Showing posts with label Criminal Intent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Criminal Intent. Show all posts

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Law & Order SVU “Hunt, Trap, Rape, And Release” Discussion Topic



Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC 2021 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Here is the discussion topic for Law & Order SVU, “Hunt, Trap, Rape, And Release” which aired on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 9 PM ET on NBC. The episode featured the return of Law & Order Criminal Intent’s Annabella Sciorra as Lieutenant Carolyn Barek. 

The SVU discovers that their latest case looks to be the work of a serial rapist when they find similar cases in the Bronx. Barek is now a Lieutenant in the Bronx, and she and Benson and the SVU team have some tense moments early on as they clash about jurisdiction and control of the case.  Ultimately, the Bronx gang grudgingly cooperates.  Things get complicated when it looks like some of the previous “good girl” rapes didn’t completely match the pattern.  

I’m not sure what triggered this in my mind but it seemed very obvious early on that Sergeant Ari Moldivan was involved, either in a cover up or the rapes themselves.   This sets up a very tense scene toward the end of the episode where Rollins gets him to confess and Moldivan decides to let his gun do the talking – first on Rollins and then on himself.  Rollins, however, calls his bluff,  and he decides against it. 

This was a tension-filled,  tightly-written, fast-paced episode which utilized the entire cast.  I was never much of a fan of the character Carolyn Barek from Law & Order Criminal Intent but don’t have any issues with how she was used for this episode.    It was an hour well spent!

What did YOU think of the episode? Comments welcome - join the discussion!




Law & Order SVU “Hunt, Trap, Rape, And Release” Photos

Here are photos from Law & Order SVU, “Hunt, Trap, Rape, And Release” airing on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 9PM ET on NBC. The episode features the return of Law & Order Criminal Intent’s Annabella Sciorra. The photos feature Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino, Jamie Gray Hyder, Demore Barnes, Annabella Sciorra as Lieutenant Carolyn Barek, and Rudy Mungaray as Sergeant Ari Moldivan (previous name released by NBC was Sergeant Ari Kovacs). 






















Photos by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC and Heidi Gutman/NBC 2021 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Law & Order Episode Summaries for the Week of February 17


Law & Order is running a new episode this week, with SVU and Criminal Intent rerunning episodes previously aired this season. All are on NBC.

Law & Order SVU “Svengali” Episode 09-06, Re-Air Date February 19, 2008
CAN COMIC BOOKS BE DANGEROUS? FOR DETECTIVE OLIVIA BENSON (MARISKA HARGITAY) THEY COULD BE DEADLY– When a college student is found murdered in her formal wear, Detectives Benson and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) recognize the body’s mutilation as a “copycat” of serial killer Robert Morton (guest star Jared Harris). Cecilia (guest star Shannon Woodward), the last person to see the victim alive, suddenly goes missing herself. In a race to find Cecilia alive, the detectives seek out Morton and discover his loyal following of people, including one twisted man and his comic book series that glorifies Morton’s murders. The comic books are the key to finding Cecilia, but the investigation angers Morton’s followers and Detective Benson find herself in serious danger. Also starring: Adam Beach, Dann Florek, Ice-T, Diane Neal, Tamara Tunie, Richard Belzer, and BD Wong.

Law & Order Criminal Intent “Smile ” Episode 07-03, Re-Air Date February 20, 2008
When a dentist is murdered by the mother of one of his patients, Goren (Vincent D’Onofrio) and Eames (Kathryn Erbe) follow the trail of evidence to a company that appears to have been the victim of a criminal conspiracy involving contaminated mouthwash. Also starring Eric Bogosian.


Law & Order “Executioner” Episode 18-09 Airdate February 20, 2008
BEING AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME PROVES TO BE DEADLY FOR ONE SURGEON -Dr. Mark Burns (guest star Alan Zweibel) is found murdered in his hotel room while attending a out-of-town convention. Detectives Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Green (Jesse L. Martin) learn that Dr. Burns’ made a large withdrawal from his bank account moments before he was murdered. Evidence rules out the con artists who scammed Burns as suspects, but a hotel surveillance tape shows a man with a southern accent vehemently knocking on the door looking for a different physician, Dr. Garrison (guest star James Rebhorn). This finding leads the detectives to believe Dr. Garrison may have been the intended target and his life is still at risk. Also Starring: Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Linus Roache, and Alana De La Garza.


Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, HERE!

Also, see my companion Law & Order site, These Are Their Stories.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Law & Order Episode Summaries for the Week of February 10

The "Mothership" Law & Order is running a new episode this week, with SVU and Criminal Intent rerunning episodes previously aired this season. The previews of Law & Order's "Illegal" looked really interesting, so I hope we'll get another great episode this week!

