Law & Order: SVU Recap: Did Benson and Stabler Actually Kiss?
If you’re here, it’s likely because you want to know whether Capt. Olivia Benson and Det. Elliot Stabler did, indeed, kiss on this week’s Law & Order: SVU. After all, the promo surely made it seem like that was a possibility.
The short answer? Nope. But you’re going to want to find out what did happen. (It wasn’t nothing!)
Liv and El’s close moment came during an episode in which Oscar Papa, head of the brutal gang BX9, was brought to trial. An enraged Liv, who hadn’t for one second forgotten how Papa threatened Noah’s safety and well-being, was on a tear to make sure that the crime kingpin went down for his various crimes. Meanwhile, the kid in question hung out elsewhere in the state with his half-brother, Connor, and his family.
A ton of complications arose. One witness was poisoned, despite being in police protection. Another had complications that sent him to the hospital. And then Capt. Duarte was attacked in a bodega by BX9 members wielding machetes. Though he was rushed to the hospital, Duarte did not make it — and Papa basically admits to ordering the hit.
He says he’ll plead guilty to murder “but not the rapes,” and Benson makes him promise that Noah won’t be harmed. Papa confirms that. “We’re even now,” he says. And then all that’s left is for Stabler to bring the boy back to Manhattan, because as Benson puts it, there’s no one she trusts more to take care of her kid.
When Noah is home and safely asleep, Liv thanks her former partner for helping out in a very trying time. “Why didn’t you call me?” he wonders. “Because I knew that you would try to protect me,” she says. And as she looks in the cupboard for some sugar, Stabler moves in for a little sugar of his own. STRAP IN, PEOPLE.
STABLER | And there’s something wrong with that? I care for you. Liv, look at me. [It’s at this point that he brings his face very close to her face and it takes more effort for them NOT to kiss than for them to kiss. We’re talking millimeters here.]
BENSON | Here it is. [Referring to the sugar, and no, y’know, her GOOD SENSE. Because that is clearly outta stock.] Elliot, Elliot I want to. I want to, but I can’t.
STABLER | Why not?
BENSON | Because what if it doesn’t work out? [Still lots of close-face-ing.]
STABLER | What if things work out?
BENSON | Elliot, I’m not ready for this. I’m not ready for this. I’m not ready for this. [Liv, um, are you OK? Girlfriend looks like she’s about to pass out, which, RELATABLE.]*
And that’s it! Hit the comments with your thoughts on the interlude!
*If this transcript is not 100 percent accurate, forgive me. A massive ‘ship was setting sail, and your friendly neighborhood recapper might’ve gotten tumbled about in its wake.
UGH!! That’s all I have to say!
I’ll add an ARGGGGGGHHHHHHH to your UGH!!!
Like if a life and death situation isn’t going to shake her out her slump what the heck will?
IKR?!
Make Love Already🥰🤗😇👍🏾💯
Me2
Yuck
Yes.😅😅
It wasn’t nothing, but I’m pretty pissed about how misleading the promo was. They didn’t even include the promo material in the actual episode! After this long of a wait, we don’t need to be burned like that.
What an awful disaster.
Why would anyone watch this show again until after something real is confirmed? We know nothing is gonna happen for at least the next month. CM implied they haven’t filmed since that stupid 120 seconds., They will ghost each other yet again. So, I am ghosting SVU.
I couldn’t agree more…i literally yelled at the tv, like THATS CRAP!!! no fair…soooo misleading!
They are going to keep milking this as long as fans let them. The minute these two get together the suspense is over and then what 🤷♀️
Okay, so I *was* annoyed by the preview fake-out. But I can’t be angry, because I actually feel like this is a pretty substantial indication that they will get together? They clearly expressed their feelings. It’s out there. But Liv has an understandable trust issue (my biggest concern, though, is WHEN that will be revisited). I’m also kind of glad that they didn’t get together with that extremely disturbing case/captain’s murder hanging over them.
…
Good Lord, Elliot was, like, the definition of smoldering in that scene. I was reclined in a chair and almost passed out, so Liv (and Kim) – you are not alone! Their chemistry is 🔥
I completely agree about their chemistry. The sexual tension in that kitchen was off the charts! Even though we didn’t get that kiss, this was by far the most intimate interaction Liv and Elliot have ever had and does bode well for their future.
And if Liv could have that intense relationship years ago with Tucker — who was their mortal enemy for many seasons — why can’t she let her guard down for Elliot?
