“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” has captivated viewers since the ’90s, and it is now the longest-running television drama series with 21 seasons and a confirmed three more on the way. 

What made the show great for many viewers back in 1999 was the partnership between detectives Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler. However, as the show went on, actress Mariska Hargitay came into her own and Olivia came to be the heart of the show, and would stand in the spotlight alone after Elliot’s departure from the show. The show dealt with the sudden exit very well, realistically portraying Olivia’s frustration, anger and sadness when he left. 

There is no doubt that “SVU” is what it is because of Detective Benson, but even after Elliot’s departure, his presence remained. A cold case of Elliot’s was investigated, and Olivia still talked about him and their relationship. Fans were disappointed when he left, but are ecstatic now that NBC has announced a “Law & Order” spinoff starring Chris Meloni as Elliot Stabler once again as the head of an organized crime unit. 

The spinoff is untitled for now but has been confirmed for 13 episodes, and it is expected that there will be a reunion between Olivia and Elliot, considering both characters will be NYPD officers. The reunion rumors are being further fueled by posts by Hargitay and Meloni. Hargitay posted a “happy birthday” message for Meloni on Instagram adding “Congratulations and welcome home Elliot Stabler #ItsBeenAWhile #Missed You.” Meloni responded “Saddle up gurl, we ridin again.” 

How will this possible reunion unfold and what will this mean for the future of “SVU”? It is sure to be emotional after everything these two characters have been through. Since Elliot’s departure, Olivia finally has a child, has become captain, was kidnapped and much more. 

How will Elliot take in all of this new information and how will the two make up for lost time? Will there be tension? The “SVU” writers and the writers of the unnamed Stabler series have a lot of responsibility to carefully and cleanly link the two back together again, especially explaining how Elliot came to work in the NYPD again after retiring from SVU. Why did he have no contact with Olivia? How will even Ice-T’s character,  Fin Tutuola, react to this reunion?

There are many questions that need to be answered storywise, but it will be interesting to see the flip side of Elliot’s exit and if Meloni can hold his own as only Elliot the way Hargitay has as only Olivia. If we are looking back on Elliot’s strong portrayal in “SVU,” then great acting and a thrilling new series can be anticipated.