"Rage" is something of a different episode for 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'. Not many episodes of the show have the criminal already in custody. There are not many episodes that go straight to the interrogation part of the case in question. And there are also not many episodes that are interrogation heavy, well certainly not to this extent in an episode that is basically one extended interrogation scene. They are major interest points here, though it is understandable if anybody has worries about it being too talky as a result.
In my view, they needn't worry. There is a lot of talk in "Rage", but it actually didn't feel too much and all the talk was interesting and added to the case and the characters. It is also very intimate, but that also doesn't matter as it doesn't feel too claustrophobic. As an episode, "Rage" is brilliant and one of the best episodes of a season full of outstanding episodes (by far the best and most consistent Season 6 of those for this, the original 'Law and Order' and 'Criminal Intent'). As well as one of the best of the early seasons and a 'Special Victims Unit' standout. As said, it is basically an extended interrogation scene in structure but with the amount of tension throughout the episode that is usually present in the climax.
The episode is very tense and smart when it comes to talking about the writing, and as said it never feels too much. All of it says a lot about both Stabler and Rickett as well as the case, with nothing being irrelevant. The story drips with tension and sears in suspense, especially in the latter stages the angrier Stabler gets. It does help massively that Rickett does give off a genuine sense of unease and really gets under the skin.
Although the setting is very intimate and more confined in location, "Rage" never feels dull or too claustrophobic. Actually think oddly enough that it engrosses more than a good deal of episodes that are not as intimate and more eventful in action thanks to the suspenseful script writing and character writing and interaction. The engrossing factor increases even more the more that is learnt about the characters and the case, even when not heavy in action (the closest the episode comes to it being when Stabler loses it).
When it comes to the character writing and interaction, "Rage" is pretty much masterful. The most dominant and most focused upon being between Stabler and Rickett, which is tension personified. Something that intensifies the angrier Stabler gets and the smarter, more taunting Rickett does. It is very clear, and this is true throughout Season 6 and throughout the time Stabler was on 'Special Victims Unit' (over half of its run), that Olivia cares for Stabler. Evident in their last exchange where she is firm but empathetic. Have actually really liked Stabler's more tormented and intense character development in Season 6, some found it too angsty but not me and to me it added to him as a person behind the job dealing with a stressful job and an increasingly difficult family life. And then having to deal with somebody as reprehensible as Rickett, it's not surprising that Stabler struggles with his emotions here.
Christopher Meloni's performance was award-worthy, truly riveting and not just his best performance of Season 6 but also some of his best acting on 'Special Victims Unit'. Matthew Modine here is at his most chilling in a departure role. Their chemistry absolutely scintillates. The music use here is relatively minimal compared to usual, it is haunting when used but adding even more to the unsettlement is the sound of the clock ticking. It's a slickly made episode that is not gimmicky or static and the direction is tight yet accomodating, really succeeding in getting the absolute best out of Meloni and Modine.
Overall, brilliant. 10/10