Law & Order SVU “Savant” Episode 09-04, Re-Air Date February 12, 2008
A mentally challenged girl (Paulina Gerzon) is the only witness to the attack that left her mother in a coma. The detectives suspect the uncooperative husband (Aidan Quinn), but he has some powerful legal support to keep him from testifying, so the department reluctantly resorts to questioning the child in order to piece together the events of the crime. Starring Markisa Hargitay and Chris Meloni. Guest stars Vincent Spano, Jayne Atkinson, Peter Riegert

Law & Order Criminal Intent “Offense ” Episode 07-08, Re-Air Date February 13, 2008
A witness in a well-publicized rape trial is found dead. Evidence points to the college football-team members being prosecuted for the rape, but further investigation reveals a connection to an attorney with an agenda. Starring Chris Noth, Alicia Witt. Guest stars Peri Gilpin, Andrew McCarthy.


Law & Order “Illegal” Episode 18-08 Air Date February 13, 2008
A CASE WHERE A COP KILLS A WOMAN RAISES TENSION IN THE D.A.’S OFFICE – A murdered woman is found in an alleyway dumpster after a riot at an immigration rally. Detectives Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Ed Green’s (Jesse L. Martin) investigation leads to an auxiliary cop’s over zealous attempt to stop the riot. The political nature of case elevates tension in the DA’s office as DA Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) assigns ADA Josh Lethem (guest star John Pankow) to prosecute the case. But Lethem has his own biased agenda, bringing McCoy’s liberal background into question. Also starring: S. Epatha Merkerson, Linus Roache, and Alana De La Garza.


Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
HERE!

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,
These Are Their Stories.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Chris Noth and Tara Wilson – It’s A Boy!

People Magazine has announced that Chris Noth, currently on Law & Order Criminal Intent, and his long time girlfriend Tara Wilson, are now the proud parents of a baby boy.

People reports: “Orion Christopher Noth was born in Los Angeles on Friday, and weighed 7 lbs., 10 oz.”

With a nebulous name like that, this baby will likely become a star. (Pun intended.)

Congratulations!

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, HERE!

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,
These Are Their Stories.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Law & Order: New Episode Summaries for the Week of January 20, 2008


This week, we have new episodes for Law & Order and Law & Order SVU. There is no new Law & Order Criminal Intent on USA this week. NBC is re-airing an episode first run on USA on November 15, 2007.

There may have been a change in the order of the Law & Order episodes. Next up was supposed to be episode 18-05, “Illegal”, but the TV Guide is showing the episode as 18-09, “Driven.”

Here they are:

Law & Order SVU: Episode 09-14, “Inconceivable”, Airs January 22, 2008
WHEN FERTILIZED EMBRYOS GO MISSING FROM A SPERM BANK, THE DETECTIVES MUST INVESTIGATE THE GROWING LIST OF SUSPECTS BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT. The robbery of fertilized embryos from a sperm bank call for Detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) to track down the thief. Clues from the clinic’s security tape lead Benson and Stabler to a long list of suspects including James and Victoria Grall (guest stars Mark Moses and Janine Turner), two publicity-hungry extremists. The detectives race against the clock to find the missing embryos, but that isn’t the only clock that’s ticking - Olivia considers her own fertility and the possibility of motherhood. Also starring: Adam Beach, Dann Florek, Ice-T, Diane Neal, Richard Belzer, and Tamara Tunie.

Law & Order, Episode 18-05, “Driven” Airs January 23, 2008
A TEENAGER AND YOUNG GIRL ARE FOUND DEAD NEAR A NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYGROUND AROUSING RACIALLY CHARGED ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY: ALLY WALKER GUEST STARS - When a Caucasian teenage boy and young African American girl are found dead near a neighborhood playground, Detectives Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) have trouble getting witnesses to talk after realizing the boy was targeted and the girl was killed accidentally. Two brothers and friends of the murdered boy, Andy (guest star Jeremy Allen White) and Josh Steel (guest star Miles Chandler), lead the detectives to a local kid Will Manning (guest star Tristan Wilds). Ultimately, it’s Will’s father Ray Manning (guest star Kevin Carroll) who admits to being the shooter. Ray’s defense is that he feared for his son’s life when he saw three boys chasing Will with baseball bats. This new information leads the detectives to suspect the Steel brothers and their overly aggressive mother, Gretchen (guest star Ally Walker). With racial tensions high in the community, the DA’s office must decide how to charge and prosecute the case. Also starring: Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Linus Roache, and Alana De La Garza.

