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157-399: When the series began, Benson held the rank of detective. Benson was partnered with Detective Elliot Stabler ( Christopher Meloni ), serving as the junior member of the pair. Following Stabler's departure at the end of the 12th season after a deadly shootout in the precinct, she is partnered with Detective Nick Amaro ( Danny Pino ) and becomes the senior member. During the 15th season, Benson

314-461: A B.A. from Queens College , which he obtained by going to night classes . Stabler harbors a great deal of anger that is sometimes fueled by his job. He is often openly aggressive and intimidating toward suspects, which can either complicate the case further or lead to speedy confessions. When his wife Kathy ( Isabel Gillies ) leaves him in Season 6, Stabler's anger rises closer to the surface and, in

471-537: A child abuser ; during one case, the actions of an abusive parent prompt him to recall an incident in which he lost his temper and raised a hand to his daughter Maureen, who was a toddler at the time. Child victims tend to respond to him. For example, Stabler successfully reaches out to a 15-year-old girl ( Rachael Bella ) who regresses to a childlike state after being sexually assaulted by her father. SVU's resident psychiatrist, Dr. George Huang ( B.D. Wong ), theorizes that only Stabler would be able to reach her, as he

628-457: A false confession to framing him for Kathy's murder. Stabler manages to save Bernadette, however, and has Darman arrested. In season 2, Stabler discovers that his late father's Combat Cross, which he was awarded after supposedly saving his partner Gus Hansen's (Paul O'Brien) life, was obtained under false pretenses; the elder Stabler had in fact covered up for Hansen after the latter shot and killed an unarmed child by having his partner shoot him

785-423: A 60-day sentence, knocking his charge down from kidnapping to a misdemeanor, custodial interference. One of the conditions of the reduced charges is that he must give up his custody petition and agree to visit his daughter only in a supervised setting for the next three years. Simon is reluctant, but Benson tells him that the deal is better than his daughter visiting him in jail. In the season 21 episode "Murdered at

942-475: A Bad Address", Simon reaches out to Benson for the first time in years as his only remaining family, Tracy having left him and taken their children. She hesitantly agrees to meet with him, but when he doesn't show up, she leaves him a voicemail cutting him out of her life for good. Shortly afterward, he is found dead of a heroin overdose; she feels responsible, believing that he overdosed out of despair after she disowned him. A year later, however, she learns that he

1099-421: A Queens SVU detective, Lucius Blaine ( Anthony Anderson ). Benson and Stabler become partners again in the eighth season. They remain partners for the rest of Stabler's time in the precinct. In the Season 12 episode "Merchandise", Benson and Stabler are temporarily appointed as Special Deputy U.S. Marshals so they can arrest the leaders of a human trafficking operation located outside their jurisdiction. Once

1256-577: A bomb in Washington Square Park . Also, in season 6's "Rage", she shoots and wounds serial killer Gordon Rickett ( Matthew Modine ) to prevent Stabler from killing him in cold blood. She has also been stalked by several of the rapists and child molesters she has investigated over the years, which complicates her role as a mother after she adopts Noah. The following are the medals and service awards worn by then-Sergeant Benson, as seen in "Betrayal's Climax" and "Beast's Obsession". The following are

1413-478: A bullet from the tree he and his father used for target practice and having Slootmaekers analyze it, proving that it matches the bullet shot into the elder Stabler's leg, which came from his old partner Gus Hanson's ( Paul O'Brien ) gun. Stabler confronts Hanson, who gets back at him by telling Donnelly that Stabler is working undercover to bring down the Brotherhood. Donnelly in turn sets Stabler up to be killed during

1570-523: A bully who was picking on him and a non-binary classmate. Benson tells Noah she is proud of him for standing up for himself and his friend. Benson's partnership with Elliot Stabler is a major focal point of her character. The relationship has gone through many stages that have been major plot points of both Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Organized Crime . Their relationship has had times of normal emotions as partners, to extreme emotions and dealing with loss, and even times of

1727-415: A car accident, Benson helps save Kathy's life and deliver the baby. Their relationship is not without friction, however. The two sometimes argue over the cases they work on; Benson tends to be quicker to side with the victims, while Stabler is more skeptical. For example, during a case in which three women are charged with raping a male stripper , Benson and ADA Alexandra Cabot ( Stephanie March ) believe

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1884-555: A case. Dickie also occasionally gives his father problems. In a Season 11 episode, he runs away from school and tries to join the Army , something Stabler disapproves of. It later turns out that Dickie is acting out because his friend, Shane, has been murdered. Stabler refuses to sign a parental consent form for Dickie to join the Army, but resolves to be a more attentive parent. Stabler is fiercely protective of his children and becomes defensive if

2041-452: A close relationship with her husband Stephen (Grant Chang), bonding over their grief for their wives. Stabler discovers that Lee's campaign manager, Michael Quan ( François Chau ), is the leader of a human trafficking ring and is responsible for Jennifer's shooting. While investigating Quan, Stabler meets Wen Shao ( Michael Tow ), whose son has been kidnapped by Quan and the human traffickers. Stabler manages to find Wen's son and arrest Quan with

2198-580: A corrupt fellow officer, and who eventually died of cancer . Stabler had a difficult relationship with his father, who was physically and emotionally abusive. His mother, Bernadette ( Ellen Burstyn ), has bipolar disorder and once nearly killed her son during a manic episode. As a result, Stabler has "erased his childhood"; he rarely talks about his father and maintains little contact with his mother. He has two brothers, Randall ( Dean Norris ) and Joseph Jr. (Michael Trotter), and two sisters, Dee and Sharon. He attended Bayside High School , where he played on

2355-515: A courtroom shootout, but she still occasionally worries that Noah (played as an older child by Ryan Buggle) has inherited his father's violent tendencies. At the end of the season 19 premiere "Gone Fishin'", Benson learns that she is being investigated by the DA's office on suspicions of abusing Noah. The investigation is dropped in "Mood". In "Contrapasso", her lawyer Trevor Langan ( Peter Hermann , Hargitay's real-life husband) returns to tell her that Noah has

2512-509: A daughter and a stepson; he named his daughter Olivia after Benson. When the children are taken by the City because of Simon's criminal background, Benson calls defense attorney Bayard Ellis ( Andre Braugher ), an old friend of hers, to help Simon and Tracy get the children back. When a judge denies the Marsdens custody of their children, Simon panics and kidnaps them. Ellis makes a deal to have Simon serve

2669-642: A dead drug dealer, even pretending to take a bribe. With help from Bell and Slootmaekers, he soon learns that the drug dealer he and Donnelly robbed worked for Webb. After Stabler saves Donnelly from Webb's hitmen, he becomes Donnelly's second-in-command. They become close, with Donnelly even naming his newborn son after Stabler. Eventually, Donnelly decides to step down from the Brotherhood and names Stabler as his successor. When assassin Natalie Dumont (Adrienne Walker) tries to kill Stabler on orders from Webb's wife Cassandra ( Jennifer Beals ), he arrests her and makes

2826-503: A deal with her to inform on the Marcy Killers in return for a lighter prison sentence. This allows Bell to arrest the entire gang, along with Cassandra, who has murdered her husband. Meanwhile, Stabler uncovers evidence suggesting that his late father faked the shooting that led to him being awarded the NYPD's Combat Cross medal and framed an innocent man. He later confirms this by recovering

2983-409: A deal. However, the squad ends up getting ambushed by Elio Costello (Eric T. Miller). After Tino Alvarez ( Markice Moore ) requests Stabler's help in finding his kidnapped wife, Stabler recruits the task force to find Sherie (Ayla Eloy). However, after discovering that she was kidnapped by street racers, Whelan goes undercover as a street racer to find Sherie. During the case, Stabler has a session with

3140-513: A detective in the Manhattan Special Victims Unit, which investigates sex crimes . For the first 12 seasons of the show, she is partnered with Elliot Stabler ( Christopher Meloni ); after he resigns (offscreen) at the beginning of season 13, she is partnered with Nick Amaro ( Danny Pino ) until season 15, where Benson becomes the commanding officer of Manhattan SVU; first as Sergeant, then Lieutenant, and finally Captain. Benson

