The season premiere that aired on September 23rd was no exception to this. We saw the usual ups and down that make up Law and Order, coupled with the rollercoaster that sets SVU apart: the characters.

In this episode we see Olivia continue her struggle with her venture into the prison basement. We see her dealing with emotions that present themselves to her every day, but at a different angle. How can she afford to continue to tell traumatized women that it will all be alright when she is reliving her own helplessness, repeatedly?  As usual Mariska portrays pain and confusion just as well as support and honor. She shines here just as brightly as she has throughout the show.

Stabler has his own issues to worry about, ones that seem to distract him in the worst way. Something as simple as a "stolen" credit card has its teeth in him. Staying true to his character development arc all of it boils down to what it is that makes him him: his family. It turns out one of Stablers daughters is more than grown up, she's rebelling. The previews for next week promise that the small window of interest that Stabler got in this episode will indeed end up as blown open as ever.

Tutuola, his ever charming self pushes harder for his transfer to go through while trying his best to deal with his disdain for Elliot. We see a bit of his past come up to bite him in the tush as well. The reason his tranfser isn't going through is personal, not professional. Stuck in his past he seems trapped while Munch works hard to press forward.

If there's one thing to be said about this episode it's that it promises great things for this next season.

I give this episode a 9.7/10, it was fantastic.