Capt. Olivia Benson said goodbye to one of her team’s detectives — but not before she imparted some words of wisdom on him.
In the Thursday, Oct. 9, “Law & Order: SVU” episode titled “A Vicious Circle,” Detective Joe Velasco (Octavio Pisano) informed Benson (Mariska Hargitay) he would be moving on from her squad.
He was hesitant to make the move, however, telling Benson he didn’t want to leave her empty-handed while she was already down a member. (Ice-T’s Sgt. Odafin “Fin” Tutuola got hurt in the Sept. 25 season premiere episode and has been on leave since.)
Benson, who has been with the Special Victims Unit for over 25 years, told Velasco she hasn’t stayed with the unit “out of loyalty.”
“I would never expect anyone to do that,” she said. “I’m here because I think that it’s the place that I can do the most good.”
“You need to be where you can do the most good,” she added.
So, where will Velasco be going? Read on to learn more.
Why Did Velasco Leave SVU?
Velasco ultimately left the SVU squad to work for the Drug Enforcement Administration.
He was approached at the end of the Season 27 premiere to get in a car, and in the following episode, he told Benson the DEA wants him to work an undercover operation.
“I get it,” Benson said. “It makes sense, with all your experience with the cartels.”
Pisano joined “SVU” in Season 23 back in 2021. His character is from Mexico and had a rough upbringing that included getting caught up with gang members. He realized that kind of lifestyle wasn’t for him and joined the NYPD.
Velasco told Benson the DEA agents wanted him to keep their job pitch under wraps, including from her.
“I know I’m putting you in a bad position,” he said. “And if you want to report it up, I understand.”
Benson vowed to keep the information between the two of them and asked him to be careful.
In the Oct. 9 episode, Velasco told Benson their new chief, Kathryn Tynan (Noma Dumezweni), wanted to see him, likely after hearing about his “service for the DEA, or her dog, Griffin, maybe saw something, I don’t know what,” he said. Jake Griffin (Corey Cott) is the team’s newest detective, and his father was once partnered with Tynan.
“He’s got some powerful friends, so watch yourself,” Capt. Renee Curry (Aimé Donna Kelly) previously warned the SVU team of Griffin.
Velasco expressed concern to Benson about his impending meeting with the chief, as she didn’t report his DEA offer to Tynan.
“What, am I supposed to rat you out now?” he said. “I’m not a rat.”
“You’re going to tell her the truth,” Benson told him, “and not a word otherwise.”
When Velasco met the chief in her office, along with two DEA agents, Tynan assured him that there was nothing for him to worry about and that they were “just going to have a chat, share our feelings, see if we have the same goals and desires.”
During his last conversation with Benson, Velasco expressed his excitement about the new opportunity.
“I’ve got to tell you. This last job I did for them — I didn’t sleep for four nights. I was up, and I wasn’t scared. It was just, like, I was buzzed. You know, I was excited,” he said.
“Well, then you better get some rest, because I don’t think you’re going to get a whole lot of it on the West Coast,” Benson replied.
Who Is Replacing Velasco on SVU?
With Benson’s crew down both Fin and Velasco, it’s safe to say she needs some help.
The promo for the next episode, titled “Clickbait,” teases the return of “someone we trust,” according to Benson.
Cue Sgt. Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish), who worked beside Benson for a decade before her departure.
Giddish has recurred as a guest star in various episodes since that exit, and now, she’s back as a series regular in Season 27.
“See you in the morning, boss,” she says to Benson in the promo.