Law and Order: SVU Benson Fin Toasted John Munch, Stream Richard Belzer's Best Episodes

'SVU' Season 25 premiere pays tribute to Munch, setting up an atypical ongoing arc, with Kelli Giddish returning and a heartfelt toast.

The 25th season premiere of Law & Order: SVU was a bittersweet celebration that honored the late Richard Belzer's character, John Munch. The episode started off on a heartwarming note as it focused on Kelli Giddish's character, who was baptizing her son with Carisi, played by Peter Scanavino. The scene was filled with joy as Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay, was the godmother, Carisi was beaming with happiness, and Fin was eager to hold the baby. The trio also took a moment to toast John Munch, with some heartfelt callbacks from Fin and Benson that left fans wanting to revisit the old days with the late Richard Belzer.

The toast was particularly significant as it came from Fin and Benson, who had worked closely with Munch during what many consider to be the classic years of the series. While Munch's thoughts about the Kennedy assassination were not explored in a dedicated episode, fans who watched his years in the unit can easily imagine the character having an elaborate conspiracy theory. It was touching to see Fin honor Munch's promotion to sergeant status, and Benson reminisced about his years as a detective. The toast was a poignant reminder of Munch's enduring impact on the series, even after the passing of Richard Belzer.

For fans who want to revisit Munch's memorable moments, every episode of Law & Order: SVU, including the Season 25 premiere, is available for streaming with a Peacock Premium subscription. Additionally, the first 24 seasons of the show are available on Hulu, where fans can relive Belzer's 247 episodes as Munch. As SVU continues with new episodes in Season 25, viewers can tune in on NBC on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.

The episode also provided an update on Munch's character, as it was revealed that he had retired, moved back to Baltimore, bought back his old cop bar, and met a divorced female rabbi. This on-screen update came just days before the news of Richard Belzer's death, making it a poignant moment for fans and former co-stars alike. While it's unclear if this was the last tribute to John Munch, fans can continue to enjoy the series and its new episodes as it airs on NBC.

Share With Others