All the episodes of the first season of 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' in my view are good to brilliant, making it a solid season overall. Found the weakest, while still liking it with reservations, to be "The Third Horseman", primarily down to feeling that it could have handled its controversial subject matter with more balance and tact, and the best as far as the previous episodes go being "The Faithful", "Jones", "Homo Homini Lupis" and "Badge".
"Tuxedo Hill" is another one of the season's best episodes and works very well indeed as a season finale. As well as having all of the usual good things and executing them brilliantly, what really made "Tuxedo Hill" stand out was its honesty and relevance in how it tackled a not easy subject. That is something that has always been admirable about the 'Law and Order' franchise, handling difficult subjects and moral dilemmas, execution varied throughout the three best shows of the franchise (the original, prime-'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent') but it was hard to not admire the good intentions.
It is a good, slick-looking episode that stylistically matches the tone of the story very well. The music doesn't make the mistakes of being overused, which allows the dialogue to shine, or being melodramatic, even in the climactic moments. The main theme tune is not my favourite of the 'Law and Order' theme tunes but is still memorable and has a groove without being inappropriate to the type of show 'Criminal Intent' is.
Furthermore, the script is taut, intelligent and makes one think. Maybe one needs familiarity with the job "Tuxedo Hill" centres around, as well as with stock markets and finance, to understand all of the jargon that peppers the writing, but to me it wasn't over-complicated and good educational value. The story intrigues and always engages, but what makes it stand out in particular is the way the subject is handled. Done in a very honest way that still holds up as relevant and will resonate (and has resonated) with many. The viewer is likely to relish the ending as much as the detectives do.
Goren is a fascinating character brilliantly brought to life by Vincent D'Onofrio, contrasted beautifully by a more subtle Kathryn Erbe. The two as ever have great chemistry together. Bruce Altman is the standout of the rest of the cast, deliciously smarmy as the smarmiest of CEOs.
Overall, a brilliant final episode to a consistently solid season. 10/10
"Tuxedo Hill" is another one of the season's best episodes and works very well indeed as a season finale. As well as having all of the usual good things and executing them brilliantly, what really made "Tuxedo Hill" stand out was its honesty and relevance in how it tackled a not easy subject. That is something that has always been admirable about the 'Law and Order' franchise, handling difficult subjects and moral dilemmas, execution varied throughout the three best shows of the franchise (the original, prime-'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent') but it was hard to not admire the good intentions.
It is a good, slick-looking episode that stylistically matches the tone of the story very well. The music doesn't make the mistakes of being overused, which allows the dialogue to shine, or being melodramatic, even in the climactic moments. The main theme tune is not my favourite of the 'Law and Order' theme tunes but is still memorable and has a groove without being inappropriate to the type of show 'Criminal Intent' is.
Furthermore, the script is taut, intelligent and makes one think. Maybe one needs familiarity with the job "Tuxedo Hill" centres around, as well as with stock markets and finance, to understand all of the jargon that peppers the writing, but to me it wasn't over-complicated and good educational value. The story intrigues and always engages, but what makes it stand out in particular is the way the subject is handled. Done in a very honest way that still holds up as relevant and will resonate (and has resonated) with many. The viewer is likely to relish the ending as much as the detectives do.
Goren is a fascinating character brilliantly brought to life by Vincent D'Onofrio, contrasted beautifully by a more subtle Kathryn Erbe. The two as ever have great chemistry together. Bruce Altman is the standout of the rest of the cast, deliciously smarmy as the smarmiest of CEOs.
Overall, a brilliant final episode to a consistently solid season. 10/10