Have always liked all three of the most famous and longest-running 'Law and Order' shows (this, 'Special Victims Unit' and especially the original 'Law and Order', the others are more variable). Or at least in their prime, 'Special Victims Unit's' early seasons were much better than the latter ones and the original wasn't the same post-Briscoe. The first season of 'Criminal Intent' is a solid one and perhaps the most consistent of the first seasons of those three.
"Yesterday" may not be one of the best episodes of 'Criminal Intent'. Or even one of the best of the first season, of which "Yesterday" is towards the end of (after it there were four episodes to go until the season's end). There is still more than enough of what makes 'Criminal Intent' the great show it is, though like the original and 'Special Victims Unit' the earlier seasons are in my mind better. This is a solid example of why, even if other episodes do it even better.
For my tastes, the murderer did incriminate himself too easily and obviously.
Maybe the final scene was a bit over-heated this time.
On the other hand, there is so much that "Yesterday" excels in. Lippman is a character one really loves to hate without being a cartoon, Jim True-Frost is deliciously conceited as him. The chemistry between him and Morrissey is also fascinating, the amount of psychological dominance/power that the former has over the latter is quite chilling especially. Goren, one of the most interesting lead characters in the 'Law and Order' cannon, is a massive part of 'Criminal Intent's' appeal, his deductive methods and way of thinking is both entertaining and intriguing. Love his restraint here in "Yesterday" while showing who is boss when interrogating, he sure has a powerfully effective way of getting results. Cannot imagine anybody else playing him than Vincent D'Onofrio.
The episode is well shot as always and the music never came over as inappropriate in placement or tone. The writing provokes thought and is tightly structured while the story is compelling, with Goren, the chemistry between the characters/actors and that Lippman is an interesting character lifting it above ordinary. The performances are all strong, though the show belongs to D'Onofrio and True-Frost.
In summation, very good. 8/10
"Yesterday" may not be one of the best episodes of 'Criminal Intent'. Or even one of the best of the first season, of which "Yesterday" is towards the end of (after it there were four episodes to go until the season's end). There is still more than enough of what makes 'Criminal Intent' the great show it is, though like the original and 'Special Victims Unit' the earlier seasons are in my mind better. This is a solid example of why, even if other episodes do it even better.
For my tastes, the murderer did incriminate himself too easily and obviously.
Maybe the final scene was a bit over-heated this time.
On the other hand, there is so much that "Yesterday" excels in. Lippman is a character one really loves to hate without being a cartoon, Jim True-Frost is deliciously conceited as him. The chemistry between him and Morrissey is also fascinating, the amount of psychological dominance/power that the former has over the latter is quite chilling especially. Goren, one of the most interesting lead characters in the 'Law and Order' cannon, is a massive part of 'Criminal Intent's' appeal, his deductive methods and way of thinking is both entertaining and intriguing. Love his restraint here in "Yesterday" while showing who is boss when interrogating, he sure has a powerfully effective way of getting results. Cannot imagine anybody else playing him than Vincent D'Onofrio.
The episode is well shot as always and the music never came over as inappropriate in placement or tone. The writing provokes thought and is tightly structured while the story is compelling, with Goren, the chemistry between the characters/actors and that Lippman is an interesting character lifting it above ordinary. The performances are all strong, though the show belongs to D'Onofrio and True-Frost.
In summation, very good. 8/10
