Authority
- Episode aired Apr 29, 2008
- TV-14
- 1h
A man accused of impersonating a police officer over a telephone and telling a fast food manager to sexually assault an employee is found not guilty, and as a result becomes a vocal crusader... Read allA man accused of impersonating a police officer over a telephone and telling a fast food manager to sexually assault an employee is found not guilty, and as a result becomes a vocal crusader telling other people to defy authority figures.A man accused of impersonating a police officer over a telephone and telling a fast food manager to sexually assault an employee is found not guilty, and as a result becomes a vocal crusader telling other people to defy authority figures.
- Special Agent Dr. George Huang, M.D.
- (as B.D. Wong)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis story based on a number of actual phone hoaxes, especially one that happened at a McDonald's restaurant in Mount Washington, Kentucky on April 9, 2004, where a phone caller claiming to be a police officer manipulates the staff of a business to sexually abuse innocent people as "interrogation."
- GoofsIt is supposed to be late May, yet most of the trees are bare and everyone is wearing heavy clothing, like overcoats or sweaters.
- Quotes
Merritt Rook: I put my faith in a little god in a white coat and he killed my wife and son. Push the button!
Merritt Rook: Push... the... Button!
Detective Elliot Stabler: I can't do it.
Merritt Rook: No? Why?
Detective 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.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards (2008)
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.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 6, 2021
Details
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD