The episode is “Payback” , the Season 1 premiere of Law & Order: SVU. It’s the first episode where Benson is introduced to the unit’s early dynamic, and it also features the early-season relationship threads around her colleague Brian Cassidy.

Quick clarification

If by “young colleague” you meant Brian Cassidy , that storyline is tied to the show’s early seasons rather than a single “thing” episode in Season 1. The later romantic angle people usually point to is much more associated with Cassidy than with Stabler.

Episode details

  • Title: “Payback.”
  • Season: 1, Episode 1.
  • Why it stands out: it launches Benson’s SVU arc and establishes the unit’s early interpersonal dynamics.

Small note

Some fan discussions mix up Benson’s early colleagues and later relationships, so the exact episode depends on which person you mean. If you mean Cassidy , the storyline is spread across later episodes rather than being confined to one Season 1 episode.