Benson confronts Stabler outside of the courthouse about Angelas upcoming testimony and asks him if theres any reason she shouldnt attend. Then Stabler drops the bomb of all bombs when he declares that he didnt write the letter.. Stabler says he also wants to talk about the letter but is too distracted by work at the moment, so viewers have to wait to find out whats.in.the.letter! In the middle of the night, 4:47 a.m. to be exact, an already awake Stabler gets a text from Benson telling him to meet her downstairs, where shes sitting on his porch with a cup of coffee for him and tea for herself. After Benson tells him to freeze, Gitano quickly slashes her neck with a knife, and she falls to the ground. 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. Benson then gets a call from Stablers wife, Kathy, and meets up with her in the park. Please dont tell me how I feel, Benson responds. Fin picks up Stabler to bring him back to the city and fills him in on the accident. Why did you give me that letter? "I wouldve done the same thing," Benson responds. Then, Stabler transitions to talking about the one other woman who has been such a crucial part of his life for decades. While Stabler isnt in this episode, he is mentioned during one of the most terrifying moments of Bensons life. I dont know, maybe Id have better luck with a guy. The partners' boss, Capt. Benson points out theyve been partners for seven years longer than anybody else there. Benson dresses up and invites Porter over to her apartment, saying she wants to cook for him after he suggests they go out. Will Hart / NBC Photo Bank / Getty Images. At this point, they both have tears in their eyes as the standoff continues. Stabler appears shortly after to make sure shes OK and to arrest him. Benson is surprised when Stabler invites her into the interrogation room to speak to Eli after he begs with a please.. "You walked away," Benson told him, revealing that Cragan was the one to tell her about Stabler's decision. For the past four years, he lived in Rome as an international liaison for the NYPD. "Elliot, what's wrong with you?" Benson talks Kathy out of leaving home and assures her shell make sure Stabler calls. In what was a reunion for the ages, a lot was going on in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Thursday night with Christopher Meloni playing Elliot Stabler for the first time in 10 years. Later, Stabler and Benson prove that after over 20 years, 10 of those being apart from one another, they are still in sync. Ffans call the couple Rollisi. I just dont know how its going to shake out. Cragen adds Stabler would need to submit to a psychological evaluation to keep his job and go through anger management training, among other things. Ral Esparza, who portrays Barba, spoke to TVLine about the ending and said the dialogue can be can be taken in a number of ways., There are fans that have always wanted to kind of spin off that story, Esparza told the outlet about Barba and Benson. There was nothing I could do," he said. Thats a step in the right direction, Elliot, Benson says. She relays the message from the grounds to Reggie, who tells Stabler: She wants to know why you dont tell her how you feel.. In the beginning, Benson met with Stabler to hand over the files at a park, where Stabler met Noah. Benson asks Stabler why he was so jumpy the other night when she went to his building to talk about the letter. Does Kathy know you mortgaged the house for me? Benson asks. Webdid benson and stabler ever sleep together. Stabler responds saying Bensons personal life is her business and that hes there to save her job. He tells Moss he wants him to tell the Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) Olivia wasnt the source of the leak as Benson walks into the room and asks Stabler why hes there. Benson teams up with Cragen for most of this episode to work the case of a boy whos been missing since 1980. She starts talking to Lewis about the things she could do to him after everything he did to her. He did, didnt he? Stabler then wishes Benson a happy Mothers Day and tells her she looks great. Did you really expect me to? When it's finally safe for Noah to return home, Benson calls Stabler and asks him to pick up her son. Women keep leaving me, Stabler responds. The scene turns personal and Benson asks what happened with Kathy. Season One of "SVU is laced with incredible Benson and Stabler moments that are still discussed to this day. 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. Stuckey answers Stabler's phone when Benson calls, and explains that her partner went out for sushi (a crucial detail) and left his phone behind. You offering to be my partner? Stabler says. At the end of the episode, Jenna shows up at the SVU office asking Benson if they found her mothers killer. Olivia Benson Stablers away at Quantico while Benson continues working as normal with SVU. 