Season 14 episode 3 (Twenty-five Acts) is Rafael Barba’s first appearance and he is amazing. This is the second season without Elliot. It’s a pretty fantastic court based episode if that’s an element you enjoy, and if you respond positively to Barba I think that would help you move forward from there :)
YES. THIS.
It took me a minute to come back to SVU after Stabler left...but when I finally got back, Barba quickly became my new favorite character. I'm still upset he's gone...
Same...Final Call at Forlini's gutted me...I have ~opinions~ on what Barba said to Liv.
I desperately hope we get at least one guest appearance this season.
One part of me wants to see Barba again. But only if something positive happens for him. The pain and sadness gutted me too. I don't want to see him this way again. Hopefully they don't dare to use him to push EO together again..
Share the ~opinions~ please.
Some people lately made me feel like I'm a fool who misinterpreted everything.. when it's been 8 years of long looks, easy banter, the closeness, casual touches and 4 invitations for dinner. One accepted. At least unrequited feelings from him can't be such reach.
YES. Please stop hurting Barba. 🥺
Opinions:
1) Bensler will happen. There's too much history and buildup for it to not. I don't personally like it. I actively loathe it, honestly. But, between Lindstrom telling Liv she might want to give it a chance and all the rest of everything, it's a storyline that needs to be played out.
2) The writers have tried to tell us his declaration was the ultimate platonic expression of love. NOPE. You don’t bring up how Olivia feels about Stabler--basically saying she's in love with him and then how he [Barba] gets it because that's how he feels about Olivia and get to call that platonic. This is an opinion I'm not sure many share. Their chemistry is serious though...You don't get that upset over someone you don't love (re: Olivia about Barba). The way Barba's lines were written makes them implicitly and undeniably romantic. I mean, *he basically promised to wait for her*... There is no platonic friend I've ever had I'd be that way for--and I've got friends I've known since elementary. That is not platonic behavior. That is at least partly romantic. Maybe not the only type of love being expressed, but definitely partly. Plus, earlier in the series, how he reacted when she was with Tucker. Sure, there was the absolute true fact them not disclosing was ethically not great and all that, but Barba took it too personally for it to just be about the case/their jobs and that they're friends, too. His whole reaction had an element of jealous/heartbroken.
3) I will be livid if they keep EO long-term because, much as younger me thought their relationship was so great and all, older me can recognize that A) Elliot has serious unresolved issues, including anger management problems. B) He abandoned Olivia for a decade and I find that reprehensible and near unforgivable. C) He held Olivia back personally and professionally--intentional or not. Olivia basically admits as much to Amaro when he tells her he's retiring. Putting them together now feels like regression of Olivia’s character. The relationship isn't healthy for Olivia OR Elliot. Olivia seems to stop thinking around Elliot.
Basically, I don't like Elliot now I'm an adult and have rewatched the entire series start to finish. The Benson/Stabler partnership has a ton of red flags and problematic behavior from both sides, and that's BEFORE Elliot ghosted Olivia.
Barba has always put Olivia (and Noah) first. He left, sure, but said goodbye and kept in touch. He took Wheatley on to protect Olivia, even though he knew it would upset her, even after she asked him not to. He supported her during some of the worst moments of her life.
Elliot left without a word and asked if she'd dated and not really anything else since returning. He's treated her terribly, too. The letter is one example. Showing up at her apartment drugged while undercover is another. He very possibly could have put her and Noah in danger with thatove. Grieving doesn't give you a free pass to be an utter a$$hole to the people who care and are trying to help you. I *hope* if they do the long-term relationship thing, it's Barson because they were the best kind of partners for each other. Called each other’s b.s., supported each other...
TL;DR
My opinions are that EO can't last and no matter what because the characters are different from seasons 1-12 Elliot and (especially) Olivia, but that it will be explored. And I don't care what the writers say, Barba's comments were NOT platonic. There is no way to paint them as platonic.
❤️. Thank you for writing it up. I agree with every single point and I share your thoughts about both ships.
I too hope they will try EO but ultimately decide that it's too complicated and move on. Although I don't see Barson happening instead. The new showrunner doesn't seem to know Barba's character or care enough to bring this back. If Julie Martin, who was the producer during all major Barson scenes, claims that it's all just platonic, then it's hard to expect the new writers and producers to bring the romantic angle with Barba again. Plus it would need for Raul to guest star in few episodes. He won't return for personal relationship. Only to be hated and attacked by EO shippers.
They are already creating obstacles for EO, she is hate flirting with the same type as Stabler, potentially to make him jelly. Barba doesn't fit into any of this. Now or in long term. She has a clear type and if not Stabler, she will date another dude like him. Some women won't change their ways clearly.
