As one of the most beloved duos on television, Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay have shared countless iconic moments over the years on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. But when it comes to the actor’s personal favorite scene, it’s a particularly special one—and it just so happens to feature Hargitay in a unique circumstance.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Meloni opened up about the SVU moment that stands out most in his mind, and it’s a scene that not only showcased the palpable chemistry between Detectives Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson but also highlighted Hargitay’s remarkable dedication as an actress.
“My favorite Law & Order: Special Victims Unit scene featuring myself and Mariska Hargitay was when Lou Diamond Phillips had a gun to my head, and Stabler told Benson to take the shot,” Meloni revealed. That moment bonded us as individuals and characters. And I think Mariska was eight months pregnant at the time, so it’s a moment I find particularly special.”
The scene in question occurred in the season 7 episode “Fault,” where Stabler and Benson, long-term partners, faced a difficult decision: whether to uphold their duty to protect the innocent or to remain loyal to each other. A dangerous criminal held Stabler at gunpoint, forcing Benson to make the agonizing decision of either taking the shot and potentially saving her partner’s life or holding her fire and risking his safety.
It’s a powerful, high-stakes moment that perfectly encapsulates the complexities of Stabler and Benson’s relationship—a bond that had, over the course of seven seasons, evolved into something deeper and more complicated than a typical law enforcement partnership. For Meloni, the fact that Hargitay was nearing the end of her pregnancy when filming the scene adds poignancy.
Meloni explained, “That moment bound us to each other as people and characters.” “And I think Mariska was eight months pregnant at the time, so it’s a moment I find particularly special.”
Indeed, Hargitay’s dedication to her craft, even in the final stages of her pregnancy, is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the show and her character. And for Meloni, who shared the screen with Hargitay for 12 seasons, it’s a moment that clearly left a lasting impression.
As the two actors continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the Law & Order universe, with Meloni reprising his role in the spinoff series Organized Crime and Hargitay remaining at the helm of SVU, it’s clear that the bond they forged on-screen all those years ago continues to resonate with fans and castmates alike.
And for Meloni, that special scene in “Fault” will always hold a cherished place in his memory, a powerful reminder of the depth and complexity of the partnership he shared with his longtime co-star. It showcased their incredible on-screen chemistry and the unwavering dedication and professionalism that have made them two of television’s most iconic figures.