Authority (2008) User Reviews (16)

Doesn't get much better than this

[crscountrykid · 9/10 · 9 January 2011]

SVU is a staple of not only NBC and its affiliates, but also the crime drama genre. With that being said, this episode of SVU is one of the best, if not the best, episode that I have EVER seen.

It's always nice to see famous guest stars on SVU and seeing Robin Williams planted into this episode was a nice gesture. It also turned out to be a brilliant casting move. Williams absolutely steals the show as a deranged sociopath who resists authority every step of the way.

Twists and turns at every corner, right up until the climax of the episode and even with a few minutes to spare in the hour slot.

Again, this is one of the best SVU episodes I have ever seen, along with "911" and "Raw".

Terrifying authority

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 7 October 2021]

"Authority" is one of those 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' episodes, and episodes even in general, that a lot of people are going to remember for a long time. Speaking from experience. There are a lot of 'Special Victims Unit' episodes that have a once seen, never forgotten quality to them, and on first watch "Authority" stayed in my head for a very long time. While there are people that had reservations about it, there is one positive aspect that is pretty much universally agreed on within the fandom.

On my recent rewatch of "Authority" and of Season 9, its staying power is unlike any other episode from the season. On the whole, it is an excellent outing and one of only three episodes rated in the 9s from Season 9 to be that good. "Savant" and "Undercover", the season's two standouts, are the others. "Authority" is one of the best of Season 9, in the top 5, and up to a certain point was actually this close to being the best episode of this uneven season, complete with one of the show's best ever guest performances and being one of the season's creepiest episodes.

My only issue, and it is sadly a big one and raised my rating from a 10 to a 9, is the ending. To me, it was a silly and abrupt cop out and actually would have fared a lot better if it ended on an ambiguous trial verdict note (a la "Doubt"). Rather than the silly one that was crying out for the episode to be a two parter.

There are so many fantastic things that more than compensate though. The best aspect being the magnificent universally acclaimed performance of Robin Williams, considered one of the show's best ever guest stars for very good reason, showing expertly that he could do drama as equally well as comedy proven already in many previous roles. It is not his first creepy role, but this is Williams at his most terrifying in particularly the courtroom and the climax.

Williams is not the only thing about "Authority" that works so well. The script is taut and intelligent, especially in the courtroom. The story is intricate, intriguing and also very suspenseful in some parts. Williams' character is fascinating, one of the most fascinating and memorable supporting characters of Season 9. The regular performances are typically excellent, primarily Christopher Meloni in the climax.

Production values in "Authority" are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough while also taut.

Excellent episode and one of the best of Season 9. Was very close to being a show high point until it petered out at the end, which was frustrating. 9/10.

Summary of "Authority"

[william1948 · 10/10 · 17 October 2009]

I hope my appraisal of this episode does not contain a spoiler and I will do my best at not revealing too much. This was one of the best features I have ever observed on television, a device, I turned off about 5 years ago for the most part especially the news and the idiotic commercial content.

I was at a friend's home and like so many others, the television is "always" on and this episode was on and because I like Robin William's I lingered to watch.

The title could have been very well named, "What goes around, comes around" as we examine the damage of those who think themselves to be such "authorities" and meeting their "unassuming" match, and then some as one such person successfully bucked the system. It reminded me of the current "Thomas Crown Affair" with Pierce Brosnan and Renee Rousseau.

We find many of our greatest actors hiding behind their comedic faces such a Robin, and Tom Hanks and Jerry Lewis, who also co-starred in another episode of this series. I've only seen bits and pieces of that one, also at this same friends home.

I am not an advocate of getting even but I feel nature sometimes does take it's course and there is a natural justice we are not aware of that is happening all the time, it just we are too blind to see it; or choose not to see it, for it is so very assuming until it jumps up and slaps us right in the face. This episode was an excellent rendition of that and Williams played the role excellently as he most always usually does when he comes from behind the mask of his comedy.

If you have not watched this episode, please let me offer that you do. I hope after my comments you will view it with the same light I did. It's well worth watching. Perhaps television is coming around the bend and is not the vast wasteland it was once thought. It still has a way to go

William

Resembles reality of the last few years

[sespelton · 8/10 · 22 May 2011]

I liked this episode mainly because it was surprising for me that they would use real life story like that. This episode is practically showing what happened in real events as late as 2007 in Floridian McDonald's. You can read more about it on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strip_search_prank_call_scam They even used the same name for detective Milgram. Maybe I'm a geek, but I found that fascinating)) Anyway, like people say: "you can't event reality", so I guess it's not a surprise that majority of episodes on SVU are very similar to real life cases. If the above link does not work, then you can look up topic on Wikipedia, called "Strip search prank call scam".

