Execution

"Execution"
←	SVU, Episode 3.15	→
Production number: E2325 First aired: 1 February 2002
	th of 502 produced in SVU
←	th of 502 released in SVU	→
	th of 1271 released in all
Written By Judy McCreary Directed By Alex Zakrzewski

Stabler and Huang try to get some information from the soon-to-be-executed human mutilator Matthew Linwood Brodus, a brutal and sadistic psychopath.

Plot

Serial killer Matthew Brodus is scheduled to be executed in 3 days. Stabler and Huang work together to determine if he is responsible for the rape and murder of a young woman in order to give her parents closure.

Summary

An unknown prison has his face down on a table. Dr. Huang tells him he has two hours left. Elliot Stabler is at the table with the prisoner, who asks him how his first time was. He calls Detective Stabler a rutting dog in the streets and asks how many bastards he has running around.  Then the prisoner (Matthew Linwood Brodus) describes his first time, except it is about his first rape and kill. Detective Stabler asks "What was her name?" Matthew won't say it.  Dr. Huang calls Matthew a liar and says his first time was disappointing. He repeatedly calls his victim "It" and "The Thing." Dr. Huang presses the buzzer and tells Elliot to move. Matthew attacks Dr. Huang, repeatedly bashing his head against the wall. Dr. Huang slides down, leaving a trail of blood behind him, unconscious. 

3 Days Before Execution

A couple approaches Detective Stabler, stating they don't expect him to remember them. They introduce themselves as Hannah and Allen Cooper, parents of Debbie Cooper, who was raped and murdered 10 years prior. The killer was never caught. They say they know who killed their daughter. Elliot asks who, and they reply "Matthew Brodus". They say that Matthew Brodus wanted to sell tickets to the execution, to raise money for "his daughter's school". The school mentioned was Debbie Coopers old school, and Matthew also has no children. Detective Stabler takes the case to his captain, and Dr. Huang says he could try to get an interview set up with the serial rapist and murderer, but it will be tough, as Brodus is being executed in less than 72 hours.  Captain Cragen stops Elliot before he leaves his office, and tells him he understands he wants to help the Coopers out. Elliot stops him and says his old partner, who was a lead on the case, committed suicide when he couldn't figure the case out 10 years ago. 

Elliot and Detective Munch go to Debbie Coopers old school to ask the principal about three of her old teachers. Then they go to the plumbing company that did jobs for the school, to find out if Matthew worked there. After this Stabler meets up with Huang, who tells him they're going to interview both of Brodus' old cellmates. Dr. Huang becomes frustrated with Stabler and tells him to get better educated about FBI procedure. Namely, that they don't offer deals to serial killers. 

Alex Cabot talks to an old friend and tries to get a stay of execution, to give Munch, Stabler and Huang more time to prove that Matthew killed Debbie Cooper 10 years ago. Her friend refuses to budge, saying no one will get to see Brodus. Stabler and Munch visit the lab, where they're informed they don't have enough DNA evidence to prove that Brodus killed Debbie. They have to request/force New Jersey to give them evidence from other cases. 

Munch finally talks to one of Debbies old teachers, Mrs. Mason, who tells him that Debbie was a late bloomer, who didn't have very many friends if any. Munch asks if she knows where one of the friends might be, and she tells him that the girl in question moved to New Mexico.  Elliot convinces Cabot to allow a deal with one of the old cellmates. He wants to talk to his daughter, so Elliot calls, and the girl hangs up. The cellmate can't give Elliot anything substantial.  Elliot goes back to Huang's office and tells him that he was right. Huang says eventually, Elliot will believe that he knows what he is doing. Two detectives approach Elliot and ask him if he allowed the cellmate to call one of his rape victims. Elliot hadn't realized and apologized to the victim. Captain Cragen calls Brooklyn SVU to smooth things over for Elliot. 

Elliot tells Munch, Odafin, and Benson that he has no way to talk to the other cellmate because he's converted to Islam on the inside, and Fin tells him that he can call due on the cellmates blood debt, as he killed a kid in a robbery.  Elliot goes to the father of the child that was killed in the robbery and begs the dad to convince the cellmate to make good on his debt. The father refuses at first, until Elliot shows him Debbie Coopers photo, and tells him that her parents don't know who killed their daughter. The father accompanies Stabler and Huang to the prison, where his sons killer is on death row. The prisoner informs him that Brodus had confided in him about a victim that he blinded, raped, and gutted, that was "too close to home". Elliot believes this is enough to get the conviction. Cabot tells him that she needs more. Elliot also confirms that one of Debbies teachers dated Matthew Brodus and "Gave Debbie a ride home once or twice." Alex tells him that Brodus will be executed regardless, without a conviction. Elliot tells her that she has to tell Debbie Cooper's parents. Alex appeals for a stay of execution. 

