‘Law & Order: SVU’: Fin Returns — But Why’s He Taking Time Off Again?
Spoiler Alert
What To Know
- Sergeant Fin Tutuola (Ice-T) returned to the squad after recovering from an attack in the November 13 episode of Law & Order: SVU.
- Fin struggled with doubts about his abilities following the assault, expressing concerns about whether he is still as sharp as he once was.
- Captain Benson reassured Fin that he has support and a place on the team always.
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Law & Order: SVU Season 27 Episode 7 “False Idols.”]
Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola (Ice T) has certainly been missed — briefly catching up with him while he recovered from his premiere attack just wasn’t the same — on Law & Order: SVU, but unfortunately, his return to the squad set him up to be absent for future episodes again.
In the Season 27 premiere, Fin thought he witnessed an assault and tried to help only to be attacked himself and his gun taken. Since then, he’s been recovering from his injuries, with Detective Joe Velasco (Octavio Pisano) briefly checking in with him before he left for a job with the DEA. In Episode 7, Fin surprised everyone by showing up at work. He greeted Detective Terry Bruno (Kevin Kane), welcomed Sergeant Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) back with open arms, and even had fun messing with new guy Detective Jake Griffin (Corey Cott) a bit. Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) was surprised to see him because she never got word he was cleared and checked he was good to return to full duty. He was, he confirmed, and it was in her inbox.
When Benson approached him separately, Fin reminded her that he’s been hurt on the job before. “I’m good. I’m very good,” he insisted. She wanted to make sure he was getting everything he needed from the department (support, time to process). “Eyesight’s good, no headaches, I’m out-working kids in the gym half my age,” Fin said. “I’ve never felt better.” When he checked if she doubted him, she told him, “No, you have been extremely clear about how physically prepared that you are,” but he stressed, “I’m prepared, period.”
But there was a moment when, as Fin and Rollins went to arrest a man for rape and a security guard stepped in, Fin reached for his gun. Rollins played mediator and identified themselves as NYPD. It was quick, but in the context of this episode, worth mentioning.
Then, near the end of the episode, Fin asked Benson if she thought that him getting jumped could have happened “back in the day,” and she argued that it could have happened to any of them. Fin didn’t seem reassured. As he saw it, “Even a couple years ago, I would have bene faster, caught on quicker, definitely wouldn’t have lost my gun.” Benson didn’t see it that way, but, “I just think I need a little bit more time before I come back, just get my head around it,” Fin admitted. “Take all the time you need. There’s always, always going to be a place here for you,” Benson assured him.
Ice T has been on SVU since Season 2, and so it’s hard to imagine the show without him. Nothing’s been said that suggests this will be permanent, but Fin is going to be missed when he’s once again away from the squad. That being said, there’s no character better to explore this with (which the show should do after this many years), given how long he’s been around and that Benson has stressed this season that she’s happy where she is with Chief Kathryn Tynan (Noma Dumezweni) trying to push her into a job at 1PP.
Plus, he did admit he’s been thinking about retiring in the premiere. “It’s crossed my mind. I don’t want to do this forever. Do you?” he asked Benson at Cragen’s wake. But after the attack and after he hid the fact that his gun was taken from his captain, he told her, “I thought this might have been a message for me to get out while I still can, but I’m not throwing anything away, Liv. And I’m not ready to retire until I earn your trust back.”
What do you think of what SVU is doing with Fin this season? Let us know in the comments section below.
Law & Order: SVU, Thursdays, 9/8c, NBC
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M
If ICE T leaves im out
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S
A bit dramatic!
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H
What happened to Phoebe? Where is Ken? Fin is in the hospital and no visitors? Please explain!
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F
The writers need 2 play his character as long as possible and it's been awhile since Fin had an episode arc don't want anything 2 happen 2 the core cast!! Hear that writers!! Would b nice 2 have Barba and actor back 4 a bit!! Hear that writers!!🤣
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P
Ues Love some Barba
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J
I think Ice T has personal health issues he's resolving; his walk is different and dont seem as spry. He is late 60's
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L
If its not broken, dont fix it. I think that the show has gone down hill with the rotation of so many cast members so much I rarely watch it anymore. It has been one of my favorite shows since the 1st episode of season 1, now not so much.
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C
SVU is on NBC!
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A
Wrf keep him on! Delete the new players
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C
Fin needs to stay, PLEASE.
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C
Ice T sees the writing on the wall. The shows been grinding to an end for the last two seasons. He's taken Finn's character as far as he can go and he looks tired. He is in his late 60s. The grind has got to be old. There's a new show runner so maybe he's figured it's time to call it a day.
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P
I agree looks that way.
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L
Ice-T is not going anywhere, he and Mariska are very close friends, and he has stated for many years that he will only leave SVU when she does. They are both very committed to the show and their characters and do not have any plans to leave right now. With Kelli Giddish returning as a show regular you have Oliva, Fin, Amanda, and Carisi who have all been on the show for 10 or more seasons, Bruno is going into his 4th or 5th season this year. It feels chaotic because of the new Chief and it is supposed to that is the point of her character and the other detective she pretty much forced on to SVU. I know people have commented on the show seeming to lean one way or the other politically. The specialty unit that SVU represents has and will always have people of all walks of life, that is part of the core message of the show so I am not sure if somewhere along the lines people thought things went to far? This argument came up a lot when they pulled inspiration from actual events for story lines, that is not an SVU problem that is a world problem, in that this is the world we live in and these horrific things do happen. I think once the viewers get to see what the new Chiefs true intentions are and how they will push back at her as a whole unit, it will hopefully start to feel less chaotic and more like a grounded squad again. Hate to say it but Barba left 8 seasons ago and I don't think he is coming back (or that they were a good fit).
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S
SVU needs the Fin character.
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M
I agree Fin needs to stay . I love my Law and order !! I’ve been watching since 1999 no
One can call my ph when I’m watching. Mary Ann. Metairie Louisiana!!!!
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M
They are ruining the show getting rid of so many of the original cast. They desperately need to bring Barba back so he and Benson can finally get together!!
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B
No! She belongs with Elliot! Besides Barba betrayed her! I do want him back to repair their friendship though.
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M
Don't you mean Elliot Stabler?
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A
It is a disgrace to cede time to Rollins newer character v veteran Odafin Tutuola. Not right - bring back Finn - cut Giddish's time not his
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J
I Iove all the Law & Order shows & have been watching them for years. It would be nice to have Barba back, but these guys are the ones that have kept this going for 27 seasons. Let's see what happens! That's what makes you keep watching it!
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N
I thought he had admitted at the very end of that season (when he left) that he was gay???
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C
i want ice t to stay on svu,its my favorite show.
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L
I don’t think it’s fair to the Finn character at all, but I’ve seen CBS make a lot of bad mistakes lately. It’s not that I don’t like the other character, but a sense of fairness obviously isn’t present. CBS is trying to beef up their television lineup, but at the sacrifice of quality .
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B
Don't know how he even got on the show in the first place.
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