Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive show news, updates, and more!

We're always rooting for Rollins! 

The Law & Order premiere was an action-packed episode full of twists and turns. Sgt. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and the Special Victims Unit were quickly called in for backup in the three-part Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order, and Law & Order: Organized Crime crossover event, which put Detective Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) in grave danger. 

Law & Order's Detective Frank Cosgrove (Jeffrey Donovan) is enjoying lunch with his daughter when he notices a young woman named Ava being chased down the street. While attempting to help her, she is shot and killed by an unknown assailant. Initially, it appears to be a simple murder case but becomes more concerning when Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) and his team discover Ava was a victim of a yacht-based sex trafficking ring ran by crime boss Mark Sirenko, bringing Sgt. Benson and her crew into the mix for help. Detective Stabler (Christopher Meloni) reveals the Organized Crime Unit has been working on a drug bust for Sirenko for six months, placing all Law & Order ladles in the pot to see Sirenko served justice. 

The SVU eventually tracks down another sex-trafficking ring victim, Nicole, who was on the boat the day Ava was killed. With Nicole's help, the SVU, OCU, and 27th Precinct track down and arrest Sirenko but not before he manages to blow up a downtown hotel. After Sirenko's arrest, they realize Sirenko is working for a senior liaison to Vladimir Putin, Daniel Rublev, who also happens to be a leader in an international crime ring. 

Related: 11 Heart-Pounding Law & Order: SVU Episodes Fans Will Never Forget

As the teams gather more evidence against Sirenko and Rublev, it becomes apparent that someone is tracking their every move, compromising the safety of anyone involved in the case. Benson places Nicole in a safe house but realizes she needs to ask her more questions about Rublev's role in Ava's murder. Rollins goes to bring Nicole into questioning, but as they leave the safe house, a group of masked gunmen attack. 

Rollins protects Nicole from the attack and helps take down Rublev's men, but she is shot in the process. She collapses from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Things are not looking good for Rollins at all when the SVU quickly arrives. Rollins is taken away in an ambulance, and Benson confirms Rublev's men tracked Nicole with the location from a hidden cell phone. 

Rublev's operation is revealed to be a small cog within a master plan for a mysterious boss, but before the prosecution can collect further evidence, Rublev is shot down in the street in a similar fashion as Nicole's attempted murder. Whoever speaks up in the case suffers consequences, except Sirenko. The trial is instantly cut short, with Sirenko serving only 20 years (he got a deal for providing information about Rublev's actions). 

The trial outcome is less than ideal for Benson, Stabler, or any of the detectives and legal counselors on the case. But the episode ends with our characters appreciating the act of helping the victims and keeping them safe. Rollins wakes up in the hospital to find ADA Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino) standing at her bedside for support. Relieved, they both hold hands and smile. 

After an explosive Season 24 premiere, Rollins was able to survive the ordeal but not without a few close-calls. How will Rollins process the shooting? To find out, watch Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC and next day on Peacock. 

NBC Insider is your all-access pass to some of your favorite NBC shows. Go behind-the-scenes, stay on top of breaking news, hang with the stars, and much more.

The NBC App is the best place to catch up on the most recent season of your favorite shows, watch live TV, and stream movies.