The New Jersey DA allows an interview before the judge comes back with a ruling on the TRO.  Elliot and Huang finally get their interview. Huang tells Elliot to keep him off balance. Brodus is escorted in wearing shackles and chains. Matthew basically admits to killing Debbie. Stabler catches him, and Matthew calls it a slip of the tongue. He then asks what time it is, with his head down on the table. 

After attacking Huang and Stabler, the prison gaurds attack Matthew, and knock him over the head putting him into a coma. The state won't execute an unhealthy man. Stabler exits the prison, spots Debbie Coopers parents, and goes to them to tell them the news. Matthew Brodus did kill their daughter. 

Cast

Main cast

• Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler
• Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson
• Richard Belzer as Detective John Munch
• Stephanie March as A.D.A. Alexandra Cabot
• Ice-T as Detective Odafin Tutuola
• Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen

Recurring cast

• Daniel Sunjata as CSU Technician Burt Trevor
• B.D. Wong as Dr. George Huang

Guest cast

• Nick Chinlund as Matthew Linwood Brodus
• Ty Burrell as Alan Messinger
• William Hill as Allen Cooper
• Timothy Wheeler as Robert Rule
• Jerome Preston Bates as Mr. Henderson
• Anthony Chisholm as Leroy Russell
• Madison Arnold as Plumbing Company Boss
• Laura Hughes as Hannah Cooper
• Glynis Bell as Judge Whitemore
• Martin Kildare as Wade Harris
• Saidah Arrika Ekulona as Detective Yorkin
• James Hindman as Principal Reichart
• John Roney as Death Row Guard
• Ellen Horst as Woman
• Rebecca Spencer as Plumbing Company Bookkeeper
• Heather MacRae as Andrea Mason
• Adam Mucci as Detective Janowicz
• James Flaherty as Man

References

References

Quotes

"The state can't execute an unhealthy man. It's the law."
"As long as he's in a coma, we can't get justice. What a waste."
"You're wrong. I got a confession on Debbie Cooper."
"They won't care. Would you?"

- Alexandra Cabot, Alan Messinger and Elliot Stabler

"Tell me again how my partner failed to get his weapon re-certification?"
"He choked!"
"I didn't choke!"
"Okay, you got poor marks for shooting off your gun early."
"It happens to everybody. You know, they have a pill for that now."

- John Munch, Olivia Benson and Odafin Tutuola

"One of these days you're going to realize I know what I'm doing."

- George Huang

Elliot Stabler (to Cabot): Alex, how many phone calls from victims have you gotten asking why you lost a case and what you're gonna do about it?

Alexandra Cabot: I've had my share.

Elliot Stabler: And how many times do you actually get a second chance?

---

Background information and notes

• Actor Nick Chinlund (serial killer Matthew Linwood Brodus) had originally screen-tested for the co-starring role of Detective Elliot Stabler.
• This episode differs from the usual format in that a portion of the final scene is shown at the beginning of the episode. This teases the audience into thinking that Huang is killed by Brodus, as the beginning does not show Huang's recovery.
• It is likely that Brodus is at least partially based on the serial killer Buffalo Bill from the movie The Silence of the Lambs. Like Bill, Brodus refers to his victims as objects rather than victims and keeps them alive for three days before finally murdering them. Also like Bill, Brodus primarily targets larger women.
• Timothy Wheeler (rapist prisoner Robert Rule) resembles and sounds like Brian Thompson (The Terminator, X-Files and Cobra).

Episode scene cards

1	2	3
Our Lady of light High school 274 west 18th street Monday, January 28	Sing sing Correctional facility Ossining, New York Monday, January 28	Office of Executive Assistant District Attorney New Jersey Monday, January 28

4	5	6
Our lady of light High school 274 west 18th street Tuesday, January 29	FBI New York office 26 federal plaza Tuesday, January 29	Henderson Apartment 543 east 101st street Tuesday, January 29

7	8
Death row Clinton correctional facility Dannemora, new York Tuesday, January 29	New Jersey Supreme Court Wednesday, January 30

Previous episode: "Counterfeit"

"Execution" Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 3

Next episode: "Popular"