It was with Season 5 in my view where 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' became less consistent. Having really liked on the most part the previous four seasons, with a few episodes disappointing of course, the quality of Season 5 onwards pretty much all the partnerships (including Goren and Eames) been disappointingly variable. Never unwatchable, but the number of great episodes for every season decreased increasingly.
"Betrayed" is to me an excellent episode, revolving around the theme of betrayal and doing so in a very layered and take no prisoners way. A perfect theme considering the level of betrayal that featured on 'Criminal Intent' in Seasons 6 and 7. One of Season 7's best, not quite as outstanding as "Amends" and "Purgatory" as far as Goren and Eames-centric episodes of the season go but towards the better end in regard to the latter seasons overall. If not quite one of the best 'Criminal Intent' episodes as an overall whole.
Like the previous episode "Contract", "Betrayed" is a little convoluted in spots. Again due to trying to do a little too much in the plotting, in what was already a quite complex case, a couple less turns and the episode wouldn't quite have had this problem.
Everything else is brilliant. Once again Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe are superb, bringing a lot of depth to their already always fascinating characters and their now very different and still trying to heal relationship. Eric Bogosian is fine too, while Brenda Strong gives a memorable guest supporting turn in particularly later on. Really appreciated that there was development to Ross, where one sees him as much more than the standard boss figure and one gets to know him more as a cop and as a person.
As ever, the photography and such are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction has some nice tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way.
Some of the season's best writing in my view is here in "Betrayed". It takes no prisoners while also approaching the subject tactfully enough at the same time. The dialogue really does provoke thought. The theme of betrayal is handled in a way that's uncompromisingly dark yet quite poignant, it is also very layered and one does see how much it affects so many people and relationships.
Overall, excellent. 9/10.
