Then Rook presses a button, and the sounds of Bensons screams fill the air. Down bad since day one, according to many fans. Kathleen defies advice to seek psychiatric help and is instead detained. Benson follows up by asking if he liked working with her. Then he gets out of the car and again tells her to back off, most likely out of fear that if she gets too close, whoever targeted Kathy will go after Benson next. It is her death that inspires Stabler to take a new job with the NYPD that keeps him in the Big Apple. Wong), the group's forensic psychiatrist, that Stabler realizes his choice to save Benson was his own, and she didn't make him. Benson brushes it off and emphasizes that his kids are worried about him amid his recent erratic behavior. Benson tells Stabler she wants to wait since Noah gets attached very easily and Stablers going undercover again. And, for the first time ever, Benson is seriously encouraged to explore a romance with Stabler! He took my pills, didnt he? she says. 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. How come you never told me about your mother? Stabler deflects and says, Never came up.. This forced Benson to recount the last moments of the Season 12 finale. She emphasizes to Stabler that he walked away, and she had to find out about his exit from Cragen. After Stabler affirms to Benson he texted her, she responds, So I wouldnt think that you ghosted me, again?. While SVU is called off the case, Benson continues to help Stabler as he gets settled back into Manhattan detective work as he tries to find Kathys killer. At the end of the episode, Benson mentions to Stabler that theyve been partners all these years and she doesnt know his blood type. No, Im better. Liv, lets not go into that, Stabler replies before Sgt. The detectives initially investigate Rook as a person of interest after a restaurant manager strip-searches an employee and claims he did so because a detective called him saying the employee was stealing. 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. Benson shows up at the lab only to find Stabler tied to a chair. Why I dont tell her how I feel? a confused Stabler responds. she shouts after him as he walks away. Newsom says. Thank the "Law & Order" gods that Stabler eventually returned 10 years after what many thought was his final scene. Stabler moves closer to Benson and tells her to look at him. Bell cuts the chat short. 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. 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. And, for really the first time, Stabler outwardly acknowledges the reasons for his strained relationship with Benson. The episode ends when Cragen calls Benson into his office and tells her Stabler quit. 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.. How about we call it a friendship, Benson says to a beaming Stabler. Benson confirms shes not seeing anyone at the moment. 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. When Stabler tells Benson he found the swab, she calls him out for snooping and says she forgot to send in the swab and will send it in. "It was my choice. Stabler Who knew one word, Wildlife, could hold so much power among Benson and Stabler fans? The two sip boxed wine in a motel room after busting a perp, and Benson tells Rollins "how nice it is" to see her "happy. 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. She goes to ask if their relationship is OK after the heated case. 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. She goes into an empty interrogation room and breaks down. 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. After 25 years of "will they or wont they" chemistry, are Benson and Stabler finally poised to get together? The audience never finds out the jury's verdict, as the screen cuts to black and the credits roll before the verdict is read. Benson stays by Kathys side the entire time, including in the ambulance, where Kathy ends up giving birth to a baby boy. Why didnt you tell me? Benson asks Porter. Back at her apartment, Benson thanks Stabler for safely bringing Noah back. You might want to make sure Stablers children arent there. I can't be looking over my shoulder making sure you're OK," he says after Benson points out she couldn't shoot Gitano since he was using the child as shield. Then Stabler, without breaking eye contact with Benson, emphatically declares, I love you.. Does Kathy know you mortgaged the house for me? Benson asks. 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?. ", Then Stabler says one of the most quoted lines among the fans, to this day: "I'm your partner for better or worse. I mean, you couldve said something, Stabler responds. During a Law & Order virtual fan event earlier this year, former SVU showrunner Warren Leight said Hargitay came up with the single most important line herself for Benson. Stabler refuses and says, Too many people have suffered already. Rook then tells Stabler hes a human being, and he passed the test. The mother, who rarely speaks, decides to read Stablers coffee grounds while the two sit together at the table. "When are you going to do the same? And then Im not sure what happened. How was Olivias funeral?, Rather than correct his mom, Stabler says, It was beautiful.. Benson heads out with Stabler to get Eli as she tries to keep Elliot calm. Turns out, Porter was the one who shot Rojas. "Elliot I want to," she says, "I want to, but I can't.". They both turn around to face the water, and Stablers already holding out his glass before Benson lifts hers to toast to partners.. Yes, they can get messy, but love thats different. 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. Thankfully, she wasnt hit, and Stabler cradles Benson in his arms on the ground. Read on for the best moments from TV'sslowest of burns. Benson's boss, Deputy Chief Garland (Demore Barnes) needed an explanation on why Stabler left. 