My e-mail to NBC about 'Law & Order: CI'

The title of this says it all: I mean what I say, and I say what I mean. And NBC can go to hell bring back Law & Order: Criminal Intent!

Here's my e-mail to NBC about bringing back Law & Order: CI - I hit NBC up with the facts - where is yours?!


Click to view enlarged, you may want to!



Can 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent' Be Saved, by NBC?

USA Network, character's welcome? I think not. I know of at least over 4 million fans averaged got their dreams shattered on July 15, 2011 when USA Network announced they were done with Law & Order: Criminal Intent due to the ratings being low, not equaling out the budget. "CI is expensive" basically compared to light weight comedy-dramas Royal Pains, White Collar, Fairly Legal, and Suits - which in my opinion, Fairly Legal and Suits shouldn't have made it to their pilot's being green-lit!


USA Network Promo: Vincent D'Onofrio & Kathryn Erbe portrayed Detectives Robert Goren & Alexandra Eames from the show's inception in September 2001 until April 2010 and again in May/June 2011

Let me briefly go down Law & Order: CI's rocky history:
Green = Good
Yellow = Caution
Red  = Danger

• Law & Order: CI premiered September 2001 on NBC, high rated, renewed 5 seasons.
• Starring: Vincent D'Onofrio (Det. Robert Goren), Kathryn Erbe (Det. Alex Eames), Jamey Sheridan (Capt. James Deakins), & Courtney B. Vance (ADA Ron Carver).
• D'Onofrio had health issues mid season 4. Chris Noth joined the cast with Annabella Sciorra, alternating episodes with Vincent D'Onofrio & Kathryn Erbe.
• Season 5 ratings good for season 6. Annabella Sciorra, Jamey Sheridan, & Courtney B. Vance depart.
• Season 6 moved to Tuesday night's 9/8c, ahead of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
• Warren Leight takes over as show runner. Co-creator/show runner Rene Balcer departing back to the flagship Law & Order.
• Julianne Nicholson (Det. Megan Wheeler) & Eric Bogosian (Capt. Danny Ross) join the cast.
• BOTH Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent falling in the ratings.
• USA Network offers to take L&O: Criminal Intent a 7th season. TNT seeking L&O as well. NBC keeping L&O season 18.
• L&O: CI becomes one of the highest rated shows on USA Network, Summer 2008. USA Network renewing it an 8th season!
• End of season 7: Warren Leight departs with star Chris Noth.
• Season 8: Chris Noth replaced by Jeff Goldblum (Det. Zach Nichols). Warren Leight replaced by Walon Green (Goren/Eames episodes). First Robert Nathan and later Ed Zuckerman & Michael S. Chernuchin (Nichols/Wheeler episodes).
• CI still high rated in season 8, Jeff Goldblum praised. Renewed 9th season.
• Julianne Nicholson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, and Eric Bogosian depart the cast.
• CI moved to Tuesday's 10/9c; during 2009-2010 broadcast network TV season.
• Walon Green show runner of all episodes of Law & Order: CI. Jeff Goldblum show lead, Julianne Nicholson/Kathryn Erbe replaced by Saffron Burrows (Det. Serena Stevens), Eric Bogosian replaced by Mary Elizabth Mastrantonio (Capt. Zoe Callas).
• Ratings slowly decline after "Loyalty (Part 1)", decline sharply mid-season.
• USA Network shaky about Criminal Intent season 10. Jeff Goldblum, Saffron Burrows, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio don't sign contracts to return.
• USA Network renews CI 10th and 8-episode final season, due to season 9 decline.
• Vincent D'Onofrio & Kathryn Erbe return. Show runner Walon Green replaced by Chris Brancato.
• CI ratings bounce back from season 9 decline. Possibility for 11th season renewal. Creator Dick Wolf/Chris Brancato plan to end the series in a way it could be open to return for another season.
• CI finales on June 27th, 2011; without word of renewal.
• USA Network announces Law & Order: Criminal Intent is done on USA Network.

