"Shrink Wrapped" has one of the most interesting, most difficult to resist and most unsettling premises of all the episodes from Season 3. Even before watching on my first viewing of the episode, even the premise alone made me immediately want to see it and part of me had a very strong feeling that it would be at least good. Also am somebody that likes very much 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' and of the type of show that it fits under.
Was not at all disappointed on my first watch of "Shrink Wrapped". It is another 'Criminal Intent' episode to be even better with each re-watch, namely because the case is even more interesting than before, because of getting even more out of the supporting characters. Because it is more emotionally investable. Basically, it was due to that there was more to appreciate than first time round and it just clicked with me more in various ways.
Production values are as appropriately slick and gritty, yet not overtly, as ever. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction has some nice tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way.
There are great unsettling performances from eerily sultry Margaret Colin and an against type Brent Spiner. Taylor Roberts is also just brilliant at the end and her restraint for most of "Shrink Wrapped" was effective and never felt "going through the motions"-like. The character interaction is also incredibly well done, the twisted games played by the parents has seldom been creepier for any show/series.
It was also emotionally devastating seeing how much it affects Roberts' character, the franchise did excel when any episode of any of the show showed what bad decisions and behaviours from parents affects their offspring. Still love the chemistry between Goren and Eames, which played always a big part in prime-'Criminal Intent's' appeal, and the script is tight and smart without falling into silliness or self-indulgence. The story is always absorbing and never felt too obvious or too complicated. It is especially great towards the end and at the end, due to the acting, momentum and emotional impact being at their best.
Very little again to criticise here in "Shrink Wrapped". For me, while Vincent D'Onofrio is still very good he did seem somewhat subdued compared to usual here. The intensity and quirkiness that are such big parts of Goren are present more in other episodes.
All in all, great. 9/10
Was not at all disappointed on my first watch of "Shrink Wrapped". It is another 'Criminal Intent' episode to be even better with each re-watch, namely because the case is even more interesting than before, because of getting even more out of the supporting characters. Because it is more emotionally investable. Basically, it was due to that there was more to appreciate than first time round and it just clicked with me more in various ways.
Production values are as appropriately slick and gritty, yet not overtly, as ever. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction has some nice tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way.
There are great unsettling performances from eerily sultry Margaret Colin and an against type Brent Spiner. Taylor Roberts is also just brilliant at the end and her restraint for most of "Shrink Wrapped" was effective and never felt "going through the motions"-like. The character interaction is also incredibly well done, the twisted games played by the parents has seldom been creepier for any show/series.
It was also emotionally devastating seeing how much it affects Roberts' character, the franchise did excel when any episode of any of the show showed what bad decisions and behaviours from parents affects their offspring. Still love the chemistry between Goren and Eames, which played always a big part in prime-'Criminal Intent's' appeal, and the script is tight and smart without falling into silliness or self-indulgence. The story is always absorbing and never felt too obvious or too complicated. It is especially great towards the end and at the end, due to the acting, momentum and emotional impact being at their best.
Very little again to criticise here in "Shrink Wrapped". For me, while Vincent D'Onofrio is still very good he did seem somewhat subdued compared to usual here. The intensity and quirkiness that are such big parts of Goren are present more in other episodes.
All in all, great. 9/10