A rescued victim from Stabler's past goes missing; Bell recovers in the hospital while Jet, Reyes and Bashir are all questioned by IAB; Joe Jr. shows off his new career path.
When several bodies are found in a seaside town, Stabler navigates the politics and secrets of the close-knit community to find a potential serial killer; Jet brings a witness under her protection; tensions rise when Stabler skips his IAB meeting.
Cooper is asked to testify when a woman on death row petitions for a mistrial; Beth is put in charge of analysis.
Brennan's theories about the Ghost Killer start to gain traction, following the discovery of a young heiress's body carrying his or her signature.
Stabler's loyalty is put to the test at work and again at home when his mother unexpectedly shows up; Bell and Jet navigate the newly established joint task force.