Things are going to be awkward between Lt. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Deputy Chief William Dodds (Peter Gallagher) in the upcoming season of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Fresh from the heartbreaking loss of Mike Dodds (Andy Karl), the entire SVU team is still reeling from what happened. Benson, in particular, cannot help but blame herself for Mike's death. He was shot by an unstable corrections officer while on the field. Although Mike fought for his life, his body ultimately gave up. It was an emotional moment when his father took him off life support.

Former showrunner Warren Leight talked to The Hollywood Reporter about the decision to kill off Karl's character.

"We were really exploring, with Dodds and his father, that very complicated father-son relationship where he's trying so hard to be what his dad wants him to be. Is he going to live his own life? Or is he going to follow the path his father has helped clear for him? He's a heroic guy, a little bit hard for people to get to know at first, but in the end, he's carried out on his shield," he said.

Meanwhile, life goes on for the SVU people. Benson and Dodds Sr. will have to work with each other on the new cases. Christian Times reports that although it is going to be difficult, the deputy chief will have to bury the hatchet and accept that his son's death was an accident. Benson cannot be blamed for what happened since she was just doing her job as Mike's immediate superior. They have worked together for quite a long time and they know each other pretty well. Benson is a fair leader and Dodds Sr. knows she cared for Mike.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" season 18 will premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. EST on NBC.