Goren and Eames were always a great pairing, and both are great characters embodied brilliantly by Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe. Although their episodes became inconsistent from Season 5 onwards, like 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' in general, they never lost their spark, even when Goren's character development got darker and meatier. When it comes to the alternate pairings, the other being Nichols and Wheeler, there is definitely a preference for Goren and Eames.
There are better episodes of theirs though than "All In", both since and especially before. Including the episode that it seems to be loosely half-connected to Season 5's "Cruise to Nowhere". "All In" is still a good episode that improves over the previous one "Passion", but there was potential for it to be great with such a good concept and the episode doesn't quite reach that. While of course showing many flashes of brilliance. For better episodes of Season 8 though, look to "Identity Crisis" and "Major Cases".
"All In" has its flaws. Did feel that some of the character motivations seemed on the muddled side, especially in regard to the victim.
It did also feel rushed later on, meaning that it got over-complicated going into the final quarter.
However, "All In" succeeds highly a lot more than it disappoints. It is well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and the direction is accomodating while still having pulse. The beginning is incredibly interesting, where one can already feel the manipulation at work that runs to increasingly tense effect throughout "All In".
Similarly the ending is a knockout, very dramatic without being over-heated and not expected. Goren's way of getting to the truth is different. The story is very clever and intricate and only suffers really from being in need of a slowing down. Did like that we are always kept guessing as to who is responsible and whom is playing who. All the performances are great, especially from D'Onofrio who very seldom disappointed as Goren.
On the whole, good but not great. 7/10.
There are better episodes of theirs though than "All In", both since and especially before. Including the episode that it seems to be loosely half-connected to Season 5's "Cruise to Nowhere". "All In" is still a good episode that improves over the previous one "Passion", but there was potential for it to be great with such a good concept and the episode doesn't quite reach that. While of course showing many flashes of brilliance. For better episodes of Season 8 though, look to "Identity Crisis" and "Major Cases".
"All In" has its flaws. Did feel that some of the character motivations seemed on the muddled side, especially in regard to the victim.
It did also feel rushed later on, meaning that it got over-complicated going into the final quarter.
However, "All In" succeeds highly a lot more than it disappoints. It is well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and the direction is accomodating while still having pulse. The beginning is incredibly interesting, where one can already feel the manipulation at work that runs to increasingly tense effect throughout "All In".
Similarly the ending is a knockout, very dramatic without being over-heated and not expected. Goren's way of getting to the truth is different. The story is very clever and intricate and only suffers really from being in need of a slowing down. Did like that we are always kept guessing as to who is responsible and whom is playing who. All the performances are great, especially from D'Onofrio who very seldom disappointed as Goren.
On the whole, good but not great. 7/10.