Why There’s Still Hope For Stabler & Benson Despite Law & Order: SVU Season 24 Avoiding Their Romance
There is still a possibility for romance between Benson and Stabler despite the cold water Law & Order: SVU season 24 threw on the couple.
SUMMARY
- Benson and Stabler’s romance on Law & Order: SVU has hit roadblocks, but with Law & Order: Organized Crime developments, hope for their future lingers.
- Logistics and storyline hurdles have hindered Benson and Stabler’s progression, but a potential crossover indicates progress towards romance.
- With Law & Order: Organized Crime moving to Peacock and Stabler having more availability, the time for Benson and Stabler’s romance may be near.
Law & Order: SVU featured a Benson/Stabler almost-kiss in season 24, along with a crossover finale in which the two shared an intimate moment after Stabler saved Benson’s life. There was no follow-up to this moment during season 25 except for Benson wearing the compass necklace that Stabler had given her, suggesting that the writers didn’t plan to do anything further with the relationship. With Law & Order: Organized Crime’s future uncertain, there has been widespread speculation about whether this relationship would be resolved. However, some recent news suggests there is hope for romance in the future.
The Final Version of That Near-Kiss Didn’t Match What Was Teased or Filmed
Law & Order: SVU teased a steamy kiss between Benson and Stabler during season 24. During the infamous scene, Benson and Stabler talked while Noah was asleep in the next room and moved in for a kiss before Benson backed off, unsure if the time was right. The scene was disappointing for those fans who had been eager for a Benson/Stabler romance. It also was different from what was teased, and Mariska Hargitay has explained that producer Dick Wolf ultimately decided he did not want the romance to proceed in that manner.
This reluctance could also explain why there have been no scenes between Benson and Stabler during season 25 despite the intimacy the two shared at the end of season 24. Logistics likely also played a role; with Benson and Stabler being the leading characters in two different series, it was difficult to find time and space for them to have scenes together. The only movement in their romance has been one-sided phone calls in which Stabler has left messages for Benson while on a case.
Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Changes Could Mean Stabler Appears On SVU More
The Move to Peacock Means Fewer Episodes to Film
Law & Order: Organized Crime season 5 will stream exclusively on Peacock rather than being broadcast on NBC. The spinoff series is getting a 10-episode order, while Law & Order: SVU has been renewed for a full broadcast season. This means that there will be far fewer episodes of Law & Order: Organized Crime to film, which solves one of the logistical problems. There should be more time for Christopher Meloni to visit the SVU set now that there are twice as many episodes of Law & Order: SVU’s next season.
Stabler’s appearances would not have to be shoe-horned in, as there have already been several episodes during season 25 that could have benefited from a crossover appearance that didn’t happen. Thus, there is no logistical reason not to make Staber a semi-regular character on Law & Order: SVU, and Mariska Hargitay said that crossovers would be possible. If Benson and Stabler work closely together on a recurring basis, it is inevitable that their romance would blossom more.
Stabler watched Benson’s press conference during the Maddie Flynn kidnapping and that case seemed to tie in to the fentanyl dealers and suppliers he was chasing, yet he did not participate in searching for Maddie.
Why Stabler & Benson Need To Get Together Eventually On Law & Order
The Pair Have Seemed Like Star-Crossed Lovers From The Beginning
Law & Order: Organized Crime must resolve Stabler and Benson’s relationship eventually. There has been chemistry between the two characters since Law & Order: SVU began in 1999. Stabler would not have cheated on Kathy while she was alive to be with Benson, but now that his wife has been dead for five years, there’s no real reason for him not to move on. All the pieces have been in place for this romance since Stabler returned to New York City, so the franchise must move in that direction or risk alienating a substantial subset of its audience.
There has been chemistry between the two characters since Law & Order: SVU began in 1999. Stabler would not have cheated on Kathy while she was alive to be with Benson, but now that his wife has been dead for five years, there’s no real reason for him not to move on.
Law & Order: SVU season 24 disappointed those fans who want a Benson/Stabler romance, and there has been no movement forward during season 25. However, the news that Law & Order: Organized Crime is moving to Peacock provides new hope for this relationship. The reduced episode count solves the logistical problems of putting Stabler and Benson in scenes together, so there’s no reason not to allow the couple to take steps toward their happily-ever-after.
