‘Law & Order: SVU’ season 18, episode 11 preview: The 400th after the 400th

For those of you who are looking to have a little bit of fun today with some “Law & Order: SVU” trivia, we believe that we’ve got that for you in this article. Tonight, NBC is airing their heavily-promoted episode “Motherly Love” directed by Mariska Hargitay. It’s a huge achievement for the show, but the funny thing is that it’s not actually the 400th episode to end up airing. Because of some scheduling quirks and last minute switch-arounds, this is actually episode #399 on tonight. (Given that this episode was designed to be the milestone hour, it’s understandable why it would still be promoted in such a way.)

Next week, “Great Expectations” will be episode #400 to air, and it’s actually had quite an interesting journey to air in its own right given that its air date has shifted here and there over time.

Synopsis – “The SVU investigates the players of a top youth hockey team after a vicious locker room hazing … Guest starring Lincoln Melcher (Kyle Turner), Brent Sexton (Jim Turner), Amy Spanger (Helen Turner), Erika Rolfsrud (Linda Wilson), Brian Hutchinson (Frank Wilson), Ben Cook (Adam Turner), Gia Crovatin (Samantha Chapman) and Christopher Paul Richards (Jack Wilson).”

One of the interesting themes that we’re starting to see over the course of the past few weeks are the treatment of young people, and the importance of keeping the focus on them even in troubling times. It’s hard to say if there is a specific impetus on them, such as it establishing strong writing parallels to Benson and her own relationship with Noah. It’s mostly just interesting to note, and we applaud “SVU” for going in this direction, especially when there are so many other shows out there who seem to show more of an interest in shying away from acknowledging younger characters and different generations at all.

Promo – This one asks one simple question: “What happened in the locker room?” As usual, you’re going to be seeing the team do what they can in order to get justice for victims who can’t always help themselves.

What do you want to see on the next new episode of “Law & Order: SVU”? Be sure to share some of your thoughts and hopes in the comments. (Photo: NBC.)