The Elliot Stabler-centric “Law & Order: Organized Crime” kicked off its third season premiere on Thursday, Sept. 22, in a three-episode crossover event with “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU).”





One would think that a crossover event would start off with the characters from the actual series, but this episode opened up with the main detectives, Cosgrove and Shaw, from “Law & Order.” The episode begins with Cosgrove talking with his daughter; their relationship seems to be similar to the connection Stabler has with his youngest son, Eli. 


Fans do not get to see Stabler and the rest of the Organized Crime Unit until halfway through the episode. This is an interesting approach as it helps draw viewers into the storyline, but fans want to know what’s happening with the characters they are already familiar with. 


Starting off with the main characters from “Law & Order” may have brought in fans, but it also may not have. With that being said, it was nice seeing Olivia Benson, as she will always be Stabler’s partner. Fingers crossed that the former partners will get more screen time together this season!  Longtime fans of the “Law and Order” franchise series will note the similarities between Stabler and Cosgrove. They are both stubborn and determined to solve a case no matter who or what gets in the way. 


During one scene, Cosgrove says, “You know, I heard Elliot Stabler was a good cop, great cop, real police. He’d do anything to get justice.” Stabler’s previous work in the Special Victims Unit and more recent work in the Organized Crime Unit is what makes him a hero. Last season, Stabler was even given a combat cross for his work. While this episode was entertaining, it took away from the premise of this season. This also happened last season, as viewers were thrown into the middle of the unit’s new case with hardly any explanation. It’s an interesting way to pull fans into this new storyline but leaves several unanswered questions