Law & Order Criminal Intent, Episode , “Self-Made ”, Re-Airs January 23,2008
A writer is found tortured and murdered, and clues lead Goren (Vincent D’Onofrio) and Eames (Kathryn Erbe) to suspects in her lavish literary circle and the gritty urban society she called her roots.






Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, HERE!



Also, see my companion Law & Order site,
These Are Their Stories.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Bobby Goren: Untethered – or Unhinged?

Last night’s (December 6) Criminal Intent brings the question to the forefront: is Bobby Goren finally going over the edge? The second question that comes to mind is: does the “Big Guy” need to go on a diet?

First, the episode. It was billed as an extended episode, but where was the extra time? I expected some time tacked on to the ending of the show, but I suspect the extra time may have been a result of less commercials. A little misleading, I think.

The story itself was good. Frankly, I think I may have liked it a little better had they not made Goren’s involvement a family issue. I suppose that had to be a big part of it to rationalize Goren’s behavior in getting so personally involved. Still, one of the things I always liked about the Law & Order franchise is we used to get so little personal stuff about the characters. Criminal Intent seems to have thrown that out the window, and I’m not sure I like it. I really do not care to know any more about Goren’s family, so I hope the show moves off the subject from here on end.

Vincent D’Onofrio pulled off one of his best CI performances ever. In fact, it was so good I wondered if he was pulling it from any personal experience. I even felt a little closed in and squeamish when he was restrained on that table.

I feel sorry for Eames (Kathryn Erbe) who continues to be caught in the Goren whirlpool, getting sucked into trouble with him. It’s clear, though, that she cares for Bobby and will do anything she can, including getting herself in trouble, to protect him.

Continuing to underwhelm me is Eric Bogosian as Captain Danny Ross. His delivery, even in scenes that should be very dramatic, is at best, lifeless and wooden. What made it even worse was the scene with Ross and medical examiner Rogers (Leslie Hendrix) in the elevator, clearly dressed for a night on the town together. They just strike me as a creepy pair.

Funny – but also not funny – was the continued reference to Goren as the “Big Guy”. Funny because he could have overpowered those guards if he really wanted to, not funny because D’Onofrio is really looking too large in an unhealthy way. The last few episodes, it even appears his walk is being affected by the extra weight. I find myself more concerned about D’Onofrio’s increasing girth than I am Goren’s increasing mental imbalance.

Oervall a great episode, but here's hoping that Criminal Intent reverts back to being a show about the crimes and not about personal matters. And a special note to Vincent D'Onofrio - take off some of those extra pounds, for the sake of your health!


Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
HERE!

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,
These Are Their Stories.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Law & Order Criminal Intent Returns to NBC

Various news sources report that Criminal Intent will be moving back to NBC on Wednesdays at 9:00 PM, starting January 9. These will be rebroadcasts of new episodes aired on the USA Network. USA will continue to show the first run episodes.

This is great news for all CI fans like me, who don't get the USA Network in HD. I'll gladly watch reruns if I can see Vincent D'Onofrio (in all his largeness) and Chris Noth, in HD.

Now if they can just get rid of Alicia Witt I would be happy beyond reason. It would be great if Kathryn Erbe could do double duty for both shows. I can only wish.

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
HERE!

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,
These Are Their Stories.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Criminal Intent Quick News

The USA Network web site says that next Thursday’s (December 6) Criminal Intent will be an extended episode. It’s a Bobby Goren episode, with an extra 5 minutes at the end. The previews appear that Vincent D'Onofrio will have another chance to overact - which means I won't miss it.

In other news, Chris Noth, and co-owner Steve Walter are looking for some investors to help move their “The Cutting Room” restaurant/lounge from the Flatiron District to Hell's Kitchen. Any takers? Check out the web site - and the food - before you invest.


http://www.thecuttingroomnyc.com/

Monday, November 19, 2007

Addicted to the Law & Order franchise? Take my test

You watch a lot of Law & Order, SVU, and CI. A lot. How do you know when you're addicted and you’re a serious Law & Order junkie? Take my test and find out. Keep count of the number to which you can relate, and find your score at the end.

1. You can recite the intro from memory for every show in the Law & Order Franchise

2. You’re upset that they changed the intro music on Criminal Intent from a hard rockin’ sound to something more orchestral.

3. You’ve seen every episode more than once. OK, more than twice. More than three times…you get the picture.

4. You know how the repeat episode is going to end after watching only the first few minutes of the show, but you watch it anyway to the bitter end.

5. You are glued to TNT in the afternoon, and in the evenings. You record even the episodes that they show in the wee hours of the morning. You catch every new episode on NBC and USA, of course.

