How Long Has Octavio Pisano's Detecive Joe Velasco Been on SVU?
Velasco has cemented himself as an essential member of Benson's squad throughout the past few seasons of Law & Order: SVU.
Season 26 of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has seen the entire squad working harder than ever to secure justice. That includes Detective Joe Velasco (Octavio Pisano), whose unique expertise comes in handy for Episode 13 ("Extinguished") airing on Thursday, February 20.
The logline for the episode reads, "Velasco teams up with a community security guard eager to prove his mettle to find a suspect in the assault of two teens." Based on this, it sounds like Velasco will be at the center of some intense action after a serial rapist slithers into his neighborhood. An SVU episode video promo reveals that Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) has asked Velasco to rise to the call and find the perp due to the sinister activity being so close to his home. Benson always gets her perp, so Velasco is feeling the heat.
SVU's new video promo sees Velasco sweating about Benson's assignment
"So you heard Benson?" Sgt. Fin Tutuola (Ice T) asks a stressed Velasco as they leave a heightened scene in Washington Heights.
"Yeah, I heard her," Velasco says. "She was here to fix whatever was going on because she thinks this is my neighborhood."
"It is, isn't it?" Fin ponders.
"No," Velasco shrugged. "Not really."
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"Let me ask you this," Fin says. "How long have you lived in Washington Heights?"
"Four years," Velasco explains. "But it's not like I talked to anybody."
"So, you're telling me you moved here, all the way from Juárez, just so you could avoid talking to your neighbors here?" Fin asks, confused.
"Look, I moved to this neighborhood because the rent is cheap, alright?" Velasco retorted.
"Alright, you planning on moving out soon?" Fin asks.
"No," Velasco confirms.
"Well, then I suggest you set up some roots here," Fin suggests.
"How the hell am I supposed to do that?" Velasco asks.
"Well, that's on you, Velasco," Fin says, leveling with his squadmate. "What I do know is the rapist is still out here. And if you don't figure a way to mobilize your own neighborhood and catch this guy before he attacks again, Benson is going to fire your a--."
How long has Octavio Pisano's Detective Joe Velasco been on Law & Order: SVU?
Velasco joined the squad of Law & Order: SVU during the Season 23 premiere ("And the Empire Strikes Back").
Velasco was initially an undercover investigator for then-Deputy Chief Tommy McGrath (Terry Serpico), a constant source of headache for Benson and the SVU squad. McGrath later appointed Velasco to the SVU to replace Detective Kat Tamin (Jamie Gray Hyder) in Season 23, Episode 3 ("One More Tale of Two Victims").
It took Benson and Velasco a while to develop a solid rapport, but by Season 26, they've landed on good terms. Benson didn't always trust Velasco, but with his fiery determination and spot-on detective skills, she's come to grant her detective more responsibilities.
Will Velasco be able to grab the reigns of his community to find the squad's latest target?
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Find out by watching Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC and the next day on Peacock.
