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'Law & Order: SVU' Synopsis and Essential Information

By , About.com Guide

NBC Photo: Justin Stephens Copyright © NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.

Premiered:

September 20, 1999

When is it on?:

Tuesdays at 10pm ET on NBC (Check local listings)

Starring:

  • Richard Belzer as Det. John Munch
  • Dann Florek as Capt. Donald Cragen
  • Mariska Hargitay as Det. Olivia Benson
  • Ice-T as Det. Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
  • Christopher Meloni as Det. Elliot Stabler
  • Michaela McManus as Asst. D.A. Kim Greylek
  • Tamara Tunie as Dr. Melinda Warner
  • B.D. Wong as Dr. George Huang

Trivia Fact #1:

The opening credits used to include a shot of the World Trade Center. After the attack, the image was removed.

Trivia Fact #2:

The show is not only a spin-off of Law & Order, but also Homicide: Life on the Street.

Trivia Fact #3:

The opening theme song is the same as Law & Order, only it is remixed for this series.

Extras:

'Law & Order: SVU' Synopsis:

This Law & Order series is unique in that it is the only one that really touches on the detectives' personal lives. There usually is more than one story line on any given show, which is guaranteed to tug at someone's heartstrings. This spinoff doesn't always bring us to the trail and conviction, but it does bring the subject home as this team of detectives focuses on sexually based crimes.

Detective Stabler (Christopher Meloni) is the head of the team, and has a bad habit of letting his personal problems get in the way of his investigations. When he gets too close to the situation his partner, Det. Olivia Benson (Marissa Hargitay) steps in to make things right. Det Benson's history of being a child of rape is the reason she joined the squad.

Some of us know Det. Munch from Homicide: Life on the Streets and are familiar with his gruff exterior, but we have seen his compassionate side in some episodes.

Det. "Fin" Tutuloa (Ice-T) shows his passion for the law often and learned to "soften up" once he became reconciled with his gay son. Together with Det. Munch, they make quite a team.

At the head of their squad is our old friend from the original Law & Order, Capt. Cragen (Dann Florek). His hard approach to his unit allows them to bring it all together and present it to ADA Kim Greylek (Michaela McManus).

Occasionally, Dr. Huang (B. D. Wong) helps with his psychiatric input, while ME Melinda Warner (Tamara Tunie) goes through forensic evidence with the team to help solve the case.

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