User Reviews

Season 7 started off brilliantly with "Amends", which made me on first watch feel very excited for what was to come after a very up and down Season 6 (Season 5 was the same, but not quite as much). Sadly, the next episode "Seeds" disappointed with a less than promising introduction to Logan's new partner and a bizarre and confused case that went nowhere. "Smile" did sound quite interesting if not having me completely excited, with the worry of it being too ordinary.

While it is not as brilliant as "Amends" or on the same level as it, "Smile" is a big improvement over "Seeds". That it has Goren and Eames as the lead characters helps, with them having always been significantly more interesting as partners and as a partnership. But also the case, while not wowing me, is vastly superior and the perpetrator is a memorable one. "Smile" is not one of the best episodes of Season 7, but it is still very good and far from a disgrace.

Do agree regarding Eames, who is uncharacteristically mean and unsupportive at the end with a comment that is going to take, and has taken, 'Criminal Intent' fans aback. Especially considering what she and especially Goren went through in Season 6 and how they work together.

Other episodes are more twisty and have more tension, while everything is exceptionally well executed here in "Smile" the extra something is slightly missing.

A lot is done superbly here in "Smile" having said all that. It is a visually slick episode, typical for 'Criminal Intent' and the 'Law and Order' franchise, and one with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear with the theme tune still memorable and the direction is accommodating yet tight enough.

The script is intelligent and tight, as well as entertaining. Goren's perceptions fascinate and don't come too easily (which was a problem at times in Seasons 5 and 6) while the perpetrator's outburst at the end is chilling. The story isn't mind-blowing but is well paced and absorbing, complete with a tense climax. The characters are well written and the character interaction on point, especially between Goren and the perpetrator. The acting is very good, Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe are typically terrific and Amy Acker impresses as a real cold fish of a character.

In conclusion, very good. 8/10.

A Caucasian male dentist (Adam Heller), whose clinic is placed in a black neighborhood, is killed inside his place while inhaling oxygen: as a matter of fact he was a tank addict and the perp murdered him by reducing oxygen. The killer turned out to be the mother of a teenager patient died shortly before visiting the clinic. Then detectives realized that there has been a misunderstanding because the doctor had nothing to do with raping and killing, actually these kid took advantage of him thanks to a mouthwash who helped them getting high. During the investigation, a female career fabulist (fake degree, fake achievements) turned up, but Goren is tough enough to deal with this peace of work.

Nice episode, showing us competition inside a company, where lies matters more than real skills and you must exploit the right moment.