Law & Order: SVU season 19 episode 9 synopsis: The hunt for Noah

Alas, Law & Order: SVU is not airing tonight on NBC, as we’re now in the midst of a hiatus from now until January 3. When the series does return, though, you’re going to have an intense, dramatic episode like no other.

Even the very title of the show’s big return to the air, “Gone Baby Gone,” should send a chill down your spine. This is, after all, a reference to what has transpired to Benson’s son Noah, who was kidnapped while out with Sheila at the end of this past episode. It’s going to be an all-hands-on-deck search for Noah during this episode — not only will Benson and the SVU squad have to figure out who captured him, but also why. Was it a deliberate strike against Olivia, or something that happened by sheer happenstance.

The new SVU season 19 episode 9 synopsis below doesn’t offer up too much in the way of new information — but the guest cast is certainly interesting.

01/03/2018 (09:00PM – 10:00PM) (Wednesday) : Emotions run high as the SVU squad embarks on a frantic search for Benson’s (Mariska Hargitay) missing son (Ryan Buggle). Also starring Ice T (Det. Odafin Tutuola), Kelli Giddish (Det. Amanda Rollins), Raul Esparza (ADA Rafael Barba) and Peter Scanavino (Det. Sonny Carisi). Guest starring Brooke Shields (Sheila Porter), Peter Gallagher (Chief Dodds), Maureen Mueller (Susan Janet), Lawrence Clayton (Matt Wyatt), Collin Meath (Brad), Frank Pando (Juan Ortoli) and Domenica Feraud (Maria Ortoli). TV-14 L, V

The name Peter Gallagher is what strikes us the most here — we haven’t seen Chief Dodds on SVU since “Sanctuary” last season, and his appearance signifies the importance most likely of this case. He’s someone who could go to Benson with an offer of support, or hopefully the promise of more manpower in order to ensure that Noah is found once and for all. (It was obvious, meanwhile, that Brooke Shields would be back — the question we wonder is just how much we’re going to have a chance to see her on the other side of this story. We want to believe that she’s innocent in all of this but SVU is the sort of show that has a tendency to incite great paranoia.)

What do you want to see on SVU when the series does return to NBC? Be sure to share in the comments below!

(Photo: NBC.)