South African pop-rock artist Erin Elliot is back with new single “ALL I WANT” – a powerful ballad addressing the complexities of body image and self-worth Drawing inspiration from the bold energy of early 2000s pop Elliot does well to craft an infectious melody and relatable lyricism We’ve all at some point in our lives felt the need to be “pretty and perfect” in a world where unrealistic beauty standards often feel like the norm But an empowering tone underscores Elliot’s commitment to uplifting women and promoting self-acceptance Erin Elliot is not just a singer-songwriter Embracing the challenges life throws at her she shares her journey through music as she learns and grows “ALL I WANT” is an anthem for women across the country; a message of resilience and love that packs just the right amount of Y2k nostalgia Catch Elliot this December at Get Lucky Summer where she will be opening for renowned South African bands GoodLuck and The Parlotones Van Pletzen is a quiet force in the South African music industry The duo’s refreshing approach to Afrikaans […] It’s hard to forget those over-the-top storylines that pitted superstars against superstars TATC was started by journalist Tecla “Texx” Ciolfi Texx has been apart of the music industry in South Africa for the last 15 years in various capacities TATC has expanded over the last decade to become a home for creatives who are passionate about telling the rich story of the SA music industry Designed by Cold to Cart Sign in Join now, it's FREE! Three members of the Legion Hapkido captured medals on Saturday at the Northern Ontario Martial Arts Championship in Elliot Lake Julianna Agustin and Madison Beriault-Farrell won silver medals in team demonstrations colour belts.  Beriault-Farrell also won a gold medal in forms while Agustin won a bronze medal in the same event The duo will go on to compete at the WKC Nationals competition on May 16-18 in Ottawa Steven Jensen captured three silver medals on Saturday weapons and forms in the 35+ men's black belt division Phil Parkinson has explained the injuries suffered by Elliot Lee in his car crash with Wrexham set to be without the midfielder for "a bit of time" WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve will likely keep its key short-term interest rate unchanged on Wednesday, despite weeks of harsh criticism and demands from President Donald Trump that the Fed reduce borrowing costs After causing a sharp drop in financial markets two weeks ago by saying he could fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Trump subsequently backed off and said he had no intention of doing so he and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have said the Fed should cut rates They argue that inflation has steadily cooled and high borrowing costs are no longer needed to restrain price increases The Fed sharply ramped up its short-term rate in 2022 and 2023 as pandemic-era inflation spiked Separately, Elon Musk, the head of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency last Wednesday suggested that DOGE should look more closely at the Fed's spending on its facilities The heightened scrutiny shows that even as the Trump administration backs off its threats to fire Powell the Fed is still subject to unusually sharp political pressures despite its status as an independent agency Even so, the Fed will almost certainly leave its key rate unchanged at about 4.3% when it meets Tuesday and Wednesday. Powell and many of the other 18 officials that sit on the Fed's rate-setting committee have said they want to see how Trump's tariffs affect the economy before making any moves Trump, however, on Friday said on the social media platform Truth Social that there is “NO INFLATION” and claimed that grocery and egg prices have fallen and that gas has dropped to $1.98 a gallon That's not entirely true: Grocery prices have jumped 0.5% in two of the past three months and are up 2.4% from a year ago Gas and oil prices have declined — gas costs are down 10% from a year ago — continuing a longer-running trend that has continued in part because of fears the economy will weaken AAA says gas prices nationwide average $3.18 a gallon Inflation did drop noticeably in March though in the first three months of the year it was 3.6% economists say it's possible the Fed would soon reduce its benchmark rate because it is currently at a level intended to slow borrowing and spending and cool inflation Yet the Fed can't now cut rates with Trump's broad tariffs likely to raise prices in the coming months said that the Fed is “scarred” by what happened in 2021 when prices rose amid supply snarls and Powell and other Fed officials said the increase would likely be “transitory.” Instead inflation soared to a peak of 9.1% in June 2022 “That’s a Fed that is going to have to wait for evidence and be slow to adjust on that evidence,” Reinhart said Plus, Trump's badgering of Powell makes it harder for the Fed chair to cut rates because doing so anytime soon would be seen as knuckling under to the White House “You could imagine a world where there isn’t pressure from the Trump administration and they cut rates .. because they feel comfortable making the argument that they're doing so because of the data,” he said For his part, Powell said last month that tariffs would likely push up inflation and slow the economy The central bank would typically raise rates — or at least keep them elevated — to fight inflation while it would cut them to spur the economy if unemployment rose Powell has said that the impact of the tariffs on inflation could be temporary — a one-time price increase — but most recently said it “could also be more persistent.” That suggests that Powell will want to wait to ensure tariffs don't sustainably raise inflation before considering a rate cut Some economists forecast the Fed won't cut rates until its September meeting Yet Fed officials could move sooner if the tariffs hit the economy hard enough to cause layoffs and push up unemployment. Wall Street investors appear to expect such an outcome — they project that the first cut will occur in July, according to futures pricing Musk criticized the Fed Wednesday for spending $2.5 billion on an extensive renovation of two of its buildings in Washington we should certainly look to see if indeed the Federal Reserve is spending $2.5 billion on their interior designer,” Musk said Fed officials acknowledge that the cost of the renovations have risen as prices for building materials and labor have spiked amid the post-pandemic inflation say that local regulations forced the Fed to do more of the expansion underground a former Fed governor and a potential candidate to replace Powell as chair when Powell's term expires next year said recently that the Fed has attracted greater scrutiny because of its failure to keep prices in check “The Fed's current wounds are largely self-inflicted,” he said in a speech during an International Monetary Fund conference in late April in which he also slammed the Fed for participating in a global forum on climate change “A strategic reset is necessary to mitigate losses of credibility worse economic outcomes for our fellow citizens.” said last month that “Fed independence is very widely understood and supported in Washington Check out Village Report - the news that matters most to Canada, updated throughout the day.  Or, subscribe to Village Report's free daily newsletter: a compilation of the news you need to know Subscribe More Spotlight > Wrexham midfielder Elliot Lee has opened up on surviving a potentially fatal car crash as he shared photographs of his wrecked Range Rover A woman told the sexual assault trial of five hockey players Monday that she felt "numb and on autopilot" going through sexual acts with a group of men she didn't know in a hotel room seven years ago whose identity is protected by a publication ban drunk and scared when men started coming into the hotel room where she had just had sex with Michael McLeod Some of them seemed like those she saw at the bar where she met McLeod earlier that night but she didn't know their names or keep track of who stayed and left as the night went on The men wanted her to lie down on a bedsheet on the floor of the room and seemed to be laughing at her as they discussed sexual acts they wanted her to perform including some involving golf balls and golf clubs She described feeling as though she was watching everything happen from outside her own body "I felt like I didn't really have any other option," she said explaining she didn't know how they would react if she tried to say no or leave "It seemed like the only safe thing to do was to give them what they were wanting." Dillon Dube and Callan Foote have all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault McLeod has also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault All five were members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team Court has heard many of the team's members were in London the night of the encounter for a gala celebrating their gold-medal win at that year's championship CAUTION: The following paragraphs contain graphic content some readers may find disturbing The woman said men towered over her as she lay on the sheet and three pulled down their pants "They just started putting penises in my face," she testified Some shouted commands as she performed oral sex and a fourth man did the splits right over her head The woman said she heard some of the men encouraging each other saying one of them should have sex with her It felt like she didn't have control over the situation She said she cried and tried to leave at various points She didn't see McLeod much after their initial one-on-one encounter adding he briefly left and came back with food the woman testified that she had oral sex with McLeod again and multiple people slapped her while that was happening It seemed like they were trying to hit as hard as they could The woman was shown two cellphone videos taken about an hour apart in the early morning of June 19 Prosecutors have said both were taken by McLeod someone asks the woman twice if she's "OK with this," and she agrees both times She testified Monday that her words in the video did not reflect her feelings at the time that she was "going along" with what she was being told the woman smiles as she holds a towel against her body and says it was "all consensual." The woman told the court Monday that McLeod had been "hounding" her to say it before the recording was made and it "definitely wasn't" how she truly felt She testified that she believed she was holding a towel because she had gotten in the shower with McLeod at his request They'd had vaginal and oral sex again in the bathroom one last thing she felt she needed to do before she could leave her mind seemed to re-enter her body and the emotions she'd been blocking came flooding back "crying uncontrollably," feeling ashamed and wishing she had responded differently in the moment She took an Uber home and showered when she arrived McLeod later reached out to her on Instagram McLeod expressed concern that the woman had spoken to police and asked her what she could do to "make this go away." The woman replied that she was "not trying to push this any farther" and apologized for "any trouble it might have already caused." McLeod checked in a few more times to see if she had spoken to police again He thanked the woman when she confirmed she told police it was "a mistake." The woman testified Monday she felt nervous and scared when McLeod reached out to her and was telling him what he wanted to hear so he would leave her alone One of McLeod's lawyers suggested during cross-examination that the woman was happy to hear from his client adding she could have blocked him or not answered if that wasn't the case David Humphrey also suggested the woman was upset when she left the room because she had cheated on her boyfriend and felt guilty The woman maintained that she felt worried after McLeod contacted her She agreed that she felt guilty for cheating on her boyfriend but said she told him what happened in the days that followed Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia told jurors Monday that they could only make limited use of evidence related to the woman's initial encounter with McLeod She told them they must not infer that if the woman willingly left the bar with McLeod and had consensual sex with him it is more likely that she consented to other sexual activity or she is less worthy of belief Hart and Dube are accused of obtaining oral sex from the woman without her consent and Dube is also accused of slapping her buttocks while she was engaged in a sexual act with someone else Formenton is alleged to have had vaginal sex with the complainant without her consent inside the bathroom Foote is alleged to have done the splits over her face and grazed his genitals on it without her consent The Crown alleges McLeod also vaginally penetrated her without her consent at the end of the night This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5 GUATEMALA CITY — Esther Brossard scored three goals to help Canada win the inaugural CONCACAF W Futsal Championship with a comprehensive 8-2 win over Panama in Sunday's final The Canadian women had already booked their ticket to the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup by defeating Mexico in a penalty shootout in the semifinal Saturday The two finalists at the nine-team CONCACAF competition will represent the region at the 16-team FIFA Futsal World Cup The Canadian performance is especially impressive given the CONCACAF tournament marked the debut of the Canadian women's futsal squad these players embraced the challenge of making history," said Canada coach Alexandre Da Rocha "This is a moment of pride for our players our staff and the entire futsal community in Canada "We entered believing we could compete — and now we leave as champions It’s an incredible start for this program.” Futsal is a five-a-side indoor soccer game played in two 20-minute halves Stephie-Ann Dadaille and Shayla He also scored for Canada in the final at the Domo Polideportivo Canada's Léa Palacio-Tellier won the tournament's Best Goalkeeper Award while Brossard The Canada-Mexico semifinal Saturday went to the shootout after finishing tied 4-4 after two five-minute periods of extra time Mexico scored three unanswered goals in the first half before Canada answered with four of its own in the first four minutes of the second half Mexico tied the game with 1.8 seconds remaining on a goal by Rubi Gomez with its net empty Panama downed Costa Rica 3-1 in the other semifinal The Canadians moved into the semifinals after beating the U.S 3-1 to finish runner-up to Costa Rica at 2-1-0 in Group B a former coach of the Quebec's women's futsal team and assistant coach with the Canadian men's futsal side was tasked with assembling the national team Da Rocha held talent evaluation camps in several provinces before holding a final selection camp in late May Female futsal players have long campaigned for a FIFA championship the International Women’s Futsal Players Association condemned FIFAs “public neglect towards women futsal players." FIFA held the first Futsal Men's World Cup in 1989 with the 2028 edition featuring 24 teams Defending champion Brazil has won six of the 10 tournaments to date Canada has not participated since being one of the 16 invited countries for the inaugural men's tournament failing to advance out of the first round after losing to Argentina and Belgium before downing Japan Dolan was also a member of Canada's 1986 FIFA World Cup squad in Mexico There have been eight editions of the CONCACAF Men's Futsal Championship with Canada participating in four of them Canada's best showing was making the quarterfinals This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 4 TORONTO — Curlers Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant are the first athletes named to Canada's team for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics The husband-and-wife team from Chestermere will represent Canada in mixed doubles curling at the Games Curling Canada and the Canadian Olympic Team announced Monday Both curlers competed at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing Gallant was part of Brad Gushue's team that won bronze in the men's competition while Peterman was a member of the Jennifer Jones squad that missed the medal round in the women's event but to have the opportunity to do it twice and also to do it with my husband as a teammate and we just can’t wait to be in Italy next year," Peterman said in a release "We’re excited about the road in front of us and we will be doing everything we can to prepare ourselves for the Olympics." Peterman and Gallant provisionally earned their nomination to the Olympic team by winning the Canadian mixed doubles trials in January They secured Canada's spot in the Olympic tournament with a sixth-place finish last week at the world mixed doubles curling championship in Fredericton “Since Jocelyn and I started playing mixed doubles it’s been our dream to represent Canada at the Winter Olympics as teammates and we’re going to embrace this opportunity," Gallant said "We appreciate that Curling Canada adjusted its qualifying process for mixed doubles in order to provide more time to get ourselves ready for the Games and we’ll be using that time to the best of our ability to be in peak form in Italy." in the 10-team field based on qualification points from combined placements at the 2024 and 2025 mixed doubles championships The final two spots will be filled following a December qualification event in Kelowna Canada has also secured spots in the women’s and men’s Olympic curling events based on its combined ranking at the 2024 and 2025 world championships for each gender The four-person teams will be determined at the 2025 Canadian curling trials that will take place in Halifax from Nov since curling officially returned to the Olympic program at the 1998 Nagano Games Canada won its lone mixed doubles Olympic medal when John Morris and Kaitlyn Lawes took gold in the debut of the sport in 2018 Morris and Rachel Homan finished fifth in 2022 (Saskatchewan leads best-of-three series 1-0) TORONTO — The second round of the National Hockey League playoffs gets underway tonight at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers who knocked off Sunshine State rival Tampa Bay Lightning in five games who eliminated the Ontario rival Ottawa Senators in six games finished first in the Atlantic Division this season 10 points ahead of the third-place Panthers They are in the post-season's second round for the second time in three years who added Boston Bruins' pest Brad Marchand to the roster at the trade deadline to help Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett get under their rivals' skin have been to the Stanley Cup final two straight years — losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 and beating the Edmonton Oilers last year who draw confidence from physically imposing their will on opponents will find eager challengers in Toronto's Chris Tanev Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Wednesday in Toronto Hailie Jade and her husband Evan McClintock welcomed Elliot on March 14 Goals in the first and last minute of the game handed Wrexham a fortunate 2-1 victory and three points over Crawley Town « Back with only some final flashing remaining to be installed This work will be completed as other exterior work progresses for the project Police are investigating a suspicious fire at a Gymnasium in Port Elliot this morning police and fire crews were called to Hill Street after reports that a gymnasium was on fire MFS and CFS moved quickly and were able to extinguish the fire however not before it caused substantial damage to the building and neighbouring premises Victor Harbour CIB and Fire Cause Investigators have attended the scene this morning and conducted an examination Detectives