Cragen gets five days taken off his vacation for punishment for the way the case was handled. When a judge denies the Marsdens custody of their children, Simon panics and kidnaps them. They've been doing it for longer than that, so they feel like they're in their own world almost. What Happened to Calvin on 'SVU'? Details on the Character In Season 17, she is promoted to Lieutenant and becomes the squad's official commanding officer. "[26] 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. "Surrendering Noah" is an intense SVU episode for many reasons, but it ends in a rewarding moment for our favorite detective. Here's just a few of things she's done. 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 the game his own son, Mike (Andy Karl). Hargitay nails her performance of Benson, approaching each survivor with vulnerability and tenderness while also holding each criminal accountable with resilient ferocity. Just as he is about to rape her, she breaks free and attacks, handcuffs him, and holds him at gunpoint. As a mother, Benson is caring and understanding but also strict when she needs to be. Times Olivia was a terrible cop : r/SVU - Reddit Starting in 1999, Benson and Stabler were official partners at the Special Victims Unit for over 12 years, until Stabler's abrupt departure at the end of Season 12 in 2011. Benson speaks some Spanish, Russian, Italian, and French. Now in its 21st season, NBC's Law & Order: SVU has passed several significant milestones. In an episode from season 2, Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) went undercover at a rave, which fans recently talked about on Reddit. Benson makes the call to request a new partner, saying, We both chose each other over the job. I want to be strong like Olivia. Sara confesses to murdering Burlock, and is then murdered herself by Calvin's father. [41], Benson joined the NYPD in 1992, and was trained by Sergeant Karen Smythe (Khandi Alexander) at the 55th Precinct in the Bronx. With the premiere of season 21, Hargitay's Benson became the longest running prime-time live-action character of all time, surpassing the record held by Gunsmoke's Marshall Matt Dillon and Kelsey Grammer's character Frasier Crane from Cheers and Frasier, as well as Belzers John Munch, who was a regular character for 22 seasons (7 on Homicide: Life on the Street and 15 on SVU).[3][4]. Ellis makes a deal to have Simon serve a 60-day sentence, knocking his charge down from kidnapping to a misdemeanor, custodial interference. For more than 17 years, Mariska Hargitay has played the most badass detective in recent memory on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Benson appeared in Comcast's list of TV's Most Intriguing Characters and also in the website's list of TV's Top Cops. 28 Apr 2023 01:56:54 (. (SVU: "Justice Denied"). Love the series but I can't stand Olivia Benson. That night, they end up sleeping together in her apartment. In season 18, Tucker tries to convince Benson to retire with him, though at 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. [71], Since 2012, Hargitay earns approximately $400,000[72] to $500,000 per episode. Throughout Benson's long history on "Law & Order: SVU," she's faced tons of obstacles, from tracking down deranged serial killers to dealing . 35 photos of Olivia Benson on 'Law & Order: SVU' through - SheKnows As other "Law & Order: SVU" fans have noted, Benson has shown signs of breaking down previously. [78] UGO Networks placed "the hard-charging detective" among the "fifty greatest fictional detectives of all time". Olivia Margaret Benson[2] is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the NBC police procedural drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, portrayed by Mariska Hargitay. This just seems like the beginning, I feel like it's only going to get worse from here. (, Benson and Stabler were partners for 13 years, not 12 as commonly referred to. Even worse: Multiple people die in the fallout, and Benson's partner is injured, forcing him to leave the SVU. The cops track down every lead, and Tito helps them along the way. (SVU: "Abuse") Benson said she was in love with an older man and that she "couldn't have loved him more." She also has sparkly makeup on her face. 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. Mike Dodds is made Acting Commanding Officer. [29], Upon renewing her relationship with Stabler, Benson recognizes that he is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from the bombing and Kathy's death. #LawAndOrderSVU. During 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. Omg that look is so bad its good, another fan added. I think Olivia Benson has a lot of good moments that make her a role model for other women. In 2019, she was promoted to Captain by Deputy Chief William Dodds. 