"Cadaver" is a pretty unique episode of 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent', or certainly in my view the case is. Where the crime scene is not an obvious one for a while and everything with the body is not as simple as one would think. As far as Season 10's cases go, that for "Cadaver's" stands out, its most complex, its most shocking and the victim is one of the most loathsome of the latter seasons. Or at least that is all the case to me.
Along with "The Last Street on Manhattan" and "Icarus", "Cadaver" is one of the best episodes of the best and most consistent season since Season 4, where even the weakest episode ("Trophy Wine") is still very good. It's a wonderful episode and is the one of Season 10 that kept me guessing the most and longest. Also think that of Season 10 it is the most complicated and shocking one and is one of the most intricate of the latter seasons.
Photography while very close up doesn't come over as too static or filmed play-like, while the production values are typically solid and have subtle atmosphere while not being drab and keeping things simple. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone. The direction is accommodating and also has the right amount of tension.
The script is intelligent and tight, as well as entertaining and pulling no punches. Goren's perceptions fascinate and don't come too easily (which was a problem at times in Seasons 5 and 6). The denouement and final scene are especially strongly written. The story, very detective work heavy, is riveting and while it is complicated and a lot happens it doesn't feel convoluted or over-stuffed. The truth is a real shock, and while all the endings in Season 10 have been well executed this was the only one to leave me completely shocked.
Did love the final scene, where Goren is entirely relatable to anybody who has had therapy and has felt any form of frustration or felt it's not working. Can understand anybody that didn't care for the therapy scenes in the season, and they were to me the weak link of the season, tending to slow the episodes down and on occasions tacked on. This one though was very powerfully written and acted and the one that furthered Goren's character development the most. The acting throughout is excellent, with the standout being Vincent D'Onofrio in the final scene.
All in all, brilliant. 10/10.
Along with "The Last Street on Manhattan" and "Icarus", "Cadaver" is one of the best episodes of the best and most consistent season since Season 4, where even the weakest episode ("Trophy Wine") is still very good. It's a wonderful episode and is the one of Season 10 that kept me guessing the most and longest. Also think that of Season 10 it is the most complicated and shocking one and is one of the most intricate of the latter seasons.
Photography while very close up doesn't come over as too static or filmed play-like, while the production values are typically solid and have subtle atmosphere while not being drab and keeping things simple. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone. The direction is accommodating and also has the right amount of tension.
The script is intelligent and tight, as well as entertaining and pulling no punches. Goren's perceptions fascinate and don't come too easily (which was a problem at times in Seasons 5 and 6). The denouement and final scene are especially strongly written. The story, very detective work heavy, is riveting and while it is complicated and a lot happens it doesn't feel convoluted or over-stuffed. The truth is a real shock, and while all the endings in Season 10 have been well executed this was the only one to leave me completely shocked.
Did love the final scene, where Goren is entirely relatable to anybody who has had therapy and has felt any form of frustration or felt it's not working. Can understand anybody that didn't care for the therapy scenes in the season, and they were to me the weak link of the season, tending to slow the episodes down and on occasions tacked on. This one though was very powerfully written and acted and the one that furthered Goren's character development the most. The acting throughout is excellent, with the standout being Vincent D'Onofrio in the final scene.
All in all, brilliant. 10/10.
