The two somewhat awkwardly bond over not being a fan of Dani Beck before Benson asks Kathy to cut to the chase. "Loss. Law & Order: Organized Crime recap: Stabler has But now after the death of Kathy, that can, for the first time in over 20 years of them knowing each other, change. I just need space to disagree with you so that I dont feel its going to cost me our partnership, he responds. Later on at the airport, the suspect, Manuel Rojas (Jose Yenque), realizes Benson is a cop and tells her to come with him or else hell start shooting people. Stabler gets all excited and announces to everyone, Theyre here, and as he opens the door he says, Hey guys. But its not Benson and her son at the door. (We know who Benson will always trust, though!). "Because what if it doesn't work out?" Part of that promise involves Benson visiting Stabler at his temporary undercover residence. They pull up to the phone Eli had said he was by but there's no sign of him. I'm happy for you. Come on now, you know thats not true, Benson responds. 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. In the Season 22 SVU finale, Fin is set to marry his first partner, Phoebe. "And with her gone it's like there's nothing but possibility, which is paralyzing," Benson says while refilling her cup of wine. Meloni told TODAY in February that little moments like holding hands, which among the fans are obviously a big deal, are ones he and Hargitay add into the scenes themselves. Whatever you decide, I understand, Stabler says. "Law & Order: SVU" fans got to hear three critical words that some have been waiting decades to hear said between former detective partners Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson. "I love you." The whole family was on hand for the intervention, including Benson (Mariska Hargitay). @lawandordertv / Twitter 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. SVU Crossover Finally Reveals What Was in Stabler's Letter to ", "Stabler," Rollins says. At the end of the episode, Benson waits for Stabler in his building and says she wants to talk about the letter. During questioning, Benson snaps and hits the suspect before pushing him to the ground and repeatedly kicking him. On SVU, viewers finally see Benson and Stabler together for the first time since last seasons finale. Liv you mean the world to me, he says. 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 also asks about how Stablers search for the truth is going related to his dad. You stubborn son of a b----," she says with a smile. did benson and stabler 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. Before going out with the squad for their next case, Benson tells the detectives shell meet them in five. While hallucinating, she imagined he was first responder who helped her. Stabler reminds his mother that his family had been living in Rome and notes they had come back to visit about four times.. Benson Kathy admits Stabler wont sign the divorce papers. Law & Order: SVU Finale: Ral Esparza on Benson, Barba and. The audience never finds out the jury's verdict, as the screen cuts to black and the credits roll before the verdict is read. You mean someone at work? the priest asks, before their session is cut. They split up, and eventually Gitano grabs Stabler by the collar and holds a gun to his head as Benson enters the scene. When the woman asks Benson who this Elliot is, she drops her head back on the pillow and whispers, Nobody., It doesnt sound like nobody, the woman responds before mimicking how Benson mumbled Elliot., Back in New York, the ADA needs Benson to take the stand in a rape trial and tries to track her down. Look at what hes doing to you, he adds. 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. Things have changed in 10 years. 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!). Stabler refuses and says, Too many people have suffered already. Rook then tells Stabler hes a human being, and he passed the test. Or the courts. Season 1, Episode 8: 'Stalked' Stabler tells Benson to blink her lights. Hes my brother, Benson whispers, before Stabler reminds her she doesnt even know the guy.. I was afraid, he says. A shocked Benson points out it sounds like Stabler and Donnelly are getting pretty close.. Benson talks Simon into giving her his gun after Millfields confession while Stabler keeps his gun trained on him the entire time. This leads to an interesting exchange between the two that echoes how complicated their relationship is. Benson then briefly rests her head on Stablers as she says, Im fine, to which he replies, Like hell you are.. A shot rings out, and both Rojas and Benson go down. Law & Order: Organized Crime "He was your partner," Rollins chimes in. Cragen calmly responds, You know me better than that. Rook also informs Stabler that Bensons chair is wired with electricity that will release shocks when a remote is pressed a recreation of the Milgram Shock experiment. After commenting on how much they had to drink the night prior, Leonetti says she remembers some of "the important parts" of what they discussed "except her name.". IE 11 is not supported. In Perverted, Stabler goes to very extreme and personal lengths to save Benson, whos being framed for murder. He told me to trust him, and I know him better than anyone, Benson says. Benson tells Stabler she wants to wait since Noah gets attached very easily and Stablers going undercover again. 