It will forever be disappointing because it was such nice and healthy relationship of two equal people who lifted each other instead of dragging each other down.
Barba never expected Olivia to put her hard earned career at stake for him. That solely makes him different from most men she was or will be involved with. On contrary, he was there for HER. As you said putting her first. 😭
Of course! ❤️
I mean,regarding her having a type, she did date David Hayden... that was getting serious before it crashed. There have also been other non-cop/ultra-macho love interests. Even Tucker doesn't quite fit the macho-guy mold. IDK. I personally didn't get ~flirty~ vibes between her and the character I know you mean, but 🤷♀️. I got more...suppressed homicidal urges toward that guy AND McGrath.
Aside from the narrative issues posed by Bensler, there's legitimate production/logistical problems too. Both production teams have been pretty open about how insane it is to schedule CM for SVU. It's not *as* hard for them to schedule MH for OC, but not a piece of cake. And it makes more sense to have Stabler show up at SVU than Benson at OC. So, yeah, that feeds into my assumption they'll do Bensler for a while, but not permanently. If they did, people would expect actual scenes between them, not just exposition where the other mentions them and so...
Re: Barson...yeah, it might be a long shot, but hope springs eternal. Plus, there are plenty of vocal Barson fans, so the writers are definitely aware that there are who people think they should be a couple. The same thing happend with Bensler--people have begged for it for years and now it looks like it'll happen in some way/for a time.
TBH, it would be kind of a smart move to do the Stabler-Benson-Barba triangle, imo. 1) She's got personal history with both. 2) Stabler loathes Barba which would add a whole other layer to it. 3) There is no way Barba would be able to control his sass toward Stabler forever when it comes to his opinions on Stabler and his treatment of Olivia so that interaction would be epic. 4) AND they can play compare/contrast with Olivia’s relationship with each man. 4a) They set it up in the season 23 finale, even if they didn't mean to.
I want Barba, period, as long as they're not hurting him more. Even if it's just platonic RO...🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭
Yes, she dated some guys who weren't exactly the Stabler type. Tucker though had some tough no nonsense demeanor and they started dated after he saved her from hostage situation. They specifically made him look like Barba's opposite. Some writer even insinuated that he was "man enough" for her. It was about the time when talks about Barson were the strongest. So that could have been a direct jab.
I'm pretty sure EO fans would rather tolerate the half assed off screen relationship than a breakup. Phone calls, discussing their relationship with other people, few scenes here and there would do. That's more doable because they are both under the contract.
Barba is not planned as recurring character and no matter how optimistic I would like to be, they won't continue with that story. Plus he would be an enemy no 1. There is already a strong homophobia and disgusting comments about him going around. All those comments from Raúl how he didn't understand what was Leight doing about Barson in the finale means that he isn't on board either. Mariska would have to be too. She now has her old bestie Chris around, Raúl is not needed anymore. It's cynical and I hate it but that's my impression.
Barson shippers are not so vocal. We probably mostly accepted the fate. It's for the best I guess. Who wants to deal with the hoard of other shippers who get nasty in 0.1 second.
If Leight was still on board I would have a hope, this new guy seems nice but on different wave. They need to please the biggest group now and save up the ratings. New showrunners always throw the continuity storylines off the table and write their own characters and stories. It would be safer choice for them not to bring Barba ever again. They need to sell Stabler as a suitable partner. No other man can be around now because Stabler can't win on comparison with anyone slightly more evolved. They need to convince people that this is what's best for Benson. And it's a hard sell for anyone who isn't hung on nostalgia about EO.
If they bring Barba to do some defense work for a worthy person and make him casually mention a happy relationship with someone I would be cool with all of it. Better than drawing a shortest straw in a love triangle.
I like a lot of the post-Stabler episodes, but off the top of my head, some of my favorites are Hunting Ground (S13E15), Dreams Deferred (S14E9), Motherly Love (S18E10) and Alta Kockers (S20E10).
Poisoned Motive, S14E22, is my one of my favorite episodes. It’s centered around Fin
Oh, and Gambler’s Fallacy. That’s when we’re introduced to Daddy Murphy 🥵
I’ve watched a couple episodes when Amaro, Barba, and Carisi (detective Carisi, not ADA) were around, but I’ll admit that it’s been a bit hard to catch up to the current overall storyline! 😅
Season 14 episode 3 (Twenty-five Acts) is Rafael Barba’s first appearance and he is amazing. This is the second season without Elliot. It’s a pretty fantastic court based episode if that’s an element you enjoy, and if you respond positively to Barba I think that would help you move forward from there :)
YES. THIS. It took me a minute to come back to SVU after Stabler left...but when I finally got back, Barba quickly became my new favorite character. I'm still upset he's gone...
