As a long-time fan of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” I must say that I find the ongoing romantic entanglement between Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson to be utterly nonsensical and deeply disheartening, especially given their personal tragedies and individual strengths.
Hey, Dick Wolf: stop trying to make Bensler happen. It’s stupid, and it shouldn’t happen.
I apologize for any confusion. When I mentioned “Bensler,” I was referring to the speculation about a romantic relationship between Olivia Benson, portrayed by Mariska Hargitay, and Elliot Stabler, played by Christopher Meloni, from the TV series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” Although Stabler left SVU in its 12th season in 2011, he returned to television ten years later with his own spin-off, “Organized Crime,” allowing for continued opportunities for crossover episodes and interactions between Benson and Stabler.
As a dedicated fan, let me express my thoughts on this. Ever since David Graziano and the team have been pushing Benson and Stabler together, it just doesn’t sit right with me. I’m looking forward to delving into the intricacies of the Bensler developments, but here’s the gist: their romantic connection feels like a misguided attempt by the “Law & Order” universe to rewrite history, as if they’ve always been destined for each other and can now express their feelings because, well, certain circumstances have finally aligned. (It’s worth mentioning that one character had to perish for this to happen, but we’ll touch on that later.)
For years, Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson were just best friends and partners at work
From the onset of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” it’s evident that Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler share a close friendship and professional bond as partners in the NYPD’s sex crimes unit. However, their relationship remains strictly platonic due to Elliot’s commitment to his family, particularly his wife Kathy Stabler and their numerous children. Elliot is a devoted family man who goes to great lengths to safeguard his loved ones. In contrast, Benson tends to keep her personal life private, often appearing as a solitary figure throughout the series. This aloofness can be attributed to her past, which includes being the product of a sexual assault against her mother, and her frequent exposure to humanity’s darker side in her role as a detective. Despite this, Benson does have a few romantic relationships sprinkled throughout the series.
It’s quite enjoyable to see Benson and Stabler act as friends throughout most of the series without the constant tension of a romantic relationship; it reminds me of the professional bond between Tina Fey’s Liz Lemon and Alec Baldwin’s Jack Donaghy on “30 Rock,” but with a more serious tone. They may have contrasting beliefs, such as Stabler being religious while Benson is not, leading to thoughtful discussions about existence. However, it’s important to note that their bond is purely platonic. Unfortunately, when Stabler reappeared in the “Law & Order” universe with “Organized Crime,” their relationship took a different turn, and now the series is attempting to convince viewers that Stabler and Benson are destined for each other, which some fans find unsettling.
Recently, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has been teasing a romance between Benson and Stabler
Towards the finale of Season 22 on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” Elliot Stabler re-joins the series following a heartrending event. During a ceremony where Benson receives an NYPD award, a bomb explosion leaves Kathy critically injured and eventually claiming her life. This tragic incident leaves Stabler a widower and single parent, but it also stirs up unnecessary tension between him and Benson – a dynamic that seems illogical given the deep bond they share and the recent loss Stabler has suffered.
In the shows “Special Victims Unit” and “Organized Crime”, Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson have a long history of hinting at a romantic relationship, despite the fact that it seems illogical or inappropriate. Stabler expresses his feelings for Benson indirectly by confessing love to a third party and writing her a letter suggesting they were destined to be together in another universe. When Stabler attempts to kiss Benson in Season 24, she rejects him because it might not work out (a justification that can easily be overcome by the writers if they decide to pursue a romantic storyline). In later seasons, Stabler gives Benson a compass necklace as a symbol of their deep affection. However, this back-and-forth tension may persist in Season 26, but it’s time for this dynamic to come to an end and let their characters move on with more meaningful relationships.
Seriously, though: Benston and Stabler do not belong together
To put it simply, the idea of Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler becoming romantically involved was an unexpected and unusual twist, reminiscent of the controversial ending in “How I Met Your Mother.” This development seemed particularly strange after Kathy’s death. Interestingly, if Christopher Meloni hadn’t returned to NBC as Stabler, this plotline would never have come to fruition. However, during Stabler’s initial run on the show, his relationship with Benson was strictly platonic, suggesting that the idea of a romantic connection between them wasn’t seriously considered before.
It’s also just frustrating because Benson and Stabler are such great characters in their own right, and shoving them into a pairing just feels like it diminishes their individual traits. Throughout Stabler’s return to the “Law & Order” universe, the franchise has spent a frankly inordinate amount of time wondering if they will or won’t, so the show should just squash the whole thing and decide that no, they won’t. Benson is not an object to be won or even a woman who needs a romantic partner in order to be happy. Stabler is a deeply traumatized man who has been through hell in his personal life; now’s probably not the time for him to enter into a romantic entanglement. At the end of the day, “Special Victims Unit” and “Organized Crime” are heightened TV shows, so it’s still entirely possible that we’ll have to endure a Bensler wedding or something equally hacky, but still. Benson is great. Stabler is great. Their personal and professional partnership is great. A romantic relationship? Not so much.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-09-13 21:00