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. She often worries about how Noah will turn out due to his biological parents dodgy past as criminals but is frequently reassured that he will turn out fine due to her great parenting and having custody of Noah since he was a baby. As a police squad closes in, Lewis taunts her one last time before committing suicide right in front of her. The charges against Cassidy are later dropped when the SVU detectives discover that he was being set up. Her former partner Elliot Stabler was often more skeptical of victims' accounts, which often brought the two partners into conflict. [20] Calvin lives with her for awhile, until she finds Vivian and her lover Sara Hoyt (Kat Foster) have relapsed into drug use. When Kathy dies of her injuries, however, Benson puts her resentment aside to help her grieving friend get justice for his late wife. Am I the only one who's weary of Olivia benson : r/SVU - Reddit "Omg that look is so bad it's good . (SVU: "Trophy", "Rescue", "Missing Pieces"). By the end of the episode, she breaks up with Moss. She is rescued by SVU colleague Fin Tutuola (Ice-T), who gets there just in time to stop Harris from raping her. [19], In season 12, Benson is named the legal guardian of a young boy named Calvin Arliss (Charlie Tahan). Nick then proves himself to be an even bigger jerk when he sneakily looks through Olivia's confidential notes about an active case and then reports those details . "[74] In 2001, Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker criticized Benson and Stabler as "the most naive, bleeding heart molester busters in America. I think it is a good thing to make teenage girls aware. As 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. Surrender Benson: Directed by Michael Smith. [48] When Murphy returns to undercover work, he appoints her acting commander. Olivia Benson Boyfriends: Who Has the 'Law & Order: SVU - Distractify (SVU: "Philadelphia", "Florida") Benson was a graduate of Siena College. Benson's life has been a hard one. "[8] Of their partnership, Baer assessed that: "They both represent the feelings that we feel simultaneously when we hear about these cases. Badass TV Female Detectives - The Odyssey Online At the end of the season 14 finale "Her Negotiation", Benson is kidnapped by serial rapist/murderer William Lewis. She was still able to work but mainly in the office. A place to discuss one of the greatest TV Dramas, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. Simon Marsden | Law and Order | Fandom Detective Olivia Benson's fashion evolution on 'Law & Order: SVU' Thoughts on Olivia Benson : r/SVU - Reddit Alongside that, she can read the Miranda Rights in two different languages. 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. Adam Beach (Detective Chester . She battles evil, avenges her mother, faces her demons but refuses to date them. Olivia never visited her mother's grave, until a case left her shook (SVU: "Hammered"). A 13-year-old girl raped by her stepfather and who has no support is not in a good place to have a baby and Olivia should not be lying about how great it'll be when she's an adult with the means to take care of Noah. It was a painful, high-stakes scene. Now I'm an Emmy winner. Stabler reassures her and tells her that it might work out if they both give it a try but Benson still refuses to kiss him, telling Stabler that she is not ready to be in a romantic relationship with anyone yet which upsets both of them. Fans Debate 'Law & Order: SVU' Promotion. You and this job are about the only things Ive got anymore. With more than 30 years in Hollywood, Mariska Hargitay's plastic surgery opinions have changed over time. Benson blames herself for Dodds' death because she did not initially search Munson for a weapon. And sometimes, that isn't always a good thing (I'm not recommending you do that). Murphy then makes Benson his second-in-command until he got transferred out for a undercover assignment. Benson has been part of the "Law & Order: SVU" team since the show first aired, so it makes sense that she'd be a fan favorite to this day. Vivian revokes Benson's guardianship, and sends Calvin to live with his grandparents in Vermont. They have a mutual respect for one another. She tries to force her opinions on the victims and witnesses. Law And Order SVU: Why Each Cast Member Left | Cinemablend The duo, who Wolf believed had the perfect chemistry from the first time he saw them together, were his first choice. The detectives learn that underage kids are being offered money and drugs and sexually exploited. Nick Amaro. Olivia Benson is one of the most iconic heroes on television, but this Law & Order: SVU moment involving the detective took things too far for some fans. She tries to force her opinions on the victims and witnesses. Hargitay has deemed the storyline which saw Benson find her paternal family "probably the biggest thing that's ever happened to Olivia". While initially thinking of it, Benson changed her mind about retirement, stating she still had so much work to do, resulting in her and Tucker breaking up due to their differences in near future life aspirations. Law & Order: SVU - 10 Facts You Didn't Know About Olivia Benson When Sheila attacks her, Benson subdues her, arrests her, and takes Noah home. Love the series but I can't stand Olivia Benson. Most of Season 15 follows Lewis' trial until he escapes from prison and kidnaps a 12-year-old. 