While the original 'Law and Order' is my personal favourite of the more than worthwhile 'Law and Order' franchise, though not every episode and every season for all the shows are great, the best of 'Special Victims Unit' (was initially harsh on my judgement of the mid-seasons onwards but some are better than remembered) and the best of 'Criminal Intent' are as brilliant as the original at its best. The previous three seasons of 'Criminal Intent' had outstanding episodes, as did Season 4.
Of which the third episode "Want" is one of them. One of the best and most interesting episodes of the season, with one of the most surprisingly complex killers in 'Criminal Intent' history and one of Goren's most surprising and most refreshing appearances. Also consider "Want" an early season standout and classic 'Criminal Intent'. Some may not like that the suspense factor is not as high as other episodes due to knowing who the killer is early on (it's not the who that's important here, it's how they get him this time), but when you see the characterisation of the killer and the character interactions any initial misgivings of that subside.
The episode is slick-looking and visually doesn't try to do anything too fancy or indulgent while also not being too safe. The music is not too dramatic and to me doesn't over-emphasise. The script is one of the most intelligent and remarkably nuanced of the season in my view, there is a lot of dialogue but none of it feels extraneous or rambling. The whole conflict with whether the killer should get the death penalty or not does have tension and really made me think. It does make one think about what their stance is on capital punishment as well.
Moreover, "Want's" change of pace is handled expertly here. Goren's attitude towards Tagman is surprising and quite refreshing, he was always amazing at delving into people's minds and at the psychology but this is a different and more sympathetic approach. We all know that Goren can be sympathetic, he is with young victims (think "Homo Homini Lupis" for instance) but this is the first time at the top of my head where he disagrees with the rest of the characters on what sentence to give a perpetrator and be this understanding. The story is very compelling throughout and one of the show's most fascinating psychologically.
Helped by the character of Tagman, whose actions are truly horrific and uncondonable but when seeing that he himself knows that and seeing the complete opposite of the irredeemably evil monsters often seen on the show it was hard for me to not feel some degree of pity for him. Goren always was an exceptionally well written character, but this was a standout appearance from him where one sees a different side to him when he judges a killer. While all the performances are on point, the episode belongs to Vincent D'Onofrio (terrific as always) and an, at the time, atypically cast Neil Patrick Harris in a chilling yet deeply felt performance.
All in all, outstanding. 10/10
Of which the third episode "Want" is one of them. One of the best and most interesting episodes of the season, with one of the most surprisingly complex killers in 'Criminal Intent' history and one of Goren's most surprising and most refreshing appearances. Also consider "Want" an early season standout and classic 'Criminal Intent'. Some may not like that the suspense factor is not as high as other episodes due to knowing who the killer is early on (it's not the who that's important here, it's how they get him this time), but when you see the characterisation of the killer and the character interactions any initial misgivings of that subside.
The episode is slick-looking and visually doesn't try to do anything too fancy or indulgent while also not being too safe. The music is not too dramatic and to me doesn't over-emphasise. The script is one of the most intelligent and remarkably nuanced of the season in my view, there is a lot of dialogue but none of it feels extraneous or rambling. The whole conflict with whether the killer should get the death penalty or not does have tension and really made me think. It does make one think about what their stance is on capital punishment as well.
Moreover, "Want's" change of pace is handled expertly here. Goren's attitude towards Tagman is surprising and quite refreshing, he was always amazing at delving into people's minds and at the psychology but this is a different and more sympathetic approach. We all know that Goren can be sympathetic, he is with young victims (think "Homo Homini Lupis" for instance) but this is the first time at the top of my head where he disagrees with the rest of the characters on what sentence to give a perpetrator and be this understanding. The story is very compelling throughout and one of the show's most fascinating psychologically.
Helped by the character of Tagman, whose actions are truly horrific and uncondonable but when seeing that he himself knows that and seeing the complete opposite of the irredeemably evil monsters often seen on the show it was hard for me to not feel some degree of pity for him. Goren always was an exceptionally well written character, but this was a standout appearance from him where one sees a different side to him when he judges a killer. While all the performances are on point, the episode belongs to Vincent D'Onofrio (terrific as always) and an, at the time, atypically cast Neil Patrick Harris in a chilling yet deeply felt performance.
All in all, outstanding. 10/10
