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« Law & Order: Criminal Intent
May 21, 2007: Renewal
Well, it’s late, so I’ll just come right out and say it: For a finale, this was a big disappointment. While last week’s trailer made this ep look like a killer-hunting-cops thriller, it turned out to be a standard-issue case with a side of sentimentality.
To its credit, this episode remained interesting throughout, probably because of the unusual decision to follow two separate cases. But the problem, at least for me, was that we’ve been so well-trained by Law & Order to try to put the pieces together that I kept searching for a nonexistent connection between the cases. Definitely a missed opportunity for a nice twist and a satisfying resolution.
Of the two story lines, I preferred Logan’s, mainly because it was so personal and character-driven. This was the first chance we’ve really had to connect with the Noth since he joined CI, and I was so impressed with his performance, which relied on genuine emotion and subtlety rather than sarcastic quips. I wish they had dropped the crank-crazed killer and just made this an all-Logan episode. (Though I certainly could have done without his lady friend’s ghostly appearance in the bar window — what was that, “A CI Carol”?)
But from Eames' swift appearance and disappearance to the killer’s barely explained motives and lack of any real menace, what we ended up with was just an interesting mess.
I guess Wheeler’s Far East vacation was the writers’ rather odd way of leaving the door open for a Nicholson departure, but I think I speak for most CI fans when I say, “Whatever.”
Sorry to end on a sour note (if only the superb “Endgame” had been the finale), but that’ll do it for my coverage of Criminal Intent’s sixth season. Thanks for sticking with me throughout a rocky year that contained some real failures (“Rocket Man,” “Bombshell”), but enough true gems (“Weeping Willow,” “The War at Home”) to make the trip worthwhile. Hopefully, we’ll talk again next fall when the show makes its transition to USA with (fingers crossed) Vinnie D. still at the helm.
For more than 100 clips of Law & Order: Criminal Intent episodes, visit TV Guide.com's new Online Video Guide.
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May 21, 2007 11:26 PM
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I couldn't get over the fact that his love interest was played by Kelli Williams from The Practice. I have not seen her in years. They had pretty good chemistry in their few scenes together.
http://www.mediaobsessed.com
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May 22, 2007 1:34 AM
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Tonight's CI was an enjoyable one that held my interest until the end. I agree with you Todd, the death of the neighbor was the better of the two storylines. I have loved Chris Noth since his time on the original L&O and enjoyed seeing more of his personal life off the job. Although she was only in a couple of scenes, you really felt like you knew the character of "Holly", which made her untimely death feel even more tragic. I wish they had just focused on that one and saved the death of the recruit for another episode, when they could have fleshed out the details more. It just felt like they short-changed that storyline and it really had the potential to be a very intriguing story with a much better ending.
I'm guessing that D'Onfrio hasn't decided yet whether he will be returning next year. So if he leaves then Wheeler is gone and Logan pairs up with Eames. Of course I hope D'Onfrio stays, but if not, I think the show will be fine as long as the writers do as well as they did this year. They definitely had more hits than misses.
See you all next season!
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May 22, 2007 2:32 AM
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Todd, I always love your reviews, you are a true fan of the show. Small correction though, Wrongful Life was a season five episode.
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May 22, 2007 4:20 AM
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Compared with last weeks episode this one fell flat. Though in truth it's not really fair to compare Vinnie D and Chris Noth.
I love this show and I'll follow it to USA as long as Vinnie is still with it. The man is mesmerizing.
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May 22, 2007 8:19 AM
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Thanks for the correction, Stefani. I hadn't seen "Wrongful Life" the first time around, so I guess that's why I got the seasons mixed up. I subbed in another of my (though not everyone's) favorites, "Weeping Willow."
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May 22, 2007 8:58 AM
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I enjoyed the focus on Logan in this eppy and seeing him emotionally , personally connected to a case. I was a bit confused by the two storylines and thought they would be connected somehow too.
Was CI trying to borrow from Raines a cop talking to dead people. ?BTW I liked Raines I love Jeff Goldblum.
Anyway back to CI I watch for Chris Noth who has always been my favorite L& O Cop nothing against VD as an actor but his character goren just doesn't apeal to me. I wish they had used Eames more maybe had her help Logan look into the death of the woman he dated. I too feel they may be writing out Wheeler. if Wheeler leaves how about Eames working with Logan and Goren or letting Goren work alone and pair Eames with Logan ?
