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« Law & Order: Criminal Intent
February 6, 2007: Albatross
Welcome back, new episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent — we missed you so. A marked improvement over the Goren/Eames episode of last month (because monthly is about how often they’re running now), this was actually one of my favorites so far this season.
The acting was almost universally strong, from the detectives to the suspects — though I did pick up on some of that Captain Danny/Eric Bogosian woodenness others have complained of. When he “rushed” over to the dying judge’s aid at the duel and declared, “I’m a police officer” — well, there was just nothing there. No urgency, no shock at a murder taking place right in front of his kids. Heck, he even put the little scamps to work collecting video cameras from the crowd. Your fictional tax dollars fictionally at work, people.
Speaking of that duel, the whole opening sequence really threw me for a loop. Guys in powdered wigs, MTV-style quick-cutting and a Bowie/Queen accompaniment — I felt like I was watching a Falco video (“Rock Me Goren/Eames”?) with a better soundtrack. It’s a shame this was botched, because aside from those self-conscious opening shots and the way-out-of-place soundtrack, the montage of the duel being set up and the sniper taking aim was slick and effective. And timing the shot to match the duelists’ pistols firing was a nice touch — hey, if you’re gonna kill someone for money, at least do it with style.
After all that craziness, things calmed down and slipped back into their familiar investigational pattern. But tonight, they made it way too easy to pick out the killer — or at least the killing-arranger. Detectives interview limo driver. Limo driver acts suspicious. Because he did it. Case closed — a half hour later. While red herrings can be annoying when you’ve already figured out whodunit, a couple more might have drawn out this mystery a little longer.
But there was some interpersonal stuff to keep it interesting. I particularly enjoyed the twisted relationship between Lady Politician and Slimeball Construction Mogul (knew both of their faces, but I wish I’d caught their names). Their determination to make a marriage work despite cheating, spying and even murder was truly inspiring.
Also nice was a blink-and-you-missed-it exchange between Goren and Eames at a restaurant bar (he takes his Glen Livet straight, while she prefers a vodka martini):
Goren: “Are we all right?”
Eames: “I hope so.”
It wasn't much, but that tantalizing tidbit keeps my hope alive that these gently simmering tensions will eventually come back to a boiling point. Fingers crossed.
So all told, this was a good outing, though I’m not sure I’ll feel the same about...
Next Week: I’ll now go on the record for being officially sick of the L&O franchise detectives being forced to investigate rapper’s murders. A decade after Biggie and Tupac were killed, it’s not a hot topic, and it doesn’t make you look hip, guys — just a little desperate. What’s next? A cameo from 50 Cent as 25 Dollar in a ripped-from-The Source’s-headlines story?
*Note to NBC executives who are surely reading this blog: That’s just a joke, not a suggestion. However, if you have the bad taste to proceed, I want 20 percent. It’s only fair.
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Feb 6, 2007 11:00 PM
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Not too sure about the music video beginning of this episode. It was well done and I liked the song they played but for a second there, I thought I was watching an episode of "Cold Case". The start of this show really would have only fit with the rest if it had involved the music industry - which it didn't.
Well, I'm not going to dwell on the opening scene because the rest of CI was excellent. This one really had me guessing. At first I thought we were dealing with a mistaken victim. (Which it turns out we were.) Then I thought the wife had set up the husband. Then I thought hubby had set it up to make it look like the wife set him up. (I think I've been watching too many crime dramas!) For it to turn out to be the driver was a surprise. And unknown to the driver, the wife knew in advance what he was planning - great double twist! That last scene when the wife was telling Eames and Goren what happened was chilling. Her anguish over realizing that the wrong person would be shot was intense. Great episode.
Todd - Kudos for figuring this one out early on. I was totally in the dark.
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Feb 7, 2007 2:26 AM
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Todd, I agree that this was one of the better episodes of the season. I just love the Goren/Eames team. They need to do something about Bogosian though. He's almost not necessary. Anyway, Lady Politician was played by Donna Murphy. She's been in a lot of stuff but I think she mostly does Broadway. Slimeball Construction Mogul was played by Xander Berkeley, the late George Mason from 24. Now I wish I knew limo driver's name--he was hot!
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Feb 7, 2007 8:19 AM
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This was a solid episode, despite the fact that it was a little predictable. Xander Berkley and Doona Murphy were great. They really made the show worth watching.
And yes, Bogosian is as wooden as they come. He sounds like he's reading right off cue cards. I recently watched an old L&O episode with him playing an attorney and he was great. I am not sure why he is playing this role as captain so poorly.
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Feb 7, 2007 8:20 AM
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This was such an awesome episode! I loved the beginning, with the costumed duel and rock music. Really caught my attention.
I thought it was the limo driver, until he gave the detectives the address of the sniper, where he delivered the envelope for Bill Clin..., um, the real estate developer. That threw me off.
Then, when Hillar..., um, the political lady told her husband she wished she could kill him, that crossed her off my list. So, they kept me guessing.
Love seeing my Bobby back.
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Feb 7, 2007 12:02 PM
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I used to watch this show religiously, but haven't for quite some time. Did catch last night's episode and found it to be entertaining. Always love Vincent!!
I figured the limo driver was in on it, but then when he confessed so quickly, I thought he was just covering for the wife because he was in love with her or something. That confession was slightly awkward, IMO.
So this Bogosian is on full-time now? What happened to the other guy?
[Sorry, but like I said I haven't watched it much this year]
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Feb 7, 2007 2:03 PM
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Wasn't that Mark Consuelo in one scene.
Need more of that.
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Feb 8, 2007 10:12 AM
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How sexy was that feisty yet snarky ballistics chick at the top of the episode? She and D'onofrio had a great chemistry and what a cool addition she'd make to the cast now that they've been picked up for at least another season. Let's see more CSU Tech Mike (I love chicks with boys' names)!!
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May 18, 2007 12:00 AM
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