5 reasons why we’ll miss Peter Stone

1. He inspired an appreciation of the law

The most important reason we needed Peter Stone on our TV screens was that he transcended watching TV. It wasn’t just that he was a great character, or that he was entertaining, but that he made audiences believe in the law again and give a little more respect to lawyers, too.

Like his father, Peter Stone was an idealist, and his passion for the law and justice was something that spread to the viewers, too. He believed that the law was about more than right and wrong, and he demonstrated that in his actions as well. Through him, we saw the finer points as well as the broader purposes of the law and legal system—how it shapes our society, the different ways he had to prosecute a sex crimes case as opposed to a homicide one, how it can be used to help and not just to punish.

And because Philip Winchester provided such a positive portrayal, he also encouraged a different attitude toward those who practice law. There’s that certain belief and countless jokes about how lawyers are terrible, or they’re just out to get people. Peter was the antithesis of that. Audiences saw how hard he worked and how much he strove to be fair, and could appreciate him as a person and not just an attorney. He illustrated everything that really goes into the job, both in and out of the courtroom.

That’s why the departure of Peter Stone matters so much. He contributed something positive to the world outside of Chicago Justice and SVU, and left audiences with something to think about beyond the verdict. There just isn’t another character like him, and there never will be.

For the latest SVU season 20 spoilers and news, plus more on all of Dick Wolf’s other series, follow the Dick Wolf category at One Chicago Center.