Full agree! He’s so witty and cute I miss his presence 🥺
Same...Final Call at Forlini's gutted me...I have ~opinions~ on what Barba said to Liv. I desperately hope we get at least one guest appearance this season.
One part of me wants to see Barba again. But only if something positive happens for him. The pain and sadness gutted me too. I don't want to see him this way again. Hopefully they don't dare to use him to push EO together again.. Share the ~opinions~ please. Some people lately made me feel like I'm a fool who misinterpreted everything.. when it's been 8 years of long looks, easy banter, the closeness, casual touches and 4 invitations for dinner. One accepted. At least unrequited feelings from him can't be such reach.
YES. Please stop hurting Barba. 🥺 Opinions: 1) Bensler will happen. There's too much history and buildup for it to not. I don't personally like it. I actively loathe it, honestly. But, between Lindstrom telling Liv she might want to give it a chance and all the rest of everything, it's a storyline that needs to be played out. 2) The writers have tried to tell us his declaration was the ultimate platonic expression of love. NOPE. You don’t bring up how Olivia feels about Stabler--basically saying she's in love with him and then how he [Barba] gets it because that's how he feels about Olivia and get to call that platonic. This is an opinion I'm not sure many share. Their chemistry is serious though...You don't get that upset over someone you don't love (re: Olivia about Barba). The way Barba's lines were written makes them implicitly and undeniably romantic. I mean, *he basically promised to wait for her*... There is no platonic friend I've ever had I'd be that way for--and I've got friends I've known since elementary. That is not platonic behavior. That is at least partly romantic. Maybe not the only type of love being expressed, but definitely partly. Plus, earlier in the series, how he reacted when she was with Tucker. Sure, there was the absolute true fact them not disclosing was ethically not great and all that, but Barba took it too personally for it to just be about the case/their jobs and that they're friends, too. His whole reaction had an element of jealous/heartbroken. 3) I will be livid if they keep EO long-term because, much as younger me thought their relationship was so great and all, older me can recognize that A) Elliot has serious unresolved issues, including anger management problems. B) He abandoned Olivia for a decade and I find that reprehensible and near unforgivable. C) He held Olivia back personally and professionally--intentional or not. Olivia basically admits as much to Amaro when he tells her he's retiring. Putting them together now feels like regression of Olivia’s character. The relationship isn't healthy for Olivia OR Elliot. Olivia seems to stop thinking around Elliot. Basically, I don't like Elliot now I'm an adult and have rewatched the entire series start to finish. The Benson/Stabler partnership has a ton of red flags and problematic behavior from both sides, and that's BEFORE Elliot ghosted Olivia. Barba has always put Olivia (and Noah) first. He left, sure, but said goodbye and kept in touch. He took Wheatley on to protect Olivia, even though he knew it would upset her, even after she asked him not to. He supported her during some of the worst moments of her life. Elliot left without a word and asked if she'd dated and not really anything else since returning. He's treated her terribly, too. The letter is one example. Showing up at her apartment drugged while undercover is another. He very possibly could have put her and Noah in danger with thatove. Grieving doesn't give you a free pass to be an utter a$$hole to the people who care and are trying to help you. I *hope* if they do the long-term relationship thing, it's Barson because they were the best kind of partners for each other. Called each other’s b.s., supported each other... TL;DR My opinions are that EO can't last and no matter what because the characters are different from seasons 1-12 Elliot and (especially) Olivia, but that it will be explored. And I don't care what the writers say, Barba's comments were NOT platonic. There is no way to paint them as platonic.
