NBCLaw & Order: SVU dropped a bombshell on viewers last night. No, it wasn't that Hank Abraham (Josh Pais), the deputy commissioner of public information, was involved in a child porn ring, it was the identity of Benson's (Mariska Hargirtay)'s new man. That's right, Benson is seeing Ed Tucker (Robert John Burke), a captain in the Internal Affairs Bureau. Enter: Tuckson.
SVU first teased a mystery person after Benson was depicted popping the cork on a bottle of wine while on the phone with somebody. Tucker was also instrumental in running the operations when Benson was taken hostage in "Townhouse Incident." She named him somebody she trusted. Then At the end of "Collateral Damages," Benson and Tucker were looking for a place to drink, Benson looked into a bar, decided to move on and linked arms with Tucker.
The character has been around since 2002, often butting heads with Benson and it's that fact that's not sitting right with some fans. Viewer reaction to the new status is mixed.
"It closed the door on my 17 year love of this show. Goodbye," @kukrae tweeted about the relationship reveal.
"The last person I wanted it to be. I feel like I just wasted so much of my time. Back to Tumblr where Barson lives on," @emilieekinney shared. Barson is referring to a Barba (Raul Esparza) and Benson pairing.
"The only universe in which I'm ok w/Tuckson is the one in which it's a setup so Stabler can come and win her back," @ktizzlemclovin said. Stabler, of course, is the Christopher Meloni character who left the show after season 12.
"This is so ugly," @okhargitay tweeted.
"Ain't got a reason to be mad at you often but this..nah man just nah," @djafintha said to showrunner Warren Leight.
Where are you going, Benson? #SVU #MysteryManonSVU pic.twitter.com/YmeRzS9mNf
? Law and Order: SVU (@nbcsvu) February 18, 2016
However, not all reaction was negative.
"At 1st I was like no way! But now, who understands Liv better than Tucker. They have a very long history & he knows her well," @RosieAyala18 said on Twitter.
"He's exactly what the Dr. prescribed," @hensler_b tweeted.
"I legit squealed at my tv, my neighbor came to check on me! #TUCKSONISLIFE," @dustynutmeg13 said about her reaction to the reveal.
"I did not gasp; I cheered. HOW DID YOU MAKE ME WANT THIS @nbcsvu???" @lbergman2 tweeted.
"I was so against this and now I like it. You can't do these things to my emotions," @UcanCallMeLitke shared.
Do you approve of Benson's new relationship?
Law & Order: SVU airs Wednesdays, 9 p.m. on NBC.
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)