So, basically same Stabler, even earlier anger-issues Stabler, just...he can now speak fluent Italian.

Its weird all the headlines for this show and all the reviews say he's LEADING the Organized Crime task force lol No they'll never trust someone with his history and temper to lead anything, he's subordinate to the actual leader played by Danielle Moné Truitt. Though to be fair, even in-story Elliot doesn't seem to be aware of what prevents him from leading anything (or rather thinks its no big deal) and actually thought he was going to lead till a higher up said lol no. I mean, he's still a detective while Olivia got like 50 promotions in the interim.

Elliot is the draw, but the other side of the coin is it'll do something Criminal Intent did: balance time between the cops and the criminal element, hence the subtitle of the show. This time, I think the difference will be instead of criminal-of-the-week we'll get season-long criminals that will presumably be busted in the season finale. I think the idea is each season will introduce a new crime family.