I’ve rooted for a few ships with little/no realistic chances, but I am definitely hopeful for these two (again, I just don’t want them to sweep this under the rug and ignore for several episodes). I suspect that it’s harder for Liv to let her guard down for Elliot BECAUSE he means so much more to her, on so many levels, than Tucker (or any other partner) ever did. She could survive losing them, but the idea of losing Elliot again? Too painful to contemplate.
I completely agree with you. If or when they get together, I don’t want it to be a trauma response. With all that Liv has been through lately, and Duarte just dying as essentially a sacrifice for her son’s safety, I didn’t want it to just be a rebound trauma response. That said, Elliot was smoking hot, smoldering, and he knows that Liv is feeling the burn.. Hopefully, now that he has a taste of potential victory, he will not give up, but just work on his timing.
It’s the middle of the season. They gotta drag it out just a little longer. First kiss by end of season or TV is broken
whitney…love that “or tv is broken” made me laugh!
Not nothing, but not much. A bit of a bust, honestly, though I liked elements of the episode overall. Didn’t miss Molly Burnett’s character, and I can take or leave Velasco so I’m not too worried about possible trouble for him. I like Detective Moneybags from the Bronx and would be glad to see him brought in. You knew when they tried to redeem Duarte and had him bond with Benson that he was a goner. Between the death by rat poison and death by machete attack, this was a pretty graphic episode.
Yep, I’m wondering if Velasco will be removed and Detective Moneybags (lol…but I seriously can’t remember his name either) will replace him. Velasco’s storyline came out of left field but potentially could be setting up his exit. I don’t particularly care for Muncy and still miss Amanda.
I was thinking that also,
You can’t remember his name because *we don’t talk about Bruno.*
That’s freaking hilarious!
I like Detective Moneybags too, not at all hard on the eyes! 😍
I don’t even think this version of Elliot is one that is right for Liv lol
They don’t need to be a couple. It’ll ruin the show.
It never occurred to me that we wouldn’t actually see the footage that aired in the promo! What was that about?!?! I’m glad we at least got to see them together and admitting feelings, but it’s hard not to be disappointed about the misleading promo.
Damn I wanted them to kiss They’ve cared about each other for years Time to do something about it
That promo was really misleading for sure. I’m very disappointed and exhausted on how the show keeps dragging this on and on. Like was this yet another tease for us? Will Olivia come to her senses and finally figure out she does want to move forward? And I’m gonna add an UGHHHHHH too!! Very disappointed tonight!
Im happy… I knew they werent going to start a romance yet, but at least she said she wanted to!!! baby steps. Its a big deal for her!
Agree – I didn’t think last night’s episode would be the start of anything romantic considering how dramatic this gang storyline has been over the previous few shows. Liv has had a lot of bad experiences w/men & dating, I’m glad she was honest in the moment. I do hope they finally get together – they are fire on screen.
It actually was a good scene but I am SO SICK of NBC’s misleading promos.
Also they do not need to wait til the end of the show to put them together. They’re on different shows.
Put them together, have them crossover occasionally, and end it all with them retiring together and finally getting some well-deserved peace.
Totally agree!!!!
God this is like the Bee Kiss in the XFiles movie where the promos made it look like they kiss but (23 year old spoiler) they don’t and then Chris Carter said “they basically kissed because Mulder gave Scully CPR later on”. *rolleyes*
25, yo. Twenty-five years. #truefacts
No one likes a math geek, Scully
NBCs promos are a deliberate fake-out so I actually expected nothing. Happy with what did happen. It’s a start. It’s realistic, plausible. And OMG – convincing! Both of them. If Meloni had been any steamier, the TV would melt.
Completely agree! I didn’t expect anything to happen until the last minute of the episode and then I was thinking she was going to be whispering something in his ear lol
I can definitely see Liv’s hesitation. I’ve been in similar situations (granted no one near as hot as Stabler) and lost a good friend when it didn’t work out. It made me hesitant after that probably for the better. She would kind of lose her anchor if she invested even more in El and it didn’t work out.
No, they didn’t, thank goodness! I was going EWWWWWW, EWWWWWWW during the whole scene! I never wanted them to get together. I always liked Benson with Cassidy or David Haden. The worst was Tucker.
Thank you! I’m glad I’m not the only one. They are such different people now. They’re like family to me than romantic partners. I don’t know if I could continue watching if they do get together.
Oh, sweet heavens, yes! Harry Connick Jr., come back! And how did she and Tucker ever click?!
I always thought Benson and Barba had great chemistry. If he would come back to the show I could see them getting together ❤️.