3297-458: A drunken one-night stand with one of her SVU colleagues, Detective Brian Cassidy ( Dean Winters ). Comments in the episode " Disrobed " imply that the relationship continued. Cassidy leaves the precinct at the end of that episode. In the season 5 episode "Lowdown", it is revealed Benson had a relationship with a murder victim who turned out to be gay and HIV positive . Medical Examiner Melinda Warner ( Tamara Tunie ) immediately tests Benson and

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3454-486: A fake robbery, but Stabler manages to escape and track down Donnelly, who commits suicide by stepping in front of a moving train. Stabler is then awarded the Combat Cross, but still apologizes to the father of the man that his father framed. In the crossover series premiere, Stabler and Bell team up with Detectives Frank Cosgrove ( Jeffrey Donovan ) and Jalen Shaw ( Mehcad Brooks ) of the NYPD's 27th Precinct to investigate

3611-561: A few episodes, threatens to boil over. One such instance occurs in a case involving serial killer Gordon Rickett ( Matthew Modine ), whom Stabler had investigated for raping and murdering a young girl 14 years earlier and had thrown through a plate glass window. During interrogation, Rickett tells Stabler that they harbor the same kind of rage, and that if it were not for his family and his job, Stabler would be just like him. When Benson and Stabler catch Rickett about to murder another young girl, Stabler appears ready to kill him in cold blood; it

3768-489: A grandmother, Sheila Porter ( Brooke Shields ), Ellie's mother. In "No Good Reason", Porter brings Benson to family court, accusing her of being an unfit parent; the case is dismissed, but Benson agrees that it's in Noah's best interest that they stop fighting. In "Unintended Consequences", Benson lets Porter visit and spend time with Noah. At the end of "Intent", Benson gets a call from Porter telling her that Noah has been kidnapped in

3925-434: A kind of code for an intensely dangerous situation, and Benson admits that her trauma and ordeal with him will always be a part of her. During a heated exchange with Amaro, he pointedly asks her whether she can ever forgive Lewis; she does not answer, and he apologizes. Hargitay has deemed the storyline which saw Benson find her paternal family "probably the biggest thing that's ever happened to Olivia". She feels her character

4082-627: A large lesbian following". Fan speculation exists over alleged sexual tension between Benson and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cabot ( Stephanie March ), which Baer admits to indulging: "We read the fan sites. We know that people are into the Alex-Olivia thing. All the codes are in there." In the middle of season 13, Benson enters into a relationship with a new prosecutor to the District Attorney's Office, Executive ADA David Haden ( Harry Connick Jr. ). Hargitay has said that Connick, who

4239-557: A lead for the first 12 seasons of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit . As a result of Meloni's sudden departure from the cast at the end of the SVU twelfth season, Stabler abruptly retires from the police force off-screen during the SVU Season 13 premiere. In April 2020, it was announced that Meloni would reprise the role for a new SVU -spinoff series, where Stabler comes out of retirement to lead an NYPD organized crime task force. The series

4396-461: A membership in a sorority . In addition to English , Benson speaks some Italian , Russian , some Spanish and French , and is able to recite the Miranda warnings in at least two other languages. She owns a black 1965 Ford Mustang convertible, but rarely drives it. Benson had a younger half-brother named Simon Marsden ( Michael Weston ). Simon, whom she found by illegally running her DNA through

4553-868: A network of mercenaries who commit rapes and murders contracted over the dark web . In the season finale, Stabler teams up with Benson and Rollins and the Special Victims Unit to take down the creators of Shadowërk, at the cost of Whelan's life. Stabler married his wife, Kathy ( Isabel Gillies ) when they were both 17 years old, and at the beginning of the series, they have four school-aged children: Maureen ( Erin Broderick ), Kathleen (Holiday Segal in SVU Season 1 and Allison Siko in SVU Seasons 3-12 and Organized Crime ), and twins Richard "Dickie" ( Jeffrey Scaperrotta ), and Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Patricia Cook). Richard (he stopped using his nickname upon entering adolescence)

4710-472: A new contract, the duo attempted to receive a percentage of the show's profits as other high-profile Law & Order actors had done in the past. It was rumored that NBC threatened to replace Hargitay and Meloni if they persisted in their demands. However, two months later it was officially reported that both their contracts had been renewed for two more years. When the thirteenth season was about to air, initial reports indicated that Hargitay would appear in only

4867-491: A police officer with six years of experience who was transferred to the SVU as a newly promoted detective. The first episode of Special Victims Unit takes place one year into Stabler and Benson's partnership. Stabler is dedicated to his job but often takes cases personally, thus affecting his judgment. Nonetheless, Stabler has a 97% case-closure rate as of 2007. His badge number is 6313. In 2002 Stabler stated that he makes $ 68,000

Olivia Benson - Misplaced Pages Continue

5024-418: A police raid Stabler had ordered. Stabler replies that he had nothing to do with Rafiq's death, and that it was in fact Wheatley, then Rafiq's stepfather, who had him killed after catching him stealing from his drug ring. Angela then promises to help Stabler put Wheatley in prison. He ultimately arrests Wheatley, who makes a deal with federal officials to provide information on his Mafia connections in return for

5181-629: A police squad closes in, Lewis shoots himself in the head right in front of her, while making it look like she killed him in cold blood. In "Post-Mortem Blues", she is brought before a grand jury to explain her admission and Lewis' death. Her career is threatened until SVU's temporary commanding officer, Lt. Declan Murphy ( Donal Logue ), tells the grand jury that he instructed Benson to lie in her press conference, thus clearing her of Lewis' death and possible perjury charges. Murphy then makes Benson his second-in-command up until his transfer to an undercover assignment. In subsequent seasons, Lewis' name becomes

5338-446: A professional therapist or clergyman to whom confidentiality and privilege might apply. Professionals and paraprofessionals who refer patients to these groups, to avoid both civil liability and licensure problems, have been advised that they should alert their patients that, at any time, their statements made in meetings may be disclosed. One review warned of detrimental iatrogenic effects of twelve-step philosophy and labeled

5495-461: A reduced sentence. Stabler is assigned to infiltrate the Kosta Organization, an Albanian crime family; posing as ex-con Eddie Wagner, he becomes bodyguard to Reggie Bogdani ( Dash Mihok ), a soldier for Don Jon Kosta ( Michael Raymond-James ). His first assignment is to help Bogdani and his uncle, Kosta's underboss Albi Briscu ( Vinnie Jones ), burn down a bar in which they have murdered

5652-611: A response to treating addiction as a disease that is enabled by family systems . Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA or ACOA) addresses the effects of growing up in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional family. Co-Dependents Anonymous ( CoDA ) addresses compulsions related to relationships, referred to as codependency . Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the first twelve-step fellowship, was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith , known to AA members as "Bill W." and "Dr. Bob", in Akron, Ohio . In 1946 they formally established

5809-404: A result of the bombing and Kathy's death. Benson tells him to get help, but he angrily rejects her advice, telling her to "back off". Benson later joins Stabler's children in staging an intervention for him, but he rebuffs them and storms out. Later on, however, he reaches out to Wheatley's ex-wife Angela ( Tamara Taylor ) because she understands his pain, as her oldest son, Rafiq, had been murdered

5966-541: A result of the crash, but paramedics are able to save her with Benson's help. Of his five children, Kathleen and Dickie have most directly affected his job. Kathleen is twice charged with DUI ; he uses his influence as a police officer to make the first charge disappear, but he eventually realizes that he has to let her face the consequences of her actions, and she is sentenced to community service . Kathleen then steals her father's credit card and gives it to her boyfriend, who rings up thousands of dollars in charges. She

