I’ve Been a Bensler Shipper for Years, But This Olivia Benson’s Love Interest Was Her Best Chance

No matter how many years have passed since Christopher Meloni last appeared on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as a regular cast member, I am still ready to welcome him back any time there is a chance. Knowing that there is still hope for Benson and Stabler to find their way into each other's arms warms my heart and makes me happy.

However, given that the show has been on the air for 25 years and we're still waiting in a will-they-won't-they scenario that feels ridiculous, I find myself looking back on more and more of Benson's relationships with regret. She went through so much that she deserved to be happy, with or without Elliot Stabler.

Olivia Benson and Ed Tucker's Breakup

Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but in my perfect world, Olivia Benson decides to retire with Ed Tucker, and then they spend a few more years traveling and having fun with Noah, as they both deserve. Some might see their relationship as forced and boring, but since we're still short on Bensler, Tucker was Olivia's best bet.

He suits her tastes and has a great character arc, going from a slightly bitter bad boy to understanding and appreciating her. He can be tough, but so can she, and there is no world in which Benson would agree to be with someone too weak to handle her. Most importantly, Tucker had a perfect relationship with Noah, the key to Liv's heart.

The writers' desire to continue to challenge Olivia Benson is understandable, as she is the only reason Law & Order: SVU exists now. They need to find something new for her to overcome and explore, but there should be an ounce of happiness and stability in her life after all these years, and it was taken with Tucker.

Not only did the show not allow her to settle into a loving relationship that suited her, it added to the years of trauma with Ed's death. Even if there was a need to write him off, there was no need to kill him. And even if there was, dying by suicide after learning of the cancer diagnosis was a step too far.

Maybe one day Olivia Benson will finally get her happy ending, and I will be twice as happy if it happens with Elliot Stabler by her side. But since the writers have spent so much time putting her through agonizing losses and traumatic events, it would be nice to see her settle down for a while before that happens.

To see what the future holds, don't miss Law & Order: SVU returning to NBC this fall with season 26.