Law & Order: Criminal Intent: The Final Year

Fans of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" were fortunate to get a final season of this longtime cable TV favorite. After a ninth season in which lead characters Detectives Goren (Vincent D'Onofrio) and Eames (Kathryn Erbe) had seemingly departed the Major Case Squad and the series, they were brought back for a shortened tenth season of eight episodes, with a new boss and all-new cases.

The new cases follow a familiar and successful formula: off-beat murder cases in which the detectives must smoke out the intent of one or more suspects and secure a confession. The final cases range from Broadway to the Catholic Church, the fashion industry, a mercenary security company, and an online dating service. Guest stars include, among others, Cynthia Nixon and Neil McDonough.

Detective Bobby Goren has returned to work in a probationary status; he must pass a psychiatric evaluation to be fully restored to duty. His weekly encounters with Dr. Paula Gyson (an excellent Julia Ormond) are a highlight of the final season. The sessions are an uncomfortable expedition into Goren's psyche, and there is real dramatic tension over whether his return will be approved by a seemingly skeptical Dr. Gyson. Goren's need to return to detecting is palpable, and the sessions also raise some interesting questions about his relationship with Eames. The low-key but oddly satisfying finale's final moments will appropriately feature the two detectives. Highly recommended to fans of "Criminal Intent."

I can't believe it's over! I own every season of criminal intent. Vincent D'Onofrio was the only choice for this series. I loved his character from beginning to end. I enjoyed the whole cast as well. Bravo!!!

Thank the squirrels for the return of Goran and Eames-no Captains or DA's-just 2 cops doing what they do best-solving crimes. They've always played so well against each other-Eames more "old school" and Goran's "alternative psych analysis" with more than a fare share of geekdome. You gotta love a guy who's best investigating tool is his library card,and knows sharks don't swim up the Hudson-or as Eames may say "here's something he found in his wheeties today!" Never dull. So great to see the final 8 episodes-good storylines-good detective work and then.., it was all over. The fact that Eames is waiting on Goran at the closing scene-his,truely must trusted companion through it all-and off they ride into the sunlight to solve another crime. I don't know why this was cancelled-if the writers could still produce stories of this caliber - why not continue?? I'm so glad it ended on a high. The season 9 Jeff Goldblum debacle with the dodgy "what the hell is going on?"story lines were more than I could bear-it was just crazy. Long live Goran and Eames-maybe he'll join her on SVU for a stint? I hope so. Highly highly recommended