6123-547: A rule, in twelve-step fellowships, spiritual awakening occurs slowly over a period of time, although there are exceptions where members experience a sudden spiritual awakening. In accordance with the First Step, twelve-step groups emphasize self-admission by members of the problem they are recovering from. It is in this spirit that members often identify themselves along with an admission of their problem, often as "Hi, I’m [first name only], and I’m an alcoholic". A sponsor

6280-462: A suspect asks about his family; it is suggested that he sees aspects of his children in every victim. As a result, he harbors an intense hatred of pedophiles , admitting to a police psychiatrist that he sometimes fantasizes about killing them. He almost loses his job as a result. In a later episode, he beats up a pedophile ( Tom Noonan ) who posts a picture of his daughter Elizabeth on his website. Stabler has occasionally seen aspects of himself in

6437-469: A teenage girl, kidnaps her younger sister, and threatens to kill her unless Benson tells the truth about her testimony. Benson holds a press conference and admits that she lied on the witness stand. When Lewis does not release the girl, Benson tracks him down and surrenders to him. With his hostage watching, Lewis at first attempts to rape Benson, but changes his mind when she refuses to show him fear; instead, he forces her to play Russian roulette with him. As

Olivia Benson - Misplaced Pages Continue

6594-406: A therapist in which he confesses to being selfish when he ended his partnership with Benson in 2011. The next day, when Whelan goes against procedure, Stabler replaces him and goes undercover to trap Cuban drug lord Antonio Duran ( Tony Amendola ). In the end, Bernanda Diaz ( Ana Osorio ), Duran's right hand and lover, murders Duran, and Stabler arrests her. A few weeks later, Stabler assists Bell in

6751-489: A while, until she finds Vivian and her lover Sara Hoyt ( Kat Foster ) have relapsed into drug use. Sara confesses to murdering Burlock, and is then murdered herself by Calvin's father. Vivian revokes Benson's guardianship, and sends Calvin to live with his grandparents in Vermont. Both Calvin and Benson are devastated by the separation. In season 13, she is seen with Calvin and his grandparents during or right before Halloween . At

6908-438: A woman and forcing Benson to shoot him; in season 18's "Next Chapter", she shoots and kills rapist (and retired corrections officer) Tom Cole ( Chris Bauer ) during a hostage situation when Cole attacks her SVU colleague Detective Dominick "Sonny" Carisi Jr. ( Peter Scanavino ); and in season 23's "Silent Night, Hateful Night", she shoots and kills white supremacist Robert Paul Byers (Michael Laurence) to stop him from detonating

7065-579: A women's prison to investigate an alleged rape by a corrections officer. While there, the corrections officer in question, Captain Lowell Harris ( Johnny Messner ), attacks her and attempts to force her to perform oral sex on him. She is rescued by SVU colleague Fin Tutuola ( Ice-T ), who gets there just in time to stop Harris from raping her. Later, Benson helps convict Harris by questioning his earlier victim about distinguishing features on his penis, prompting

7222-780: A worldwide membership of millions have adopted and adapted AA’s 12 Steps and 12 Traditions for recovery . Narcotics Anonymous was formed by addicts who did not relate to the specifics of alcohol dependency. Demographic preferences related to the addicts' drug of choice has led to the creation of Cocaine Anonymous , Crystal Meth Anonymous and Marijuana Anonymous . Behavioral issues such as compulsion for or addiction to gambling , crime , food , sex , hoarding , getting into debt and work are addressed in fellowships such as Gamblers Anonymous , Overeaters Anonymous , Sexaholics Anonymous and Debtors Anonymous . Auxiliary groups such as Al-Anon and Nar-Anon , for friends and family members of alcoholics and addicts, respectively, are part of

7379-470: A year earlier. Stabler and Angela nearly sleep together until Stabler pulls back, realizing that he is crossing professional lines and that he is not ready for a new relationship. They agree to keep the relationship professional, and are on good terms – until Stabler learns that Angela ordered the bombing, which was meant for Kathy, not him. Angela later tells him that Kathy's murder was revenge for her son's death, which her ex-husband told her occurred during

7536-405: A year later. After taking custody of Noah, Benson learns that Noah's biological father is a pimp and serial rapist named John "Johnny D" Drake ( Charles Halford ), who trafficked, raped and murdered Noah's mother, Ellie Porter ( Emma Greenwell ). Drake sues for custody as a ploy to get out of prison, imperiling Benson's chances of adopting Noah. Benson's problems are solved when Drake is killed during

7693-721: A year. Stabler is Irish American and lives with his wife Kathy ( Isabel Gillies ) and five children (Maureen, Kathleen, Richard "Dickie", Elizabeth "Lizzie", and Elliot "Eli" Jr.). Stabler was born on October 20, 1966. He is devoted to his family and frequently mentions or thinks about them while working cases. He is also a practicing Catholic whose faith sometimes is tested by the cases on which he works. Series creator Dick Wolf named SVU ' s two lead detectives after his son, Elliot, and his daughter, Olivia. Executive producer and head writer Neal Baer has explained that, in contrast to Benson – "the empathetic, passionate voice for these victims" – Stabler embodies "the rage we feel,

7850-563: Is a father, and she is looking for a father figure. In the Season 22 episode " Return of the Prodigal Son ", Kathy is severely injured in a car bombing, and later dies in hospital when her spleen ruptures. Her death leads Stabler to join the Organized Crime Control Bureau. In the aftermath of Kathy's murder, Stabler takes Eli (Nicky Torchia) to live with him, although he is rarely home. Meanwhile, Stabler's mother Bernadette

8007-402: Is a friend of hers, improved the show to a more romantic advanced stance. "This is a home run on so many levels," she said. "The show is very fortunate to have Harry's extraordinary talent, and I'm lucky because I get to work with my friend. I think Olivia couldn't have asked for a better companion to take her through a new stage in her life and career." Haden and Benson begin their relationship at

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8164-455: Is a more experienced person in recovery who guides the less-experienced aspirant ("sponsee") through the program's twelve steps. New members in twelve-step programs are encouraged to secure a relationship with at least one sponsor who both has a sponsor and has taken the twelve steps themselves. Publications from twelve-step fellowships emphasize that sponsorship is a "one on one" nonhierarchical relationship of shared experiences focused on working

8321-436: Is a role model for teenage girls, revealing: I get letters saying, 'I want to do the right thing like Olivia. I want to be strong like Olivia. My friend did this, but I didn't do it because of Olivia.' For me, when a television show has that kind of positive effect on young people, it is great. I think it is a good thing that we are shedding light on darkness. I think it is a good thing to make teenage girls aware. Benson joined

8478-411: Is arrested after having a manic episode in which she slaps a child she believes to be Elliot. Stabler sees that her illness is worsening, and takes her in to live with him and Eli, with Kathleen occasionally checking in. When Bernadette accuses Eli of stealing her medication, Stabler dismisses it as paranoia – until Benson discovers that Eli is indeed stealing and selling Bernadette's Valium . When Eli

8635-413: Is being interrogated, Rosten tells Tutuola that, "That broad [Benson] has PTSD , I would know that glassy-eyed look anywhere." At the end of the episode, after Rosten is imprisoned, Benson apologizes to Pruitt, admitting that she was a victim of sexual assault. In the season 11 episode "Perverted", Benson becomes the prime suspect in the sexual mutilation and murder of a biker gang member. As more evidence

8792-608: Is charged in the death of a girl he had been partying with, Stabler asks Slootmaekers to find out everything she can about the victim. Slootmaekers discovers that the girl was in fact murdered by a hitman with ties to Wheatley. The crime boss further interferes in Stabler's family by hiring elderly con artist Miles Darman ( James Cromwell ) to romance Bernadette as a cover for spying on him. Darman develops real feelings for Bernadette, but unwittingly helps Wheatley kidnap her and hold her hostage as part of his master plan to force Stabler to make

8949-486: Is described as the cognitive processes that cause the individual to repeat the compulsive behavior after some period of abstinence, either knowing that the result will be an inability to stop or operating under the delusion that the result will be different. The description in the First Step of the life of the alcoholic or addict as "unmanageable" refers to the lack of choice that the mind of the addict or alcoholic affords concerning whether to drink or use again. The illness of

