The story for "Passion" did sound interesting and did have potential to work. It's not innovative, but one shouldn't always expect uniqueness from 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' or from the 'Law and Order' franchise in general. Did like the idea though and the character of Nichols has really grown on me, didn't like him at first (through no fault of Jeff Goldblum though just to say) but once his episodes got better he did too. Plus the title is quite catchy.
It is one of those titles that does promise a lot but the delivery doesn't quite match. "Passion" is not a bad episode at all and a good deal works very well. It however could have been better considering the title and premise, and is to one of the lesser episodes of a mostly solid season that on the whole was better and more consistent than Seasons 5-7 (which was when 'Criminal Intent' started to become wildly uneven). "Passion" is in the "sort of liked but didn't love it" category.
Goldblum is likeable and suitably quirky, without going over the top on that, as well as a good authority figure. Julianne Nicholson is more subtle and still has an appealing personality, the two work very nicely together as a team and it was interesting to see them not agree as much with one another without being toxic. The supporting cast are fine too.
When it comes to the story, its high point is easily the conclusion, which was very clever and one of the standout ones of the Nichols and Wheeler outings and of Season 8 in general. The production values also are slick and 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.
However, the storytelling isn't consistent. Other than the conclusion actually, it is not as diverting or as intricate as it sounded on paper and there is not an awful lot that sticks out as special. The story takes too long to get going, only starting to compel after the second murder.
The case didn't seem twisty enough and actually found it on the simplistic and under-cooked side. While with smart and lean moments, the script could have been a lot tauter and grittier and the pace has dull stretches.
Bottom line, nothing exceptional but worth seeing if a fan of the show and franchise and want to see every episode. 6/10.
It is one of those titles that does promise a lot but the delivery doesn't quite match. "Passion" is not a bad episode at all and a good deal works very well. It however could have been better considering the title and premise, and is to one of the lesser episodes of a mostly solid season that on the whole was better and more consistent than Seasons 5-7 (which was when 'Criminal Intent' started to become wildly uneven). "Passion" is in the "sort of liked but didn't love it" category.
Goldblum is likeable and suitably quirky, without going over the top on that, as well as a good authority figure. Julianne Nicholson is more subtle and still has an appealing personality, the two work very nicely together as a team and it was interesting to see them not agree as much with one another without being toxic. The supporting cast are fine too.
When it comes to the story, its high point is easily the conclusion, which was very clever and one of the standout ones of the Nichols and Wheeler outings and of Season 8 in general. The production values also are slick and 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.
However, the storytelling isn't consistent. Other than the conclusion actually, it is not as diverting or as intricate as it sounded on paper and there is not an awful lot that sticks out as special. The story takes too long to get going, only starting to compel after the second murder.
The case didn't seem twisty enough and actually found it on the simplistic and under-cooked side. While with smart and lean moments, the script could have been a lot tauter and grittier and the pace has dull stretches.
Bottom line, nothing exceptional but worth seeing if a fan of the show and franchise and want to see every episode. 6/10.