Hargitay Returns to Law & Order: SVU and Stars Appear

Since Mariska Hargitay had her baby this summer, she has been fairly absent from the series in its eighth season. This year she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and now "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" has its outstanding lead actress back. Hargitay has made a two appearances so far leading up to her return, starting with an episode called "Infiltrated" diving into the undercover mission her character was buried in, explaining her absence.

For many fans, the separation of Detective Olivia Benson (Hargitay) and Detective Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) has been a rough one to weather. Legions of devotees are as dedicated to the idea of Benson and Stabler as a team, as well as a potential couple, as X-philes were to Scully and Mulder, and several vocal protests ensued online when Stabler’s temporary new partner Detective Dani Beck (Connie Nielsen) kissed in a recent episode. It was especially hard given the fact that Elliot and Olivia seemed reluctant to even face one another again.

But now, with the apparent departure of Detective Beck, Stabler will get his old partner back, as Hargitay returns to the forefront with this upcoming week’s episode, "Choreographed." Benson will be in good company for her return, because several stars will be turning out for this special episode. Headed up by Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Bernadette Peters, the stellar guest cast list includes Catherine Bell ("JAG"), Bob Saget ("Full House" and "How I Met Your Mother"), and Chris Sarandon ("Judging Amy" and "Law & Order").

"Choreographed" is described by TV.com as follows: "Stabler asks Benson for her help in a murder case that involves infidelity among friends." This exciting episode airs on NBC, Tuesday November 28th at 10PM.