You can pretty much see what lead to Law & Order: Criminal Intent's decline on both NBC and USA Network. The quick timeslot change on NBC (due to them taking on Sunday Night Football). And the whole 9th season pretty much had an effect on the 10th season on USA Network. But the $1,000,000 question is: "Can Law & Order: Criminal Intent be Saved/Revived by NBC again.?"


Det. Alex Eames (Kathryn Erbe) in the 9th season premiere episode, "Loyalty". Erbe has many notable episodes in the series, more recent ones would be "Amends", "Smile", "Purgatory", "Frame", "Lady's Man", "Loyalty", and "The Last Street in Manhattan"

The answer: yes it can. Law & Order: CI is probably the one off-air L&O show able to make a return, how:

• A strong bombardment of letters, emails phone calls, postcards, etc. towards NBC.
• Follow: @reviveNBCLOCI (Twitter) & "Like": Renew Criminal Intent (Facebook).
• They have contact information for NBC. Bob Greenblatt included.
• Law & Order: CI is the one L&O show without the "canceled" label.
• LOCI's ratings/popularity did a turn around in the 10th season. Plus NBC has slightly bigger budget to take LOCI back.
• NBC needs some more programs for 2012-2013.
• Dick Wolf wants to do more LOCI.

BE SURE TO INCLUDE THIS TO ANYTHING SENT TO NBC ABOUT "SAVE LOCI":

• If it was to make a return, Kathryn Erbe would have to be in the lead-role. D'Onofrio is doing another project titled "Blue Tilt" (created by Chris Brancato, season 10 LOCI show runner). But the Goren character must stay alive/open for D'Onofrio to return, esp. if "Blue Tilt" flops. Meanwhile recommend a good/younger/strong/compelling actor is partnered with Erbe's Eames.
• A good show runner would be a good idea to include, probably should mention Rene Balcer. Since Warren Leight is on Law & Order: SVU and Brancato has "Blue Tilt". DO NOT SAY: Walon Green, if you do, might as well not even bring the show back.
• A damn good time slot: again, should probably be with Law & Order: SVU, I can't see the show perform well in season 11 without SVU with it, this time.
• NBC needs to be reminded how they are declining in the ratings, how they are canceling [crappy] shows, & how the L&O franchise helped give them the ratings they had years ago! Persuade them to want to revive Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

If everyone (Law & Order, SVU, LOLA, etc.) was to do this, not just LOCI fans, I'd bet NBC would be willing to consider a revival of Law & Order: Criminal Intent!

But in the meantime, new episodes of Law & Order: SVU air, Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC!

Review: 'Law & Order: SVU', "Official Story"

The Law & Order: SVU episode "Official Story" is one mother of a tale. One where I need to use bullets instead of long ass paragraphs. A few things tuggged at me with this fairly well episode (written by Law & Order: CI and LOLA writer, Peter Blauner):

• This episode seemed too 'political' and it showed too much 'intent'.

(Left to Right) Guest star John Doman (William Rand), Dann Florek (Capt. Don Cragen), Danny Pino (Det. Nick Amaro), Guest star Harry Connick, Jr. (EADA David Haden), and Mariska Hargitay (Det. Olivia Benson), in the episode "Official Story".

I get the style of the Law & Order franchise, today's issues often come into play with many crimes (real world or fictional). But why the hell was the Special Victims Unit investigating William Rand’s (guest star John Doman) company’s involvement in the cover up of a years old rape in Iraq? The Special Victims Unit isn't some kind of NYPD/military special force, which investigates things of that nature. And of course, with SVU running things, the witness typically is killed. Are all the police officers in the NYPD this careless and in over their heads, I think NOT.

• Too much of Nick & Marie Amaro (Danny Pino & guest star Laura Benanti)?

