DOES ANYONE KNOW IF CI WILL RETURN FOR SEASON 9.NEED MY FIX OF GOREN AND EAMES

After last night's episode "All In" I probably won't watch a new season unless Antoinette Stella is fired.

Why do you want another season? VDO hates being on the show, and the new writers are not nearly as good as Rene Balcer and Warren Lieght. This show should have been over years ago. I pray to God it gets canned.

NBC Upfronts have started, so any news of a return will come from there

Okay, I didn't like last night's ep, either, but most of the G/E eps, this season, have been very intense. Even when Goren was still barely alive in Identity Crisis, the plot was still very good, I thought. I enjoyed Folie a Deux, Family Values, and Lady's Man very much. Last night's ep was a total letdown, but, if Antoinette Stella was the writer, that would explain why both last night's ep and Faithfully were the two worst G/E eps, this year. I think all the other eps were excellent, though (G/E eps). Maybe the idea of VDO working w/ Goldblum, next year, will keep VDO's interest a little more. I am disappointed w/ Vincent's feelings about the show, as well, but I can't say that I wish it was canned. This season started off w/ a very sullen Bobby, but the eps have progressively gotten better, lately. I like all the really dramatic eps, even if they tend to be very sad. Loved Lady's Man, though.

....well I don't pray that it gets canned. That just sounds cruel....unnecessary. If Mr. D'onofrio wants to leave then by all means no one should hold him or make him feel trapped. He has done a wonderful job and would be missed immensely. As sad as it would be to no longer have him on the show, if he is truly that unhappy, it wouldn't be fair to him to try to force him to continue. But that doesn't mean that the show has to be canceled....that would mean people losing their jobs and the way things are now....no one wants to hear that.

I just hope that they let him leave with one hell of a bang when he does choose to leave. Meaning I hope there is a season 9 and that he is at least in one or two episodes that let him leave with all the dignity and honor he deserves. I would hate for this season to end and that he just disappears the next season with some vague explanation. How disgusting would that be?

I also hope they don't choose to just make him have a psychotic break as the means to have him leave. That scares me the most, that they use that as an excuse after all these seasons of the alluding to the fact that he may be a ticking time bomb. That would really anger me, because dear Bobby would really deserve a much better legacy than that.

I don't agree that this show should have been canned at all. Law & Order: Criminal Intent has been such an awesome vehicle, and has given us so many classic episodes. When I am doing something boring like having to sort laundry, or dust the shelves or something, I always look for good old episodes of Law & Order to get through it, and if it's a Criminal Intent episode then it's even better.

I just think it's been hard to find actors to pass the torch to. When D'Onofrio started this show, we hadn't really seen the likes of him on Law & Order. With vigor, and enthusiasm he brought us a highly insightful criminal-profiler type of detective. At first I remember some critics finding a lot of fault with his portrayal, 'too all knowing', and 'not believable', were some of the mutterings. The show could have easily died right there. But D'Onofrio, Erbe, Vance, Sheridan, Wolf, etc., etc. kept blowing at the kindling of that little fire pit until it started to smoke, and it did.

They've taken us high, and brought us down low, through their personal dramas and all. I get that. We have had to see some of that, to understand that life and the job takes it's toll. They want us to see why Goren needs a break, why Eames has had to be so strong to survive, etc. I would love to see a great Season 9 with Goren and Eames, and I get it that it's time to move on. But I have never had the feeling that this show needs to be canned. I feel the actors, writers, and crew have put a good amount of their heart and soul in it, and I see it, and am grateful for their devotion.

When time has passed, and all we are left with are re-runs time will show that this show has been one of the best things on television.

How does Vincent constantly saying he's there for as long as they'll have him translate into him hating the show?

Also, when asked again about how he keeps from being bored with doing the show, he basically said that the only issue is the problem of people repeatedly asking him that same boring question.