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 points out theyve been partners for seven years longer than anybody else there. The pair said a lot of things to each other, but eventually Rafael told her that he understood why she defended Stabler, because Thats what you do when you love Before 'Law & Order' reunites Stabler and Benson, here's where Any other major changes you want to let me in on? he asks. Stabler tells Benson to go hide while he answers the door. He did, didnt he? While in the hospital, Kathy says it feels like the old days, seeing Stabler and Benson in the room together always so in sync. Shes surprised to find out Stabler never once contacted Benson in the time they left. Then Stabler appears behind Benson in the middle of his partners tough personal and professional decision and says, Well Liv, make a decision. What was that about? she asks. Shut up and drive., During a private moment at the end of the episode, Benson tells Stabler she had recently explored adoption, but she was turned down by the agency. Benson and Stabler share a personal conversation on her way out, and Stabler tells her the father of the current leader of The Brotherhood, Frank Donnelly (Denis Leary), was friends with his dad, who was a cop. Stabler asks what she means as she walks away, and Benson finally unleashes months of pent-up frustration. Shes good like that.. Stabler, whos also familiar with an estranged marriage as his wife wants him to sign divorce papers, makes points in defense of Miles. In Scorched Earth, we are also introduced to Detective Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish), who ends up delivering an unforgettable line to Benson about Stabler years later in the Season 23 finale. Benson asks Stabler why he was so jumpy the other night when she went to his building to talk about the letter. You never startled before, Benson says, before adding she doesnt want to push him, and will back off if thats what he wants. After a required, reluctant visit to a therapist, Dr. Newsom (Max Baker), in which Stabler pushes back against opening up in any sort of way, Bell wisely clocks him about how he needs to go back and talk. What about your kids?" They confirmed they didn't speak for 10 years after Stabler's exit, but Kathy said she initially didn't believe Elliot when he told her that. The episode ends when Cragen calls Benson into his office and tells her Stabler quit. she says. Then she hears Liv and turns and locks eyes across the scene with Stabler. 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.. He asks for her help with Kathleen. I like that shirt, she says and explains shes there since she heard about the squabble between Stabler and Blaine. This moment was teased in a previous promo and sent fans into a spiral. I work here, she says before dropping her bag and taking a seat. Stabler tells her someone drugged him, and he denies needing to go to a hospital as he puts his arm around her for support as she leads him into her apartment. The two most important men in Benson's life meet on Mother's Day. Its nice to see your face, Benson says to Stabler, noting he shaved off the beard that was part of his undercover persona. Lindstrom ends the session by telling Benson to think about what she deserves and emphasizes she deserves happiness.. 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. The current case takes an especially dark turn after the teams ADA Sonya Paxton is brutally attacked and dies in a shaken Bensons arms. Photo: NBC. The two also meet up at night ahead of a raid, and Stabler gives her his word that hes got her back. Later on, Stabler drives Benson home and offers to walk her inside. The shows 14th season ended with a sadistic killer named William Lewis (Pablo Schreiber) pointing a gun at Bensons head in her apartment. Benson drives Stabler back to his office, where he says, Its always good to work with you, Liv.. 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. Benson is innocent, of course, and ends up saving herself after the real suspect breaks into her home. which you can watch on Hulu with a free trial, 'Law & Order: SVU': Elliot Stabler Finally Explains Why He Never Said Goodbye to Olivia Benson, 'The Morning Show' Season 4 Officially Ordered at Apple TV+, Beloved Children's Show Being Turned Into Movie, Seth Meyers Prepares Viewers for Possible Writers Strike This Week, Ryan Seacrest Weighs in on Mark Consuelos First Week as 'Live With Kelly and Mark' Co-Host, Don Lemon's 'CNN This Morning' Co-Hosts Enjoy Joyous Night out Following His Ouster, 'Law & Order: SVU': Benson Learns Information That Could Ruin Her Career, Tyra Banks Ripped by 'America's Next Top Model' Winner, Scott Disick's Reported Reaction to Ex-Girlfriend Sofia Richie's Wedding. 