<P> Former series regular Richard Belzer reprised his role as John Munch in the episode "Fashionable Crimes", where Munch returns to SVU to assist in the case of a young model who claims to have been preyed upon by a famous fashion photographer . Munch and Fin had their eyes on the photographer in the past, but were unable to build a case at the time . </P> <P> In April 2016, it was announced that Brad Garrett would guest star in the two - part season finale which aired on May 18 and 25 . He portrayed the role of Gary Munson, a correctional officer who holds a reputation of being a family man, along with a history of corruption and violence against women . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> No . overall </Th> <Th> No. in season </Th> <Th> Title </Th> <Th> Directed by </Th> <Th> Written by </Th> <Th> Original air date </Th> <Th> Prod . code </Th> <Th> U.S. viewers (millions) </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 367 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Devil's Dissections" </Td> <Td> Jean de Segonzac </Td> <Td> Teleplay by: Warren Leight & Julie Martin Story by: Kevin Fox </Td> <Td> September 23, 2015 (2015 - 09 - 23) </Td> <Td> 1701 </Td> <Td> 8.27 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> <P> The SVU returns to the beach where serial killer Gregory Yates (Dallas Roberts) had buried his victims when another body is washed ashore . Detective Rollins visits Yates in prison to obtain a confession, but he instead provides information that leads the squad to a different suspect (ME Dr. Carl Rudnick, who had performed the autopsy), causing ADA Barba to deal with the possibility of Yates appealing his conviction in court . </P> <Ul> <Li> Episode inspired by Robert Durst and his possible connections to the Long Island serial killer murders from the past two decades . </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 368 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Criminal Pathology" </Td> <Td> Alex Chapple </Td> <Td> Teleplay by: Julie Martin & Warren Leight Story by: Kevin Fox </Td> <Td> September 23, 2015 (2015 - 09 - 23) </Td> <Td> 1702 </Td> <Td> 8.27 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> <P> The SVU team decides to do a secondary investigation into Yates' murders when his fiancée's dismembered body is discovered washed ashore . The clues then lead to the Deputy Chief M.E. Carl Rudnick (Jefferson Mays), who failed to disclose his past association with Yates . After Sergeant Benson places M.E. Rudnick under arrest, Barba pushes the SVU team to gather as much evidence against him as possible to secure a conviction . With a trial looming, Rudnick hires two defense attorneys (Elizabeth Marvel & Delaney Williams) to square off against Barba in court . Meanwhile, Rollins discovers that she is pregnant . </P> <Ul> <Li> Episode inspired by Robert Durst and his possible connections to the Long Island serial killer murders from the past two decades . </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 369 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Transgender Bridge" </Td> <Td> Arthur W. Forney </Td> <Td> Teleplay by: Jill Abbinanti & Céline C. Robinson Story by: Julie Martin & Warren Leight </Td> <Td> September 30, 2015 (2015 - 09 - 30) </Td> <Td> 1703 </Td> <Td> 6.69 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> A transgender teen, Avery, is sent to the hospital for injuries inflicted when three boys bullied and then pushed her off a walking bridge . Although Avery shows forgiveness to the boys, ruthless ADA Kenneth O'Dwyer (Robert Sean Leonard) takes the case out of family court and decides to try one of the offenders on adult charges . Detective Tutuola and the SVU squad are conflicted on whether the crime fits the charges, while dealing with the delicacy of the families involved . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 370 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Institutional Fail" </Td> <Td> Martha Mitchell </Td> <Td> Teleplay by: Julie Martin & Brianna Yellen Story by: Samantha Corbin - Miller </Td> <Td> October 7, 2015 (2015 - 10 - 07) </Td> <Td> 1704 </Td> <Td> 7.00 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When a child is found wandering the streets alone, Benson and SVU search for the neglectful mother, only to find another child in danger in the same home . After Benson questions the social worker (John Magaro), they discovered he has not visited the family's home in months, leading Benson to push Barba to prosecute the social worker's supervisor (Whoopi Goldberg) for falsifying records . When one child dies, Benson and Barba intensify their case against social services, which is met with resistance by Deputy Chief Dodds and 1PP . Meanwhile, Dodds announces Benson's promotion to lieutenant and his choice for her new sergeant - his son Mike . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 371 </Th> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> "Community Policing" </Td> <Td> Jean de Segonzac </Td> <Td> Teleplay by: Warren Leight & A. Zell Williams Story by: Kevin Fox </Td> <Td> October 14, 2015 (2015 - 10 - 14) </Td> <Td> 1705 </Td> <Td> 6.20 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> While in pursuit of an SVU rape suspect, detectives from the 27th precinct shoot and kill an unarmed black man . Internal Affairs investigates the shooting, but under intense pressure from the Mayor and the DA, Barba takes the case to a grand jury to indict the cops . While Benson believes the detectives were following procedure, Barba disagrees, creating a tense divide between the newly - minted lieutenant and the ADA . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 372 </Th> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> "Maternal Instincts" </Td> <Td> Michael Pressman </Td> <Td> Teleplay by: Warren Leight & Julie Martin Story by: Robert Brooks Cohen </Td> <Td> October 21, 2015 (2015 - 10 - 21) </Td> <Td> 1706 </Td> <Td> 6.33 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> While Rollins' mother (Virginia Madsen) throws her a baby shower, the SVU is called to a hotel after a violinist is raped by her flautist colleague, Anton (Zach McGowan). The man has no recollection of his wrongdoings and claims he was drugged and robbed by an escort . When the security tape arrives, Rollins sees that it was her fugitive sister, Kim (Lindsay Pulsipher), who stole Anton's flute, leading her to have to track down her sister before Benson and Tutuola find out her secret . Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Dodds introduces his son, Mike (Andy Karl), as SVU's new sergeant . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 373 </Th> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> "Patrimonial Burden" </Td> <Td> Martha Mitchell </Td> <Td> Teleplay by: Jill Abbinanti & Céline C. Robinson Story by: Warren Leight & Julie Martin </Td> <Td> November 4, 2015 (2015 - 11 - 04) </Td> <Td> 1707 </Td> <Td> 6.55 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> <P> The SVU is forced to investigate pregnant 13 - year old Lane Baker from a famous reality TV family with 10 children . After initial hesitation by the parents to let the girl talk with detectives, Lane confesses that the family's cameraman had sex with her . However, the cameraman shows footage that Lane is covering for her brother, Graham, who has multiple past accusations of sexual misconduct . When SVU looks into the family tree, Benson and Detective Carisi realize that there is evidence of a cover - up, not only within the famous family but also in the entire small - town community . Meanwhile, Rollins experiences pregnancy health issues and is ordered on bed - rest . </P> <Ul> <Li> Episode inspired by the Josh Duggar molestation controversy . </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 374 </Th> <Td> 8 </Td> <Td> "Melancholy Pursuit" </Td> <Td> Michael Pressman </Td> <Td> Teleplay by: Warren Leight & Julie Martin Story by: Brianna Yellen & Samantha Corbin - Miller </Td> <Td> November 11, 2015 (2015 - 11 - 11) </Td> <Td> 1708 </Td> <Td> 7.76 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> A girl goes missing and SVU is called in to find the 15 - year old . When the girl turns up dead, Sgt . Dodds begins to feel overwhelmed by the case . The detectives get a break when Dr. Warner is able to get a partial DNA match, but it soon turns into a headache for Benson, as the match is to a dead man who had many children with different women . As SVU weaves through a complicated family history, Dodds becomes determined to find the man responsible . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 375 </Th> <Td> 9 </Td> <Td> "Depravity Standard" </Td> <Td> Martha Mitchell </Td> <Td> Ed Zuckerman </Td> <Td> November 18, 2015 (2015 - 11 - 18) </Td> <Td> 1709 </Td> <Td> 6.29 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Three years after Benson arrested him, Lewis Hodda (Tom Sizemore) refuses a plea deal on kidnapping charges . When the parents of the kidnapped boy refuse to let him testify, Barba must try Hodda on murder charges for a 1999 abduction that Benson also handled . Benson's interrogation tactics come under fire and the savvy defense attorney (Robin Weigert) hires former SVU colleague, Dr. Huang (BD Wong), to challenge Barba's already - shaky case in court . Meanwhile, Rollins goes into labor, but faces extreme difficulties . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 376 </Th> <Td> 10 </Td> <Td> "Catfishing Teacher" </Td> <Td> Michael Slovis </Td> <Td> Kevin Fox </Td> <Td> January 6, 2016 (2016 - 01 - 06) </Td> <Td> 1710 </Td> <Td> 7.84 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> A high school teacher has sex with two of her students . Another student, Zack Foster, receives text messages, supposedly from her, to meet her at a train station and bring his passport . However, she does not show up and Zack is, instead, kidnapped by his wrestling coach, who has a history of molesting his athletes . Zack is taken to a cabin in Pennsylvania where he is tracked down by the SVU team . When Zack's parents refuse to allow him to testify in court, SVU turns to another victim, Nat Dennehy, who still resides in New York . Nat also refuses to testify but goes to the coach's house, determined to get a confession from him . Meanwhile, Rollins adjusts to motherhood with her new daughter . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 377 </Th> <Td> 11 </Td> <Td> "Townhouse Incident" </Td> <Td> Nick Gomez </Td> <Td> Brianna Yellen </Td> <Td> January 13, 2016 (2016 - 01 - 13) </Td> <Td> 1711 </Td> <Td> 8.01 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When Benson's sitter expresses concern over another mother for whom she babysits, Benson looks into the matter and steps into the middle of a violent home invasion where she becomes a hostage . To protect the family and save her own life, Benson works to get inside the perps' heads while SVU and newly promoted Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) Captain Ed Tucker (Robert John Burke) works the escalating situation from the outside to rescue the lieutenant . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 378 </Th> <Td> 12 </Td> <Td> "A Misunderstanding" </Td> <Td> Mariska Hargitay </Td> <Td> Céline C. Robinson </Td> <Td> January 20, 2016 (2016 - 01 - 20) </Td> <Td> 1712 </Td> <Td> 6.91 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> A typical he - said she - said rape case lands on Benson's desk after Rita Calhoun (Elizabeth Marvel) brings it to her attention . With SVU now entangled in a murky case, the detectives must wade through the emotions of two high school students while the parents try to save their children's futures . When Barba brings the case to trial, lies are exposed that make his prosecution even more difficult . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 379 </Th> <Td> 13 </Td> <Td> "Forty - One Witnesses" </Td> <Td> Michael Pressman </Td> <Td> Robert Brooks Cohen </Td> <Td> February 3, 2016 (2016 - 02 - 03) </Td> <Td> 1713 </Td> <Td> 7.31 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When an intoxicated woman is attacked outside of her apartment building, the SVU team investigates, only to find out that there are multiple witnesses who didn't call for help . While the woman struggles to remember what happened to her, Benson and Barba must deal with the unreliability of those witnesses in making an ID of the attackers . The case catches a break when Carisi is able to convince an unassuming witness to step up and testify in court . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 380 </Th> <Td> 14 </Td> <Td> "Nationwide Manhunt" </Td> <Td> Alex Chapple </Td> <Td> Warren Leight & Julie Martin </Td> <Td> February 10, 2016 (2016 - 02 - 10) </Td> <Td> 1714 </Td> <Td> 7.59 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> <P> Benson calls CPD Sgt . Voight (Jason Beghe) after Gregory Yates (Dallas Roberts), whom they jointly arrested last year, claims that some of the unidentified remains from the beach have ties to Chicago . Voight sends Detectives Lindsay and Dawson (Sophia Bush & Jon Seda) to New York to interview Yates . However, when Benson, Barba and Dodds return to Green Haven to meet with Yates again, they learn that he has escaped with fellow convict Dr. Carl Rudnick (Jefferson Mays), triggering a massive manhunt . </P> <Ul> <Li> This episode begins a crossover with Chicago P.D. that concludes on "The Song of Gregory Williams Yates". It is included on the Chicago P.D. Season 3 DVD set . </Li> <Li> Episode inspired in part by the 2015 Clinton Correctional Facility escape . </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 381 </Th> <Td> 15 </Td> <Td> "Collateral Damages" </Td> <Td> Rosemary Rodriguez </Td> <Td> Samantha Corbin - Miller </Td> <Td> February 17, 2016 (2016 - 02 - 17) </Td> <Td> 1715 </Td> <Td> 7.73 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> SVU goes undercover to arrest a former boxing champion who had been suspected of having sex with minors . When they make the arrest, the boxer makes a deal with Barba to give up pedophiles active in distributing online child pornography . The detectives track down the address of an online pedophile but, when they discover the man to be a high ranking police official, whose wife is also a Corporation Counsel attorney who has worked with SVU before on previous cases, Benson must delicately handle the now high - profile case . Meanwhile, Dodds is offered a position with the joint terrorism task force by his father but decides to stay with SVU, boldly going against the Deputy Chief's wishes . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 382 </Th> <Td> 16 </Td> <Td> "Star - Struck Victims" </Td> <Td> Michael Pressman </Td> <Td> A. Zell Williams </Td> <Td> February 24, 2016 (2016 - 02 - 24) </Td> <Td> 1716 </Td> <Td> 6.47 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> <P> Kristi Cryer (Vivien Cardone), a vlogger, reports that she was sexually assaulted by a bartender (James Madio). However, during the investigation, it is revealed that she was also assaulted by a famous actor, Bobby D'Amico (Craig Bierko), who has ties to the NYPD . With minimal evidence and little corroboration of the victim's account, Barba decides to drop the charges, prompting Rollins to do an undercover stint . Rollins' undercover job lends credence to Kristi's rape claim, but reasonable doubt comes into play and claims arise that SVU entrapped the actor . </P> <Ul> <Li> Episode inspired by the Bill Cosby sexual assault allegations of the previous several decades . </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 383 </Th> <Td> 17 </Td> <Td> "Manhattan Transfer" </Td> <Td> Alex Chapple </Td> <Td> Story by: Julie Martin & Warren Leight Teleplay by: Kevin Fox & Brendan Feeney </Td> <Td> March 2, 2016 (2016 - 03 - 02) </Td> <Td> 1717 </Td> <Td> 6.86 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Carisi is sent into a brothel to complete a sting operation but, when arrests are made, it is discovered that the Vice Unit is running an operation as well . Benson gets pressure from the Vice Unit captain to drop the case, so she turns to Tucker at IAB to look into the police involved . Tucker discovers that his cousin, who is a priest at a local Catholic church, knew the victims, but a friendly family visit soon turns to suspicion . When Barba gets information on the case from the church's monsignor, he reveals to Benson that Tucker could be covering up crimes committed by the Vice cops . Benson hesitantly reveals that she is romantically involved with Tucker, triggering her suspension from SVU . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 384 </Th> <Td> 18 </Td> <Td> "Unholiest Alliance" </Td> <Td> Jean de Segonzac </Td> <Td> Teleplay by: Warren Leight & Julie Martin Story by: Kevin Fox & Brendan Feeney </Td> <Td> March 23, 2016 (2016 - 03 - 23) </Td> <Td> 1718 </Td> <Td> 6.11 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> With Benson transferred out of SVU, the detectives work to reveal a massive cover - up in the Catholic church . When their main witness to the crimes is murdered, Rollins and Carisi must figure out who within the clergy is responsible . As the detectives struggle with leads, Tucker's cousin is discovered to have a dark secret that may help Benson and Tucker keep their jobs, along with arresting the criminals involved . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 385 </Th> <Td> 19 </Td> <Td> "Sheltered Outcasts" </Td> <Td> Mariska Hargitay </Td> <Td> Ed Zuckerman </Td> <Td> March 30, 2016 (2016 - 03 - 30) </Td> <Td> 1719 </Td> <Td> 6.07 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> With Carisi undercover at a homeless shelter, another rape in a recent string of attacks occurs nearby . Trying to determine if one of the residents is responsible, Carisi gets himself into hot water with members of the shelter and the community . When a shelter advocate is murdered, Benson debates pulling Carisi out, but they catch a break thanks to some fellow shelter members . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 386 </Th> <Td> 20 </Td> <Td> "Fashionable Crimes" </Td> <Td> Martha Mitchell </Td> <Td> Penelope Koechl & Jill Lorie Hurst </Td> <Td> May 4, 2016 (2016 - 05 - 04) </Td> <Td> 1720 </Td> <Td> 5.26 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> An aspiring model says that she was raped by a famous photographer whose assistant did nothing to stop it . Former SVU Sergeant John Munch (Richard Belzer) helps the SVU squad question previous clients of the photographer, many of whom admit that they were pressured to have sex with him, but refuse to testify against him as it could jeopardize their careers . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 387 </Th> <Td> 21 </Td> <Td> "Assaulting Reality" </Td> <Td> Alex Chapple </Td> <Td> Teleplay by: Julie Martin & Warren Leight & Brianna Yellen & Robert Brooks Cohen Story by: Brianna Yellen & Robert Brooks Cohen </Td> <Td> May 11, 2016 (2016 - 05 - 11) </Td> <Td> 1721 </Td> <Td> 6.06 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> A contestant on Heart's Desire claims she was raped and SVU intervenes . When they question the man who was involved with the victim, they discover he is innocent, that it was another man in the house who committed the crime . All the while, the executive producers of the show hide evidence from the police and put the blame on their producer . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 388 </Th> <Td> 22 </Td> <Td> "Intersecting Lives" </Td> <Td> Jonathan Starch </Td> <Td> Julie Martin & Warren Leight </Td> <Td> May 18, 2016 (2016 - 05 - 18) </Td> <Td> 1722 </Td> <Td> 5.78 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Tutuola's son, Ken, tells him that a former inmate says she has been raped by Rikers correctional officer Gary Munson (Brad Garrett), who denies the allegation . Barba has SVU quietly investigate the claim by questioning Munson and other officers about a supposed human trafficking ring . After Munson is arrested and Barba gets an indictment, the ADA finds his life threatened when the correctional officer's union intervenes . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 389 </Th> <Td> 23 </Td> <Td> "Heartfelt Passages" </Td> <Td> Alex Chapple </Td> <Td> Warren Leight & Julie Martin </Td> <Td> May 25, 2016 (2016 - 05 - 25) </Td> <Td> 1723 </Td> <Td> 7.19 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Correctional Officer Munson's wife, Lisa, solicits Benson's help as she plans to divorce her husband . Sergeant Dodds volunteers to accompany Benson to the Munson household, where Lisa packs up to leave with her kids . When Benson goes outside to take the kids to the car, Munson brandishes a pistol and takes Dodds and Lisa hostage . A struggle for the gun later ensues, causing a bullet to discharge into Dodds' abdomen . Although he survives the surgery, Dodds suffers a stroke in the Intensive Care Unit and dies after blood clots form in his brain . Meanwhile, Barba seeks SVU's help as the threats he is receiving continue; Tucker reveals to Benson that he plans to transfer out of IAB and into hostage negotiations; and Carisi puts his plans of becoming an ADA on hold . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> No . overall </Th> <Th> No. in season </Th> <Th> Title </Th> <Th> Directed by </Th> <Th> Written by </Th> <Th> Original air date </Th> <Th> Prod . code </Th> <Th> U.S. viewers (millions) </Th> </Tr>

Who dies in svu season 17 episode 5