Since it's premiere in 1999, NBC's newest installment of the Law and Order series known as Special Victims Unit has garnered a broad viewership that spans a wide variety of households nationwide, developing it's own cult-like following of dedicated fans. The addiction can creep up on you suddenly - it isn't hard to get absorbed into the show's dramatic yet compelling storylines. Here are a few warning signs that you might be addicted to Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.
1. You can recite the opening monologue to a tee.
The telltale sign of a true SVU addict.
2. You catch yourself singing the theme song in seemingly appropriate situations.
Update: not all situations are appropriate.
3. You can tell which season an episode is from just based on Olivia's haircut.
The pixie cut appears to be one of her favorites.
4. You're still not over Stabler's departure...
Most of us are still in denial.
5. Or Capt. Cragen's...
Don't lie. You cried real tears when he left.
6. Or even Munch's.
SVU's most snarky detective.
7. In fact, you miss the original cast more than anything.
After season 11, the Special Victim's Unit was never the same.
8. You can never fully accept Amaro as Stabler's replacement.
No matter how attractive he may be...
9. But Ice T still slays the comic relief.
How he maintains a long-term serious role is beyond me.
10. The debate on the superior ADA still rages on.
Alex Cabot? Casey Novak? Even Rafael Barba is in the running.
11. Your favorite television psychologist is Dr. Huang, not Dr. Phil.
Huang doesn't need his own show to be the bigger boss.
12. Finding an SVU marathon on USA is like Christmas morning.
But having Hulu or Netflix guarantees you a marathon any time, any day.
13. After hours of binging, you feel like a complete expert on law and psychology.
Hell, you could probably win a case in court if you were given the chance.
14. In fact, you've probably seen every episode at least 3 times each.
If not several times more...
15. When someone claims they've never seen SVU before...
How is that even possible?
16. Or that they don't like it:
Impossible.
17. Yet somehow you can never just watch one episode.
Once you start, you just can't find the will stop.
18. You know anyone who's anyone has guest starred on the show at some point.
Brittany Snow...
Jennette McCurdy... and countless more.
19. You wish Benson and Stabler had gotten together before Stabler's departure.
Still waiting... (Hey. Anything can happen.)
20. The most frustrating part of basically every episode:
They just love leaving viewers hanging on the edge. And they're damn good at it.