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 calls Benson to help him find Eli, who went missing with Bernies pills. Stabler tells Benson he didnt ask her to be here. Stabler apologized for both leaving and not telling Benson about his decision. Olivia Benson, Elliot Stabler Relationship Timeline on 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.. And Id say that your friend, Flutura? Then Stabler meets up with Benson in the hallway, and after telling her the babys doing great, he goes to walk past her. Later, Benson and the SVU squad help Stablers team infiltrate a party with the young girls and the Albanians. However, in the version of the scene that aired during the actual episode, the evaluator asks if Benson would choose to save Stabler or a member of the public if put in that position. 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. I just couldnt get that boy out of my head, Stabler responds. 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. "A whole friendship.". 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 didnt hear enough after Angelas testimony? The mid-season finale came The cases suspect is a famous football player, who turns out to also be a closeted gay man in a relationship with the victim. Cragen's suspicions about Stabler and Benson's bond are right. Stabler meets up with Benson in a park on a snowy day, and the meetup also marks the first time Stabler sees Noah, who's sledding nearby. 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. This is arguably *the* episode that changes everything for Benson and Stabler since the contents of the letter are finally revealed and its a doozy. You might want to make sure Stablers children arent there. Benson delivers an unforgettable howdy after Stabler says, Hey partner. She offers to get hydrogen peroxide to clean a cut on Stablers face, and she runs into Eli as hes exiting the bathroom. Turns out, Porter was the one who shot Rojas. Stabler reentered her life after disappearing from it a decade ago. 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 a decade away, Meloni reprised Stabler in the "Law & Order" universe in 2021 on Stabler's own spinoff, "Organized Crime.". At the end of the episode, Benson and Stabler each air out how their initial judgments about the case could've been wrong, effectively seeing the other's point of view. 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. Stabler approaches the hostess and says, This is my wife, Olivia.. Stablers daughter Kathleen meets up with Benson and says the family needs her help getting through to their dad. At the beginning of "Whipping Post," fans assumed the worst and that Stabler opened the door and spent the night with Leonetti. For the past four years, he lived in Rome as an international liaison for the NYPD. Cragen doesnt let on that Benson asked for a new partner and just says, Decisions made.. The scene was a joy for fans who long wanted Benson and Stabler to get together. 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. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) have been dancing around their relationship for over two decades now. 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. I dont want to wreck that. "When are you going to do the same? Benson later apologizes to Stabler for not telling him about Moss. Stablers away at Quantico while Benson continues working as normal with SVU. Stabler refuses to sit and listen to what everyone has to say and instead says all questions should go to his supervisor, Sgt. 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. In between testimonies, Wheatley meets with Benson and taunts her about the love of his life, Angela, whos taking the stand tomorrow. Nothing says I love you quite like spilling those three words out in the middle of an intervention with all your kids present, and thats just what Stabler does in episode four of OC. Meloni told TODAY in February that this scene, which he also wrote, was his favorite one hes filmed with Hargitay since his return in April 2021. Please dont tell me how I feel, Benson responds. Porter catches up with Benson as he waits for the elevator. Closet is an underrated Benson and Stabler episode in which Stablers loyalty to his partner shines, and it turns out Bensons been (un)intentionally keeping something from Stabler. Nova and Penda made a quick stop outside the diner where Stabler and Reggie talked. she shouts after him as he walks away. Thats the problem, she responds. During another heated exchange, Benson says Stablers current situation (a.k.a his divorce) is impairing his judgment and that he doesnt normally empathize with the suspect., Its not empathy, its outrage, Stabler responds. At that moment, Donnelly approaches and Benson says shes just playing Uber driver for her old partner. Benson, who grew up with an alcoholic mother, stands up for Valerie, who claims Miles has drug and alcohol dependencies. ", Protelliot asks Benson if shes been to the doctor, and she says, Its just a bug.. When youre ready to stop being betrayed by me, Ill be here, he concludes. When it's finally safe for Noah to return home, Benson calls Stabler and asks him to pick up her son. 