This genre may not be uplifting itself, but not every story ends badly.
Let’s face it: Law & Order Special Victims Unit is no pick-me-up show. More often than not, it will not make you feel warm and fuzzy, but it will scare you and make you think about the society we live in.
The stories that this show deals with are often based on real events and perfectly show every flaw of the system that you can imagine.
That being said, there are a few episodes throughout the show’s run that could give the viewer hope in the law.
Like everything else on television, Law & Order has a carefully crafted balance between showing the best and worst of humanity to keep the audience watching.
Here are 5 episodes you might want to re-watch if you’re feeling down and want to see the light of hope for justice again.
Manhunt (S2E18)
One of the most chilling moments of season 2 is the end of Manhunt. Darryl is brought back to the U.S. for his well-deserved death sentence, and Detective John Munch gets up in his face and says “Welcome home, Darryl.”
If that’s not the moment when true justice is served, we don’t know what is.
Paternity (S9E9)
Once again, the episode is as tense as the others, but the ending is simply worth all the stress. Viewers can feel the embrace between Eliot and Liv as if they were there.
This deep connection between the characters mixed with the beauty of the beginning of a new life is what makes this episode so special.
Dreams Deferred (S14E9)
Being freed from the burden of being the next potential victim of a serial killer is one thing, but being freed from the burden of sex work is on a whole other level.
The ending of this episode reminds us all that everyone deserves a second chance in life, to start over without being judged for their past.
Downloaded Child (S15E19)
Sometimes justice doesn’t feel like justice just because it’s half done. In this episode, ADA Rafael Barba makes sure that doesn’t happen, and that the victim who was exploited as a child can sue not only her abuser, but anyone who downloaded or viewed the images.
Baggage (S10E18)
You’ll cry during this episode, but those will be tears of respect and admiration for the father who decided to let doctors save his daughter’s organs and donate them to other patients.
“It’s a second chance – everyone needs one,” he says in the moment of grief, and that line sticks with every viewer.