Again, I understand, Amaro has a life outside the SVU, as the other characters do, but are we seeing a bit much of Mrs. Amaro and young daughter Zara? I feel queasy here, I have the urge to yell "STABLER FAMILY DRAMA", I thought Warren Leight was trying to verge away from the personal lives being involved in the cases. It wasn't direct involvement, but they had enough involvement in this already mess of a case. I'd like to continue seeing Laura Benanti come in to play the sexy military wife of Nick Amaro, but in a normal capacity (like Kathy was for Stabler in the first season of SVU). NO AMARO FAMILY DRAMA PLEASE?!

• Too much hype for Harry Connick, Jr., not enough courtroom scenes.

Guest star Harry Connick, Jr. (EADA David Haden) and Mariska Hargitay (Det. Olivia Benson) after kissing in "Official Story".

I like the character, EADA David Haden, and I like what he's doing for Olivia (Mariska Hargitay), making her smile, after 13 years, she needs to seek finding a relationship (and having Calvin, guest star Charlie Tahan). But Harry Connick, Jr. pissed me off last night, I thought we were going to see Connick getting down in the courtroom and taking it to Olivia's bedroom.

I compare Connick, Jr. to Jeff Goldblum in the 9th season of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Connick's acting was so wooden, a plank of wood would have probably done a better job! Connick singing and looking good on the eyes doesn't mean jack if he can't act! I hoped with Connick coming in, courtroom scenes would have been added to these already wonderful episodes.

Because it's LAW & ORDER: Special Victims Unit, emphasis on "Law & Order". I miss powerful and compelling testimony from the victims and some of the perpetrators, I miss the forensics and medical experts battling it out on the stand. I miss seeing ADA's Cabot and Novak grill the hell out of people on the stand. I assumed Harry Connick, Jr. was going to be doing that during the day and having dinner with Olivia at night... guess one can't be too hopeful.

Three of my favorite episodes this season are: "Scorched Earth", "True Believers", and "Spiraling Down", mostly because of the court scenes! Look, I love a good compelling confession in the Law & Order world as much as the next fan, but I have to scream this: "STOP MAKING SVU; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT".

Am I displeased with the whole episode "Official Story"? - No, just certain points I feel could have made this episode even better than it was. Personally I found it to be a damn good episode: for Law & Order: Criminal Intent. But, I enjoyed seeing the scenes with Holt McCallany last night and even Laura Benanti, she and Danny Pino are "the perfect match" as Mr/Mrs. Amaro!

But as for Harry Connick, Jr., unless he turns into Linus Roache, I don't think I'm going to want to see him continue his role of EADA Haden. But this is just one man's opinion.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit returns Wednesday, February 8th at 10PM/9c on NBC, and it's one you don't want to miss!

Chris Meloni is NOT Replaced on 'Law & Order: SVU'

Everyone's got an opinion, and that's fine. 1st Amendment, Freedom of Speech/Religion/Opinion. I'm not trying to shut people (L&O: SVU Elliot Stabler/Christopher Meloni fans) up... but I am trying to stop people from judging Law & Order: SVU as it is now without watching it (more than 2 episodes in season 13).

Chris Meloni portrayed Detective Elliot Stabler since the series premiered in 1999, he left after season 12. Stabler shot a young girl in the sqaud room (episode "Smoked") and chose to quit in season 13 (episode "Scorched Earth").

People are quick to judge the show now without former lead Christopher Meloni aka "Stabler". Mimicry here: "I ain't watching SVU anymore. No Stabler, No Me. Hope SVU is canceled." Yeah, I follow the Twitter/Facebook feeds, you know who you are. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is not, "The Christopher Meloni/Elliot Stable" Show, it never was, even if the writing suggested it (thanks a lot Neal Baer, but he can't be totally blamed, he gave SVU some of it's best episodes in the earlier seasons).

Law & Order: SVU is about showing how detectives in the actual NYPD Special Victims Unit investigate some of the most shocking and brutal crimes - sex related crimes - and how those detectives interact with the district attorney's office and the Assistant DA's who prosecute these obviously careless offenders. It's not about one certain detective, it never was. All the Law & Order's from their inception have had casting changes, and expect them. (Even Law & Order: Trial by Jury and Law & Order: LA had cast changes in their first and only seasons).



