‘SVU’ Ponders Benson’s Love Life: Are You Team Stabler or Barba? (POLL)
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for the Law & Order: SVU Season 23 finale “A Final Call at Forlini’s Bar.”]
Law & Order: SVU bookends its Season 23 finale with conversations that directly address Captain Olivia Benson’s (Mariska Hargitay) personal life, specifically her relationship with her former partner, Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) — and something that is very unresolved with Rafael Barba (Raúl Esparza).
The episode began with Benson in a session with her therapist, Dr. Lindstrom (Bill Irwin), who brought up her coworkers’ stable relationships and her lack of one. “I think you and Elliot either need to see whether there’s more there or move on,” he told her. “This idealized relationship is hanging over you, prevents you from true intimacy, Olivia, either with him or with anyone else.”
And while there have been hints that Benson and Stabler could cross that line over the years and especially since he reappeared in her life with the introduction of Organized Crime, nothing has happened… yet?
Meanwhile, Benson’s still feeling betrayed by Barba defending Richard Wheatley (Dylan McDermott) when he was on trial for murdering Stabler’s wife, and so to say things were tense between the two when he takes on a client for the squad would be putting it mildly.
When she thanked him for doing so, in the middle of the case, she wouldn’t stay for a drink, even in silence. When she joined him at Forlini’s, for its last call, at the end of the episode, Barba remarked, “What I don’t get is why you feel more anger at me than you ever let yourself feel towards Stabler.”
Benson argued, “You don’t know anything about my feelings for Elliot and you don’t know him… I’ve known him for 23 years, and he’s always had my back.” But based on the glimpse the lawyer got and the “prism” through which he sees him by growing up bullied, he has a pretty good idea. She returned to what she saw as the issue at hand: Barba’s betrayal. But he put a stop to that.
“We’re going around in circles. You’re denying, you’re deflecting. You defend him. It’s alright, I get it. It’s what you do when you love somebody unconditionally,” he said. While she didn’t want him to tell her how she felt, “in this case I can because I do know what it means to love someone unconditionally. And when you’re ready to stop feeling betrayed by me, I’ll be here,” he explained. She did tell him she missed him — returning the sentiment he’d expressed earlier in the episode — as he walked away.
But there is a question of what Barba meant by “love” in that sentence, and Esparza remained coy when TV Insider pressed him. “I think everything is possible. I think that the scene is so beautifully written. It suggests any number of options and I think it would be wrong of us as actors to land on any one definition,” he said. “That was the thing we kept trying to wrestle with was how to convey a couple of meetings without hitting anything too hard because it is a fragile story between them and a moment of real tenderness, which exists often between them, but now coming out of a lot of heartache.”
But where do you fall? Do you want to see Benson and Stabler finally go there after 23 years? Or are you interested in seeing what could happen between Benson and Barba? Let us know in the poll below.
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O
Barba, hands down. The first time I watched SVU, I was a teen. I didn't recognize then how unhealthy and toxic Stabler and his relationship with Benson was. On rewatching the show in my mid-30s, I actually loathe Elliot. Barba was and is good for Olivia. He lets her be her, supports her, encourages her, but also grounds her. Elliot treats her like property.
68 25
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I totally agree. I can't see her with a relationship with Stable.
3 3
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O
Barba doesn’t support her 🤣 he’s literally gotten downright shitty with her over every relationship she’s had. Cassidy, Tucker, and now Elliot. Barba is the Bully
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They’ve both grown a lot since then sounds like u haven’t
2 4
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Barba is so much more healthier. He knows Benson better than she knows herself. It's quite evident in the last scene. He was right on all levels. He would do anything for her, just not by brutality but with logic. Even Carisi knew that in the Wheatly case. She could have lost her job protecting Elliot. Benson is much more stronger without Elliot. During the Barba years, together they were a better team than Stabler.
58 24
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“Olivia has been in love with Elliot for many a year.” — Hargitay, Mariska.
35 5
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she took it back in an interview and said she was kidding
3 8
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G
No she did not. She said it's not as simple as saying she's in love with him - that was understating it, due to how complex their relationship is and how deep the feelings run. Also, she said Noah Benson Stabler for a reason. You never heard her say Noah Benson Barba.
11 2
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O
"love" is extremely complicated. doesnt mean she needs to be with him
15 5
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G
Stop trying to make this a thing. There is no love triangle. She loves Elliot unconditionally and Barba even told her this last night.
