We first met Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) in 1999, when Law and Order: Special Victims Unit debuted on NBC. It remains a hit, over 20 years later. And if there's one reason the show attracts millions of viewers per episode (per Forbes), it's so fans can see Olivia and Elliot handle New York's most sensitive crimes while balancing their own complicated relationship.

For the most part, Olivia and Elliot manage to maintain a strong, multifaceted bond, which occasionally takes a hit if they disagree on the handling of a case. But their partnership really sustains a blow in season 12, after Elliot turns in his papers and quits the Special Victims Unit. Off-screen, Meloni was struggling with contract negotiations and decided to leave the series when a deal couldn't be reached.

It's a turning point for Olivia on screen, as she has to navigate work with a new partner without so much as a goodbye from Elliot.

10 long, Elliot-less years passed. Then, a Law and Order spinoff, Organized Crime, was announced, which stars the long-lost character.

 Elliot Stabler's reintroduction to the franchise sees him reunite with Olivia, at long last. In celebration, let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of "Bensler's" biggest moments.