Mariska Hargitay’s Favorite SVU Episode Isn’t Her Most Famous One

Mariska Hargitay, being part of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” since its inception, boasts over 500 episodes to select her favorite from. This series has not only surpassed other “Law & Order” spin-offs in duration but also in success. Unlike the original Dick Wolf drama “Law & Order,” which primarily deals with major crimes such as murder cases, “SVU” tackles crimes that involve sexual aspects. Despite its often grim themes, the dedication of the actors and compelling narratives continue to draw viewers in.

In celebration of SVU’s 25th anniversary, TV Guide published a special magazine featuring interviews with both current and former cast members. They aimed to discuss their favorite episodes from the series as well as share exclusive behind-the-scenes insights. The cast had varying opinions about their top picks, with many choosing episodes that stood out due to their unique storylines compared to typical show content. Interestingly, Mariska Hargitay couldn’t narrow it down to a single favorite episode.

Mariska Hargitay’s Favorite Episodes Broke From SVU Tradition In Season 15

Hargitay’s Favorite Episodes Involve A Recurring Antagonist

Mariska Hargitay shared with TV Guide that her most cherished episode from the series was a multi-part storyline. She particularly appreciated the part where her character had intense encounters with William Lewis (Pablo Schreiber). The storyline, in which he stalked, kidnapped, and tormented Olivia Benson, left a lasting impression. Hargitay found it engaging because it delved into “unexplored realms” for the series.

In an unexpected turn, Pablo Schreiber took on the role of a ruthless serial abductor who tormented Olivia Benson not once, but twice. It was a venture into unexplored realms indeed. The aim was to push boundaries and fully immerse oneself in the scene. I believe we succeeded in that endeavor.

The storyline initiated in season 14 significantly boosted the series into its 15th season, and Hargitay labeled the season 15 premiere as the “toughest episode” she had ever filmed until then during an interview on TODAY. She mentioned that this arc generated episodes that made her “nervous” to go to work, but this was a positive aspect because it rekindled her passion for acting and staying fully engaged with her character.

In the course of this specific SVU storyline, Olivia Benson transitioned from being solely an investigator into a resilient survivor herself. Over the duration of the show, she had demonstrated remarkable empathy as a detective. However, her encounters with harrowing crimes deepened her capacity to identify and relate to survivors, deviating from the conventional role for the series.

In the initial phases of the Law & Order: SVU series, most story arcs lasted only a few episodes. However, a significant portion of season 15 was dedicated to exploring the aftermath of Benson’s ordeal at the hands of William Lewis, providing viewers with a deeper understanding of her character beyond her role as an investigator.

Hargitay’s Best Episode Is Actually In Season 7

Hargitay Won An Emmy For The Episode

Although Mariska Hargitay might consider the episodes from season 15 of Law & Order: SVU to be her favorites, it’s actually the Season 7, episode 3 titled “911” that stands out as her best performance on the show. This particular episode is not only Ebaster’s top pick but also the highest-rated episode of the series on IMDb, earning a impressive score of 9.3 out of 10.

This particular episode was among the first to deviate from the typical structure of a Law & Order episode. Unlike other episodes that alternate between the initial investigation and court proceedings, this “911” episode primarily focuses on the investigation, which largely consists of Benson communicating over the phone with a nine-year-old girl.

When the young woman calls for help, stating she’s stuck in her room, the call is redirected to the Special Victims Unit. Although many suspect “Maria” is just pulling a prank, Benson trusts her instincts and follows hints from their dialogues throughout the episode to locate her and prevent a tragedy. The narrative’s emotional resonance largely rests on Hargitay, as the camera focuses primarily on her during conversations over the speakerphone.

In this episode, I found myself standing in awe as I witnessed Mariska Hargitay make history – becoming the first principal cast member from the entire Law & Order franchise to receive a Primetime Emmy award. Not only did she secure this impressive title, but she solidified her role as the undeniable leading lady of our show, which prides itself on being an ensemble series. A truly remarkable achievement indeed!

What SVU Learned From “911”

“911” Helped Usher In More Character-Driven Stories

It’s not hard to imagine that without the “911” episode, there wouldn’t have been a William Lewis arc for SVU. In season 7, the episode zeroed in intensely on one character and one case, showing that Law & Order viewers were ready for more character-focused narratives. This paved the way for the series to incorporate more personal stories from the detectives and lawyers involved in the weekly cases, increasing both the personal risks for the characters and the audience’s engagement.

The episode ‘911’ showed that Law & Order: SVU didn’t always need to adhere strictly to the traditional formula. Over time, the show started incorporating recurring villains, two-part stories, and cases that delved deeper into investigations rather than courtroom proceedings – a change that might not have occurred without ‘911’.

The original “911” episode served as a foundation for another installment approximately 20 years later titled “Probability of Doom,” which took place in 2024. In this episode, Benson reconnected with Maria, who had grown up and became a police officer herself. This encounter allowed Benson to discover the fate of Maria from their previous encounter and learn that she had been inspired by Benson to help others.

2025 saw Maria’s return for another heart-wrenching tale, yet it was that first episode which laid the groundwork for her emotional comeback in an SVU and Law & Order crossover. The writers found innovative methods to engage viewers emotionally through the show “911”, allowing them to revisit previous storylines rather than sticking strictly to a standalone format.

Hargitay may hold a special affection for season 15 of “Law & Order: SVU,” but among all episodes, “911” stands out as her personal favorite and arguably the most impactful one in terms of the show’s enduring legacy. It’s possible that without this pivotal episode, “SVU” might not have attained the iconic status it enjoys today as a groundbreaking procedural series.

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2025-05-19 05:28