Drama series spinoff of the NBC series "Law & Order" that focuses on detectives Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson of New York City's elite Special Victims Unit. Working for Donald Cragen, the unit is charged with investigating cases considered particularly heinous. Also joining the unit is Detective John Munch, recently transferred from the Baltimore homicide unit, and his partner, Detective Brian Cassidy, a newcomer who worships his new partner. Their pursuits are paired with concern and sympathy for the victims. Each episode features new crimes to solve and new emotional personal struggles for the detectives handling this draining job.