Law & Order SVU “Return Of The Prodigal Son” Recap, Review, Discussion

“You were the most – single most – important person in my life… and you just disappeared.” 

 Olivia Benson, to Elliot Stabler 

Many fans can relate to this line from Benson in the episode Law & Order SVU episode “Return Of The Prodigal Son”. The last time we saw Elliot Stabler was in the Law & Order SVU episode “Smoked” which aired in May of 2011. It’s been a long wait for SVU fans to get a Benson/Stabler reunion, and this much-anticipated reunion didn’t happen the way that Benson OR Stabler planned. When Benson and Stabler first saw each other, I almost heard the collective screaming of the multitude of fans across the country who have been hoping and praying for a reunion for the last decade.

This was an excellent episode that didn’t involve a special victim per se, although Kathy Stabler  was very special to many SVU fans.  I know it’s not nice to speak ill of the dead, but Kathy Stabler was not one of my favorites, nor is the whole Stabler family. Still, seeing a beloved character die simply to advance the storyline of another character is bothersome for many reasons, the obvious being because Kathy was well liked by many.  I’m tired of the overused trope that a male lead character has to have his wife die to give him a compelling story.   But what’s done is done.  If I’d had my way, I would have had Kathy and Elliot divorce a long time ago.   

Despite being one of the most dramatic and heart-wrenching SVU episodes in a long time, the story was not without fault.  I almost hate to criticize it because it was so compelling, but a few things simply did not fit for me.  The most glaring issue is that Benson and the SVU should not have been anywhere near this case.  The fact that Benson did have a personal connection should have been a huge red flag and Garland should have known better.  Had Benson not been involved,  Stabler bullying his way into interrogating a suspect would have never occurred.   Benson should  have known better to let him participate, and it didn’t take long before we saw that Stabler hasn’t changed one bit and he was rolling up his sleeves, gearing for a fight.   Even Stabler should have known better by staying out  of interrogation.  His promise to behave was laughable.  But without smart people making dumb choices, we wouldn’t have much of an episode.

Benson  stated that the cameras are always on in interrogation, so  why is  it that we’ve never seen them watch or use any of this video?  If my memory serves me correctly, we only saw them record an interrogation once, and that was sometime during the Nick Amaro days. 

Benson told Stabler  that he was the single most important person in her life, and he just disappeared.  While I understand how people can leave a job and seemingly drop off the face of the earth, it does take two to tango.   Did Benson make any attempts to contact him and ask why he left without telling her?  Did she ever try to connect with Kathy Stabler during those years?  I recall seeing a deleted scene sometime after the first episode without Stabler where Benson got a  note or card from him – I may have that clip somewhere – but we never saw Benson make any attempt to reach out to him.  My recollection may be faulty though, there’s been about 10 seasons worth of episodes between that time and maybe there has been a reference to her reaching out.  But based on what Benson said, I doubt she did.  

Garland makes a comment that Stabler was Benson’s first partner. According to the Law & Order SVU episode “Rape Interrupted”, her first partner (and mentor) when she worked at the five-five precinct was Patrick Griffin. He may have meant her first partner as a detective, but it’s not like Benson didn’t work with a partner before Stabler.

In a conversation in Benson’s office, Rollins discussed Benson’s friendship with Kathy and explains they got close over time, and her saying it’s “kind of like us.”  I feel like they’re exaggerating the friendship thing a bit with that statement.   Rollins adds that  Nick (Amaro) always felt the brunt of trying to fill Stabler's shoes.  I felt that was more of a reflection of how Danny Pino took the brunt of replacing Meloni, although I can see that statement fitting for both scenarios. 

Stabler mentioned that visiting Kathy in the hospital was hard with COVID, and that they were only allowed one family member in the room at a time.  Yet they allowed Benson and Stabler to be in Kathy’s room at the same time, and neither of them were masked.  A  mixed message there. 

Still, despite my criticisms, it’s a wonderful thing having Chris Meloni back in the Law & Order universe.  The pairing of Benson and Stabler is one of the greatest in the history of television.  It’s that chemistry between characters that every series hopes for but rarely gets.  Even though we won’t see Benson and Stabler every week like we used to in the glory days of SVU, it made me feel like somehow the universe is back in sync.  

