Where Should Benson & Stabler Go From Here on ‘SVU’ & ‘Organized Crime’? (POLL)

Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler, Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson in Law & Order Organized Crime
Eric Liebowitz/NBC

Twenty-three years after we first met (then) Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni), we might see the romance some fans have been hoping for across their NBC dramas, Law & Order: SVU and Organized Crime.

“Back from a terrific dinner with @Mariska, @Chris_Meloni, @JulieMartinSVU, @ilenechaiken and some great @WolfEnt folks — the discussion: where does/do EO go from here? If, when, how fast, toward what end,” SVU showrunner Warren Leight wrote on Twitter on November 1. (Julie Martin is an executive producer on SVU and Ilene Chaiken is the showrunner of Organized Crime.)

For 12 seasons, viewers watched Benson and Stabler just be partners on SVU. He was married (though it wasn’t perfect), but that didn’t stop fans from wanting the detectives to get together — and considering how many partners have gotten together on procedural dramas since, it makes sense. Flash forward 10 years after Meloni’s exit, and to kick off his spinoff, fans were treated to a crossover between the two shows, one that killed off Stabler’s wife Kathy (Isabel Gillies) and propelled his Season 1 journey on Organized Crime.

And suddenly the possibility of Benson and Stabler getting together seemed more and more real and less like a dream. While Kathy was in the hospital, the focus was on the former partners’ reunion — even she couldn’t believe they hadn’t spoken in the decade that passed, despite what her husband told her. Mobster Richard Wheatley (Dylan McDermott) even commented that “another woman [is] the one true love of his life.” And that came after Stabler told Benson he loved her (before correcting himself to include his kids, also in the room), which they never discussed.

Then in Season 2 of Organized Crime, one of the connections Stabler makes undercover, Reggie (Dash Mihok) brought him to meet his mother, who read his coffee grounds and asked, “Why don’t you tell her how you feel? The person you love.” But the big moment came when, while drugged, Stabler revealed to Benson that he hadn’t actually written most of the letter he gave her back in the series premiere. His wife had. His only contribution? “But in a parallel universe, it will always be you and I.”

Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler, Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson in Organized Crime

Will Hart/NBC

And so now we’re left with wondering where they go next. Is Stabler really in the best state to start a relationship with Benson? Probably not, especially considering that when those two do get together (which is feeling inevitable at this point), the last thing it needs to be is messy. So how slow of a burn should it (continue to) be? If they do get together, the last thing this relationship needs to be is something they “try out” and realize doesn’t work after all this time. And with the two on different shows and scheduling to take into consideration, would you be happy with just bits here and there?

 

So what do you think should happen? Vote in the poll below.

Law & Order: SVU, Thursdays, 9/8c, NBC

Law & Order: Organized Crime, Thursdays, 10/9c, NBC




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  1. G

    GreenHat

    They have been in each other’s lives for too long for not to be with each other. I can’t see Olivia with anyone else than Elliot, than Elliot with another woman. They do love each other and it will eventually happen.

    12 2

  2. P

    PurpleDucky

    Yes they should get together. They live each other, Olivia knows and lives his kids and he would be a great father figure for Noah. They only reason I watch is because of these two, please let this happen. Kathy was the only reason they didn’t, she is gone. Loved Kathy in the show, but she is no longer there. If not for the pregnancy of Eli probably wouldn’t have gotten back together, neither wanted, but stabler is a real man and Kathy a very good mother.

    11 2

  3. B

    BlueSailboat

    They never should have brought stabler back. He abandoned her. She deserves better.

    11 3

  4. G

    GoldLeaf

    I feel that they should be together . It has been hinted at for a long time. I had wondered why they weren't together when he was separated . They both deserve to be happy. They could still have their separate shows and they cross over fighting for justice as a couple .

    10 2

  5. C

    CyanCandy

    I think they should get together. They've been through so Much and I think it'll be good for the both of them.

    10 2

  6. R

    RedLobster

    Liv and Elliot should definitely get together and I really believe being on the two separate shows would be ok I’d be happy for glimpses of them together than not at all . I think Olivia deserves it she’s been patient long enough ! And I don’t want it to take a long time to happen I’ve waited also, come on they both deserve to be happy 😊

    10 3

  7. R

    RedElephant

    NO! They are great as friends. As a romantic interest? Olivia deserves better.

    8 2

  8. G

    GoldHammer

    NO! ! Stabler is toxic and a hothead. Olivia deserves better if she gets involved with anyone. If they go there it would ruin SVU for me.

    8 3

  9. O

    OrangeBasketball

    Yes, they should get together and soon! They clearly love each other— even people who don’t watch the shows religiously recognize how much they love each other. They need to address some of their issues, but we all know their love is stronger than all of that. Dragging the will they/won’t they much longer is ridiculous given it’s been more than 20 years. Getting together won’t be the end of their story— there is so much history and so much story to tell after they are together that we will miss out on seeing if they don’t get together until the end. They deserve to finally be together and be happy and so do we!

