‘Tis the Season to Binge SVU: 5 Episodes Where Justice is Served

There’s something incredibly satisfying about a crime series that delivers justice in the end. And it's no wonder fans, including Taylor Swift, have been so devoted to Law & Order: SVU for 27 seasons. 

When the show premiered in 1999, it broke new ground by boldly depicting sex crimes. And at its center were detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni), dedicated to defending victims’ rights. 

While the series has its fair share of brutally honest endings—sometimes in which the perpetrator eludes the law—the episodes that deliver a satisfying resolution are often fan favorites, with viewers returning to watch again and again. 

And USA Network delivers just that, putting popular episodes on repeat and unearthing hidden gems with a 25-hour-long marathon. The back catalog is unparalleled, making it the best way to binge-watch the series and catch a few of these favorites.

Here are five based-on-real-life episodes where justice is served.

Downloaded Child – season 15, episode 19

The title alone hints at the harrowing storyline. After being encouraged by the SVU detectives, a woman who was sexually exploited as a child seeks justice against the people who downloaded her images off the web. Assistant District Attorney Rafael Barba (Raúl Esparza) takes on hundreds of perpetrators and ultimately secures millions of dollars in restitution for the victim.

Dreams Deferred – season 14, episode nine

Guest starring Patricia Arquette, the episode begins on a chilling note—and stays that way. A seemingly ordinary married man snaps after losing his job and goes on a killing spree targeting prostitutes. 

One of the sex workers in his orbit, Jeannie Kerns (Arquette), agrees to wear a wire in a traumatic FBI sting, where the culprit is shot in front of her. Ultimately, Benson and Nick Amaro (Danny Pino) hatch a plan to get Jeannie into rehab and off the streets for good. 

Collateral Damages – season 17, episode 15

The SVU team takes a massive child pornography ring, but the case goes off the rails when they discover the involvement of powerful government official Hank Abraham (Josh Pais). Worse, he’s married to a social services attorney, Pippa Cox (Jessica Phillips), who works with children. Hank ultimately pleads guilty and sentenced to prison—and Pippa files for divorce. 

Raw – season seven, episode six

White supremacists responsible for a horrific school shooting finally dace justice in court. That is, until, the group leader’s son opens fire on the judge and detectives. Amid the chaos, an undercover FBI agent posing as part of their neo-Nazi group, Star Morrison (Marcia Gay Harden), fatally shoots the gunman in the courtroom. Harden received an Emmy nomination for her performance.  

The Long Arm of the Witness – season 22, episode six

Assistant District Attorney Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Jr. (Peter Scanavino) goes after a corrupt judge (Josh Stamberg) who has a history of sexual assault, including a questionably dismissed a rape case involved a student from his alma mater. Though the team took the judge to trial, he was given an infuriatingly light sentence: one year of house arrest. But after a secretly recorded confession came to light, another judge overruled the plea deal and sentenced him to jail. 

Catch past episodes of Law & Order: SVU on USA Network.