have been reviewing nearby CCTV this morning and have identified a light-coloured vehicle seen near the premises around the time of the fire Anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area or may have dashcam footage from the area at the time, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au By 2025-02-04T13:05:00+00:00 Australia’s Adam Elliot continues his celebration of heroic misfits with stop-motion tragicomedy Memoir Of A Snail Screen talks to the Oscar-nominated filmmaker The day Screen International meets Australian animator Adam Elliot midway through October’s BFI London Film Festival he has come hotfoot from a trip to Aardman Animations in Bristol I do a mandatory visit to my fellow claymakers mainly because there’s so few of us,” says the filmmaker “We talk about eyeballs and the global shortage of plasticine and the company we use has stopped making the clay we love altogether They say there’s just not a demand for it — and we’re like Such are the bugbears when you devote your life to stop-motion animation a uniquely time-­consuming occupation Elliot has now been pursuing for the past 30 years That his latest film Memoir Of A Snail is only the second full-length feature he has completed within that period is a suitable illustration of its intrinsically snail-like nature “It wasn’t meant to turn out this way,” says the writer/director of an oeuvre that currently amounts to three shorts a pair of extended shorts and his two features: 2009’s Mary And Max And they seem to be getting slower and slower to make even though the technology is getting better and better What’s slowing us down is actually not the making Filmed at Elliot’s studio in Melbourne’s Docklands district Memoir Of A Snail tells the story of twins — Grace a pyromaniac — who are separated at a young age when their father The film goes on to depict the twins’ experiences with their respective foster parents Grace’s toxic relationship with a closeted fat fetishist and the friendship she develops with an ageing eccentric called Pinky “One of my favourite films is Harold And Maude and I have always loved the dynamics between the older and the younger generation,” says Elliot “There is a perception that young people learn and get wisdom from older people but I see it as a two-way street.” Succession’s Sarah Snook voices Grace in the film That Grace is also a compulsive hoarder with a craving for snail-­related ephemera only adds to Memoir’s unusual collection of elements Snails are a recurring motif in Elliot’s animation having previously appeared in his 1996 short Uncle his 2000 short Brother and the aforementioned Mary And Max “I have always found snails fascinating; they’re very alien-like,” muses the director “But they’re also meta­phorical and symbolic of Grace’s mental state When you touch a snail’s antennas they retract and that is what Grace is doing — she’s retracting from the world and all its pain and trauma The other thing is a snail is very easy to animate; you can just push it along.” The Covid-19 pandemic played a part in Memoir’s lengthy gestation an eight-year journey that got assistance en route from Screen Australia and Victoria’s VicScreen agency I wouldn’t have a career as an auteur without it,” says Elliot it has always been a tumultuous relationship particularly now that the government has stopped funding shorts I’ve made five shorts” — among them Harvie Krumpet which won the Academy Award for best animated short in 2004 — “and without shorts you don’t get features So there are pros and cons with government funding — but I’ve got to be careful not to bite the hand that feeds me.” Other production investment came from London-based Anton and Paris-based Charades Mind The Gap Film Finance and Melbourne International Film Festival’s Premiere Fund “I’m constantly bewildered why no-one ever comes with a big cheque and says “I’ve been waiting 30 years to be rescued by an entity or a studio or a philanthropist.” Memoir Of A Snail won the animation festival’s Cristal award for best feature Memoir become the first stop-motion animation to be named best film by its official competition jury and it went on to earn a Golden Globe nomination for best animated picture and an Oscar nomination for animated feature film A visit to the Oscars is therefore on the cards for an animator whose 2004 competition included short films from Disney Pixar and the now-­shuttered Blue Sky Studios “It would be like being struck by lightning twice,” Elliot says of the prospect describing his win for Harvie Krumpet — another story of an oddball beset by bad luck that had Geoffrey Rush as its narrator — as a “golden crowbar” and it’s certainly opened doors to finance in Australia,” he says “But because I have never jumped ship and gone and directed somebody else’s work I’d be doing Shrek 6 or something like that But I’m just not that type of person. I would be disappointed and it would be a lose/lose situation.” The completion of Memoir Of A Snail — which was released by IFC Films in October in the US and is set for a UK release in February via Modern Films — leaves Elliot only one long short and a feature film away from completing his declared mission of “a trilogy of trilogies” with notions for the latter already percolating “I don’t want to do any more characters locked in houses in suburbia,” he says Australia is such a vast country that a road film makes sense The challenge is to tell an Australian story without it being full of clichés stereotypes or iconic imagery that’s hackneyed.” this son of a hairdresser and an acrobatic clown was raised in the South Australian outback on a prawn farm that would eventually go bankrupt His memories of that time and the colourful relatives he grew up with have had an indelible impact on his self-dubbed “clayographies” in which misfit underdogs are invariably harried by mishaps “I drag my protagonists through the mud and am quite cruel to them,” he admits “But I also try and reward them for their suffering so the audience hopefully leaves the cinema uplifted My films are adult and challenging at times but they’re also meant to be funny and entertaining Ultimately the films are trying to find a balance between comedy and tragedy The tricky part is getting the balance right.” The extended version of Anselm Chan’s ‘The Last Dance’ also picked up two awards ’The Piano’ composer will receive his award in October  The Hong Kong star will introduce screenings of ‘Project A’ and ‘Police Story’ at the festival The updating list includes titles’ sales agents and key deals The Barcelona producer’s credits include Carlos Marqués-Marcet’s They Will Be Dust Warner Bros./Legendary video game smash passed $720m at the global box office through April 20 Screen International is the essential resource for the international film industry access to the Screen International archive and supplements including Stars of Tomorrow and World of Locations Site powered by Webvision Cloud I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Elliot Daly insists England can continue their push for the Guinness Six Nations title emboldened by a victory over France that rewarded their refusal to be beaten sealed a dramatic 26-25 triumph at Allianz Stadium that has given England lift-off after they opened the tournament with defeat in Dublin Head coach Steve Borthwick had urged his players to keep aiming to score tries when the pressure is on and they responded with Fin Baxter and Daly going over in a final 10 minutes that saw the lead change hands three times. England have been unable to close out winning positions for most of the last year, losing seven successive matches against top-tier opposition in the process. Daly believes that getting over the line against France serves as validation of who they are as a team. “You want to go and win every single game and obviously we have been on the wrong side of results in the last couple of games. Now we know we are a good team,” Daly said. “We knew we were a good team before but you need to win those big games to prove you are a good team. “Sometimes you have to go through those games where you don’t get the rub of the green. You have games of rugby like that, especially at Test level. “Against France, whatever happened, it was like – pardon my French – ‘f*** that, on to the next thing’. “That mindset we showed will put us in great stead, especially in the last 20 minutes when we were chasing it and scored, and then chased it again. It allowed us to be free and brave with the ball. “But there are still things to work on, which is brilliant. If you have the perfect game it’s very hard to go to next week and say, ‘we’ll just do the same thing again’ as there’s no real focal point for it. “There are still things we can tidy up, so we’ll go after them, hopefully get better in those aspects and get a better result.” England will take another stride towards featuring in the title mix come the final weekend if they dispatch Scotland at Twickenham in round three with fixtures against Italy and Wales closing out their Six Nations. Recent history points against a home win given Scotland have won the last four meetings and Daly knows a tough afternoon awaits. “You’ve got to win your home games in this tournament and we’ve got two more at home in this competition – that will put us in good stead,” Daly said. “We haven’t beaten Scotland in the past four times, so we want to make sure we’re ready for them coming down here and try to get a result. “They’re a good team. Every time we’ve played them recently they’ve caused us a few issues. We know they’re a very well drilled team under (head coach) Gregor Townsend. “And the way Finn Russell puts people around the park is different to other 10s you play against. You’ve got to be constantly on and it’s a game we’re looking forward to.” Roundup of Wednesday’s high school sports action from the Greater Spokane League East Valley 4 (5): Nick Elliott had three hits Colby Bergman doubled twice for East Valley Rogers 2: Otis Phillips drove in three runs and the Bantams (9-7-1 Hayden Line and Jacen Farrally had two hits apiece for Clarkston Deer Park 1: Carsen Gaumer pitched five no-hit innings Noah Clause drove in four runs and the visiting Eagles (13-3 Ollie Spencer stole three bases and scored two runs for West Valley East Valley at Rogers: Veronica Garcia of East Valley won three events – the 200-meter run with a PR of 25.70 seconds Michael Sanders of Rogers won the 200 with a PR of 22.29 Jadyn Thomas of East Valley won the shot put (33 feet 2 inches) and javelin (111-10) and took third in the discus (88-2) Pullman at Deer Park: Rylee Pfeifer of Deer Park won the 100 with a season-best 13.78 and was second in the 200 at 28.32 Pfeifer was also part of the first-place 4x200 relay team Samuel Sears of Pullman threw the shot put 44-7 1/2 and the discus 136-2 Sears placed fifth in the javelin with a throw of 124-2 1/2 West Valley at North Central: Aubrey Matthew of West Valley dominated the sprint events She was also part of the first-place 4x400 relay team Kendee Kime of Clarkston won the long jump (15-1) and triple jump (32-11) Channing Wu of West Valley won the 100 in 11.80 and the 200 in 23.80 Wu was also a member of the winning 4x400 relay team Hunter Maynard of North Central won the high jump with a PR of 5-10 University 1: Villami Finau had a hat trick in the first 26 minutes and the visiting Blackhawks (6-7 Shadle Park 1: Alex Wood scored a goal and had two assists and the Bullpups (7-5-1 6-2) defeated the visiting Highlanders (3-11-1 Spokane 1: Ezra Jensen scored the winner and the visiting Tigers (12-1-1 LC will have the opportunity to clinch the GSL title Friday night at Ridgeline Ridgeline 1: Noah Lang and Kevin Ng each scored and the Bears (7-5 Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible Get the day’s top sports headlines and breaking news delivered to your inbox by subscribing here TDS Telecommunications continues expanding its high-speed all-fiber internet network into more Spokane-area neighborhoods © Copyright 2025, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy Page stars in new film Close to You as a trans man navigating his relationship with his family He and director Dominic Savage explain how it all came together The last time Elliot Page appeared in a film who was nominated for an Oscar at the age of 20 for the teen-pregnancy comedy Juno was starring in a remake of the Julia Roberts thriller Flatliners playing one of a group of medical students who engineer near-death experiences to get a peek at the afterlife but during a hazardous driving scene it was only Page and Clemons who were not given seatbelts Stunt coordinators told them: “You’ll be fine.” the Canadian actor describes the shoot as “a shitshow” It wasn’t merely the cavalier regard for his safety He also had pressure put on him to look stereotypically feminine and one senior crew member asked whether he was angry that his character was straight That was seven years ago. Page, who came out as transgender in 2020 has been seen on television in the interim including a recurring role on superhero series The Umbrella Academy Page’s return to cinema has been a long time coming but he could scarcely have chosen a better re-entry point than Close to You It’s a thrillingly intimate drama in which he plays Sam a trans man drawn back to his Canadian home town for his father’s birthday His well-intentioned family try their best to be welcoming and upbeat but the conditions in their acceptance of him soon start to show Page must have been biding his time for a movie this meaningful Presumably he felt his return to cinema needed to double as a statement maybe I should think about things more that way,” the 37-year-old says bashfully A videocall with the pair of them is a tale of two cities a minimalist vision of cream walls and white curtains wearing a knotted neckerchief and chunky Ronnie Barker-style glasses is in London in what resembles an upmarket bric-a-brac shop A pair of Baftas preside from the mantelpiece over a cluttered landscape of lamps whom Page already worshipped for her performance in Lynne Ramsay’s Morvern Callar Is his character in Close to You named Sam in tribute to her “I didn’t think of that until now,” says Page “Here’s a little secret,” says Savage with the sheepishness of someone poised to rain on his friend’s parade there’s a whole load of CDs and that’s how I name my characters I don’t want to sound pretentious but there’s a kind of musicality to my films Music has been with Savage from an early age. His late father was an organist at a bandstand in Margate, the Kent coastal town where he was raised. The director’s first film experience was in front of the camera, not behind it. At 11 years old, he was cast in Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon as the young Lord Bullingdon who grows up to challenge his stepfather to a duel Discovering that Savage was an accomplished pianist Kubrick packed him off on the US chatshow circuit to promote the film by playing selections from the soundtrack Savage is preparing to fly to Dublin for a screening of that 1975 masterpiece “You should dress up like your character!” says Page His method of working – building the initial story with his lead actor shaping the cast’s improvisations without writing any dialogue and shooting everything with a handheld camera in natural light – has resulted in a body of work that moves to natural From the improvisatory process miracles of naturalism emerge such as the moment when Sam’s sweet but twitchy mother Hillary Baack Photograph: Publicity image“It was!” laughs Page “I feel weird because I get misgendered all the time and I don’t care unless someone’s trying to you know …” He wrinkles his nose to indicate dubious motives “I want to be clear: I wouldn’t correct Wendy as me And that moment was so perfect because that’s what happens.” Page’s own mother does her best You don’t need to beat yourself up about it!’” Close to You is manifestly not the story of Page’s own life even if he doesn’t always spring to his son’s defence as readily as he might the family portrait in Pageboy is less rosy Page writes of the cruelty of his stepmother during his childhood who later “liked” a social media post from Jordan Peterson despite the rightwinger having once been expelled from Twitter in its pre-Elon Musk days for deadnaming and misgendering Page it is hard to imagine a relationship with them again,” the actor wrote of those family members But there are points of overlap between Sam’s life and his own. Page and Hillary Baack, who co-stars as Sam’s almost-sweetheart from his school days, really are longtime friends: they met on the 2013 thriller The East Baack tells me by email that she and Page have “remained curious and genuinely care about each other and a real joy for life emerge with more freedom and colour than I’ve seen before.” Another crossover is the red woolly hat that Sam wears for most of the film he writes of being told as a young actor in Hollywood to “take off your hat” Now he wears it proudly throughout Close to You It’s not going to turn into a long conversation.’” Arguably the most radical moment in the film occurs when Sam has taken all he can of the domestic tensions “Family is not the most important thing,” he announces the pressure to placate or conform to a family who may not have your best interests at heart means putting up with aggressions of the micro and macro variety Close to You suggests it is perfectly reasonable simply to opt out Free newsletterTake a front seat at the cinema with our weekly email filled with all the latest news and all the movie action that matters so things are said that are really meant,” says Savage of his improvisatory process Elliot reacted in that organic way and it was rather perfect and beautiful I remember us at the time saying to each other: ‘That was important.’” Page beams proudly “You could feel something happen,” he says we’re not actually used to a queer trans person having a boundary in that moment: ‘Hey I actually don’t want to sit here and this isn’t good for me.’” We find our families in all kinds of places They’re not necessarily the people that we’ve grown up with and that we were born to The scarcity of trans narratives puts undue pressure on the ones that get made to tell everybody’s stories But trans film-makers including Isabel Sandoval (Lingua Franca) and Jessica Dunn Rovinelli (So Pretty) have spoken of their frustration at the emphasis on the educational in trans cinema and an obligation for those films to be easily understood by cisgender audiences “But I also try my best when I’m doing press to be like: ‘I understand that you don’t know a trans person so let’s talk about it …’ The vast majority of people don’t personally know a trans person That helps to spread the lies about our lives about who we are – and to then have those lies utilised for nefarious means.” though any good intentions would count for little if it wasn’t also a complex work: wise about how we balance our duties to ourselves and others devout but unsentimental in its portrait of romance bold lead performance that deserves to shock a temporarily flatlined film career back to life Close to You is in UK cinemas from 30 August One of Elliot Slosar’s earliest childhood memories is from inside a courtroom where he was attending a hearing about his future His father was challenging his stepfather’s petition to adopt him but wasn’t in court that day his father was participating in the hearing from a prison telephone who has been in and out of prison for much of his life But his incarceration fundamentally shaped Slosar’s life — and that day inside a Southern California courtroom was a pivotal moment That’s when the 6-year-old boy set a simple He would become a lawyer so he could free his father he understood his father was not an innocent man His focus shifted to innocent people trapped behind prison bars Slosar’s legal work has been driven by a nearly singular purpose: "Free innocent people" — partly because he knows the trauma of losing a family member to prison I turn around and I look at the gallery and I see our clients' children," Slosar told students in a class he teaches at the University of Notre Dame Law School "And I know exactly what they feel like because I can picture myself in those pews."  