‘Law & Order: SVU’: Mariska Hargitay In ‘Unholiest Alliance’ Photos – See Olivia Benson In Season 17, Episode 18

It is official, Law & Order: SVU fans. Mariska Hargitay has not left the NBC police drama. In fact, the actress portraying Olivia Benson is seen in three promotional photos for Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 18. Titled “Unholiest Alliance.” What is the fan-favorite character doing and who is she with?

On the last episode of Law & Order: SVU, fans were shocked when Benson was told to pack up her desk. Many assumed Mariska Hargitay was leaving L&O. However, as previously reported by The Inquisitr, the character was not fired. Olivia Benson was transferred pending an investigation of Tucker (Robert John Burke.) Despite Olivia not being part of the Special Victims Unit right now, Mariska Hargitay’s character is shown in three promotional photos released by NBC for Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 18. However, Benson isn’t alone in the pictures.

Before getting to the “Unholiest Alliance” promotional photos, let’s go through the synopsis for Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 18. According to Spoilers Guide, the next episode of L&O will be a continuance of “Manhattan Transfer.”

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“When one of their own is implicated in a cover-up,” Spoilers Guide wrote about the next episode of L&O, “the SVU struggles to unravel a sex trafficking operation deeply-rooted in government offices, the police department, and the Catholic Church.”

The Special Victims Unit will be dedicated to clearing Olivia Benson’s name. Even though she was not implicated in any crime or wrongdoing, ADA Rafael Barba (Raul Esparza) was not pleased to find out Benson and Tucker were involved in a relationship. Olivia Benson being romantically linked to Tucker was enough to cause Mariska Hargitay’s character to be transferred. However, Benson will be back at the SVU. Unfortunately, it will not be easy for Olivia to get her job back. Obviously, she won’t be able to do anything about getting back to the Special Victims Unit until the investigation of Tucker is complete.

As for Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 18, one promotional photo shows Benson and Tucker in a bar. The SVU characters are watching the television screen and appear both concerned and surprised.

In the next promotional photo for “Unholiest Alliance,” Benson and Tucker are speaking to a man. His back is to the camera, but it is Sgt. Mike Dodds (Andy Karl.) In the image, Ed Tucker and Olivia Benson have serious looks on their faces. Looking more closely, Mariska Hargitay’s character has her eyes wide, as if she is shocked or surprised by what Dodds is saying.

The third promo photo for Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 18 features Benson, Tucker, and Dodds once again. Tucker is looking down at his phone. Olivia Benson is also glancing at Tucker’s phone, but it isn’t clear if Hargitay’s character can see anything. Meanwhile, Dodds is saying something to Ed Tucker.

What else is known about Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 18? In other “Unholiest Alliance” promotional photos released by NBC, Msgr. Patrick Mulregan (Jonathan Cake) appears to be making a statement. The preacher cousin of Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino) is also in a promotional image. Father Eugene O’Hanigan (Michael O’Keefe) is in court on the witness stand. It is not clear if he is simply a witness or on trial. As fans remember from the last episode of Law & Order: SVU, Carisi and Father O’Hanigan have some serious issues.

In “Unholiest Alliance,” Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) and another SVU detective speak with Natalia Diaz (Yainis Ynoa) in the hospital. Also, expect to see Carisi in church praying. He has his hands folded together and Carisi’s eyes are closed.

Promotional photos for Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 18 also show ADA Barba speaking at a podium, most likely in a courtroom. As for Rollins, she is standing in front of the church office. Also, expect to see Barba questioning Detective Tom Russo (John Ales.) In a separate promo photo for “Unholiest Alliance,” Detective Anton Jefferson (J.D. Williams) is also in a courtroom. Click through the gallery to see all of the promo photos for the next episode of Law & Order: SVU.

What do you think will happen on “Unholiest Alliance?” Law & Order: SVU Season 17, Episode 18 airs March 23 on NBC.

[Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for American Express]