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 formally adopts Noah a year later at the end of Season 16. She has arrested three of Noah's biological relatives (his parents. The episode is heavy, to say the least, and has rippling consequences for Benson throughout the entire series. Benson kicked her mother into a wall and ran to Simone Bryce for help. Simon is reluctant, but Benson tells him that the deal is better than his daughter visiting him in jail. From 1992 to May 1998, she was partnered with older officer Patrick Griffin (Anthony Edwards), who in 1992 testified on her behalf when she was accused of taking money and drugs during her first bust. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. 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. [33][34][35] In the episode "Justice Denied", Benson and Haden end their relationship due to a conflict of interest. Published Oct 9, 2019 Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson has led Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since 1999, and here are some surprising facts about the detective. Benson is forced to keep Stabler, who is now working in Rome in an organized crime task force, out of the investigation. Stabler goes on a trip, leaving his pregnant wife, Kathy, with Benson. Drake sues for custody as a ploy to get out of prison, imperiling Benson's chances of adopting Noah. 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. He also told the outlet that he still has nightmares about Hargitay's performance in that scene, calling it "so haunting and intense.". When Warner asks Benson if she had been raped, she replies, "It was the closest I've ever come.". How Benson May Have Referenced Her Partnership With Stabler - Yahoo News Benson walks off by herself looking for Jill. Kelli Giddish is set to return to both SVU and OC as Amanda Rollins . As commanding officer, Benson has worked cases frequently with each of the detectives under her command: Tutuola, Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) and Joe Velasco (Octavio Pisano) as of 2021. As TV's longest-running detective, Benson has been through it. In season 1, Benson has a drunken one-night stand with one of her SVU colleagues, Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters). I'm negotiating [with him to drop the gun]. [63] Hargitay trained as a rape crisis advocate to prepare for the role of Benson. [46] 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 the NYPD, making Benson SVU's acting commanding officer. Here's just a few of things she's done. The last round had been narrowed down to six finalists. We fell in love with her courage and tenacity the minute she stepped on screen in September . Olivia Benson's Entire Law & Order: SVU Backstory Explained She follows the victim to her apartment, which is already way out of line, and argues with her to come back to the hospital and get a rape kit done. The episode closes with Benson weeping on the courthouse stairs and, four months later, Lewis being wheeled away on a stretcher. (SVU: "King Of The Moon"). Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Olivia was born in 1968 as the product of the rape of Serena Benson in the spring of 1967 by a food salesman named Joseph Hollister, who later committed suicide. I have to step it up. Kanick, who is involved in the abuse and exploitation of minors as well as giving them drugs, tells the detectives where to find Jill after Fin physically assaults him. Serial rapist and killer William Lewis abducts Olivia in her home, tortures her, and hides her away in a Long Island beach home. Tucker is eventually cleared, and he continues his relationship with Benson. Even a lawyer is involved as well named Ted Bolger. 17 Times Olivia Benson's Hair Was the True Star of Law - InStyle Cragen asks Benson to take the Sergeant's exam following the retirement of Sgt. Benson appears on five episodes of Law & Order, one episode of Law & Order: Trial by Jury, three episodes of Chicago P.D. She is rescued by her fellow detectives moments later, and Cragen puts her on mandatory leave so she can recover. Now, on Law & Order: SVU, Captain Olivia Benson ( Mariska Hargitay) orders Velasco to bring Chilly (Joseph Castillo-Midyett) to justice. He calls Benson as a witness and accuses her of assaulting him because he rejected her sexual advances. In 2021, she got into a car accident and was injured, with her leg broken. Dick Wolf, along with officials from NBC and Studios USA, were at the final auditions for the two leads at Rockefeller Center. When he taunts her that she doesn't "have the balls" to kill him, she loses control and beats him within an inch of his life with an iron rod. Dodds suffers a stroke after surgery and dies. (SVU: "Surrender Benson"). He calls Benson as a witness and accuses her of assaulting him because he rejected her sexual advances. (SVU: "Smut"). 