The Best Bensler Moment In Law & Order: SVU Season 5

There are plenty of fan-favorite episodes in "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" Season 5, a relatively early look at the partnership between Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliott Stabler (Christopher Meloni), but the best moment between Stabler and Benson comes during an episode where Benson confronts the case of a victim whom she did not believe years before. The case at hand leads detectives to an apartment with photo albums of victims, one of whom Benson recognizes as the woman whose kidnapping and sexual assault story she did not believe. 

The case leads Benson to big personal revelations, but also finds her and Stabler at odds when Benson is found over the dead body of the suspected rapist, killed by a stab wound and leading to an interrogation of her by Stabler at the crime scene. It's a reversal of the typical roles as Stabler is the one telling Benson she's "out of control."

Benson later asks Stabler why among all his questions he did not ask whether she actually killed the man even after she is accused in court, and Stabler reveals he always believed his partner, saying, "I know you didn't do it. You would've shot the bastard." The words came at perhaps Benson's lowest personal moment in Season 5, and it showed the conviction these two partners continue to share. 

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).