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First look: Amaro shoots first, faces consequences later on 'Law & Order: SVU'

If you thought the drama on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" would dial down a bit after Olivia Benson's kidnapper got what was coming to him last week, think again! A new sneak peak reveals that while Benson might finally get a chance to breathe easy (for now), the same can't be said for Nick Amaro.The first look, exclusive to TODAY, reveals the stress the detective is under after a quick —
Image: Det. Nick Amaro of "Law & Order: SVU"
Michael Parmelee/NBC

If you thought the drama on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" would dial down a bit after Olivia Benson's kidnapper got what was coming to him last week, think again! A new sneak peak reveals that while Benson might finally get a chance to breathe easy (for now), the same can't be said for Nick Amaro.

The first look, exclusive to TODAY, reveals the stress the detective is under after a quick — and possibly questionable — judgment call leads him to shoot a teen he thought was armed. The fallout prompts Benson to prepare him for the worst.

"It's a circus out there — IAB, press, Rev. Curtis, enough brass for a band," she warns him as they get ready to leave the hospital. "I'm going to get you out the back door."

"You're here, so they found the gun," he says, jumping to the wrong conclusion.

As it turns out, there's no gun there to clear him. As for the boy he shot, that part isn't looking up either.

The teen made it, "except one of the bullets hit his spine," Benson explains. "Doctors don’t know what that means yet."

A cynical Amaro shoots back, "Yeah, they do."

Of course, there might be drama for another official on the show. Wednesday night's episode looks like it could be the last for Capt. Cragen. A month ago, actor Dann Florek tweeted that he'd filmed his last scene.

Friday+was+the+last+day+4+Cragen/Florek.+It+was+a+sweet+send+off!+But+he'll+live+on+in+syndication+land+4+evah!

—+Dann+Florek+(@dannflorek)+December+9,+2013+

And on Tuesday, showrunner Warren Leight offered up a goodbye pic of the star.

Something+else+changes+on+#SVU+this+week:+salute+to+@dannflorek+pic.twitter.com/QmO4gOxrhO++#FarewellCragen

—+Warren+Leight+(@warrenleightTV)+January+14,+2014+

Tune in to "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Jan. 15 at 9 p.m. on NBC to see what happens to Amaro, and whether or not it's really curtains for the captain.