Benson talks Simon into giving her his gun after Millfields confession while Stabler keeps his gun trained on him the entire time. He tells her he was asked to speak at her award ceremony, but instead opted to write his thoughts in a letter he planned to give to her that night. Youre just going to give him up?.
Stabler Lewis torments Benson throughout the entire premiere episode of Season 15, and moves her to a remote location and cuffs her to a bed. Benson dresses up and invites Porter over to her apartment, saying she wants to cook for him after he suggests they go out. 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. 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 pull up to the phone Eli had said he was by but there's no sign of him. Stabler drops that baby news on a very shocked Benson in the Season Eight finale, Screwed.). Knowing hes in trouble, Eli calls Elliot and tells him his location. So hes the sacrificial lamb, Benson responds. He feels her head and notes shes burning up before going to the kitchen to make her tea. SVU will be back next Thursday at 9 p.m. 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 look on Stablers face is priceless as he realizes hes getting his partner back at the Special Victims Unit. Bernie instantly remembers that something bad happened to Stablers wife, and he assures her its OK. I know I missed it, but I was going to attend, Bernie begins.
Why How about we call it a friendship, Benson says to a beaming Stabler. At the hospital, Benson is surprised to hear from the doctor that Stabler is fine. he shouts as he approaches her on the ground. Cragen tells her to go home, and Benson storms into the locker room, where Stabler finds her and confronts her about her behavior.
Stabler 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. They split up, and eventually Gitano grabs Stabler by the collar and holds a gun to his head as Benson enters the scene. Stabler first gave Benson the letter during his big return to the franchise on April 1, shortly after his wife had died. This episode is the continuation of a crossover with SVUs Trick-Rolled at the Moulin, which ends with Stabler shielding Benson in the car after theyre both shot at (classic Protelliot). 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. 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. Benson tells Fin that she hasnt heard from Stabler in a few months and that hes been off the grid working. After Stabler learns this, he starts lashing out, mostly at Benson as he stews in his emotions over the decision he made. For the past decade, Stabler was abroad, first working on private security and then joining a terrorism task force.
Stabler Stabler later apologized to Who else would put up with me?. Benson points out theyve been partners for seven years longer than anybody else there. You startled me. Benson says she agrees with Bernie and wants him to come home. "I wouldve done the same thing," Benson responds. A case of he said/she said between a college advisor and a graduate student, in which the advisor says he and the student had a consensual sexual encounter and the student claims it was rape, lands Benson and Stabler on opposite sides. Cut to Benson and Stabler later spotting each other in the precincts hallway. 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. 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. Like last time, Benson and Stabler's sympathies fall on opposite sides. The episode ends with Benson and Stabler staring at each other across the squad room amid the carnage. Some fans wondered if this scene was setting up a love triangle for Benson with Barba and Stabler. Back off.. She goes to the interrogation room and weeps. Stabler then wishes Benson a happy Mothers Day and tells her she looks great. Or the courts. Rook abducts Benson. And hell tell them to go to hell, Benson replies before walking out. You must be Elliot, Moss says. "Burned" steps scene is a top-tier Benson and Stabler moment. Viewers are also treated to seeing Benson and Stabler interrogate a suspect together, not missing a beat just like old times. Never romantically involved Benson dated off and on, while Stabler was married with multiple children the two were extraordinarily close friends, as well as Benson knocks Stuckey out and frees Stabler from the chair. 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. A shot rings out, and both Rojas and Benson go down. Juries see how close partners get, Hardwicke tells Stabler. This episode is absolutely laced with moments between the two, including the most physical one theyve shared (so far). Look at what hes doing to you, he adds. Stabler refuses to sit and listen to what everyone has to say and instead says all questions should go to his supervisor, Sgt. 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. And then Im not sure what happened. She starts talking to Lewis about the things she could do to him after everything he did to her. The mid-season finale came IE 11 is not supported. Stabler shrugs and says, "The job it makes me kind of hard to live with.". 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). "Elliot I want to," she says, "I want to, but I can't.". Grab onto us., I know youre all just trying to help, Stabler says. Benson tells Stabler shes worried about him, given his behavior after the death of his wife and the grief associated with that loss. Then the head of the Internal Affairs Bureau, Ed Tucker (Robert John Burke), who dates Benson in a much later season, interviews Benson and informs her they pulled her phone records and found that she talked multiple times to a reporter named Kurt Moss (Bill Pullman). Stabler and Benson share a moment with Calvin shortly before he's taken away. 