MARY STUART MASTERSON REPRISES ROLE AS DR. REBECCA HENDRIX ON 'SVU'

CHRIS MELONI TAKES DET. STABLER TO A PROFOUND LEVEL ON NBC'S 'LAW & ORDER: SVU' (TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 10-11 PM ET)

Mary Stuart Masterson Reprises Her Role as Dr. Rebecca Hendrix

NEW YORK � October 6, 2005 � This episode examines Detective Stabler's (Chris Meloni) psyche and the pent-up rage he has long internalized on NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" (Oct. 11 at 10PM ET/PT). When Stabler investigates a rape case and discovers the offender is the son of an old partner, the case dramatically effects him, influencing his conduct during the investigation. Stabler realizes his professional actions are attributed to a deep-seeded anger that has been with him for a long time and seeks the help of Dr. Rebecca Hendrix, (guest-star Mary Stuart Masterson) to help him come to terms with his issues.

"When you bring your character to a certain emotional point, the real journey begins," said Meloni. "This episode taps into the unresolved anger that Stabler carries with him. It is an anger that bleeds out professionally and personally. At times we see why he is so tightly wound."

"Chris Meloni gives a riveting performance when the source of his anger is finally revealed in an emotionally devastating scene with Mary Stuart Masterson, who plays a psychiatrist," said "L&O: SVU" Executive Producer Neal Baer.

When a 17-year-old high school student is brutally attacked by one of her classmates on campus, Detectives Stabler, (Meloni) Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Fin (Ice-T) question Luke Breslin (guest-star Paul Wesley) the prime suspect. When asked about attacking his friend, Breslin becomes enraged and attacks Det. Fin (Ice-T) but when later questioned, he claims to have no memory of attacking anyone. Stabler soon discovers Breslin's actions are attributed to steroid use and that he is the son of his former partner Pete Breslin (guest-star Noah Emmerich). Detective Cragen (Dann Florek) suspends Stabler after he makes a number of unprofessional choices in trying to go easy on his friend's son. As the investigation continues, Stabler begins to lose control and in one explosive moment acts on his rage. Prompted by this incident, Stabler turns to Hendrix (Masterson) for help coping with his anger issues. Richard Belzer, Diane Neal and B.D. Wong also star.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" is a Wolf Films production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio. Dick Wolf is creator and executive producer; Neal Baer and Ted Kotcheff are executive producers.