There are many reasons as to why 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' appeals to me so much. Some great concepts. Its, like the rest of the 'Law and Order' franchise, ability to deal with difficult subjects uncompromisingly. The fascinating character of Bobby Goren with his neuroses and spot on perceptions. Vincent D'Onofrio's brilliant acting in the roles. Its intricacy (on the most part). Some brilliantly done interrogations. The entertaining and thought-probing writing. Some very interesting perpetrators. The list goes on and on.
"Gone" has nearly all of this, though other episodes before and since do better when it comes to the emotion and the difficult subjects. While again not one of my favourite episodes of 'Criminal Intent' or even one of my favourites of Season 4, "Gone" is very good. Do agree with another reviewer that it is very appropriately like a game of chess, it is not easy to get your head round at first but when more things are revealed and made clearer it all falls into place.
It is a little complicated at first and could have had more time to breathe to allow us to digest what was being said.
Was very intrigued by the chess jargon/technical terms but again it could potentially go over the head of non-chess players, like it did me initially.
As always however, "Gone" is a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key on the whole. The script is thought-provoking and has tension and entertainment value, especially the very witty lines Goren has at times.
Furthermore, the story is mostly very compelling. Much goes on and while it takes time to get the head around what goes on it satisfies immensely when everything falls into place with little signs of sketchiness. The final scene is a writing and acting masterclass and worth seeing the episode for alone (though of course there are other great things too). D'Onofrio is terrific, hugely charismatic and sophisticated as well as more understated than usual (without being overly so), and even better is a chilling Robert Carradine. The chemistry between the two has genuine tension.
Summarising, very good. 8/10
"Gone" has nearly all of this, though other episodes before and since do better when it comes to the emotion and the difficult subjects. While again not one of my favourite episodes of 'Criminal Intent' or even one of my favourites of Season 4, "Gone" is very good. Do agree with another reviewer that it is very appropriately like a game of chess, it is not easy to get your head round at first but when more things are revealed and made clearer it all falls into place.
It is a little complicated at first and could have had more time to breathe to allow us to digest what was being said.
Was very intrigued by the chess jargon/technical terms but again it could potentially go over the head of non-chess players, like it did me initially.
As always however, "Gone" is a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key on the whole. The script is thought-provoking and has tension and entertainment value, especially the very witty lines Goren has at times.
Furthermore, the story is mostly very compelling. Much goes on and while it takes time to get the head around what goes on it satisfies immensely when everything falls into place with little signs of sketchiness. The final scene is a writing and acting masterclass and worth seeing the episode for alone (though of course there are other great things too). D'Onofrio is terrific, hugely charismatic and sophisticated as well as more understated than usual (without being overly so), and even better is a chilling Robert Carradine. The chemistry between the two has genuine tension.
Summarising, very good. 8/10