As Stabler gets out of the car, the smuggler shoots him twice. Stablers confused mother, Bernie, unexpectedly returns and ends up at the OC office. 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. A young tech named Dale Stuckey (Noel Fisher) is with Benson and Stabler at various crime scenes throughout the episode, and at one point, even makes a careless mistake that ends up setting the suspect free. "I dont know. Benson joins the Stabler family in the cemetery after Kathy's death. I just think I needed to hear you say that.. Newsom says. Benson, whos clearly still struggling with the unexpected return of Stabler after all this time, pulls away and leaves. "Elliot I want to," she says, "I want to, but I can't.". 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. So there was a depth and a little sexuality to it something that went beyond that. Throughout Benson and Stabler's first 12 years together, various people would respectively ask the two if they were ever more than partners or wanted to be. Hows that for now? Note the "for now" part. I can see why you scare the pants off of Kathy, Bernie says, before pulling out an old family photo album with childhood photos of Stabler including one of him dressed as a carrot. Elliot talked about you all the time.. Lindstrom ends the session by telling Benson to think about what she deserves and emphasizes she deserves happiness.. wrote it. I know that you are carving your way through a mountain of grief, and I have tried to be here for you. "Burned" steps scene is a top-tier Benson and Stabler moment. Stablers away at Quantico while Benson continues working as normal with SVU. The episode ends with Benson walking back to her old desk, which prompts Stabler to ask, What are you doing here?. Afterward, the two sit awkwardly at a caf until Benson finally breaks the silence and says, Why couldnt Dani cut it? Stabler says Beck couldnt deal with the victims." He did, didnt he? Stablers daughter Kathleen meets up with Benson and says the family needs her help getting through to their dad. He says, What was I gonna do let you get shivved in Rikers?. "All That Glitters" ended with Leonetti on the phone at Stabler's doorstep asking if he would let her inside. More on that later. At the same time, he sees Benson as she's raising her gun at Gitano, who has his arm wrapped around the other child. Benson explains shes there because they lost contact with him, and she also gave him her phone so he could call Kathy. She emphasizes to Stabler that he walked away, and she had to find out about his exit from Cragen. I think it worked out even better than I couldve hoped for.). 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. Stabler tells Benson that the letter was Kathys idea, and Kathy thought it would be an easier way to start a discussion since the two hadnt seen each other in years. Season Eight is an especially memorable if not the most memorable season for Benson and Stabler fans. She says Cassidy wants to go out with her again, to which Stabler responds, "Can you blame him?". Benson also tells Fin her therapist asked if Stabler being MIA again was triggering for her. Stabler tells him to stay put and Eli tearfully says he's sorry. He stares longingly at her as she's putting something in the car until she turns and notices and says, "What?". Stabler asks her why she didnt tell him she was no longer his partner. Cragen then informs Benson and Stabler that Porter and the suspect are off the hook since the situation is out of their hands. 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. Once Stabler gets to the hospital and sees Kathy and the baby, Kathy says that Stabler is the little ones father. The conversation takes even more of a turn after Lewis brings up Bensons father and taunts her to the point that she ends up beating him with the bed pole. You know everything about me even the parts that Id rather forget. Benson goes to introduce Noah to Stabler, but Noah jumps in that he already knows whom Detective Stabler is, his moms former partner. The two most important men in Benson's life meet on Mother's Day. When an FBI agent approaches and asks Stabler to make a call, Stabler respects his former partners authority and responds, Shes the captain. Then she recalls how he showed up drugged at her apartment in the middle of the night while Noah was there asleep. Rook continues to repeatedly ask Stabler to press the button. Stabler walks Benson out through the back garden. It's worth noting that, at the end of this episode, Stabler finds out Angela was actually the one who ordered to take Kathy out, not Richard. Benson responds, You dont know anything about my feelings for Elliot, and you dont know him.. 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. Cragen requires Benson and Stabler to respectively undergo psychological evaluations after worrying theyve become too close when Stabler helps Benson as she searches for her brother, Simon (Michael Weston) in New Jersey. Then Stabler confesses to Benson something thats been on his mind: His father staged a shooting while he was on the job years ago. What about your kids?" During the fallout of Benson and Stabler's growing closeness, Benson attempts to maintain professionalism by asking for a new partner. Stabler clearly feels some type of way about this decision and decides to confront Benson head-on about her reasoning. Viewers are also treated to seeing Benson and Stabler interrogate a suspect together, not missing a beat just like old times. We can never let that happen again, Stabler says. Stabler appears shortly after to make sure shes OK and to arrest him. At the hospital, Benson is surprised to hear from the doctor that Stabler is fine. Cragen wants to bench Benson from their current case since she has custody of their suspects son, and he also takes Stabler off the case. Kathleen tells her dad she went to Benson to ask for help. which you can watch on Hulu with a free trial, 'Law & Order: SVU': Elliot Stabler Finally Explains Why He Never Said Goodbye to Olivia Benson, 'The Morning Show' Season 4 Officially Ordered at Apple TV+, Beloved Children's Show Being Turned Into Movie, Seth Meyers Prepares Viewers for Possible Writers Strike This Week, Ryan Seacrest Weighs in on Mark Consuelos First Week as 'Live With Kelly and Mark' Co-Host, Don Lemon's 'CNN This Morning' Co-Hosts Enjoy Joyous Night out Following His Ouster, 'Law & Order: SVU': Benson Learns Information That Could Ruin Her Career, Tyra Banks Ripped by 'America's Next Top Model' Winner, Scott Disick's Reported Reaction to Ex-Girlfriend Sofia Richie's Wedding.