10 Heartwarming Moments That Made ‘Law & Order: SVU’s’ Olivia Benson The People’s Detective

For the last 23 seasons, Law & Order: SVU’s Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) has captivated audiences around the world with her stories, challenges, and personal accomplishments. The truth is that Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit would not be the same without her.

Benson has become a fan favorite for the way she treats survivors, how she fights for victims’ rights, and how she has grown as a woman. From a young detective who longed to be a mother to the captain of her squad with an eight-year-old son.

Many have been the moments that pulled at our heartstrings, making us fall in love with Olivia Benson. She has the power to make you feel safe even through the screen.

In chronological order, here are our top 10 heartwarming moments that made Olivia Benson the people’s detective:

1. Olivia Always On The Victim’s Side (Season 1 Episode 1)

Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit Season 1 Episode 1, “Payback,” gives us an introduction to all the characters and the world of SVU.

This is the first time we meet Olivia, but it is also one of her most vulnerable episodes. You get to see a detective who is willing to risk her job to protect women who have been assaulted. You get to understand how her mind works.

Is it possible that Detective Benson chose this career path to bring justice to her mother and herself? That is always a huge possibility, but it does not stop her from bringing justice to other victims.

“Payback” sets the tone for Olivia Benson to be a detective who believes in survivors and fights for them.

2. Olivia Loses Her Mom (Season 2 Episode 8)

While the squad is investigating a sexual assault at a hotel, Captain Cragen informs Olivia that her mom passed away. Up until this point in the series, there had been hints at her mother’s alcoholism. This is confirmed in the manner Serena Benson passed away.

A huge part of Benson’s storyline is based on the fact that her mother was raped and ended up pregnant with her. The mother-daughter relationship is a very complicated one, introduced at the beginning of the series.

For Olivia, losing her mom is just as complicated. Of course, she will miss her, but there is also that relief that no one will be recriminating her about how much she ruined her life.

Through the seasons, we can see how much Serena’s voice stuck with Benson. She needs to constantly be reminded that she is not or will not become a monster.

Law & Order: SVU Season 2 Episode 8, “Taken,” is one of the first times in which we see how vulnerable Detective Benson truly is.

3. Olivia And A Phone Call (Season 7 Episode 3)

Law & Order: SVU Season 7 Episode 3, “911,” is an award-winning episode that gave Mariska Hargitay an Emmy nomination and win. Her performance as Olivia Benson in “911” is one of the best in 23 seasons.

As Benson is getting ready to leave for the night, they receive a phone call from a little girl that puts a stop to her plans. She ends up spending the night trying to figure out where the girl is and how they can find her.

In the end, they find the location and the man who had kidnapped her. But there are times when Olivia has lost all hope.

Throughout this episode, we are able to see Detective Benson experiencing several emotions. This is what makes her such an amazing detective, one that everyone trusts and relies on.

Benson uses her anger, disappointment, hope, and love to solve every case. “911” is one of those times in which we really see the full spectrum of who Olivia Benson truly is.

4. Olivia Helps Kathy Stabler (Season 9 Episode 9)

When Elliot Stabler has to follow a lead, Olivia Benson finds herself taking his wife, Kathy Stabler, to a doctor’s appointment. However, things change with a car accident that puts Kathy and the baby in danger.

Benson helps the paramedics in the ambulance, and Kathy gives birth to “just what the world needs, another Elliot Stabler.” The partners hug outside the hospital, and we can see a lot of emotions on Olivia’s face.

During these first nine seasons (and to this day), there was a conversation surrounding Benson and Stabler’s relationship. Could they be more than partners? What are the feelings between them?

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 7 Episode 19, “Fault,” is one of the first times in which we can visibly see they care about each other more than professional partners. However, it is not until Law & Order: SVU Season 9 Episode 9, “Paternity,” that we can see Olivia loves Elliot.

There is that worry for his son and wife, but also the feeling of watching his life happen before her eyes as she stands on the sideline. She helps bring his son into this world but then is pushed away at the hospital.

In that hug between the detectives, you can feel there is more going on, but they never dare cross that line. Benson respects he is a married man and accepts her role in his life.

5. Olivia Says Goodbye to Calvin (Season 12 Episode 10)

At the beginning of Season 12, Benson gains guardianship of Calvin after his mother runs away. The complicated relationship between Olivia and Vivian Arliss gets worse when the latter shows up again.

On Law & Order: SVU Season 12 Episode 10, “Rescue,” Vivian comes back to take Calvin away from Benson and grant guardianship to his grandparents.  Olivia is devastated and Elliot has to stop her from doing anything crazy.

The episode ends with Calvin being taken away as he screams for the detective.

Up until this point in the series, it has been established that Olivia Benson’s biggest dream is to become a mother. She had applied for adoption earlier on but was rejected for being a single woman working as a cop.

When Calvin comes into her life, Benson gets to see what it is like to be a mother. She enjoys watching him grow, do well in school, and become fond of her. But that dream is cut short on “Rescue.”

We are still rooting for her to finally get her happy ending.

