It's my aunt that originally got me into Law and Order:SVU. I was staying at hers when Mam and my little sister were away on a trip and I really got into it. I think I was about...fourteen when I saw my first episode. I think Special Victims Unit is waht got me interested in crime and forensics in the first place because, since being introduced to it, I've watched Law and Order, Criminal Intent (not neraly as good as SVU but prefer it to the original series and the UK series), Criminal Minds (absolutely LOVE!), Bones, NCIS (not Los Angelus though), Bones, Castle, Body of Proof, Rizzoli and Isles, CSI: Miami and probably a few others that I can't think of at the moment.

I think the episodes are so powerful because they do reflect real world situations in a way. They're obviously exxagerated in some ways, such as the time frame for some cases, but appart from taht I think they're pretty true to life and the way that the characters react is...human I supose. They're not unphased by it or anything. They develop and get attached to cases when they shouldn't, shut down, try and block things out like anyone would. It's amazing how connected you get to the detectives and, to some extent, the victims. I have to say I am still a bit uncomfortable with the pedophile cases four years after I started watching the series. (was it really that long ago?) I think, watching what can happen when using the internet, it's made me a lot more cautious and careful about what I do or say online. I mean I was careful before but it's good to get a little perspective I think about what can happen if you're not completely sure about who you're talking to online.

As for characters I have to say that Olivia Benson has been my idol ever since I started watching SVU. She is absolutely amazing and the actress that plays her, Mariska Hargitay, is equally inspiring in my opinion as, because of her involvement with Special Victims Unit, she has become a councilor for those taht have suffered those sorts of crimes and has tried her best to help people that are in need of it. I also love Munch, his personality is hilarious and I love his sarcastic comments. I also love the ADA, Casey Novak (prefer her to Alex Cabbot) and the Psychologist from teh FBI, George Huang. It's a combination of his character, Lance Sweets from Bones and the team from Crominal Minds, that got me interested in Forensic Psychology and I will always be greateful to these shows for that.

I think Special Victims Unit is a good show, not because of it's content because, let's face it, sometimes it is really gut-wrenching to watch, but because it brings these sorts of things into the public eye. I mean, think about it? Do people like to talk about these sorts of things? No and for good reason since these are highly sensetive topics we are talking about here. I think putting this sort of thing in a show makes it seem more...real I supose, nto so far away. In that way I think it is good.

And I'll stop rambling there...I can't believe I typed that much!

Aww, I like Cabbot better than Novak. :C

They're both excellent characters, but Novak seems to overstep her role too often in my opinion. But maybe in later seasons (I'm watching all of it back-to-back on Netflix right now) she'll change my mind. :)

@Magician Girl Mirani- I just wanted to say you had many good points and all i can really say to all that text is. Thank you for the well thought out and elaquently typed response.

You ghought it was elequently typed? I personally thought I was rambling a bit. -rubs head sheepishly- I supose over the last few years I've grown up with Special Victims Unit and I haven't actually talked about ti with anyone so it was nice to basically rant about it! It was actually rather fun, haven't done that in a while. Typing a rant is just so much more fun than speaking because you're not interupted all the time and everything just seems to...flow...
I think the fact that Casey oversteps her mark a bit is what I like about her. She's tough, doesn't take anything from anyone if she can help ti and she's all about the victims and getting their side of things, giving them a fighting chance. I know that Alex is a very good ADA but there's just something about Casey that draws me in more I supose, maybe because her personality is a bit like mine. -shrugs- For whatever reason I love her character.

stabler's kick ass because since he's a father he's all like"u did wat to ur daughter?! olivia hold my coat"

lol Techi that is so true and then Oliva would be like ohh no sir Im helping hand this one out!

it's fun to watch

tiss is very true sir..lol

I used to love watching SVU as a kid. I was really into abnormal psychology, and most of the criminals examined on SVU were sickos.

Yes most of them were I have to say I cant even count how many times my blood boiled over things the criminals did on that show. Just made me sick honestly .

Yup. And sometimes the criminals were horribly misguided kids, which was even more interesting to watch because I actually felt sympathy for them. Sometimes I liked the adult criminals too. Like Robin Williams in the Authority episode. That one is of my favorites.

My favorite episode is Behave with Jennifer Love Hewitt. She portrayed Vicki so beautifully I hadn't even recognized her. I found that particular episode so chilling and I still can't wrap my head around someone stalking multiple women across multiple cities for over fifteen years.

Has anyone been watching Season 14?