And, for the first time ever, Benson is seriously encouraged to explore a romance with Stabler! Stabler comes across a DNA sample from Calvin in Bensons desk and assumes his partner failed to send it in as a stall tactic to avoid finding Calvins dad so she could keep Calvin longer. Yeah, aint that the truth, Benson responds. Thats what Im counting on. Then Benson realizes Kathy wants her to convince Stabler to sign the divorce papers. And then he delivers a line that continues to haunt fans until this day: I think if I talked to you about how Sadly, Benson cuts him off at this point, so viewers still dont know how Stabler was about to finish that thought. Love affairs? Theres someone else another woman whos the one true love of his life., He further taunts Angela and says, Every time he was looking into your pretty brown eyes, touching your face or wherever else he was touching you Im willing to wager he was thinking about her.. (In a 2016 interview, Meloni revealed he was the one who insisted that spontaneous hug be included in the scene. God knows how Olivia put up with you for so long, Cragen says to him. Maybe I should call him. I lied and said that it wasnt, she says. #SVU #OrganizedCrime #SVUxOC pic.twitter.com/hUR1MlLgt9, Amid all this, Stabler and Benson hashed out some of the unresolved personal issues between them. (Kathy ended up getting pregnant during a one-night hookup with her husband while they were estranged. Stabler confides a few personal things to Benson, including that Donnelly named his kid, whom Stabler helped bring into the world in a parallel moment to Benson bringing Stablers son into the world in Season Nine of SVU, after Stabler. A shot rings out, and both Rojas and Benson go down. Does Kathy know you mortgaged the house for me? Benson asks. I didnt realize it came out so sexy, she said. There must be a reason she why she didnt tell you about me.. Swing shows Bensons undying loyalty and concern, both professionally and personally, for her partner after Stablers daughter Kathleen (Allison Siko) gets arrested. A shocked Benson stares back at him as all of his kids look on, and the Benson and Stabler love theme (yes, these two have their own music) starts to play. After kicking Benson out, one of the smugglers takes Stabler for a ride. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) have been dancing around their relationship for over two decades now. Stabler reentered her life after disappearing from it a decade ago. Shes a cop his first partner, Benson responds and then shares a knowing look with Stabler. The partners dont get off to a great start as Stabler, fresh off welcoming his fifth child that Benson helped bring into the world, seemingly struggles to grasp that not everyone is able to naturally have children. Eventually, Benson is able to pull an iron rod from the bed and hits Lewis with it before getting her gun, which has Stablers mini shield on the bottom. Benson sighs, "I know this sounds crazy, but sometimes I think it would almost be easier ", "If Kathy hadn't died," Rollins interjects about Stabler's wife. Juries see how close partners get, Hardwicke tells Stabler. Stabler goes undercover as an animal smuggler, which means more time away from Kathy and their young son, Eli. It's worth noting that, at the end of this episode, Stabler finds out Angela was actually the one who ordered to take Kathy out, not Richard. Then she hears Liv and turns and locks eyes across the scene with Stabler. Liv, lets not go into that, Stabler replies before Sgt. Took long enough. She goes to ask if their relationship is OK after the heated case. Stabler retired suddenly after he shot and killed a 16-year-old girl who brought a gun to the squad room. On "Law & Order: SVU's" mid-season finale, Olivia Benson shared some frank talk with exiting Amanda Rollins about Elliot Stabler. Stabler shrugs and says, "The job it makes me kind of hard to live with.". Stabler asks Benson if she recognizes the victim who had her card and says hell handle finding out why the victim had it, before tucking her in on the couch and asking if she has anyone taking care of her. Jelivia comes out strong at the end of the surveillance when she spots Flutura talking to a man, the buyer, after the young girls walk away. Benson rarely brings up Stabler during his Law & Order hiatus, so this moment was heart-wrenching for Bensler fans everywhere. With the launch of Law & Order: Organized Crime, Stabler returns to NYC to see Benson as she receives an important award. Benson tells Rollins she talked to Stabler before he went back undercover, and he promised her he didnt know the suspect was being put in witness protection. During a session with her therapist, Peter Lindstrom (Bill Irwin), Benson says that while her son is doing well and her job is great, shes hasnt been happy for about a year. After Stabler affirms to Benson he texted her, she responds, So I wouldnt think that you ghosted me, again?. Stabler grabs Bensons arm and thanks her for