Here is the recap: 

Benson  is racing to the scene of a 10-13 and it’s a car bomb.  This was supposed to be her special night of getting an award, and little did she know that Stabler and his wife Kathy were on their way to that event.   Instead, Benson discovers the bombing victim is Kathy Stabler, and she hears Elliot call out her name.   In shock, she whispers “Elliot. Oh my god” and races to him. They are both stunned but for different reasons: Benson at the shock of seeing him after 10 years, and Stabler, in shock because he believes someone tried to kill his wife.   Too bad Kathy Stabler had to die to make it happen. 

At the hospital, Benson is having flashbacks of the last time she saw Kathy in an ambulance and wonders what happened now.  Fin explains Rollins is at the scene, and Fin states Rollins found it was a rental car and Kathy got in. The bomb may have misfired and threw her clear.  He adds that Stabler and his family were living in Italy and that Stabler had to come in for a task force meeting and he and Kathy decided to make it a trip.  Fin states that Stabler called him out of nowhere and Fin may have mentioned Benson’s award as he though enough time had gone down between them. The task force is and NYPD and Stabler is the international liaison in Rome.  Stabler  approaches and says they are still working on Kathy and she has burns,  a concussion, and a fractured pelvis.  Fin wants to get back to the scene, and Stabler commiserates that Kathy  should not have even been driving – he stepped away and gave her the keys. She worried they were going to be late for Benson’s award.  He apologizes that he meant to give her a call and she shakes it off, saying it’s okay, and reassures Stabler that Kathy is a fighter.   Two of Stabler’s kids, Dickie and Kathleen,  approach and Stabler moves to take them to see Kathy. Kathleen in surprised  see Benson, who says she is just here to help.

Back at SVU, Kat brings Benson up to speed on what little information they have.  There was a curfew protest just south on Centre Street which seemed to target police in an area just two blocks away from the car bomb.  About a dozen were arrested. Deputy Chief Garland approaches and Benson explains her relationship with the victim and Stabler’s new role.  Benson mentions the riot and that it was not an NYPD vehicle but a rental.   As she is close to the family, she asks to take the lead, and he says he will put in a call to One PP, adding that Benson will be running the investigation, not Stabler. 

Fin and Rollins are on the scene and Rollins explains the blast threw Kathy up and out before the fireball.  There was an NYPD placard in the windshield. Fin gets a call and hears that intelligence picked up a guy who threw a molotov cocktail into an empty NYPD van three blocks out and they are bringing him in. 

In SVU interrogation,  Fin and Rollins question Jacob Peters who claims he is being set up.  Benson, observing with Carisi and Kat, explains that Jacob is unemployed with 5 arrests in the past year, all for protests, and arson, vandalism, brandishing a gun, and punching reporters.  Kat says his Google search shows he has been going down a rabbit hole of conspiracy videos for years.  He has not lawyered up.  He’s been identified as an instigator and they found explosives, zip ties, and a taser in his backpack.  Stabler arrives and has heard about the suspect.   He listens to some of the questioning.  When Kat gives more information Stabler asks Kat who she is and the introductions with her and Carisi are made.  As they continue to discuss the suspect, Benson  tells Stabler about the NYPD placard on his windshield.  They continue to listen and Jacob denies doing it but they find he was a half block away.  Stabler wants to question him and Carisi throws in his 2 cents, saying Stabler should even be there. Stabler snarks with “said the lawyer to the cop.”  He continues to press, saying he’s worked with terrorists over the last years.   He promises to behave. 

Benson and Stabler enter the room and Fin and Rollins exit.   As they continue to question Jacob, it’s not long before Jacob begins to antagonize Stabler and Stabler begins to get agitated. He rolls up his sleeves and things escalate. Benson shouts to end it but Jacob continues to agitate and Stabler angrily makes a move for Jacob. Benson quickly physically intervenes and tells him to get out now – more than once. 

Later, outside, Benson tells Stabler she should have never let him in that room and that Jacob knew he was baiting Stabler and he has been long gone…Stabler doesn’t want to hear that they don’t do it that way anymore.  She said being a victim’s spouse in interrogation would have made anything they got thrown out.  She reminds him the cameras are always on in interrogation.   He asks if she is going to write him up a rip. When she begins to answer, Dickie comes through a door and asks him does he answer his phone?  Dickie informs him Kathy is awake. 