I hope we have a season 9!! This season has been great in my opinoin!! (Apart from molly. . . but. . . *smirks*)

I just love jeff goldblum!! And Bobby of course!!

*goes home to write*

~moark~

Agreed!
Of course we want a Season 9!!!
There HAS to be a Season 9 because of DONNY PEOPLE!!!!

They CAN'T end the show without Donny being found!

So I'm not worried.

Couldn't have said it better. That was well-versed without sounding caustic like some of the other comments. I agree with pretty much everything you've said. Well done.

Personally, I don't think VDO hates being on the show, but of course any actor can get bored with doing something so long, especially if the writers get confused about what directions to take their characters in and the material becomes subpar(last nights episode was a prime example.) Even though his performance has become a bit bland and uninspired, I still believe him and his acting capabilities(The Narrows). He just may be missing his former medium:movies.
Even if VDO leaves(it would be better if he didn't) I think Goldbum could carry the show for at least three to four more seasons. He's a welcome addition for me. He's tall, slim and strangely attractive. He's charming and fluid in the delivery of his lines and brings a great screen presence that VDO once brought in the first four seasons. His amusing chemistry with Nicholson brings to mind G&E's former relationship. I find myself anticipating his and Nicholson's episodes the most knowing I'm in for an entertaining treat.
His talent alone could propel the faltering series in a better direction, I think. I'm holding on for a ninth season.
Hey SVU had its hits and misses and still going on strong towards their 11th season. That's just the way I see it.

-A.E.C

Amy99, yes, Vincent has said that he's w/ the show as long as they'll have him. And he does get bored answering the same questions over and over. But, I think a lot of these ideas of him not liking the show, anymore, have come from a French interview that was posted on the Goodies for the CI Obsessed thread a week or two ago. He stated that he didn't think it was fair of him to say whether or not he's bored w/ the show b/c the fans are still into it. To many, myself included, that translates into he is bored but doesn't want to hurt the fans' feelings. If he wasn't bored, wouldn't he just say, "No, I'm having a great time and so are the fans!"? So, it's fairly obvious that he's growing tired of the role. As far as him staying w/ the show as long as they'll have him, I personally think it's more for job security. He likes to do his indie movies whenever he really likes a role, but those movies don't make a lot of money. And he's picky about the roles he plays, too. Now, you have the news that his wife is closing her children's store in NYC. So, I kinda think Vincent still does CI to pay the bills in case other work isn't as abundant. JMO.

I for one would LOVE another season!!!
It might give them a chance to get things to settle down with the writers and storylines. They have talked about things in interviews that have not come to pass yet so perhaps this means we get at least one more year ow watching our boys and girls.

I'm crosing my fingers and toes!!!

Cloggs

Well I'm keeping my fingers crossed too But I really think we are getting a 9th season... Well, look at how USA is saying it's goodbyes to "Monk". I'd like to believe that they'd warn us of the end at least like "Monk" but nothing as been said so...
And CI's more popular than "Monk" and has been glorious for a long time: they owe that not just to us fans but the show itself which I'll never stop loving as long as B/A are in it.

Talking about Goren and Eames, I believe they will be with us next season. We saw how Logan smoothly left the show. Goren and Eames have been here since the start, one of them can't just disappear like that! We watched the finale already "Family Values", there was no sign of departure (actually just the contrary...)

Goren and Eames are kinda part of the "foundation" of CI, if they go I believe so must this amazing show!

I'm looking forward to a few years from now when the more painful memories are gone and I've got only the good memories. Obviously, much of this season will have to be edited out.

Beautifully put!
I would like to see a season 9! But USA should do better by LOCI than they did this season. There is NO good reason to show episodes out of order. That and some of the crappy writing makes you think USA couldn't care less and that's a little frightening. Makes me worry a little that they could kill this show without wrapping loose ends and giving us some sort of finale.
As for D'Onofrio and his boredom, only he knows how he really feels and as long as he turns in decent performances, which he does about 98% of the time. Then it's all good.
There is only so much he and Erbe and Bogosian can do with some of the writing coming at them lately. When I compare some of this season to seasons of the past, I'd probably be bored and a little disappointed too, if I were them. These are fantastic characters, especially Goren and Eames. They deserve better! So do we!
That said I don't think Season 8 was a total wash. I'm still not sure why things were shown out of order though.....

