The upcoming episode, titled Institutional Fail, of season 17 of Law & Order: SVU might be a crucial one for the rest of the chapter judging by the synopsis.

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While details of a new case are intriguing and there will be the exciting guest appearance by Whoopi Goldberg, the devil lies in a small detail that's thrown in at the end of the synopsis. A line reveals that Dodds will suggest a few changes that are to come in Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) squad. While there is no telling what this means, it could lead to something big, like the departure of one of the beloved members of the team, or perhaps the more inviting prospect of a new member joining Benson's team.

Here's the official synopsis:

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"A starving toddler found wandering the streets alone leads detectives to the home of Manuela Ozuna (guest star Jessica Pimental) and another child in grave condition. The police question Department of Child Services caseworker Keith Musio (guest star John Magaro), whose vague and backdated reports on the family suggest he hadn't checked on the children in months. When the overworked Keith accuses his supervisor, Janette Grayson (Goldberg), of orchestrating the false reports, Chief Dodds (guest star Peter Gallagher) promises to conduct an internal investigation. But when neglect leads to death, Barba (Raúl Esparza) takes matters into his own hands and arrests them for manslaughter. Meanwhile, Dodds indicates some changes coming to Benson's (Mariska Hargitay) squad."

The episode is set to air on Oct. 7 on NBC.

Watch the preview:

Tags: Law And Order SVU television