31 7
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O
I haven't seen one comment on the fact that Olivia talked with her therapist. I think that helped her express her hurt to Barba. I still think that she has more work to do though. I think that she needs to forgive him, more than she needs to forgive Elliot. Barba was her best friend at one point. Her first after Elliot left her so his betrayal seems worse to her because of how burnt she felt when he represented Wheatley.
I buy that Barba felt that he was protecting Olivia by directing Wheatley's trial. That's just so Raffa. I just love him.
26 3
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R
I love the relationship between Noah and Uncle Rafa also.
11 2
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I agree with everybody that is for Stabler and Benson. I just can't see Olivia And Barba together. They do well as good friends and you can love your friends. Just a different kind of love. Olivia and Elliot have that special kind of love.
33 15
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I say Amen to that
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. I would love to see Benson and Stabler together for the long hall, please don't turn them into a Matt and Kitty that never happened. Please don't put Barba and Benson together. I love the show but don't think I could stomach Benson and Barba together.
31 17
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Olivia needs an intelligent person with intregity who doesn’t see black and white but his world has colors and he is softer and gentle -Barba. Stabler is a harder person. I don’t see her with Stabler, only Barba who could be a great dad to Noah too.
27 13
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While Olivia might have loved Stabler he left her without a trace. In the meantime people floated in and out of her life . She has a particular connection to Barba. He is sophisticated , learned and hot. Elliot just doesn’t have the gravitas(sp) that Barba does. I like Elliot and enjoyed their time together but now time to move on to someone who loves her and knows about her life. Team. Barba 100%
39 25
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O
Barba is arrogant, don’t care for him at all. Stabler and Benson need to have the opportunity to explore a relationship. Why has she been single so long, she was waiting for him! He’s available now. If it does not happen before the final season 24 ends what a waste it will be! Team Stabler all day everyday!
20 7
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am 1000%Barson, but as unconditional friends. I believe Rafael just thinks that Stabler, like other members of the SVU team, is a toxic person in Olivia's life. And the way she acts, excluding or antagonizing those who dislike Elliot only proves that they are right. Stabler's return only messed things up. I hope the Barson friendship is restored. Better Rafael in Olivia's life than Elliot.
15 3
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I hope Barba guest stars again at least once next season but this time with a husband so ya'll will stop shipping this man with Olivia. Olivia has wanted Elliot since day one and vice versa just the timing was never right. Now it is.... and they're now in that parallel universe where they can finally explore each other as something other than partners. EO, and EO only.
15 6
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I shipped Benson and Stabler for years, but I think Barba is actually the healthier choice. They help each other grow and are equally supportive of each other. Benson and Stabler have mutual regard but not equality.
23 14
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Agreed!
3 1
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O
How can Stabler and Benson not get together, they walk the same, they never give each other personal space when they are with each other working on a case they just belong together!
11 2
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Raul literally said in another article that he and Mariska have always played these characters as best friends/brother and sister, so weird flex tvinsider but ok!!!
9 1
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Raul ain't interested lol.
8 1
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O
Barba is a man who was infatuated with Olivia. Not in a romantic sense, but sensing her sadness and thus why he thinks he needs to fix her or something. I've never seen them as an equal friendship. Often times, Olivia walked all over him during the time he was on the show as ADA. And then for him to tell her she has daddy issues which is why she can't forgive him is... a choice. Barba is irrelevant to the progress of SVU's story, and Olivia's imo. I've felt nothing for the man the years he's been around and now that finale has aired, I could do without him. Kinda reminds me of season 1 Cassidy who couldn't take Liv's rejection. Barba is a non factor in Olivia's love life. Mariska didn't fight for ten years to get his character back for her happy ending. We all know who she did though and who they've been hinting at for not only the past two seasons, but the first 12.
16 10
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Well said, well said!
2 2
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P
I wonder why every male lead on the show has to fall in love with Benson. Ho hum. Is this just one of the perks of being an executive producer?
5
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Not even a choice…we’ve waited too long for her to be with Stabler
8 3
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I would have liked to see her in a relationship with Peter. He put his career on the line for her. Stabler and Benson feels like “the one that got away” but then when you get together realize it doesn’t work.
16 11
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I don’t think they are going to put Benson and Stabler together anytime soon, or until They are ready to end SVU. They are both leads in shows. I know we love crossovers, but i don’t see them doing so many crossovers to have them be together like that. I read somewhere a while back when crossovers are done, it can delay production some, so they do them in a logical time. I want them together, but i think it will be a while. Has for barba i want them back as great best friends.