As Stabler has gone to be with Kathy, Benson returns to her office and tells Fin and Carisi that Kathy is conscious.  Carisi says if she makes a statement another detective has to be in that room. Fin says Stabler won’t blow the case and is a good cop. But Carisi says despite their history, Stabler can’t be near this.  Jacob is blaming Antifa for throwing the Molotov cocktail;  when Benson says that it wasn’t that, Carisi says Jacob doesn’t know that.  Carisi thinks he’s good for the first two, but not Kathy.

At Mercy Hospital, 365 West 32nd Street on Saturday, March 6,  Stabler and Benson speak with Kathy.  Kathy apologizes for ruining Benson’s big award ceremony but Benson thinks she did her a favor, she hates making speeches.  Sadly, Kathy doesn’t recall anything, just that it was dark and Stabler was on the phone.  She adds it is like the old days, the two of them together, always so in sync.  She asks that they really didn’t talk for 10 years, and Benson says she didn’t even know he was back on the job.  She said that’s what Elliot told her but she didn’t believe him, Benson says it is true.  Kathy says she is so tired and Benson exits the room. 

Afterward, Stabler tells Benson that Kathy is asleep.  In the waiting area,  he admits he put Benson in a bad situation at the station and know it’s not the way it was back in the day. It’s her house now. He says he is sorry but she says they don’t have to do this. He looks at her and she asks if he wants to do it now, and then she asks if he is sorry for leaving or for walking and not giving her the courtesy of telling her. He replies both. He thought if he talked to her about…she adds about how he walked away, because that’s what he did, saying she had to find out from Cragen.  She says, “You were the most – single most – important person in my life…” he says, “Olivia” but she goes on, saying, “and you just disappeared.”   He knows this, saying he was afraid if he heard her voice he would not be able to leave.  Benson gets a message and says she has to go, it’s her Chief and he needs he back at the station.  She looks around for the exit and walk  off. 

At Garland’s office, they look at the Stabler video in interrogation and discuss his aggressive behavior and his record.   He should not have been in the precinct and Benson admits that is on her.  He asks why he resigned, saying there was no official reason. Benson explains the shooting in the squad room. She  thinks he didn’t want to go through all the hoops.  She says they never spoke after he left.  She admits he got too rough in the day but it was because he cared so much.  Garland adds it was because he was her first partner and she was his junior when there weren’t many female detectives.  She is not making excuses for him or apologizing for him but she thinks he has changed.  But Garland hopes so but has doubts because Stabler got back on the force. Garland says they can agree to disagree about his evolution but that Stabler’s behavior can’t happen in one of his captain’s squad rooms.  Benson understands. 

At the CSU Garage in Chelsea on Saturday, March 6,  Fin and Kat find that there is some evidence and that it appears to be a sophisticated device, maybe terrorist related.  Kat asks about Stabler, mentioning that the unis say the way Stabler treated Jacob was not a one off.  Fin replies that was then and Stabler knows things have changed. Kat questions have they?  Fin gets a message and that Benson is with Garland and not of the old boys will even tell them why Stabler is in New York. 

At Calle Dao at 148 West 31st Street on Saturday, March 6,  Fin and Stabler re-connect. Stabler explains after SVU he did a walk-about for a few years then private security overseas.  Rome came out of a terrorism task force he was working on, a liaison job opened up four years ago.  He is here for a conference and a few training sessions and testify at a trial about 2 guys involved in extortion and money laundering who were hiding out in Puglia. He picked them up six months ago and they are minor players. Fin says that arson said the bomb looks more international than domestic, and Stabler was worried about that and he needs to give his supervisor in Intel a heads up.  He states half these cases he can’t talk about. Fin asks about Kathy and Stabler says she is hanging in there.  He explains Kathy insisted they go to Benson’s ceremony and Fin says Benson didn’t know and he thought Stabler was going to call her.  He knows he told Fin but he felt that so much time had passed he could not reach out to them both.  Fin brings Stabler up to speed, saying Benson moved on – it took her a minute but she moved on.  He mentions she has a son and a couple relationship and one was pretty solid.  Stabler says good for her and asks who’s the guy? Fin laughs and says Stabler has to ask Benson that. 

