de Segonzac
    Writers:Julie Martin, Warren Leight

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 3 - Down Low in Hell's Kitchen
    6.4/10(618 votes)

    #3 - Down Low in Hell's Kitchen

    S21:E3

    A serial predator targeting men in gay bars proves difficult to catch, until a celebrity comes forward with his story.

    Director:Timothy Busfield
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 4 - The Burden of Our Choices
    7.2/10(693 votes)

    #4 - The Burden of Our Choices

    S21:E4

    Rollins clashes with the parents of a teenaged runaway. The squad comes together for a special event.

    Director:Martha Mitchell
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 5 - At Midnight in Manhattan
    8.7/10(609 votes)

    #5 - At Midnight in Manhattan

    S21:E5

    The detectives are spread thin when three major cases come in at midnight. Rollins and Carisi argue over an arrest.

    Director:Peter Werner
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 6 - Murdered at a Bad Address
    7.8/10(669 votes)

    #6 - Murdered at a Bad Address

    S21:E6

    The case of a teenage girl assaulted in the projects leads to a startling discovery. Benson puts her trust in someone from her past.

    Director:Michael Smith
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

    READ
  7. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 7 - Counselor, It's Chinatown
    8.0/10(540 votes)

    #7 - Counselor, It's Chinatown

    S21:E7

    The SVU joins an under cover task force in busting a human trafficking ring.

    Director:Leslie Hope
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 8 - We Dream of Machine Elves
    8.0/10(568 votes)

    #8 - We Dream of Machine Elves

    S21:E8

    Rollins goes undercover to find a suspect who is drugging and assaulting tourists, while Benson helps the victims sort out their memories from their hallucinations.

    Director:Jonathan Herron
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 9 - Can't Be Held Accountable
    6.3/10(633 votes)

    #9 - Can't Be Held Accountable

    S21:E9

    A fellow detective asks the SVU for help when he suspects his two daughters are being groomed by a serial predator. Kat disobeys the Captain's orders.

    Director:Norberto Barba
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 10 - Must Be Held Accountable
    6.7/10(581 votes)

    #10 - Must Be Held Accountable

    S21:E10

    A desperate father takes matters into his own hands in the case against his daughter's rapist.

    Director:Laurie Collyer
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 11 - She Paints for Vengeance
    8.7/10(573 votes)

    #11 - She Paints for Vengeance

    S21:E11

    After a sexual assault investigation is stalled for months, a woman puts her accusations against a popular athlete on a billboard.

    Director:Mariska Hargitay
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 12 - The Longest Night of Rain
    9.5/10(649 votes)

    #12 - The Longest Night of Rain

    S21:E12

    Benson investigates a police officer's accusations of sexual assault. Captain Tucker's retirement party ends in tragedy.

    Director:Michael Smith
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 13 - Redemption in Her Corner
    8.0/10(553 votes)

    #13 - Redemption in Her Corner

    S21:E13

    Kat steps over the line when she suspects a trainer at her boxing gym is taking advantage of his students.

    Director:Batan Silva
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 14 - I Deserve Some Loving Too
    10.0/10(563 votes)

    #14 - I Deserve Some Loving Too

    S21:E14

    Rollins goes undercover to root out a government worker withholding green cards in exchange for sex.

    Director:Jean de Segonzac
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 15 - Swimming with the Sharks
    7.5/10(540 votes)

    #15 - Swimming with the Sharks

    S21:E15

    The female CEO of a popular wellness company says she was raped, but her business partner claims the accusation is part of an embezzlement cover-up.

    Director:Martha Mitchell
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 16 - Eternal Relief from Pain
    6.5/10(509 votes)

    #16 - Eternal Relief from Pain

    S21:E16

    Rollins' sister stirs up trouble and a possible SVU investigation when she reports a doctor who trades prescription painkillers for sex.

    Director:Jean de Segonzac
    Writer:Peter Blauner

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 17 - Dance, Lies and Videotape
    7.5/10(516 votes)

    #17 - Dance, Lies and Videotape

    S21:E17

    An ingénue ballerina discovers she's been secretly videotaped for a pornographic website.

    Director:Leslie Hope
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 18 - Garland's Baptism by Fire
    9.0/10(540 votes)

    #18 - Garland's Baptism by Fire

    S21:E18

    Chief Garland must put friendship aside when a pastor at his church is arrested.

    Director:Norberto Barba
    Writers:Micharne Cloughley, Cheryl L. Davis

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 19 - Solving for the Unknowns
    6.7/10(530 votes)

    #19 - Solving for the Unknowns

    S21:E19

    The SVU struggles to find a serial predator who uses a date rape drug that leaves no evidence behind. Rollins receives some good news.

    Director:Christopher Misiano
    Writers:Brianna Yellen, Kathy Dobie

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 21 Episode 20 - The Things We Have to Lose
    6.7/10(513 votes)

    #20 - The Things We Have to Lose

    S21:E20

    As Carisi begins the long-anticipated trial of Sir Toby Moore, the SVU faces setbacks in several other cases.

    Director:Juan José Campanella
    Writers:Julie Martin, Warren Leight

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 21 Ratings Summary

"I'm Going to Make You a Star" is the best rated episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" season 21. It scored 8/10 based on 696 votes. Directed by Norberto Barba and written by Warren Leight, Peter Blauner, it aired on 9/26/2019. This episode is rated 0.7 points higher than the second-best, "The Darkest Journey Home".