The challenge of reversing wrongful convictions is huge Victims may not want to relive the trauma from the crime the stakes are always high and winning is the only option our clients die in prison," he told his class children don’t have their mothers or fathers." already has helped free 14 people in several states Much of his work has focused on exposing what he described as corrupt law enforcement practices in a single city: Elkhart Six people from the northern Indiana community of more than 50,000 people have had convictions overturned since 2006 That's one of the highest per-capita rates in the nation Four exonerees, including three of Slosar's clients, have reached settlements with the city of Elkhart totaling nearly $27 million. Another client, who was released in 2022, has a pending lawsuit against city and county officials Slosar has four other potential wrongful-conviction cases pending in Elkhart County courts One client was released on parole in 2022 after nearly 20 years behind bars Slosar is the product of the brief union of a couple who married too young But if there was one good thing that came out of that marriage While his father’s incarceration stirred a desire to become an attorney more innate reason for the trajectory of her oldest son’s life "He loved to help people," Lisa Slosar said Law books and criminal mysteries fascinated him His mother would take him to the local library in their Southern California neighborhood where he picked up novels about amateur detectives like "The Hardy Boys" and legal thrillers by John Grisham The young Slosar spent weekends watching documentaries about unsolved mysteries at his grandparents' house "the little kid rooting for the criminal to get away." Growing up in California also sparked an interest in civil rights issues The brutal 1991 police beating of Rodney King and the white officers' acquittal escalated into street riots in Los Angeles Slosar's family eventually moved to the Chicago suburbs where he constantly hustled to keep his dream alive he talked his way into a clerical job at the local courthouse even though he was told he needed to be a law student Slosar juggled his studies and student activism He founded anti-death penalty organizations and began volunteering as a researcher for the Chicago civil rights law firm Loevy & Loevy he continued working at the law firm while attending law school at night His job was to track down victims and witnesses in potential wrongful-conviction cases and figure out what went wrong "He solved the crime when a police officer falsely solved the crime," said Jon Loevy Slosar had the confidence of an experienced attorney "He was a very unusual volunteer because he really acted like a lawyer right from the start," Loevy said He started finding things and solving cases." His childhood goal of freeing his father morphed into a broader ambition of defending the rights of people abused by the criminal justice system said he is proud of who his son has become but regrets they never really got to know each other "I have carried this burden inside me of not being able to be there for him like I wanted to," he said Strauss is currently at a federal prison in North Carolina where he's serving a 10-year sentence on drug-trafficking charges One of Slosar's first cases introduced him to Elkhart he knocked on the door of an armed robbery victim He told her that — contrary to what she and her family had been told by Elkhart authorities and what they'd believed for years — the two men in prison for the crime were He would investigate not just the police detective responsible for the wrongful conviction of two fathers He would also dig into the legal system that allowed the injustice to happen Slosar has focused much of his work on investigating police in Elkhart where he’s working on several potential wrongful conviction cases He's filed multiple lawsuits accusing police and prosecutors of fabricating evidence using fake witnesses and coercing victims into making false identifications to convict innocent people But bringing his clients home is no longer enough for Slosar His new goal is to reform what he described as the city’s deeply broken legal system that will require someone to "burn it down" — figuratively — and "build it back up."  Investigation leads to the WolverinesA few years ago Slosar and his team discovered some of the same officers accused of framing his clients were part of a rogue group of Elkhart officers from the 1980s and 1990s known as the Wolverines is responsible for years of abuses against the city's Black residents "It was like he hit an oil well of corruption," Loevy said "He found a source of injustice and the more he dug Slosar's work in Elkhart isn’t without its detractors a mentally disabled man who was found guilty in 2005 of murdering an elderly woman Becker's request to prevent Slosar from speaking was triggered by a press conference in which he condemned an "epidemic" of wrongful conviction and police misconduct in Elkhart The judge sided with Becker and described Slosar's comments as "highly inflammatory" and "defamatory."   Becker also filed a bar complaint against Slosar with the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission but the panel concluded the prosecutor's allegations did not raise "a substantial question of misconduct."  Royer was released after a special judge found his confession was "unreliable" and "involuntary." The judge also found that investigators withheld and fabricated evidence and forced a witness to give false testimony Slosar filed a lawsuit on Royer's behalf and, in 2023, reached a $11.7 million settlement with the city It's the largest known settlement reached for a wrongful conviction case in Indiana Slosar said his brushes with Elkhart officials have not deterred him the lives of his clients and the futures of their families rest on his shoulders "Doing this work motivated my entire life," he said he goes to bed and wakes up thinking about Elkhart "I'm going to do everything possible to expose the truth no matter how short or long my legal career is."  Contact IndyStar reporter Kristine Phillips at (317) 444-3026 or at kphillips@indystar.com In an unforgettable match at Twickenham, England triumphed over France 26-25 in a nail-biting finish to Round 2 of the 2025 Six Nations.  marked by intense physicality and a low-scoring first half saw England respond resolutely to France each time Les Bleus scored rose to the occasion and delivered the match-winning kick in the dying seconds.  but proper plaudits are in order for Fin Baxter as well as Elliot Daly for scoring the final try.  Smith's composure under pressure was instrumental in England's dramatic victory securing the win after a back-and-forth contest this clash will go down as one of the great Six Nations moments Recap the game below as it happened.  What a moment for this young man. A match-winning kick against France in his first start at Twickenham.Fin Smith reacts to that brilliant contest here.#ENGvFRA | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/EBU4nYMMEa Fin Smith was appropriately named Man of the Match but Fin Baxter and Elliot Daly also deserve enormous credit for their tries.  WHAT A FINISH. WHAT A MATCH ❤️England defeat France at Allianz Stadium with a dramatic last-minute winner pic.twitter.com/HRrhtw32TZ The English score in the waning seconds to win.  The crowd at Twickenham is awestruck.  Louis Bielle-Biarrey, encore et toujours 🔥Les Bleus reprennent l’avantage ! QUELLE FIN DE MATCH 😮‍💨📺 @FranceTV#ANGFRA | #SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/lgw88PXHTx before an errant pass goes out of bounds at the French 5m.  Bielle-Biarrey scores to put France back ahead.  L’Angleterre passe devant pour la première fois du match ❗19-18 Angleterre. Moins de 10 minutes à jouer.📺 @FranceTV#ANGFRA | #SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/sdGWzQ2q4Y This already is the game of the tournament so far.  replacing Marcus Smith for the kick.  Marcus Smith misses the penalty goal.  England still down six points with 13 minutes to go Their strong play in French territory ultimately was not rewarded.  Le XV de France répond immédiatement 🔥37e essai avec les Bleus pour Damian Penaud 💙📺 @FranceTV#ANGFRA | #SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/JMPCQuAiRG 😍 A beauty from Tommy Freeman 🌹 #GuinnessM6N @EnglandRugby pic.twitter.com/dc8BAsAfXx France puts together a response very quickly.  England still within striking distance.  France is taking the points when it comes to penalties.  Certainly representative of how this game has gone where their mistakes have led to missed try opportunities.  Thomas Ramos making his money today.  La Marseillaise résonne et Thomas Ramos passe 3 points de plus pour les Bleus : 7-13 France ! 🇫🇷📺 @FranceTV#ANGFRA | #SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/ndEf9CN9vA Thomas Ramos back to being automatic.  Ollie Lawrence with the POWERFUL fend!!#GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/UqFe46I6XU England certainly has outplayed what people expected.  L’Angleterre revient à hauteur de la France : 7-7 💥📺 @FranceTV#ANGFRA | #SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/8aN1JPeDwY Dupont 🤝 Penaud 🤝 Bielle-Biarrey 🔥🔥@FranceRugby are on the board 🤩#GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/pnWQrhAk3f with six minutes to go until the half.  Les Bleus trouvent la faille 💪Déjà le 3e essai dans le Tournoi 2025 pour Louis Bielle-Biarrey 🚀📺 @FranceTV#ANGFRA | #SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/lRHi6aSoET Mauvaka is too smooth 🥶#GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/VhVYPfqE98 An English player thought he was passing it back but it ended up in the hands of a French player.  Louis Bielle-Biarrey gathers and scores.  Les Bleus have been their own worst enemy in this game as they'll put together a series of passes until one misses.  Dupont bobbles a pass and the ball gets sent out of bounds.  France went nearly the entire field after and was awarded a penalty.  England making their first in-roads of the game.  Both teams continue to focus on kicking the ball forward to gain territory.  not much has worked for either so far.  as the French were trying to piece passes together and get up the field.  Curry has been the best player for England so far France is trying to get something going.  Henry Slade bumps him out of bounds.  The French have put better passes together but they have not been able to budge past the English defense so far led by a few great plays from Tom Curry.  This will be France's best chance at scoring so far this game.  French making territory before English awarded a penalty.  Antoine Dupont already has had two or three opportunities created from the ruck Both teams are trying to gain territory through kicking Marcus Smith gets a chance to break away but gets a knock-on L’heure approche ! Le Crunch arrive 💥#ANGFRA | #SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/OmVh77jMxv The boys are in the house 👊#ENGvFRA | @continentaltire pic.twitter.com/1fGXa3SshJ FloRugby expert Philip Bendon explains his prediction for England vs "Le Crunch" has a history of unpredictability.  England’s selection gambles could either unlock a new attacking dimension or expose them to France’s relentless physicality France’s reshuffled backline offers England a rare defensive opportunity the aerial duel and the effectiveness of England’s defensive adjustments will determine whether they can spring an upset or if France will continue its dominant form France will have too much explosive power for England and likely will get on top at set-piece time The 2025 Six Nations Championship will be streaming on Peacock in the United States the Six Nations will stream for free on various outlets (France TV The 2025 Rugby Europe Championship will be broadcast on FloRugby and the FloSports App in the United States. FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.  Get the most important Rugby stories delivered straight to your inbox TORONTO — Scott Laughton was probably still feeling it The Maple Leafs forward blocked a shot in the dying moments of Toronto's Game 6 victory over the Ottawa Senators to clinch a spot in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs The puck off Jack Sanderson's stick appeared to get him somewhere on his right arm William Nylander had given Toronto a 2-0 lead in the second period before Ottawa pushed back to eventually even the score in the third Max Pacioretty then buried the winner for the Leafs a few minutes later was singled out by captain Auston Matthews in the locker room celebration after that shot block led to Nylander's second goal into an empty net to seal a 4-2 final "Very grateful for you guys," Laughton said on a team-produced video that included deleted expletives Acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers at the NHL's March trade deadline Laughton took awhile to get going in Toronto But the gritty centre from nearby Oakville is showing why general manager Brad Treliving brought him in as the club turns its attention to the Florida Panthers "I feel super fortunate," Laughton said ahead of Game 1 against the defending Stanley Cup champions at Scotiabank Arena to have a chance at this point my career … being in this market brings out the best in you who isn't necessarily counted on for scoring had one goal and one assist through 18 games for the team he supported growing up There were a lot of people from his past coming out of the woodwork — he also looked far from a finished product some nights trying to grasp a new system — before the 20th overall pick in 2012 finally steadied himself down the stretch on Toronto's fourth line between Steven Lorentz and Calle Jarnkrok "A guy that knows his role," Matthews said also a key member of a penalty kill that held Ottawa to three power-play goals said "getting out of my own head" was key in solidifying the transition "I was overthinking everything," he said after almost 13 years with the Flyers "(Lorentz and Jarnkrok) have helped me in just going out and playing simple and getting to our role right away." signed through next season with a salary cap hit of US$3 million is too good to struggle for long stretches "The comfort level sets in and your role and identity within the team comes to fruition," said the fellow Oakville product "He's already become a big part of the room." Laughton spent his first month in Toronto at a hotel before wife Chloe and the couple's first child A settled home life is something he also credits with getting comfortable "It takes time sometimes with guys when you make trades," Leafs head coach Craig Berube said "It doesn't happen overnight … he's definitely a big part of our success." including for a number of teams coached by the brother of Leafs president Brendan Shanahan Laughton's mom recently dug up a picture of the pair when Shanahan who guessed the shot was roughly 25 years old Now suiting up for another Shanahan with a much bigger prize at the end of the post-season marathon he said getting recognized for his Game 6 shot block was a special moment "We get contributions from all over the lineup," Laughton added of his most painful NHL assist "He's someone we brought over for this exact reason," Toronto goaltender Anthony Stolarz added Laughton attended a Battle of Ontario playoff game in the early 2000s with his dad He's now making new ones on the other side of the glass There's also still pinch-yourself element Laughton hasn't quite been able to shake "It's a weird feeling to come home and you've got family around The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board has joined several Ontario school boards in a legal fight against the parent companies of Facebook More than a dozen Ontario school boards and individual schools have initiated lawsuits against the social media companies since March 2024 alleging the platforms are negligently designed for compulsive use and have rewired the way children think The Huron-Superior board — which has jurisdiction over 19 schools, roughly 5,000 students and 1,048 staff in the Algoma and Sudbury districts — is now claiming $70 million in damages according to a statement of claim filed in Ontario Superior Court earlier this week.   The lawsuit appears to be the first of its kind filed by a school board in northeastern Ontario.    “We have joined the mass tort litigation against tech giants Meta and TikTok for disruption to student learning and to the education system,” said Fil Lettieri director of education at the Huron-Superior board in a statement to SooToday on Friday.  “We are committed to the success and well-being of our students and this is why we have come together with school boards across Ontario to demand change and safer products.”  Most of the school boards that have taken legal action are a part of a group known as Schools for Social Media Change The group is described as a collective comprised of "school boards and organizations working together to demand accountability from social media tech giants to strengthen the education system," according to their website.  The school boards involved in the group — which include some of the province's largest boards including the public and Catholic school boards in Toronto and Ottawa — are collectively seeking more than $8 billion in damages from the tech giants.   A motion for dismissal filed by the lawyers for the social media companies was struck down in court earlier this year — paving the way for the case to proceed to trial and the methods and outcomes of social media on the learning environment reveal broad effects that impact not only the immediate access to the right to an education but to the futures of many young people," wrote Ontario Superior Court Justice Janet Leiper in her decision "It is arguable that an addictive product that interferes with the mental health and educational aspirations of students is a public nuisance that requires a remedy." The lawsuits make a slew of allegations about how "negligently" designed social media platforms have disrupted the education system at the expense of students' well-being They allege that more time is being spent on addressing compulsive social media use among students more money is going into the increased need for digital literacy and harm prevention and that more resources are being spent on user issues such as cyberbullying and online sexual harassment.  Students also struggle to spot misinformation pushing teachers to spend time and resources to help vet what students see on their social media feeds and prevent them from adopting harmful ideologies they are exposed to on the platforms The allegations in the lawsuits have not been proven in court Snapchat and TikTok have all previously said they're committed to their young users' well-being.   A spokesperson for Snapchat told SooToday its platform was intentionally designed to be different from traditional social media because it opens directly to a camera rather than a feed of content that encourages passive scrolling and has no traditional public likes or comments.  “While we will always have more work to do we feel good about the role Snapchat plays in helping close friends feel connected happy and prepared as they face the many challenges of adolescence," the spokesperson said.  the parent company of both Facebook and Instagram said the company strongly disagrees with the allegations and believes the evidence will "demonstrate our commitment to supporting young people." "We’ve developed numerous tools to support parents and teens and we recently announced that we’re significantly changing the Instagram experience for tens of millions of teens with new Teen Accounts a protected experience for teens that automatically limits who can contact them and the content they see," the spokesperson said in a statement.  "We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously in these cases.” TikTok did not respond to requests for comment made by SooToday Friday.   The premiers of Canada's three territories say the country's push to remove internal trade barriers needs to consider the unique economic situation of the North Akeeagok say they will be exploring the creation of a "territorial trade zone" that would make sure modern treaties with Indigenous people and the needs of the territories are recognized as trade barriers come down The premiers met this weekend in Yukon for their annual Northern Premiers’ Forum Pillai told reporters at a joint press conference Sunday that the territories are willing to remove trade barriers but any conversations have to consider agreements that are in place with northern Indigenous governments Newly-elected Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised a plan to eliminate trade barriers between provinces and territories by Canada Day Pillai said that is a tight timeline for the North "We want to be at that table moving toward July 2 constitutionally anchored agreements that we also have to have a look at," he said "I think it gives us an opportunity to be willing partners at the table but it also gives us a chance to educate our other colleagues about what's unique here," he said Akeeagok said the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement has enshrined articles that give Inuit the right of first refusal on procurement and require consultation for any legislative change "We are very open in terms of breaking down the barriers "But it requires us to be able to sit down with them and just talk and to be able to have a meaningful consultation with them." Pillai said significant projects in the North already often require companies from large nearby provinces to be completed which allows those companies to reap the benefits "If you're going to have us start to remove these opportunities for Northern companies as well support the three territories in helping to grow this economy?" he said Simpson says even if the territories hold on to some of their exemptions under the Canada Free Trade Agreement reducing any barriers to doing business will benefit the North and the rest of Canada "I'm very hopeful about the work that's happening and I'm confident that we're going to see the benefits of it," he said HALIFAX — As the Netherlands marks the 80th anniversary of the country’s liberation by the Canadian Army more than 1,000 Canadian students will take part in events where they are expected to sense both the horror of war and the reverence of the Dutch for their liberators Upwards of 175,000 Canadians fought as part of First Canadian Army in the Netherlands between September 1944 and early May 1945 with 7,600 killed during the campaign to liberate the country from its five-year German occupation Charles Foulkes accepted the surrender of German troops in the village of Wageningen vice-principal of Three Oaks Senior High School in Summerside is a former history teacher who has long had a passion for keeping the stories of Canadian veterans alive His school is one of five from the province taking part in the trip which he hopes will instil the same passion in his students “We get the kids connected to their own families and their own community,” he said they do research and they connect to local veterans.” Chisholm said he was in the Netherlands for the 65th and 70th anniversary liberation celebrations adding his students are about to experience something special “I got to experience what it’s like to be a Canadian during the liberation time and the celebration … they are really going to see what it’s like to be a Canadian and to be revered.” assistant deputy minister commemoration and public affairs with Veterans Affairs Canada said her department works to help student tour groups be included in the various ceremonies although they aren’t part of Canada’s official delegation who has worked for the department for the past 20 years says the interest in travelling to the Netherlands for its liberation celebrations has only grown in that time “I think a large part of that is the role played by educators across Canada and veterans groups who go into schools and have conversations to get that spark going,” she said Meunier said the chance for Canadian students to directly experience the gratitude of the Dutch people also leaves a lasting impression “You see this happening on a daily basis … there are always Canadian youth at events and you see those really informal connections happening and it’s quite powerful,” she said group began their journey in France where on Thursday they visited the memorial to Canada’s defining victory of the First World War at Vimy Ridge which overlooks the Douai Plain from the highest point of the ridge is inscribed with the names of the more than 11,000 Canadian soldiers listed as missing during the first global conflict but to see it in real life is breathtaking,” the 17-year-old said in a telephone interview from the national historic site "Having all those names listed one-by-one of some of the soldiers we couldn’t identify students also visited the Thelus military cemetery near Vimy and were then to travel to several battlefield sites in Belgium before attending ceremonies in the Dutch city of Bergen op Zoom At the cemetery they will place a plaque on the grave of fallen soldier Alvah Ray Leard on behalf of his family was killed in action at the age of 22 on Sept Sharpe said learning about Canada's contribution has been a revelation we did research in preparation for the liberation events and it became clear how important a role we played with the liberation," he said Stephen Catholic Secondary School in Bowmanville believes the celebrations will be a “real eye-opener” for the group of 13 students from her school Shaw said her students will take part on Sunday in a silent “liberation march” through Bergen op Zoom that will end at the Canadian war cemetery She said the students have gradually become aware of the gravity of Canada’s wartime contribution “It’s hard to get them to bridge the 80 years on some levels but on other levels it’s not so hard because they are relating to the fact that these people who were going over to fight were not much older than them,” Shaw said hosted by Christi Thomas airs on Saturday mornings across local UK Sports Network affiliates giving Big Blue Nation a chance to get ready for the biggest games of the weekend with exclusive access and expert analysis of upcoming matchups BBN Gameday is also available on the Kentucky Wildcats Facebook page every Saturday morning Check your local listing to find 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She said the chemistry between the characters has been "undeniable" and "a complicated factor" in their "deeply complex relationship," which has inspired countless works of fan fiction In February 2023, Hargitay teased what was in store for Benson and Stabler using hashtags But #ThingsMayNotLookLike … #ThingsMayNotAppearAsTheyLook She also added: “#ThingsMayBeCloserThanTheyAppear since Benson and Stabler have physically shared the screen — nearly two years He also carried her to safety after she got shot and the two shared a close moment in urgent care that ended in a hug Benson and Stabler were official partners at the Special Victims Unit for over 12 years until Stabler's abrupt departure at the end of Season 12 in 2011 Neal Baer was the “SVU” showrunner for over 10 of those years and played an instrumental role in the show’s and characters’ development Meloni reprised Stabler in the "Law & Order" universe in 2021 on Stabler's own spinoff After nearly 26 seasons we thought what better time to take a very (and we mean very) thorough look back at the "complicated" history between Benson and Stabler Season One of "SVU is laced with incredible Benson and Stabler moments that are still discussed to this day Even though these two aren’t that far into their partnership during "A Single Life," they do a pretty good job of acting like it I'm always with you," Benson says to Stabler Soon after comes a scene in which Stabler realizes his feelings for Benson could extend beyond work — or so many fans believe He stares longingly at her as she's putting something in the car until she turns and notices and says according to many fans."Law & Order: SVU" / NBCThe case the two are working on is also focused on a woman who led a relatively single life Stabler appears to also be recognizing how her life contrasts with his family-filled life in the suburbs The eighth episode of the inaugural season of "SVU," "Stalked," really put "Protelliot" — a nickname given by fans to Stabler when he’s acting especially protective — on the map When a suspected killer who stalks his victim sets his sights on Benson saying he was "in the neighborhood" and thought he'd give her a ride to work points out Stabler had to have gone out of his way to make her home a stop on his way in Season One was something else actually."Law & Order: SVU" / NBCThen Stabler steps inside and the two sip from the same glass of orange juice before heading out Stabler drives Benson home and offers to walk her inside "You're not a superhero either," Stabler says "Blink your lights when you get inside." "You're just going to sit here all night until I do You stubborn son of a b----," she says with a smile Protelliot prevails in this especially personal episode for Benson Benson sleeps with Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters) She wants to limit their relationship to one night and one night only After Benson affirms their night together wasn't m to her she starts talking to Stabler by their lockers He asks her how long she"s been "sleeping with Cassidy." Benson denies it before caving and asking Parallel to this scene when?"Law & Order: SVU" / NBCThen Stabler says one of the most quoted lines among the fans to this day: "I'm your partner — for better or worse." Benson explains by saying she broke one of her personal rules by getting involved with a co-worker She says Cassidy wants to go out with her again A case of he said/she said between a college advisor and a graduate student in which the advisor says he and the student had a consensual sexual encounter and the student claims it was rape lands Benson and Stabler on opposite sides what's wrong with you?" Benson says during one of their heated very close face-to-face arguments about the case "Her words can put him in prison for 10 years," Stabler says after claiming the grad student "hasn't told a consistent story yet." interrupts and calls them both into his office where the student's lawyer claims Stabler sexually harassed her client when he brought her home from the hospital as he only touched her to prevent her from falling down the stairs The lawyer then drops the bombshell that Stabler's wife filed for legal separation — and if that wasn't enough adds Kathy took the kids and moved out of their house A shocked Benson stares at Stabler as he tells the lawyer "You have no right to use my personal life to make your case." Benson follows Stabler out into the squad room and asks him what's going on at home would you talk to me?" she shouts after him as he walks away He turns back and walks up to Benson and responds Benson and Stabler each air out how their initial judgments about the case could've been wrong effectively seeing the other's point of view The scene turns personal and Benson asks what happened with Kathy "The job — it makes me kind of hard to live with." "She should try working with you," Benson responds in a moment of levity She follows up by asking Stabler if he's OK but Cragen cuts them off to tell them it's time for closing arguments The audience never finds out the jury's verdict as the screen cuts to black and the credits roll before the verdict is read Benson teams up with Cragen for most of this episode to work the case of a boy who’s been missing since 1980 Stabler doesn’t come in until the end of the episode but he delivers arguably one of the most important lines Benson’s ever heard in her life up until that point Benson asks Stabler if he ever worried about what his kids would be like before he had them and added that he's lucky he and his wife know what they're "passing on." and the other half are violent and cruel," Benson says "Look how great you turned out," Stabler says in response as Benson walks away That line effectively stops her in her tracks Liv," Stabler adds as he turns around to face her "All you can do is love your kids." Benson nods and turns to face him before heading out and whispering In retrospect, that line is even more significant now that Benson has a child of her own — a son named Noah (Ryan Buggle) whom she adopted after finding him during a particularly dark case because "Fault" starts the unofficial holy trinity of Stabler and Benson episodes as the events impact both detectives so heavily that — spoiler alert — Benson ends up asking for a new partner by the end Stabler and the SVU squad surveil a bus terminal for two children who were kidnapped by a sex offender In the middle of a sudden commotion with the crowd he sees Benson as she's raising her gun at Gitano who has his arm wrapped around the other child Gitano quickly slashes her neck with a knife Now Stabler has a choice to make: Does he go after Ryan or does he go in the opposite direction to make sure his wounded partner is still alive no!" he shouts as he approaches her on the ground The decision that changed it all.Virginia Sherwood / NBCU Photo Bank / Getty ImagesAs it turns out Gitano had killed the young boy by the time he arrived mostly at Benson as he stews in his emotions over the decision he made I can't be looking over my shoulder making sure you're OK," he says after Benson points out she couldn't shoot Gitano since he was using the child as shield It isn't until he's talking with George Huang (B.D that Stabler realizes his choice to save Benson was his own Nobody else was responsible for it but me," he says and Stabler and Benson eventually enter a facility without backup in search of Gitano and the remaining missing kid and eventually Gitano grabs Stabler by the collar and holds a gun to his head as Benson enters the scene What ensues is a truly unforgettable standoff where she has to decide if she wants to risk shooting Gitano to end this once and for all or run the risk of hitting Stabler and killing him by mistake and eventually says she can do "the right thing" in this moment since he says he did not when he chose to go to her after she got hurt instead of running after Ryan "I would’ve done the same thing," Benson responds Cinema is Benson and Stabler having an entire conversation with their eyes."Law & Order: SVU" / NBCAt this point they both have tears in their eyes as the standoff continues After Stabler and Benson have located the missing girl Stabler says he knows Benson "would’ve taken the shot" if the sniper hadn’t first Did you really expect me to cause your death I just couldn’t get that boy out of my head,” Stabler responds We can never let that happen again,” Stabler says “I can’t believe you’re saying that,” Benson says “You and this job are about the only things I’ve got anymore,” Stabler replies The episode ends with Benson in Cragen’s office asking for a new partner Part two of the so-called holy trinity kicks off appropriately with Stabler at church in confession “It’s like I keep losing people,” he tells the priest and acknowledges it’s not just family he’s lost but also “friends.” “You mean someone at work?” the priest asks Stabler starts working with another detective, Lucius Blaine (Anthony Anderson) and Cragen tells him he and Benson “needed a break from each other,” and she’s now working in Computer Crimes Cragen doesn’t let on that Benson asked for a new partner and just says But things clearly aren’t working out between Stabler and his new partner since Stabler punches Blaine in the middle of the squad room Stabler’s in the locker room changing when Benson appears in the doorway “I like that shirt,” she says and explains she’s there since she heard about the squabble between Stabler and Blaine Stabler asks her why she didn’t tell him she was no longer his partner Benson points out they’ve been partners for seven years — “longer than anybody else” there Cragen tells Stabler he’s “running away” from himself and that he paired him up with Blaine so he can get a taste of what he is like to work with “God knows how Olivia put up with you for so long,” Cragen says to him The final episode of the unofficial holy trinity titled “Web” leads Stabler to visit Benson in Computer Crimes for her help on a case and sets the stage for these two to eventually find their way back to each other Stabler lingers at Benson’s desk before saying “See ya,” to which she looks up from her computer with a smile and says Benson later pulls more info to help Stabler and the “SVU” team with their current case and Stabler invites Benson to “take a crack” at their suspect in interrogation “I wasn’t planning on coming back,” Benson says Back where she belongs."Law & Order: SVU" / NBCThe episode ends with Benson walking back to her old desk “I work here,” she says before dropping her bag and taking a seat The look on Stabler’s face is priceless as he realizes he’s getting his partner back at the Special Victims Unit Season Eight is an especially memorable — if not the most memorable — season for Benson and Stabler fans Stabler gets caught up in Benson’s family life Benson goes undercover for the FBI to infiltrate an environmental group (in real life and the show needed a clever way to cover her absence) In “Infiltrated,” Benson mumbles “Elliot” in her sleep and wakes up in a hospital bed in Oregon The woman next to her asks who Elliot is since she’s apparently been “mumbling the name ‘Elliot’ all night.” “I didn’t say anything else did I?” Benson asks Distance makes the brain dream about your (former) partner."Law & Order: SVU" / NBCWhen the woman asks Benson who this Elliot is she drops her head back on the pillow and whispers “It doesn’t sound like nobody,” the woman responds before mimicking how Benson mumbled “Elliot.” Back in New York, the ADA needs Benson to take the stand in a rape trial and tries to track her down. At one point, Benson breaks her undercover protocol to contact Odafin “Fin” Tutuola (Ice-T) for help getting information Fin hands it off to Stabler to talk to her She quickly hangs up before she can say anything to Stabler when people from the environmental group approach and ask whom she’s talking to “Probably talking to Elliot — the guy from her dreams,” the woman from the hospital replies While driving with FBI agent Dean Porter (Vincent Spano) Porter asks if her partner in New York finds her “as annoying” as he does Benson replies that she and Stabler are “best friends." After being paired up early in the season with another female detective Dani Beck (Connie Nielsen) — whom he kissed — Stabler is once again on his own (We will not speak about Benson asking to see Stabler in Episode Seven and being clocked by Beck with the words “Maybe I can help you I’m his partner,” and watching Stabler interact with Beck through the window of Cragen’s office.) TFW someone else says they're Stabler's partner.Virginia Sherwood / NBCU Photo Bank / Getty ImagesCragen won’t let Stabler stake out Central Park alone as part of their newest case “You offering to be my partner?” Stabler says Cragen tells Stabler he “may have another chance” and that Benson is back (finally) Benson later pops up while Stabler is trying to talk to a witness and says Cragen called her to be Stabler’s “handler.” the two sit awkwardly at a café until Benson finally breaks the silence and says “Why couldn’t Dani cut it?” Stabler says