PEOPLE, WAKE UP! Are you going to wait around until the show is 100% awful, or as someone on another forum fears, a giant product placement? Seriously, after a season like this one, why on earth do you persist in demanding more of a show that the writers don't care about, the nework abuses, and the main actor is bored with? Let go! It hurts, but it is better than the misery the show and VDO have put us through.

Thank you for that reminder. I think Vincent D'Onofrio is a great actor, who appreciates what he has been given.

I know actors who would also answer questions about being bored by saying something like - It's not the show that's boring. The premise of the show, the opportunity to work out different, emotions, and thoughts is not boring. Many people wish they had such a dream job. It's not being sure in what direction to take things that can be taxing on an actor. I would be so grateful to see D'Onofrio and Erbe work out another season, maybe even two, but I think more than that might be asking too much, or is it, I don't know. As for right now I do feel like I have been taken ever so slowly into a secret garden, and I have only now been able to look in and see what grows there. I feel like I want, and need to see that the garden that grows there is a landscape of delicate flowers, and hardy trees. I hope it has a place to sit that offers both sunlight and shade. If D'Onofrio, Erbe, and the writers could give us such an ending to round off these stellar years, then what more could a fan ask for.

40 years ago today we landed on the moon. What a concept, what an achievement, what courage some people have. Think of all it takes to pull that off. It's fitting to me to draw somewhat of a comparison here because even though a TV show like Criminal Intent is not exactly the same as landing on the moon, it's surely been a great ride. Think of the liberating creativity that lives within these actors, writers, etc., and what they have given us so far. At the end of the day this show has proven to have 'what it takes'. They have great talent at their disposal and I know that they will use it to complete the mission at hand. As for us fans, we have to remember that there are bumps in the road, and we have to believe, because great things can happen.

AMEN to all that you wrote but in particular what's in bold! I needed to hear that, too much pessimism everywhere; I needed that! Thank you

Have you ever realized how negative most of your posts are? It amazes me you even watch the show or post on the boards since you hate the show so much. Just stop watching it and let us enjoy it.

Exactly what I was thinking.

I so want another season! I think I could handle molly AS long as there is another season. (Yes I hate the little twerp, and that's all that I basically dislike about the show. O.o)

~moark~

P.S.

No new season = Breaking my TV.

Thank you!

Holy cow! I absolutely want a season 9!!! This is the only TV show I watch regularly...it would be terrible not to have it to look forward to!

I haven't gleaned from VDO's interviews that I've seen/read that he hates doing the show. That's an awfully strong word. As for being bored, well, who doesn't get bored with their job now and then? While we get totally wrapped up in the stories and characters and know every detail and name of every episode, remember this really is a job for the actors. 8-9 years is a long time to work on the same project. I tend to change projects every 3-4 years, and that's about right for my attention span. People like to learn new things and have new challenges. I think it says a lot that VDO respects the fans of the show so much to hang in there with us. I'm just happy he's sticking with it (but then, I'd watch him read the phone book and be happy).

I agree with cluck, unsteady. If you are so disatisfied, why torture yourself? Just take a break and catch up when it comes out on DVD if and when you desire. No harm no foul.

Okay first off to the flammers of the show and its etc. Why do you watch and comment negativley!!?? WHY?? If you don't like Law & Order: CI, don't say a word! It's worser than people flamming Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley and the things they did in their pasts. Don't say a word if you don't have anything PLEASENT to say!