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. Im his partner, and watching Stabler interact with Beck through the window of Cragens office.). she says as the two rest their foreheads together. Ayanna Bell (Danielle Mon Truitt). The letter was obviously written when Kathy was still alive, and that last, one line Stabler wrote himself speaks volumes and basically confirms that Bensons always been it for him the circumstances just havent allowed it. Season One of "SVU is laced with incredible Benson and Stabler moments that are still discussed to this day. Stabler also receives a call from Eli's mom saying her son was missing, which continues the crossover into OC.. Love affairs? Benson and Rollins had an adventure and conversation to remember during a visit to the suburbs. 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. Then Stuckey comes up behind them both with his gun drawn. Youre just going to give him up?. 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.. Despite now knowing Kathy wrote the letter, Benson still shows up in the cemetery to meet the rest of the Stabler family at Kathys grave. Then she hears Liv and turns and locks eyes across the scene with Stabler. Viewers are also treated to seeing Benson and Stabler interrogate a suspect together, not missing a beat just like old times. Nobody else was responsible for it but me," he says. 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. She will put on her writing cap for important trending and pop culture moments, especially ones related to "Law & Order: SVU." 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. Thats going to be $100 to watch, $250 to join each. Then she wraps her arms around Stabler as he says, Guys gotta eat, huh?. 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.. So, who does he call to seemingly make a confession of sorts to in what could be his last few hours? I couldnt take it.. Look, we both chose each other over the job. Benson assumes, based on what shes seeing below, that Flutura has a hand in trafficking girls through the family business. 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. I wish I could trust you, Elliot, Benson replies. He says, What was I gonna do let you get shivved in Rikers?. She quickly hangs up before she can say anything to Stabler when people from the environmental group approach and ask whom shes talking to. They are both shirtless and pressed up against each other, with Benson running her hand down Stablers chest at one point. The previous episode, "All That Glitters," introduced viewers to Tia Leonetti (Ayelet Zurer), who worked with Stabler in Italy after he left the Special Victims Unit. After a beat she responds, "Yeah, I'm done," and walks out. The shows 14th season ended with a sadistic killer named William Lewis (Pablo Schreiber) pointing a gun at Bensons head in her apartment. They probably dont want to hear what she has to say, Wheatley tells Benson, who up until this point, seemingly has no clue about Stablers brief history with Angela. Benson dresses up and invites Porter over to her apartment, saying she wants to cook for him after he suggests they go out. Benson is innocent, of course, and ends up saving herself after the real suspect breaks into her home. Stabler tells him to stay put and Eli tearfully says he's sorry. 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. He leaves shortly after and says, I dont think I can do this. He eventually returns, and Benson again points out Stabler is the only person who doesnt realize hes not OK. Im drowning, he responds. 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. What was that about? she asks. Then Benson reaches out and rests her hand on Stablers face and whispers, I mean, before Eddie Wagner takes over, and Elliot Stabler is nowhere to be found, referring to his undercover name. Now, Benson is the one in control. The SVU episode ended when the NYPD Intelligence took over the case from the SVU team, leading right into the first Organized Crime episode. 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. Porter believes Benson sent Simon money and is surprised when Benson tells him Simon is her brother. Later on, Benson goes into Cragens office after seeing IAB and says, That was a good shooting, captain. Stabler asks what she means as she walks away, and Benson finally unleashes months of pent-up frustration. "Sounds like you're a man in need of a new beginning," Newsom says. 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. Well you are going through a divorce and you do have four children so I guess you are, Benson responds with a smile. The scene turns personal and Benson asks what happened with Kathy. 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. 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 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. Turns out, Rook, who also goes by the name Milgram, was behind the fake call. Benson "Olivia! 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. So there was a depth and a little sexuality to it something that went beyond that. Youre reaching out, but all youre doing is pushing me further under.. Stabler tells Benson to say hes in the field. Well that makes two of us, Benson says. Later on, Stabler drives Benson home and offers to walk her inside. He pulls over in front of a building and tells Stabler to go inside. Organized Crime has dropped many references to Benson throughout the series, including in the Season Two premiere. Stabler looks up into Bensons eyes from the ground and runs his hand through her hair while his thumb grazes her mouth. A message from work cuts Bensons Mothers Day plans short, and Benson tells Stabler shell call him since hes familiar with the officer she got the message about. Some fans wondered if this scene was setting up a love triangle for Benson with Barba and Stabler. It's a little more general," Stabler responds. At the end of the episode, Benson waits for Stabler in his building and says she wants to talk about the letter. I do, Stabler interjects. Stabler refuses to sit and listen to what everyone has to say and instead says all questions should go to his supervisor, Sgt. Stabler 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. Benson knocks Stuckey out and frees Stabler from the chair. Christopher Del Sordo / NBCU Photo Bank / Getty Images. Benson later pops up while Stabler is trying to talk to a witness and says Cragen called her to be Stablers handler.. "Because what if it doesn't work out?" 