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. Why Did Elliot Stabler Leave Law & Order: SVU? - Parade 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. Benson and Stabler share whats considered among the fans a significant moment in the hallway of the OC office when Benson reaches for Stablers hand as she walks past him to exit, and the two linger in their handhold until the last minute when she has to pull away to leave. TFW someone else says they're Stabler's partner. Do you want to know my dating history, detective? Benson says with a smirk. After the conversation, Bernie asks Benson not to tell Stabler she visited his daughter. Well, youre the one who traded in your suits for jeans, she replies. After the players hidden sexuality unexpectedly becomes the subject of a media leak, Cragen thinks Benson and Stabler are to blame. They both glance down at their watches at the same time and choose to enter a facility they believe holds the missing girl before backup arrives. Do you have any idea how much I worried he preferred spending time with you than with me and the kids? Kathy says. This forced Benson to recount the last moments of the Season 12 finale. Youre innocent, he responds. Cinema is Benson and Stabler having an entire conversation with their eyes. 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.. After a New Jersey cop coaxes Eli from jumping off a ledge, Benson and Stabler go to the precinct to talk to Eli. Oh, the poster boy for rage is going to tell me how to control my anger? Benson says. She said the chemistry between the characters has been "undeniable" and "a complicated factor" in their "deeply complex relationship," which has inspired countless works of fan fiction. The mother, who rarely speaks, decides to read Stablers coffee grounds while the two sit together at the table. Stabler tells Benson he didnt ask her to be here. In court, Stabler appears surprised to see his daughter plead guilty and cooperate with the judge to get the help she needs. Benson then briefly rests her head on Stablers as she says, Im fine, to which he replies, Like hell you are.. The shows 14th season ended with a sadistic killer named William Lewis (Pablo Schreiber) pointing a gun at Bensons head in her apartment. Yes, they can get messy, but love thats different. Back in the squad room after going over the latest with the case, Porter asks Benson if shed like a ride home. Youre reaching out, but all youre doing is pushing me further under.. Lost One picks up where the end of SVU left off, with Benson consulting with OC about a missing girl, who happens to be the daughter of one of the members of The Brotherhood. Benson is innocent, of course, and ends up saving herself after the real suspect breaks into her home. During the kiss, Benson opens her eyes and connects with Stabler, who nods and kicks Stuckey in the groin from his spot behind him in the chair. The decadeslong partnership between "Law & Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitays Olivia Benson and "Law & Order: Organized Crime" star Christopher Meloni's Elliot Stabler has been deemed by many fans the longest slow burn in television history. Organized Crime has dropped many references to Benson throughout the series, including in the Season Two premiere. As ADA Gillian Hardwicke (Melissa Sagemiller) points out, Stabler has had Bensons back for over 10 years. They walk through the home with their flashlights raised (also in sync) and dont even have to speak to communicate, just like old times. Stabler confronts Rojas in the parking lot, and Rojas holds a gun to Bensons head. This episode was a great opportunity for fans to see what Stabler and Benson would look like as a couple. Turns out, Kathy was injured in a car bombing, as she and Stabler were in town to see Benson receive an award. #SVU #OrganizedCrime #SVUxOC pic.twitter.com/hUR1MlLgt9, Amid all this, Stabler and Benson hashed out some of the unresolved personal issues between them. Stabler then gave her a note he wrote to her, which he said she could open later. The partners continue holding hands as they move further into the club and only break apart when another couple pulls Benson away. After staging a fake fight with Bell, followed by another fake fight with Benson, in the lobby of One Police Plaza where other cops would see, Benson goes to the OC office to debrief with Bell and Stabler. The episode centered on the bombing of a car Stabler and his wife Kathy (Isabel Gillies) rented when they returned to New York. Stabler notes Fin and Phoebe are a good-looking couple and asks Benson how the two met. Im just calling to say I want to thank you for everything that youve done for me, for the kids. "I used to joke about you two being in a motel room, and now here we are. Near the end of the episode, Stabler actually does just that and acknowledges that he now views the loss of his wife as a permanent ending. Is that a flower in your cup? he says, before Benson responds with a smile and says its tea, hinting again at her changed drinking habits since she returned from being undercover. 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 They both realize theyre A+, and Stabler looks over at Benson and says, Id give you a kidney, to which Benson responds, Not if I gave you mine first.. 