Beck “couldn’t deal with the victims." Benson follows up by asking if he liked working with her “She didn’t have to handle me,” Stabler responds before asking if Benson liked working alone The rest of the episode is laced with tension between the partners as they work to find their footing again — from Benson calling out Stabler's “anger management problem” to later pointing out when he calls a victim “Dani” instead of Danielle Stabler is caught off guard when he gets Benson a soda and she informs him that she doesn’t drink them anymore “Any other major changes you want to let me in on?” he asks you’re the one who traded in your suits for jeans,” she replies Benson mentions to Stabler that they’ve “been partners all these years” and she doesn’t know his blood type “I’d give you a kidney,” to which Benson responds Similar to “Fault,” “Burned” is another iconic episode for Benson and Stabler that truly tests their partnership And like Season Six’s “Doubt,” this Season Eight episode is a he said/she said case A woman named Valerie (Michael Michele) is grabbed from behind while she’s in the shower and later accuses her estranged husband Benson and Stabler's sympathies fall on opposite sides who’s also familiar with an estranged marriage as his wife wants him to sign divorce papers who claims Miles has drug and alcohol dependencies Benson says Stabler’s “current situation” (a.k.a his divorce) is impairing his judgment and that he doesn’t “normally empathize with the suspect.” The pair go at it again in the squad room in front of Fin and Cragen when Stabler say to Benson: “I’m the longest relationship you’ve ever had with a man You have no idea how bad things can get when a couple goes sour.” Benson is quick to shoot back with: “And eight years in this unit tells me that I don’t need to be married to know when an abusive man is escalating.” who clocks Stabler again after he suggests Valerie could have had sex with someone else and mentions his “dying marriage” and “a history of violence” in front of everyone in the room Season Eight in a word: tension.Will Hart / NBCU Photo Bank / Getty ImagesBenson then gets a call from Stabler’s wife The two somewhat awkwardly bond over not being a fan of Dani Beck before Benson asks Kathy to cut to the chase Kathy admits Stabler won’t sign the divorce papers “Do you have any idea how much I worried he preferred spending time with you than with me and the kids?” Kathy says you know that’s not true,” Benson responds you know things about him I will never understand,” Kathy says “That’s what I’m counting on.” Then Benson realizes Kathy wants her to convince Stabler to sign the divorce papers Benson and Stabler go see Valerie in the hospital after Miles attacked her on the street by spraying gas on her and setting her on fire Valerie says Miles is the one who raped her Valerie was having an affair with an investigator for her lawyer and he’s the one who grabbed her from behind that first night Stabler does eventually sign the divorce papers and leaves them on the porch for Kathy to find Benson learns of the affair between Valerie and the investigator and realizes she was wrong all along an already awake Stabler gets a text from Benson telling him to meet her downstairs where she’s sitting on his porch with a cup of coffee for him and tea for herself before Benson responds with a smile and says it’s tea hinting again at her changed drinking habits since she returned from being undercover "Burned" steps scene is a top-tier Benson and Stabler moment."Law & Order: SVU" / NBCBoth of them confirm they couldn’t sleep and Benson tells Stabler she realizes Miles didn’t rape Valerie and she still lied to my face,” Benson says there’s nothing you won’t do,” Stabler responds before telling her he signed the divorce papers She goes to ask if their relationship is OK after the heated case “I just need space to disagree with you so that I don’t feel it’s going to cost me our partnership,” he responds “You’ve never been gun-shy before,” Benson says you’re the longest relationship that I’ve ever had with a man,” Benson says “Well you are going through a divorce and you do have four children so I guess you are,” Benson responds with a smile Cragen requires Benson and Stabler to respectively undergo psychological evaluations after worrying they’ve become too close when Stabler helps Benson as she searches for her brother Cragen's suspicions about Stabler and Benson's bond are right After concluding her conversations with both the evaluator tells Cragen that the two “have a degree of mutual reliance and emotional dependence that compromises their effectiveness as police officers.” Basically When Cragen asks if this means he should split them up “If you want to lose your two best detectives.” If only Season Eight Benson could see future mom Benson thriving."Law & Order: SVU" / NBCSeason 8 Episode 19: ‘Florida’Benson thanks Stabler for 'trusting' her“Florida" shows the amount of trust Stabler has in Benson Benson’s brother’s case resurfaces in this episode as does the feisty side of Benson — and Protelliot who literally jumps to his partner’s defense when a suspect lunges at Benson during an interrogation Agent Porter (remember him from “Infiltrated”) is there because he needs help finding Simon Porter believes Benson sent Simon money and is surprised when Benson tells him Simon is her brother He requests she call him the next time Simon gets in touch is the one who tipped the feds off to her and angrily confronts her about it to take another crack at their suspect from the beginning of the episode Benson snaps and hits the suspect before pushing him to the ground and repeatedly kicking him Cragen throws her out of interrogation and says that “a 5-year-old could’ve done a better job,” to which Benson responds where Stabler finds her and confronts her about her behavior the poster boy for rage is going to tell me how to control my anger?” Benson says Benson then tells Stabler about the latest with her brother which leads Stabler to ask why she’s helping Simon given all the evidence against him before Stabler reminds her she doesn’t “even know the guy.” queen!"Law & Order: SVU" / NBCIn the end find Simon and backs her play while she confronts Simon who has Millfield and is pointing a gun at her Benson puts her weapon down as Stabler walks up behind her with his gun drawn and tells Simon to drop his weapon while Benson begs him not to shoot Benson coaxes Simon into sharing his version of events and it’s revealed Millfield set Simon up as payback for what happened between Simon and her sister as teenagers (her sister ran away after Simon kissed her and the Millfields assumed an assault had transpired) Benson realizes Millfield’s sister was molested as a child which helps explain her jumpy behavior with Simon on the night of the dance — much to her older sister’s surprise at realizing the truth Benson talks Simon into giving her his gun after Millfield’s confession while Stabler keeps his gun trained on him the entire time I would’ve shot (Simon).” Benson thanks both Porter and Stabler and Stabler asks her why she’s thanking him as Porter leaves the lives of the women Stabler loves the most end up on the line when Benson and a very pregnant Kathy end up in a car accident after Benson offers to take Kathy to a doctor’s appointment (Kathy ended up getting pregnant during a one-night hookup with her husband while they were estranged Stabler drops that baby news on a very shocked Benson in the Season Eight finale Benson offers to take Kathy to a doctor’s appointment after Stabler is pulled out of town for their current case Benson’s and Kathy’s car gets slammed by what ends up being a drunk driver she radios for help and attempts to help a pinned and pregnant Kathy Benson ends up climbing back into the car to stabilize Kathy’s head and neck before the first responders can extract her from the car Fin picks up Stabler to bring him back to the city and fills him in on the accident Benson stays by Kathy’s side the entire time where Kathy ends up giving birth to a baby boy Once Stabler gets to the hospital and sees Kathy and the baby Kathy says that Stabler is the little one’s father Then Stabler meets up with Benson in the hallway, and after telling her the baby’s doing great, he goes to walk past her. At the last minute, he spins around and pulls Benson into a hug. (In a 2016 interview Meloni revealed he was the one who insisted that “spontaneous” hug be included in the scene “It has to be this outpouring of everything that that has never been spoken or physically acted on So there was a depth and a little sexuality to it — something that went beyond that … I think it worked out even better than I could’ve hoped for.”) emotional stare — by asking if Stabler picked a name for the baby “Kathy wants to name him after me,” Stabler answers “Just what the world needs — another Elliot Stabler,” Benson says A case involving missing fertilized embryos from a cryobank causes Benson to think about her own fertility and eventually leads to Stabler expressing he’d support Benson if she wanted to have a child The partners don’t get off to a great start as Stabler fresh off welcoming his fifth child that Benson helped bring into the world seemingly struggles to grasp that not everyone is able to naturally have children “I had kids the old-fashioned way,” Stabler says to Benson after she points out how much effort went into getting those embryos made some people aren’t as blessed as you are,” she responds Benson and Stabler clash again during a heated discussion about older women having children Stabler mentions the risks of Kathy having their most recent child since she was over the age of 40 spare me the perils of women over 40 having babies.” I’m not having this conversation,” Benson replies Stabler tells her she’s “great with kids” and adds “Maybe you should start thinking about having kids During a private moment at the end of the episode Benson tells Stabler she had recently explored adoption I don’t have an extended family support system They didn’t see me as prime parent material.” Stabler responds “Closet” is an underrated Benson and Stabler episode in which Stabler’s loyalty to his partner shines and it turns out Benson’s been (un)intentionally keeping something from Stabler The case’s suspect is a famous football player who turns out to also be a closeted gay man in a relationship with the victim After the player’s hidden sexuality unexpectedly becomes the subject of a media leak Cragen thinks Benson and Stabler are to blame Then the head of the Internal Affairs Bureau interviews Benson and informs her they pulled her phone records and found that she talked multiple times to a reporter named Kurt Moss (Bill Pullman) so she fesses up to talking to Moss because she’s in fact been dating him “You are a son of a b----.” Then Tucker drops the news on a shocked Stabler that Benson has been sleeping with Moss Even though Stabler was in the dark about that he tells Tucker he knows Benson “would never torpedo a case.” An A+ Protelliot and Jelliot scene.Will Hart / NBC Photo Bank / Getty Images"Protelliot" emerges and immediately goes to Moss’ office to confront him “Olivia has a picture of you two in her living room.” “You two have worked together for a long time There must be a reason she why she didn’t tell you about me.” Stabler responds saying Benson’s personal life is “her business” and that he’s there to “save her job.” He tells Moss he wants him to “tell the Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) Olivia wasn’t the source of the leak” as Benson walks into the room and asks Stabler why he’s there Benson says she doesn’t need help from them “Nice meeting you,” Stabler tells Moss as he brushes past Olivia Benson later apologizes to Stabler for not telling him about Moss you could’ve said something,” Stabler responds Stabler’s loyalty to his partner is quite literally put to the test in “Authority” after an engineer named Merritt Rook (played by the legendary Robin Williams) abducts Benson The detectives initially investigate Rook as a person of interest after a restaurant manager strip-searches an employee and claims he did so because a detective called him saying the employee was stealing who also goes by the name “Milgram,” was behind the fake call The Milgram nickname is important as it’s a reference to psychologist Stanley Milgram who conducted shock experiments to test how far someone would go to follow instructions despite the moral feeling of his or her conscience When Stabler finds the two in a recording studio Rook reveals that Benson is tied to a chair behind the glass dividing the recording studio Rook also pulls out a remote and claims he’s wired the door with explosives which will go off if Stabler tries to open it to get to his partner Rook tells Stabler he wants to “conduct a little experiment” to see how far he’ll go to save Benson Rook also informs Stabler that Benson’s chair is wired with electricity that will release shocks when a remote is pressed — a recreation of the Milgram Shock experiment and the sounds of Benson’s screams fill the air Stabler refuses to press the button when Rook asks him to Rook threatens to hold the button down longer and double the voltage of the shocks Rook's stated intention is to teach Stabler “a little lesson about power and authority” since Rook believes cops “own the streets.” Stabler says he doesn’t abuse his authority “Every cop abuses his authority.” After conversing more with Stabler Rook continues to repeatedly ask Stabler to press the button “Too many people have suffered already.” Rook then tells Stabler he’s “a human being,” and he passed the test He says Benson was never hurt by shocks and that her screams were prerecorded “Swing” shows Benson’s undying loyalty and concern for her partner after Stabler’s daughter Kathleen (Allison Siko) gets arrested A doctor tells Stabler and Kathy he believes Kathleen has bipolar disorder and suggests medication after hearing about her recent erratic behavior Kathleen defies advice to seek psychiatric help and is instead detained Benson promises Stabler she’ll go with Kathleen and stay with her for as long as she’s able to Bernadette “Bernie” Stabler (Ellen Burstyn) The conversation implies that Bernie also has bipolar disorder and Stabler’s attempt at getting his mother’s help is unsuccessful Benson later brings up Stabler’s mom during a discussion You know everything about me — even the parts that I’d rather forget How come you never told me about your mother?” Stabler deflects and says Benson mentions his anger issues and that “bottling it up inside hasn’t worked” for him but you’re the one with the problem,” Benson tells him Benson takes the step to visitsBernie in New Jersey “I can see why you scare the pants off of Kathy,” Bernie says before pulling out an old family photo album with childhood photos of Stabler — including one of him dressed as a carrot As the conversation turns more emotional for Bernie and I know him well enough that he didn’t get it from his father.” Bernie asks Benson not to tell Stabler she visited his daughter Stabler appears surprised to see his daughter plead guilty and cooperate with the judge to get the help she needs “What the hell just happened?” Stabler says to Benson as she walks out of the courtroom “Maybe God remembered how cute you were as a carrot,” Benson responds “Wildlife,” could hold so much power among Benson and Stabler fans This episode is absolutely laced with moments between the two including the most physical one they’ve shared (so far) Stabler goes undercover as an animal smuggler which means more time away from Kathy and their young son Kathy calls Benson’s phone at one point since Stabler won’t pick up and wants to know when he’ll be home Stabler tells Benson to say he’s in the field Benson talks Kathy out of leaving home and assures her she’ll make sure Stabler calls Part of that promise involves Benson visiting Stabler at his temporary undercover residence When a shirtless and pants-less Stabler realizes it’s Benson knocking on his door he hurriedly pulls her inside since the animal smugglers warned him not to have any sort of contact with anyone Benson explains she’s there because they lost contact with him and she also gave him her phone so he could call Kathy It doesn’t take long for the door handle to start rattling as the animal smugglers try to get inside since they saw Stabler let a guest in Stabler tells Benson to go hide while he answers the door One of the smugglers finds Benson’s jacket and then she emerges from the bathroom without her shirt “Are you ready for me Daddy?” And once she realizes they have company $250 to join — each.” Then she wraps her arms around Stabler as he says The scene was a joy for fans who long wanted Benson and Stabler to get together They are both shirtless and pressed up against each other with Benson running her hand down Stabler’s chest at one point one of the smugglers takes Stabler for a ride He pulls over in front of a building and tells Stabler to go inside Benson is surprised to hear from the doctor that Stabler is fine “You’re supposed to duck,” to which Stabler responds “Zebras” highlights that no one knows Stabler better than Benson A young tech named Dale Stuckey (Noel Fisher) is with Benson and Stabler at various crime scenes throughout the episode even makes a careless mistake that ends up setting the suspect free Stuckey further gets under Stabler’s skin at one point after saying a photo on a piece of evidence looks like “a little younger” version of Benson Evidence ends up revealing Stuckey is the killer they're searching for When Stabler is in the lab and makes the connection Stuckey hits him over the head and knocks him out Stuckey answers Stabler's phone when Benson calls and explains that her partner went out for sushi (a crucial detail) and left his phone behind Benson shows up at the lab only to find Stabler tied to a chair Then Stuckey comes up behind them both with his gun drawn Benson strategically alleviates the situation by manipulating Stuckey into thinking she doesn't like Stabler “Somebody needs to take him out,” Benson tells Stuckey about Stabler “And when this son of a b---- it out of the picture I’m going to need a new partner,” she adds They were crazy for this one!"Law & Order: SVU" / NBCStuckey turns to shoot Stabler Benson opens her eyes and connects with Stabler who nods and kicks Stuckey in the groin from his spot behind him in the chair Benson knocks Stuckey out and frees Stabler from the chair "You and raw fish?'"Law & Order: SVU" / NBCWhen Stabler asks Benson how she knew he was in the lab and possibly in danger “Stuckey said you went to get sushi: You and raw fish?” fans also love when Stabler’s jealous side comes out (this alter ego is nicknamed Jelliot) Jelliot makes an appearance in “Spooked” when Porter returns since the FBI is interested in Benson and Stabler’s latest case Porter catches up with Benson as he waits for the elevator “You have my number.” Then Stabler crashes the scene and says realizes Benson is a cop and tells her to come with him or else he’ll start shooting people Stabler watches from afar and calls for backup Stabler confronts Rojas in the parking lot "Spooked" cradle supremacy."Law & Order: SVU" / NBCStabler rushes over to Benson and turns her over and Stabler cradles Benson in his arms on the ground Back in the squad room after going over the latest with the case Porter asks Benson if she’d like a ride home I’m good thanks.” (Don’t sleep on the smirk Stabler gives Benson as he walks away.) Benson and Stabler later realize Porter had bugged all of the phones in their office Porter has been lying to the SVU team this entire time so the detectives lay a trap to call him out on it Benson dresses up and invites Porter over to her apartment saying she wants to cook for him after he suggests they go out are in Benson’s bedroom so that they’re close enough to get into Porter’s phone and eventually track him Stabler texts