Stabler is back at the hospital (with Fin) where Benson has been waiting. She says the lab found DNA on the cell phone and there are no matches so they are checking for close kin DNA. As they discuss the DNA, alarms go off in Kathy’s room and she codes. 

Later, still at the hospital, Fin ends a call with saying “you too” and Benson chides him for not saying “I love you’ back to Phoebe.  He explains her ex husband was a cop and she knows the drill. Stabler approaches and explains Kathy experienced cardiac arrest and is now stable but they are trying to figure out what caused it.   Benson hates to ask for it be she wants his case files and he will ask Intel to send  it to her. 

At SVU, Benson ends a call, thanking the caller for whatever they can give to her and they will keep each other in the loop. She tells Rollins  and Kat that Stabler has  been working anti-terrorism, international sex trafficking and organized crime. Rollins says that doesn’t really narrow it down.  Rollins explains the cell trigger is common in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and North Africa.  Benson tells Kat to make a call to threat assessment and see if there are any groups or individuals targeted by NYPD overseas and see if they have a presence here. As Kat walks off, Rollins closes the door and asks if Benson thinks Stabler was the target and Benson says it looks like it. Rollins asks if Benson is okay and Benson says she has been better,  Benson explains her friendship with Kathy and explains they got close over time, and Rollins says “kind of like us.”  They discuss Stabler and Benson says he had a big presence in the squad room. Rollins says that  Nick (Amaro) always felt the brunt of trying to fill his shoes.  She says he said Benson  had a “complicated” relationship with Stabler.  Benson smiles and said they did but back then, nobody looked out for her the way he did.  Kat barges in, saying they got a break: the lab found a familial match on the DNA on the cell phone trigger. 

At Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville  New York  on Sunday, March 7,  Fin and Carisi speak with Yuri Lenski about any relatives of his that went into his “line of work.”  He knows about Kathy being blown up. They try to encourage him to help to help himself cut short his time, but Yuri doesn’t bite, saying he doesn’t turn on family.   

On the drive back, Carisi and Fin update Benson on the phone and Fin mentions Yuri has wife and mistresses visiting him. Benson says they can’t be getting much money while he is there  and will have Kat and Rollins follow up, thinking one of those women wants him home.

At Derasi Auto Body at 33-43 126th Place in Willets Point, Queens on Sunday, March 7,   Kat mentions to Rollins that Benson was right, Lenski’s second mistress gave up Sacha Lenski, 26, no record, and he has no record but has been playing with matches since he was 5. He was supposed to blow up the neighbor’s boat for insurance and instead burned both houses down.  They enter the body shop and get resistance and when Sacha hears his name he tries to flee. But Kat manages to catch up with him and tackle him, taking him to the ground.  Kat and Rollins get him retrained as he claims he didn’t do it. 

Later, out walking together, Benson shows Stabler the photo of Sacha and he means nothing to Stabler.  He has no record and no connections, doing odd jobs, doing auto body work.  It is likely it is his DNA but hasn’t lawyered up.  Stabler suggests they check the Iron Triangle – the Russian mob, the Italian mob, and Albanian. Benson adds he did live in Malta for three years as a teenager and wonders if the question isn’t who paid him but why.  Benson questions Stabler that aside from the defendants he is testifying against, who knows he is here?  Stabler says the joint task force, his boss at Intel, and his kids.   She asks if there is any way they would post it on the internet or social media, and Stabler says their accounts are locked and he told them not to.  Stabler asks for 5 minutes with Lenski and Benson asks if he hears himself, saying not a change and said she told Garland she is not letting him back in that room. He asks when was the last time Garland put cuffs on anybody. She deflects and asks how is Kathy?  He says that was a good left turn, then replies she is fighting, like Benson said.   The doctors say what they always say, they have a new machine and they are going to do a CT scan  on her spleen. The kids are scared. It’s their mom.  He adds that visiting is hard with COVID, you’re only allowed one family member in the room at a time. Benson states that’s why he needs to be here with Kathy.  Benson comments she has to get back, and she walks off. 