Danny Pino (left) and Kelli Giddish (right) in the episode "Double Strands". They joined the cast of Law & Order: SVU as Detectives Nick Amaro and Amanda Rollins.

Danny Pino ("Cold Case") and Kelli Giddish ("Chase") - Detectives Nicholas "Nick" Amaro and Amanda Rollins - are NOT coming to SVU to replace Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay, they are there to be another set of detectives in the squad room with Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Fin Tutuola (Ice-T) being the lead detectives, and this season Sargeant John Munch (Richard Belzer) and Captain Don Cragen (Dann Florek) sharing the commanding officer duties. Pino and Giddish have slowly but surely warmed up to me, they ARE NOT Meloni and Hargitay, but if Mariska was to leave (God forbid, she's said she's staying with the show for now) I think I could watch them be the lead team.

Chris Meloni CHOSE to opt out of his contract, he CHOSE NOT to return. Sad as that is (I liked Stabler too) it's life, and life goes on. He's going to be in the 5th season of HBO's "True Blood". Meloni wanted to do other projects, he's portrayed angry Elliot Stabler for 12 years, he deserves a break! Will Meloni return to close out Stabler? - I hope so, but I'm not going to go all over the Internet and bitch and beg about it! If Meloni was fired, maybe, but Meloni left ON HIS OWN!

It's time to watch SVU go into the future. Bob Greenblatt has said; NBC's had "a bad fall" (he is to blame from canceling Law & Order: LA and not trying to revive it or the original flagship Law & Order). SVU is one of NBC's highest right now (which says something). We ALL (Stabler/Huang fans) need to support SVU, we need to see it get renewed on NBC for the next 20 years (not exaggerating).

I understand watching the show to see your favorite actor/actress, but if the show was that good with them and is still that good without them (thank you Warren Leight), why on Earth would you stop watching?! I know FOR A FACT that Chris Meloni wouldn't want fans to stop watching Law & Order: SVU JUST because he left! I used to watch CSI: Crime Scene Investigation for William Petersen's Grissom, I watched CSI after he left, but after he left; CSI's new writers didn't capture the same "pizzazz" the show used to have, to this day I can't stand to watch CSI or CSI: Miami.

But come on everyone, let's be a little smarter than this. I can't force people to watch, but I'm not going to sit idly by and let people not watching SVU bad mouth it because Stabler is out. And yeah, I hope NBC renews Law & Order: SVU season 14 (and more), they'd be even more foolish not to.

We've all heard the rule: "If you don't have something nice to say about someone, don't say it at all." Don't bad mouth the new SVU if you're not even watching it.

Everyone who's watching knows Law & Order: Special Victims Unit airs Wednesdays 10/9c on NBC.

Adam Wright's 5 'Law & Order: SVU' Guest Stars Who Should Return

I tweeted TV Done Wright's own Adam Wright my list of 10 guest stars who should return to Law & Order: SVU... who would have thought 5 more wonderful/notable guest stars come up?! Adam thought about some people I thought no more about:

• Robin Williams
• Role: Merritt Rooke
• Episode: "Authority"

Most people are shaky when it comes down to episodes between seasons 8-12 of Law & Order: SVU. You either watched them for the Benson/Stabler drama, you're a diehard fan, or the guest stars. Well for SVU's 200th episode, it had all 3! Robin Williams's Merritt Rooke calls a resturant, lying to the manager about how one of his employees had stolen items on her person and let's just say it all goes downhill from there (sheeps, miscarrages, explosions). Merritt Rooke is the one who litterally got away. Be nice to see Benson (Mariska Hargitay), Fin (Ice-T), and the new detectives (Danny Pino, Kelli Giddish) bust Rooke and Novak (Diane Neal) prosecute him.