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. Stabler doesnt come in until the end of the episode, but he delivers arguably one of the most important lines Bensons ever heard in her life up until that point. During a moment of reflection at home before the meeting, Stabler sits outside in the back garden and leaves Benson a voicemail. At the end of the episode, Benson waits for Stabler in his building and says she wants to talk about the letter. She also confirmed that she never spoke with Stabler after he left the force. Stablers confused mother, Bernie, unexpectedly returns and ends up at the OC office. The question is: Why are you really asking?. And this letter, Benson continues. She wants to limit their relationship to one night and one night only, but Cassidy wants more, making for some awkward moments. Benson asks Stabler why he was so jumpy the other night when she went to his building to talk about the letter. 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. 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. 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. While on the phone, Fin hands it off to Stabler to talk to her. 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. The audience never finds out the jury's verdict, as the screen cuts to black and the credits roll before the verdict is read. She didnt have to handle me, Stabler responds, before asking if Benson liked working alone. One of the smugglers finds Bensons jacket, and then she emerges from the bathroom without her shirt. 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. He asks for her help with Kathleen. This episode was a great opportunity for fans to see what Stabler and Benson would look like as a couple. Did he ever do you? Season One of "SVU is laced with incredible Benson and Stabler moments that are still discussed to this day. You know everything about me even the parts that Id rather forget. Benson brushes it off and emphasizes that his kids are worried about him amid his recent erratic behavior. Mariska Hargitay is keeping Law & Order: Special Victims Unit fans on their toes. The truth is, you know things about him I will never understand, Kathy says. Its nice to see your face, Benson says to Stabler, noting he shaved off the beard that was part of his undercover persona. Benson follows up by asking if he liked working with her.
In the words of Stabler, Benson continues playing mom for a boy named Calvin (Charlie Tahan) whom she found during a case and took in after his mom disappeared. Benson says she's "not ready for this" as she rests her face against his cheek and then leans back against the fridge. Once Stabler gets to the hospital and sees Kathy and the baby, Kathy says that Stabler is the little ones father. "I can't do this anymore. 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.. Otherwise, we cant be partners., I cant believe youre saying that, Benson says. After a beat she responds, "Yeah, I'm done," and walks out. Turns out, Porter was the one who shot Rojas. The two somewhat awkwardly bond over not being a fan of Dani Beck before Benson asks Kathy to cut to the chase. After concluding her conversations with both, the evaluator tells Cragen that the two have a degree of mutual reliance and emotional dependence that compromises their effectiveness as police officers. Basically, theyre too close., When Cragen asks if this means he should split them up, the evaluator responds, If you want to lose your two best detectives.. Distance makes the brain dream about your (former) partner. The line is especially meaningful because all Benson wanted for years was a family, especially a child of her own, and no one knew that more than Stabler. Similar to Fault, Burned is another iconic episode for Benson and Stabler that truly tests their partnership. 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. If you guessed the latter, you would be correct. 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. 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 Stabler lingers at Bensons desk before saying, See ya, to which she looks up from her computer with a smile and says, OK.. Youve been my rock. The scene turns personal and Benson asks what happened with Kathy. By this episode, it's clear Benson and Noah didnt make it to Stablers Christmas gathering. 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. Jenna walks away then returns a few seconds later and starts shooting the suspects in the cell. Stabler assumed that conversation was private, and Benson informs him that it's not a secret.. 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. In later seasons, Rollins ends up in a romantic relationship with her former partner and ADA Dominick Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino). Thats some advice, Benson responds, picking up on the implication. Benson, of course! Stuckey turns to shoot Stabler, but Benson grabs him and says, I want him to watch. Then, to further the ruse, Benson kisses Stuckey. The conversation implies that Bernie also has bipolar disorder. Stabler approaches the hostess and says, This is my wife, Olivia.. 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. 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. Thats all, he responds. They hold hands and he thanks her for coming. At the end of the eleventh episode of season 8, Benson shows up on Stablers doorstep because she couldnt sleep. Then, Stabler transitions to talking about the one other woman who has been such a crucial part of his life for decades. Well, Olivias a saint, Stabler responds. Its Bell, who wants to tell him a piece of news, presumably about Wheatleys release, that she didnt want him to be "blindsided" by. Maybe I should get him to use that metal bar on you and make you beg for your life," she says. "I know how to protect myself. Why did you give me that letter? Benson teams up with Cragen for most of this episode to work the case of a boy whos been missing since 1980. In the middle of a sudden commotion with the crowd, Stabler spots one of the missing kids, Ryan, and shouts to get his attention. 