coming. A young tech named Dale Stuckey (Noel Fisher) is with Benson and Stabler at various crime scenes throughout the episode, and at one point, even makes a careless mistake that ends up setting the suspect free. Benson follows up by asking if he liked working with her. Mariska Hargitay, Chris Meloni talk Benson and Stablers feelings, the longest slow burn in television history, came up with the single most important line herself, Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni reunite for new episode of SVU, his supervisor, Sgt. Benson also asks about how Stablers search for the truth is going related to his dad. Benson denies it before caving and asking, "Is it that obvious? I trusted you. "Elliot, what's wrong with you?" After the paramedics arrive, Benson ends up climbing back into the car to stabilize Kathys head and neck before the first responders can extract her from the car. "And with her gone it's like there's nothing but possibility, which is paralyzing," Benson says while refilling her cup of wine. Benson stares at Stabler across the car, as her partner grips her hand in response and thanks her for coming. At the end of the episode, Benson meets Barba at a bar after wrapping a case he helped on. You and this job are about the only things Ive got anymore, Stabler replies. (We know who Benson will always trust, though!). Benson stays by Kathys side the entire time, including in the ambulance, where Kathy ends up giving birth to a baby boy. Despite now knowing Kathy wrote the letter, Benson still shows up in the cemetery to meet the rest of the Stabler family at Kathys grave. Later, Benson and the SVU squad help Stablers team infiltrate a party with the young girls and the Albanians. Benson drives Stabler back to his office, where he says, Its always good to work with you, Liv.. At one point, Benson breaks her undercover protocol to contact Odafin Fin Tutuola (Ice-T) for help getting information. In the Season 23 SVU premiere, Benson was run off the road while on the phone with Stabler. Stabler says he tried and tried, but in the end, Kathy helped dictate.. At the end of the episode, Bernie tells her son that his partner came by to check up on him. TFW someone else says they're Stabler's partner. Stabler then gave her a note he wrote to her, which he said she could How about we call it a friendship, Benson says to a beaming Stabler. Benson explains shes there because they lost contact with him, and she also gave him her phone so he could call Kathy. Things have changed in 10 years. Benson confirms shes not seeing anyone at the moment. Come on now, you know thats not true, Benson responds. "Yes, I am.". Basically, Porter has been lying to the SVU team this entire time, so the detectives lay a trap to call him out on it. Stabler starts working with another detective, Lucius Blaine (Anthony Anderson). Theres nobody who knows these characters better than she and I. At this point, they both have tears in their eyes as the standoff continues. She also loves the USWNT and is a "Real Housewives" stan. When Benson comes to, she radios for help and attempts to help a pinned and pregnant Kathy. Bell cuts the chat short. Shes good like that.. I know that you are carving your way through a mountain of grief, and I have tried to be here for you. Organized Crime has dropped many references to Benson throughout the series, including in the Season Two premiere. After Stabler and Benson have located the missing girl, they sit for an intense discussion. Stabler holds Benson back as Calvin is taken away and reminds her that the situation was always temporary., This episode gifted Benson and Stabler fans with the duos second hug in the series, commonly referred to among the stans as the Pursuit hug.. "I know," Stabler said. ", "Stabler," Rollins says. she says. After a decade away, Meloni reprised Stabler in the "Law & Order" universe in 2021 on Stabler's own spinoff, "Organized Crime.". So, who does he call to seemingly make a confession of sorts to in what could be his last few hours? Rook's stated intention is to teach Stabler a little lesson about power and authority since Rook believes cops own the streets.. And, for really the first time, Stabler outwardly acknowledges the reasons for his strained relationship with Benson. Fin tells Elliot that Benson has a kid now, and Stabler quickly responds, A son? At night, Kathy thinks her husbands finally home, but its actually Benson at the door, telling her that Stabler is undercover. In interrogation, Benson attempts to arrest Porter for being an accessory to murder. With the help of his team, Stabler is able to prove Eli didnt murder the girl, but another man who entered the apartment did. "You walked away," Benson told him, revealing that Cragan was the one to tell her about Stabler's decision. The moment Stabler's mom confused his partner for his wife. You mustve had some mansplaining to do., Stabler responds, Well, Olivia knows a lot more about what went on between me and Angela than