It’s a “First Time for Everything” in ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Season 26, Episode 18 Promo

Saying the words “a first time for everything” is quite the statement in a show that’s been on for more than a quarter of a century. The next episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, “The Accuser” will have one of its longest-tenured characters saying just that. In a promo released for the April 10 episode, a man is found with a date carved into his back and, as the promo unfolds, the squad quickly realizes that this is a very very personal act of violence. Sgt. Odafin “Fin” Tutola (Ice-T) mutters that something to do with this case is a “first time” for what they’re seeing as police officers in the Special Victims Unit.

The logline for “The Accuser” is as follows:

“When a man is ruthlessly assaulted and burned, the SVU’s investigation uncovers a decades-old secret; Bruno helps a young witness find the courage to come forward.”

The Past Returns in ‘Law & Order: SVU’

Looking towards the past, possibly processing through it, seems to be the theme of next week’s episode. But for the show as a whole, it was announced this week that the show, should an official Season 27 renewal come down, would be gaining a new showrunner. It was announced that Michele Fazekas

 would be coming on. Fazekas was credited as either a producer or writer on 25 episodes of SVU between seasons 3-7, credited on fan-favorites like “Fault” and “9-1-1.”

It’s a positive sign for fans already in the anticipation of more personal moments for Captain Olivia Benson, seeing actress Mariska Hargitay on set with Ryan Buggle who plays Olivia’s son Noah Porter Benson and also breaking the internet with Christopher Meloni who, from behind the scenes photos could be in an upcoming episode as well, much to the delight of EO shippers. To add more fuel to the shipping fire, it’s also worth noting in the promo that Captain Benson is seen wearing a turtleneck, an interesting choice for April, even in New York, ahead of the upcoming season premiere of Meloni’s Law & Order: Organized Crime

, where we’ll get to see Detective Elliot Stabler once again.

Fazekas’s signing on could indeed be a sign of the show returning to the balance of personal moments and the crime-of-the-week and the more seamless integration of the two, with characters feeling a case hitting too close to home, getting justice where maybe they were denied, and everyone being able to develop and heal.

Watch the promo above for “The Accuser” which airs April 19. Catch up on past SVU episodes on Peacock. Stay with Collider for the latest updates.