Chris Meloni is coming back to “Law & Order: SVU” for the show’s 600th episode. The actor, who played Det. Elliot Stabler on the procedural and its spinoff, will return for the upcoming milestone episode, TVLine has confirmed.
GiveMeMyRemote first reported Meloni’s return. The episode will air as part of Season 28, which premieres on Thursday, October 8, at 9/8c.
Stabler’s Last Appearance
Meloni last appeared on “SVU” at the start of Season 27. In that brief scene, Stabler and his former partner, Capt. Olivia Benson (played by Mariska Hargitay), met up outside a wake for their former boss, Capt. Donald Cragen. The scene included Stabler telling Benson that he loved her.
The friendship between Benson and Stabler has long skewed almost-romantic, and the scene left viewers wanting more.
The scene at the wake was brief, but it was significant. Stabler and Benson were outside a wake for their former boss, Capt. Donald Cragen, and Stabler told Benson he loved her. That moment set up a question about the characters’ relationship, and the 600th episode will address it. The scene also showed just how much the two characters care about each other, and the fact that Stabler told Benson he loved her was significant.
Michele Fazekas on Stabler’s Return
At the end of Season 27, “SVU” showrunner Michele Fazekas told TVLine that she’d wanted Meloni to appear in more episodes, but that his schedule didn’t allow it. Meloni currently stars in Dan Fogelman’s forthcoming football drama “The Land.”
“When I was on the show,” said Fazekas, who was an “SVU” writer for Seasons 3 through 7, “it was Benson and Stabler… I want to use him as much as he can, but also, I don’t want to stunt it, or do it for no reason. It has to mean something.”
“I want to use him as much as he can, but also, I don’t want to stunt it, or do it for no reason. It has to mean something.”
Fazekas’ comments were careful. She wants to use Meloni as much as she can, but she doesn’t want to overuse him, or bring him back for no reason. She suggested the character’s return should mean something. The 600th episode gives her that chance.
What Fazekas Said Earlier
Earlier this year, when TVLine asked Fazekas about plans to bring Stabler back in Season 28, the show boss was tight-lipped. Her response was brief: “I’m not going to say anything about that right now.”
That silence now has an answer. The 600th episode will include Meloni, and the show has confirmed it.
Stabler’s Time on Organized Crime
Chris Meloni also played Stabler in “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” the “SVU” spin-off that was canceled in April after five seasons. In a teary message to fans after the cancellation, Meloni called the experience of playing Stabler “a great ride” and thanked “Law & Order” fans: “You gave me a life,” he said.
The Benson-Stabler Dynamic
The friendship between Benson and Stabler has been a central part of “SVU” for years. It has always been complicated, and it has always been real. The scene at the wake showed just how much the two characters care about each other, and the fact that Stabler told Benson he loved her was significant.
That dynamic has been a part of the show for years. Benson and Stabler have always had a complicated, real relationship, and it has always skewed almost-romantic. The scene at the wake showed just how much the two characters care about each other, and the fact that Stabler told Benson he loved her was significant.
The Schedule Problem
Meloni’s availability has been a sticking point. His current role in “The Land” has kept him busy, and that has made it difficult to fit him into “SVU.” Fazekas acknowledged this in her comments, saying that her schedule didn’t allow for more episodes.
That is a fair constraint. Meloni is a working actor, and his commitments have to be respected. The 600th episode is a one-off, and it makes sense to use it to bring Stabler back.
The Premiere Date
“Law & Order: SVU” will return for Season 28 on Thursday, October 8, at 9/8c. The premiere will be the first time fans see the show since the Season 27 finale. The return of Stabler in the 600th episode is a welcome addition to the season premiere.
The 600th Episode
The 600th episode gives fans a reason to celebrate. It is a milestone episode, and having Meloni back makes it even more special.
The scene at the wake set up a question about the characters’ relationship, and the 600th episode will address it. The episode will use Stabler’s return to mean something, as Fazekas suggested.
The Bottom Line
Stabler’s return is a welcome addition to Season 28. It is a milestone episode, and bringing back a beloved character for it is a smart move. Fans have been waiting to see Benson and Stabler together again, and the episode will give them that.
It is a celebration of the show’s history, and Stabler’s return is a natural part of that. After five seasons on “Organized Crime” and a spin-off that was canceled in April, Stabler is back for the milestone episode, which is a fitting way to celebrate the show’s longevity.
Source material: “Law & Order: SVU's Chris Meloni To Return In Season 28,” TVLine.
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