Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)

Execution (2002)

Stephanie March: ADA Alexandra 'Alex' Cabot

Quotes 

• Alexandra Cabot : Jersey won't play ball.

  Elliot Stabler : Okay. What can we do?

  Alexandra Cabot : File an official request, let it go through channels.

  Elliot Stabler : By the time we get that answer, Brodus will be dead and buried.

  Alexandra Cabot : We can't tell another state how to run its business. New Jersey already has an inferiority complex when it comes to New York. They're digging in their heels on principle.

  Elliot Stabler : 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?

• Elliot Stabler : [to Cabot]  So what are our chances?

  Alexandra Cabot : It's hard to gauge. I'd say we're about even.

  Elliot Stabler : So what's with the face? You're acting like we've already lost.

  Alexandra Cabot : Something about helping a convicted serial killer avoid the needle he so justly deserves does not sit well with me.

• Alan Messinger : As good as it is to see you, Alex, the answer's still no.

  Alexandra Cabot : It's just an interview. You've granted them to other law enforcement agencies. Why not to mine?

  Alan Messinger : Well, the other cops talked to Brodus while he still had appeals on the table and we're on the home stretch now, I can't afford to have anything go wrong.

  Alexandra Cabot : We're not trying to sabotage your execution. We just want some answers.

  Alan Messinger : Well, if he's your guy, whoever the victim is will have justice the day after tomorrow.

  Alexandra Cabot : I cannot believe you're gonna make me do this the hard way.

  Alan Messinger : What'd you expect, ancient history to get you an invite to the table?

  Alexandra Cabot : You know, I came here as one professional to another. I don't need to revel in the past.

  Alan Messinger : You're good, Alex, not spectacular. This is a political powder keg, so we can't accommodate you.

  Alexandra Cabot : What's the matter, Alan, is this a re-election year? New Yorkers can't seek relief because they don't vote here?

  Alan Messinger : You've grown a pair since the last time I saw you.

  Alexandra Cabot : Yeah, well, you've lost yours, because victims' rights used to be a priority.

  Alan Messinger : What if he confesses? Is that such a bad thing? What is to stop him from confessing to murders in other states and whipping law enforcement into a jurisdictional frenzy? What then?

  Alexandra Cabot : Then you deal with it. If he murdered other victims and he takes it to his grave, you become the facilitator.

  Alan Messinger : Brodus will do anything, say anything to stay his execution. Henry Lee Lucas did it, Bundy did it. It's their nature to exploit our weaknesses. I'm sorry, Alex, no one gets access. Period.

• Hannah Cooper : Can you prove that Matthew Brodus killed our daughter?

  Alexandra Cabot : Not in a court of law, but we are reasonably sure he's guilty and he is being executed for his crimes.

  Hannah Cooper : Are you familiar with the name Ottis Toole?

  Elliot Stabler : He's the guy every cop believes murdered John Walsh's six-year-old son, Adam. Toole died of AIDS on death row before we could prove it.

  Hannah Cooper : And after 21 years, you can still see the rage and grief that John Walsh carries with him.

  Allen Cooper : His hope died along with his son's killer. If you don't do everything within your power to prove Matthew Brodus murdered our daughter, so will ours.

• Alexandra Cabot : The state can't execute an unhealthy man. It's the law.

  Alan Messinger : So as long as he's in a coma, we can't get justice. What a waste.

  Elliot Stabler : You're wrong. I got a confession on Debbie Cooper.

  Alan Messinger : They won't care. Would you?