Law and Order SVU Finale Recap
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Law & Order: SVU season 25 wrapped up with a big surprise.
During the season finale, Toby Hedges (Max Malas) shot Ice-T's character, Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola, in an unexpected twist. This episode aired on Thursday, May 16th.
In the show's latest episode, "Duty to Hope," ADA Dominick "Sonny" Carisi (Peter Scanavino) returned to the field with Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and the SVU squad as they searched for a serial attacker known as "the wire hanger rapist," whose crimes were becoming more severe.
After a series of assaults, the SVU team identified Billy Hedges (Spenser Granese) as the primary suspect when they found his fingerprint on the inside of a victim's glass door. Just when it seemed like the case was solved, Detective Joe Velasco (Octavio Pisano) received a report of another assault that mirrored the previous ones.
As the investigation progressed, Benson found herself in a confrontation with Heidi Russell, the new Trial Division Chief and Carisi’s boss. Russell was pushing the SVU team to quickly identify the right suspect.
In a tense moment, Benson decided to send her detectives home. While taking out the trash, Fin encountered Billy’s son, Max, who was armed with a gun. As Fin tried to subdue the boy, the gun accidentally discharged, grazing Fin’s arm. To protect Max, Fin lied about how he got injured.
Law and Order SVU Finale Recap
Ralph Bavaro/NBC
SVU's 25th season, which premiered in January, was shorter than usual with only 13 episodes due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes that ended late last year.
Before the season finale, Hargitay shared with We that she affectionately called the season 25 finale "Olivia's anthem," in honor of the character she has portrayed since the show first aired in 1999.
The actress shared with Us earlier this month how she finds the ending of the season to be truly beautiful. She mentioned that it holds a special significance for her and that she considers it a valuable lesson she learned from a close friend in law enforcement. They wanted to conclude the season with his beautiful words.
With season 25 coming to a close, NBC has confirmed that SVU will be back for its 26th season later this year.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Editor's P/S:
The season finale of "Law & Order: SVU" season 25 delivered a shocking twist, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. The shooting of Sergeant Fin Tutuola, a beloved character portrayed by Ice-T, was an unexpected and emotional moment. The episode also highlighted the ongoing struggles of the SVU team as they navigated a complex case involving a serial attacker.
As the investigation unfolded, the SVU team faced pressure from the Trial Division Chief, putting Benson and her detectives in a difficult position. The confrontation between Benson and Russell underscored the challenges faced by law enforcement in balancing justice with expediency. The season finale also hinted at Benson's personal growth and resilience, culminating in a powerful and meaningful ending. The upcoming 26th season promises to explore further the complexities of crime and justice, continuing the legacy of "Law & Order: SVU" as a thought-provoking and socially relevant drama.