Stabler's Brother Hits on Benson and Dean Norris Explains Why "Hilarious" Scene Involves Brisket (EXCLUSIVE)
Christopher Meloni and Dean Norris break down behind-the-scenes details of that flirty scene between Olivia Benson and Randall Stabler.
Will Law & Order: Organized Crime give viewers a new "Bensler" couple to root for?
Fans of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit have long been captivated by the chemistry between Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Det. Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni). Now, in Season 5 of Organized Crime, Elliot’s big brother Randall (Dean Norris) meets his detective sibling's former partner for the first time while visiting Elliot in the hospital — and he shoots his shot with her.
In the new season's second episode, which is now streaming on Peacock along with the premiere, Randall and Benson shared a hilarious few moments in Elliot's hospital room after he was in a terrible crash.
In an interview with NBC Insider, Meloni and Norris revealed some behind-the-scenes details of the sweet and funny moment and how it came about — including how brisket made its way into Randall's flirting strategy.
Hint: It was inspired by Norris' real-life extracurricular activity.
RELATED: How To Watch the Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Premiere
What happened between Olivia Benson and Randall Stabler on Organized Crime?
In the second episode of Season 5 of Law & Order: Organized Crime, Randall talked to his unconscious brother Elliot in the detective's hospital room after his car was rammed into while he was undercover. Benson entered the room and Randall introduced himself as "the better-looking, older brother." After some small talk, Randall asked Benson if she likes brisket, and then offered, "Let me cook you a brisket one of these days."
Benson, standing over an unconscious Elliott, looked taken aback as Randall added that his brisket was "world famous, mouth-watering, perfect bark." Benson played along, saying, "I'll bring the coleslaw." Randall said that he makes his own, and when Benson mockingly asked if it was also "world famous," Randall responded, "To say the least."
Just then, Elliot woke up, having overheard the conversation. "Hers is better," he said.
How the Benson/Randall Stabler flirting scene came about
When NBC Insider asked Norris if Randall was indeed putting the moves on Benson over his unconscious brother, Norris responded with a resounding: “Hell yeah!”
Norris then explained how the scene came about. “This knucklehead wrote that episode, actually," Norris said, referring to Meloni, who sat beside him for the interview. “And thought it was freaking hilarious, and I actually have a restaurant where I serve brisket in California, so he’d always give me s--t about it.”
Norris, who formerly starred on Breaking Bad, owns the barbecue joint Swing Inn Café & BBQ in Temecula, California.
"That’s where the idea came from,” Meloni told NBC Insider.
Norris said that Meloni calls him the "Temecula brisket king," so when he saw the meat's mention and awkward flirting in the script, he "just loved it."
Norris called it "so Randall," adding, "He's not very socially adept... He's just not a very socially adept guy... and I thought it was just so funny that that was his way into Benson."
Christopher Meloni co-wrote Season 5 Organized Crime episode that Mariska Hargitay guested on
Titled “Dante’s Inferno," the Season 5 episode that Hargitay appeared on was co-written by Meloni and John Shiban.
"I knew that the marching orders were to get Benson on our show for an episode and I just feel as though I have a good handle on how they [Benson and Stabler] communicate and where their humor lies," Meloni explained of why he wanted to write this episode.
Mariska Hargitay found new bestie in Dean Norris
Since Hargitay and Norris filmed the scene together, they've bonded, according to Meloni.
"Now they're besties in real life," Meloni said. "And I'm left on the sidelines. She won't take my call 'cause she's busy."
Norris also confessed that he hasn’t whipped up any brisket for his co-stars just yet.
“It doesn’t travel well, maybe this season, we’ll see,” Norris said. “I’ll have to freeze-dry it or whatever they do…bring it from the West Coast, so we’ll see.”
Watch the first two episodes of Season 5 of Law & Order: Organized Crime, now streaming on Peacock. The season's remaining episodes will drop weekly, each Thursday.
