Cragen Tells Benson Stabler Isn't Coming Back - Law & Order: SVU

Cragen (Dann Florek) has to break the painful news to Benson (Mariska Hargitay) that Stabler (Christopher Meloni) won't be coming back to the squad.

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"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," now in its 21st season, makes television history as the longest-running primetime live-action series of all time. "Law & Order" chronicles the lives of the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department, an elite squad of detectives who investigate crimes. As acting commander of the SVU, Lt. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) leads with empathy and professionalism, all the while dealing with her difficult past, which influences the way she relates to the victims and perpetrators of each case. As Benson's second-in-command, Sgt. Odafin "Fin" Tutuola (Ice T) adds a unique sense of humor and undercover investigative experience. Det. Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) has earned her place as an integral part of the team and Det. Dominick "Sonny" Carisi (Peter Scanavino) brings a fresh outlook and distinctive style of investigation to the squad.

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Cragen Tells Benson Stabler Isn't Coming Back - Law & Order: SVU

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[mckayleem]

I always felt bad for Cragen in this scene. Liv was like a daughter to him and Elliot like a son and they’re both torn apart and hurting here and there’s just nothing he can do.

[banksnb]

You gotta love Munch In this scene. He knew liv was hurt without asking and asked Rollins and fin to do the task

[Scrappy]

Her heartbreak was obvious ... and everybody saw it. Fin, Munch, Cragen. Cragen asks how she's doing and as she's starting to cry, her voice cracks and she says she's "fine." Nobody believed that. And her sobbing confirms that to her he was so much more than a partner and friend. Awesome scene.

[KhepriProductions]

The worst part of Elliott's departure is that he never even said goodbye

[vinbingames]

On the good news stabler is coming back with a new spinoff

[josiahirondreads]

It was hard for Mariska Hargitay to do this scene. This isn’t acting, that’s real.

[jadasims]

Elliot was Olivia's partner & best friend, he was always by her side and her by his. Their relationship was loyal and trustworthy, and alot of people don't have that.

[Simeautomatic]

*To this day, I still feel some way about how they handled Stabler leaving without ever coming back not even a appearance & they want me to believe after what like 8-9 years he is coming back? Olivia got kidnapped (twice by William), became a sgt, had a kid & got held hostage & as much as stabler & Olivia cared for each other, he didn't come back not once??!* 😠😠😠

[birdiedarone]

Every time I see this, I am a mess. She is such a talent and you can literally feel her pain.

[katiedi]

Judging by this clip, the fact elliot is returning now, it would not surprise me if him and Olivia will have a conflicting reunion. There will be questions about why he technically walked out on her and their partnership and is there any way to salvage their relationship, whatever that is.

[lifewithkaylaa]

i don’t wanna watch this it literally made me break down into tears cause she cried.

[krissmith]

Is it weird that I miss a fictional fictional character from a TV series

[roberthanson]

When she breaks down and tears fall down her face to a point that she can’t breathe made be feel so heartbroken for her.

[bartolomeestebanmurillo]

Realistic if Olivia gives Elliot a proper chewing out when he comes back probably after working a case together with their respective squads. This just makes their reunion a tear jerker waiting to happen.

[hopeharrison]

I remember watching this as a Freshman in high school. Ten years later, I've been out of college for a year and a half. I remember how much it affected me then. Time flies, doesn't it? We've watched Olivia grow in her personal and professional life since Stabler's departure. Despite that heartbreaking transition, his departure was a blessing in disguise. Hopefully Stabler has too, and they can reflect on that when they reunite.

[isaiasriverayayay]

I cried my eyes out when stabler left, but when I heard he was coming back I cried and screamed like a little girl of joy😂😂😂😂😅

[C_D_O]

That moment broke my heart. I thought I would never watch svu again but I love this show way too much to stop

[joyskov]

Imagine if the love of your life/husband/best friend/soul mate/rock, the person who you trust above all others, the person who knows you completely, a decade of companionship... dumped you by just ghosting and you only found out via a 3rd party?

Especially when you hadn't done anything wrong, no cheating, no betrayl.

They left intentionally, without warning, without telling you, leaving you alone, knowing that you have no family and no friends to support you because you work so much.

Imagine the person who you would die for and admired the most... thought you were so disposable and irrelevant.

[milagrosmiracle]

This broke my heart but I’m happy that Elliot is supposedly making his return back

[mikebasil]

This was such a heartfelt turning point for both the show and Olivia. 💔