Law & Order SVU Season 27 Episode 8, titled “Showdown,” delivers another tense and emotional hour as the squad tackles a suspicious kidnapping case and internal pressures threaten to destabilize the unit. Airing Thursday, Nov. 20 (9/8c) on NBC, fans can tune in live or stream next day on Peacock as Benson, Bruno, and Griffin face some of their most challenging obstacles this season.
When a man claims his girlfriend was kidnapped, Detective Bruno immediately questions the holes in his timeline and inconsistencies in his story. The case becomes increasingly murky as evidence fails to line up, forcing the squad to consider whether the man is desperate, lying — or hiding something far more sinister.
Inside the precinct, tensions flare as Captain Olivia Benson finds herself at odds with Tynan, whose harsh and unyielding response after a disagreement puts new strain on Benson’s leadership. Their clash exposes friction that could impact the entire unit’s ability to work effectively.
Meanwhile, Griffin faces his toughest moment yet when he’s forced to defend his policework on the stand. Under intense scrutiny from the defense, his testimony becomes one of the most critical turning points of the case — with consequences that may follow him long after the trial ends.
About the Series
Created by Emmy Award-winner Dick Wolf, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit remains the longest-running primetime drama in American TV history. Now in Season 27, the series continues to spotlight the dedicated detectives of the SVU, who investigate crimes involving sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence — navigating complex emotional cases that demand strength, empathy, and precision.
Executive producers include Dick Wolf, Michele Fazekas, Mariska Hargitay, Kenneth Brown, and Peter Jankowski. The series is produced by Universal Television and Wolf Entertainment.
Law & Order SVU Season 27 Episode 8 “Showdown” Photos
Law & Order SVU Season 27 Episode 8– “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: Kelli Giddish as Sgt. Amanda Rollins — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)Law & Order SVU Season 27 Episode 8 — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: (l-r) Corey Cott as Det. Jake Griffin, Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: Aimé Donna Kelly as Capt. Renee Curry — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: (l-r) Corey Cott as Det. Jake Griffin, Kevin Kane as Det. Terry Bruno — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)Law & Order SVU Season 27 Episode 8 — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)Law & Order SVU Season 27 Episode 8 — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: Noma Dumezweni as Chief Tynan — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: Noma Dumezweni as Chief Tynan — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: Noma Dumezweni as Chief Tynan — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)Law & Order SVU Season 27 Episode 8 — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: (l-r) Kelli Giddish as Sgt. Amanda Rollins, Aimé Donna Kelly as Capt. Renee Curry, Toby Huss as Det. John Whalen, Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)Law & Order SVU Season 27 Episode 8 — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: Kelli Giddish as Sgt. Amanda Rollins — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)Law & Order SVU Season 27 Episode 8 — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: Kevin Kane as Det. Terry Bruno — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: Toby Huss as Det. John Whalen — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT — “Showdown” Episode 27008 — Pictured: (l-r) Aimé Donna Kelly as Capt. Renee Curry, Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson, Kelli Giddish as Sgt. Amanda Rollins — (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)