9106-494: Is eventually cleared, this shooting is the sixth such incident in his NYPD career. His superior, Captain Donald Cragen ( Dann Florek ), comments that if Stabler wants to keep his job, he will have to undergo a psychological evaluation, take an anger management class, and submit to an internal review of his entire personnel file. Benson is confident that Stabler will "tell them to go to hell", and he proves her right by retiring from

9263-402: Is everything that [my character] Olivia has. So this was where we really got that to pay off." In an episode in which Stabler goes undercover to catch an animal-smuggling ring, Benson shows up at his house and tries to talk him out of it; when they are interrupted by Stabler's targets, she undresses and pretends to be a prostitute. Benson takes it hard when Stabler resigns from SVU (offscreen) in

9420-410: Is found guilty of kidnapping and assaulting a police officer, but the jury voices doubts about Benson's story and acquits him of attempted rape. The episode closes with Benson weeping on the courthouse stairs and, four months later, Lewis being wheeled away on a stretcher. In "Beast's Obsession", Lewis uses the distraction caused by his (self-induced) cardiac incident to escape from prison. He then rapes

9577-452: Is found linking her to the crime, an Internal Affairs detective insinuates that she may have committed it while suffering from a flashback to the assault. The other detectives eventually discover that Benson has been framed by Brady Harrison ( Patrick Heusinger ), a rapist she sent to prison years earlier. At the end of the season 14 finale "Her Negotiation", Benson is kidnapped by serial rapist/murderer William Lewis ( Pablo Schreiber ). During

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9734-430: Is four years because of the difficulty and stress involved. They've been doing it for longer than that, so they feel like they're in their own world almost. There's also sexual chemistry between them, it's so loaded and layered. People ask me if they'll ever get together—and people want that, and sometimes I think even Olivia wants that—but I don't think that will ever happen. Baer agrees that a romantic relationship between

9891-614: Is in danger of losing his job and pension. That night, fellow undercover NYPD detective and family friend Frank Donnelly ( Denis Leary ) comes to his aid, having been alerted to Stabler's problems by Benson. Soon afterward, however, Stabler learns from an undercover informant that Donnelly is the leader of the Brotherhood, a ring of corrupt cops working for the Marcy Street Killers, an organized crime syndicate operated by crime boss Preston Webb ( Mykelti Williamson ). Stabler ingratiates himself with Donnelly by helping him take money off

10048-556: Is later arrested for breaking and entering and robbery , at which time doctors and her family realize that she suffers from bipolar disorder , which is a condition she shares with her paternal grandmother, Bernadette. When she faces prison time, Stabler reaches out to his mother for the first time in three years and asks her to tell Kathleen about her illness so she will get help. After speaking with her grandmother, Kathleen agrees to treatment. She later becomes an advocate for sexual assault victims, and in one episode, helps her father on

10205-463: Is named after Col. Richard Finley ( James Brolin ), Stabler's former commanding officer in the Marines, whom Stabler later arrests after discovering that he murdered a woman. After years of the stress involved with being married to a police officer, Kathy leaves Stabler, taking their children, and temporarily moves in with her mother. Following a case involving a divorce that turned violent, Stabler signs

10362-608: Is often encouraged. Sponsees typically do their Fifth Step, review their moral inventory written as part of the Fourth Step, with their sponsor. The Fifth Step, as well as the Ninth Step, have been compared to confession and penitence . Michel Foucault , a French philosopher, noted such practices produce intrinsic modifications in the person—exonerating, redeeming and purifying them; relieves them of their burden of wrong, liberating them and promising salvation. The personal nature of

10519-434: Is only Benson's intervention that prevents him from doing so. In SVU Season 7, he goes to see a police psychiatrist, Dr. Rebecca Hendrix ( Mary Stuart Masterson ), after using excessive force on an abusive parent. Stabler eventually opens up to Hendrix about his personal demons, and they become close until Hendrix is transferred. By Season 9, he and Kathy reconcile, and Stabler learns to better deal with his problems. In

10676-487: Is partnered with Det. Nick Amaro. Cragen asks Benson to take the Sergeant's exam following the retirement of Sgt. John Munch ( Richard Belzer ), and she gets the promotion soon afterward; Cragen congratulates her for placing 48th out of 8,000 applicants. Cragen announces that Benson has been approved to remain at SVU (it was feared she would be reassigned); at the end of the episode, Cragen reveals his impending retirement from

10833-428: Is poisoned, Stabler investigates her husband Teddy Silas ( Gus Halper ), a small-time gangster. After the real culprit is found, Stabler and Reyes discover that Teddy murdered the man and arrest him. During interrogation, Teddy reveals that his father Robert ( John Doman ), a corrupt real estate developer, ordered Pearl's poisoning. The next morning, Stabler and Bell find out where Robert is hiding and meet with him to make

10990-458: Is promoted to captain in the 21st season. The character first appeared in the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit pilot episode, " Payback ", which aired September 20, 1999. Hargitay remains the only original cast member still present on the series. As of season 24, Benson has been credited in 551 episodes of SVU (574 in the franchise/universe). With the premiere of season 21, Hargitay's Benson became

11147-418: Is promoted to sergeant and appointed as squad supervisor in the wake of the retirement of Sergeant John Munch ( Richard Belzer ). Soon afterward, Captain Donald Cragen ( Dann Florek ) retires, and appoints Benson acting commanding officer of SVU until Lieutenant Declan Murphy ( Donal Logue ) comes to the squad. In Season 17, she is promoted to Lieutenant and becomes the squad's official commanding officer. She

11304-424: Is repeatedly questioned by suspects and witnesses. While Organized Crime Detective Bobby Reyes ( Rick Gonzalez ) attempts to track down his sexually abusive foster father Leonard Baker ( Daniel Jenkins ), Stabler and Whelan chase after Vaughn Davis (Christopher Cassarino) in order to arrest him for his crimes. While investigating an illegal jewelry smuggling ring, Stabler reunites with Tia Leonetti ( Ayelet Zurer ), who

11461-506: Is revealed to be Henry's murderer. In that following episode, Stabler and Whelan track down Dominic Russo (Wass Stevens) and Vincent Bishop ( Kevin Corrigan ) who ordered Kenny to kill Henry. After testifying against The Brotherhood, Stabler gets called in by SVU Detective Amanda Rollins ( Kelli Giddish ) to investigate the rape of a mother and her child by a gang posing as cops. During that investigation, Stabler's loyalty to his fellow officers

11618-415: Is safe with him. In gratitude, Briscu vouches for Stabler when he gets into a confrontation with Kosta's nephew. Briscu's wife Flutura ( Lolita Davidovich ) is attracted to Stabler, who plays along in order to get closer into the Kosta Organization. After Stabler covertly helps Bell and Benson rescue a young girl that the Kosta Organization is trafficking , however, Flutura becomes suspicious that someone in

11775-409: Is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from the bombing and Kathy's death. When she tries to talk to him about it, however, he becomes defensive and tells her to "back off". She ultimately joins Stabler's children in staging an intervention for him. He again rejects Benson's attempt to help him, but first blurts out that he loves her in front of his children. In season 1, Benson has

11932-565: Is suggested throughout season 17 that Benson is in a relationship with Capt. Ed Tucker ( Robert John Burke ) of Internal Affairs. In "Manhattan Transfer", they are forced to confirm their relationship when Tucker is accused – by his own cousin, a priest – of being complicit with a sex trafficking ring that has ties to Vice and the Catholic Church. Tucker is eventually cleared, and he continues his relationship with Benson. In season 18, Tucker tries to convince Benson to retire with him, though at

12089-485: Is targeted by mobsters who plant a bomb in his rental car, but it ends up killing Kathy instead. Stabler is devastated, but determined to bring her killers to justice, and joins the new NYPD's Organized Crime Control Bureau. In the Organized Crime Task Force, Stabler is partnered with Sergeant Ayanna Bell ( Danielle Moné Truitt ). He comes to suspect that gangster Richard Wheatley ( Dylan McDermott ) ordered