    7 2

  10. C

    CyanBottle

    They should take it slow but now that they're both single, you know it's gonna happen.

    7 2

  11. O

    OliveBullhorn

    They definitely should not geht together! He didn't call once during these Times , He wasn't there in her most anxious and difficult moments (Lewis, Noah etc). He let His wife dictate this letter and still gave it Liv! He ist toxic and still does'nt See her as equal and doesn't respect her. Liv grew without him much more - she doesn't need him!

    9 5

  12. C

    CyanCherries

    I don't think Liv and Elliott y should get together

    They never had that interest before so why start that now

    They should keep SUV and Organize crime separate

    10 6

  13. O

    OliveGrapes

    They should get together. They should hav already

    6 2

  14. G

    GreenGoggles

    They should get together by the end of this season. 23 seasons of will they/won't they is way too much. There might be some complications after they get together, but they will have rest of the shows to make it work. Just move to the next step already!

    5 2

  15. P

    PurpleScooter

    Stabler needs to quit OC and go back to SVU. He and Benson also need to get together, finally. Stabler needs her to get past his wifes death, and Olivia is already known to and liked by his kids and his mother. Win/Win

    6 3

  16. P

    PurpleCocktail

    Im tired of Elliot now. He came back like a baby and im not feeling it. Im not watching.

    Liv on the other hand is bad a$$!

    She's earned her spot and is a great actress!

    Go Liv💕

    4 2

  17. O

    OliveChefHat

    Yes they should get together. I love their chemistry and I stopped watching SVU because it was not the same without Elliot. Now I with a relationship back, I am watching it again. I will be pissed if they don’t get together.

    1

  18. P

    PurpleCorn

    Omggg Nooo! why can’t they just remain friends and great partners in crime. 😩

    1

  19. P

    PurpleScooter

    If Benson And Stabler become a romantic item, I will stop watching. Ive already cut back on my watching.

    2 1

  20. P

    PurpleAnchor

    Last Post

    If the writers for both shows do not, have the characters explore a relationship I will be Dun Dun forever and will not watch either show anymore except for old reruns!

    2 1

  21. P

    PurpleAnchor

    I previously commented about this topic, but I think the show runners are using the hopes and dreams of the fans to promote one show over the other. I for one would love to see them together after all this time, I think it would be good for the characters and they can each provide something for each other’s children at this point, at least young Noah and Eli since his mom is gone.

    Did anyone notice after the party, on Organized Crime, when Olivia stopped by his apartment, she came out of his bedroom!!

    I hope that the folks at Organized Crime considers what the fans want. If they are going to continue teasing a relationship between them I will no longer watch the show, I don’t like my time wasted. I’ll just watch the Food Network instead.

    My thoughts❤️

    2 1

  22. C

    CyanFish

    Together ❤

    2 1

  23. G

    GreenWrench

    Just because you want so very much for Stabler and Benson get together doesn't mean they should. There will be holy hell if they do. Benson has to much to lose. Noah is not even a teenager yet. Stabler's been gone for 10-TEN years and not a word! He comes back for something other Olivia's award ceremony and his wife Kathy get killed which is very sad but Olivia's move on and got a life and a family. Stabler does not to disrupt that dynamic. Just because his wife's gone doesn't mean he and Olivia needs to be together. If it was meant to be it would have happened already. Kathy or no Kathy. Just be you want something doesn't mean you should have it. There's too much going on in her life for Elliott to be in it too. Leave it alone. Please

    9 8

  24. O

    OrangeWeights

    completely wrong about him and Kathy never going back together, they had actually been wanting to reconcile and Elliot made the decision himself after one of his therapies he had, its the exact opposite, their reconciliation LED TO her PREGNANCY with Eli, not the other way around. He may have had love for Liv and was her close friend and may now develop feelings for her(naturally), but never think for one second he never loved his wife, he absolutely loved her and was even traumatized for a while after she died.

  25. B

    BluePlanet

    They need to be together.

  26. O

    OliveRadio

    I don’t think they should get together and I don’t like the crossover episodes. Let Stabler have his own show, fine, just keep him off of SVU, I can’t stand his character or storyline.

  27. G

    GreenApple

    You know, in regards to the crossover episode airing tonight for the fall finale we already know the Richard Wheatley is going to walk so those who have watched the show should not expect anything else! Which is a shame, surely the Stabler’s should have received some justice for Kathy Stabler’s death, but unfortunately it’s not going to happen. When you see that there are clues like “Richard considers his future “ that can only mean one thing. After tonight’s episode I will be DUN DUN with all of it, including SVU.