Here's what I have to say: "All In", I'm OUT! Not the best G/E episode like "Frame". I think the previous writers need to return to Criminal Intent. (The writers who need to LEAVE are Antoinette Stella, Ed Zuckerman, Pamela Wechsler, Walon Green, Robert Nathan, Andrew Lipsitz, & Timothy J. Lea) Warren Leight, Julie Martin, Kate Rorick, and Dick Wolf (he wrote the very first episode of SVU and many others) NEED to write for CI next season. Hell I could write a better CI episode... and I think I will (and send it to Dick Wolf)!

Back to what I was saying earlier. "All In" not a good G/E episode. Next Sunday Nichols and Eames do "Major Case", Nichols seems very close to losing his badge. Then "Alpha Dog" and "Revolution" (the season finale, G/E/N)!!! Season 9??? I hope that the members of the cast are willing to do another season, I'd love to see another!! (I wish CI could make 22-24 episodes like they used to and start airing in June to Feburary, that approx. how many months L&O eps air!) I'd also love to see another "In The Wee Small Hours" with Goren/Eames/Nichols/Wheeler.

Along with Nicole Wallace (Olivia d'Abdo) and Donny Carlson (Goren's nephew) come back next season. The writers could think of something to make her come back, like what happened to the rest of that blood Nicole took from herself...? She could have took somebody's heart and transfused the blood into it with Declan's help! I also want Captain Ross to get PERSONALLY INVOLVED in a case, prefereably one that involves his children!!!


I CAN'T WAIT until the season finale and a new season of CI!

Listen....everybody has a right to an opinion.

Take me for example. I totally get why you would feel defensive, however, here's my situation....

I used to love the show...really. This past season, with the exception of a few episodes have left me sadly disappointed. I don't want to be told to "stop watching". I'm not saying I've given up. I'm just stating that as a person who used to look forward to G/E episodes, I feel that maybe the end is near. Does it make me happy? Absolutely not. Do I want another season? Absolutely. But something has to change. As I said on another board, I want a Goren who is a bit more animated (like Ladies Man or the one before). If D'Onofrio can't do it I think we need a really great ending to a really great show.

As much as I love Nichols and Wheeler, there is not show without Goren and Eames.

Maybe it can be phrased better, but I still like to believe that I am still welcome on the boards as I look forward to a possibly revamped season 9.

Does this make sense?

I thought it was just Eames and Nichols.... You're sure???




I've heard that USA wants just 16 eps but Dick Wolf wants 22... idk

Of course, likeit! Your opinion is well expressed. I'm a G/E junkie from day 1 and I'm just happy to see them each week (or every other week, as is the case now). I think the show is more driven by the writers and stories than the actors, and I think VDO, as well as the others, are doing what they can with the writing and directing. Everyone is new and they are learning to work together.

I think VDO is too much of a professional to not do his best on each show. I don't think his mannerisms/energy level in the episodes have any personal undertones. I'm OK with the more subdued Goren because I think it makes sense. If USA showed the epis in the order that they were written/filmed, Goren's energy level progression would be more obvious. So, as an optimist, I'm looking forward to everything getting sorted out in Season 9!

Hope that made sense!

I'm with you, I would definitely want to see a season 9, there's a few plot holes that need to be filled coughDonniecough. I couldn't help but read some of the reviews here about Sunday's episode, (granted I have yet to see it but nothing's been spoiled for me - I made sure of that! ) so it wasn't as excellent as the other episodes, big deal! TV shows have always had one or a few episodes that were kinda "meh", then they just bounce right back. And who knows, maybe the writers like to hear both positive and negative comments as ways that they can improve.

Negative opinions are hard to read, but I think they are as valid as any. I personally don't agree with the sentiment that people who are disappointed with the show should quit watching and quit posting. Many people are heavily emotionally invested in stuff we like, and why shouldn't a public forum on the topic of the show we're captivated by (for better or worse) be a place where people can express their disappointment?

I think it would be more appropriate for people to just not read posts by negative posters, if their writing is so hard to stomach.

True....

