Gordon quotes from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Every cop has a weakness, you just gotta know how to exploit it. They treat you like you're an imbecile; if you're not careful, you start to believe them. It's a game for them, they get off on it. They got these huge egos, that's their biggest problem. All you gotta do is let them know who's in charge. Not them, you. They used to call FBI agents “gangsters with badges”, one step away from being the worst criminals in society. Stabler's like that, big time.

Fin

Who's Stabler?

Jarhead detective.

Fin

You know Stabler?

I do, and he knows me too. He's been thinking about me for a long time. They try to hang you with your own words. Catch you in a lie. You're dead when that happens.

Fin

So what do you tell him?

The truth will set you free.

Night again. Looks like you and me are going to say goodbye pretty soon. Messed with my chair, huh? Screwed with the lights. Cranked up the heat. ... did I miss anything?

Stabler

[hands him a chair foot] Here, fix the chair if you want. The food. Get you to eat or drink so you have to ask to use the john. We try to get you to need something from us - food, sleep, whatever. You didn't need anything. You are your own man. And you know what else? You're smarter. At the end of the day, that's something I'm pretty sure of. You don't know how much it pains me to have say that. And it's weird because, back then, with Dana, I thought I knew it all. It didn't matter that we couldn't find the place where you murdered her. It didn't matter that we couldn't prove how you dumped the body. I knew you were guilty. I thought that was enough, but we both know how that turned out. See, back then I thought you were a pedophile. In their own sick way, pedophiles think they love children. They build a relationship with them. They believe that they have an emotional connection to the child. You know how you get a pedophile to confess? You offer them the opportunity. Some of them just feel so guilty about it, they're dying to tell you. But that's not you, is it, Gordon? I was all wrong. Working at SVU, I've learned the difference between a pedophile and a man who rapes children. You don't care about the kids — you hate the kids. It's not about attraction or power or dominance — it's about annihilation. You defile and destroy her because she has what you'll never have: hope, trust, potential.

[smirks] Is that why I do it?

Stabler

That's part of it. The other part, the part I've been trying to get at all night, is the rage. You're very good at hiding it — it's unbelievable — but I know it's there. I can see it even when you're sitting still, like now. Gordon, you're kidding yourself if you think you're controlling it. It's controlling you. Every lie you tell to cover your inadequacies… every perceived insult you think you're getting… just feeds it.

You're lecturing me about rage? Are you kidding?

Stabler

I'm not.

What do you know about controlling anything?

Stabler

I don't murder people.

Give it time. You say you see something in me. Well, I see something in you, too. You think you control? You can't. You're controlled. By your boss, by your job, by your wife, your kids… What would you be if all those controls went away?

Stabler

[quietly] I'd be you.

Do you want to see the awesome stroller I picked out?

Benson

Fidelia, this is a baby we're talking about, it's not an accessory, it's not a bracelet or a pair of earrings or a slammin' pair of jeans. This is a living breathing human being you're bringing onto this earth.

You think I don't know that?

Benson

If you did you'd be petrified about your future. Do you know the odds of a teen mom finishing high school? Forget college, or any other dream you might have. Life as you know it is over. There's no going to the mall or hanging out with your friends. I mean, you might see them, but it'll probably be in line waiting for food stamps, or all of you going to the doctor trying to get an appointment at the free clinic.

Daddy, make her be quiet.

That's enough, detective.

Benson

Do you know the health risks to babies of teen moms? Dyslexia, retardation, um, increased risks of blindness, cerebral palsy.

Daddy!

Don't you blame my daughter. She's just a child.

Benson

That is my point exactly.

I'm just a social thermometer taking the people's temperature.

Rectally?

I'd offer you a beer, but what's the etiquette for guys illegally searching your apartment?

Fin

We have a warrant, but keep talkin'. Maybe you'll say something useful.

If I could just tell the doctors what you gave her... I'll say it was me. What was it, Roofies, or...?

Are you kidding me? Roofies? You think I went to Date Rape Depot and ordered a box?

I'm just levelling the playing field.

Benson

How do you figure?

You ever work in a bar? I see these guys and their sweaty desperation, getting rolled by women night after night. I told Luke, if you're gonna pick up the check, make sure you're gettin' something for it.

Benson

And you made sure that he did. And the same for your other clients.

They're not clients. They don't pay me. They're just guys trying to get over. Just like them, you need me more than I need you. I didn't rape these women, if that's what you wanna call it, but I know who did.