• Chris "Ludacris" Bridges
• Role: Darius Parker
• Episodes: "Venom" and "Screwed"

Darius Parker, also known as the thorn in Fin's side. Personally I hated the episode "Screwed" because it was filled with too much family drama between Benson, Stabler, and Tutuola. But that is the main storyline I wanted to see; Darius Parker killed a woman and her baby and walked (and almost let Fin's son Ken - Ernest Waddell - go down for it), because he learned of his own origin; the product of incest and rape as it was told by Fin's ex, Theresa (Lisa Gay Hamilton) on the stand, who is Darius's mother. Ludacris did awesome in these two episodes as Darius, although Fin (Ice-T) has said he won't think about Darius again. Wonder what Darius is doing now?

• Matthew Settle
• Role: Jackson Zane
• Episode: "Storm"

Jackson Zane, the news reporter looking for a scoop we all hate, unless he's doing more good than harm, which in the end is what Zane did. After a case of kidnapped kids from Louisiana is uncovered turns out another case is covered, the travel of anthrax from a lab in Louisiana to New York City (which the Feds are trying to keep covered). Liv risks her job to alert the public on this deadly anthrax, but she needs a little help from Zane. The feds are on alert when they hear that the news of the anthrax was being leaked, while Olivia was giving Zane a taped confession, he tells Olivia to get away and hide when the Feds come in to collect Zane. Zane is in prison until he names names, said name being Olivia's. The guy's been in jail seven years now; if he hasn't been killed or committed suicide. I actually feel bad for Zane, doing the right thing and he's in jail.

• Marlee Matlin
• Role: Amy Solway
• Episodes: "Painless" and "Parts"

We see the beautiful yet hearing-impaired Marlee Matlin portray a hearing-impaired embryologist who pushes a raped girl to suicide. I don't know why I liked the episode "Painless" more, because of Matlin's mostly silent and yet powerful performances or we finally see more emotion from the stoic Detective Munch (Richard Belzer). But Solway and Munch weren't done yet! She returns in the battle over a kidney transplant, Munch risking her career and even life to give it to her.

• Adam Beach
• Starring Role: Detective Chester Lake
• Episodes: "Outsider", "Screwed", starred in the 9th season only.

Detective Chester Lake, Fin's partner throughout season 9 and at times Liv's - someone who leaves fans with mixed feelings, I find Detective Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) a better partner to Fin than Lake - the SVU squad (which always seems to have a black eye over it) was under watch this season because of the events of season 8 (Stabler's daughter Kathleen's DUI, Liv's brother Simon, Fin's killer step-son Daruis) Casey Novak (Diane Neal) began to get sloppy and took too many risks in prosecuting perps. Lake gets personally invested in a case where he puts everything on the line and loses it after he shot a guilty man after he was found not guilty in court. We see Lake hauled off to prison, it's been 3 years going on 4, is it time for Lake's parole hearing? These L&O defense attorney's always have something up their sleve!

I'd love to see Darius, Soleway, and Rooke come back! But Darius and Rooke need to be convicted!

10 Guest Stars Who Should Return to 'Law & Order: SVU'

For the past 13 seasons, Law & Order: SVU has had it's share of memorable guest stars; wether the writing of said episodes was poor/aggravating or awesome and made you want to see more. But over the 13 seasons SVU's been on the air: I think these 10 people should make a return to the show; in a recurring capacity.

• Jeremy Irons
• Role: Dr. Cap Jackson
• Episodes: "Mask" and "Totem"

Why wouldn't Jeremy Irons be first on my list, Irons came in to portray Dr. Captain Jackson in two episodes in "roller-coasting" season 12. In "Mask"; Jackson ran a clinic that supposedly helped "rehabilitate" rapists, he was actually suspected of raping his own daughter by Detectives Benson and Stabler (Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni). Jackson did not rape his daughter, but had a sexual relationship with her childhood friend years ago. Jackson's daughter died from the attack and he lost his clinic after the allegations, and Stabler going "undercover" breaching confidentiality. Jackson returned in the episode "Totem", replacing Dr. Huang (B.D. Wong, who left the series to join the cast of an NBC show titled Awake) in a case where a piano teacher (portrayed by Elizabeth Mitchell, who in my opinion should have been nominated for an Emmy) is suspected of raping and murdering her young pupil. "Totem" was one mother of an SVU twisty-tale and I believe this episode is one of the best of the 12 season, and of the series itself.

