As the middle part of the giant premiere event, Law & Order: SVU 24×01 “Gimme Shelter – Part Two” provided the bulk of the case’s action. It was also the part of the story that made the most clear sense in terms of “oh, yeah. This absolutely, without a doubt, works as a premiere for this series specifically.” In fact, it was just easily the best hour of the three. No contest.
So, what made this episode, out of every chapter in the “Gimme Shelter” crossover, the obvious favorite? It’s really quite simple: Cohesive teamwork, characters getting good moments, and the immediate comfort of that SVU rhythm.
Let’s talk the best of the best in Law & Order: SVU 24×01 “Gimme Shelter – Part Two” and maybe, just maybe, do a bit of fangirling along the way. (Kidding on the “maybe” part.)
I just think that women.
So, when we first heard about this massive crossover premiere event, the main draw was getting to see three squads, with three women as commanding officers, leading the charge. Law & Order: SVU 24×01 “Gimme Shelter – Part Two” did not disappoint on that front.
Seeing Captain Olivia Benson command her own squad room, after a long summer hiatus from seeing any of these characters, really felt like coming home. And, just like that was only the beginning of the episode — a beginning that made it clear this was the SVU premiere chapter of the overall story — it was also just the start of seeing the Captain, the Lieutenant, and the Sergeant proving that women get shit done.
Once the big, chaotic team found those bomb materials, they knew they needed to act quickly to save the city. But the Mayor’s office and the FBI — I think? Unclear on the details because…lots of time was spent screaming about women and/or about The Beauty & The Bald — kept trying to get in their way.
Our ladies weren’t having it.
Seeing these women refuse to back down and just constantly propping each other up — kind of taking turns being in the lead on pushing back on the bureaucracy of it all — was really something special. Traditionally, we haven’t often gotten to see one woman in charge like this. Sure, things have been changing. Slowly. But to see three women, in a huge operation like this one, leading everyone and without weird competition between them? That’s just a lot.
There are probably some complaints to be had here in terms of, you know, this idea that the NYPD is the end all, be all in this sort of situation. But I’m not sure I care? This is fiction. And it’s because it’s fiction that we get to actually see this happen in the first place. So, I’ll take it.
The Beauty & The Bald
Obviously, just as seeing three female-led squads together is a breath of fresh air, getting to watch Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni do what they do remains a highlight of any episode of television that puts them in each other’s orbit. “Gimme Shelter,” in the second half of the first hour and really during this hour, was no exception.
In terms of that EO dynamic, Law & Order: SVU 24×01 delivered on some really interesting bits. Trying to pick them apart reveals that…maybe Liv wasn’t lying about that whole “complicated” thing all this time after all.
Olivia Benson is the Captain. Out of everyone in this premiere event, she’s the one with the highest rank, the one people look to for guidance, and orders, and experience. What we see from her former partner is this great respect for that, pride in her — which we’ve seen since he’s gotten back and witnessed her, in her element as the leader she was always meant to be, many times before — and, still, an undeniable sense of being her equal, her partner, the guy who has her six.
As she’s calling out orders, he’s finishing her sentences. Not to step on her toes or to play Alpha Male to someone of higher rank, no. He’s just…it’s who and what they are to each other. And, even when she’s trying to hold back her concern over the IED materials, it’s Elliot’s eyes Liv catches to have one of those wordless conversations of theirs. He gets it. And he gets to worry both for and with her.
In Law & Order: SVU 24×01 “Gimme Shelter – Part Two,” Elliot Stabler has Olivia Benson’s back like he always used to. He follows her when he can, making sure to act as her backup when needed. But he also knows when to split off and do what needs to be done. And, sometimes, she has his back. Even now, even on separate squads and when they’re technically not even partners anymore — haven’t been in a very long time. (I remain mad at him.)
They’re a team that’s (always so) in sync, even when they’re apart.
(…which is why it’s frustrating that he didn’t get to be there for her in Part Three…or after the Christmas shooting…or.)
Sometimes, though, as Law & Order: SVU 24×01 “Gimme Shelter – Part Two” shows us, it’s not always easy for them.
In the first place, Olivia still has to keep Elliot in line. Just as she’s our calming presence, she also has to be his. Which…is complicated in and of itself.