11 6
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Stabler hands down. They’ve been in love with each other since the first few seasons and they absolutely deserve each other period.
4
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Team Stabler-always have been and always will be!
5 1
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Barba! Stabler is technically kind of a nut job and very similar to the type of guys she usually protects people from. If they spend 20+ seasons making Liv smart enough to see through BS and brave enough to stand as a strong wise woman they better not let her be dumb enough to end up with a cheating, lying, slightly corrupt, anger management red flag. I know we all get the warm fuzzies for him but let’s use our brains. Do NOT fall for this man Liv
17 13
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I mean so is Barba, he literally killed a child.
1 2
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No….no….no to Stabler.
100% Barba all the way!!!
28 24
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I totally agree. I was once Team Stabler but the more I watched the old episodes, the more I realize that Stabler was a total control freak. He practically stalked any potential date or lover of Benson. He was even totally against her fostering Calvin, Benson's temp. foster son.
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The fact that Barba is even being floated as a potential love interest for Olivia is just the former showrunner doing his best to keep Elliot and Olivia apart. He spent most of his time at SVU trying to minimize Elliot's importance to both Olivia and SVU. He created Barba and as such has a monetary incentive to keep Barba in the SVU universe. Elliot is a good father, putting his family first when he left his soul mate in 2011. He knew if he stayed after losing his job he and Liv would have gotten together but he didn't want to be like his dad and cheat on his kids mom. He did the right thing as always. Now it's time for him to finally find happiness with the love of his life. Olivia deserves to be happy too with her soul mate, Elliot.
7 4
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I agree with this post100%. I think Raul Esparza mentioned something about Warren Leight creating that role for him! I’m glad he is taking a break. How can you believe someone that posts on their Twitter page about finding a way for these two characters to get to an end point(Benson/Stabler), and throw a curveball like making Barba part of the conversation expressing his feelings for her now that Stabler has returned! That’s bull….
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You know what, Peter Stone had feelings for Olivia also. I think the folks she had “brief relationships “ with were her way of trying to block her feelings for Stabler and the fact that he left. SVU provided so many clues in their partnership and relationship that they both had feelings for each other, one couldn’t act on them because of marriage and the other couldn’t because of marriage and not wanting to break up a family, something she never had! End of story.
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Stabler all the way
10 7
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Benson & Stabler: Idealized. Barba & Benson: Unconditional love. Stabler: Talking about himself. Barba: “I hear you.” Stabler: 23 years? Barba: “I am you, now, Liv.” Barba-best choice.
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C
Can I just say as I have in my previous posts, some of us are die hard SVU fans and we want nothing more than to see our two favorite people become a couple in the next seasons of SVU and OC. I am referring to Benson and Stabler and no one else. Based upon the conversations in the last episode she has obviously discussed Elliott with her therapist, and possibly with Barba when they were friends. I think if she would have had a heart to heart with Fin, he probably would have told her the same thing her therapist said, since he is more familiar with their relationship than anyone. Hopefully since his name was mentioned by three different people in the finale episode, the new showrunner will run with it, as well as both actors. It’s time, she’s waited 24 years for him. Although she “loved both Tucker and Brian”, Elliott is the one she deserves. They deserve each other- finally.
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I wish they had never brought the Stabler character back or his show. I never liked his character. In answer to your question, Barba all the way. It seems Benson really loved Ed Tucker. It’s a shame they wrote him out of SVU. Also, would have liked Cassidy but they wrote his character out too, it appears.
4 2
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Stabler
3 1
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Did you ever know of someone who loved a married man despite his never leaving his wife? That is Stabler. He has grown so hard and unfeeling that the old days of Will they or won’t they is long gone. Barba is a more gentle man. Someone who would be there for her and Noah. He is educated and sees her for who she is. Stabler has always been about himself. I’m team Barba.
6 4
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Team Barba all the way....Elliot is a narcissist...He has used her for years...
17 15
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P
Stabler comes back into Benson’s life and is a wrecking ball. He still shows a lack of respect for her. By not trusting her and lying to her constantly. I know this isn’t a popular opinion, but he doesn’t have the depth that Benson’s character does. He was always angry and it drove me nuts during the show. I’d like to see if Barba and Benson will go anywhere. He’s been there for her through a lot. And I enjoyed every episode he was in.
