Law & Order: Special Victims Unit:

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Authority

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An engineer plays a series of mind games with Benson and Stabler. Add a recap »

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Writers:: Neal Baer Amanda Green

Director:: David Platt

Stars:: B.D. Wong (Dr. George Huang); Adam Beach (Det. Chester Lake); Richard Belzer (Sgt. John Munch); Tamara Tunie (Dr. Melinda Warner); Ice-T (Det. Fin Tutuola); Diane Neal (A.D.A. Casey Novak); Christopher Meloni (Det. Elliot Stabler); Dann Florek (Capt. Donald Cragen); Mariska Hargitay (Det. Olivia Benson)

Recurring Role:: Joanna Merlin (Judge Lena Petrovsky); Audrie Neenan (Judge Lois Preston); Joel de la Fuente (TARU Tech Ruben Morales); Mike Doyle (Forensics Tech Ryan O'Halloran)

Guest Star:: Mo Rocca (Merritt's Follower); Robin Williams (Merritt Rook); Scott Adsit (Dwight Lomax); Didi Conn (Nurse)

Stabler has been a detective for sixteen years. edit »
In the original Dr. Stanley Milgram experiments, participants had to oppose the authority figure in the room 4 times in order to stop and end the experiment, otherwise you were told to continue. Det. Elliot Stabler opposes the authoritarian order to push the shock button 4 times near the end of the episode. edit »
Goof: When Stabler enters the record studio to save Benson, the door is the type that needs to be pulled open, but he pushes it open. edit »

International Air Dates:
Australia: Thursday, June 12, 2008 on Network 10. edit »
Special billing was given to Robin Williams (Special Guest Star) in this episode. edit »

Elliot Stabler: I don't abuse my authority.
Merritt Rook: Oh, every cop abuses his authority! edit »
Merritt Rook (in an anguished tone): I put my faith in a little god in a white coat and he killed my wife and son. PUSH THE BUTTON!
Elliot Stabler (softly with tears in his eyes): No.
(Rook pushes the button and a female voice screams)
Merritt Rook (screaming): PUSH ... THE ... BUTTON!!!
Elliot Stabler (looks at the button): I can't do it.
Merritt Rook: No? Why?
Elliot Stabler: Too many people have suffered already.
Merritt Rook: Then you, Elliot Stabler, are a human being. Congratulations, you are not a sheep like I was. You're a man. Thank you. edit »
John Munch: ... the danger of obedience. If you don't question authority, you lose your humanity. edit »
Merritt Rook (yelling): You have no idea what I suffered! edit »
Merritt Rook: I'm really looking forward to working with you Casey.
Casey Novak: Yeah, should be fun.
Merritt Rook: Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go post my bond. edit »

The stunt that occurred within Grand Central Station was "ripped from the headlines". In January of 2008 the group, Improv Everywhere, known for organizing "missions" such as the No Pants Subway Ride (where hundreds of people ride subways in their underwear) and the Food Court musical (where over a dozen people broke out in spur-of-the-moment singing in a Los Angeles mall's Food Court) gathered at least 207 of its members in New York's Grand Central Station and had them freeze in place at exactly 2:30 PM. Improv Everywhere whose mission statement is "about having fun" was founded by a group of stage actors in New York City and has a policy to refuse organizing "missions" for political causes. edit »
The opening sequence at Happy Burger resembles the events that took place at several McDonald's restaurants across the United States beginning in the late 90s. In these instances, a man claiming to be a detective called the restaurant and told the manager that an employee may be a thief. The caller then instructed the manager to force the employee to undress and participate in other humiliating acts. The managers all complied, despite never having met the man, who, as it turned out, was not a police officer. edit »
For a moment, Robin William's character was very similar to Tobin Bell's character Jigsaw. In one scene Benson was bound in a chair and exposed to electric shock. This scene looked a lot like something from the Saw movie series, espicially when Robin William's character was heckling Stabler. edit »

9.6
00
imavegba
member since: Dec 30, 2003
Authority
The Bottom Line: "Series classic"
Great episode, utilized actual events that happened and elements of internet videos becoming popular. Robin Williams guest stars. ...Continue »
06/13/08 12:39am | report abuse
9
00
SweetMissJaye
member since: Aug 22, 2007
Authority
The Bottom Line: "Another great installment"
What a great episode! So exciting! ...Continue »
06/05/08 11:12pm | report abuse
10
00
Mariskarox
member since: Jun 6, 2008
Authority
The Bottom Line: "Nerve-wracking"
This ep was amazing! ...Continue »
06/05/08 08:54pm | report abuse
10
10
X-RayVision
member since: Oct 10, 2005
Authority
The Bottom Line: "Series classic"
Stabler and Benson engage in a war of wits against a man who uses his persuasive abilities to make people commit criminal acts. ...Continue »
05/15/08 03:38pm | report abuse
9.6
20
JPPT1974
member since: Nov 2, 2005
Authority
The Bottom Line: "A very special episode"
Robin Williams deserves an emmy for this! ...Continue »
05/05/08 11:24pm | report abuse