After Captain Cragen's first SVU kiss, for many it seems like perhaps, finally, the time
has come, at long last, for Olivia Benson to meet someone (...who isn't married with five
children). In episode 13.12 "Official Story" (air date 01/18/12), we will meet the smart
and attractive Counselor David Haden portrayed by the handsome and charming Harry
Connick, Jr. ...and Liv has a big ol' detective crush on him.

You have waited patiently, since her Season 1 kiss with Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean
Winters), to see a spark in her love life - I mean, we're not counting the time she kissed
Stuckey, right? She had in the meantime, as you assuredly know, trudged through her
painfully platonic love-from-afar relationship with (sometimes happily) married partner
Detective Elliot Stabler. But now is the time to bring the fans, and our beloved Benson,
some much needed and deserved romantic solace.

"Official Story" will also be introducing in person - as opposed to over Skype - Maria
Grazie, aka Mrs. Amaro (played by the marvelous Laura Benanti). His U.S. Military wife
is back from Iraq on a short hiatus before she leaves for the Middle East again, this time
for Afghanistan. But much like Amaro, we will have to settle for the brief and joyous
time that she is at home for.

So who needs romantic comedies on Valentine's Day, when our squad room has all the
romance you need as early as January?