Nothing saddens me more than the news that Law & Order: Criminal Intent will be over after its 10th season, particularly because of how damn good the first few episodes are. "The Consoler" is such an example as it takes some surprising turns with devastating revelations regarding those supposedly devout within the Catholic Church. Sexual abuse from the past, embezzled millions from an abuse victim, probable sex between the murdered banker and a priest she befriends (Neal McDonough), and a female tennis pal (Lauren Hodges) of the victim who seems to be caught in one lie after another all play a major role in this episode's unveiling of facts which produce the details and eventual confessions which will help detectives Eames and Goren catch a killer. There's also a "suicide confession" found on the victim's iPad that could've been fabricated by someone else who wanted her death to be considered a suicide. Also included in this episode involving the psychologically tormented Robert Goren is his required visits to a therapist (Julia Ormond) where she will attempt to help this troubled man alleviate the problems which haunt him, as he must consult the horrors of the past so that he can actually have closure. I personally think these brief but important scenes (normally each episode, although I've only seen this one and the next episode with the therapy sessions so far) allow someone to address the discomforts and trauma Goren is uneasy about sharing or confessing. Jay O. Sanders is the new Captain (the Major Case Squad seem to have trouble keeping this position filled), Joseph Hannah, who is loyal to Goren, but will expect his detective to keep himself in line because the superiors are not sure he isn't crazy. I like this one scene where Goren, convinced the victim was murdered, questions Hannah, and the Captain has to bring him down to size. You also see how Eames gets uncomfortable with how her partner, at times, almost loses his cool, knowing that Goren needs this job and a lot has been done to give the detective another chance. Vincent D'Onofrio is nothing short of astounding, showing the difficulties of applying his skills and tactics to draw confessions from those who are able to hold information from him, and, especially in his therapy session with Ormond, who wants him to confide in her, to allow a connection so that he can somehow escape what has remained a thorn embedded in the psyche for so long. Erbe is the unsung hero of the team and has a strong female character in Eames, her strength and patience with a partner most would give up on (she turns down the Captain job because of this man, a decision which I will always consider valiant) worthy of a metal. She is the one person who can look Bobby in the eye and stand at his level, her own intelligence and understanding of human nature assets which have made Eames and Goren a superb detective team. "The Consoler" really confronts abuse as its main topic within the story, not only in regards to sexual misconduct but the manipulation of a vulnerable young woman still wrought with the lingering scars from a tragic childhood.
Review of The Consoler