Detective Milgrim

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 19 August 2017]

Maybe the smartest perpetrator the SVU squad ever went up against is Robin Williams in this episode. He particularly gets both Christopher Meloni and Richard Belzer annoyed for different reasons.

The only problem I had with this episode is the best part is at the beginning. A call at a fast food burger place from a Detective Milgrim of the NYPD who says that he is on his way but that manager Scott Adist should detain employee Monica Raymund, tie her and strip searcher until he arrives. She's been accused of theft by one of the customers.

When Stabler and Benson arrive after a commotion is heard, they get the story, Stabler can't believe Adist fell for it. For thinking he had police sanction to get some jollies he's going to do some time.

This whole elaborate prank is set up by Robin Williams who is an electronic engineer and a genius. This sets up some even wilder and more bizarre incidents and in the end Mariska Hargitay is in some danger.

Williams is fascinating, this part gives him opportunities to show just a piece of his talents for drama, comedy, and mimicry. What a great loss he was.

O authority my authority

[yazguloner · 10/10 · 18 June 2021]

No rape, no murder, no pain. An svu without any of these is also needed :) There is a mad genius who makes fun of those who believe in authority and authority without question.

Robin Williams ❤ was amazing. Svu is also his fan. Because he had a scene with most svu players.

Exceeded my expectations. An article worthy of Robin Williams' place in our memory.

It was nice with munch and elliot arguments.

And of course humor ... subtle and invisible Stings.

The name he gave to the sheep :))) Fooling Elliot and Olivia with a shoelace. When they destroyed all the evidence, and from to avoid being caught in a new game... Liv&El quickly escaped from there.. I laughed out loud again :))

The message of the story, contagion with authority. But. Never contagion with a mad genius Revenge of Meritt Hook

It was awesome show. All squad.

O Captain my Captain, I miss you so much.

R.i.p. In our hearts.

Immersive, Spell binding and Thought Provoking

[atowntommy · 9/10 · 1 February 2018]

This is an example of how good story telling can take you away from our every day life.

Robin Williams is amazing as an eccentric audio engineer who is initially accused of convincing a fast food manager to abuse one of his employees. From there, there allusions to the Stanley Milgram experiments and ideas that appeal to Detective Munch.

Now wanting to issue any spoilers as there are twists and turns. A really superior piece of drama.

Just because this episode is worth mentioning.

[andywhorehall · 10/10 · 23 December 2008]

***I don't know if this is technically spoiler alerts*** (it's more of a way to convince you to check this one out)

I almost Never. Watch Television. In fact. I hate television. It's mindless, simple. Dribble. I'm sure you already know that.

So that being said. I flipped on the TV and started working on my computer and in the background i hear a familiar voice.

It was Robin Williams. I was shocked and found myself completely wrapped up in the film. Oops. I mean Episode. (Maybe you can already see what i'm getting at here?)

This guy who commented previously apparently has issues with finding a message and hammering into the minds of our public. I find it interesting that the person calls this a REPRISE ROLE when this is more of a take on Robin Williams playing a PUNK or his own version of THE JOKER.

It's also annoying that somehow the script? Can be insulted? Why? There's no logic behind that. It's BASIC and EASY just like ALL TELEVISION. The DIFFERENCE is that there is ACTUALLY a MESSAGE.

..and that message is FANTASTIC.

I found it REFRESHING to see this on National Television. To have someone on the same screen, where CSI consistently bores us with 15 minute crime action and "Who wants to be Paris Hilton Today" shows, come to life and start hammering confusion and challenging thoughts into the public. Why don't you all complain of that?

I only hope these messages get stronger.

So again, I hate Television. I hate most TV shows. This was special for me. Maybe they all have something special, but this in particular. Had something unique and great and even transcended history. You could LEARN of REAL EVENTS that HAVE happened in this. Almost everything in this episode is based on a factual occurrence.

Like i said, maybe they all do that, but this one had a VERY IMPORTANT message that the above/previous commenter most definitely MISSED.

One Hour Photo was good for OTHER REASONS. It was a piece of ART and a complete mind bender. THIS. This is easy and simple for the sheep in their living rooms or beds who think Lindsay Lohan is anything relevant. Maybe it can help some mental stragglers wake up a little more...

Check it out.

Robin frigging Williams! What!?

[melissalea-35434 · 24 January 2024]

I love this episode because not only is it an actual case. This perp/caller was never caught after getting away with it for years.

But Robin Williams cameos! Dude! I thought when he popped up on Friends all those years ago was epic, but SVU! I am legit fangirl-ing, how did I miss this? He was brilliant and the world lost a bright light. I love this character and he is so good. What I wouldn't give to be on the set that day! Now I need to go rewatch Dead Poets Society and What Dreams May Come!

