Benson, whos clearly still struggling with the unexpected return of Stabler after all this time, pulls away and leaves. He says Benson was never hurt by shocks and that her screams were prerecorded. 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. The eighth episode of When she goes into his room she says, Youre supposed to duck, to which Stabler responds, Youre supposed to leave.. Well, its not at risk. MC Suhocki is a New York City-based senior multiplatform editor for TODAY Digital who joined the team in 2014. What about me? Benson whispers. Barba says he got a glimpse, to which Benson reminds Barba shes known Stabler for 23 years and he always had her back. More on that later. 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. Stabler tells Benson to go hide while he answers the door. We can never let that happen again, Stabler says. Stabler, apparently sensing his former partner isn't fully comfortable, says her name as she leans her forehead on his cheek and says his name back. He asks her how long she"s been "sleeping with Cassidy." She relays the message from the grounds to Reggie, who tells Stabler: She wants to know why you dont tell her how you feel.. Stabler refuses to sit and listen to what everyone has to say and instead says all questions should go to his supervisor, Sgt. She says Cassidy wants to go out with her again, to which Stabler responds, "Can you blame him?". All rights reserved. What was that about? she asks. Stabler says he tried and tried, but in the end, Kathy helped dictate.. Benson joins the Stabler family in the cemetery after Kathy's death. 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. taxi fare calculator birmingham; leo sun, libra moon scorpio rising I trusted you. "All you can do is love your kids." The moment Benson and Stabler first saw each other after 10 years apart. Kathy wants to name him after me, Stabler answers. The case the two are working on is also focused on a woman who led a relatively single life, which parallels Benson's own at the time. But there was one line that Stabler did write himself. Its like I keep losing people, he tells the priest, and acknowledges its not just family hes lost but also friends.. And this letter, Benson continues. ", "It's so nice to allow myself," Rollins responds. They walk through the home with their flashlights raised (also in sync) and dont even have to speak to communicate, just like old times. Benson sleeps with Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters), another member of the "SVU" team, one night. Months later, former SVU showrunner Leight tweeted that the Season 24 premiere was supposed to pick up with Benson and Stabler sharing a dance alone at the event, but in real life, Hargitay had suffered a broken ankle and Meloni had grown out a beard to go with his undercover arc to kick of OC Season Two. 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. Turns out, Porter was the one who shot Rojas. During a later private conversation, Benson again mentions Stablers radio silence for three months, and the two briefly catch up. Took long enough. In this OC episode, Stabler kisses Angela Wheatley (Tamara Taylor), whos the wife of the suspect behind Kathys murder Richard Wheatley (Dylan McDermott). Benson tells Fin that she hasnt heard from Stabler in a few months and that hes been off the grid working. Bu the door isn't yet closed when it comes to the loss of his former partner. she shouts after him as he walks away. Later on, Benson goes into Cragens office after seeing IAB and says, That was a good shooting, captain. We needed a change, she says. This episode was a great opportunity for fans to see what Stabler and Benson would look like as a couple. It felt good to hear that, Stabler tells her, clearly relieved to know that after disappearing for a decade, Benson still cares about him. Its Bell, who wants to tell him a piece of news, presumably about Wheatleys release, that she didnt want him to be "blindsided" by. Benson and Stabler, also known colloquially as "Bensler," have become the new schematic for well-written police partnerships. After 12 seasons of SVU, Meloni took a step away from Law & Order, which saddened many Benson and Stabler fans. The Milgram nickname is important as its a reference to psychologist Stanley Milgram, who conducted shock experiments to test how far someone would go to follow instructions, despite the moral feeling of his or her conscience. Well, some people arent as blessed as you are, she responds. The SVU Season 23 winter finale was all about Kathy Stablers murder trial, and it was also really the first time Benson called out Stabler for being so self-absorbed since his return to her life. Nobody else was responsible for it but me," he says. "Olivia! Benson takes the step to visitsBernie in New Jersey. She follows up by asking Stabler if he's OK, but Cragen cuts them off to tell them it's time for closing arguments. (Shes not wrong! 