18.8: Losing #Tuckson

The Case In 188 Words

I don't need 188 words. The nanny took Theo. Obviously.

My Thoughts In Unlimited Words (#Tuckson Elegy)

The next episode is entitled "Decline and Fall," but that moniker applies to so much of Season 18, at least what we've seen so far. Last night's episode delivered a heart-stopping gut punch to the legions of fans who have witnessed #Tuckson's relationship evolve over fifteen seasons. My emotions are a mess this morning, and my heart, like the hearts of so many fans across the globe, is absolutely shattered. Tuckson's swift decline and fall lasted merely eight episodes (only three of which actually included Tucker) and left us scratching our heads in an attempt to dissect what relationship challenges were wrapped up in the word "complicated." While the formerly contemptible Captain Ed Tucker grew into a multi-layered and likable character, Olivia Benson's puzzling regression drifted far from the characterization that had been so carefully cultivated, with precise continuity, for almost two decades. The show is bigger than #Tuckson, but the relationship had come to symbolize a more robust, balanced Benson who discovered, as Munch put it, "more to life than SVU." Sadly, the writers and new showrunner have imposed a limit on Olivia's "more." The depth and breadth of her happiness is apparently finite, and, while discontent exists on several levels, that ceiling troubles me the most.

Theories about #Tuckson's origins abound. After "Internal Affairs" (S15), former showrunner Warren Leight asked in a tweet if anyone shipped Tucker and Benson. At the time, the idea was mostly met with snickers and derision. After all, Tucker had just spearheaded an undercover sting which nearly resulting in Brian Cassidy's death and had been a thorn in SVU's side for most of his appearances. The episode included a semi-private, semi-sassy #Tuckson exchange that highlighted both characters' gravitas and sense of duty. Even though they were still adversaries at this point, the conversation uncovered a latent mutual respect and understanding. Leight once described Tucker as a "real man," and as the Lieutenant stepped into the elevator and watched then-Detective Benson walk away, his unmistakable self-assured masculinity oozed from the screen.

The gradual #Tuckson detente began during Season Fifteen. Sergeant Benson followed protocol and called Tucker the night teenagers shot at Amaro's house. We got a glimpse at the human side of Tucker when he admitted he would've done the same thing (go after the kids with a baseball bat) or worse. During Post-Mortem Blues Tucker's face softens when he wishes Benson luck after she insists on telling the truth about the death of William Lewis. From there, austere Tucker returned for a few seconds in Producer's Backend, but, off camera, he gave Amaro his shield back (most likely due to some sly Benson maneuvering). At any rate, you could see the increasing levels of respect and trust forming between the two characters. Then..."I think you should try the bourbon." Smirk. Cocked eyebrow. Sail on, #Tuckson ship!

The point of this very brief history is to review how carefully the Leight years' writers laid the track for this pairing. It moved along at a slow but steady pace, with each episode peeling back another layer of Tucker's gruff, formidable exterior. 

As the show delved more into the interplay between the characters' personal and professional lives, part of the show increasingly focused on each individual's recognition of his or her flaws and how they sought atonement. The idea of redemption fascinates me, probably because it is a powerful personal reinvention which requires heightened self-awareness and a humbling willingness to be better. Tucker underwent one of the most redemptive transformations of any character, and it was this, coupled with Benson's implied willingness to let bygones be bygones, that brought the characters within striking distance of a relationship. One of the most heartening pieces of #Tuckson was the broader truth that this could occur--that someone so loathed, so despicable, could actually change for the better, even later in life, and be perceived in a softer, appealing light...and surprise even the most jaded and war-weary of people such as our beloved Olivia.  As much as #Tuckson was sexy and romantic, it was also an incredibly hopeful story--one that should have strengthened and survived until SVU's final take.

Enter Rick Eid.

I hated how the writers had Tucker use "I've never been happier" in that final scene. I liked Tucker's point and the nod to his career--that, as an IAB investigator, he watched people to see who they really are. I THOUGHT he was going to deliver a sincere compliment about Benson's resilience, her strength, and maybe point out their collective strength in a last ditch effort to salvage the relationship or at least leave the door open a little wider to a future reunion. But no. Instead, he came to the realization that her tears that day in Central Park were not tears of happiness. Rather, they indicated an innate sense that #Tuckson had an expiration date.

I think Olivia Benson would be a tricky character to write. Independent and compassionate. Strong-willed yet willing to listen. Confident and poised yet tending to second-guess and scrutinize everything, sometimes to a fault. However, the immutable Benson bugaboo has always been the lack of happiness derived from family. Noah changed that to a certain extent. Insert Tucker. The missing piece.

