Really enjoyed on the whole the first four seasons, but it was with Season 5 where 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' became less consistent. Which was the case for both the episodes with Goren and Eames and the ones with Logan and Barek (more so the latter). Season 6 started off pretty well, though there was potential for improvement. "Tru Love" is also notable for introducing us to Megan Wheeler, replacing Logan's Season 5 Barek in such a last-minute-feeling move.
"Tru Love" has its good things, but mostly it left me very, very mixed and overall didn't do an awful lot for me sadly. My problems actually were not with Wheeler at all and personally have never minded her. It's the story execution that significantly brings down "Tru Love", 'Criminal Intent' and the whole 'Law and Order' franchise usually did extremely well with its "ripped from the headlines" type of stories but this time it falls flat. The subject matter has never been a favourite subject of mine in the franchise and similar shows, and there is nothing here to make me change my mind. If anything it reinforced it.
One of "Tru Love's" best aspects is Chris Noth. Actually like Logan as a character and like his dry humour and gritty edge, which Noth captured extremely well throughout his stint on 'Criminal Intent' (just like he did in Seasons 1-5 of the original 'Law and Order'). Actually thought that, contrary to what has been said by fans, Wheeler made a promising first impression in "Tru Love". With Julianne Nicholson bringing subtlety, without being too low key, to her that contrasts nicely with Logan's and Noth's drier and grittier approach. Admittedly their chemistry is very early days understandably, with it needing more fire, but there is potential. Some of it is quite snappy and they work well as an equal team.
Also thought that there were good performances from snappy Johnny LaPaglia and from the late Anton Yelchin and Anne Dudek. The teamwork between Logan and Wheeler could have done with more spark but intrigues at least. As usual for 'Criminal Intent', "Tru Love" is slickly made and hauntingly scored.
It is such a shame that the story for me just didn't come together and pretty much ruins "Tru Love" for many reasons. Even for the subject it was just too sordid and sensationalist and in a way that was not tasteful or credible. Too much of it is dull, due to a lack of tension, due to over-silliness and obviousness going overboard and some overlong and pointless padding. Such as the misty window car scene and the bus chase. It was seldom realistic, especially the relationship between Yelchin and Dudek. Too often that veers into cheap nonsense and what should have been serious becomes unintentionally silly.
Plausibility is not a strong point in either the story or script, everything with the victim's plan was depraved sensationalism at its most gratuitous. Any attempts at misdirection in both the story and script only succeed in confusing the story and making it weirder than it already was. The dialogue is too over-heated and at times awkward, very difficult to keep a straight face in some of it. Still don't like Ross, too agressive and biased and whenever it is made clearer when he doesn't like someone or something one is beaten around the head with it.
Summing up, didn't do much for me sadly. 5/10
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