‘Law & Order: SVU’ season 16, episode 7 preview: Mariska Hargitay and a ‘Chicago Fire,’ ‘Chicago PD’ crossover

Next week, there is going to be a very different sort of episode of “Law & Order: SVU” on the air. Basically, it is one that you are going to want to watch alongside both “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago PD.” Otherwise, you are really not going to get the full experience.

Here’s what we know about the story for now: It will revolve mostly around children and a ring of criminals exploiting them for unspeakable things. The case will begin in Chicago, but the trail will eventually lead to the Special Victims Unit getting involved. Benson will eventually meet Voight, and we’ll get a chance to see how this enormous story ultimately unfolds.

It is probably very nice for Mariska Hargitay and the entire “SVU” cast to see so many new faces so many different years on the job, but we do wonder right now how in the world the gang over at “Chicago Fire” really transfers into all of this. It is a little more natural to pair them with local law enforcement, or the SVU team with the Chicago PD. But putting SVU and the Chicago Fire Department together? That’s going to be the challenge.

Luckily, we feel like we’re going to have a whole lot more in the way of news on this before the special airs, so we should get some information on how it all develops then. Hopefully, this is going to turn into a huge ratings success story for CBS rather than a disappointment.

(Photo via NBC.)