This has been, [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] for more than a decade now, my favorite show on television. The stories of [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] are powerful and they stick with you. Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni are the heart of this show. I honestly don't think [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] would do as well without them. I would, however, like to see more of Munch and Fin. They seem to have sort of dropped into the background and are only in a few scenes of each episode. I remember earlier seasons when there would be an episode or two (or more) when they were the central characters. The addition of Christine Lahti for the first few episodes of [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] was great. I wasn't sure if I was going to like her, but I was pleasantly surprised. I'm glad she didn't stick around for the entire season though. It was great to see Stephanie March back for several episodes. I wish she was back for good, but the way in which she was written out this time (unlike last time when she was put into the witness protection program) was very well done. Overall, this is definitely one of my favorite seasons of [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] . Olivia Benson is my hero. She's tough but vulnerable all at the same time. [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] are just as heart-wrenching as they have always been, and this one delves a bit more into the personal lives of the detectives, particularly Stabler. Mischa Barton makes a nice getaway from spoiled rich girl Marissa as a young and overwhelmed mother.