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. You have not asked me one question about what has happened to me since you left, she says. Benson and Rollins had an adventure and conversation to remember during a visit to the suburbs. He then explains how his kids are grown and "have lives of their own. While talking about living in Rome, Stabler describes his apartment and tells Benson she wouldve loved it., You know what, Elliot, she responds. Cragen doesnt let on that Benson asked for a new partner and just says, Decisions made.. ", "I did," Benson begins, "feel like Stabler was my home. In this OC episode, Stabler kisses Angela Wheatley (Tamara Taylor), whos the wife of the suspect behind Kathys murder Richard Wheatley (Dylan McDermott). I just wasnt ready, she says. 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. So, spare me the perils of women over 40 having babies., Once settled in the car, Stabler looks at Benson and says, You know, youd make a great mom., Oh, my God, Im not having this conversation, Benson replies. The current case takes an especially dark turn after the teams ADA Sonya Paxton is brutally attacked and dies in a shaken Bensons arms. 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. Basically, Porter has been lying to the SVU team this entire time, so the detectives lay a trap to call him out on it. Kathy wants to name him after me, Stabler answers. 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. - April 2, 2021 08:33 am EDT. 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. It isn't until he's talking with George Huang (B.D. Later, Stabler and Benson prove that after over 20 years, 10 of those being apart from one another, they are still in sync. 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 Stabler appears shortly after to make sure shes OK and to arrest him.
Thats what Im counting on. Then Benson realizes Kathy wants her to convince Stabler to sign the divorce papers. While Benson stares at her squad happily celebrating the event with their partners, Stabler approaches with her coat and drapes it over her shoulders while she hands him a glass of wine that she got for him. Read on for the best moments from TV'sslowest of burns. Hows that for now? Note the "for now" part. 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. Stabler keeps telling her to shoot Gitano, and eventually says she can do "the right thing" in this moment since he says he did not when he chose to go to her after she got hurt instead of running after Ryan. Even on her deathbed, Valerie says Miles is the one who raped her. 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 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 Stabler moves closer to Benson and tells her to look at him. Olivia has a picture of you two in her living room., Moss wont name his source and says, You two have worked together for a long time. Rollins and Carisi also share a moment and kiss at this ceremony, which turns into a non-wedding when Fin and Phoebe decide not to get married that day. Benson sleeps with Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters), another member of the "SVU" team, one night. 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. Cragen pulls Benson out of interrogation. Like Protelliot, fans also love when Stablers jealous side comes out (this alter ego is nicknamed Jelliot). 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. Newsom asks Stabler to share how that happened, to which Stabler responds, "Through neglect on my part fear, selfishness.". 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. It has to be this outpouring of everything that, over all these years, that has never been spoken or physically acted on. Im his partner, and watching Stabler interact with Beck through the window of Cragens office.). Stabler calls Benson to help him find Eli, who went missing with Bernies pills. Stabler slyly jumps in and responds, Nah, Im good thanks. (Dont sleep on the smirk Stabler gives Benson as he walks away.). Stabler spots them on the street as hes picking out flowers for his mom. Well, some people arent as blessed as you are, she responds. Benson later pulls more info to help Stabler and the SVU team with their current case, and Stabler invites Benson to take a crack at their suspect in interrogation. Some are tighter than married couples.. The most honest conversation viewers witnessed to date about why Stabler left happens in a hospital waiting area after both Stabler and Benson visited Kathy. Stabler runs toward Benson, and the two embrace as she says, Im really glad youre back., I shouldve come back sooner, he responds as he tightly holds her.
Where Should Benson & Stabler Go From Here #WhatsInTheLetter trended for weeks online, and "SVU" fans on Twitter also put a letter emoji on their profiles. Then Stabler, without breaking eye contact with Benson, emphatically declares, I love you.. And Id say that your friend, Flutura? Stabler reminds his mother that his family had been living in Rome and notes they had come back to visit about four times.. 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. Whatever happened, were going to go, and were going to bring him home, Benson says. "I used to joke about you two being in a motel room, and now here we are. Its in the grounds, Reggie says. Although Stabler will be busy on his own show, Stabler is expected to appear on more SVU episodes. Stabler responds that hell take care of it.. The moment Stabler's mom confused his partner for his wife.