Customer Reviews

Law & Order: Criminal Intent - The Fifth Year

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The format for "Law and Order: Criminal Intent" changes during its fifth season by introducing a second pair of detectives. The episodes alternate each week with the cases being solved by either series regulars Robert Goren (Vincent D'Onofrio) and Alexandra Eames (Kathryn Erbe) or by Detective Mike Logan (Chris Noth) and former FBI agent Detective Carolyn Barek (Annabella Sciorra).

The addition of Logan and Barek brings a different approach to the series as the reactionary Logan is teamed with the intelligent and low-key Barek. The differences of this team, as opposed to Goren and Eames, is not lost on how they interact with Captain James Deakins (Jamey Sheridan) and ADA Ron Carver (Courtney B. Vance).

Featured during the fifth season is the first two-part episode of the series, "In The Wee Small Hours," which involves both sets of detectives. "Star Trek" fans will be surprised to see Colm Meaney playing an egotistical judge in this episode.

I have long been a fan of LOCI, but only with Goren and Eames. I have tried watching the other half from Noth and Sciorra all the way up to Jeff Goldblum and partner. Although all others are very talented actors, I have been unable to enjoy them in these roles. I am totally taken by D'Onofrio and Erbe and the talent they bring to this show. I will certainly buy the 5th season, but you can bet that I only watch the ones with Goren and Eames. I am so very sorry that Mr. D'Onofrio is leaving and the heart will go out of the show. I will probably tune in to the new one but I don't think I will remain a fan. It would have been interesting to see Goren and
Eames' lives play out. Both Goren and Eames needed a minor theme of a romantic interest to brighten things up. Goodbye favorite show!!!!

I am so excited that season five of CI is finally coming out on DVD. Unlike the other reviewers, I have to say that the addition of Barek and Logan was a great idea and the main reason I fell back in love with the show. I was more than a little saddened that Annabella Sciorra didn't stay for sixth season as I loved her character, Carolyn Barek, and very much lament the missed chances.

Still, season five produced some of my favorite episodes of the series. "In the Wee Small Hours" was very well done, as were "Scared Crazy" and "The Healer". I have to say that in terms of show mythology, everything from "To The Bone" through "The Good" was a fantastic set up for Jamey Sheridan's exit and completely set up all of season 6 and the fallout therein.

Something that has always - and will always - impressed me about Criminal Intent is that the internal character continuity is some of the most perfect on television. Character choices made in season 1 resonate and stay consistent straight through all of season 6 and beyond. Season five set the scene for everything that came after, including the deconstruction of the Goren/Eames partnership. Season five really is the last of the golden days for their partnership and friendship.

I have really been anticipating this release and can't wait to get it in my mail box!

My husband and I are die hard Criminal Intent lovers. We don't have cable/HD TV, so we buy it by the season when the newest one comes out. Both being hard core Goren fans, we were a little bereft when the seasons started having him in only half the episodes (with Chris Noth being in the other). However, whether it is a Goren or Logan episode, Criminal Intent is as awesome as ever. In this season there were moments where we literally gasped out loud at the plot twists! Oh joy! As usual, we tore through the whole season in no time, and are now impatiently awaiting season 6! :) We highly recommend this to fellow Criminal Intent enthusiasts.

Once again, a wonderful show that is forever available to be watched over & over. I recommend the purchase for any L&O fans, because they are available at all times. I have watched them over & over & over.......

Once again I am not disappointed. The season 5 of Law & Order: Criminal Intent was just as Great as the past seasons.

This series began encountering difficulties when it started alternating the detectives each week. One week you get the usual Goren and Eames and the next week you get a new team. The new team is Mike Logan (Chris Noth) and Carolyn Barek (Annabella Sciorra). Noth eventually grew on me. After all, he used to be on the original L&O. However, Sciorra was terrible in this role. She was replaced by other women, who also failed, until in 2009 the show just paired Eames with Jeff Goldblum. Some tv viewers just got in the habit of watching this show only when Goren and Eames were the ones "up". Some buyers of the dvd will probably do the same.

The formula of the show remains the same. The two detectives need to solve a case which is particularly gruesome or sensitive. The focus is entirely on solving the case, not winning it in court, which makes it different from the other two L&Os. The scripts remain top notch. However, this is a show which never deviates from the L&O formula.

The earliest seasons of L&O CI are its best ones. However, this is good enough to continue viewing it.

Another great season. Possibly the strongest. Possibly.

I have to admit that alternating episodes between crews did in fact create suspense simply because the dynamic between them was so different. If you were unconvinced and unhappy sharing your favorite Law and Order with "new" characters, you were much more excited to see the D'Onofrio-Erbe episodes. Each team has distinct differences of approach. Chris Noth gets plaudits simply for playing his character for so long. His being in a different setting is hardly worthy of strong criticism.

This season rarely suffered from poor writing or redundancy as previous seasons did (albeit rarely). I can only think of one episode that outright bored me. The majority of the episodes in season five were riveting, and the two-parter ("In The Wee Small Hours") featuring both Goran-Eames and Logan-Barek is an absolute must-see of the series. Season Four has an equally potent pair-up episode like this as well ("Stress Position"). Rarely a dull moment in season five. My only advise is "don't binge." Nothing gets dull faster than when you do :)

Season 5 was a really good season. The VDO episodes included some of his best, and it was really good to get the first Chris Noth season. VDO peaked this season doing the character of Goren the way it was originally conceived and Noth hit the ground running with a fully formed Mike Logan. I'm enjoying this season.

yes, I love Chris Noth and his eminent charachter, detective Mike Logan, so I very really enjoyed this series of Law & Order C.I. because it is when detective Logan returns!