  28. P

    PurpleBug

    I totally ship!!! But I’m worried Stabler is a little too into his bad-boy lifestyle. He has always skirted the line, and Olivia is pretty straight and narrow.

  29. G

    GreenCloud

    Typo ...

    Benson AND Stabler .....

  30. P

    PurpleFlame

    Yes everyone knows they belong ❤.

    3 3

  31. R

    RedCloud

    Liv and elliot definitely need to get together!!!!!!

    4 4

  32. G

    GoldFlame

    Many of the negative comments are valid. I would have liked Stabler to contact her during that whole William Lewis saga, just to tell her that he was thinking about her and hope that she is doing okay. As far as a romance between them, I think it should happen, but on her terms. He did leave without saying a word to her. These two have a history together that no one has and I think it would be refreshing to see Captain Benson smile every once in a while and hopefully the team at Wolf Entertainment listens to the diehard fans. If it doesn’t happen I will not tune in to season 24 or season 3 of Organized crime if there will be one!

    1 2

  33. P

    PurpleButterfly

    Yes - come on - now they let Kathy die - you have to let them Olivia & Elliot finally have at least a small affair - but I want it soon - not wait forever & male it good & sexy & steamy hot 😍

    1

  34. O

    OliveFlower

    I think they should be together it has been a long time

    2 3

  35. G

    GreenSushi

    I'll be annoyed if they don't get together, for no other reason than they gave us all this in the first place. I never shipped Liv and El until OC, after he said he loves her. Then I started seeing all the little things and how he really DOES love her. So you're going to have Elliot realize he's in love with her but never have it happen? What is the point of that? I'd rather they just never did anything instead of clearly trying to make us get into it, and then the writers are like, "What? Why do fans ship it?"

    2 3

  36. G

    GoldBattery

    I think they should get together,,,or even work closely together again but if they do get together in the script I know they both deserve to be happy together there is a strong connection between them both in the show

    1 2

  37. O

    OrangeBasketball

    Yes, they should get together and soon! They clearly love each other— even people who don’t watch the shows religiously recognize how much they love each other. They need to address some of their issues, but we all know their love is stronger than all of that. Dragging the will they/won’t they much longer is ridiculous given it’s been more than 20 years. Getting together won’t be the end of their story— there is so much history and so much story to tell after they are together that we will miss out on seeing if they don’t get together until the end. They deserve to finally be together and be happy and so do we!

    2 3

  38. R

    RedCarrot

    They really need to be together that would be epic

    1 2

  39. G

    GoldMustache

    Need to be together..be wanting this since I started watching ....they made the show ...and cielises and Rollins is hot as a couple

    1 2

  40. E

    Erica Brodie

    Olivia and Elliot should most definitely get together romantically after all these years what's stopping them from getting together romantically nothing. People say that Olivia and Elliot were like a brotherly sisterly type of relationship between them and that they could never get together romantically and they were just friends and nothing more than that and I see them as just friends and nothing more than that even Kathy knew that Olivia and Elliot were more than just friends. Even Wheatley knew whom Elliot loved and it wasn't Katherine it was Olivia Benson all along it was never noone else. Olivia Benson may have reunion with her high school love but ge wasn't Elliot Stabler and he turned out to be a jerk anyways.

    3 4

  41. O

    OrangeBottle

    they need to get together.

    1 3

  42. G

    GoldHammer

    I think they should be together they have loved each other for a long time and it's time for them now

    1 3

  43. C

    CyanBus

    They need to get together 🙏🏻🙏🙏🏻

    1 3

  44. G

    GreenWrench

    Yes they deserve to be happy but not necessarily together. She was friends with Kathy and his kids and know you want them to bump uglies together. Seriously! Ugh. Award much? As if!

    5 7

  45. G

    GreenTurtle

    They should be together after 23 long years. This is getting ridiculous. Just let it happen. We the fans deserve it. Fan since 1999

    1 4

  46. G

    GreenRocket

    I would love for them to get together. However, after 10 years apart and everything that has happened I feel they need to work through some stuff first and find their way back to each other as best friends for a healthy, happy relationship to work. Then they can have the relationship we are all wanting…not to mention that that journey back to each other would allow for some great storylines along the way too! 😃

    3

  47. G

    GreenCloud

    Benson said Stabler are overdue for not starting a relationship they already know ea other,,get it started already,, This will def make both shows interesting and cant miss thurs night,, COME ON MR DICK WOLF get it started!!!!! I'm a def SVU fan love the whole squad !!!!!!!!!!! Then and now!!!!!!!! U already wrote it in the script for Stabler to tell Benson that HE LOVES HER IN FRONT OF HIS KIDS. !!!!!!!!! MAKE THEM BE TOGETHER ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!! .

    1 4