Law & Order: SVUis one of the longest-running and most successful procedurals on television.

Stabler left the series after Season 12 without so much as a goodbye to his longtime partner Benson.

9Season 1 (1999-2000)

No.

Benson and Stabler stand in front of a chalkboard with a timeline on it in Law and Order: SVU Season 1.

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That doesnt mean Season 1 ofSVUlacked any originality though, not at all.

This was made especially intriguing thanks to the electric chemistry between Benson and Stabler.

Fans were immediately hooked on their partnership and how they worked together.

Law and Order SVU TV Poster

8Season 11 (2009-2010)

No.

The season was also notable for its guest stars.

Season 11 also brought backfan-favorite ADA Alex Cabot(Stephanie March) as a series regular.

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That case is none other than William Lewis (Pablo Schreiber).

There are some other moments hidden behind the William Lewis-saga in Season 15 that deserve to be mentioned.

6Season 5 (2003-2004)

No.

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As it turned out, they had every right to be.

5Season 9 (2007-2008)

No.

4Season 6 (2004-2005)

No.

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Theres also the episode Pure which guest-starsMartin Shortas a medium who claims he has visions of a missing child.

3Season 2 (2000-2001)

No.

As well as psychiatrist George Huang (B.D.

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Wong) and medical examiner Melinda Warner (Tamara Tunie).

But what really makes Season 2 memorable isthe partnership of Fin and Munch.

Some standout episodes include Wrath in which three murders end up tying back to previous cases of Benson’s.

Benson and Stabler in the SVU episode Return of the Prodigal Son

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Season 3 perfected theSVUformat and set the stage for the many, many, seasons to come.

NEXT:The Best Episodes of ‘Law & Order: SVU’, Ranked According to IMDb

Benson and Stabler in SVU Season 11

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Benson being held at gunpoint by William Lewis in SVU

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Alex Cabot bleeding on the ground in SVU.

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Fin Tutuola and Casey Novak looking on in shock and sadness in SVU.

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Martin Short and Ice-T in SVU

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Dr. Wong and Alex Cabot on their first day at SVU.

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Fin Tutuola holding a tissue to Oliva Benson’s neck wound in SVU.

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Benson holding a weapon backed by Stabler and Munch in SVU.

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Law and Order: SVU