Law & Order: SVU Season 27 premiere reveals Captain Donald Cragen’s death, here's all about it

Law & Order: SVU Season 27 premiere, dubbed "In the Wind", offers a bittersweet end to Captain Donald Cragen's legacy, as it shows the Special Victims Unit team members coming together to celebrate his work at his memorial service.

Dann Florek, who played Cragen, has been an integral part of the Law & Order franchise, having begun his stint in the flagship show before appearing in the follow-up series of Special Victims Unit. He was such a strong presence in the show's past that his death might feel like the end of an era for the show's long-time fans.

During the memorial service in the Law & Order: SVU Season 27 premiere, the SVU members played a video of Captain Cragen addressing his time in the squad from a speech he gave before he retired from his position. In that clip, he said,

"It's been a long road. It hasn't always been pleasant, and it certainly hasn't always been easy."

He also added,

"I lived for my job, I don't think that surprises anybody, and I can't imagine my life any other way..." Cragen concluded, "It has been a privilege to have been able to serve with you."

Law & Order: SVU Season 27 premiere reveals Captain Donald Cragen’s death

Captain Donald Cragen’s death must have left a gaping hole in the hearts of the show's fans, and the SVU crew had a similar response to losing Cragen from their lives.

Law & Order: SVU season 27 episode 1 showed SVU members like Dean Winters, B.D. Wong, and Chris Meloni, at the memorial as Detective Brian Cassidy, Special Agent George Huang, and Detective Elliot Stabler, respectively. Mariska Hargitay was also present as Detective Olivia Benson, whom Cragen passed the command to before his retirement.

In the premiere of Law & Order: SVU Season 27, she addressed her squad and spoke about the late Captain Cragen. Here's what she said,

"He was the best boss I ever had. Everything that I know about being a Captain, I learned from him."

Speaking about retirement, Captain Cragen decided to leave his position in Episode 11 of Season 15, after many years of service in the SVU Squad. At the time, he said,

"Eileen has two tickets for a six-month cruise, and I have enough accrued leave to take me through my mandatory retirement date," Cragen said. "If I stay, I might make less than if I leave."

He also added,

"Word of advice? I gave my whole life to the NYPD, and I forgot to live my own... But people used to say this to me all of the time, and I never understood what they meant. But take care of yourself. You deserve it."

The longtime commanding officer has been one of the highlights in the show's history, and his departure is addressed in a sentimental premiere of its new season.

Law & Order: SVU Season 27 is available to watch on NBC and Peacock. It airs every Thursday at 9/8c. After the premiere, it becomes available to stream online.

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Also read: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 27 Episode 1 recap

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