1
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O
I agree. He's much harder than he used to be. Also everything does seem to be about him. He's never there when she needs someone but she shows up time after time for him. Plus he's had a full life, kids , marriage, love. Barba doesn't have the past, a dead wife to compete with, kids or any of that. Olivia and Noah could be his life. Plus he's not jaded, he'd be a good influence on Noah. Something tells me Barba would be better with the bisexual, dancer side. Stabler is a good man man but he's had a full life, let barba have a turn
1
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R
I think there was Time that Olivia was very match with stabler because of here character but after stabler left Olivia moved on and now she is a independent and powerful woman and I think we all know that Elliot is a person with anger issue so I think Elliot is not good for Olivia anymore and another point is how can a woman who Fights violence go to a relationship with a person with anger issues? It's absolutely not logical and i think according to Olivia's New character ( i mean Olivia changes after Elliot) barba is logical and perfect choice for a strong woman like Olivia Because he doesn't limit her and she is stronger with barba
1
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Actually The Last episode of SVU made me disappointed l understand bensler fans like Olivia to be with Elliot but why did Thay do this to barson i think this is not fair their relationship we're beautiful and as a barson fan i think we saw enough of bensler it's Time for a new relationship
1
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BARBA, 100% I have been watching this show since forever and with my adult eyes I gave up on Elliot's abusive self. I don't condone that sort of relationship and Olivia can treat Elliot as a toxic older brother or something, dassit. She should totally allow herself to explore a relationship with Barba but she loves Elliot. Elliot doesn't love her though. All I can see in a Stabler-Benson relationship is pure toxicity, so that is a hard NO for me.
1
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P
I don’t really want either of them to be with Benson. I feel like somebody she has not worked with would be more realistic and ideal!
1
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O
I think Olivia Benson and Hank Bought would be a good fit.
The chemistry between Benson and Stabler has passed, and would be like dating your brother.
As for Barba, I was always under the impression that he was gay, and I'm pretty sure it was mentioned in an earlier episode??
1
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C
The person Raul Esparza is bi-sexual who is currently in a relationship with a man, he divorced his wife.
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B
Forever Team Cabot.
1
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O
Oh hell yes to this one!!
If not Cabot, then Barba. But Cabot all day!
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G
Barba 100%
4 3
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B
Barba would be best for her. He watched her grow as a mom, a leader of SVU, respects and loves her for it. Benson is a strong person, Rafael sees that Stabler would always expect her to be submissive to him.
7 6
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O
Stabler and Benson would make a better couple than Barba. Benson and stabler have known each other for over 23 years. Plus Stabler kids knows Benson very well. I can't wait until they make it official. Barba is a cool dude but Stabler is a better match.
7 6
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B
I vote for neither. She needs a fresh start with someone who will love her & Noah and not a lot of old baggage. But she does deserve to be happy finally.
7 6
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AGREED
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O
Barba is her balance. The North Star on that compass.
1 1
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O
Both? Wouldn’t mind a titillating love triangle haha
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P
Yes for Elliot and Olivia dynamic
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O
Totally agree!
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O
Olivia need to concentrate on her career and son for now..She don't need to end up with Stabler or Barba. I love Stabler to death and if she had to end up with one of them i would pick Stabler 100 percent but they should continue to love each other from a far and go on with their lives. Barba is a really bad choice because he defends criminals and it would strain the relationship eventually.
So in other words I am team no one..
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C
The episode called “Torch” with Sharon Stone confirmed Benson’s feelings for Elliott. Sharon’s character was Elliott’s former partner, she asked Benson if she and Elliott ever got together- Benson’s response was no, he’s married! Jo’s response was yeah right! So that’s proof that Olivia wanted to but his marriage prevented them from taking that step!😍
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C
I’m pretty sure there was an episode where Barba hinted that he was gay. I think he loves her like a sister, not romantically.
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P
I think she is annoying and a drama queen. Too much baggage no matter what!
1 1
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O
Differently not the therapist no way no how. Bad choice.
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R
I am for Barba all the way. No longer care for Stabler
7 7
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O
Barba is a good choice. If Benson is not with Peter, let her be with Rafael Barba. Elliot is a good friend but not love partner for her.
7 7
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I have never felt either Benson or Barba had romantic feelings for each other, and I still don't, even if they will try to tell us one or the other or both of them do, in the future. I have always believed, at the end of SVU, that Stabler would come riding back to carry Benson off for a happily-ever-after, even though I think that relationship is toxic and it's definitely not what I would prefer. Personally, I liked her with Tucker, but, since he's gone, I'd rather she rode off into the sunset without a man. Women can do that and be happy, though you'd not know it from network TV, and I believe Olivia Benson could be a shining example of that.