So why is it that this season, after eight months (we can agree to disagree on the math) of dating, this couple's bonds frayed and disintegrated? #Tuckson successfully weathered successive crises (hostage standoff, heartbreaking child porn case with an NYPD connection, Ed being framed, Mike Dodds' passing...reality television), but they emerged seemingly unscathed, and, not only that, STRONGER each time. Olivia finally met her match--a man with whom she shared many of the same experiences but also someone who was in it for the long haul, who understood how to love her, and who was unwavering in his rock-solidness.

And after all this, they are undone by "it's complicated," we tried, and, oh, Olivia cannot possibly be a mom, a spouse, and a commanding officer all at the same time.

Oh FFS. COME ON.

Why did Tucker seem so weird around Noah in that last scene? Tucker? After almost a year, why would he not call him Ed? This whole fucked up discombobulated season was a tacit lesson in how Olivia Benson was intent on not completely allowing Tucker into the OMB-NPB realm. No living together discussion? Ed isn't watching Noah every once in a while? Leaked proposal photos aside, WE HAD A GOOD THING GOING HERE THE THREE OF US and how did that sweet moment devolve and decelerate into "take care of yourself, Olivia Benson." (I cannot type those words without choking up, btw)

The writers insulted fans (and their OWN work during the Leight years) by implying #Tuckson was something new, that they were still feeling out the relationship. Sure, they've hit some bumps in the road, but after a year they're still trying to squeeze in a businesslike-sounding lunch date? That opening scene--why wasn't Tucker there? Why isn't he more involved in Noah's care? Why the cold-ish "night night Noah" instead of a hug or a tickle or mussed hair? I guess we're supposed to believe Tucker and Noah never bonded in a way that convinced Benson they could be a family? Again, completely ridiculous and out of sync with the storyline. Also, you mean to tell me Tucker had NO PERSONAL BELONGINGS at her place? He could simply take his coat and walk away?

I cannot believe this character would intentionally push aside this man who clearly loves her, is concerned about her and Noah, JUST WANTS TO LOVE HER, AND WANTS A FUTURE WITH HER simply because she doesn't want to retire and he does? Of course Noah needs his mother. But he could have a DADDY TOO! And this crap about we can't fit it in a 42-minute episode is so unbelievably rediculous and cheap and insulting and I might believe it, maybe just a little bit, if I hadn't heard "How is it going with you and Tucker...It's complicated" eight hundred million times in season 18 so far.

I don't like to be frustrated with OMB, but I am frustrated with OMB. And I'm not confident the current situation at SVU headquarters is conducive to me not being frustrated with OMB. Last spring, she was "balanced." She urged Fin to find balance. At that point, Warren told us #Tuckson was having sex ,so I'll extrapolate a little and say they were "dating" then. Where in the hell did that balance GO? And, I've said this before and I'll say it again, do not for one minute tell me Ed Tucker would have given OMB a retire-or-else ultimatum.

The S18 Writers intentionally and WITH MALICE to the fandom and continuity and sense and all human decency had OMB construct walls and make her unwilling to allow Tucker to completely love her and her son. #TucksonUndone.

What a missed opportunity! The fandom craves character growth and change. When those subplots are included, the show pulsates with excitement and energy, but the writers have seemingly obliterated that possibility (although it was hinted that some Rollisi is comin' at us which pisses me off enough for a separate blog post). We never got to see OMB achieve a different kind of balance. We never got to see her play those "new beats" M hinted at last year. I would never suggest she (or anyone else for that matter) needs a significant other; however, in this case, it would have been compelling to see Olivia gradually accept and trust the comfort that comes with unconditional, permanent love and that it was safe to completely share her life, the pain and the bliss, with another person. Mostly, though, we missed the chance to see her thrive, to realize she has a greater capacity to love than she ever imagined, and that she has the strength and ability to be #BadassBenson in all facets of her life. THAT would have sent a beautiful and powerful message.

But we can't do that in 42 minutes.

Damn, I hope this isn't the end of Ed Tucker. Feel free to let CIU and SVU cross paths in the near future and rekindle the #Tuckson flame. DM me on Twitter if you need help with a #42Minutes workaround. Funny how #Tuckson was created within those parameters, yet that same constraint sunk the ship. Also, I think I recall seeing whole hella lot of the Stabler family over the years.

Rick I hate you. Dick, why didn't you just let Ed propose and end the fucking series right there in front of Lady Liberty?

One of the most promising WL quotes I read toward the end of last season was in the article referenced above. He responded to a question about Benson and Tucker by saying, "On what planet does someone as appealing as Olivia Benson not have a spouse in her life?"

We got our answer.

Earth (in the hands of Eid)