A standout episode for Stabler, it delved into his family history and his mother’s (played by Ellen Burstyn) struggle with bipolar disorder. Burstyn won an Emmy for her performance, highlighting the show's ability to attract top-tier talent.
Season 10 is unflinching. While modern SVU often focuses on the psychological "whimper," Season 10 went for the explosive "bang."
By Season 10, the chemistry between Detectives Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) and Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) had reached a peak of wordless understanding. However, the writers began to test the limits of their partnership.
Season 10 is remembered for several "event" episodes that challenged the status quo: