Summary
-
Benson gets a full team for the first time in years Law & Order: SVU Season 26.
-
Carisi’s absence from Benson’s new team photo hints at a separation between police and legal sides in the series.
-
Carisi’s unique experience as a cop turned attorney is critical to ensuring justice for survivors in SVU cases, making him a valuable member of Benson’s Manhattan team.
While Law & Order: SVU’s Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) will have a full team for season 26, an important character is missing. For the past few seasons, Benson has been incredibly short-staffed, using rotating team members who have been on loan from the Bronx SVU or other law enforcement organizations. However, Benson’s SVU team for Law & Order: SVU Season 26 includes four detectives who are permanently part of the unit, which opens the door for new storyline possibilities.
The people who are not included in the team are as important as those who are. Some major casting news includes the fact that one of Law & Order: SVUs saddest episodes will not be reversed, vi Amanda Rollins (Kelly Giddish) is not returning for season 26. Newcomer Renee Curry (Aimé Donna Kelly), who transferred from IAB to SVU during season 25, is also not coming back, with no explanation so far. There is one other omission that is even more disappointing as they are confirmed to return.
Related
Carisi is missing from Benson’s new team photo for Law & Order: SVU Season 26
Peter Scanavino is confirmed to return, which makes his Benson team photo off all the more intriguing
The new team photo for Law & Order Season 26 does not include Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino). Carisi was a part of Law & Order: SVU Since season 13, when he arrived as a rookie detective unused to the highly disturbing nature of SVU cases. However, he is better known as an assistant district attorney, as he received his law license and transferred to the legal side of SVU cases in season 21.
Carisi can’t be included in the photo because he technically isn’t part of Benson’s team in Law & Order: SVU. The prosecutor side of the series is supposed to be separate from the police, as stated in the introduction to each episode. however, Carisi works closely with the SVU team And sometimes feels in the police side when needed. Additionally, the iconic image during the opening titles includes the Caps and Das walking together, so Carisi is not included in the photo.
Why Carisi is the most important member of Benson’s Law & Order: SVU team
As a lawyer with previous SVU experience, Carisi is well positioned to ensure survivors receive justice
The best Law & Order: SVU Episodes involve court cases where the ADA doesn’t win as easily as the police would like them to. Although there were several ADAs, Carisi is unique because he has experience as a cop who worked for the unit before becoming a lawyer. Thus, he understands the challenges involved in arresting and prosecuting sex offenders better than anyone else and has a strong understanding of how these crimes affect victims.
Cast changes are inevitable after 26 seasons. Despite this, losing Carisi will be detrimental to Law & Order: SVU. No other ADA would have the experience he has, so a new ADA would not be as effective as he was. Additionally, Carisi’s marriage to Rollins means that if he leaves, there’s less of a reason to involve Giddish’s fan-favorite character in further guest appearances. Ideally, Carisi would have been a part of Benson Law & Order: SVU Season 26 class photoBut at least he’s confirmed to return when the procedural returns this fall.