Meanwhile, Sacha is in SVU interrogation with Fin and Rollins who press him on the phone evidence which was used as a trigger. Sacha claims he lost it but Rollins isn’t buying it and he continues to make excuses.  They continue to press him.  Benson and Carisi are observing and listening, and when Carisi asks how long they have been shadow boxing with Sacha, Benson replies all night.  Carisi tells her to keep him talking, Sacha thinks he is brighter than he is.  Kat walks in and states she made some calls and it turns out Sacha is not connected but is a wanna be. The Iron Triangle garage has been linked to VIN switches on stolen cars and insurance fraud. Carisi calls it penny ante, thinking that is a big step up to a hit on a cop’s wife.  Benson thinks it is more likely that Stabler was the target.  Carisi thinks that Sacha may have been set up, and when Benson thinks he is still their guy, Carisi adds even if he is, maybe he didn’t realize it was hit on a cop. He wonder who knows what they told him, and Kat wonders if they told  him it was an arson job. Carisi thinks he should be arraigned, and when Benson is concerned he will lawyer up, Carisi says this is what he is hoping for.  If he’s a patsy and looking at 25 years…Benson finishes that the lawyer will get Sacha to cooperate. 

At Arraignment Court part 42 on Monday, March 8,  Sacha’s lawyer pleads for the wrong case, clearly clueless.  He says he just got this.  Carisi asks for a 10 minute recess to get Mr. Cryer up to speed, and the judge gives him 5. 

Carisi meets with Cryer to scare Sacha into cutting a deal, but a new attorney – Spencer Cochrane - arrives and tells Sacha not to say another word. Sacha’s family retained him. 

Later, Benson complains about this to Carisi and the detectives.  Carisi states Sacha is on his way to Rikers; he pleaded not guilty and the bail was set at 10 million. Protective custody has been arraigned.  Benson gets a call from Stabler and hears bad news (Kathy has died). 

Benson arrives at the hospital where Stabler is there.  She says she is so sorry and they embrace as Stabler cries. 

Stabler later explains Kathy’s spleen ruptured. They took her into surgery but it was too late.  He did not get to say goodbye.  Benson whispers she is so sorry. He doesn’t get it – they were so happy. Benson asks where are the kids, and he says he has to call. He says Eli is in Rome and when Benson offers to call the other kids, he says he will do that.  He asks that she make sure this son of a bitch goes down for murder. 

Fin enters Carisi’s office and gives him the bad news.  Carisi will now arraign Sacha for murder but Fin tells him not to get his hopes up  as whoever is paying for his lawyer won’t take a deal.  Carisi thinks Sacha needs to figure that out.  Fin leans in and suggests they just pull him out of Rikers. Carisi thinks that is a good idea. 

Fin and Kat are at Rikers and walk toward where Sacha is being held. When the guard opens the cell, they find Sacha dead with a needle in his arm.  Fin asks who has been in his cell and the guard says nobody, he swears.

Back at SVU, Fin, with Carisi,  has broken the news to Benson, saying it was made to look like an overdose. She asks if there is any way he could have done this to himself, and Carisi replies they all know what this is.  She says they do, telling them to find out who got to him. 

Meanwhile, Stabler  is in the chapel.  Carisi and Fin speak with Yuri and explain what happen to Sacha.  Yuri looks concerned.  Carisi reminds him that others have seen the DA’s office there to see him twice and he is on borrowed time. 

Elsewhere, Fin and Kat and other officers are at the auto body shop, looking at every VIN number for every car and part there. 

Benson is with Garland, and she insists she can be objective on the case and Stabler knows not to go anywhere near this. But Garland informs her SVU has been called off the case.  Benson objects, but he says Intelligence has taken over, and to bring them up to speed.  Benson argues this is their case, but Garland counters not as of now,  she needs to stand down. 

While Stabler prays in the chapel, Kathleen and Dickie arrive and they console each other.  Benson enters and sees this and Stabler sees her and continues to cry as we fade to black. 

Note – part 2 of this story continues with the premiere of Law & Order Organized Crime “What Happens In Puglia”