❤️. Thank you for writing it up. I agree with every single point and I share your thoughts about both ships. I too hope they will try EO but ultimately decide that it's too complicated and move on. Although I don't see Barson happening instead. The new showrunner doesn't seem to know Barba's character or care enough to bring this back. If Julie Martin, who was the producer during all major Barson scenes, claims that it's all just platonic, then it's hard to expect the new writers and producers to bring the romantic angle with Barba again. Plus it would need for Raul to guest star in few episodes. He won't return for personal relationship. Only to be hated and attacked by EO shippers. They are already creating obstacles for EO, she is hate flirting with the same type as Stabler, potentially to make him jelly. Barba doesn't fit into any of this. Now or in long term. She has a clear type and if not Stabler, she will date another dude like him. Some women won't change their ways clearly. It will forever be disappointing because it was such nice and healthy relationship of two equal people who lifted each other instead of dragging each other down. Barba never expected Olivia to put her hard earned career at stake for him. That solely makes him different from most men she was or will be involved with. On contrary, he was there for HER. As you said putting her first. 😭
Of course! ❤️ I mean,regarding her having a type, she did date David Hayden... that was getting serious before it crashed. There have also been other non-cop/ultra-macho love interests. Even Tucker doesn't quite fit the macho-guy mold. IDK. I personally didn't get ~flirty~ vibes between her and the character I know you mean, but 🤷♀️. I got more...suppressed homicidal urges toward that guy AND McGrath. Aside from the narrative issues posed by Bensler, there's legitimate production/logistical problems too. Both production teams have been pretty open about how insane it is to schedule CM for SVU. It's not *as* hard for them to schedule MH for OC, but not a piece of cake. And it makes more sense to have Stabler show up at SVU than Benson at OC. So, yeah, that feeds into my assumption they'll do Bensler for a while, but not permanently. If they did, people would expect actual scenes between them, not just exposition where the other mentions them and so... Re: Barson...yeah, it might be a long shot, but hope springs eternal. Plus, there are plenty of vocal Barson fans, so the writers are definitely aware that there are who people think they should be a couple. The same thing happend with Bensler--people have begged for it for years and now it looks like it'll happen in some way/for a time. TBH, it would be kind of a smart move to do the Stabler-Benson-Barba triangle, imo. 1) She's got personal history with both. 2) Stabler loathes Barba which would add a whole other layer to it. 3) There is no way Barba would be able to control his sass toward Stabler forever when it comes to his opinions on Stabler and his treatment of Olivia so that interaction would be epic. 4) AND they can play compare/contrast with Olivia’s relationship with each man. 4a) They set it up in the season 23 finale, even if they didn't mean to. I want Barba, period, as long as they're not hurting him more. Even if it's just platonic RO...🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭
Yes, she dated some guys who weren't exactly the Stabler type. Tucker though had some tough no nonsense demeanor and they started dated after he saved her from hostage situation. They specifically made him look like Barba's opposite. Some writer even insinuated that he was "man enough" for her. It was about the time when talks about Barson were the strongest. So that could have been a direct jab. I'm pretty sure EO fans would rather tolerate the half assed off screen relationship than a breakup. Phone calls, discussing their relationship with other people, few scenes here and there would do. That's more doable because they are both under the contract. Barba is not planned as recurring character and no matter how optimistic I would like to be, they won't continue with that story. Plus he would be an enemy no 1. There is already a strong homophobia and disgusting comments about him going around. All those comments from Raúl how he didn't understand what was Leight doing about Barson in the finale means that he isn't on board either. Mariska would have to be too. She now has her old bestie Chris around, Raúl is not needed anymore. It's cynical and I hate it but that's my impression. Barson shippers are not so vocal. We probably mostly accepted the fate. It's for the best I guess. Who wants to deal with the hoard of other shippers who get nasty in 0.1 second. If Leight was still on board I would have a hope, this new guy seems nice but on different wave. They need to please the biggest group now and save up the ratings. New showrunners always throw the continuity storylines off the table and write their own characters and stories. It would be safer choice for them not to bring Barba ever again. They need to sell Stabler as a suitable partner. No other man can be around now because Stabler can't win on comparison with anyone slightly more evolved. They need to convince people that this is what's best for Benson. And it's a hard sell for anyone who isn't hung on nostalgia about EO. If they bring Barba to do some defense work for a worthy person and make him casually mention a happy relationship with someone I would be cool with all of it. Better than drawing a shortest straw in a love triangle.
(IDK why it keeps destroying my spacing, sorry!)
I like a lot of the post-Stabler episodes, but off the top of my head, some of my favorites are Hunting Ground (S13E15), Dreams Deferred (S14E9), Motherly Love (S18E10) and Alta Kockers (S20E10).
Poisoned Motive, S14E22, is my one of my favorite episodes. It’s centered around Fin Oh, and Gambler’s Fallacy. That’s when we’re introduced to Daddy Murphy 🥵
I really think you’re missing out if you haven’t watched the new episodes post stabler. A lot has happened in 10 years.
I heard later seasons have mixed views lol.
I think they were just as good
I’ve watched a couple episodes when Amaro, Barba, and Carisi (detective Carisi, not ADA) were around, but I’ll admit that it’s been a bit hard to catch up to the current overall storyline! 😅
A lot changes over 10 years lol
Anything Barba
I thought 13 was overall a pretty good season and honestly it was much better than seasons 10 - 12.
I saw bits of season 13 I liked it and some of 17