Every lazy Sunday I can be found practically comatose on my couch and wrapped in a blanket with USA on because there is a 90 percent chance that there is a "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" marathon on. Now, do not get me wrong, there is nothing that I enjoy more than being a literal potato that practically fuses together with my couch, but the deeper into the marathon that one gets the more phases that you go through. It is almost as if one passes through the 5 stages of grief after 5 episodes of "SVU."
Now "SVU" is not a show that can be taken lightly. The material is very serious and can affect anyone anywhere and anytime. It does not sugarcoat or paint crimes like rape, sexual abuse, or drug addiction as glamorous or attempt to spin it in a positive light. The show's creator Dick Wolf brings to light topics that are hard to talk about and discuss by making them be seen and heard. Many people that have had hardships thrust onto them can watch the show and know that they are not alone. Detective Olivia Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay, is a strong, independent women in a role that most believe better suited for a man. The show has been on for 17 seasons and its impact is not going anywhere.
The stages of watching an "SVU" marathon can correspond to those of grief.
1. Denial
"No, I am not going to sit here and watch 'SVU' all day."
"The world cannot really be this sick and twisted of a place."
"Stabler is not on any more, how can the show go on? He was the show."
2. Anger
"He cannot be the murderer, he was such a nice guy."
"How is it possible that I have already seen this episode. Come on, USA. Mix it up and play different ones."
3. Bargaining
"Please, USA, please play the episodes in order."
"If you don't show the episodes with Detective Benson being kidnapped I promise that I will get up and do something productive next Sunday."
4. Depression
"Why is the world it such a bad place?"
"I can never go to New York City again, apparently I would never make it."
"Am I going to become a statistic?"
"Where is the ice cream? I cannot deal with this anymore."
5. Acceptance
"I love this show."
"I am completely 100 percent okay that I sat here for 8 hours and binge watched 'SVU.'"
"Same time, same place, 'SVU' detectives."
