Detective Stabler’s exit: a huge loss for SVU

Four seasons ago, SVU embarked on a new journey without the accompaniment of Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni). After accidentally shooting a victim in the Season 12 finale “Smoked,” Stabler suddenly left the squad without further word, never to give a much-sought-after goodbye to Benson and SVU viewers everywhere. As the camera pans away from the chaotic squad room after Stabler’s fatal shot, audiences did not realize it was the last moment they would see the Benson-Stabler power team in action. In reality, Meloni disappointingly left the cast of SVU after co-starring in over 270 episodes because he could not agree on a new contract with producers.

(Video: A compilation of moments where Stabler thinks he will have to leave the squad, beginning with his final SVU appearance in “Smoked.”)

In honor of SVU’s 16th season in 16 days, let’s look back

Law and Order: SVU’s 16^th season premieres on NBC at 9 p.m. ET (8 p.m. CT) on Sept. 24! After last season’s exciting three-episode stint involving the ever-frightening William Lewis and the cryptic Season 15 finale, many questions hang in the air for avid SVU viewers. Will Benson finally mother a child? Will Munch return again as Amaro’s father figure? And most importantly, after 16 years, how are producers and writers still coming up with new scripts that leave audiences across the nation spellbound? Let’s take a look back at the genius of SVU with my top 10!