6. Olivia Didn’t Get To Say Goodbye (Season 13 Episode 1)

Season 13 brings a huge change both for viewers and Detective Benson. In Law & Order: SVU Season 13 Episode 1, “Scorched Earth,” she finds out her partner of 12 years left without saying goodbye. Now she has to adjust to new detectives.

The hardest scene for fans to watch is at the end of Season 13 Episode 1 as Olivia locks herself in the interrogation room and cries for the partner she lost. Probably one of Mariska’s best scenes.

If you follow Mariska and Chris on social media, you can tell the tears were 100% real. It is not just Olivia mourning her partner. It is Mariska mourning the loss of hers.

A big part of the show has always been the relationship between Olivia and Elliot, so watching Benson lose that was extremely sad. It left us mourning with her. After all, everyone is rooting for her happiness.

7. Olivia’s Nightmare (Season 15 Episode 1)

Season 14 ends in a cliffhanger when Olivia Benson is kidnapped by William Lewis. This means fans are left terrified for their favorite character until the next season returns.

Law & Order: SVU Season 15 Episode 1, “Surrender Benson,” is probably one of the hardest episodes for Benson’s fans to watch. She is seen being tortured and harmed by Lewis until she is able to break herself free.

There had been times before in which Detective (soon-to-be Sergeant) Benson found herself in danger. But none of those had been as violent and terrifying as the William Lewis saga. Many fans complained about how triggering these episodes were.

The truth is it is always hard to see your favorite character in harm’s way. When it came to “Surrender Benson,” we were on the edge of the seat until she safely returned home.

This episode opens up the path to see Olivia Benson dealing with PTSD and different emotions. It allowed fans to dig a little deeper into the life of this character.

8. Olivia’s Life-Long Dream (Season 16 Episode 23)

Law & Order: SVU Season 16 Episode 23, “Surrendering Noah,” has Sergeant Olivia Benson facing Noah’s biological father, Johnny D., in court for crimes he had committed. Things get heated when Johnny D. gets his hand on a gun and starts shooting.

Nick Amaro is hurt in the line of duty which leads to his decision to leave the squad and move closer to his children. He drops the bomb in Olivia’s apartment as they are celebrating Noah’s adoption.

Olivia Benson is finally a mother.

“Surrendering Noah” is a fan-favorite episode because it gave the hero of the series the ending she had been looking for. Olivia’s desire to become a mother finally comes true with Noah Porter Benson.

Through the seasons, we had seen our hero go through hell and back, never finding real happiness. Her love life was always a roller coaster. But happiness finally comes for her when that little boy is put in her arms.

Even if things continued to get complicated, Olivia was no longer coming home to an empty apartment.

9. Olivia Faces Elliot After 10 Years (Season 22 Episode 9)

As Olivia is on her way to a ceremony that will celebrate her accomplishments, she witnesses a bomb going off. When she arrives on the scene, she sees the victim is Kathy Stabler. Seconds later, she hears Elliot’s voice calling her name.

Law & Order: SVU Season 22 Episode 9, “Return of The Prodigal Son,” puts Captain Benson and Detective Stabler in the same room for the first time in 10 years. Elliot does his best to explain why he did not say goodbye and apologize for the pain he caused her.

But in the same way, Olivia has a hard time forgiving him, we cannot easily accept that he is back. He was the cause of Benson’s pain for a long time and it took her a while to find her place without him.

Fans wondered if his return would take away from the accomplishments she had throughout the years and how far she has come in her career and personal life. However, we see during Season 22 Episode 9 Olivia setting boundaries for her own good.

Although it is exciting to have Elliot Stabler back to see where their relationship goes, Benson’s happiness must come first. Fans are very protective of her and would not like to see her get hurt by the same man again.

10. Olivia’s Past (Season 23 Episode 6)

Law & Order: SVU Season 23 Episode 6, “The Five Hundredth Episode,” marks a huge milestone for the series. Although it is not what fans were expecting, it has an impact on Olivia Benson’s storyline.

Captain Benson is reunited with someone from her past as Nick Amaro comes back, bringing a cold case with him. The case ends up on a happy note, but Olivia has to face her past.

Burton Lowe, Olivia’s first love, is accused of sexual harassment. As the investigation develops, Benson comes to realize he used the same tactics on her when she was younger. Now, she has to come to terms with the fact that she was groomed.

“The Five Hundredth Episode” is extremely meaningful in Olivia’s storyline because it gives us another glimpse into her past. By the end of it, Benson, despite the arguments and the alcohol, realizes her mother did love her.

Burton’s appearance helps Benson understand many things from her past. Her mother was trying to protect her. The first love she idolized was actually not good for her.

With this new information, she is able to see her life and her past in a different light. A light that allows fans to continue to love this character and understand her more deeply.

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For 23 years, Olivia Benson has been a part of our lives. We have seen her career and her personal life grow and change. She has become the people’s detective.

What are your hopes for this Olivia Benson’s future? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit airs Thursdays at 10/9c on NBC.

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