12246-525: Is temporarily reassigned to the Computer Crimes Unit; later that year, she does a stint undercover for the FBI's Domestic Terrorism Unit at the request of her friend, Special Agent Dana Lewis ( Marcia Gay Harden ). Benson and Stabler work together for over 12 years, until Stabler quits SVU in 2011 after he is forced to kill a 16-year-old girl who shot up the SVU squad room. Following Stabler's resignation, she

12403-496: Is tough but empathetic , getting emotionally involved in cases. Executive producer and head writer Neal Baer has explained that Benson is "the empathetic, passionate voice for these victims," in contrast to Stabler, who embodies "the rage we feel, the 'How can this happen?' feeling." Of their partnership, Baer assessed that: "They both represent the feelings that we feel simultaneously when we hear about these cases. That's why they work so well together." Born February 7, 1968, Benson

12560-512: The Season 12 finale , Stabler is forced to shoot Jenna Fox ( Hayley McFarland ), a young woman who opened fire in the Special Victims squad room on the men who raped and murdered her mother, killing them and recurring character Sister Peg ( Charlayne Woodard ). Jenna dies in his arms. After the shootout, Stabler is placed on administrative leave by the NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau. Although he

12717-489: The divorce papers, saying, "when love warps to hate, there's nothing you won't do." However, after being cleared in the death of a suspect, Stabler realizes that he cannot bear to lose either his job or his family, so he seeks reconciliation with his wife. A short time later, Kathy announces that she is pregnant and asks Stabler to come home. After a serious car accident, Kathy delivers a healthy baby boy, Elliot "Eli" Stabler Jr. (born November 17, 2007). Kathy nearly dies as

12874-405: The spiritual principle of anonymity in the public media and members are also asked to respect each other's confidentiality . This is a group norm , however, and not legally mandated; there are no legal consequences to discourage those attending twelve-step groups from revealing information disclosed during meetings. Statutes on group therapy do not encompass those associations that lack

13031-448: The 'How can this happen?' feeling." Of their partnership, Baer assessed that: "They both represent the feelings that we feel simultaneously when we hear about these cases. That's why they work so well together." Stabler was born on October 20, 1966, and raised in Bayside, Queens . His father, Joseph Stabler Sr., was a policeman who lost his job and pension after refusing to testify against

13188-428: The 13th season opener, "Scorched Earth", and takes a while to warm up to her new partner, Nick Amaro . Benson frequently mentions Stabler in both a professional and personal context; she tells the squad's newer detectives what Stabler would do in a given situation, and says more than once that she is "getting over someone". In the Season 22 episode " Return of the Prodigal Son ", Benson and Stabler see each other again for

13345-437: The 1930s, the first twelve-step program, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), founded by Bill Wilson and Bob Smith , aided its membership to overcome alcoholism . Since that time dozens of other organizations have been derived from AA's approach to address problems as varied as drug addiction , compulsive gambling , sex , and overeating . All twelve-step programs utilize a version of AA's suggested twelve steps first published in

13502-490: The 1939 book Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism . As summarized by the American Psychological Association (APA), the process involves the following: Twelve-step methods have been adapted to address a wide range of alcoholism , substance abuse , and dependency problems. Over 200 mutual aid organizations—often known as fellowships —with

13659-455: The NYPD appoints another officer to the position. She passes the Lieutenant's exam with flying colors, and is officially promoted to Lieutenant after some politicking by her boss, Deputy Chief William Dodds ( Peter Gallagher ). Benson had wanted Detective Fin Tutuola as her second-in-command, but Dodds arranges for the politically unsavvy Benson to be assigned a Sergeant who does know how to play

13816-698: The NYPD if he fails. Soon afterward, Wheatley strong-arms McClane into crippling the city's power grid, causing rolling blackouts . After double-crossing McClane and leaving him to die, Wheatley demands Richie's release from prison, a private jet to take him and Angela out of the city, and Stabler admitting to "framing" him for Kathy's murder on livestream . The NYPD release Richie to Wheatley's custody, but Wheatley stuns them by killing his own son. He then reveals that he has kidnapped Bernadette, and will kill her unless Stabler makes his "confession". Stabler refuses to absolve Wheatley of Kathy's murder, however, and manages to rescue his mother. After Slootmaekers restores

13973-625: The NYPD in 1992, and was trained by Sergeant Karen Smythe ( Khandi Alexander ) at the 55th Precinct in the Bronx. After completing her probationary period, Smythe recommended that Benson be transferred to the Sex Crimes Unit (later renamed the Special Victims Unit) because of her talent for dealing with victims. From 1992 to May 1998, she was partnered with older officer Patrick Griffin ( Anthony Edwards ), who in 1992 testified on her behalf when she

14130-423: The NYPD, making Benson SVU's acting commanding officer. Benson remains in command until Lieutenant Declan Murphy ( Donal Logue ) takes over the squad; he makes her his second-in-command. When Murphy returns to undercover work, he appoints her acting commander. Lt. Ed Tucker ( Robert John Burke ), representing 1 Police Plaza , asks Benson to take the Lieutenant's exam in order to officially take command of SVU before

14287-406: The SVU detectives discover that he was being set up. In season 15, Benson stays with Cassidy as she recovers from her imprisonment by a serial rapist. A few months after she returns to work, they get a new apartment together. They break up in the episode "Downloaded Child", however, upon realizing that they want different things. They nevertheless remain on good terms, especially after Benson gives him

14444-467: The Twelve Steps. According to Narcotics Anonymous: Sponsors share their experience, strength, and hope with their sponsees... A sponsor's role is not that of a legal adviser, a banker, a parent, a marriage counselor, or a social worker. Nor is a sponsor a therapist offering some sort of professional advice. A sponsor is simply another addict in recovery who is willing to share his or her journey through

14601-439: The Twelve Steps. Sponsors and sponsees participate in activities that lead to spiritual growth. Experiences in the program are often shared by outgoing members with incoming members. This rotation of experience is often considered to have a great spiritual reward. These may include practices such as literature discussion and study, meditation, and writing. Completing the program usually implies competency to guide newcomers which

14758-670: The Twelve Traditions. A singleness of purpose emerged as Tradition Five: "Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers". Consequently, drug addicts who do not suffer from the specifics of alcoholism involved in AA hoping for recovery technically are not welcome in "closed" meetings unless they have a desire to stop drinking alcohol . The principles of AA have been used to form numerous other fellowships specifically designed for those recovering from various pathologies ; each emphasizes recovery from

14915-419: The allergy-like bodily reaction resulting in the compulsion to continue using substances even when it's harmful or the addict wants to quit. The statement in the First Step that the individual is "powerless" over the substance-abuse related behavior at issue refers to the lack of control over this compulsion, which persists despite any negative consequences that may be endured as a result. The mental obsession

15072-399: The areas of publicity, politics, religion, and finances. Alcoholics Anonymous' Twelve Traditions are: In the twelve-step program, the human structure is symbolically represented in three dimensions: physical, mental, and spiritual. The problems the groups deal with are understood to manifest themselves in each dimension. For addicts and alcoholics, the physical dimension is best described by

15229-436: The balls" to kill him, she loses control and beats him within an inch of his life with an iron rod. She is rescued by her fellow detectives moments later, and Cragen puts her on mandatory leave so she can recover. She returns to work in the following episode, "Imprisoned Lives", which takes place two months later, but is still haunted by the experience. She begins seeing a therapist, Dr. Peter Lindstrom ( Bill Irwin ), to cope with

15386-434: The behavioral issues that lead to seeking help in twelve-step fellowships results in a strong relationship between sponsee and sponsor. As the relationship is based on spiritual principles, it is unique and not generally characterized as "friendship". Fundamentally, the sponsor has the single purpose of helping the sponsee recover from the behavioral problem that brought the sufferer into twelve-step work, which reflexively helps