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. She clocks Stabler for not answering her questions, and he responds, Thats none of your business. At this point, Benson starts reciting back lines from the letter, that she has memorized, including that what Benson and Stabler were to each other was never real and they got in the way of each other being who and where they needed to be. What the hell just happened? Stabler says to Benson as she walks out of the courtroom. "All That Glitters" ended with Leonetti on the phone at Stabler's doorstep asking if he would let her inside. Caught off guard, Stabler at first seemed a bit conciliatory, then got twitchy, then hid behind the "talk to my superior officer" mode when Benson stepped up to let When love warps into hate, theres nothing you wont do, Stabler responds, before telling her he signed the divorce papers. Bu the door isn't yet closed when it comes to the loss of his former partner. Benson, who grew up with an alcoholic mother, stands up for Valerie, who claims Miles has drug and alcohol dependencies. Stabler apologized for both leaving and not telling Benson about his decision. Benson meets Stabler in the hospital, where he crumbles and falls into her for a hug (only their third one ever onscreen, but whos counting!). Season 1, Episode 8: 'Stalked' Stabler tells Benson to blink her lights. I wish I could trust you, Elliot, Benson replies. "I recently lost a friend a very close friend, partner," Stabler continues. Lewis torments Benson throughout the entire premiere episode of Season 15, and moves her to a remote location and cuffs her to a bed. After Stabler and Benson have located the missing girl, they sit for an intense discussion. Benson then tells Stabler about the latest with her brother, which leads Stabler to ask why shes helping Simon given all the evidence against him. I dont have an extended family support system. Whos the guy?, Fin shoots back, You have to ask her that. (Another conversation fans are still waiting for Benson and Stabler to have: How Benson got Noah, her adopted son. Did you really expect me to cause your death? Stabler looks up into Bensons eyes from the ground and runs his hand through her hair while his thumb grazes her mouth. You startled me. The letter also had a line implying if Benson had a man in her life, that Stabler hoped hes the kind, faithful, devoted man Benson deserved. I just think the older I get, Im beginning to understand that people are complicated, Stabler says. With tears in her eyes, Benson says, You were the most, single most, important person in my life, and you just disappeared.. Stabler began talking about Rome as if he expected the relationship between himself and Benson to thaw suddenly, but Benson made it clear that she couldn't do that. Nice meeting you, Stabler tells Moss as he brushes past Olivia. With the help of his team, Stabler is able to prove Eli didnt murder the girl, but another man who entered the apartment did. The two touched on the topic during his return episode, "Return of the Prodigal Son," but fans are still waiting for them to discuss Stabler's departure again specifically why he left Benson and cut off all communication with her. And like Season Sixs Doubt, this Season Eight episode is a he said/she said case. When she goes into his room she says, Youre supposed to duck, to which Stabler responds, Youre supposed to leave.. In the middle of a sudden commotion with the crowd, Stabler spots one of the missing kids, Ryan, and shouts to get his attention. Cragen throws her out of interrogation and says that a 5-year-old couldve done a better job, to which Benson responds, Then go hire one.. Benson denies it before caving and asking, "Is it that obvious? He returned to New York City for a few reasons, including to testify against suspects from a case he investigated in Puglia, for a department meeting and to speak at I just think I needed to hear you say that.. On SVU, viewers finally see Benson and Stabler together for the first time since last seasons finale. Bernie visits Kathleen in jail, with help from Benson getting her access. A local captain, Julia Millfield (Kim Delaney), tells Benson her brother, Simon, is a suspected rapist. Kathleen tells her dad she went to Benson to ask for help. Then Stabler responds, Hey, my friend, Olivia, Id like you and your son, Noah, to come on over to my place this weekend for a family Christmas get-together.. Benson says during one of their heated, very close face-to-face arguments about the case. Later, Benson and Stabler go see Valerie in the hospital after Miles attacked her on the street by spraying gas on her and setting her on fire. Back off.. At the last minute, he spins around and pulls Benson into a hug. 