the jury does. Benson's boss, Deputy Chief Garland (Demore Barnes) needed an explanation on why Stabler left. Stabler tells him to stay put and Eli tearfully says he's sorry. Stabler drops that baby news on a very shocked Benson in the Season Eight finale, Screwed.). Each always mentioned Stabler's marriage as the answer which wasn't a "no." Benson adds she also misses Barba as he walks away. Kathy admits Stabler wont sign the divorce papers. "When are you going to do the same? Benson shows up at the lab only to find Stabler tied to a chair. Maybe I should get him to use that metal bar on you and make you beg for your life," she says. After seeing an empty bottle, shot glasses and Stabler making breakfast as Leonetti walks in to the kitchen, it's clear the two didn't sleep together since Leonetti asks Stabler if he was comfortable on the couch. ET, with a new Organized Crime episode following at 10 p.m. Then Benson reaches out and rests her hand on Stablers face and whispers, I mean, before Eddie Wagner takes over, and Elliot Stabler is nowhere to be found, referring to his undercover name. Im not your type, Cragen cracks. WebOlivia Margaret Benson is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the NBC police procedural drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, portrayed by Mariska Hargitay.Benson holds the rank and pay-grade of Captain and is the Commanding Officer of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department, which operates out of the You know youre not the love of his life., Here comes one of the biggest plot twists of the series so far: Richard says Kathy also was not Stablers love of his life. He adds, But, plot twist! Benson glances toward Stablers kids then back at him and shakes her head. ET. The truth is, you know things about him I will never understand, Kathy says. The conversation takes even more of a turn after Lewis brings up Bensons father and taunts her to the point that she ends up beating him with the bed pole. Law & Order: SVU, Stabler chooses to save an injured Benson instead of chasing down a suspect, which resulted in a childs death, and later, Benson chooses to prioritize While on the phone, Fin hands it off to Stabler to talk to her. ", Benson follows Stabler out into the squad room and asks him what's going on at home. You have no idea how bad things can get when a couple goes sour. Benson is quick to shoot back with: And eight years in this unit tells me that I dont need to be married to know when an abusive man is escalating.. He took my pills, didnt he? she says. The two most important men in Benson's life meet on Mother's Day. Once again, After Benson tells him to freeze, Gitano quickly slashes her neck with a knife, and she falls to the ground. Benson assumes, based on what shes seeing below, that Flutura has a hand in trafficking girls through the family business. Its in your blood, Stabler replies. "And the thing is is that I didn't have a right or a claim," she continues. I had kids the old-fashioned way, Stabler says to Benson after she points out how much effort went into getting those embryos made. Later on, Stablers in the locker room changing when Benson appears in the doorway. Kathy calls Bensons phone at one point since Stabler wont pick up and wants to know when hell be home. The episode ends with Benson in Cragens office asking for a new partner. "Olivia! Benson tells Fin that she hasnt heard from Stabler in a few months and that hes been off the grid working. While talking to Stabler and Angela, Richard says he recorded Angela plotting to kill Kathy, and Angela denies it. When a shirtless and pants-less Stabler realizes its Benson knocking on his door, he hurriedly pulls her inside since the animal smugglers warned him not to have any sort of contact with anyone. Cragen later tells Benson, who'd been trying to get in touch with Stabler, that her longtime partner has resigned. I want to find balance here in this whatever this is, Stabler says. Turns out, Porter was the one who shot Rojas. In the beginning, Benson met with Stabler to hand over the files at a park, where Stabler met Noah. Whats going on? (Laughs) Which is hysterical, because it really isnt how we play it., He added that he and Hargitay play it as best friends and almost brother and sister sometimes.. When a suspected killer who stalks his victim sets his sights on Benson, the squad, particularly Stabler in Protelliot mode, goes the extra mile to keep an eye on her. Benson mentions his anger issues and that bottling it up inside hasnt worked for him. About how many? Stabler says with a smile. Jelliot makes an appearance in Spooked when Porter returns since the FBI is interested in Benson and Stablers latest case. SVU and OC have to work this case together, and Benson sees Stabler for the first time in months when the teams meet in a warehouse. Stabler asks what she means as she walks away, and Benson finally unleashes months of pent-up frustration. Well, I got to tell you, Im a little jealous