‘SVU’ Star Mariska Hargitay Breaks Down Benson and Stabler’s Complicated Reunion and Her Final Choice: ‘There Are So Many Feelings’

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains major spoilers from the 600th episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

To say that Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler have a complicated relationship would be an understatement. During the Nov. 12 600th episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” Benson (Mariska Hargitay) is forced to reopen a case that she worked with Stabler (Christopher Meloni) many years ago, realizing they likely put the wrong man behind bars.

After convincing him to come help her with the case, Benson learns that he had shut her out of the case and taken control, something she allowed him to do. But she’s the captain now — and isn’t going to allow their old patterns to return.

“I love that we got to push up against each other because that’s also family. There are so many feelings between Benson and Stabler. It’s so complicated — what could have been, what was, what we’ve shared, the ‘ride or die,'” says Hargitay. “People ask, ‘Why do you think people love Benson and Stabler?’ And it’s because of their dedication to each other, their trust in each other.”

Since Stabler “was so formative in her development as a detective,” this episode highlighted how they move past that. “It’s about a woman having her voice,” she says. “So many women identify with that.”

Hargitay was excited to dive into such a strong storyline about the duo.

“I think that we also just wanted to tell a truthful, complex story that people could identify with, have big feelings about, and understand the complexities of these types of relationships, and give them something real to go up against,” she adds. “We are so focused on keeping it real and making it good, and we know that just by being together, the fans will be happy. That’s why we invited him back because we knew they’d be so happy, and that’s what they would want. But also, he’s such a big part of the story. It’s truthful to have him back at this juncture.”

At the end of the episode, Stabler invites Benson to take some time off and go away for a few days. The audience knows she has days off available, since it’s specifically mentioned early on, but that doesn’t mean she says yes. In fact, it was never even an option, says Hargitay.

“No. There are a lot of reasons why not,” she says. “It’s not where they are now — either one of them.”