The much anticipated final season of Law & Order: Criminal Intent is three episodes in, and it feels SO good to see Detectives Bobby Goren and Alex Eames reunited on the Major Case Squad.
This smile at 0:26 tells the tale.
After all, it wasn't too long ago that the powers that be at NBC Universal's USA Network created a huge backlash from fans of the show by unceremoniously forcing actors Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe out of their roles in favor of the tepid Jeff Goldblum in an effort to take the show in a "different, quirkier direction".
To shove the exec's agenda down viewer's throats, Goren and Eames were written off the series in a two part episode that saw Goren removed from the force for insubordination and Eames resigning. The newly anointed Detective Nichols (Goldblum) and his partner Detective Stevens (played by Saffron Burrows) were left to carry the show into the future.
But it failed miserably. The show's ratings tanked (due largely to a boycott by die-hard fans) and network execs paid the price of defeat.
All together now: WE TOLD YOU SO!
With pieces of crow still stuck in their teeth, USA Network execs came crawling back, promising a wonderful reset and paying top dollar to D'Onofrio (and eventually Erbe) to return.
And I could see how it would have been tempting to slam the door back in USA's face. But for the fans, (and the promise to have a 'proper' send-off) they agreed.
As for this being the last season?
"This show has legs and staying power; if we get the viewers back the network will want more," said Dick Wolf, creator. "So it’s in the hands of the viewers.”
So far, the show is hitting on all cylinders. The actors are refreshed. The stories are right. The producers are energized. If this does indeed turn out to be the last season, maybe Criminal Intent will have the happy ending it deserves.
Justice served.
RELATED: Check out these epic promos advertising the return...
PROMO 1: "They're coming back"
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