The original 'Law and Order' will always to me be the best of the 'Law and Order' shows (other than the UK 'Law and Order', but that feels more like its own separate show or at least how it feels to me). Do feel though, since seeeing them regularly through late night re-runs though that both 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent' are worthy spin-offs, if more in the earlier seasons than the more frequently aired later ones for both shows.
Up to this point of Season 1, and 'Criminal Intent' even, there were a few particularly outstanding episodes (especially "The Faithful", "Jones" and "Poison") and even the weakest ("The Third Horseman") was still decent. So a very solid standard and it was great to see the show get off to such a promising start. Personally consider, out of the twelve episodes at this stage, "Crazy" among the better-faring episodes and has one of the best supporting/guest star turns.
Did think that the identity of the perpetrator was never really in doubt, it was a case of suspects being too few and being a little too obvious too early and considering how they are such a nasty piece of work the outcome is like a slap in the face.
Also felt that the motive was rather extreme and quite idiotic, when one wants to know why a crime is committed it is understandable if they want a motive that's easy to buy and undermines a character that makes such a big impression in the episode (would not have minded if it was cliched and would prefer it over "they killed for that" motives).
"Crazy" does show however that one of the beauties of 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' is seeing the detectives' methods and how they work in getting a result. Even when the who is obvious, the motive is not as much, true for this episode and the show in general. Goren's are quite unorthodox and eccentric and that's what sets this interesting character apart. Also love Goren and Eames' chemistry together, and they contrast beautifully with he being the hard-boiled and somewhat neurotic one and she the softer-spoken, more by-the-book and sympathetic one.
It's another case too of tackling a heavy subject, child abuse in this case, and personally didn't consider it tastelessly done, there isn't really anything that came over as controversial. Subtle it isn't but 'Criminal Intent' is not always the most subtle of shows. The story is absorbing, especially in the latter stages. The writing is taut and has amusing moments in particularly the battle of wits chemistry of Goren and Webb.
Expectedly, "Crazy" is a slick looking episode with some understated grit too, and the music thankfully doesn't intrude or feel ham-handed. The direction has momentum, so it's not hard to digest what is going on yet it doesn't become dreary either. The detective methods and psychology are very intriguing, as is the character of Goren. A character brilliantly portrayed by Vincent D'Onofrio and there is a nice softer contrast in Kathryn Erbe. Stephanie Seymour does a lot with her role but it is the deliciously barnstorming performance of Michael Gross that makes the biggest impression without unbalancing things.
All in all, very good if not quite outstanding. 8/10