• Bruce Kirkpatrick
• Role: Richard White
• Episode: "Stalked"

Of all the people to portray a rapist/murderer/sadist on SVU, I think portrayal of Richard White is tops (even over, Johnny Messner who played Lowell Harris in "Undercover", a prison gaurd in a female prison who raped the inmates). White a local realtor, [who is already a rapist] raped the Assistant DA who [Olivia knew] prosecuted him. Benson goes out of her way to get White off the streets and locked-up, until she almost falls victim to White herself. There was only circumstantial evidence on White, it took a confession from White to have him prosecuted again... we never really saw a "confession" out of him. This guy kinda tormented Liv. Sometimes it's the minor characters that make a major splash.

• Isabel Gillies
• Role: Kathy Stabler
• Episodes: "Payback", "A Single Life", "Or Just Look Like One", "Hysteria", "Wanderlust", "Sophomore Jinx", "Uncivilized", "Chat Room", "Nocturne", "Wrong Is Right", "Countdown", "Popular", "Risk", "Home", "Blood", "Clock", "Cage", "Scheherazade", "Burned", "Dependent", "Annihilated", "Screwed", "Alternate", "Blinded", "Paternity", "Swing", "Wildlife", "Turmoil", "Gray", "Pop", and "Delinquent"

Mrs. Stabler might not be a main character (nor loved among the fans that "ship" Elliot/Olivia) but she has played a major role on this show. Without Kathy, Stabler would probably be "the poster boy for rage" in every single episode (Liv can only do so much). And as much as I loathed the "Stabler family drama" between seasons 8-11, Kathy's kind of the "rock" of the Stabler household; although she's also seemingly overprotective. And she has sort of a close friendship with Olivia, which is something I'd like to see continue, even though Stabler is gone. And no: I don't think Liv and Elliot should have dated while he and Kathy were contemplating divorce, Benson's not a home wrecker.

• Charlie Tahan
• Role: Calvin Arliss (Benson)
• Episodes: "Trophy", "Penetration", "Rescue", and "Missing Pieces"

Calvin is the son of a negligent, non caring, and junkie-mother named Vivian Arliss (portrayed by Maria Bello). The math here is: Calvin is a kid in desperate need of a caring mother, and Olivia is in need of something in her life to give it balance, and someone she can care about. For the few episodes we have seen, Olivia would be a great mother to Calvin (had Vivian Arliss not tried to take Calvin back) and we see him now under the care of Vivian's parents, wonder where Viv is? I'm hoping that in SVU's future Calvin can fill the void in Olivia's life that Stabler left.

• Terrence Howard
• Role: Joe Dekker
• Episode: "Reparations"

For those of us who saw Law & Order: LA (which NBC prematurely canceled, their actions are why this show came up for cancellation) Joe Dekker is a tough-as-nails, yet compassionate, Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles, with a high conviction rate. But he's got family and a law license in New York City. Dekker comes in to defend his cousin Dwight Talcott (Vondie Curtis-Hall) who is accused of rape; but there is more to that story than meets the eye! The grandfather (Robert Hogan) of the girl (Virginia Kull) who accused Dwight of rape, beat and raped Dekker's aunt Lorna (Irma P. Hall) in the 1960s. To me, this tops all the episodes Howard has been in on LOLA. I wish he would make a return to the SVU courtroom, but up against A.D.A. Cabot (Stephanie March) or B.C. Cutter (Linus Roache) next time! But seeing him up against a returning from an almost 3-year-suspension Ms. Novak (Diane Neal) was kind of comedic at times.

