Chris Meloni Ad-Libbed the Stabler Line That Stunned ‘SVU’ Fans
Chris Meloni surprised fans by revealing that he ad-libbed the line that caused a stir in the Law & Order: SVU Season 27 premiere on September 25. The heartfelt moment between Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson left viewers buzzing online.
In the episode, Stabler reunites with his longtime partner Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay, following the death of their former captain, Donald Cragen (Dann Florek). After discussing their shared dislike for funerals and reflecting on lost friends, the two reminisce about their years working together under Cragen.
“Not that you can go back and not that I’d want to, but — we had a pretty good run there for a minute,” Stabler says.
“We still do,” Benson replies. “Just different.”
The pair hug beside Benson’s car, and Stabler opens her door before whispering two words that fans rarely hear from them.
“Love you,” Stabler says. “Night.”
The following day, Meloni confirmed the moment on X in response to a fan. “Ad lib. Made the cut. Ur welcome,” he wrote.
The Actors’ Unique Connection Shapes the Characters
Meloni and Hargitay have long influenced how Stabler and Benson interact on screen. In 2022, Meloni told TODAY.com that small gestures, like hand-holding, often come from their shared understanding.
“There’s nobody who knows these characters better than she and I,” he said. “With all due respect to the writers, what you see is us figuring out the exact words and emotions.”
Hargitay echoed his sentiment last year. “Nobody really understands our relationship the way we do,” she said. “We have an incredible shorthand.” She trusts Meloni’s choices as an actor and writer, praising his work as daring, moving, and intimate.
Meloni confirmed in April that he frequently rewrites scenes for their characters. In one episode he wrote, Stabler experiences dreams in a coma and later shares tender moments with Benson. “It was a natural and correct evolution,” he said.
Romantic Tension Between Benson and Stabler
Fans have long speculated about a romantic future for the duo. In 2023, the two nearly kissed in Benson’s kitchen, but the scene was altered at the last minute. Hargitay explained that although she and Meloni had a vision, showrunner Dick Wolf made the final call.
Meloni addressed the “kitchen moment” during an April 2025 fan panel, admitting, “We were attempting something. I don’t think it worked. I’m not going to tell you why, because you all can have your opinion.”
Wolf also commented on the possibility of a future romance. He noted that fans have wanted a Stabler-Benson hookup for 25 years. “Look, I never say never,” he said, but he referenced Moonlighting, where the show declined after the leads got together.