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. The two also meet up at night ahead of a raid, and Stabler gives her his word that hes got her back. They are both shirtless and pressed up against each other, with Benson running her hand down Stablers chest at one point. Christopher Del Sordo / NBCU Photo Bank / Getty Images. Viewers are also treated to seeing Benson and Stabler interrogate a suspect together, not missing a beat just like old times. Ive been pushing as hard as I can. Oh, my God, no!" One of the long-running mysteries of SVU for the past decade was why Stabler never said goodbye to Benson. 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. Stabler starts working with another detective, Lucius Blaine (Anthony Anderson). You never startled before, Benson says, before adding she doesnt want to push him, and will back off if thats what he wants. In this case I can because I do know what it means to love someone unconditionally, Barba says. Im not your type, Cragen cracks. As he gets on, he tells Benson, You have my number. Then Stabler crashes the scene and says, Yeah, we all do. (Jelliot!). Benson confirms they did find both the killer and her moms suspected rapist and walks Jenna over to see where the two are being held in a cell. Before those laced personal episodes, Benson goes undercover for the FBI to infiltrate an environmental group (in real life, Hargitay was pregnant, and the show needed a clever way to cover her absence). 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. "All you can do is love your kids." Benson knocks Stuckey out and frees Stabler from the chair. Benson brushes it off and emphasizes that his kids are worried about him amid his recent erratic behavior. Its contents had not been revealed, so fans were The cases suspect is a famous football player, who turns out to also be a closeted gay man in a relationship with the victim. "He's somebody else's husband.". I just wasnt ready, she says. She quickly hangs up before she can say anything to Stabler when people from the environmental group approach and ask whom shes talking to. You and this job are about the only things Ive got anymore, Stabler replies. And as for why Stabler abruptly left without telling Benson himself? Rook's stated intention is to teach Stabler a little lesson about power and authority since Rook believes cops own the streets.. Just what the world needs another Elliot Stabler, Benson says. Stabler shrugs and says, "The job it makes me kind of hard to live with.". I wasnt planning on coming back, Benson says. If I heard your voice, I wouldnt have been able to leave., The episode also contains a golden conversation between Stabler and Fin, who briefly fills Elliot in on Bensons life over the past 10 years. 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. But things clearly arent working out between Stabler and his new partner, since Stabler punches Blaine in the middle of the squad room. A doctor tells Stabler and Kathy he believes Kathleen has bipolar disorder and suggests medication after hearing about her recent erratic behavior. During the fallout of Benson and Stabler's growing closeness, Benson attempts to maintain professionalism by asking for a new partner. Stabler clearly feels some type of way about this decision and decides to confront Benson head-on about her reasoning. Witnesses rush over to help Stabler, as does Benson, who calls for help. I have to work on changing his about that see if I cant make myself No. It will always be you and I, Stabler finishes and looks up and locks eyes with Benson before adding he slipped it in there before sealing the envelope.. God knows how Olivia put up with you for so long, Cragen says to him. Thats what Im counting on. Then Benson realizes Kathy wants her to convince Stabler to sign the divorce papers. The two somewhat awkwardly bond over not being a fan of Dani Beck before Benson asks Kathy to cut to the chase. What I dont get: why you feel more anger at me than youll ever let yourself feel towards Stabler? Barba says. Twelve seasons in, this was just the duo's second hug. Well, Fin may have your six, but hes definitely not me, Stabler says. He says, What was I gonna do let you get shivved in Rikers?. Stabler shows up to the ceremony late since he was looking at apartments in New York City, which is a subtle confirmation and assurance to Benson hes staying. It has to be this outpouring of everything that, over all these years, that has never been spoken or physically acted on. 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. Well, its not at risk. Look at what hes doing to you, he adds. In the Season 23 SVU premiere, Benson was run off the road while on the phone 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. When Stabler is in the lab and makes the connection, Stuckey hits him over the head and knocks him out. Jelliot makes an appearance in Spooked when Porter returns since the FBI is interested in Benson and Stablers latest case. Your call. Benson chooses to take Calvins mom in for questioning. She also has a telling reaction when Fin says Phoebe was trying to get in touch with Stabler to hook him up with her sister. Benson responds with a big oh. She does tell Fin that at least this time Stabler gave her a heads-up not to worry about him. I actually