Cragen once they’re in Porter’s phone to call Benson Since Porter and Benson were already close Porter overhears Cragen on the phone telling Benson they’ve located their latest suspect Benson attempts to arrest Porter for being an accessory to murder Cragen then informs Benson and Stabler that Porter and the suspect are off the hook since the situation is out of their hands Why didn’t you tell me?” Benson asks Porter “Why didn’t you trust me?” she says through tears “Our feelings don’t matter,” Porter responds In “Perverted,” Stabler goes to very extreme and personal lengths to save Benson Stabler goes to Benson’s apartment after finding his partner’s card on a victim Protelliot asks Benson if she’s been to the doctor Stabler asks Benson if she recognizes the victim who had her card and says he’ll handle finding out why the victim had it before tucking her in on the couch and asking if she has anyone taking care of her He feels her head and notes she’s burning up before going to the kitchen to make her tea Stabler also makes sure to get Benson back in bed before he leaves and jokes “I’m getting my hazard pay coming to see you.” Stabler checking in on his partner at home."Law & Order: SVU" / NBCBenson is taken for questioning by IAB after evidence makes her the case’s prime suspect and she ends up in jail unless someone can post her $250,000 bail Cue Benson being released to a waiting Stabler “What was I gonna do — let you get shivved in Rikers?” “Does Kathy know you mortgaged the house for me?” Benson asks and ends up saving herself after the real suspect breaks into her home Stabler appears shortly after to make sure she’s OK and to arrest him “Rescue” is another example of Stabler backing Benson’s play and being there for her during a moment that toes the line between personal and professional Benson continues “playing mom” for a boy named Calvin (Charlie Tahan) whom she found during a case and took in after his mom disappeared Stabler comes across a DNA sample from Calvin in Benson’s desk and assumes his partner failed to send it in as a stall tactic to avoid finding Calvin’s dad — so she could keep Calvin longer When Stabler tells Benson he found the swab she calls him out for snooping and says she forgot to send in the swab and will send it in Cragen wants to bench Benson from their current case since she has custody of their suspect’s son As ADA Gillian Hardwicke (Melissa Sagemiller) points out Stabler has had Benson’s back for over 10 years “Juries see how close partners get,” Hardwicke tells Stabler who offers to let Benson keep Calvin in exchange for not arresting her and leaving her alone Then Stabler appears behind Benson in the middle of his partner’s tough personal and professional decision and says Your call.” Benson chooses to take Calvin’s mom in for questioning Stabler and Benson share a moment with Calvin shortly before he's taken away."Law & Order: SVU" / NBCIn the end while Benson watches as Stabler and Calvin play rock Child Services arrives and takes Calvin from Benson to bring him to live with his grandparents while his mom goes to rehab Stabler holds Benson back as Calvin is taken away and reminds her that the situation was “always temporary.” This episode gifted Benson and Stabler fans with the duo’s second hug in the series commonly referred to among the stans as the “Pursuit hug.” Stabler’s away at Quantico while Benson continues working as normal with SVU Benson is video chatting with Stabler when Fin who at this point is more aware than almost anyone about what these two mean to each other since he’s worked with them both almost since the beginning walks in after Stabler asks Benson if he should cut his visit short I actually watch her back and not her backside,” Fin responds The current case takes an especially dark turn after the team’s ADA Sonya Paxton is brutally attacked and dies in a shaken Benson’s arms this was just the duo's second hug."Law & Order: SVU" / NBCCut to Benson and Stabler later spotting each other in the precinct’s hallway “I should’ve come back sooner,” he responds as he tightly holds her Benson then briefly rests her head on Stabler’s as she says Benson and Stabler go undercover as swingers — need we say more This episode was a great opportunity for fans to see what Stabler and Benson would look like as a couple into a swingers club — posing as a married couple This scene is also a rare opportunity to see Stabler and Benson all dressed up: Stabler in a suit and Benson in a strapless dress and heels with her hair and makeup done The partners continue holding hands as they move further into the club and only break apart when another couple pulls Benson away This scene was basically a parallel universe moment for the fans who always wanted Stabler and Benson to be more than partners and friends (That parallel universe may soon be reality for these two since Stabler recently returned to Benson’s life after a 10-year absence and confessed in a letter he wrote to her: “In a parallel universe This episode is significant in the worst kind of way for Benson's and Stabler’s relationship since it ended up being Meloni’s last episode of “SVU.” (Thankfully he returned to the “Law & Order” universe for Stabler’s spinoff “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” in April 2021.) In “Smoked,” a survivor of sexual assault is killed in front of her daughter Jenna shows up at the SVU office asking Benson if they found her mother’s killer Benson confirms they did find both the killer and her mom’s suspected rapist and walks Jenna over to see where the two are being held in a cell Jenna walks away then returns a few seconds later and starts shooting the suspects in the cell a woman in charge of a local homeless shelter who had been helping Benson and Stabler with the current case Stabler crouches behind a desk with a gun drawn and tells Jenna to drop her weapon as Benson crouches over Sister Peg in front of him Jenna begins lowering the gun until one of the wounded suspects in the cage starts taunting her Thank the "Law & Order" gods that Stabler eventually returned 10 years after what many thought was his final scene."Law & Order: SVU" / NBCThen who ends up bleeding out and dying in front of him The episode ends with Benson and Stabler staring at each other across the squad room amid the carnage Benson learns the news that Stabler “put his papers in” from Cragen — not from Stabler himself In fact Stabler doesn’t appear onscreen again until Meloni returns to the franchise in the Season 22 episode “Return of the Prodigal Son” 10 years later in 2021 In “Scorched Earth,” we are also introduced to Detective Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) who ends up delivering an unforgettable line to Benson about Stabler years later in the Season 23 finale Rollins ends up in a romantic relationship with her former partner and ADA Dominick “Sonny” Carisi (Peter Scanavino) Benson goes into Cragen’s office after seeing IAB and says Stabler was cleared.” Cragen responds Stabler was cleared only “on that one,” but now Internal Affairs wants to investigate “his entire jacket.” Benson continues to defend Stabler and says There’s nothing to find.” Then Cragen stands up and points out it was Stabler’s sixth shooting and that “the whole squad is on notice.” So he’s the sacrificial lamb,” Benson responds I just don’t know how it’s going to shake out.” Cragen adds Stabler would need to submit to a psychological evaluation to keep his job and go through anger management training “And he’ll tell them to go to hell,” Benson replies before walking out The episode ends when Cragen calls Benson into his office and tells her Stabler quit “He’s earned it.” Cragen asks Benson if she wants to talk about it or take some time off Before going out with the squad for their next case Benson tells the detectives she’ll meet them in five She goes into an empty interrogation room and breaks down he is mentioned during one of the most terrifying moments of Benson’s life The show’s 14th season ended with a sadistic killer named William Lewis (Pablo Schreiber) pointing a gun at Benson’s head in her apartment Lewis torments Benson throughout the entire premiere episode of Season 15 and moves her to a remote location and cuffs her to a bed Benson is able to pull an iron rod from the bed and hits Lewis with it before getting her gun which has Stabler’s mini shield on the bottom She starts talking to Lewis about the things she could do to him after everything he did to her “He wouldn’t question himself after what you’ve done Maybe I should get him to use that metal bar on you and make you beg for your life," she says Lewis continues to talk about “that old partner” of hers and says “It must’ve been tough for you — all those long nights alone in the car.” “You don’t get to talk about him,” Benson interjects The conversation takes even more of a turn after Lewis brings up Benson’s father and taunts her to the point that she ends up beating him with the bed pole Lewis again puts Benson through even more horrific things fans are still waiting for a discussion between Benson and Stabler about what Lewis did to her while Stabler was gone This moment was 10 years in the making — Stabler finally returning to Benson’s life Benson gets a call to go to a scene and to her surprise sees Kathy on a stretcher being wheeled into an ambulance Then she hears “Liv” and turns and locks eyes across the scene with Stabler The moment Benson and Stabler first saw each other after 10 years apart.Christopher Del Sordo / NBCU Photo Bank / Getty ImagesTurns out as she and Stabler were in town to see Benson receive an award and there are a few scenes laced with tension between Benson and Stabler including Benson subduing a heated Stabler in the interrogation room and an argument between the two on the roof about it Kathy says it feels “like the old days,” seeing Stabler and Benson in the room together “always so in sync.” She’s surprised to find out Stabler never once contacted Benson in the time they left The most honest conversation viewers witnessed to date about why Stabler left happens in a hospital waiting area after both Stabler and Benson visited Kathy and Benson asks him if he’s “sorry for leaving” or for not giving her the “courtesy” of telling her And then he delivers a line that continues to haunt fans until this day: “I think if I talked to you about how –” Sadly so viewers still don’t know how Stabler was about to finish that thought She emphasizes to Stabler that he “walked away,” and she had to find out about his exit from Cragen And as for why Stabler abruptly left without telling Benson himself The episode also contains a golden conversation between Stabler and Fin who briefly fills Elliot in on Benson’s life over the past 10 years Fin tells Elliot that Benson has a kid now “You have to ask her that.” (Another conversation fans are still waiting for Benson and Stabler to have: How Benson got Noah Hug count: three."Law & Order: SVU" / NBCStabler later calls Benson — before any of his kids — to tell her Kathy passed away where he crumbles and falls into her for a hug (only their third one ever onscreen The series premiere of “Law & Order: Organized Crime” introduced an item that fans became so fixated on it became an entire social media movement: the letter #WhatsInTheLetter trended for weeks online and "SVU" fans on Twitter also put a letter emoji on their profiles Who knew a small letter could hold so much power?Virginia Sherwood / NBCU Photo Bank / Getty ImagesStabler meets up with Benson in a park on a snowy day and the meetup also marks the first time Stabler sees Noah Stabler describes his apartment and tells Benson she “would’ve loved it.” Stabler takes out a letter and hands it to Benson He tells her he was asked to speak at her award ceremony but instead opted to write his thoughts in a letter he planned to give to her that night Benson joins the Stabler family in the cemetery after Kathy's death.Virginia Sherwood / NBCU Photo Bank / Getty ImagesLater in the episode Benson attends a service for Kathy in the cemetery with Stabler and all his children whom Benson has known since they were young Stabler grabs Benson’s arm and thanks her for coming who’s clearly still struggling with the unexpected return of Stabler after all this time Benson waits for Stabler in his building and says she wants to talk about the letter Stabler says he also wants to talk about the letter but is too distracted by work at the moment so viewers have to wait to find out what’s.in.the.letter Stabler tells Benson what she means to him (spoiler alert: “the world”) in a scene between the two during the second episode of “Organized Crime.” Stabler joins Benson in her car after she drops Noah off at school and brings her coffee (just like old times) Stabler tells Benson she’s “a good mom” after she says she brings Noah to school whenever she can The line is especially meaningful because all Benson wanted for years was a family Benson asks Stabler why he was so jumpy the other night when she went to his building to talk about the letter before adding she doesn’t want to push him and will “back off” if that’s what he wants and says he’s “been on the job 35 years.” No one knows PTSD better than Benson after her ordeal with Lewis which Stabler still apparently doesn’t know about Benson emphasizes that in her role as a captain Stabler responds that he’ll “take care of it.” Benson tells Stabler she’s “worried” about him given his behavior after the death of his wife and the grief associated with that loss “It felt good to hear that,” Stabler tells her clearly relieved to know that after disappearing for a decade “I just think I needed to hear you say that.” Then he gets out of the car and again tells her to “back off,” most likely out of fear that if she gets too close whoever targeted Kathy will go after Benson next Nothing says “I love you” quite like spilling those three words out in the middle of an intervention with all your kids present, and that’s just what Stabler does in episode four of “OC.” Meloni told TODAY in February that this scene was his favorite one he’s filmed with Hargitay since his return in April 2021 Stabler’s daughter Kathleen meets up with Benson and says the family needs her help getting through to their dad Stabler comes home one night to see Benson and all his kids Kathleen informs her dad that “this is an intervention,” and Benson chimes in that the intervention is related to what the two of them recently discussed in the car Stabler assumed that conversation was private and Benson informs him that “it's not a secret.” Kathleen tells her dad she went to Benson to ask for help Stabler tells Benson he didn’t ask her to be here Benson brushes it off and emphasizes that his kids are worried about him amid his recent erratic behavior Stabler refuses to sit and listen to what everyone has to say and instead says all questions should go to his supervisor, Sgt. Ayanna Bell (Danielle Moné Truitt) A shocked Benson stares back at him as all of his kids look on, and the Benson and Stabler love theme (yes, these two have their own music) starts to play Benson glances toward Stabler’s kids then back at him and shakes her head Stabler snaps back to reality and realizes what he’s said and who else is in the room and adds “I don’t think I can do this.” He eventually returns and Benson again points out Stabler is the only person who doesn’t realize he’s not OK “I know you’re all just trying to help,” Stabler says but all you’re doing is pushing me further under.” This episode is the continuation of a crossover with “SVU’s” “Trick-Rolled at the Moulin,” which ends with Stabler shielding Benson in the car after they’re both shot at (classic Protelliot) Stabler kisses Angela Wheatley (Tamara Taylor) who’s the wife of the suspect behind Kathy’s murder — Richard Wheatley (Dylan McDermott) Stabler learns from Benson in this episode that her brother is no longer alive and died a few years back after a suspected overdose Benson and Stabler share what’s considered among the fans a significant moment in the hallway of the “OC” office when Benson reaches for Stabler’s hand as she walks past him to exit and the two linger in their handhold until the last minute when she has to pull away to leave This is a big deal since there was limited physical contact of any kind between the two during Stabler’s original run Stabler finds out Angela was actually the one who ordered to take Kathy out Richard Wheatley becomes the unofficial Benson and Stabler relationship hero among the fans at the end of this episode when he (basically) makes it canon that Benson is “the one true love” of Stabler’s life Richard says he recorded Angela plotting to kill Kathy You know you’re not the love of his life.” Here comes one of the biggest “plot twists” of the series so far: Richard says Kathy also was not Stabler’s “love of his life.” He adds There’s someone else — another woman who’s the one true love of his life.” “Every time he was looking into your pretty brown eyes touching your face — or wherever else he was touching you — I’m willing to wager he was thinking about her.” Elliot?” Richard adds as Stabler just glares at him and exits the room Angela asks her attorney to find out exactly who Richard was talking about and later learns that people believe Richard was referring to Benson Rollins and Carisi also share a moment — and kiss — at this ceremony which turns into a non-wedding when Fin and Phoebe decide not to get married that day Stabler shows up to the ceremony late since he was looking at apartments in New York City which is a subtle confirmation and assurance to Benson he’s staying While Benson stares at her squad happily celebrating the event with their partners Stabler approaches with her coat and drapes it over her shoulders while she hands him a glass of wine that she got for him Stabler notes Fin and Phoebe are a “good-looking couple” and asks Benson how the two met “She’s a cop — his first partner,” Benson responds and then shares a knowing look with Stabler and Stabler’s already holding out his glass before Benson lifts hers to toast “to partners.” “Organized Crime” has dropped many references to Benson throughout the series As Stabler begins an undercover arc investigating an Albanian family involved in the drug trade he shares a personal moment with the mother of one of the men That moment when yet another person clocks you about the love of your life."Law & Order: Organized Crime" / NBCThe mother decides to read Stabler’s coffee grounds while the two sit together at the table She relays the message from the grounds to Reggie who tells Stabler: “She wants to know why you don’t tell her how you feel.” “Why I don’t tell her how I feel?” a confused Stabler responds “The person you love,” Reggie translates from his mom unexpectedly returns and ends up at the OC office She has quite the slip of the tongue during a discussion with her son The moment Stabler's mom confused his partner for his wife."Law & Order: Organized Crime" / NBCStabler reminds his mother that his family had been living in Rome and notes they had come back to visit “about four times.” Bernie instantly remembers that something bad happened to Stabler’s wife I think I had an episode.” She adds: “I’m just so sorry — your beautiful bride This episode is the beginning of an epic crossover between “SVU” and “OC,” which ends in a jaw-dropping confession from Stabler about *that* letter he gave to Benson On “SVU,” viewers finally see Benson and Stabler together for the first time since last season’s finale Benson was run off the road while on the phone with Stabler she imagined he was first responder who helped her Benson tells Fin that she hasn’t heard from Stabler in a few months and that he’s been “off the grid” working She also has a telling reaction when Fin says Phoebe was trying to get in touch with Stabler “to hook him up with her sister.” Benson responds with a big “oh.” She does tell Fin that at least this time Stabler gave her