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 They share a longing look before Benson turns and leaves. 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 Its just its just too complicated.. Benson tells Stabler she wants to wait since Noah gets attached very easily and Stablers going undercover again. 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.. How about we call it a friendship, Benson says to a beaming Stabler. Whatever happened, were going to go, and were going to bring him home, Benson says. Then Stabler confesses to Benson something thats been on his mind: His father staged a shooting while he was on the job years ago. Why I dont tell her how I feel? a confused Stabler responds. 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. 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.. That was hard for me, scary, she tells him. In this episode, the lives of the women Stabler loves the most end up on the line when Benson and a very pregnant Kathy end up in a car accident after Benson offers to take Kathy to a doctors appointment. 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. For the past four years, he lived in Rome as an international liaison for the NYPD. Viewers are also treated to seeing Benson and Stabler interrogate a suspect together, not missing a beat just like old times. At that moment, Donnelly approaches and Benson says shes just playing Uber driver for her old partner. Benson strategically alleviates the situation by manipulating Stuckey into thinking she doesn't like Stabler. Mariska Hargitay is keeping Law & Order: Special Victims Unit fans on their toes. The mid-season finale came "You walked away," Benson told him, revealing that Cragan was the one to tell her about Stabler's decision. Our feelings dont matter, Porter responds. Outside, Porter tells Benson, while glancing at Stabler, If it was me, I wouldve shot (Simon). Benson thanks both Porter and Stabler, and Stabler asks her why shes thanking him as Porter leaves. 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. Why didnt you trust me? she says through tears. Read on for the best moments from TV'sslowest of burns. Later on, Stablers in the locker room changing when Benson appears in the doorway. I'm happy for you. Stabler spots them on the street as hes picking out flowers for his mom. Part two of the so-called holy trinity kicks off appropriately with Stabler at church in confession. Just take it read it, dont read it, throw it away. Neal Baer was the SVU showrunner for over 10 of those years and played an instrumental role in the shows and characters development. ", Then Stabler says one of the most quoted lines among the fans, to this day: "I'm your partner for better or worse. Well, Fin may have your six, but hes definitely not me, Stabler says. Stabler responds that he already did. He stares longingly at her as she's putting something in the car until she turns and notices and says, "What?". Benson, wise to his actions, points out Stabler had to have gone out of his way to make her home a stop on his way in. steve stricker wrist lock; what channel are the st louis cardinals playing on today "I'm sorry," Benson whispers, before a sniper takes out Gitano, effectively ending the standoff. Stabler does eventually sign the divorce papers and leaves them on the porch for Kathy to find. ", Benson follows Stabler out into the squad room and asks him what's going on at home. Benson adds she also misses Barba as he walks away. Rook tells Stabler he wants to conduct a little experiment to see how far hell go to save Benson. I wish I could trust you, Elliot, Benson replies. (We know who Benson will always trust, though!). This episode is the beginning of an epic crossover between SVU and OC, which ends in a jaw-dropping confession from Stabler about *that* letter he gave to 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. 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. You have not asked me one question about what has happened to me since you left, she says. In the end, while Benson watches as Stabler and Calvin play rock, paper, scissors, Child Services arrives and takes Calvin from Benson to bring him to live with his grandparents while his mom goes to rehab. Rook also pulls out a remote and claims hes wired the door with explosives, which will go off if Stabler tries to open it to get to his partner. Kathleen tells her dad she went to Benson to ask for help. The scene was a joy for fans who long wanted Benson and Stabler to get together. In that moment, Stabler snaps back to reality and realizes what hes said and who else is in the room and adds, I love all of you.. When Stabler asks Benson how she knew he was in the lab and possibly in danger, she responds, Stuckey said you went to get sushi: You and raw fish?. When Newsom asks Stabler to elaborate on that, he says, "When I lost my wife, that was the very clear definition of an ending.". In fact