There are several factors contributing to BD Wong’s character, George Huang, no longer being a part of <em>Law & Order: SVU</em>. Huang, characterized as a soft-spoken and compassionate psychiatrist, played a crucial role in assessing the mental states of suspects, forecasting the behavior of violent offenders who had not yet been apprehended, and providing emotional support to the investigative team. Many of the series’ most compelling episodes delve into the psychological aspects of heinous crimes, showcasing Huang’s expertise. As the third psychiatrist in the series, he frequently aided detectives in their pursuit of justice, making his absence particularly noticeable.
It’s especially disappointing that Huang was not present to help mitigate Benson’s obsession with the Maddie Flynn storyline in Law & Order: SVU season 25. However, this oversight is unsurprising, given that the show has opted not to include a dedicated psychiatrist on its team in recent seasons. Although there have been occasional appearances from another former psychiatrist character, Elizabeth Olivet, when the need arises, Huang’s absence is acutely felt in episodes that could have benefited from his insights into criminal psychology. His last appearance was in season 17, and as of now, there are no indications that he will make a return.
George Huang’s Early Retirement in Law & Order: SVU
Reflecting on Huang’s Last Appearance in Season 17
Huang was a series regular from seasons 4 through 12; however, he was absent for an entire season. Upon his return in season 13, it was revealed that he had relocated to Oklahoma City for a new position. While the specifics of his new role remain ambiguous, it is widely believed that his responsibilities mirrored those he held in New York, especially considering his subsequent decision to pursue early retirement. Throughout his career, Huang continued to serve as an FBI forensic psychiatrist until his retirement, showcasing a dedication to his field.
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The Controversial Exit of Chief McGrath from Law & Order: SVU — A Detailed Overview
Chief McGrath (Terry Serpico) had a brief tenure as the commanding officer of the SVU, yet that short time was enough for many fans to express their dissatisfaction with his character.
During Huang’s final appearance in Law & Order: SVU season 17, he conveyed that he was no longer working in Oklahoma City or engaged with law enforcement in any official capacity. Instead, he opted for early retirement from the FBI due to dissatisfaction with his role, transitioning into consulting work. This change theoretically would have allowed him to guest star more frequently on Law & Order: SVU. Unfortunately, he has not returned to the procedural since that storyline concluded, suggesting that his time on the series was likely finished.
Understanding Why BD Wong’s George Huang Was Written Out of Law & Order: SVU
Multiple Factors Contributed to Huang’s Departure
One of the most plausible reasons for Huang’s absence from Law & Order: SVU after season 12 is that actor BD Wong sought to explore other acting opportunities. Following his departure from the procedural in 2012, Wong has taken on numerous roles across various projects. His first major role post-SVU was in the series Awake in 2012, which he accepted due to a conflict in filming schedules that didn’t allow him to commit to both series simultaneously. After Awake was canceled, he went on to guest star in popular shows, including Nurse Jackie, NCIS: New Orleans, Gotham, Mr. Robot, and Madam Secretary.
BD Wong’s Notable Roles Following His Time on Law & Order: SVU |
||
---|---|---|
Role |
Show/Movie |
Year(s) |
Dr. John Lee |
Awake |
2012 |
Navy Lieutenant Commander Dr. Gabriel Lin |
NCIS: New Orleans |
2015 |
Doctor Wu |
Nurse Jackie |
2015 |
Dr. Henry Wu |
Jurassic World |
2015 |
Brent Rosen |
Madam Secretary |
2015-2018 |
Whiterose |
Mr. Robot |
2015-2019 |
Wong has publicly expressed dissatisfaction regarding the portrayal of his character’s sexuality in Law & Order: SVU. As an openly gay actor, he felt that the show’s handling of Huang’s sexual orientation was “cheap… and not the best way to handle it.” (via Attitude.) Specifically, Wong was disappointed that Huang’s sexual orientation was only mentioned after a decade on the show, calling it “just kind of a minor point made.” However, the extent to which his feelings about this storyline influenced his decision to leave the series remains unclear.
Analyzing Huang’s Return in Law & Order: SVU Season 17
Huang’s Role as a Defense Consultant and Its Impact on His Relationship with Benson
When Huang made his return in Law & Order: SVU season 17, he was serving as a consultant after having filed for early retirement from the FBI. He expressed his frustrations with his former job and preferred this new role, which allowed him to make a more meaningful impact. However, this new position soon led to tensions with Benson (Mariska Hargitay), raising doubts about the possibility of his future appearances on the show. This is particularly unfortunate, given their previously close friendship.
Huang’s testimony included questioning decisions that Benson and Barba had made years earlier while working the case…
Huang’s presence in New York was to provide testimony for the defense in a case being prosecuted by Barba (Raul Esparza). While his return was initially exciting, the episode soon turned tragic as it irrevocably damaged his relationship with Benson. His testimony challenged decisions made by Benson and Barba in the past, leading Benson to feel personally betrayed. This situation was exacerbated by Huang’s refusal to retract his statement that she had improperly influenced a potentially innocent suspect during interrogation.
Huang’s last scene was particularly poignant, featuring a confrontation with Benson in an elevator. He maintained that the suspect might have been innocent, while Benson remained convinced of the man’s guilt, even as Huang pointed out that she may have inadvertently led him to certain conclusions. This emotional rift appears to be lasting, given that Huang has not reappeared since then. Ironically, a similar conflict arose for Benson with the ADAs in Law & Order season 24, episode 2.