Is It Time For Munch To Return To Law & Order? - CBR

Fans of the Law & Order franchise are excited to see a familiar face from the days of SVU past return to the world in the upcoming April 7 episode of Law & Order: Organized Crime. Dann Florek will be reprising his role as (former) Captain Donald Cragen and reunite with his former charge Elliot Stabler. While this reunion is set to occur at a time when Elliot needs this father figure back in his life, it also leaves the door open for other old friends to pop by.

In fact, returning faces are nothing new for the franchise. Some detectives of days past swung by Law & Order: SVU for the series' 500th episode, and other characters such as beloved ADA Rafael Barba have transitioned well from former cast members to anticipated recurring roles. The original Law & Order even brought back ADA Jamie Ross in the Season 21 premiere. But there is one fan-favorite whose absence can still be felt in the SVU squad room: Richard Belzer's Detective John Munch.

RELATED: Law & Order’s Benson And Stabler Are Ready For Romance

Munch, the loveably cynical police detective, originated back in 1993 on the Baltimore-centered show Homicide: Life on the Street. When that procedural ended in 1999, the character of Munch transferred up to Manhattan and worked alongside the detectives of the Special Victims Unit. And that crossover legacy grew into a record: Richard Belzer would go on to appear in character as Detective Munch in other shows, making Munch the only fictional television character to have 11 separate series appearances on the record.

Throughout the decades, Munch's character not only brought an acerbic wit to the job, but he also formed close relationships with the entire SVU squad. He and his partner, confession machine Detective Odafin "Fin" Tutuola, could playfully rib each other but always had each other's backs. He also maintained close relationships with Olivia Benson and Stabler, carving out his own unique role in the precinct family. When Munch reached his mandatory retirement age and finally bowed out in Season 15, Episode 5, "Wonderland Story," his arc ended with a lovely flashback to where it all began: him sifting through mugshots in the Homicide series premiere. His memory was interrupted by a phone call that he answered in a way that tied up Munch's story from the very beginning to its end -- saying "Homicide, I mean SVU," before putting them on hold and leaving his career for good.

RELATED: Law & Order: SVU Season 23, Episode 16, ‘Sorry If It Got Weird For You' Recap & Spoilers

Since Munch's retirement, he's come back for a visit twice. He showed up in the SVU Season 15 finale and then again in Season 17, Episode 20 "Fashionable Crimes." In his last appearance, he got the chance to see how Olivia's own life had flourished as both Captain of the SVU and as Noah's adopted mom. He even babysat Noah for a bit, remarking with Liv on how there were things in life more important than the job. Though actor Richard Belzer retired from acting in 2016, his popping back in for even a quick cameo would make fans happy, and adding Organized Crime as the 12th entry on Munch's resume would be a meaningful last hurrah for his character.

Munch himself was such a part of the lives of Benson, Stabler and Fin that surely he'd like like to see not only Stabler's return -- Munch likely would not have heard from him since his departure at the end of SVU Season 12 -- but also check in on how Noah's grown. As a character with so much history to his name, one last catch-up with New York's (and Baltimore's) favorite conspiracy-loving detective would feel just right.

CBR Report

Our main newsletter packed with the latest updates, reviews and buzz from the worlds of movies, TV, anime, comics, and beyond. Get ready and let's dive in! Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

New episodes of Law & Order: Organized Crime air Thursdays at 10 p.m. on NBC.

KEEP READING: Law & Order: How Hugh Dancy's Price Picks Up Where Cutter Left Off