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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. Discover the Best Episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23!

Binge this in 15h 45m•Peaking at 8.4/10

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.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 1 - And the Empire Strikes Back
    8.0/10(679 votes)

    #1 - And the Empire Strikes Back

    S23:E1

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

    Director:Norberto Barba
    Writers:Warren Leight, Julie Martin, Bryan Goluboff

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  2. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 2 - Never Turn Your Back on Them
    8.0/10(586 votes)

    #2 - Never Turn Your Back on Them

    S23:E2

    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.

    Director:Norberto Barba
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 3 - I Thought You Were on My Side
    7.9/10(560 votes)

    #3 - I Thought You Were on My Side

    S23:E3

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

    Director:John Behring
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 4 - One More Tale of Two Victims
    8.0/10(574 votes)

    #4 - One More Tale of Two Victims

    S23:E4

    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.

    Director:Michael Pressman
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 5 - Fast Times @TheWheelHouse
    7.8/10(577 votes)

    #5 - Fast Times @TheWheelHouse

    S23:E5

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

    Director:Martha Mitchell
    Writers:Brianna Yellen, Brendan Feeney

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  6. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 6 - The Five Hundredth Episode
    8.4/10(805 votes)

    #6 - The Five Hundredth Episode

    S23:E6

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

    Director:Juan José Campanella
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 7 - They'd Already Disappeared
    8.4/10(616 votes)

    #7 - They'd Already Disappeared

    S23:E7

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

    Director:Bethany Rooney
    Writers:Micharne Cloughley, Kathy Dobie

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  8. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 8 - Nightmares in Drill City
    7.4/10(535 votes)

    #8 - Nightmares in Drill City

    S23:E8

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

    Director:Norberto Barba
    Writer:Bryan Goluboff

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  9. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 9 - People vs. Richard Wheatley (I)
    7.9/10(581 votes)

    #9 - People vs. Richard Wheatley (I)

    S23:E9

    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. The crossover continues on Law & Order: Organized Crime S02E09 The Christmas Episode (II).

    Director:Michael Smith
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 10 - Silent Night, Hateful Night
    7.9/10(560 votes)

    #10 - Silent Night, Hateful Night

    S23:E10

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

    Director:Norberto Barba
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 11 - Burning with Rage Forever
    7.4/10(630 votes)

    #11 - Burning with Rage Forever

    S23:E11

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

    Director:Mary Lambert
    Writers:Brianna Yellen, Brendan Feeney

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  12. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 12 - Tommy Baker's Hardest Fight
    7.5/10(513 votes)

    #12 - Tommy Baker's Hardest Fight

    S23:E12

    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.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writers:Bryan Goluboff, Candice Sanchez McFarlane

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  13. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 13 - If I Knew Then What I Know Now
    7.4/10(521 votes)

    #13 - If I Knew Then What I Know Now

    S23:E13

    After a woman disappears, the squad notice similarities to a 20 year old DV case. Rollins and Carisi's relationship faces a challenge.

    Director:Juan José Campanella
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 14 - Video Killed the Radio Star
    8.0/10(543 votes)

    #14 - Video Killed the Radio Star

    S23:E14

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

    Director:Alex Zakrzewski
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 15 - Promising Young Gentleman
    7.8/10(526 votes)

    #15 - Promising Young Gentleman

    S23:E15

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

    Director:David Grossman
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 16 - Sorry If It Got Weird for You
    7.6/10(465 votes)

    #16 - Sorry If It Got Weird for You

    S23:E16

    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.

    Director:Leslie Hope
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 17 - Once Upon a Time in El Barrio
    8.1/10(495 votes)

    #17 - Once Upon a Time in El Barrio

    S23:E17

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

    Director:Oscar Rene Lozoya II
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 18 - Eighteen Wheels a Predator
    8.2/10(483 votes)

    #18 - Eighteen Wheels a Predator

    S23:E18

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

    Director:Martha Mitchell
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 19 - Tangled Strands of Justice
    8.0/10(511 votes)

    #19 - Tangled Strands of Justice

    S23:E19

    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.

    Director:Jean de Segonzac
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 20 - Did You Believe in Miracles? (I)
    7.5/10(474 votes)

    #20 - Did You Believe in Miracles? (I)

    S23:E20

    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. The crossover continues on Law & Order: Organized Crime S02E20 Lost One (II).

    Director:Pratibha Parmar
    Writer:Micharne Cloughley

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  21. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 21 - Confess Your Sins to Be Free
    7.3/10(460 votes)

    #21 - Confess Your Sins to Be Free

    S23:E21

    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 Burton, who seeks to make amends for past transgressions.

    Director:Norberto Barba
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 23 Episode 22 - A Final Call at Forlini's Bar
    8.3/10(553 votes)

    #22 - A Final Call at Forlini's Bar

    S23:E22

    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.

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

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Season 23 Ratings Summary

"And the Empire Strikes Back" is the best rated episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" season 23. It scored 8/10 based on 679 votes. Directed by Norberto Barba and written by Warren Leight, Julie Martin, Bryan Goluboff, it aired on 9/23/2021. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Never Turn Your Back on Them".