And, there’s one scene between Barba and Olivia that has Barba showing his intense interest. He lusts after her. I love Barba. He’s compassionate and smart. And quite charming.
After that (albeit not at all surprising) massive disappointment and letdown – I am done. dun… dun… dun…
I love this show and I really wish you writers stop with this teasing Olivia and Elliott are better as Friends!!!!! I really don’t want to drop this show if you wanted to do this should’ve happened years ago without having to kill his wife off
From NBC insider, the dialogue from the promo scene
Why didn’t you call me?” Stabler asked.
“Because I knew that you would try to protect me,” Benson admitted while avoiding Stabler’s eye contact.
“Is there something wrong with that? I care for you,” Stabler explained while scanning Benson’s every movement. “Liv, look at me.”
Benson and Stabler finally locked eyes, and the chemistry between the two ignited. As Benson and Stabler inched closer, it became clear: They may have officially passed the point of no return. But just as Stabler leaned in for a kiss, Benson pulled away at the last moment.
“I can’t,” Benson admitted, clearly conflicted.
“Why not?” Stabler asked (along with every SVU fan rooting for Bensler).
“Because what if it doesn’t work out?” Benson revealed, echoing the worries she shared with Rollins during the midseason finale about ruining their longtime friendship.
“Things will change,” Stabler reasoned. “For you, for Noah. What if they do work out?”
“Then things will still change,” Benson said, and it was clear Stabler’s unexpected vulnerability caught her off guard. After 24 years of will-they-won’t-they, Stabler has finally made a move. But Benson is never one to fumble the ball in her court. They have some issues they need to iron out before she dives into a romance with her former partner and best friend.
“I’m not ready for this,” Benson said while holding Stabler’s face in her hands as she started to cry. She repeated the phrase as she crumbled into Stabler’s arms. He held her softly as they processed the moment.
Yuck
Exactly like I expected. They use promo to make people watch, even though that scene is at every end of episode and nothing happens. I see this is small step right direction, but now they will act nothing happened for month or two on both shows, then we get one more tease before the finale and they still won’t be together by season 25. I use to ship them big time, but this dragging out kill all the excitement and I given up hope,
Easily the most un-compelling 3-4 episode run in 10 years on this show.
This exactly. It’s like once Kelli Giddish left, the soul of this show is suddenly gone. I think Mariska and Ice-T have a lot of good acting left in them, but they sure haven’t shown any lately. I feel like this show just decided to “phone it in” for the remainder of the season. So incredibly disappointing!
SVU drinking game: Take a shot every tine Benson mentions/refers to ‘my son’.
I was hammered half way through
Yessss!
May Benson never think of this again.
Shippers shouldn’t be dictating Benson and Stabler getting together and it shouldn’t happen because the majority don’t care to see it.
Nice job writers, never give into social media shipping demands
Pretty clear this isn’t the end but a beginning. If the writers were determined to ignore shippers, they never would have included a scene like this – they would have ignored it. And personally, I don’t even think they are giving in to the shippers, I think the fact that actors like Mariska and Chris and other writers and producers etc. involved in the show have all come out in support of a romance is probably a sign that this was always going to happen. And I can’t wait!
I think the majority DO want to see a relationship. Note (here on TVLine) that the viewer #s for this episode went through the roof. Why else would Wolf do ‘Bensler’ promo ads and put Meloni on “Today” to hype it? Because, like Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown to kick, thousands will rush to the TV like Charlie Brown toward Lucy’s football.
Those of you enraged that there wasn’t THE KISS: the words you’re looking for are “Oh, good grief.”
I DO want to see them together. I want something believable, worthy of the characters’ history on the show, worthy of Meloni & Hargitay’s real chemistry & of their acting talent. (C’mon folks. When was the last time you saw a couple of 60-ish actors have the TV turn your living room into a sauna?)
So, yes, thank you, writers, for moving the relationship along. Thank you for not doing so with a cliched Hollywood kiss, or a crisis-driven realization.
I do think the promo scene would’ve worked better than what we did see. Still, Stabler can admit he cares without being stoned. Benson can tell him she trusts him with her/her son’s life, but not yet with her heart. That’s progress. Keep on in that direction & I’m happy.
Thank you also for Benson doing more than hold a victim’s hand. Let’s hear it for Mama Lions!!
I’m glad they didn’t kiss . It will ruin the relationship.
Writers/ production can make it work, if they are in a relationship, just as easy as they can low it up…..
If this doesn’t happen this season then I’m out. I only started watching these shows again for the S/O pairing, and I have to admit I’m tired of the decades of will they/won’t they.