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 Each always mentioned Stabler's marriage as the answer which wasn't a "no." You stubborn son of a b----," she says with a smile. "I'm sorry," Benson whispers, before a sniper takes out Gitano, effectively ending the standoff. Who knew a small letter could hold so much power? 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! Benson stares at Stabler across the car, as her partner grips her hand in response and thanks her for coming. When the informant/suspect is given a deal, Benson and the SVU squad feel betrayed by the OC team. Cragen then informs Benson and Stabler that Porter and the suspect are off the hook since the situation is out of their hands. Cragen tells her to go home, and Benson storms into the locker room, where Stabler finds her and confronts her about her behavior. Stabler drops that baby news on a very shocked Benson in the Season Eight finale, Screwed.). Law & Order: Organized Crime recap: Stabler has He tries to dial Benson again, and it goes quickly to voicemail then he hangs up. Benson joins the Stabler family in the cemetery after Kathy's death. Youre all bottled up, Lewis says. I want to find balance here in this whatever this is, Stabler says. ", "It's so nice to allow myself," Rollins responds. Stabler lingers at Bensons desk before saying, See ya, to which she looks up from her computer with a smile and says, OK.. Liv, Im being careful, Stabler assures her. he shouts as he approaches her on the ground. When Season 13 began, Meloni was nowhere to be found and his exit was simply explained through dialogue. ", Later in the episode, before returning to Italy, Leonetti tells Stabler: "Whoever it is youre in love with, shes a lucky woman.". Benson then briefly rests her head on Stablers as she says, Im fine, to which he replies, Like hell you are.. After Benson affirms their night together wasn't m to her, she starts talking to Stabler by their lockers. "Loss. They pull up to the phone Eli had said he was by but there's no sign of him. She clocks Stabler for not answering her questions, and he responds, Thats none of your business. It isn't until he's talking with George Huang (B.D. Well, Fin may have your six, but hes definitely not me, Stabler says. He suggests Stabler take someone along. 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. 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. Benson talks Kathy out of leaving home and assures her shell make sure Stabler calls. Benson explains shes there because they lost contact with him, and she also gave him her phone so he could call Kathy. Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler's longstanding situationship came to an end when Elliot quit the force and left the country. Stabler, however, was too late getting to Ryan. Thats a step in the right direction, Elliot, Benson says. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) have been dancing around their relationship for over two decades now. A local captain, Julia Millfield (Kim Delaney), tells Benson her brother, Simon, is a suspected rapist. Cragen later tells Benson, who'd been trying to get in touch with Stabler, that her longtime partner has resigned. She didnt. 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. 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. SVU Crossover Finally Reveals What Was in Stabler's Letter to At the beginning of "Whipping Post," fans assumed the worst and that Stabler opened the door and spent the night with Leonetti. I just think I needed to hear you say that.. However I dont know, I know what I was thinking when I said the words that I said onscreen I like that it can be read in number of ways, he said. Do you have any idea how much I worried he preferred spending time with you than with me and the kids? Kathy says. "There's nobody that I trust more to bring my son home in one piece than Stabler," she tells Carisi, and adds she's going to meet them at home. Benson glances toward Stablers kids then back at him and shakes her head. That line effectively stops her in her tracks. Its contents had not been revealed, so fans were That moment when yet another person clocks you about the love of your life. ", Protelliot asks Benson if shes been to the doctor, and she says, Its just a bug.. 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. 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. Protelliot again emerges, grabbing Stuckey by the throat and saying, You are an obnoxious little jackhole.. 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. Stabler and Benson share a moment with Calvin shortly before he's taken away. Im just calling to say I want to thank you for everything that youve done for me, for the kids. While hallucinating, she imagined he was first responder who helped her. Benson goes to the scene and finds out the cops think the girl was murdered, and calls Stabler to explain. Thats all, he responds. While Benson is surveilling the Albanian crew with Stabler and Bell, she notices slight changes in Stabler when he talks about Flutura (Lolita Davidovich), the wife of the drug crews main man. Stablers away at Quantico while Benson continues working as normal with SVU.