28 Apr 2023 22:20:37 One of the worst SVU villains of all time, William Lewis, kidnaps Benson and locks her away in a remote cabin in the woods. "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Surrender Benson (TV Episode - IMDb Lewis 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. 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. Photo : NBC Season 1, Episode 1 Can you believe SVU has been on almost two decades? Despite pushback from the network and some viewers believing that the episode goes too far, the team behind it knew they had done their research and found a story they wanted to tell without holding back(via Jezebel). Olivia Benson Finally Takes Charge In New 'Law & Order: SVU' Clip A rape victim does not want to press charges or have a medical exam. He tells her that his mom drove off after he dropped him at the precinct with a notarized letter naming Benson as his legal guardian. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. In 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. We know that people are into the Alex-Olivia thing. Captain Olivia Margaret "Liv" Benson (born February 7, 1968) is the commanding officer of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit. Over the last two decades, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" has tackled various taboo subjects. [69] However, two months later it was officially reported that both their contracts had been renewed for two more years. Most of the time, Benson is running through the streets of NYC to track down the bad guys. Her decision making skills as commanding officer have been suspect at best. captain olivia benson is trying so hard not to end up with a detective olivia benson (or elliot stabler) on her squad I think it's telling that her squad presently has *no* partners. [8] 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. Though Hargitay, who is best known for her role as Detective Olivia Benson on NBC's . In "Scavenger," Benson and the SVU attempt to track down an active serial killer who leaves clues throughout the city in a Zodiac Killer-esque fashion. 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. At the conclusion of the season 15 finale, Benson becomes the court-appointed custodial guardian of Noah Porter, an orphaned baby. The Best Detectives On Law & Order: SVU Ranked By Skill Benson was partnered with Detective Elliot Stabler ( Christopher Meloni ), serving as the junior member of the pair. She investigates sexual offenses such as rape and child sexual abuse. With Mariska Hargitay, Danny Pino, Kelli Giddish, Richard Belzer. Since she's such an important part arguably the most important part of the show, it's also understandable that fans would be concerned about Benson's health and well-being as she faces personal and professional troubles. If watching Benson get kidnapped, escape, and then go through the grueling William Lewis trial wasn't hard enough, SVU threw fans another wrench with the episode "Beast's Obsession." She is promoted to Captain in the 21st season. 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.). But it can also be argued that the show might have grown stale if Olivia Benson never moved up. Well, I know what Im watching today! another fan weighed in. Benson is an Aquarius due her birthday being February 7th. Ed Tucker (Robert John Burke) of Internal Affairs. When Captain Cragen (Dann Florek) said his final farewell on "Law & Order: SVU" last week, Benson was promoted to sergeant and is now the acting commanding officer until a new captain arrives. The "Undercover" episode of "SVU" is particularly bleak, as Olivia Benson is nearly raped by the corrections officer she's investigating. As a sergeant, her badge number was #01139. Benson's mother, Serena, was an alcoholic who emotionally and physically abused Benson. Even worse? But in real life, outside of the NYPD's SVU squad, actor Peter Gallagher, who plays Chief Dodds, is leaving the show because he recently "got a pilot that went to series," according to showrunner Warren Leight. In "Psycho/Therapist", Lewis fires his new attorney and chooses to represent himself. After a few nail-biting empty rounds, Lewis shoots himself after telling Benson that the last thing she'll ever see before dying is the horrific scene in front of her. Bensler Get Steamy and Almost Kiss | NBCs Law & Order: SVU, Season 15, Episode 1 ("Surrender Benson"), Season 15, Episode 20 ("Beast's Obsession"), Season 16, Episode 23 ("Surrendering Noah"), Season 21, Episode 1 ("I'm Going to Make You a Star"), Season 24 premieres Thursday, September 22. It's always thrilling when an SVU episode features a celebrity guest star, but Robin Williams knocked his episode out of the park. Benson is completely accepting, and tells Noah she is proud of him for standing up for himself and his friend.