15543-496: The bombing because Stabler was investigating him and his father, mob boss Manfredi Sinatra ( Chazz Palminteri ). Stabler, Bell, Detective Diego Morales (Michael Rivera), Detective Freddie Washburn (Ben Chase), and technician Jet Slootmaekers ( Ainsley Seiger ) zero in on Wheatley's criminal empire, which is smuggling COVID-19 vaccine . It is implied in Organized Crime that Stabler suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder as

15700-417: The briefcase. Stabler and Laghari inform the counterterrorism chief Nowak (Joe Forbrich) that Laghari's former bodyguard smuggled in the semiconductors. In the following episode, Stabler and Bell investigated Junior Suarez (Marc Reign) for murder and try to prove his guilt since he was in prison on the night of the murder. In the following crossover episode, Stabler teams up with Benson to take down Shadowërk,

15857-401: The city's power grid with McClane's help, Stabler calls Angela, who is on the run with Wheatley. He tells her that Wheatley murdered Richie, which provokes her to deliberately crash her car into the ocean, with her and Wheatley inside. Angela's body is found in the crash, but Wheatley has disappeared. The next day, Bell tells Stabler that he is being brought before a disciplinary committee, and

16014-399: The conclusion of the season 15 finale, Benson becomes the court-appointed custodial guardian of Noah Porter, an orphaned baby. The appointment is for a trial period of one year, with the option to apply for legal adoption at the end of that period. Although the year is rocky due to Noah's health issues and the demands of her job, Benson grows to love Noah and begins formal adoption proceedings

16171-462: The conclusion of the episode "Next Chapter", Benson realizes she is not ready to do so, as being a cop and a mother are parts of who she is. As a result, Benson breaks up with Tucker at the end of the episode "Chasing Theo". Even though their relationship does not work out, however, Benson is still saddened when Tucker commits suicide after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor . In the season 9 episode "Undercover", Benson poses as an inmate in

16328-524: The courage to testify against Gary Dolan ( William Sadler ), the man who sexually abused him as a child. In " Chicago Crossover " and "They'll Have to Go Through Me", Benson strikes up a friendship with Sergeant Hank Voight ( Jason Beghe ) of the Chicago Police Department , despite their differing methodologies when it comes to solving crime. Upon the conclusion of their joint operation, the two share drinks before Benson returns to New York. It

16485-499: The criminals are in custody, they turn in the badges and take up their positions in SVU again. After Stabler abruptly quits his job, he does not see or speak to Benson again for 10 years. When they finally see each other again, he tells her that he could not bear to tell her he was leaving, and did not know how to reach out to her in the intervening years. When Stabler's car is bombed and his wife Kathy severely injured, Benson, now SVU's Captain, has to restrain him from getting involved in

16642-510: The detectives under her command: Tutuola, Amanda Rollins ( Kelli Giddish ) and Joe Velasco ( Octavio Pisano ) as of 2021. Benson is forced to kill a suspect on four separate occasions during her tenure on the show: in season 1's "Disrobed", she shoots and kills domestic abuser Roger Silver (Jack Gwaltney) in self-defense during a hostage situation; in season 3's "Wrath", serial killer Eric Plummer ( Justin Kirk ) commits suicide by cop by attacking

16799-416: The end of the episode, "Official Story". In the episode "Hunting Ground", she decides to take it slow with Haden, claiming she needs time to see if their relationship will last. That night, they end up sleeping together in her apartment. This makes her late for a case, which is frowned upon in the NYPD. In the episode " Justice Denied ", Benson and Haden end their relationship due to a conflict of interest. In

16956-401: The episode "PTSD," while investigating the rape and murder of a female Marine , she is pushed against a wall while trying to break up a fight between suspect Master Sergeant Dominic Pruitt ( Ryan Kwanten ) and Lieutenant Gary Rosten ( Dominic Fumusa ), who is eventually revealed to be the killer. She subsequently breaks up the fight by holding her weapon to the back of Pruitt's head. Later, as he

17113-424: The family is a traitor. After Bogdani botches a hit on gubernatorial candidate Teddy Garcia ( Elliot Villar ) and kills Garcia's wife Diana (Allison Thomas Lee), Stabler and Bell arrest him and get him to inform on the Kosta Organization, bringing the entire operation down. Meanwhile, in a crossover between SVU and Organized Crime , Wheatley's trial begins. Wheatley's lawyer, Rafael Barba ( Raúl Esparza ), who

17270-444: The first 13 episodes. However, NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt later clarified that she would be in every episode of the season. Elliot Stabler Elliot Stabler Sr. is a fictional character, played by Christopher Meloni and one of the lead characters on the NBC police procedural series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Organized Crime . Stabler was

17427-635: The first time in 10 years when Stabler's wife Kathy ( Isabel Gillies ) is severely injured in a car bombing apparently meant for Stabler. Benson is forced to keep Stabler, who is now working in Rome in an organized crime task force, out of the investigation. They have a brief, quietly emotional conversation in which Benson tells him how hurt she was over the way he left SVU. When Kathy dies of her injuries, however, Benson puts her resentment aside to help her grieving friend get justice for his late wife. Upon renewing her relationship with Stabler, Benson recognizes that he

17584-634: The football team. Stabler is a Marine and served in Operation Desert Storm . During his time in the military, he was a hand-to-hand combat specialist. He also has three tattoos , notably the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor tattoo on his forearm (the official emblem of the Marine Corps), and the crucifixion of Christ on his left bicep . One of his best friends died in the September 11 attacks . He has

17741-445: The force off-screen during the SVU Season 13 premiere. Stabler appears in the Season 22 episode " Return of the Prodigal Son ", having been absent from the series for 10 years. It is revealed that, after quitting SVU, Stabler got a job as the NYPD's liaison in Rome , going after terrorists and organized crime . He comes back to New York to attend a ceremony honoring Benson, whom he has not seen or spoken to since leaving SVU. Stabler

17898-457: The game – his own son, Mike ( Andy Karl ). Following the events of "Manhattan Transfer", Benson is relieved of her duties as Commanding Officer of SVU, largely due to her (personal) involvement with now-Captain Tucker, who becomes a person of interest in a complex sex trafficking case SVU stumbled upon. Mike Dodds is made Acting Commanding Officer. In spite of this, Benson quietly continues to call

18055-506: The help of his task force. In the following episode, Stabler assists Bell in finding a serial rapist who drugs and assaults gay men in bars, including Detective Eric Geary (Adrian Anchondo). In the following episode, Stabler investigates the attempted murder of Madame Diya Laghari ( Karen David ), who has been targeted by a terrorist group. Stabler is assigned as her bodyguard throughout the investigation. Before Laghari can return to India, Stabler discovers that she has semiconductors hidden in

18212-492: The house and Dodds tried to resolve the situation, but Munson shoots Dodds while the latter is trying to take his weapon. Dodds suffers a stroke after surgery and dies. Benson blames herself for Dodds' death because she did not initially search Munson for a weapon. Benson is promoted to captain in the episode "I'm Going to Make You a Star", the final act of Deputy Chief Dodds before his transfer to Staten Island. As commanding officer, Benson has worked cases frequently with each of

18369-490: The investigation by beating Wheatley up upon discovering that he used the date of Kathy's death as the password to his encrypted files. Stabler then pretends to go on a romantic date with Angela knowing full well that Wheatley is spying on them; as intended, this sends Wheatley into a jealous rage. Meanwhile, Bell threatens to take Stabler off the task force, but he manages to persuade her and their superiors to give him two more days to prove Wheatley's guilt, offering to resign from

18526-418: The investigation of Irish mobster Eamon Murphy ( Timothy V. Murphy ) for the murder of her former partner, Detective Darryl Jennings. Stabler then recruits Teddy Silas into using his bar and then goes undercover as the bar owner to trap Murphy. Slootmaekers also goes undercover and develops a relationship with Murphy's right-hand man Seamus O'Meara ( Michael Malarkey ). After Slootmaekers is kidnapped, Stabler and