Is it hot to watch them wrestle? Um. Yeah. Is it impressive to see Hargitay and Meloni do that dance? Forever. Do we appreciate how Liv knows, instinctively, that she doesn’t have to be afraid of this big bulk of a man? Obviously! And does it speak volumes about who they are to each other to know that Olivia can tame Elliot — even when he’s at his most unstable? Sure. No doubt.
…but is it also kind of annoying that, over 20 years in and after everything — including Organized Crime‘s attempt at showing that Detective Stabler has grown — she still has to keep him from being his angriest, most out of control self? Yes. The Captain can’t be your keeper, El. Especially not if you want her to be something else.
The other issue for Benson and Stabler, which Law & Order: SVU 24×01 seems to make pretty clear, is there are still some abandonment issues here. There are a couple of times in this episode where Olivia straight up asks Elliot where he’s going. Even when she’s running point, completely in charge, it’s “where are you going” from her.
Sure, we can (and will, probably ad nauseam) use this as an opportunity to make jokes about married behavior or whatever. And it’s also a little bit of that interplay between “I’m the boss, but you’re also someone I see as my equal.”
But.
That need to know where Elliot’s going, especially after the parallels to Jenna Fox throughout this premiere event, speaks to something that Olivia still has to deal with.
Or. No.
They both still have to deal with it. Olivia just needs to heal. Hopefully, for the love of God, she’ll get to this season.
More on Law & Order: SVU 24×01 “Gimme Shelter – Part Two”
- “…a very big one.” The mind goes to dirty places.
- No but she’s so Liv and such a calming presence. I’ve missed her!
- “I know this is difficult to talk about, and I know that you don’t want to be here. But whatever did happen on that yacht, you did nothing wrong. You’re a kid.”
- “You don’t have to pretend like the world is this big, happy place and that you’re going to help me.” If this ain’t me.
- And yet. “I’m not pretending. If I say that I’m going to help you, I am going. to. help you.” I actually believe Olivia Benson when she says this. Olivia Benson and no one else.
- And can we talk about Hargitay’s “comfort” voice versus her “Captain” voice? I’ve missed her.
- “…but I’m guessing if she really loved you, she would’ve said something else. Something a little more kind.” Way harsh, Liv.
- “He just…kept talking.” Nicole describing all men, ever.
- Hargitay elevates this whole thing. No shade to anyone else, but none of this works without her. None of it. She elevates everything and everyone.
- Vests! Flashlights! El at Liv’s back! Yes, besties!
- Leaders. Together. Them. We scream!
- Tag yourself. We’re all Sergeant Bell’s “wtf” face when Olivia’s wrangling Elliot. You know she’s glad not to have to deal with that this time.
- “If we knew that, we’d be giving it to you. But we don’t!” Here for Kate Dixon, Sass Lieutenant. So true.
- Elliot Stabler has adopted Jet Slootmaekers. “Jet, daughter of mine, what did we discuss” was a scene. (I have, perhaps, paraphrased again.)
- Olivia Benson right behind Elliot Stabler as he rushes into that building. That’s right!
- The scene where Elliot’s trying to get Vince to stay with him until they can get an ambulance there gutted. me. Mr. Meloni, you are not fair.
- …and then, the looks…we’ve all “seen this film before.”
- His voice? Cracking? On “just a kid”? What did I do to deserve this?
- The way she just…RAWRS “ELLIOT!!!” though.
- “You don’t get to come in here and question our tactics. That is not how this works. Do you understand me?” On my knees, Captain. I understand.
- Cosgrove even tried to save an unhoused guy from the explosion. Definitely not a typical NYPD thing.
- “We’re not doin’ this cowboy.” Doesn’t bode well for EO’s future, tbh.
- The way Olivia winces before calling in Sirenko’s orders. She doesn’t want to do what this asshole wants, but she does want to save people.
- I’m uncomfortable with myself for this, but: Elliot Stabler, taunting this dude…telling him to come grab his gun while he’s got his own weapon pointed at him…hot.
- If a real cop pulls that shit, though, nope.
- But still. Thank you to Mr. Meloni’s squat routine for that.
- The “thanks for, uh…” man-dude talk with Stabler and Cosgrove.
- Would’ve liked more Stabler/Rollins stuff, though. Especially…considering.
- After how antagonistic things started between them — and I expect the season will have some rough edges — I really liked the way Shaw talked Cosgrove down from his guilt. They didn’t lose Sirenko because of him; it was the bomb. Good stuff.
- I enjoy Shaw. Period.
- But not as much as Benson. Obviously.
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Law & Order: SVU airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.