Stabler doesnt appear onscreen again until Meloni returns to the franchise in the Season 22 episode Return of the Prodigal Son 10 years later in 2021. Stabler also makes sure to get Benson back in bed before he leaves and jokes, Im getting my hazard pay coming to see you.. Benson responds, You dont know anything about my feelings for Elliot, and you dont know him.. In retrospect, that line is even more significant now that Benson has a child of her own a son named Noah (Ryan Buggle), whom she adopted after finding him during a particularly dark case. Benson points out theyve been partners for seven years longer than anybody else there. Benson, clearly getting emotional, says, Hes earned it. Cragen asks Benson if she wants to talk about it or take some time off, but she says no. Somebody needs to take him out, Benson tells Stuckey about Stabler. After a decade away, Meloni reprised Stabler in the "Law & Order" universe in 2021 on Stabler's own spinoff, "Organized Crime.". "Yes, I am.". And I guess neither do you, Wheatley adds before Benson walks away. I think it worked out even better than I couldve hoped for.). In the end, Stabler helps Benson, like always, find Simon and backs her play while she confronts Simon, who has Millfield and is pointing a gun at her. Im not sure I know, Stabler responds. Kathy admits Stabler wont sign the divorce papers. 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. God knows how Olivia put up with you for so long, Cragen says to him. Juries see how close partners get, Hardwicke tells Stabler. 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 She didnt. 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. After the admission, Stabler stumbles out of the chair across the floor toward Benson, who holds Stabler up as he wraps his arms around her. Benson is surprised when Stabler invites her into the interrogation room to speak to Eli after he begs with a please.. I do, Stabler interjects. ", "Stabler," Rollins says. Then Stabler steps inside, and the two sip from the same glass of orange juice before heading out. Im just glad you have someone. (And so the foreshadowing begins). She has quite the slip of the tongue during a discussion with her son. There must be a reason she why she didnt tell you about me.. Benson, clearly caught off guard, emotionally says she needs to think it over and asks if she can get back to him. "A whole friendship.". Gitano had killed the young boy by the time he arrived. This scene was basically a parallel universe moment for the fans who always wanted Stabler and Benson to be more than partners and friends. The two arent vibing well at all, and Cragen tells him he and Benson needed a break from each other, and shes now working in Computer Crimes. Benson's boss, Deputy Chief Garland (Demore Barnes) needed an explanation on why Stabler left. There are many nostalgic moments in the episode for Benson and Stabler fans, including the two entering a scene before backup arrives, despite Bells order not to. With all due respect to the writers, whatever you see is really she and I figuring it out figuring out what the exact words are or the exact emotions are.. In this case I can because I do know what it means to love someone unconditionally, Barba says. That was finally answered in last night's episode, "Return of the Prodigal Son," which you can watch on Hulu with a free trial. 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. Benson is innocent, of course, and ends up saving herself after the real suspect breaks into her home. The current case takes an especially dark turn after the teams ADA Sonya Paxton is brutally attacked and dies in a shaken Bensons arms. However, what got fans talking was the powerful exchange at the end. Liv, lets not go into that, Stabler replies before Sgt. Then Stabler, without breaking eye contact with Benson, emphatically declares, I love you.. You never startled before, Benson says, before adding she doesnt want to push him, and will back off if thats what he wants. "Sounds like you're a man in need of a new beginning," Newsom says. 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. Still haven't recovered from this scene, it's true. Benson says she doesnt need help from them. 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. The mother, who rarely speaks, decides to read Stablers coffee grounds while the two sit together at the table. For the past decade, Stabler was abroad, first working on private security and then joining a terrorism task force. This is a big deal since there was limited physical contact of any kind between the two during Stablers original run. Still trying to seduce him? 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. During questioning, Benson snaps and hits the suspect before pushing him to the ground and repeatedly kicking him. You said theres a woman youre in love with, Leonetti replies. Yeah, aint that the truth, Benson responds. IE 11 is not supported. 