The Stabler family tragedy some of us feared upon seeing the title of the Season 5 finale — “He Was a Stabler” — comes to pass in the season’s penultimate episode this week: Joe Jr. dies after being shot during a drug bust gone wrong.

The youngest Stabler brother dies in Elliot’s arms, setting the bereft detective on a path that is potentially illegal and definitely immoral. Olivia Benson, take the wheel! (No, seriously, can you please show up next week to set your boy straight?)

Read on for the highlights of “Off the Books.”

EMERY KNOWS |Early in the episode, Emery lets Joe know that he’s very aware of the youngest Stabler brother’s contact with Elliot. So he makes sure Joe is present when Emery has his thug kill a man who reneged on a deal. The unspoken message: Fear my wrath. On Eme

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