Spoilers forward for the Season 27 premiere of Regulation & Order: SVU within the 2025 premiere schedule, known as “Within the Wind” and accessible to stream now with a Peacock subscription.
Regulation & Order: SVU kicked off its 27th season on Thursday with a giant punch to the intestine. The opening scene revealed that Dann Florek’s Captain Donald Cragen died, and it was shocking, to say the least. Florek is among the longest-running actors within the Regulation & Order franchise, beginning out on the Mothership’s first three seasons earlier than starring on SVU for the primary 15 seasons. Each Florek and Cragen are a lot beloved by followers, and they don’t seem to be pleased concerning the demise. On the very least, although the SVU gang all frolicked whereas filming the episode.
What Are Followers Saying About Cragen’s Loss of life?
The final time followers noticed Cragen was throughout Season 4 of Regulation & Order: Organized Crime in 2024. After all, there was no indication that that might be the final time followers would see him. So, when the Season 27 premiere began with Cragen’s memorial/funeral, it was surprising and heartbreaking. Loads of followers have been emotional over the revelation, and a few have been even offended (and I’m in the identical boat). Try among the responses that surfaced on X:
- I do know all of us loved the EO second, however I am nonetheless disenchanted that Cragen did not get a correct goodbye. He wasn’t simply their boss – he was their good friend. The daddy determine that each of them wanted. He deserved greater than a chilly open, a memorial in a bar, and no emotion from Liv. – @jenny_8200
- I can’t consider they did my boy like that. Not Cragen!!! Lawd, not considered one of our OGs!! [SVU] [Law & Order: SVU] 😪🥺😭💔 – @justwrite115
- Now I must know why the writers of [Law and Order: SVU] determined to kill of Captain Cragen. He wasn’t even a constant common…did they carry in Shonda Rhimes (y’all understand how she does) – @SimplyDani_88
- Killing Cragen is pointless, particularly in the event that they by no means communicate of him once more. Additionally, a 30-second tribute & a memorial not crammed with 1.0 ppl is so fucking disrespectful. He was an OG, helped construct this present. He deserves the 9-episode goodbye [SVU] – @LuluMaggs
- Anybody else really feel prefer it was fully pointless to finish Cragen on [SVU]? I imply I needed to search for to ensure the true actor hadn’t handed. It was a ineffective storyline. – @JerseyGirl0223
- Okay, I’m sorry however I’m actually pissed that 1) They killed Cragen off. Why the fuck did they do this. 2) They did NOT give him a correct ship off… Man should you’re going to off a deeply beloved character at LEAST give him an actual funeral. Rattling [SVU] – @cecilyskeen
Regardless that Florek left SVU after Season 15, he subsequently made occasional appearances, together with within the milestone five hundredth episode in 2021. As alluded to he additionally made appearances on Organized Crime.
Why the writers felt the necessity to kill off Cragen is unknown, however the determination undoubtedly does not appear to be going over properly with followers. If something, the on-screen demise not solely introduced characters collectively however the actors who play them as properly.
Regulation & Order Forged Members United For Filming
Regardless of Cragen’s demise within the premiere, that didn’t cease Florek from being on set for his personal memorial. In August, Christopher Meloni truly shared photographs from filming to his Instagram. The snapshots characteristic Florek and Mariska Hargitay and, as a fan, I really like seeing this snapshots. I suppose, in hindsight, followers ought to have identified one thing was up since Florek was the one one not in formal apparel, but it surely was nonetheless good to see the three SVU OGs collectively once more:
Whereas it is heartbreaking that Florek’s time inside the franchise has come to an finish, it is good seeing him, Meloni and Hargitay collectively once more. I hope this may not be the final time they reunite since they’ve remained shut over time, Nonetheless, Cragen’s absence goes to go away a severe void, and I am undecided followers will ever recover from it.
Followers can watch their favourite Cragen moments on Peacock, as Regulation & Order, SVU and Organized Crime can be found on the streamer. It’s also possible to tune in by means of a YouTube TV subscription. Plus, I will stay hopeful that Cragen will return by means of flashbacks or dream sequences.