26 Years After ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Premiered, Mariska Hargitay’s Favorite Episode Completely Changed the Show

After 26 seasons and more than 500 episodes, Law & Order: SVU has become a television institution, and both Olivia Benson and the woman who plays her, Mariska Hargitay, have become true icons. While promoting the documentary she directed, My Mom Jayne, Hargitay appeared on the Call Her Daddy podcast and was asked during a round of rapid-fire questions which episode of SVU she’s most proud of. Her answer: Season 24, Episode 15, “King of the Moon.” Not only is it an episode she directed, but it also features Emmy winner Bradley Whitford in a stunning guest performance. Hargitay didn’t elaborate on why, but watching it makes it clear why it’s a standout episode.

Bradley Whitford Shines in “The King of the Moon”

“King of the Moon” breaks the usual Law & Order: SVU formula in the best way. While the episode technically opens with a cold open, it plays more like the emotional montage from Pixar’s Up than a typical SVU scene. It follows the decades-long love story of Pence (Whitford) and Winnie Humphreys (Nancy Travis), from their childhood meeting and shared love of Pence’s whimsical story “The King of the Moon” to their tender courtship and lifelong relationship. But just as the warmth of their bond settles in, the tone shifts back to familiar SVU territory: Pence is found standing over Winnie’s dead body, and, now in the early stages of dementia, he confesses to her murder.

Despite Pence’s confession, ADA Dominic Carisi (Peter Scanavino) is skeptical and convinces Benson to take a closer look at the case. What they discover is far more heartbreaking. Pence didn’t kill his wife, but he finds more comfort in believing he did than in facing the disorienting truth. Whitford’s performance is deeply layered, portraying a man devastated by loss, but even more shaken by the frightening erosion of his own mind. Intercut with this case is a strong secondary storyline involving Velasco (Octavio Pisano) being interrogated by Fin (Ice-T), which builds to a moving moment of connection with Benson.

While the episode eventually uncovers the true perpetrator of Winnie’s murder, the story hinges on Pence and his emotional journey. There’s no typical courtroom showdown or dramatic final twist. Instead, the episode closes with Benson reading “The King of the Moon” aloud to Pence, as whimsical visuals bring his past to life. It’s a poetic and emotional ending unlike anything SVU has done before. Whitford’s performance anchors it all, capturing Pence’s vulnerability, grief, and fading grip on reality. It’s the kind of creative risk that may not have worked without Whitford’s performance and Hargitay’s intuitive directing.

Bradley Whitford Loved Being Directed by Mariska Hargitay

Up until “The King of the Moon,” Mariska Hargitay had directed seven episodes of SVU, beginning with Season 15’s “Criminal Stories.” It’s not surprising that an actor who’s played the same role for decades would step behind the camera, and Hargitay has proven she’s just as skilled there. In this episode, she allows the story to unfold with empathy and restraint. The dual structure, cutting between Pence’s heartbreaking story and Velasco’s tense interrogation, never feels jarring or rushed. Instead, it deepens the narrative, showing how justice can look vastly different depending on who’s seeking it.

Bradley Whitford, of course, is no stranger to being directed by longtime series leads. As a regular on The Handmaid’s Tale, he was often directed by Elisabeth Moss and has praised her ability to do both jobs exceptionally well. Similarly, he had high praise for Hargitay in the director’s chair. In an interview with People, he said, “She has this weird superpower of being able to focus on a million things and yet make you feel like she’s focused on you.” That rare trust between actor and director is evident in every scene.

Whitford also applauded Hargitay’s deep investment in the story: “She’s not just showing up and doing her lines. She’s actually invested in making sure this is the best possible storytelling.” That passion shines through in every frame of “King of the Moon.” Her influence goes beyond technical direction or shot composition and hones in on the emotional character arcs, even if it’s just for one guest star role. The nuance, pacing, and sensitivity on display reflect a director who understands these characters inside and out. As Whitford put it, “I wish fans could see her working… it would make them love the show even more.”

In many ways, the mutual respect between Hargitay and Whitford is what elevates “King of the Moon” beyond a typical guest-star episode. It’s a collaboration between two artists at the top of their game, with Hargitay shaping the emotional arc and Whitford bringing it to life in devastating detail. The result is one of SVU’s most poignant episodes in years and a reminder that even after 26 seasons, the show can still evolve, surprise, and reach new emotional heights.