‘Law & Order: SVU’ season 15, episode 16 preview: When will ‘Gridiron Soldier’ air?

Next week on “Law & Order: SVU,” the drama is going to (big surprise) continue to escalate with an episode that certainly will bring to light a number of important themes. Not only is “Gridiron Soldier” going to be a dark, powerful story in the way that many of these cases are, but it will also bring to light the underbelly of sports hazing. It’s been in the headlines a good bit lately, and you have to wonder whether or not the Jonathan Martin case was something that inspired the show to tackle something like this. (Obviously, the specific details between the two are very different.)

Here is how NBC is describing this story per a synopsis released earlier this month:

“High school football star Cedric Jones (guest star Winston Duke) goes missing in New York City, and his uncle seeks help from their hometown friend, Detective Rollins (Kelli Giddish). Though already committed to attending Georgia Tech, Cedric nevertheless accepted a free weekend recruiting trip from Hudson University’s football team. When the cops find him in jail, they suspect the truth may have led to a cruel prank that spiraled out of control. Sgt. Benson’s (Mariska Hargitay) investigation into the football team and its popular coach (guest star Glenn Morshower) uncovers several victims of abuse, prejudice and hazing. Meanwhile, Rollins turns to an old friend to help deal with her escalating troubles.”

All in all, it feels like the writers are not letting off the gas at all after what we just went through with tonight’s episode. They are just altering the theme and the focus to be on a different set of faces.

What do you want to see play out on this particular episode of “Law & Order: SVU”? Share your thoughts below.

Photo: NBC