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May 22, 2007 10:25 AM
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I really thought both story lines were interrupting each other. They really could have been independant episodes and should have been. It was like they didn't have enough footage for each other and the editors were like 'oh well let's just combine them'. Logan's was much better than the crazy chic. I thought we were going somewhere when the prof. mentioned Nicole Wallace. Then it just fell flat. Quite boring if you ask me. I also was looking for some non-existing connection btwn the storylines.
Nice work by Noth though.
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May 22, 2007 10:28 AM
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Oh yeah jacksie92 I thought that Nicole Wallace was the women that has been involved in some of goren & Eames cases right? but I thought maybe I just didn't remember correctly the blond chick right ,is the actress Olivia D'Abo? I thought maybe that's why they were bringing in Eames but there was no follow thru unless it was a teaser for next season.
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May 22, 2007 10:44 AM
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Another thing I really missed from seasons past was the interplay with the prosecutor assigned to the major case squad. They replaced him with a woman we haven't seen since the first couple episodes.
And I thought Logan lived on Staten Island, since that's where they exiled him when he got the boot from L&O. Guess he moved to Manhattan when he joined major case. This is an interesting turn-around, though. Noth left L&O because he wanted more money and they decided not to renew his contract. He comes back working half-time on the lowest rated franchise of L&O. Now he might be taking over, just as the series is moving to cable, where I'm sure he won't be getting that much of a raise if he goes from half-time to full-time.
Speaking of the missing prosecutor, I think we saw Goren testify at trial all of a handful of times (not all these defendants plead guilty, right?). I would think he'd make a horrible witness on cross-examination since he does tend to be a know-it-all. I can't imagine Logan would be much better, since he has the reputation of a hot-head.
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May 22, 2007 12:03 PM
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Well, whaddya know, finally a L&O:CI where I actually enjoyed a performance from Mr. Big. Chris Noth was excellent here, and I agree that they should have split the two cases into separate episodes, or had a story arc where they intertwined.
VdO is my boy, and I sincerely hope he comes back next year. If he doesn't, I hope the writers continue to give CN scripts like this, where we realize he actually can act.
Still, last week's ep would have been a more powerful way to end the season.
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May 22, 2007 12:57 PM
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DeeDee- you're right. That's what I thought they were bringing Eames in for. What a let down. Those are my fav episodes when Olivia D'abo shows up.
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May 22, 2007 4:07 PM
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I also think that the Goren episode should have been the season closer. I think that it was very insulting to Katherine Erbe to make her a "Special Guest Star" on HER OWN SHOW!!!! I don't know if I will follow this show to USA if VDO doesn't go with it. For me Goren and Eames ARE Criminal Intent.
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May 22, 2007 6:07 PM
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Thanks Todd for all your reviews this year. As I read them, I often found myself thinking, "Hey, that's exactly what I thought." I agree with all of you who said this episode was kind of a let down and that they should have ended the season with "Endgame".
I enjoyed the episode and thought Chris Noth did an excellent job. I felt so sorry for Logan when that other cop was being such a jerk when they found "Holly"'s body. I don't blame him for going after him later in the locker room.
I was also disappointed that Eames was only on the show for a few minutes. From the hype it sounded like Wheeler was already gone on her special task force assignment and Eames and Logan would be working together. I loved the scene though when Eames and Wheeler chased the woman suspect through the restaurant. I thought maybe they could have Eames and Wheeler partner up like Cagney and Lacey. Only kidding, of course. Gotta have my Goren and Eames.
By the way, I decided after I thought about if a little bit that the last scene with Logan in the bar hearing Holly say she wasn't dead was a dream. He did tell Holly earlier that he used to dream about his old partner Lennie saying he wasn't dead. I don't know, just a thought. I can hardly wait 'til season seven.
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May 22, 2007 6:43 PM
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I have Always, since the Ol' Days, on 'Law & Order', enjoyed Det. Mike Logan...Christopher Noth, is an excellent actor, and has definitly been an asset, to 'Law & Order', and 'Criminal Intent'...It is my feeling, that it is a big mistake to move 'Criminal Intent' to Cable, other than they will Not have the 'censorship', that they have on NBC.That being said, 'SUV' would have the better advantage, in there case format, on Showtime, than on NBC.I'm looking forward to Season 7, and hope to see more great episodes, like the last two of this season, and would truly enjoy, seeing some cases that involve both Mike & Bobby...That would be Great TV!!!
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May 23, 2007 8:05 PM
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