Fans of Law & Order: SVU were in for a surprise with the latest episode. The show aired two completely different endings, leaving viewers with contrasting cliffhangers depending on how they watched. The broadcast version on NBC set up a crossover with Law & Order: Organized Crime, while the streaming version on Peacock delved into a new internal conspiracy within the squad.
The Two Endings Explained
The second episode of Season 27, titled “A Waiver of Consent,” concluded in two distinct ways during its initial airing on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
The version that aired on the NBC television broadcast ended with Detective Terry Bruno rushing into Captain Olivia Benson’s office. He delivered an urgent message from Organized Crime‘s Sergeant Ayanna Bell: Detective Elliot Stabler was in the hospital. This scene was created specifically to lead directly into an episode of Law & Order: Organized Crime that aired immediately after on NBC.
In contrast, the exact same episode available for streaming on Peacock featured a different final scene. This version showed the new detective, Jake Griffin, approaching a black SUV outside the home of Chief of Detectives Kathryn Tynan. Griffin is told by her driver that the Chief is “inside waiting” for him. This happens immediately after he promised Benson, “I would never go behind your back,” strongly suggesting he may be reporting on Benson’s unit to the higher-ups.
Why Did SVU Have Alternate Endings?
The reason for the two endings is strategic and relates to network programming. The NBC broadcast ending was designed to function as a seamless crossover event. Since an episode of Organized Crime was scheduled to air right after SVU on the network, the Stabler hospital scene encouraged viewers to keep watching NBC.
The Peacock streaming ending, however, focuses on character development within SVU itself. It introduces a season-long story arc questioning Griffin’s loyalties and sets up internal political tension with Chief Tynan. This version is more relevant for viewers who may have already seen the Organized Crime episodes when they were first released on Peacock months earlier.
This is not the first time SVU has used this strategy. In 2022, a Season 23 episode also had a different ending on broadcast television versus Hulu to facilitate a crossover with Organized Crime.
Fan Reactions and Confusion
The alternate endings caused confusion and discussion among fans, with many taking to social media to compare what they saw.
One fan commented on the inconsistency, especially for those who had already watched the Organized Crime season on Peacock, saying, “I feel cheated, not seeing the Griffin scene, and manipulated.” Another viewer noted the cleverness of the move, posting, “Didn’t surprise me; I knew something was up.”
The discussion revealed a clear divide; viewers who watched on NBC were focused on Stabler’s fate, while Peacock viewers were left questioning whether Detective Griffin is a mole working for Chief Tynan.
The New Detective: Who is Jake Griffin?
Played by Corey Cott, Detective Jake Griffin is a new character introduced in Season 27. He was assigned to Benson’s unit by Chief Tynan, with whom he has a personal connection—Tynan was partners with Griffin’s late father.
Throughout the episode, Griffin earned the nickname “Batman” for his lone-wolf style of policing, which repeatedly put him at odds with Captain Benson’s emphasis on teamwork. While his unconventional methods eventually helped break the case, his actions created tension. His final scene on Peacock directly contradicts his promise to Benson, creating immediate suspicion about his true role in the unit.
A History of Alternate Scenes
This practice of tailoring content for different platforms is becoming more common. For SVU, a similar change happened in Season 23. A Mother’s Day episode that aired on NBC ended with Benson running into Stabler, setting up an Organized Crime episode. When that same SVU episode appeared on Hulu the next day, the Stabler scene was replaced with a different moment of Benson receiving a Mother’s Day gift.
This approach allows the producers to manage ongoing storylines while also accommodating the specific scheduling and marketing needs of both broadcast television and streaming services.
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