6. You’ve got names for each one of the shows in the franchise, like “the mothership” or “original recipe” for Law & Order; “SUV” for SVU; and “L&O extra crispy” for CI.

7. You have a hard time watching “Aftershock” because you know what’s going to happen at the end, and started watching “Crossing Jordan” so it would seem that Claire was not really dead after all.

8. You were upset when Jerry Orbach died.

9. You’re excited when you have to serve on jury duty. Then you annoy the rest of the jury because, since you watch L&O, you have all this legal expertise.

10. You find yourself talking back to the television, giving Jack McCoy (Sam Waterson) or Casey Novak (Diane Neal) legal advice. (You usually shout more at Casey than at Jack, by the way.)

11. You can identify all the “repeat offenders” (actors who have starred on other roles on any of the L&O franchise), even when they show up on other non-L&O shows. (Ritchie Coster really gets around in the L&O Universe.) Sometimes you’re incredulous that, for example, Bobby Goren (Vincent D’Onofrio) doesn’t recognize one of his criminals as someone who played an attorney in a L&O episode.

12. You look forward to episodes with repeat appearances from people like Danielle Melnick (Tovah Feldshuh), Randy Dworkin (Peter Jacobson), and Shambala Green (Lorraine Toussaint) because you know there will be fireworks or an outrageous defense.

13. You frequent all the message boards and forums to talk about and rate each episode after it’s over.

14. Your bracelet, “WWJD” stands for “What Would Jack Do?”

15. You frequently say along with, what Dann Florek called “The Doink-Doink” (some call it the “chung-chung), when scenes change.

16. You’re crazed if you miss a new episode because your DVR didn’t work, you forgot to program the show, you had a power failure, etc.

17. You feel happy, yet someone odd, when something personal about a L&O character creeps into the show, because you’re really not supposed to know them.

18. The phrase “Is this because I’m a lesbian?” has crept into your life as an excuse for everything, and you’re not even a lesbian.

19. You read the paper and pick out stories that you know will become “ripped from the headlines” episodes.

20. Characters from the Law & Order universe appear in your dreams.


How did you score?
0-5: You’re dead or you don’t own a television
6-10: You watch the show occasionally, or not all shows in the franchise
11-15: You’re developing a problem
16-18: Addicted, a junkie
19-20: Get a life!

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
HERE!

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,
These Are Their Stories.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Criminal Intent - A show with a split personality?

When Law & Order Criminal Intent started its run, Detectives Goren and Eames (Vincent D’Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe) were the featured detectives of the major case squad. Sometime in 2005, however, the show decided to add another detective – and dimension – to the mix, with the return of Detective Mike Logan (Chris Noth). In my opinion, it was a welcome change to the show. LOCI seemed to be slightly confused on exactly which Bobby Goren we were going to see each week. Would he be the intense detective who found an obscure clue to solve the case, or would he be the loose cannon detective who seemed like he was one step away from going off the deep end?

As the years passed, the character of Goren seemed to become more fragmented. During that time, Vincent D’Onofrio was hospitalized, twice, for exhaustion. Shortly following these events, the show introduced Mike Logan to the mix.

The character of Mike Logan seemed to be a little more world-weary, but seeing Logan in action was a nice change of pace. The only problem is they paired him with a rather lifeless Detective Barek, played by Annabella Sciorra. I’m not quite sure if Barek was written to be lifeless, or if Sciorra was just going through the motions. Either way, she didn’t seem to work. Logan has been paired with two other detectives since then, and seemed to have relatively good chemistry with Detective Megan Wheeler (Julianne Nicholson). While Julianne was off having a baby, she was replaced by Alicia Witt (as Detective Nola Falacci). I find that either Witt's character is being presented as particularly annoying, or, if she’s doing the annoying act very badly. I find myself thinking that someone like Erbe could have pulled it off better. So right now I’m giving this new detective a low score as far as being a good match for Logan.

Since the show alternates the detective team each week, it sometimes seems like a different show each week as far as writing style and even the cases handled. And I like that. Maybe D’Onofrio really needed the reduced time, and maybe the show needed to close out some issues with Goren, but the character seems a little more stable. Likewise, Chris Noth has taken Mike Logan up a notch by making him the (gasp!) voice of reason in the episode “Courtship.”

It may seem like we’re seeing a series that’s got two personalities, but I like the change. Sadly, the show is no longer on NBC, and I’m forced to watch it on USA, which I don’t get in HD. So while the quality of the show has taken a step forward, my ability for my eyes and senses to enjoy it have taken a step back. But I’m still a faithful fan.

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
HERE!

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,
These Are Their Stories.