12 12
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C
Totally agree. The relationship with Stabler is toxic. Stabler is toxic. I liked Tucker also, he was mature, calm, and likeable - everything Stabler is not. But with the absence of Tucker, I the her and Barba would make a great romantic team. He is communicative, open-hearted, and with a good sense of humor. Again - everything Stabler is not. Stabler made his choice 10 years age, and he chose Kathy. As far as I’m concerned - Stabler is Kathy’s leftovers - and Benson deserves someone to wholeheartedly love her - and that person would be Barba!!!
30 21
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Tucker was literally a crooked IAB cop. His introduction into SVU back in season 4 was him trying to cover for a rookie cop shooting a little black girl and blaming it on a sex crime. Elliot toxic? The fact a cop who actually did good and was so affected by the sex crime cases that he took them home with him is toxic to you says more about you than the character. I wish more cops cared like Elliot. He's the antithesis of toxic. His good moments heavily outweight his bad moments over the course of the original 12 seasons.
7 7
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G
"Stabler is toxic"
The man just took down a whole gang of dirty cops and saved more victims than SVU did this whole year but ok.
6 3
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O
Stabler is toxic for HER. not as a cop
4 3
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G
No he is not. The man put his house up for bail for her and always protected her. If I remember correctly, nothing too traumatic happened to her when he was her partner besides Sealview but he wasn't with her and tried to get her to talk to him. He always kept her safe and protected.
3 1
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Exactly, he didn’t even tell his wife, that he used his house for he bail! How many partners would do that? The only other person who posted bail was Munch for Amaro! Benson and Stabler belong together period. Tucker was a an a…
2 1
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"The relationship with Stabler is toxic. Stabler is toxic. I liked Tucker also, he was mature, calm, and likeable - everything Stabler is not." HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA WTH???? Olivia was almost arrested for murder because of Sucker while Elliot even gave up his own house to protect Olivia.
7 4
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B
Does she really need a love life? She's great as an independent woman. Every woman does not have to have one! And if she does, neither of those 2! Some new YOUNG really cute guy with fun personality would be a better fit for Olivia!!!!
1 2
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B
If barba is Darryl the yea
1
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G
Barson all the way best svu couple ever
6 7
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O
Team barbs!
10 11
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I am definitely a Barba fan. Stabler and Benson didn’t have the same chemistry and Stabler’s wife, although deceased, would be a big reason for the writers to go with Barba. Viewers still want to love Stabler despite his faults, but this would cheapen his marriage and make many not like Stabler as much.
9 10
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G
You made a good point, the truth is even his now deceased wife knew the connection her husband and his partner had! Their relationship scared her, she knew that they had a bond that was a little bit closer than the one he had with his wife. Even his children knew. His son even asked in an episode if they slept together!
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O
neither of them need to be a couple. she needs to find someone else that she doesnt have a history with that will make her truly happy.
1 3
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B
I think Benson and Hank Voigt. I really think they've already slept together.
2 4
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G
You’re probably right. There was a mystery person on a plane with her wearing a flannel shirt!
1
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O
That was Cassidy lol
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O
Voight is an interesting option; but he seems to damage to be with Olivia and take care of Noah.
1 1
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O
Barbara should be the one. He is so sexy.
14 16
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O
Yeah!
1 1
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R
I never saw Stabler with Benson. He has always been a hothead and has not changed. Barba is sexy and he and Liv have more sizzling chemistry!!! Stabler may have his buns but it is not the physicality that makes someone appealing. As a sapiosexual I find Barba to be the better choice.
5 8
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I'm team Barba ALL THE WAY!
6 9
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Barba is the best for Olivia... Sorry but Elliot is toxic...
Team Barba ❤️
7 10
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O
Trevor Langen.
5
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C
You they have their real life relationship, let’s not bring it to television! Most real life couples that work on a tv show end up divorced. We admire them too much for that to happen, let’s keep that relationship private please and thank you!
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C
Never should they end up together if they ever do the show will end! So Barba would be a great choice!
18 23
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O
Barba is gay, Joyce.
4 6
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O
where has it even said or implied that?
1
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O
It looks like it was Warren Leight's original idea for it.
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Barisi😉
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Season 24 is supposed to be the last!
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