watch her back and not her backside, Fin responds. Buckle up, because "Fault" starts the unofficial holy trinity of Stabler and Benson episodes, as the events impact both detectives so heavily that spoiler alert Benson ends up asking for a new partner by the end. "You're just going to sit here all night until I do, aren't you? Stabler goes undercover as an animal smuggler, which means more time away from Kathy and their young son, Eli. I think it worked out even better than I couldve hoped for.). If I heard your voice, I wouldn't be able to leave.". After Benson affirms their night together wasn't m to her, she starts talking to Stabler by their lockers. She asks him to tell her his honest opinion, and boy, does he deliver the words many have been thinking for over two decades. Youve been my rock. But old flames were reignited when the duo was reunited in the Season 22 premiere of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.Since the beginning, Benson and Stabler's chemistry has been undeniable, and viewers have The eighth episode of Really? In Smoked, a survivor of sexual assault is killed in front of her daughter, Jenna (Hayley McFarland), before her trial begins. That line effectively stops her in her tracks. Benson takes the step to visitsBernie in New Jersey. Probably talking to Elliot the guy from her dreams, the woman from the hospital replies. MC Suhocki is a New York City-based senior multiplatform editor for TODAY Digital who joined the team in 2014. Turns out, Valerie was having an affair with an investigator for her lawyer, and hes the one who grabbed her from behind that first night. Otherwise, we cant be partners., I cant believe youre saying that, Benson says. Protelliot again emerges, grabbing Stuckey by the throat and saying, You are an obnoxious little jackhole.. - April 2, 2021 08:33 am EDT. Benson sleeps with Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters), another member of the "SVU" team, one night. Cragen later tells Benson, who'd been trying to get in touch with Stabler, that her longtime partner has resigned. Elliot talked about you all the time.. The cop wonders if Benson is Elis mother, and Benson quickly clarifies that shes a family friend. Benson drives Stabler back to his office, where he says, Its always good to work with you, Liv.. Youre just going to give him up?. Hey, what do I know? At one point, Benson breaks her undercover protocol to contact Odafin Fin Tutuola (Ice-T) for help getting information. 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. Lindstrom brings up the subject of Stabler and also notes that Bensons co-workers are in stable relationships. He then asks Benson when she thinks her turn will come. Benson assumes Lindstrom thinks she has intimacy issues. Well you are going through a divorce and you do have four children so I guess you are, Benson responds with a smile. But there was one line that Stabler did write himself. Pretending be a sex worker, Benson famously says, Are you ready for me Daddy? And once she realizes they have company, she adds, Oh, didnt know we were having a party. Stabler retired suddenly after he shot and killed a 16-year-old girl who brought a gun to the squad room. And when I said that I love you, I think you Stabler is then cut off by an automated voice telling him to press 1 if hes satisfied with his message, 2 to rerecord and 3 to listen to his message. Webkhloe kardashian hidden hills house address. Even though Stabler was in the dark about that, he tells Tucker he knows Benson would never torpedo a case., "Protelliot" emerges and immediately goes to Moss office to confront him. 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 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. Shes a cop his first partner, Benson responds and then shares a knowing look with Stabler. Stabler reminds his mother that his family had been living in Rome and notes they had come back to visit about four times.. And hell tell them to go to hell, Benson replies before walking out. The audience never finds out the jury's verdict, as the screen cuts to black and the credits roll before the verdict is read. Maybe God remembered how cute you were as a carrot, Benson responds. This moment was 10 years in the making Stabler finally returning to Bensons life! Benson puts her weapon down as Stabler walks up behind her with his gun drawn and tells Simon to drop his weapon while Benson begs him not to shoot. Cut to Benson and Stabler later spotting each other in the precincts hallway. They share a longing look before Benson turns and leaves. Look, we both chose each other over the job. In a scene from a promo for Season Eight's "Philadelphia," which ended up making the rounds in the "SVU" fandom, the psychological evaluator asks Benson if she's ever had romantic feelings for Stabler. I work here, she says before dropping her bag and taking a seat. Kathy admits Stabler wont sign the divorce papers. At the end of the episode, Benson mentions to Stabler that theyve been partners all these years and she doesnt know his blood type.