8.0/10547 votes#1 - 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 a powerful congressman is identified as a suspect.
Director: Norberto Barba
Writer: Warren Leight, Julie Martin, Bryan Goluboff
8.0/10464 votes#2 - 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.
Director: Norberto Barba
Writer: N/A
8.0/10447 votes#3 - 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.
Director: John Behring
Writer: N/A
8.1/10445 votes#4 - 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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.0/10451 votes#5 - 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.
Director: Martha Mitchell
Writer: Brianna Yellen, Brendan Feeney
8.4/10665 votes#6 - The Five Hundredth Episode
Season 23 Episode 6 - Aired 10/21/2021
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: N/A
8.4/10468 votes#7 - 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.
Director: Bethany Rooney
Writer: Micharne Cloughley
7.5/10414 votes#8 - 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.
Director: Norberto Barba
Writer: Bryan Goluboff
8.0/10451 votes#9 - People vs. Richard Wheatley (I)
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. The crossover continues on Law & Order: Organized Crime S02E09 The Christmas Episode (II).
Director: Michael Smith
Writer: N/A
8.0/10423 votes#10 - 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.
Director: Norberto Barba
Writer: N/A
7.5/10489 votes#11 - 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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/10391 votes#12 - 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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/10393 votes#13 - If I Knew Then What I Know Now
Season 23 Episode 13 - Aired 2/24/2022
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: N/A
8.0/10403 votes#14 - 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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.9/10385 votes#15 - Promising Young Gentleman
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.
Director: David Grossman
Writer: Brianna Yellen, Kathy Dobie, Candice Sanchez McFarlane
7.7/10337 votes#16 - 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.
Director: Leslie Hope
Writer: Bryan Goluboff, Brendan Feeney, Matt Klypka
8.2/10367 votes#17 - 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.
Director: Oscar Rene Lozoya II
Writer: Bryan Goluboff, Denis Hamill, Monet Hurst-Mendoza
8.2/10353 votes#18 - 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 a victim found in Central Park. Benson receives intel that turns the case upside down.
Director: Martha Mitchell
Writer: Brianna Yellen, Kathy Dobie, Monet Hurst-Mendoza
8.1/10385 votes#19 - 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.
Director: Jean de Segonzac
Writer: Warren Leight, Julie Martin, Brendan Feeney
7.5/10354 votes#20 - Did You Believe in Miracles? (I)
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. The crossover continues on Law & Order: Organized Crime S02E20 Lost One (II).
Director: Pratibha Parmar
Writer: Micharne Cloughley, Victoria Pollack, Candice Sanchez McFarlane
7.4/10345 votes#21 - 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 Burton, who seeks to make amends for past transgressions.
Director: Norberto Barba
Writer: Warren Leight, Julie Martin, Denis Hamill, Christian Tyler
8.4/10415 votes#22 - 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.
Director: Juan José Campanella
Writer: Warren Leight, Julie Martin
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!
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...
Genres:CrimeDramaMystery
Network:NBC
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 547 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".