On my first watch of "Execution", it really stood out amongst the rest of the episodes of Season 3 and of the early seasons in general. Namely because of the atmosphere, which the episode is rich in, and its truly memorable villain, and also because of its interesting story structure. With it starting from the climax and most of the rest of the episode being in flashback, detailing the events in what came before. It never struck me as dull even if not one of the show's most eventful episodes.
"Execution" still holds up on re-watches, an example of an episode that got even better with each viewing with more to like and observed. It was a great premise and brilliant in execution. What struck me as particularly striking on first watch still strikes me as particularly striking now and even more so, for examples the whole mind games being creepier. One of my favourite episodes of Season 3 and the best 'Special Victims Unit' episode since "Monogamy", the episodes in between that and this saw a quality-dip (not massive but enough for it to be noticeable) in my view so this is saying quite a bit.
The production values are still going strong, the prison setting is creepy and made creepier by the intimate but never over-claustrophobic photography. The music is spare and has presence without being over-scored and there is some clever and ominous use of sound at the beginning. Christopher and BD Wong (who comes into his own here) are excellent. Even better is a terrifying, even when saying nothing, Nick Chinlund as one of the most monstrous supporting characters of Season 3 and of the early seasons.
It is with him and his chilling mind games that he plays when with Stabler and Huang, that plays a big role in the episode and that whole dynamic really blisters when at its peak and the main source of the vast amount of suspense "Execution" has. The story is a slow burner but is always atmospheric, suspenseful and exciting with an unforgettable ending that sees the episode at its most action-oriented.
Stabler and Huang work beautifully together, proof that Stabler can work with team members other than Olivia. It was great to see his compassionate side too, a good remedy for somebody who was put off by his attitude in "Ridicule".
Brilliant episode all in all, one of the season's best. 10/10