because Elliot here tells me youre the second-best partner he ever had, Benson cracks. And then Im not sure what happened. After each of these lines, Stabler confirms Kathy actually wrote those words not him. In between testimonies, Wheatley meets with Benson and taunts her about the love of his life, Angela, whos taking the stand tomorrow. Kathleen tells her dad she went to Benson to ask for help. ", Then Stabler says one of the most quoted lines among the fans, to this day: "I'm your partner for better or worse. Stabler responds that he already did. It doesnt take long for the door handle to start rattling as the animal smugglers try to get inside since they saw Stabler let a guest in. She relays the message from the grounds to Reggie, who tells Stabler: She wants to know why you dont tell her how you feel.. No, Im better. In this episode, Stabler finally meets Bensons son, Noah, during a coincidental run-in on Mothers Day. With Season 24 premiering in September, we thought what better time to take a very (and we mean very) thorough look back at the "complicated" history between Benson and Stabler. Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler's longstanding situationship came to an end when Elliot quit the force and left the country. After Eli runs through what happened, Benson springs into action and assures him shell handle this. The series premiere of Law & Order: Organized Crime introduced an item that fans became so fixated on, it became an entire social media movement: the letter. Im just calling to say I want to thank you for everything that youve done for me, for the kids. She then tells him about the one man she thought she may have settled down with for good, and only offers up his first name, Ed. He wouldnt question himself after what youve done. If you guessed the latter, you would be correct. In fact, Stabler made a very big apparent confession about his feelings for Benson in "Whipping Post" and didn't remember doing so until another woman mentioned it. Stabler texts Cragen once theyre in Porters phone to call Benson, whos started kissing Porter. At the end of the episode, the two had an intense, emotional discussion about what went down and eventually Benson opted for a new partner, without first telling Stabler, and in the subsequent episode she explained to him You offering to be my partner? Stabler says. He then explains how his kids are grown and "have lives of their own. While waiting to see Eli, Stabler finally starts to ask Benson about her life during his 10-year absence. A case involving missing fertilized embryos from a cryobank causes Benson to think about her own fertility and eventually leads to Stabler expressing hed support Benson if she wanted to have a child. Benson also tells Fin her therapist asked if Stabler being MIA again was triggering for her. Rook abducts Benson. There is an established tension between Benson and Barba because, the last time they saw each other, the captain explained to him she felt he had betrayed her. Cragen requires Benson and Stabler to respectively undergo psychological evaluations after worrying theyve become too close when Stabler helps Benson as she searches for her brother, Simon (Michael Weston) in New Jersey. Probably talking to Elliot the guy from her dreams, the woman from the hospital replies. Similar to Fault, Burned is another iconic episode for Benson and Stabler that truly tests their partnership. Stabler mentions the risks of Kathy having their most recent child since she was over the age of 40. Stabler refuses to sit and listen to what everyone has to say and instead says all questions should go to his supervisor, Sgt. I just think I needed to hear you say that.. Benson brushes it off and emphasizes that his kids are worried about him amid his recent erratic behavior. Before the raid, Benson again picks up on Stabler wilting mental state after he chats with their informant, whos also SVUs current suspect in a rape case. Since Stabler walked out the precinct door, the show reinvented itself with a renewed focus on Benson who, no longer shackled to her work spouse, had the space Don't forget, Gitano is still on the loose, and Stabler and Benson eventually enter a facility without backup in search of Gitano and the remaining missing kid. The top-tier scene, however, comes at the end of the episode when Stabler spins Benson around as theyre leaving the police station to thank her for being there for him. And as for why Stabler abruptly left without telling Benson himself? Oh, my God, no!" "Loss. Later on, Benson goes into Cragens office after seeing IAB and says, That was a good shooting, captain. Stabler rushes over to Benson and turns her over. He stares longingly at her as she's putting something in the car until she turns and notices and says, "What?". At the end of the episode, Jenna shows up at the SVU office asking Benson if they found her mothers killer. Then she shoots Sister Peg, a woman in charge of a local homeless shelter who had been helping Benson and Stabler with the current case. Benson knocks Stuckey out and frees Stabler from the chair. As the conversation turns more emotional for Bernie, Benson says, Elliot is a good man, and I know him well enough that he didnt get it from his father.. He suggests Stabler take someone along. One of the long-running mysteries of SVU for the past decade was why Stabler never said goodbye to Benson. Viewers know he went home with a girl he met on the street and woke up hours later to find her dead in the next room. She notes theres been change with her chief and squad, and she still doesnt have closure with Barba after he defended Wheatley against her wishes. 