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. Organized Crime has dropped many references to Benson throughout the series, including in the Season Two premiere. During a briefing, Benson and Stabler have a sidebar conversation, in which Benson calls out Stabler for not telling her he was undercover. Cragen tells her to go home, and Benson storms into the locker room, where Stabler finds her and confronts her about her behavior. The conversation implies that Bernie also has bipolar disorder. Ffans call the couple Rollisi. I dont know, maybe Id have better luck with a guy. Jelliot makes an appearance in Spooked when Porter returns since the FBI is interested in Benson and Stablers latest case. Later on, Benson and Stabler clash again during a heated discussion about older women having children. Well, Olivias a saint, Stabler responds. 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. 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. Jenna begins lowering the gun until one of the wounded suspects in the cage starts taunting her, so she raises her gun to shoot him again. Why Did Elliot Stabler Leave Law & Order: SVU? - Parade "I'm never home. That line effectively stops her in her tracks. Stabler starts working with another detective, Lucius Blaine (Anthony Anderson). They didnt see me as prime parent material. Stabler responds, Theyre wrong.. Season One of "SVU is laced with incredible Benson and Stabler moments that are still discussed to this day. In the Season 23 SVU premiere, Benson was run off the road while on the phone with Stabler. Hes like a son to me. He says Kathy (!) Soon after comes a scene in which Stabler realizes his feelings for Benson could extend beyond work or so many fans believe. Stabler drops that baby news on a very shocked Benson in the Season Eight finale, Screwed.). When Newsom asks Stabler to elaborate on that, he says, "When I lost my wife, that was the very clear definition of an ending.". This scene was basically a parallel universe moment for the fans who always wanted Stabler and Benson to be more than partners and friends. Why would you ask me that? Stabler responds. It isn't until he's talking with George Huang (B.D. Ayanna Bell (Danielle Mon Truitt), Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni talk about return of Law & Order: SVU, Benson and Stabler hold hands in SVU-Organized Crime crossover, Chris Meloni reveals story behind Law & Order set pics with Mariska Hargitay, Mariska Hargitay: Benson has 'been in love' with Stabler for many a year, Stabler made a very big apparent confession. Later in the episode, Benson also chose to not shoot an armed suspect who was holding Stabler at gunpoint. If I heard your voice, I wouldn't be able to leave.". She wants to limit their relationship to one night and one night only, but Cassidy wants more, making for some awkward moments. Really? Stabler extends his hand for Noah to shake and tells him he can call him Elliot. "You're family," Stabler responds, while searching her kitchen for sugar. Youre all bottled up, Lewis says. 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. I wasnt planning on coming back, Benson says. You said theres a woman youre in love with, Leonetti replies. It's a little more general," Stabler responds. She will put on her writing cap for important trending and pop culture moments, especially ones related to "Law & Order: SVU." "Hey, would you talk to me?" The Truth About Benson And Stabler's Relationship On Law "Yes, I am.". She goes to ask if their relationship is OK after the heated case. 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.. Like, Well, are we suddenly in a triangle here? 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. If you guessed the latter, you would be correct. And, for the first time ever, Benson is seriously encouraged to explore a romance with Stabler! 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. 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. Cue the Benson-Stabler love theme, which starts to play, while Stabler just stares. ", Benson follows Stabler out into the squad room and asks him what's going on at home. Stabler tells him to stay put and Eli tearfully says he's sorry. Bensons brothers case resurfaces in this episode, as does the feisty side of Benson and Protelliot, who literally jumps to his partners defense when a suspect lunges at Benson during an interrogation. 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?. 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. (We will not speak about Benson asking to see Stabler in Episode Seven and being clocked by Beck with the words Maybe I can help you. Stabler tells Benson what she means to him (spoiler alert: the world) in a scene between the two during the second episode of Organized Crime.. Love affairs? Benson, clearly caught off guard, emotionally says she needs to think it over and asks if she can get back to him.