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. 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. Then Stabler drops the bomb of all bombs when he declares that he didnt write the letter.. And Mariska (Hargitay) and I kind of laughed about it, too. Do you want to know my dating history, detective? Benson says with a smirk. Kathleen informs her dad that this is an intervention, and Benson chimes in that the intervention is related to what the two of them recently discussed in the car. Starting in 1999, Benson and Stabler were official partners at the Special Victims Unit for over 12 years, until Stabler's abrupt departure at the end of Season 12 in 2011. Benson stares at Stabler across the car, as her partner grips her hand in response and thanks her for coming. ), While driving with FBI agent Dean Porter (Vincent Spano), Porter asks if her partner in New York finds her as annoying as he does. You still want him. Stabler prepares to enter an extremely dangerous meeting while undercover a meeting that could very easily go south and end in his death. I think that you and Elliot either need to see whether theres more there, or move on, Lindstrom say, explaining that this idealized relationship is hanging over Olivia and holds her back from true intimacy with Stabler or anyone else. Benson later brings up Stablers mom during a discussion, saying, Weve been partners for 11 years. One morning, Stabler shows up at Benson's apartment, saying he was "in the neighborhood" and thought he'd give her a ride to work. Both of them confirm they couldnt sleep, and Benson tells Stabler she realizes Miles didnt rape Valerie. Will Hart / NBC Photo Bank / Getty Images. Even though these two arent that far into their partnership during "A Single Life," they do a pretty good job of acting like it. Benson is taken for questioning by IAB after evidence makes her the cases prime suspect, and she ends up in jail unless someone can post her $250,000 bail. It turns out that the footage of Stabler and Benson suddenly noticing each other across a crime scene is because when Benson arrived at the crime scene to kick Then Rook presses a button, and the sounds of Bensons screams fill the air. Then Stabler appears behind Benson in the middle of his partners tough personal and professional decision and says, Well Liv, make a decision. ), Stabler later calls Benson before any of his kids to tell her Kathy passed away. The episode ends when Cragen calls Benson into his office and tells her Stabler quit. But were willing to bet that a declaration of love wasnt one of em. You have PTSD, Benson says. I wish you were there, he says. Stabler tells her shes great with kids and adds, Maybe you should start thinking about having kids, and any way you want to do it, Ill support you., Elliot, do me a favor? Benson replies. This episode is absolutely laced with moments between the two, including the most physical one theyve shared (so far). Knowing hes in trouble, Eli calls Elliot and tells him his location. How was Olivias funeral?, Rather than correct his mom, Stabler says, It was beautiful.. The pretend arguments were part of setting a plan in motion for Stablers next undercover assignment with a group of dirty cops within the NYPD known as The Brotherhood.. You stubborn son of a b----," she says with a smile. Photo: NBC. "Burned" steps scene is a top-tier Benson and Stabler moment. 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. Stabler reentered her life after disappearing from it a decade ago. Well, youre the one who traded in your suits for jeans, she replies. Benson and Stabler share another long stare in the car in what turns out to be their last scene together of the season. Benson gets up and begins rifling through her cabinets to find the sugar when Stabler asks why she didn't call him, presumably after the gang attack that left her with a bruised eye. What the hell just happened? Stabler says to Benson as she walks out of the courtroom. 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! A woman named Valerie (Michael Michele) is grabbed from behind while shes in the shower and later accuses her estranged husband, Miles (Blair Underwood), of raping her. But this is a one-way street, Elliot. Rook continues to repeatedly ask Stabler to press the button. I like that shirt, she says and explains shes there since she heard about the squabble between Stabler and Blaine. If she does, its news to me, Stabler responds, much to Bensons visible dismay. She goes into an empty interrogation room and breaks down. And the jabs just keep coming from Benson, who clocks Stabler again after he suggests Valerie could have had sex with someone else and mentions his dying marriage and a history of violence in front of everyone in the room. At the beginning of "Whipping Post," fans assumed the worst and that Stabler opened the door and spent the night with Leonetti. She asks him to tell her his honest