1, Donnelly says while walking away. "Burned" steps scene is a top-tier Benson and Stabler moment. Then, Stabler fires and hits Jenna, who ends up bleeding out and dying in front of him. I think I had an episode. She adds: Im just so sorry your beautiful bride. In the Season 24 "SVU" fall finale episode, "And A Trauma In A Pear Tree," Benson confesses her feelings about Stabler to Rollins, who just married her former partner Carisi. The guy never touched his wife., The pair go at it again in the squad room in front of Fin and Cragen when Stabler say to Benson: Im the longest relationship youve ever had with a man. Benson finally gets a moment to unload on Stabler about how he hasn't asked about her life since his return. Who knew one word, Wildlife, could hold so much power among Benson and Stabler fans? Stabler comes home one night to see Benson and all his kids. Rescue is another example of Stabler backing Bensons play and being there for her during a moment that toes the line between personal and professional. Stabler moves closer to Benson and tells her to look at him. They probably dont want to hear what she has to say, Wheatley tells Benson, who up until this point, seemingly has no clue about Stablers brief history with Angela. Benson says she doesnt need help from them. Benson notices Stabler isnt in the best place mentally, especially when he says, Its kind of nice not to be me for a while, about being undercover. Later on, Stabler drives Benson home and offers to walk her inside. Both of them confirm they couldnt sleep, and Benson tells Stabler she realizes Miles didnt rape Valerie. Stablers confused mother, Bernie, unexpectedly returns and ends up at the OC office. Thats some advice, Benson responds, picking up on the implication. By this episode, it's clear Benson and Noah didnt make it to Stablers Christmas gathering. Benson talks Simon into giving her his gun after Millfields confession while Stabler keeps his gun trained on him the entire time. Newsom says. Turns out, Rook, who also goes by the name Milgram, was behind the fake call. Richard Wheatley becomes the unofficial Benson and Stabler relationship hero among the fans at the end of this episode, when he (basically) makes it canon that Benson is the one true love of Stablers life. Turns out, Stabler did open the door and spend the night with Leonetti just not in the way many had assumed. "That is why I'm so grateful for you," Benson says. Later in the episode, Benson attends a service for Kathy in the cemetery with Stabler and all his children, whom Benson has known since they were young. The final episode of the unofficial holy trinity titled Web leads Stabler to visit Benson in Computer Crimes for her help on a case, and sets the stage for these two to eventually find their way back to each other. Fans haven't seen Stabler and Benson share the screen in Season Three of "OC" since the historic "Law & Order" premiere, but that doesn't mean her presence isn't a part of the show. Stabler says he couldnt, and at this point, the others in the room take notice of their bickering. The letter was obviously written when Kathy was still alive, and that last, one line Stabler wrote himself speaks volumes and basically confirms that Bensons always been it for him the circumstances just havent allowed it. Any other major changes you want to let me in on? he asks. Then Stabler, without breaking eye contact with Benson, emphatically declares, I love you.. They pull up to the phone Eli had said he was by but there's no sign of him. Tucker suspends Benson, and after hearing the news, Stabler says to Tucker, You are a son of a b----. Then Tucker drops the news on a shocked Stabler that Benson has been sleeping with Moss. If she does, its news to me, Stabler responds, much to Bensons visible dismay. Its in the grounds, Reggie says. SVU will be back next Thursday at 9 p.m. - April 2, 2021 08:33 am EDT. He asks for her help with Kathleen. Stabler learns from Benson in this episode that her brother, Simon, is no longer alive and died a few years back after a suspected overdose. Benson goes to the scene and finds out the cops think the girl was murdered, and calls Stabler to explain. After being paired up early in the season with another female detective, Dani Beck (Connie Nielsen) whom he kissed Stabler is once again on his own.