a heads-up not to worry about him Benson also tells Fin her therapist asked if Stabler being MIA again “was triggering” for her “I lied and said that it wasn’t,” she says “SVU” and “OC” have to work this case together and Benson sees Stabler for the first time in months when the teams meet in a warehouse Benson and Stabler have a sidebar conversation in which Benson calls out Stabler for not telling her he was undercover the others in the room take notice of their bickering After Stabler affirms to Benson he texted her let’s not go into that,” Stabler replies before Sgt Benson again mentions Stabler’s “radio silence for three months,” and the two briefly catch up Benson notices Stabler isn’t in the best place mentally “It’s kind of nice not to be me for a while,” about being undercover When an FBI agent approaches and asks Stabler to make a call Stabler respects his former partner’s authority and responds Viewers are also treated to seeing Benson and Stabler interrogate a suspect together The two also meet up at night ahead of a raid and Stabler gives her his word that he’s got her back Benson again picks up on Stabler wilting mental state after he chats with their informant who’s also SVU’s current suspect in a rape case “There goes months of counseling down the drain,” Benson says When the informant/suspect is given a deal Benson and the SVU squad feel betrayed by the OC team Benson tells Rollins she talked to Stabler before he went back undercover and he promised her he didn’t know the suspect was being put in witness protection When Rollins questions Stabler’s recent actions and I know him better than anyone,” Benson says This is arguably *the* episode that changes everything for Benson and Stabler since the contents of the letter are finally revealed — and it’s a doozy immediately goes to Benson’s apartment late at night Benson opens her door and reaches for Stabler across the hall and he denies needing to go to a hospital as he puts his arm around her for support as she leads him into her apartment Stabler tells Benson he felt he had to see her since they “never talked.” Benson assumes he means about their last case but then Stabler says “us.” She tells him now isn’t the time for that discussion and instead says she’s going to call in that he was drugged to figure out what’s in his system Then Stabler drops the bomb of all bombs when he declares that he “didn’t write the letter.” Benson forgets the phone call she was about to make and takes a seat for this conversation Stabler tells Benson that the letter was Kathy’s idea and Kathy thought it would be an easier way to start a discussion since the two hadn’t seen each other in years Stabler says he “tried and tried,” but in the end Benson starts reciting back lines from the letter including that what Benson and Stabler “were to each other was never real” and they “got in the way of each other being who and where” they needed to be The letter also had a line implying if Benson had a man in her life Stabler confirms Kathy actually wrote those words — not him But there was one line that Stabler did write himself “It will always be you and I,” Stabler finishes and looks up and locks eyes with Benson before adding he “slipped it in there before sealing the envelope.” Still haven't recovered from this scene it's true.Will Hart / NBCU Photo Bank / Getty ImagesThe letter was obviously written when Kathy was still alive one line Stabler wrote himself speaks volumes and basically confirms that Benson’s always been it for him — the circumstances just haven’t allowed it for the first time in over 20 years of them knowing each other Stabler stumbles out of the chair across the floor toward Benson who holds Stabler up as he wraps his arms around her Stabler looks up into Benson’s eyes from the ground and runs his hand through her hair while his thumb grazes her mouth Stabler prepares to enter an extremely dangerous meeting while undercover — a meeting that could very easily go south and end in his death who does he call to seemingly make a confession of sorts to in what could be his last few hours Whatever happened to this voicemail??"Law & Order: Organized Crime" / NBCDuring a moment of reflection at home before the meeting Stabler sits outside in the back garden and leaves Benson a voicemail “I’m just calling to say — I want to thank you for everything that you’ve done for me And when I said that ‘I love you,’ I think you –” Stabler is then cut off by an automated voice telling him to press “1” if he’s satisfied with his message “2” to rerecord and “3” to listen to his message and it goes quickly to voicemail then he hangs up but this episode gives us a little of Jelivia and also shows Benson wants Stabler to “come home” from his undercover job as much as the rest of his family does Bell calls in SVU to help with the Albanians While Benson is surveilling the Albanian crew with Stabler and Bell she notices slight changes in Stabler when he talks about Flutura (Lolita Davidovich) that Flutura has a hand in trafficking girls through the family business Jelivia comes out strong at the end of the surveillance when she spots Flutura talking to a man She’s much more than a party planner,” Benson says to Stabler Benson and the SVU squad help Stabler’s team infiltrate a party with the young girls and the Albanians Bernie tells her son that his partner came by to check up on him Benson delivers an unforgettable “howdy” after Stabler says “Hey partner.” She offers to get hydrogen peroxide to clean a cut on Stabler’s face and she runs into Eli as he’s exiting the bathroom Benson notices a bunch of pills on the floor of the bathroom and calls Stabler over to let him know Bernie had previously noticed her pills were missing and picks up on her son’s conversation with Benson Benson asks if there’s anything she can do to help Stabler walks Benson out through the back garden Benson says she agrees with Bernie and wants him to come home Then Benson reaches out and rests her hand on Stabler’s face and whispers and Elliot Stabler is nowhere to be found,” referring to his undercover name They share a longing look before Benson turns and leaves The “SVU” Season 23 winter finale was all about Kathy Stabler’s murder trial and it was also really the first time Benson called out Stabler for being so self-absorbed since his return to her life Despite now knowing Kathy wrote the letter Benson still shows up in the cemetery to meet the rest of the Stabler family at Kathy’s grave “It’s nice to see your face,” Benson says to Stabler noting he shaved off the beard that was part of his undercover persona Benson’s longtime friend and former SVU ADA Rafael Barba (Raúl Esparza) Wheatley meets with Benson and taunts her about the love of his life “You might want to make sure Stabler’s children aren’t there They probably don’t want to hear what she has to say,” Wheatley tells Benson seemingly has no clue about Stabler’s brief history with Angela “And I guess neither do you,” Wheatley adds before Benson walks away Benson confronts Stabler outside of the courthouse about Angela’s upcoming testimony and asks him if there’s any reason she shouldn’t attend “Why would you ask me that?” Stabler responds She clocks Stabler for not answering her questions The question is: Why are you really asking?” Benson finally gets a moment to unload on Stabler about how he hasn't asked about her life since his return."Law & Order: SVU" / NBCStabler asks what she means as she walks away and Benson finally unleashes months of pent-up frustration “I know that you are carving your way through a mountain of grief You have not asked me one question about what has happened to me since you left,” she says Then she recalls how he showed up drugged at her apartment in the middle of the night while Noah was there asleep “I guess I didn’t know how to begin,” he adds which both the Stabler children and Benson witness Angela reveals she kissed Stabler and that she was in love with him Stabler later arranges to be in the restroom at the same time as Wheatley who brings up Angela’s testimony and says to Stabler “I was surprised to see Olivia in the gallery She didn’t hear enough after Angela’s testimony You must’ve had some mansplaining to do.” Olivia knows a lot more about what went on between me and Angela than the jury does Stabler also receives a call from Eli's mom saying her son was missing “The Christmas Episode” was an actual gift to Benson and Stabler fans since it was peppered with some of the best-ever moments between the two Viewers know he went home with a girl he met on the street and woke up hours later to find her dead in the next room Eli calls Elliot and tells him his location and we’re going to bring him home,” Benson says “We’re going to find out what’s going on here and take it one step at a time,” she adds before reaching over and grabbing Stabler’s hand This moment was teased in a previous promo and sent fans into a spiral. Meloni told TODAY in February that little moments like holding hands which among the fans are obviously a big deal are ones he and Hargitay add into the scenes themselves “There’s nobody who knows these characters better than she and I whatever you see is really she and I figuring it out — figuring out what the exact words are or the exact emotions are.” as her partner grips her hand in response and thanks her for coming After a New Jersey cop coaxes Eli from jumping off a ledge Benson and Stabler go to the precinct to talk to Eli and Benson quickly clarifies that she’s a family friend Benson is surprised when Stabler invites her into the interrogation room to speak to Eli after he begs with a “please.” Benson springs into action and assures him she’ll handle this Benson goes to the scene and finds out the cops think the girl was murdered Stabler is able to prove Eli didn’t murder the girl but another man who entered the apartment did Benson and Stabler go to the hospital to pick up Eli Benson steps in to calmly ask the nurse how to get to Eli since a frazzled Stabler can’t politely string two sentences together Stabler finally starts to ask Benson about her life during his 10-year absence “about your life — what you’ve been through Benson confirms she’s not seeing anyone at the moment “About how many?” Stabler says with a smile She then tells him about the one man she thought she may have settled down with for good Stabler does not yet realize that it was Ed Tucker — yes that Ed Tucker from IAB — but Benson does tell him Ed is dead Benson continues to calm Stabler at the hospital including when the doctor talks to him about Eli comes at the end of the episode when Stabler spins Benson around as they’re leaving the police station to thank her for being there for him “I want to find balance here in this — whatever this is,” Stabler says “How about we call it a friendship,” Benson says to a beaming Stabler “How’s that for now?” Note the "for now" part to come on over to my place this weekend for a family Christmas get-together.” emotionally says she needs to think it over and asks if she can get back to him gathered at home getting ready to welcome visitors Stabler gets all excited and announces to everyone “They’re here,” and as he opens the door he says “Hey guys.” But it’s not Benson and her son at the door that she didn’t want him to be "blindsided" by it's clear Benson and Noah didn’t make it to Stabler’s Christmas gathering Stabler again tries to spend time with them both by asking Benson if he can take them to lunch followed by another fake fight with Benson in the lobby of One Police Plaza where other cops would see Benson goes to the OC office to debrief with Bell and Stabler The pretend arguments were part of setting a plan in motion for Stabler’s next undercover assignment with a group of dirty cops within the NYPD known as “The Brotherhood.” Benson and Stabler share a personal conversation on her way out and Stabler tells her the father of the current leader of The Brotherhood “Elliot,” Benson begins as she steps closer to him can I take you and Noah out to lunch this weekend?” Stabler asks Benson tells Stabler she wants to wait since Noah “gets attached very easily” and Stabler’s going undercover again One of their best photos.Virginia Sherwood / NBCU Photo Bank / Getty ImagesDuring an interview with Seth Meyers in March Hargitay said she had never seen that scene until that moment during the interview “I didn’t realize it came out so sexy,” she said In this episode, Stabler finally meets Benson’s son, Noah during a coincidental run-in on Mother’s Day Stabler spots them on the street as he’s picking out flowers for his mom but Noah jumps in that he already knows whom Detective Stabler is The two most important men in Benson's life meet on Mother's Day.Virginia Sherwood / NBCU Photo Bank / Getty ImagesStabler extends his hand for Noah to shake and tells him he can call him Elliot Stabler then wishes Benson a happy Mother’s Day and tells her she looks great A message from work cuts Benson’s Mother’s Day plans short and Benson tells Stabler she’ll call him since he’s familiar with the officer she got the message about “Lost One” picks up where the end of “SVU” left off with Benson consulting with “OC” about a missing girl who happens to be the daughter of one of the members of The Brotherhood There are many nostalgic moments in the episode for Benson and Stabler fans including the two entering a scene before backup arrives Stabler confides a few personal things to Benson whom Stabler helped bring into the world in a parallel moment to Benson bringing Stabler’s son into the world in Season Nine of “SVU,” after Stabler A shocked Benson points out it sounds like Stabler and Donnelly are “getting pretty close.” This leads to an interesting exchange between the two that echoes how complicated their relationship is I’m beginning to understand that people are complicated,” Stabler says Then Stabler confesses to Benson something that’s been on his mind: His father staged a shooting while he was on the job years ago Stabler and Benson prove that after over 20 years They both glance down at their watches at the same time and choose to enter a facility they believe holds the missing girl before backup arrives They walk through the home with their flashlights raised (also in sync) and don’t even have to speak to communicate Stabler also shields Benson from gunfire and takes down the shooter as they eventually rescue the missing girl Benson also asks about how Stabler’s “search for the truth” is going related to his dad Donnelly approaches and Benson says she’s “just playing Uber driver” for her old partner I’m a little jealous because Elliot here tells me you’re the second-best partner he ever had,” Benson cracks I have to work on changing his about that — see if I can’t make myself No Benson and Stabler share another long stare in the car in what turns out to be their last scene together of the season he’s mentioned multiple times to Benson by various people throughout Benson is seriously encouraged to explore a romance with Stabler Benson says that while her son is doing well and her job is great She notes there’s been change with her chief and squad and she still doesn’t have closure with Barba after he defended Wheatley against her wishes guess what else changed for Benson in the past year Stabler reentered her life after disappearing from it a decade ago Lindstrom brings up the subject of Stabler and also notes that Benson’s co-workers are in “stable relationships.” He then asks Benson when she thinks “her turn will come.” Benson assumes Lindstrom thinks she has intimacy issues She asks him to tell her his honest opinion does he deliver the words many have been thinking for over two decades “I think that you and Elliot either need to see whether there’s more there explaining that “this idealized relationship is hanging over” Olivia and holds her back from “true intimacy” with Stabler or anyone else Lindstrom ends the session by telling Benson to think about what she deserves and emphasizes she “deserves happiness.” Rollins asks Benson how she and Stabler are doing before offering some personal advice which may come as a surprise given Rollins’ previous hesitations about Stabler While talking to her mom a year ago about Carisi that Rollins' mom suggested the two of them get a hotel room to get it out of their systems Benson meets Barba at a bar after wrapping a case he helped on Barba mentions Benson hasn’t let go that he defended Wheatley and adds he was “trying to protect” her by doing that “What I don’t get: why you feel more anger at me than you’ll ever let yourself feel towards Stabler?” Barba says “You don’t know anything about my feelings for Elliot Barba says he got “a glimpse,” to which Benson reminds Barba she’s known Stabler for 23 years and he always had her back Then Barba mentions Benson grew up without a father and attempts to equate that with his experience being bullied as a child and how they’ll both see Stabler “through different prisms.” Benson tries to steer the conversation back to her and Barba only but Barba says Benson’s defense of Stabler is out of unconditional love “Please don’t tell me how I feel,” Benson responds “In this case I can because I do know what it means to love someone unconditionally,” Barba says “When you’re ready to stop being betrayed by me Benson adds she also misses Barba as he walks away Some fans wondered if this scene was setting up a love triangle for Benson with Barba and Stabler Raúl Esparza, who portrays Barba, spoke to TVLine about the ending and said the dialogue can be “can be taken in a number of ways.” “There are fans that have always wanted to kind of spin off that story,” Esparza told the outlet about Barba and Benson “And Mariska (Hargitay) and I kind of laughed about it What’s going on?’ (Laughs) Which is hysterical He added that he and Hargitay “play it as best friends and almost brother and sister sometimes.” I know what I was thinking when I said the words that I said onscreen … I like that it can be read in number of ways,” he said "All That Glitters," introduced viewers to Tia Leonetti (Ayelet Zurer) who worked with Stabler in Italy after he left the Special Victims Unit Leonetti reminded many fans of Benson — from her long "All That Glitters" ended with Leonetti on the phone at Stabler's doorstep asking if he would let her inside Would Stabler open the door?NBCAt the beginning of "Whipping Post," fans assumed the worst and that Stabler opened the door and spent the night with Leonetti Stabler did open the door and spend the night with Leonetti — just not in the way many had assumed shot glasses and Stabler making breakfast as Leonetti walks in to the kitchen it's clear the two didn't sleep together since Leonetti asks Stabler if he was comfortable on the couch After commenting on how much they had to drink the night prior Leonetti says she remembers some of "the important parts" of what they discussed "except her name." “You said there’s a woman you’re in love with,” Leonetti replies Stabler returns to making his breakfast and Leonetti reaches out and holds his arm while saying Leonetti tells Stabler: "Whoever it is you’re in love with Many fans have followed Benson's life and career for nearly 25 seasons but one thing that's always remained a mystery: Whether she's ever had romantic feelings for Stabler In the Season 24 "SVU" fall finale episode, "And A Trauma In A Pear Tree," Benson confesses her feelings about Stabler to Rollins who just married her former partner Carisi The two sip boxed wine in a motel room after busting a perp and Benson tells Rollins "how nice it is" to see her "happy." "It's so nice to allow myself," Rollins responds "I used to joke about you two being in a motel room Benson and Rollins had an adventure and conversation to remember during a visit to the suburbs.Scott Gries / NBCThis confession also reveals Benson hasn't moved past Stabler leaving her without a word for 10 years The two touched on the topic during his return episode "Return of the Prodigal Son," but fans are still waiting for them to discuss Stabler's departure again — specifically why he left Benson and cut off all communication with her "And the thing is is that I didn't have a right or a claim," she continues but sometimes I think it would almost be easier —" "If Kathy hadn't died," Rollins interjects about Stabler's wife "And with her gone it's like there's nothing but possibility which is paralyzing," Benson says while refilling her cup of wine "If things didn't go well — so much to lose," Rollins responds "That is why I'm so grateful for you," Benson says Throughout Benson and Stabler's first 12 years together various people would respectively ask the two if they were ever more than partners or wanted to be Each always mentioned Stabler's marriage as the answer — which wasn't a "no." Now it's cannon that Stabler's wife was always the "boundary" preventing either Benson or Stabler from admitting they both had romantic feelings for the other in which Stabler pushes back against opening up in any sort of way Bell wisely clocks him about how he needs to go back and talk Stabler actually does just that and acknowledges that he now views the loss of his wife as a permanent ending Bu the door isn't yet closed when it comes to the loss of his former partner Stabler outwardly acknowledges the reasons for his strained relationship with Benson "I don't like endings," in response to the therapist's question from their previous meeting about why Stabler wanted to go back to work When Newsom asks Stabler to elaborate on that that was the very clear definition of an ending." "So this is about the death of a loved one?" Newsom says It's a little more general," Stabler responds He then explains how his kids are grown and "have lives of their own." Stabler transitions to talking about the one other woman who has been such a crucial part of his life for decades "I recently lost a friend — a very close friend Newsom asks Stabler to share how that happened "Sounds like you're a man in need of a new beginning," Newsom says After protecting her son during a gang attack Benson sends Noah to stay outside of the city with his half brother's family When it's finally safe for Noah to return home Benson calls Stabler and asks him to pick up her son "There's nobody that I trust more to bring my son home in one piece than Stabler," she tells Carisi Benson thanks Stabler for safely bringing Noah back Benson gets up and begins rifling through her cabinets to find the sugar when Stabler asks why she didn't call him presumably after the gang attack that left her with a bruised eye "Because I knew that you would try to protect me," she says "And there's something wrong with that?" he responds Stabler moves closer to Benson and tells her to look at him. When Benson eventually turns around, she stares into Stabler's eyes and appears to lean in for a kiss apparently sensing his former partner isn't fully comfortable says her name as she leans her forehead on his cheek and says his name back "Because what if it doesn't work out?" she says as the two rest their foreheads together "And what if things work out?" he responds Benson says she's "not ready for this" as she rests her face against his cheek and then leans back against the fridge she established she does "want" more with Stabler in the pair's most intimate scene yet — and that she trusts Stabler more than anyone else to keep her son safe Benson and Stabler meet up on the steps of the New York Public Library to discuss how their recent cases may be connected Benson brings up the “last time” they saw each other in her kitchen “That was a bad time for me,” she says about the moment the two almost kissed Stabler responds that the timing from him in that moment was even worse “I know that you were just trying to make me feel safe,” Benson says Stabler replies that it was “just not the right moment.” After getting into the details of their teams’ recent cases partner,” referencing their 12-year partnership when Stabler worked for the SVU While working alone together in the OC squad room Benson notices Stabler has put a ring back on his fourth finger “You’re wearing your wedding ring again,” Benson says before pointing out the look on Benson’s face Then Stabler tells Benson he recently “saw” his dead wife, Kathy, in the office “waiting to be interrogated.” maybe she wanted to interrogate you,” Benson says to which Stabler responds he’s not losing his mind if there’s one thing that I’ve learned after all these years it’s that if we don’t deal with our trauma Stabler says he’s “not a victim,” and Benson tells him: “But you are a survivor — and sometimes that’s just as hard.” who's the gang leader who greenlit an attack on Benson and her son and Stabler approaches him while waving his finger and says “Are you why I had to go up to Woodstock and get Noah Benson and Stabler have always looked out for one another — for better or worse.Will Hart / NBCPapa smiles at Stabler and says “Keep doing what you’re doing.” Stabler grabs Papa and slams him up against a bookshelf Benson inserts herself between the two men and tells Stabler to stop I’m glad you’ve got somebody who cares for you,” Papa says Benson tells Stabler she wishes he “hadn’t done that” as the two walk away “If someone tried to kill me —” Stabler begins compared to you I showed remarkable restraint,” Stabler replies Benson’s and Stabler’s teams continue working together to track down the man behind the Shadowërk website The site rewards people who carry out horrific acts Benson and Stabler share takeout in her office and Stabler tells her he wishes he could “bottle this moment,” before adding Then Stabler asks about an unopened Christmas gift he previously had his eye on behind Benson’s desk who are the parents of Noah’s half brother and met Benson and Noah for the first time in December Stabler also previously met the McCanns when he once picked Noah up from their home “They’re normal,” Benson tells him and compares the McCanns to a “wholesome” “TV family.” Fans noticed the gift sitting behind Benson's desk for months.NBC“Whatever’s inside this box you are afraid is too normal,” Stabler says “I didn’t know there was such a thing,” Benson responds and it scares you more than anything you’ll ever face in your life,” Stabler tells her deflect all you want — it’s the truth,” Stabler says and adds if it were him The two eventually travel to Ohio as part of their quest to hunt down Shadowërk’s creator and find out they're the latest targets on the Shadowërk site Benson and Stabler go to a diner with two of their colleagues from the Shadowërk case Benson boasts about the diner's delicious macaroni and cheese Stabler tells the group that “it’s just good to see Capt That normalcy is short-lived because a man in a mask spraying gas enters the restaurant and aims a gun at Benson and Stabler Benson dips her napkin in water and dabs her eyes in an attempt to remain able to see despite the effects of the gas The best team.NBC / NBCHer quick thinking ultimately pays off after the man shoots her “I can,” Benson says as she wraps her hands around Stabler’s on his gun she helps guide them out of the restaurant This really happened.Peter Kramer / NBCStabler later helps Benson up from the urgent care table she's laid out on after a doctor treats her wound They continue holding each other as Benson asks Stabler if he's OK to which he responds he's not because he thought he “lost” her “I can’t imagine what that brings up for you,” Benson says The partners share a hug before Stabler leaves to help the squads with the case One of the closest scenes they've ever shared.NBCIn the episode's final scene Stabler goes to Benson's office with a paper bag in hand He gives her the bag and says he's been thinking about “how precious life is.” Stabler tells Benson he's leaving for a while due to a new case and wants what's in the bag to serve as “a reminder” in his absence thank you for telling me this time,” Benson says She opens the bag and pulls out a little box Stabler stops Benson from opening the box and says she has to also unwrap the McCanns' gift Benson hands Stabler the unopened Christmas present and says Stabler unwraps the gift — only to see that it's a holiday ornament with the words “live,” “love” and “laugh.” Benson jokes about Stabler “having a little regret” after the present reveal Stabler shrugs and breaks the “e” off of “live,” leaving behind “Liv” — Benson’s nickname Stabler says he'll “treasure” the ornament An emotional Benson then opens her gift from Stabler: a compass necklace before asking if the necklace is “supposed to lead” her somewhere — or to something “I sure as hell am going to try,” Benson says “Me too,” Stabler responds as he opens the door to leave Benson’s office as the two smile at each other while Stabler makes his exit In the Season 25 "SVU" premiere Rollins and Carisi beam as they watch a priest baptize their baby where the aforementioned man approaches Benson and tells her Carisi informed him she is single The man tells her he asked Carisi if Benson is single and adds that he’s divorced Might as well toss your heart into a wood chipper,” Benson responds clearly looking for a clue about how the conversation with the guy Fin walks up and offers to run interference as Fin jumps in and cracks a joke about Munch who was watching Rollins and Carisi share a kiss through the window Benson tells Carisi's cousin Steve to essentially look elsewhere after he attempts to ask her out.NBC“It was a gift,” Benson says “The letters are all wrong,” Carisi’s cousin says Benson then explains what three of the four letters on the compass stand for: “J” for joy “Been pointing you in the right direction?” Carisi’s cousin asks as Benson looks back through the window at Rollins and Carisi kissing The Season Four premiere begins with Stabler wrapping up an undercover case and dealing with changes at home and work During a quiet moment alone in his apartment The first one is an automated message saying “Call now before it’s too late,” which could be foreshadowing One of the other messages is from Rita Lasku Benson’s team also assisted Stabler’s squad in helping the trafficked girls Stabler picks up the phone and calls … Benson I don’t know — maybe I just wanted to hear your voice Stabler watching Benson getting the kudos she deserves on TV for helping bring a missing girl home.NBCThe episode wraps up with Stabler listening to a press conference on TV about the NYPD and Bergen County SVU finding a girl who had been missing for a year A photo of Benson pops up on the screen as her chief credits her and her “unwavering resolve” for bringing the girl home fans finally got another sign that Benson and Stabler are communicating He makes himself a cup of coffee at home and lets his ringing landline phone go to voicemail in his kitchen "Elliot, it's me," the voice, which we realize belongs to Benson(!), begins in a message She then appears to reference his suspension I'm going to wait for you to tell me what happened We'll have to wait to see when he'll share his side of the story with her as Stabler now also has a serial killer to track down Benson and Stabler finally had a conversation The Season 25 finale ends with Benson sitting alone in her office talking on the phone to Stabler She tells him she wants to discuss the compass necklace he gifted her last year "You're the only person I know who could lose a compass," he says but she hasn't taken it off since he gave it to her "I wanted to let you know that it has been incredibly meaningful to me," she continues Benson then tells him how she "lent it" to a victim's mom Stabler realizes the woman is the parent of a missing girl whose case received a lot of news coverage and consumed much of Benson's time the last few months "That poor woman has been through hell," Benson explains "Sounds like she needed it a lot more than you do," Stabler responds Benson and Stabler finally shared the screen again after nearly two years on the fifth season of "Organized Crime" in an episode written by Meloni The vehicle Stabler is driving while undercover gets smashed by a semitruck Stabler takes Benson's hands after he wakes up from his coma.Virginia Sherwood/PeacockHe experiences multiple dreams which include Benson's voice as well as her physical presence Before Stabler wakes up, Benson meets his older brother, Randall (Dean Norris), and the two have a hilarious conversation about brisket who shares a tender moment alone with Benson and grips her hand Benson made sure to be by her partner's side in the hospital.Virginia Sherwood/PeacockThey also share a humorous exchange later on as Stabler tries to change and leave the hospital Benson takes Stabler's face in her hands and says “Why do you got to make everything so difficult?” She turns and walks away as Stabler tells her she can either help him out by starting her car or “just stand there and watch me get naked.” Good luck getting anything past these two.Virginia Sherwood/PeacockBenson also sticks around and works with Stabler's squad to find a missing woman They even interrogate some of the suspects together and are as in sync as they've ever been During the second part of a crossover event with “Law & Order” and “SVU,” Stabler makes a surprise appearance in one scene. He squares up in a bathroom with a guy who previously tried to lure Benson’s son into his car. The man appears to be associated with the suspect in the case Benson’s team is investigating and is trying to scare her off by going after Noah. Chris Meloni as Elliot Stabler in a surprise cameo on "SVU."NBC“You might not know me, but I know you — and not in a vague kind of way,” Stabler says to the guy. Stabler continues that he knows the man’s name and history before pressing him up against the wall with a message. “If you ever go anywhere near my friend or her son again, I won’t take you down,” Stabler says. “I’ll take you apart.” MC SuhockiMC Suhocki is a New York City-based senior editor for TODAY Digital who joined the team in 2014 and specializes in "Law & Order" coverage. Apple logo® and App Store® are registered trademarks of Apple Inc When his elderly mother was admitted to Sault Area Hospital a couple years ago Eloi worried she would no longer be able to take care of herself where she exhibited signs of mental decline while living with her sister Mike wanted her to be reunited with her husband Clarence – who was already a resident at F.J Davey Home – so they could spend their remaining days together “My whole goal was to have my parents reunited before the inevitable,” Mike told SooToday “Even if they had been together a week or a month After she took a fall and broke her arm on May 20 Louise never left the hospital again – despite her son's repeated attempts to have her referred to long-term care She ultimately died in the early hours of Jan stoked numerous frustrations with hospital staff and the long-term care referral process.  feelings of helplessness – I thought I was in the place where I would get help,” he said After his mother passed away in the hospital’s care “He was caught way off guard when I went to tell him she had passed,” he said As his concerns and frustrations with hospital staff mounted Mike kept track – in detail – of his experience trying to get his mother admitted to long-term care He shared his documents with SooToday hoping his parents' story may help improve the system and ensure other families don't endure the same heartache "There is a systemic problem within Sault Area Hospital that needs to be addressed," he wrote in one of his documents "I am not the only person who has experienced this problem Ignoring this problem has only made the situation worse." Before Louise was admitted to the hospital Mike said she had already begun exhibiting signs of decline She had grown “very cautious,” he said and would get upset about phone calls from numbers she did not recognize. Mike also noticed she had not been taking her medication.  Louise was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and her health records similarly state she had “moderate dementia.” “Her short-term memory loss is getting worse … thinking she is no longer in Sault Ste “(She’s) beginning to think she's no longer in a hospital this is what I'm working on: ‘We're in Sault Ste We're in the hospital in the Sault trying to get this process started.’” Mike said he repeatedly advocated for hospital staff to begin the long-term-care referral process but was told the plan for Louise was to undergo convalescent care "Absurd," he wrote in one of his documents.  “No one had discussed with me my mother’s background information or my mother’s behaviour,” he said Mike had doubts about his mother’s ability to live independently and hoped to see the hospital pursue long-term care he described numerous interactions with hospital staff he found concerning highlighting a “lack of consistent communication from various representatives,” especially given he had power of attorney over his mother’s affairs he said he was only made aware of his mother’s Alzheimer’s assessment from August after he was contacted in late-September to discuss potential medications to help manage the condition He also said he had trouble getting answers to direct questions about the long-term-care referral process – such as what criteria needs to be met for the hospital to begin the process through Home and Community Care – a question he never got the answer to “I asked several times to meet with my mother's care team “I asked more than several times: what is the status of the referral to Home and Community Care? I always got pushed aside “It was just this attitude that we're handling this where Mike felt staff grew impatient with him – recalling one conversation in which a staff member was “speaking as though she was frustrated with me and telling me what was to be done with my mother.” a referral for long-term care finally took place Although the hospital initially pushed for a return-to-home approach 30 – months after his mother arrived – Mike received a call that the long-term care referral process would begin due to his mother’s condition While Mike was told spousal reunification would move his mother up the list Louise would ultimately pass away before she could be reunited with her husband but memory wise it wasn't good,” he said “She didn't realize she was in the Sault he raised frustration with the extended length of time it took for the referral process to begin and he charted numerous occasions where he had difficulties learning what was required for a referral to take place.  Sault Area Hospital officials said they cannot comment on individual patients “Due to patient privacy and confidentiality SAH is not able to comment on a specific patient’s care,” said Brandy Sharp Young director of communications and public affairs “Sault Area Hospital works hard to ensure that our patients receive the right type of bed/care at the right time with the right providers.” Young said long-term care eligibility and wait lists are managed by Ontario Health atHome “Awaiting long-term care placement from the hospital can vary in wait times and is only necessary when a patient cannot safely return home with community supports,” she said “Long-term care wait lists are based on long-term care bed availability and an individual’s selected options.” Mike said his experience was not an isolated case – he’s since heard from others who have had difficulties navigating the long-term care system through the hospital a connection through work told me of a very similar situation with extended family of hers in the Sault,” he said He’s also warned others of how the process might go “My son's roommate in university is from the Sault and I gave his daughter and son-in-law a heads up that this is what I've been dealing with,” he said.  They said thank you for giving us a heads up we would have been floored how we were about to be treated.” The Ministry of Long-Term Care did not respond to requests for comment for this article