Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 24 Episode 1 Review: Gimme Shelter — Part 2

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 24 Episode 1, “Gimme Shelter — Part 2,” premieres alongside a three-hour crossover with Law & Order and Law & Order: Organized Crime, blowing everyone away. It gives us three squads working side-by-side, and it brings Benson and Stabler together to perform an incredible case.

With a new showrunner, the season starts on a high note by showcasing some of the most elaborate scenes filmed on the show, with hundreds of extras running around the streets of New York City.

On top of that, the use of special effects is present more than ever. This isn’t something we usually see on the show, but it is done tremendously and has fans sitting on the edge of their seats until the bad guy is caught.

Olivia Benson is Always in Charge

One thing Law & Order: SVU fans know is that Olivia Benson will always be in charge.

The crossover proves that once more as every unit turns to her to unify the case and find the traffickers. Benson is the one character who has been around from the beginning and has never left, so it is only natural that she ties the episodes together.

As the crossover runs its course, Olivia brings out her knowledge and experience to guide the teams as they combine forces.

When three different shows are combined in a historical event, you expect some flaws to arise. However, as part two plays out, you realize every puzzle piece fits perfectly together.

But the episode’s glue? That’s Olivia Benson.

When the girls are rescued and need comfort, Olivia Benson is there.

She is there for Elliot when he loses his CI and for Carisi when Amanda is shot on Law & Order, and he doesn’t know what is happening.

What makes Law & Order: SVU comforting is Olivia Benson’s light. In the hands of new writers and a showrunner, there is fear that she will lose her essence but “Gimme Shelter — Part 2” proves that will never happen.

As much trauma as Olivia has endured, she will never lose herself to the point that she stops being there for the survivors or her team. Instead, time after time, including during the premiere, she keeps showing up for the people who need her the most.

She is the trust, confidence, and voice of reason everyone in the show seeks out. But for how much longer can she endure this trauma?

Towards the end of Law & Order: SVU Season 23, we witnessed Benson discussing with her therapist everything she had gone through and how she kept stopping herself from being happy.

Will this season’s episode line-up touch upon this? Maybe this is the year Benson finds the soulmate she’s been looking for all these seasons.

1.0 Vibes

As the second hour of the crossover comes together, fans of Law & Order: SVU witness the most screen time Stabler has gotten on the show since his return.

Previous crossovers have not allowed him to be present as much as this one.

His interactions with the squad, particularly with Olivia Benson, bring back that feeling of what fans call 1.0 — the first 12 seasons where Stabler and Benson were close partners.

This duo’s chemistry is undeniable as they continue to be in sync, knowing what to expect from one another at every turn. Being the voice of reason once more, Benson is the only one who can stop him from going off when things don’t go right.

However, their chemistry isn’t the only thing that leaves us feeling like we’re back in the early 2000s. It is the action-packed episode that does it too.

In the last few seasons, we had never seen as much running, shooting, chasing, and policing as in “Gimme Shelter — Part 2.” Is this because of the crossover? Or will the new showrunner continue to deliver these kinds of episodes?

Whatever the case, the second part of the three-hour crossover delivers everything fans could want: a solid storyline, their favorite duo interacting, and explosions.

The action, special effects, and acting are all of the highest quality we’ve seen in a while.

Stray Observations

• For fans of the Dick Wolf Universe, the death of Elliot’s CI was predictable, as it happens with most CIs on the show.
• The three episodes in the crossover are worth the watch; if you miss one, you will have difficulty understanding what is going on.
• Will there be more crossovers as the season goes on? It is worth it as it seems like these episodes have been the best-written episodes on all three series in a while.

—

What did you think of this episode of Law & Order: SVU? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Law & Order: SVU airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

10 Heartwarming Moments That Made ‘Law & Order: SVU’s’ Olivia Benson The People’s Detective