18683-720: The investigation. This causes friction between them, and they have a quietly emotional conversation about how their partnership ended. When Kathy dies, however, Benson does everything she can to comfort and support her grieving friend, and to help him make sure that Kathy's murderers face justice. Benson also recognizes that Stabler is showing signs of PTSD , and tries unsuccessfully to persuade him to get help, even staging an intervention with his children. Stabler rejects her help, but tells her he loves her. 12-step program Twelve-step programs are international mutual aid programs supporting recovery from substance addictions , behavioral addictions and compulsions . Developed in

18840-528: The jury comes back deadlocked , resulting in a mistrial. The District Attorney's office ultimately decides not to pursue a retrial , meaning that he will not be punished legally for ordering Kathy's murder. After Wheatley and cyberterrorist Sebastian McClane ( Robin Lord Taylor ) hack into the New York Stock Exchange and steal millions, Stabler and his team go after them, but Stabler jeopardizes

18997-512: The languaging of the third step (which once spoke of making "a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him" ) sometimes occur to avoid gender-specific pronouns or to accommodate non-theistic beliefs. Some Twelve-steppers may adapt references to "God" to refer to a "higher power" or to "HP". The Twelve Traditions accompany the Twelve Steps. The Traditions provide guidelines for group governance. They were developed in AA in order to help resolve conflicts in

19154-399: The leg to make it look like the child had opened fire on them. Stabler is partnered with Olivia Benson for SVU ' s first 12 seasons. They are best friends and trust each other completely. Stabler is Benson's longest relationship with a man, and they have even each promised to give the other a kidney should either of them need a transplant. When Kathy goes into labor with Eli following

19311-587: The longest running prime-time live-action character of all time, surpassing the 20 season record (but as of yet not its 635 episode count) held by Gunsmoke ' s Marshall Matt Dillon and Kelsey Grammer 's character Frasier Crane from Cheers and Frasier , as well as Belzer's John Munch, who was a regular character for 22 seasons (7 on Homicide: Life on the Street and 15 on SVU ). Series creator Dick Wolf named his two lead detectives after his son, Elliot, and his daughter, Olivia. Wolf conceived Benson as

19468-422: The majority of twelve-step members are recovering from addiction to alcohol or other drugs. The majority of twelve-step programs, however, address illnesses other than substance addiction. For example, the third-largest twelve-step program, Al-Anon , assists family members and friends of people who have alcoholism and other addictions. About twenty percent of twelve-step programs are for substance addiction recovery,

19625-509: The male role – Stabler – the finalists were Tim Matheson , John Slattery , and Christopher Meloni . Meloni and Hargitay had auditioned in the final round together and after the actors left, there was a moment of dead silence, after which Wolf blurted out, "Oh well. There's no doubt who we should choose – Hargitay and Meloni." The duo, who Wolf believed had the perfect chemistry from the first time he saw them together, were his first choice. Garth Ancier , then head of NBC Entertainment, agreed, and

19782-509: The mall. In "Gone Baby Gone", it is revealed that Sheila was behind the kidnapping, and that she intends to take Noah to live with her in Derry, New Hampshire . Benson goes to Sheila's cabin in Franconia, New Hampshire to rescue Noah. When Sheila attacks her, Benson subdues her, arrests her, and takes Noah home. In the season 23 episode "Burning with Rage Forever", Noah tells Olivia that he stood up to

19939-403: The man's story, while Stabler takes a cynical view of his claim from the start. Benson and Stabler are separated at times during the show. She asks for a new partner after Stabler expects her to jeopardize his life to shoot a convicted sex offender ( Lou Diamond Phillips ) who had kidnapped two children and killed one of them. Instead, she is briefly reassigned to computer crimes and replaced by

20096-493: The medals and service awards worn by then-Lieutenant Benson, as seen in "Heartfelt Passages". Casting for the lead characters on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit occurred in spring 1999. Dick Wolf , along with officials from NBC and Studios USA, were at the final auditions for the two leads at Rockefeller Center . The last round had been narrowed down to six finalists. For the female lead – Benson – Samantha Mathis , Reiko Aylesworth , and Hargitay were being considered. For

20253-427: The murder of Ava Marchenko (Alexandra Avezova). Stabler then uses the assistance of his confidential informant, Vince (Andrew Yackel), to take down the culprit, Mark Sirenko ( Beau Knapp ). A few weeks later, Stabler and his new partner, Jamie Whelan ( Brent Antonello ), investigate the murder of Henry Cole ( Jeorge Bennett Watson ). In the next episode, Stabler and Whelan chase after Kenny Kyle ( Michael Drayer ) after he

20410-425: The organizations as cults , while another review asserts that these programs bore little semblance to religious cults and that the techniques used appeared beneficial to some. Another study found that a twelve-step program's focus on self-admission of having a problem increases deviant stigma and strips members of their previous cultural identity , replacing it with the deviant identity. Another study asserts that

20567-582: The other eighty percent address a variety of problems from debt to depression . It would be an error to assume the effectiveness of twelve-step methods at treating problems in one domain translates to all or to another domain. A 2020 Cochrane review of Alcoholics Anonymous showed that participation in AA resulted in more alcoholics being abstinent from alcohol and for longer periods of time than cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy , and as effective as these in other measures. The 2020 review did not compare twelve step programs to

20724-449: The owner, who owed them money, in order to make his death look like an accident. That night, while celebrating with his new "employers", Stabler is drugged. He goes to Benson's apartment in a panic, and she sends him to Bell's house to sleep it off. Stabler finds out that Briscu is closeted , and murdered his male lover to keep from being outed . Briscu threatens to kill Stabler to keep him quiet, but Stabler assures Briscu that his secret

20881-948: The researchers behind the review noted the weakness of most of the studies analyzed, which may lead to interpretations of their results that did not accurately reflect the actual picture. In the past, some medical professionals have criticized twelve-step programs as "a cult that relies on God as the mechanism of action" and as lacking any experimental evidence in favor of its efficacy. Ethical and operational issues had prevented robust randomized controlled trials from being conducted comparing twelve-step programs directly to other approaches. More recent studies employing non-randomized and quasi-experimental studies have shown twelve-step programs provide similar benefit compared to motivational enhancement therapy (MET) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and were more effective in producing continuous abstinence and remission compared to these approaches. The Twelve Traditions encourage members to practice

21038-506: The rest of the panel assembled voiced their assent. Hargitay trained as a rape crisis advocate to prepare for the role of Benson. During the last months of her pregnancy in 2006, Hargitay took maternity leave from SVU , and was temporarily replaced by Connie Nielsen . In May 2009, after the show's tenth season , Hargitay and Meloni's contracts expired when they were reportedly making $ 375,000–$ 385,000 per episode. During negotiations in April for

21195-576: The results come back negative. In the season 9 episode "Closet", the SVU squad are surprised to find out that Benson has been in a relationship with journalist Kurt Moss ( Bill Pullman ) for several months. It comes out only because Internal Affairs is investigating Benson and Stabler in a case in which the department accidentally outed a professional football player. By the end of the episode, she breaks up with Moss. While Benson has only been portrayed in relationships with men, she has, according to lesbian entertainment website AfterEllen.com , "attracted

21352-499: The season 14 premiere, Benson shares a kiss with Cassidy after she tells him she is not the same person from 13 years before, when they had a brief sexual relationship. Later that season, in the episode "Undercover Blue", it is revealed that Cassidy and Benson had been seeing each other for quite some time. Their relationship hits a rough patch in the episode when Cassidy is accused of rape, which results in their relationship becoming public. The charges against Cassidy are later dropped when

21509-403: The season 15 premiere "Surrender Benson", Lewis makes her watch while he rapes and tortures the mother of his own attorney and kills a police officer who attempted to pull him over. He then holds her hostage for four days, burning her with cigarettes and wire hangers. Just as he is about to rape her, she breaks free, handcuffs him, and holds him at gunpoint. When he taunts her that she doesn't "have