opinion, and boy, does he deliver the words many have been thinking for over two decades. A few scenes later, Stabler is caught off guard when he gets Benson a soda, and she informs him that she doesnt drink them anymore. Stabler refuses to press the button when Rook asks him to, so Rook presses the button again, eliciting more screams. Barba mentions Benson hasnt let go that he defended Wheatley and adds he was trying to protect her by doing that. What ensues is a truly unforgettable standoff where she has to decide if she wants to risk shooting Gitano to end this once and for all, or run the risk of hitting Stabler and killing him by mistake. Stabler slyly jumps in and responds, Nah, Im good thanks. (Dont sleep on the smirk Stabler gives Benson as he walks away.). 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.. Stabler does not yet realize that it was Ed Tucker yes, that Ed Tucker from IAB but Benson does tell him Ed is dead. They both turn around to face the water, and Stablers already holding out his glass before Benson lifts hers to toast to partners.. Stabler tells Benson to say hes in the field. "I'm never home. Stabler responds that hell take care of it.. This scene is also a rare opportunity to see Stabler and Benson all dressed up: Stabler in a suit and Benson in a strapless dress and heels with her hair and makeup done. ", "I did," Benson begins, "feel like Stabler was my home. Similar to Fault, Burned is another iconic episode for Benson and Stabler that truly tests their partnership. Later, Stabler and Benson prove that after over 20 years, 10 of those being apart from one another, they are still in sync. When they pull apart, Benson breaks their silence and intense, emotional stare by asking if Stabler picked a name for the baby. I was afraid, he says. And then Im not sure what happened. The truth is, you know things about him I will never understand, Kathy says. Thats what I thought, he replies. At least, Benson told Stabler she wasn't seeing anyone when he not so subtly asked her during December's "SVU" and "Organized Crime" crossover. After the players hidden sexuality unexpectedly becomes the subject of a media leak, Cragen thinks Benson and Stabler are to blame. I mean, you couldve said something, Stabler responds. 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.. What was her name again, Elliot? Richard adds as Stabler just glares at him and exits the room. At the end of the eleventh episode of season 8, Benson shows up on Stablers doorstep because she couldnt sleep. It isn't until he's talking with George Huang (B.D. When it's finally safe for Noah to return home, Benson calls Stabler and asks him to pick up her son. For 12 seasons, viewers watched Benson and Stabler just be partners on SVU. "It's not all about the genes, Liv," Stabler adds as he turns around to face her. Liv, Im being careful, Stabler assures her. "And there's something wrong with that?" Is that how you say her name? Good for her. At one point, Benson breaks her undercover protocol to contact Odafin Fin Tutuola (Ice-T) for help getting information. Who knew one word, Wildlife, could hold so much power among Benson and Stabler fans? 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. You know everything about me even the parts that Id rather forget. 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. She emphasizes to Stabler that he walked away, and she had to find out about his exit from Cragen. 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. Throughout Benson and Stabler's first 12 years together, various people would respectively ask the two if they were ever more than partners or wanted to be. Cut to Benson and Stabler later spotting each other in the precincts hallway. Before going out with the squad for their next case, Benson tells the detectives shell meet them in five. 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 Love affairs? The eighth episode of the inaugural season of "SVU," "Stalked," really put "Protelliot" a nickname given by fans to Stabler when hes acting especially protective on the map. Stabler reminds his mother that his family had been living in Rome and notes they had come back to visit about four times.. Cue Benson being released to a waiting Stabler, who mortgaged his house to post her bail. 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. Benson confronts Stabler outside of the courthouse about Angelas upcoming testimony and asks him if theres any reason she shouldnt attend. Turns out, Kathy was injured in a car bombing, as she and Stabler were in town to see Benson receive an award. A shocked Benson stares at Stabler as he tells the lawyer, "You have no right to use my personal life to make your case. 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).

Redwood Empire Haystack Needle, What Judicial Circuit Is Taylor County?, Fpi Management Complaints, Storm Chaser Salary Oklahoma, Tyler Nelson Taking The Stage, Articles W