[25]. Jill was invited by Lance Kanick, a convicted sex offender and pimp according to Captain Cragen, to go to a rave. She tries to force medical staff to do rape kits on mentally ill victims. Throughout Benson's long history on "Law & Order: SVU," she's faced tons of obstacles, from tracking down deranged serial killers to dealing with personal loss. Benson's problems are solved when Drake is killed during 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. Another Redditor agreed, writing, "I simultaneously didn't want to see it but couldn't turn away. (SVU: "Savior"), Olivia is appointed Calvin Arliss' legal guardian too, but her legal guardian rights were then terminated by Calvin's mother through his paternal grandparents. (SVU: "Stalked"), Benson and Serena seemed to care about each other a great deal. Olivia Benson's 10 Most Intense Law & Order: SVU Episodes - NBC Cookies help us deliver our Services. Benson wears blue baggy pants, a tank top, multiple necklaces with color in her hair. 10 Reasons Why Olivia Benson Should Be Every Girl's Role Model Privacy Policy. For the female lead Benson Samantha Mathis, Reiko Aylesworth, and Hargitay were being considered. Upon the conclusion of their joint operation, the two share drinks before Benson returns to New York. The other detectives eventually discover that Benson has been framed by Brady Harrison (Patrick Heusinger), a rapist she sent to prison years earlier. Cookie Notice A few months after she returns to work, they get a new apartment together. 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. Victoria Brownworth on Twitter: "Olivia Benson has caught and Olivia did all she could to get Casey fired. 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 returns to work in the following episode, "Imprisoned Lives", which takes place two months later, but is still haunted by the experience. The character first appeared in the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit pilot episode, "Payback", which aired September 20, 1999. Simon Marsden (born Simon Hollister) was the son of Joseph Hollister and Sharon Marsden, the paternal younger half-brother of Olivia Benson, the father of Olivia Marsden with his ex-wife Tracy Harrison, and adoptive uncle of Noah Porter-Benson. She tries to force medical staff to do rape kits on mentally ill victims. While Benson and Stabler end the episode relatively unscathed, the kidnapper kills a child while the partners protect one another, forcing them to reevaluate their working relationship. She is attending group therapy, something she has not shared with anyone but Tutuola. 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. 40 Of Olivia Benson's Most Intense Episodes Of 'Law - odysseyonline This 2003 look is peak Olivia Benson. In subsequent seasons, Lewis' name becomes 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. In the season 11 episode "Perverted," Benson becomes the prime suspect in the sexual mutilation and murder of a biker gang member. At the end of "Intent", Benson gets a call from Porter telling her that Noah has been kidnapped in the mall. She is condescending to victims and witnesses. When the police came to the house after I was raped, The Wife asked when a female detective would be coming. But no task is too much for Benson to handle: She takes matters into her own hands (literally) by delivering the baby. Rave Olivia is my favorite, the post is titled. The Benson Moment On Law & Order: SVU That Went Too Far. 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. When the series began, Benson held the rank of detective. A woman named Lorna Frankel was also complicit in the exploitation of minors and filming it as well. These 10intense Benson episodes in SVU's historyspeak to her brilliant character. [10] Benson's mother, Serena (Elizabeth Ashley), an English professor, was an alcoholic who abused Olivia emotionally and physically. Jill has been doing drugs and hanging out on the street. Having overcome a history of abuse and addiction within her family, Detective Lindsay is a compassionate and sensitive character with a knack for connecting with victims and earning their trust. feeling. When he taunts her, she loses control and beats him within an inch of his life with an iron rod. As a lieutenant, she no longer has a badge number. Take a look back at Detective Olivia Benson over the past 17 season on Law & Order: SVU. Serena died from injuries sustained in a fall in 2000 when she was drunk, which left Benson deeply saddened. [8], 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.