Dr. Lindstrom quotes from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Benson

If I could do it again, I... I wouldn't have left him in that house. I have more experience. Maybe I could've talked to him...

Dr. Lindstrom

Talked Munson out of it? Or overpowered a 6'8" man with a gun and nothing to live for? You said there were two children there. You got them out. They have their mother.

Benson

And Chief Dodds doesn't have his son. Why does he deserve that?

Dr. Lindstrom

Or do you mean why do you deserve to live when Dodds is dead? You've got to mourn this loss, but you cannot judge yourself for feeling relieved that you survived.

Benson

I can't?

Dr. Lindstrom

You are lucky to be alive, and Noah is lucky that you are. But that is not why you left that house. I know you think you know everything, but no one could have predicted what was going to happen there. It was Dodds' time. It wasn't yours.

Benson

Well, sometimes I worry that...

Dr. Lindstrom

That Noah may turn into his father?

Benson

Yes.

Dr. Lindstrom

Did you turn into your father?

Benson

Well, I didn't turn into a rapist, if that's what you mean. But I think about him all the time, and I think about what he did and the choices that he made. I think about it a lot. And I've been dealing with this for quite a long time, even before I met you. And no matter... what I do, I still worry that...

Dr. Lindstrom

About what, Olivia?

Benson

That somehow his... darkness will overpower my life and my choices, because... I've been there before. I've been angry. I've been... violent.

Dr. Lindstrom

I know. And I know how much that frightened you, but I don't believe that's who you really are. My opinion? Your strength, your moral compass, your belief systems... more powerful than your father's DNA.

Dr. Lindstrom

Most of your coworkers are in stable relationships.

Benson

Yeah, they are. And I am really happy for them.

Dr. Lindstrom

You're not wondering when your turn will come?

Benson

Not really. You know, between Noah and work... [Lindstrom shoots her a glance] Okay, so, you think that I have intimacy issues.

Dr. Lindstrom

Is that what you're hearing me say?

Benson

Can we just stop the shrink talk and you just tell me what you think?

Dr. Lindstrom

What I actually think?

Benson

Yeah.

Dr. Lindstrom

I think that you and Elliot either need to see whether there's more there, or, move on. This idealized relationship is hanging over you. Prevents you from true intimacy, Olivia, either with him, or with anyone else. That's what I think.