This creepy perp is next level. To know the people that were victimized by him never got justice is heartbreaking!

Great villain delivers everything the series is about

[raphaeldesouzacamisao · 10/10 · 25 March 2024]

Before Breaking Bad and Netflix changed continuity paradigms, television series had a hard time fleeing from cliches. This is specially (and still) true for the police drama genre, which relies on a very rigid structure.

Cliches, however, should not be mistaken for themes. Law and Order: Special Victims Unit is great precisely for how it works out themes such as trauma, moral ambiguity and dilemmas, and power. Not to mention the dazzling plot twists.

This episode delivers an exceptional working of these points, making it true to itself while still outstanding. Robin Williams plays a simple man who turns out to be an evil mastermind with a point. Definitely one of the most complex criminals ever portrayed on the show. There are just so many layers for so few minutes.

If anyone asked me for an introductory episode for the series, I would point to this one.

"Authority"

[allmoviesfan · 10/10 · 1 November 2023]

Just when I didn't think it would be possible to top "Undercover", the SVU script writers have come very close to doing just that. Thanks in large part to arguably the show's most famous and impactful guest star, the late Robin Williams.

Williams plays Merritt Rook man accused of impersonating a police officer and telling a fast food store manager to sexually assault one of his employees...but that's merely the starting point for an episode largely not about a sex-based crime. Rook is a guy who likes to push back against authority, making himself a dangerous adversary for Benson and Stabler.

There were some terrifying twists and turns in this episode, and Williams absolutely nailed the unstable Rook who was so even-keeled it was creepy. Not sure anyone else could have pulled it off like RW did. A testament to his immense acting ability.

Safe to say Merritt Rook will go down as one of the best SVU villains of all time, and 'Authority' will go down as one of the best SVU episodes of all time.

Started out well but dumb ending

[marysammons-42220 · 6/10 · 29 August 2019]

First off Robin Williams was amazing but how dumb is that ending? These supposedly smart cops can't see him wanting to tie his shoe as a trick after everything he did? Then he gets away from them and the ASSUME he jumped in the water? You never trust a suspect. This isn't the only time SVU detectives have screwed up.

about as stupid as it could possibly get

[wdstarr-1 · 1/10 · 21 December 2020]

Everthing you need to know about this episode:

(1) Bad guy manages to kidnap Olivia.

(2) Stabler gets a strong lead on where he's probably holding her.

(3) Stabler goes there alone.

Law & Order SVU "Authority" ....

[darrylz-00 · 7/10 · 23 July 2018]

I think i have followed RW's questioning Authority one step further. i have got myself thinking. Through "experience" i do not take to kindly to "following" the consensuses. Especially when the "leader" does not know what he /she is talking about. Or says 1 thing, yet does something else. No consistency.

Below-Par Script Results in Disappointing Episode

[iolalewis · 5/10 · 30 April 2008]

While a worthy ''ripped from the headlines'' story idea, the script had four plot holes large enough through which to drive Mack trucks.

Robin Williams listed first as guest star in the opening credits was a pleasant surprise, but would prove disappointing when he merely reprised his creepy role from the 2002 movie, ''One Hour Photo.''

The IMDb cast list for this episode is incomplete at this writing (the day after the episode aired), but watch for who appears to be Didi Conn (from the 1977 movie ''You Light Up My Life'') as a nurse.

The ambiguous ending was a cop-out--''The Twilight Zone'' TV series did it first and did it much better. As a whole, this episode was not up to the usual high standards of ''SVU.''

No match for the detectives.

[rob hendrikx · 7/10 · 19 July 2023]

I am a huge fan of the original Law & Order series.

In my opinion SVU isn't half as good, with immature scripts and C list actors.

What the producers of this show don't seem to realise, is that it's not a good idea to have a regular cast of very mediocre actors and then bring in a guest star of Robin Williams' stature. He's just no match for them.

That's like asking Tom Brady to join a junior high football match.

I remember Williams as Mork, which was revolutionary, but to me he will forever be the unconventional teacher who awakened such an enthousiasm for literature in Dead Poets Society.

An other reviewer wrote a beautiful review as a reference to that.

As soon as his character is introduced, you're rooting for him, even when he seems to be torturing Benson. And in the court room he is running rings around Novak.

True to form, the detectives, despite his being found not guilty, remain convinced he must have killed someone at sometime, because in this show nobody is ever presumed innocent.

I think it's a testament to Robin Williams' star power and likeability that at the end of the episode Benson and Stabler assume he drowned, but it is never established. Most of the audience would not accept that.