Original Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Christopher Meloni speaks out about why a reunion between Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson has to happen. Meloni was a regular on SVU for more than a decade, sharing the lead with Mariska Hargitay, who portrays Benson. Meloni’s character, Stabler, was abruptly written off the long-running police drama in the premiere episode of season 13 due to a pay dispute between the actor and NBC. Because of his long history with SVU, and the unexpected nature of his exit, fans have been hoping that Meloni would once again appear on screen with Hargitay.
It was reported, back in May, that Meloni would finally be making a return. Prior to departing for the spinoff Organized Crime, which is centered on Stabler, Meloni will guest star in the season 22 premiere of SVU. Although it’s unclear when SVU will return, given the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, Meloni is looking ahead to reviving the character he played for years. There’s one aspect of his return to the Law & Order world, in particular, that the actor regards as being essential.
In a new interview with the New York Post, in which Meloni discuses his hopes for the spinoff, as well as his reasons for exiting the Law & Order franchise, Meloni emphasizes the importance of Stabler reuniting with Benson. The actor goes into detail about why he feels a reunion has to happen, echoing many of the same sentiments expressed by fans ever since Stabler’s abrupt exit from the series. Meloni’s comments have been included below.
“It just has to be. Benson and Stabler are inextricably linked, locked and connected. I think there is truly and deeply a worthwhile, inherent drama in exploring that relationship and the complexity of how Stabler left - the unresolved emotions both characters feel and how the fans feel. How my character left was really unsatisfying, I think, it almost feels that we won’t do one or two [crossover] episodes and move on our merry way.”
Meloni added that viewers would be eager to see how the dynamic between the two former partners has shifted in the intervening years. On the whole, Law & Order has succeeded due to a simple and addictive procedural formula. But in the case of SVU specifically, there has always been an element of intrigue to the bond between Benson and Stabler. Some viewers appreciated the fact that, despite working so closely, the two characters never jeopardized their friendship. Others hoped that the writers would explore the possibility of a romantic relationship, citing the chemistry between Hargitay and Meloni as evidence the storyline could work. While fans have debated the best approach for SVU to take, there has always been wide agreement that the dynamic between the show’s two leads helped SVU distinguish itself from other Law & Order spinoffs.
Meloni’s explanation for the necessity of a reunion and a crossover reunite with Benson shows that he recognizes the central role the pairing had in shaping a character he played for years. It’s fair to assume Benson will meet with Stabler at least a few times, beyond the return appearance that’s already been announced. Numerous crossovers have occurred between Law & Order series since 1995, either as part of larger arcs or in the form of guest roles. Benson has changed and evolved as a character from one season to the next, rising up to the level of a captain, while Stabler has faced his own trials and tribulations offscreen. For devotees of Law & Order, and for Meloni himself it seems, the reunion is long overdue.
Source: New York Post