• Carol Kane
• Role: Gwen Munch
• Episode: "Zebras"

Everyone knows the Gwen-Munch-Lennie Briscoe love triangle from early episodes of Law & Order and Homicide: Life on the Streets. Munch's ex returned in the 10th season finale to help catch a serial killer (portrayed by Nick Stahl, but Noel Fisher's Dale Stucky did the other killing). She wishes to get back on medication and have a relationship with Munch (Richard Belzer) again. We always see Munch and his conspiracy theories so lonely, Liv's even said once "Munch just gave up on romance". Wonder if they could reconcile their differences.

• John Cullum
• Role: Judge Barry Moredock
• Episodes: "Manic", "Raw", "Blinded", "Babes", "Smut", "Lead", "Hammered", and "Possessed"

From being Alex Cabot's teacher in law school, to defending constitutional rights against Cabot and later Novak, to presiding over the criminal cases. Moredock has done it all! Moredock is a no-nonsense judge, although he was a slick defense attorney, he even sentenced Soyna Paxton (Christine Lahti) to court ordered alcohol rehabilitation after she showed up to court drunk. Judge Moredock is just one out of the many SVU judges you just love to see, even though he was funnier when he was on the defense team.

• Delroy Lindo
• Role: Detective Victor Moran
• Episode: "Baggage"

Detective Moran is very abrasive when the episode starts, you assume he's just another glory hog cop who's working a 3 decades old rape case. Moran was just a cop about to lose everything important to him, not the job or the perp Mark Ocurro (Nelson Vasquez), but his family. His daughter was in terminal condition and she died at the end of the episode. Moran's fuel to solve that case was his daughter's life being in the balance, not the overbearing new Chief of Detectives (John Ashton), who wanted Cragen's (Dann Florek) badge. One of the better episodes in season 10.

• Vincnet Spano
• Role: FBI Agent Dean Porter
• Episodes: "Savant", "Screwed", "Florida", "Infiltrated", and "Spooked"

Dean Porter, a good friend to Olivia. He helped her out with the "Simon Marsden" (Michael Weston) situation and helped her when she was undercover with "the eco-freaks". But, there's something more personal between Benson and Porter. Porter might have been Olivia's best love interest (who's not Stabler). Porter and Olivia have some bad blood left on the ground when Porter lied to Olivia about rape case that wasn't a rape case, but an FBI slaughtering. The Olivia/Dean relationship hasn't exactly ended (I don't think, ask Warren Leight: Twitter, @warrenleightTV), there is just no heavy set rape case to involve the FBI.

• Marcia Gay Harden
• Role: FBI Agent Dana Lewis
• Episodes: "Raw", "Informed", and "Penetration"

Agent Lewis. One the job: Spunky. Smart. Sexy. Hot. Hurting Stabler. Off the job: Family woman. She comes to SVU already undercover as Star Morrison, the girlfriend of a white supremacist (J.C. MacKenzie), who is sent to prison for setting up a hit on three innocent and diverse children. Being Morrison gets her into trouble in the long run when Ackerman (MacKenzie) reaches out from prison to have Lewis raped for killing her son Kyle, not knowing she was an FBI Agent. Aside from the fact Lewis is 3 for 3 on injuring Stabler, "Penetration" is likely Marcia Gay Harden's best SVU episode and I hope to see more of her in the future of SVU.

There are plenty more guest stars who I'd love to see come back to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, but for now, those are my top 10!

Season 13 is probably SVU's best season since the 7th season and I must say to Elliot Stabler/Chris Meloni fans: to stop watching SVU because he is gone is "a bitch move". SVU was never the "Chris Meloni Show" even if the writing suggested it. When a show has the title "Law & Order" in it, expect a cast change. Get over it, move on, and keep watching the show.

Law & Order: SVU airs Wednesdays 10/9c on NBC!