21666-455: The shots at SVU, as Dodds disagrees with her suspension and continues to seek her advice in secret. Benson is reinstated after SVU breaks up the sex trafficking ring and Tucker is cleared. In "Heartfelt Passages", Benson and Mike Dodds, on the latter's last day at SVU, are involved in a hostage situation involving corrupt Rikers Island corrections officer Gary Munson ( Brad Garrett ) holding his wife hostage. Benson takes Munson's children out of

21823-534: The specific malady which brought the sufferer into the fellowship. The following are the twelve steps as published in 2001 by Alcoholics Anonymous: Where other twelve-step groups have adapted the AA steps as guiding principles, step one is generally updated to reflect the focus of recovery. For example, in Overeaters Anonymous, the first step reads, "We admitted we were powerless over compulsive overeating—that our lives had become unmanageable." Variations in

21980-462: The spiritual dimension, or "spiritual malady," is considered in all twelve-step groups to be self-centeredness. The process of working the steps is intended to replace self-centeredness with a growing moral consciousness and a willingness for self-sacrifice and unselfish constructive action. In twelve-step groups, this is known as a "spiritual awakening." This should not be confused with abreaction , which produces dramatic, but temporary, changes. As

22137-575: The sponsor recover. A study of sponsorship as practiced in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous found that providing direction and support to other alcoholics and addicts is associated with sustained abstinence for the sponsor, but suggested that there were few short-term benefits for the sponsee's one-year sustained abstinence rate. Alcoholics Anonymous is the largest of all of the twelve-step programs (from which all other twelve-step programs are derived), followed by Narcotics Anonymous;

22294-463: The system, was a suspect in a rape case. However, his name was cleared after it is revealed that he was framed by Captain Julia Millfield ( Kim Delaney ), who believed (incorrectly) that he sexually assaulted her sister when they were in high school. In the season 13 episode "Child's Welfare", Simon reveals to Benson that he is planning to marry a woman named Tracy ( Nicole Beharie ), with whom he has

22451-433: The task force find her with Seamus, who is attempting suicide. Seamus is arrested and Slootmaekers is rescued. In the end, Murphy is let go and not charged with any crimes due to his connections. A few weeks later, Stabler investigates the kidnapping of Janelle Carver (Brandi Bravo), the daughter of his army buddy, David Carver ( Michael Biehn ). Stabler then investigates the shooting of Jennifer Lee (Esther Chen) and develops

22608-433: The trauma. It is later revealed that Lewis survived and is in prison awaiting trial. In "Psycho/Therapist", a visibly injured and still-recovering Lewis fires his new attorney and chooses to represent himself . He calls Benson as a witness and accuses her of assaulting him because he rejected her sexual advances. She vehemently denies it, and lies under oath that he had broken free of his restraints and lunged at her. Lewis

22765-458: The twelve traditions to help deal with the issues of how various groups could relate and function as membership grew. The practice of remaining anonymous (using only one's first names) when interacting with the general public was published in the first edition of the AA Big Book. As AA chapters were increasing in number during the 1930s and 1940s, the guiding principles were gradually defined as

22922-412: The two being openly hostile to each other. Hargitay has characterized Benson and Stabler's relationship as "very complicated". Her assessment is that: Sometimes it's very much like brother and sister, and I think the reason that they're so close is that they share a passion for their jobs and for the people. They have a mutual respect for one another. I think that the average lifespan of an SVU detective

23079-437: The two is unlikely, though commented: "You never can say never". Hargitay has stated that her favorite SVU scene occurs in the season 7 episode "Fault", when Benson is faced with the possibility of losing Stabler: " Lou Diamond Phillips [a murderous kidnapper] has a gun to Elliot's head. I'm negotiating [with him to drop the gun]. It was a painful, high-stakes scene. Elliot and I have to admit what we mean to each other... He

23236-463: The use of disulfiram or naltrexone , though some patients did receive these medications. These medications are considered the standard of care in alcohol use disorder treatment among medical experts and have demonstrated efficacy in randomized-controlled trials in promoting alcohol abstinence. A systematic review published in 2017 found that twelve-step programs for reducing illicit drug use are neither better nor worse than other interventions, though

23393-423: The victim to recall a mole on it, which Benson later explains to medical examiner Melinda Warner ( Tamara Tunie ) that she had also seen. When Warner asks Benson if she had been raped, she replies, "It was the closest I've ever come." In season 10, Benson is seen struggling with now being a victim of sexual assault herself. She is attending group therapy , something she has not shared with anyone but Tutuola. In

23550-534: Was 16 to one of her mother's students; when her mother found out, she broke a bottle of vodka and went after her with it. Benson fought back, kicked her mother twice, hard, and ran out of the house. Years later, Benson reunites with her former fiancé, true crime podcaster Burton Lowe ( Aidan Quinn ), while they are both investigating a cold case , and they sleep together. When Lowe is accused of taking advantage of several young women, Benson gradually comes to believe that despite its consensual nature, their relationship

23707-412: Was accused of taking money and drugs during her first bust. However, he lied for her, as he had not actually been with her in the same room at the time. By May 1998, she had received her detective's shield and was assigned to the 16th Precinct as a Detective 3rd Grade, and was partnered with Det. Elliot Stabler . She is promoted to Detective 2nd Grade in 2001, and Detective 1st Grade in 2011. In 2006, she

23864-451: Was actually sexual abuse, due to the power differential and age difference. A woman later reports to Benson that Lowe, who is in a 12-step program for his alcoholism, tried to make amends to her for drunkenly raping her six months earlier. Benson helps Lowe accept responsibility for what he did, and he pleads guilty to sexual misconduct to spare his victim the trauma of a trial. Benson is a graduate of Siena College . While there, she held

24021-435: Was conceived by her mother's rape . Her mother's rapist, Joseph Hollister, later committed suicide. Benson's mother, Serena ( Elizabeth Ashley ), an English professor, was an alcoholic who abused Olivia emotionally and physically. In the season 2 episode " Taken ", Serena dies falling down a flight of subway stairs outside the entrance to a bar. In a later episode, " Intoxicated ", Benson mentions being engaged briefly when she

24178-449: Was his partner while he was working in Rome. Stabler and Tia then work the case against Russian gangster Mikael Abramov ( Mark Ivanir ) together and manage to take down his criminal empire. Tia then shows up at Stabler's doorstep and attempts to revisit old feelings. The next morning, Tia reveals that she stayed the night and that she is flying back to Rome. After Pearl Serrano ( Camilla Belle )

24335-587: Was in fact murdered by a gang of prostitutes who rob and kill their clients with heroin and fentanyl which happened before Benson left that voicemail. In season 12, Benson is named the legal guardian of a young boy named Calvin Arliss ( Charlie Tahan ). Calvin's mother, Vivian ( Maria Bello ), abandons him and flees when Benson's investigation uncovers that Vivian (also a child of rape) may have killed her mother's rapist, Walter Burlock ( R. Lee Ermey ). Vivian names Benson as Calvin's legal guardian. Calvin lives with her for

24492-482: Was later revealed to be titled Law & Order: Organized Crime . Stabler was an NYPD detective 1st Grade with Manhattan 's Special Victims Unit, which investigates sex crimes . He joined the NYPD in 1986 and was promoted to detective in 1989, In show continuity, Stabler became a detective with SVU in 1992. By 1998, Stabler held the prestigious rank of Detective First Grade and was assigned to mentor his new partner, Detective Olivia Benson ( Mariska Hargitay ),

24649-643: Was once the Assistant District Attorney for SVU, accuses Stabler of framing Wheatley for Kathy's murder. Stabler feigns out-of-control anger on the witness stand in order to be cited for contempt of court and thrown out of the courtroom so he can be alone with Wheatley. He baits Wheatley by insinuating that he slept with Angela; as intended, this tactic provokes Wheatley to testify in his own defense, during which he loses his temper and threatens prosecuting ADA Dominick "Sonny" Carisi, Jr. ( Peter Scanavino ) in open court. Much to Stabler's surprise, however,

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