Christopher Meloni’s departure from Law & Order: SVU in 2011 shocked fans, but the truth was rooted in a failed contract negotiation — NBC refused his request for fewer episodes, and Meloni walked away without regret. After a decade away, he returned in Law & Order: Organized Crime, reprising Elliot Stabler as a man changed by tragedy and still tied to Olivia Benson through years of unspoken emotion and unfinished business. Their complicated reunion now fuels crossover episodes that blur the line between partnership and love. Let’s watch the video to see how Meloni’s exit, return, and chemistry with Mariska Hargitay continue to shape the Law & Order legacy.