Goren and Eames try to unravel a deadly mystery after an elderly woman dies in a fire and bequeaths some of her estate to a young woman who is subsequently murdered. Soon their investigation... Read allGoren and Eames try to unravel a deadly mystery after an elderly woman dies in a fire and bequeaths some of her estate to a young woman who is subsequently murdered. Soon their investigation turns to a shady state public administrator who has re-invented the concept of "grave-rob... Read allGoren and Eames try to unravel a deadly mystery after an elderly woman dies in a fire and bequeaths some of her estate to a young woman who is subsequently murdered. Soon their investigation turns to a shady state public administrator who has re-invented the concept of "grave-robbing." Goren discovers the suspect's weakness for expensive collector cars, but to make th... Read all
- Kate Finoff
- (as Liz Morton)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaTo say that something is a "Gordian Knot" is a way of saying a problem's solution is extremely complex and intricate. Saying that someone has "cut the Gordian Knot" is saying that they came up with an unusual/unorthodox, but successful, solution to a complex problem. The phrase originates from a tale in Greek mythology, specifically the story of King Gordias that also later involves Alexander the Great. Around 2,000 B.C., the Phrygian Empire's king died without having a successor. A local oracle decreed that the next man to enter the city riding on a ox-drawn cart would be destined to become the next king. Shortly after, a local farmer named Gordias rode into town on a cart being pulled by an ox, and he was thus declared to be the new king. It was said that as a sign of gratitude his son, Midas, dedicated their cart to the Phrygian god Sabazios (basically their equivalent to the Greek god Zeus). He tied the cart to the idol's post with a knot so complex and intricate that no one could figure out how to untie it for over a millennia. The local oracle decreed that whoever could unravel the knot would become the ruler of all of Asia. Legend has it that thousands of people unsuccessfully tried to untie the knot over the centuries, and it remained tied for about 1,650 years. Then, when Alexander III of Macedon conquered the area around 350 B.C., he decided to take on the challenge of unraveling the knot, as his goal was to become the absolute ruler of the known world. He tried unsuccessfully to untie the knot, as many others before him. Alexander then reasoned that it didn't matter how the knot was unraveled--as the oracle did not specify how--so he drew his sword and cut the knot in two with one clean stroke. Thus being cut, the knot was very easy to unravel. After that, Alexander went on to conquer the rest of Asia, eventually earning the title "Alexander the Great." In fact, many of the battle tactics and strategies he used were quite unique and unorthodox for his time.
- GoofsAll they can get from tire marks on the floor is a wheelbase estimate. And it's not possible to accurately state the manufacturer, year, and model from a wheelbase estimate. And yet they have someone who does all three. There is some variation is wheelbase from model to model and manufacturer to manufacturer. But many wheelbase lengths are shared by many different cars.
- Quotes
A.D.A. Ron Carver: [rhetorically] What was it Clarence Darrow said? "The first half of our lives is ruined by our parents, and the second half by our children."
Detective Robert Goren: Only if you let them.
"Cherry Red" continues the season's high quality, the overall standard of the second season was actually very high indeed if not consistent all the way through, though it doesn't quite see it on return to peak form. Not one of the best Season 2 or 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' episodes, but a very good one still elevated by the leads, two great supporting turns and a couple of particularly great scenes. Making up for some of the storytelling being flawed.
It is a little confusing in the early portions.
Will admit too to not being surprised at all by the revelation of who was the killer, there is something about the way they were written in an episode with relatively few suspects to begin with that made them strongly suspectable as responisible, complicit or knowing more than they let on.
Despite its flaws, "Cherry Red" is very good and actually nearly great. The case despite being very twisty became clearer later on, didn't fall too much into over-obviousness (only with one character) and was very intriguing throughout. The connection between the crimes is very well handled and is not given short shrift. Goren and Eames are as delightful as ever as are their playful and well gelled chemistry and Vincent D'Onofrio's charismatic acting. The dialogue is hard-boiled, intelligently written and at times affecting, more consistent than the occasionally patchy writing seen in the previous episode "Legion".
Furthermore benefits are two very well written supporting characters, one especially being one of the most repellent supporting characters of Season 2. A very well developed and unnerving father-son dynamic, how it's written is tense and sad and it's a long way from being superficially executed. Two terrific guest star performances, Dennis Christopher successfully allows one to feel for his character and Paul Dooley does repellent quite frighteningly. There are a couple of fine scenes here, namely the tense interrogation and my favourite the scene with Goren and the cherry red car (his dialogue here is priceless). The production values are solid as is how the music is scored and used.
All in all, very well done. 8/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Apr 29, 2020