It was in September 1999 when NBC first released Law & Order: SVU and introduced viewers to a special police team in New York City. The titular unit they work in is known as the Special Victims Unit, tasked with battling crimes of a sexual nature and other deeply sensitive offenses.
Since the first season of Law & Order: SVU, the show has shed light on various crimes like child abuse, r*pe, human trafficking, and even domestic violence. What sets this narrative apart from typical crime dramas is how it doesn’t just cover police investigations, but also takes us into the personal lives of the detectives.
Following the success of twenty-five seasons, Law & Order: SVU is currently in its Season 26, whose Episode 20, "Shock Collar," is scheduled to come out today, May 1, 2025. It will air on NBC at 9:00 PM Eastern Time.
This episode marks the return of the detectives and viewers to a world where criminals are everywhere, and the Special Victims Unit has to ensure maximum safety of the innocents. This new episode will also pave the way for the finale as Season 26 is nearing a conclusion.
Keep reading for more details on the show and the upcoming episode.
Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 20: All you need to know about "Shock Collar"

A new episode of Law & Order: SVU is set to air tonight, Thursday, May 1, 2025, bringing fans back into the world of intense investigations after a short break. Titled "Shock Collar," this episode is part of the final stretch of the season, with only three episodes left in Season 26.
The episode will broadcast tonight at 9:00 PM Eastern Time on NBC. In the U.S., the show sticks to its regular weekly schedule, airing every Thursday at 9 pm. Viewers in other time zones will need to adjust their clocks to match the release time slot.
If you're unable to catch the live airing, don’t worry—Shock Collar will be available to stream the next day, on Friday, May 2, 2025, through Peacock, NBC’s official streaming platform for the show.
In addition to Peacock, those with a cable TV subscription may also be able to stream the Law & Order: SVU episode using their provider login on NBC’s official app or website. However, keep in mind that the availability of episodes on those platforms may be limited over time.
Also Read: Law And Order: SVU and Law & Order: Organized Crime - Similarities and differences, explored
What will Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 20 be about?
In this episode, the SVU team is pulled into a tense case involving a stolen vehicle, but there’s much more at stake. A young girl was inside the car when it was taken, prompting immediate fears of a potential kidnapping.
The synopsis of the episode
"When a car with a young girl in the backseat is stolen, the SVU investigates whether it was a crime or opportunity of a tragetted abduction."
As the investigation unfolds, the detectives try to find out whether this was a random crime of opportunity or a deliberately planned kidnapping. Their search leads them to several suspects, each with a criminal history, raising suspicions that this might not have been a one-off incident.
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