What the hell have I missed? I haven't watched SVU cronologically in a long time, but I knew that Barba would be leaving mid season 19. Tho I had no clue that they have run his character into the ground by season 18! Apparently he has been reduced from a hotshot prosecutor with a silver tounge to simply be Bensons love interest. How pathetic and sad is that?? Personally I have never gotten any romance vibe from those two, and if they ever hooked up it would look and be so wrong!
I loved Rafael since his first appearence, with his suit, law knowlegde and confidence/swagger. I was hooked. It saddens me to read what he has been reduced to, when IMO he has been carrying the show for years.
His exit was a disgrace, and Barba deserved a worthy send off, but nah, they had to appease the Barson shippers I guess. That speech to Olivia was downright repulsive, and sounded like something straight from a fanfiction. I'm just happy it didn't end with Barson becoming canon.
All in all I'm sad to see Barba go, but also relieved that he did before the writers could damage him further (if that's possible). He's coming back now in 22x04, and I hope they bring back s14-17 Barba, and not Captain Bensons unrequited love interest.
Thank god for fanfiction, keeping the dead characters alive.