I'm not saying people can say what they feel, but they shouldn't BASH the show like the world is gonna end in 2 mins. It's not much of the actors (They're all great actors) It's the writers too. They don't know how to write an episode like Warren Leigh and Rene

Is it just me, or did the ep seem like a rip of 'Cruise to Nowhere'? Josh Snow=Joey Frost. Penelope=Daphne
I miss the young actor in the older ep--Lou Pucci (?)--his character was wonderful. I found the ep last night very off putting because it was SO reminscent of the older episode. Are there not staff who are paid to watch items like this--seems like a pretty big 'Ooops'.

I'm not saying that people don't have the right to say what they want about the show but I do wish they wouldn't BASH it like the world is gonna end in 5 minutes. It's not much the actors as it is the writers (they suck!). Vincent, Kathryn, Jeff, Julianne, and Eric don't mind working on CI and putting 110% into the episodes. It's the writing, I've noticed some things since season 7 ended. Pay attention...

Seasons 1-3 - The episodes were their normal dramacy, same level of action, the writing was INTERESTING, it was on NBC. VDO, KE, Jamey Sheridan and Courtney Vance were on the all-star cast (The BEST cast). The show was at it's highest ratings in season 3.

Season 4 - All the same as the first seasons expect VDO's health became an issue and during the taping of one episode he fainted. This is the moment that started the splitting of teams.

Seasons 5 & 6 and 7 1/2 - Warren Leigh was writing at his best. The cast added Chris Noth (Mike Logan, YEAH) and Annabella Sciorra (Carolyn Barek, nice style) as team 2. G/E's past lives slowly came out. Then AS, JS, and CV left at the end of the season leaving CI ADA-less... and the next one added Eric Bogosian (Daniel Ross, needs to loosen up after 3 seasons) and Julianne Nicholson (the beautiful Megan Wheeler), Warren Leight and others still workin' it especially with the episodes "Endgame" and "Renewal". Season 7 1/2, JN left on maternity leave and Alica Witt (Nola Fallaci, beautiful too)! The writing so far is still awsome... season 6 noted 'the Best of CI on NBC.'

Season 7 (the remainder) - CI moved to USA Network and JN returned from leave as by the season finale CN left to pursue other acting interest. "Last Rites" and "Frame" WERE THE BEST EPISODES OF CI OF ALL TIME!! (In MY opinion). By then Warren Leigh and others left the series (writing for it)

Season 8 - New writers. New addition to the cast "Jurrasick Park's" Jeff Goldblum (Zach Nichols, I like him so far). The new writers are spewing CRAP that doesn't make sense. The interrogation style sucks, there is NO DRAMA, the background music is LOUDER than ever and sounds like constant caterwauling, the characters have lost what makes them... them (Goren is boring now, Eames..., Nichols would be okay if his role was better, Wheeler is acting like Eames used to, Ross needs help), the episodes are airing out of order, the WRITING and SCRIPT have CHANGED!

Back to what I was saying, we can't put the blame on the actors (even if they don't want to work, I think they do. I remember that VDO and KE are tied into a 5-7 year contract in 2003 or 2004 after that...???) The WRITERS NEED FIRING OR WARREN LEIGH NEEDS TO RETURN!

If there is a season 9, the show NEEDS TO DO BETTER!

Exactly. The situation in a nutshell.

I hope I don't make even more enemies than I already have, but I have to respond to this. I don't think that the show will do better if there's a next season. I think the changes for the worse we have seen are going to be what the show is from now on. Don't expect miracles, they are few and far between in this business. I'm sorry I seemed overdramatic earlier, but I doubt the show will get better later. Maybe it will, but there's a good chance that, like so many others before it, this show has passed its peak. That's all I'm saying.

I guess I don't get the problem. If I don't like a show I stop watching it. After two very emotionally draining shows there is good reason to go subdued. One of the reasons I rarely watch SVU anymore is because I got tired of Stabler's whining. A couple seasons of his family issues were okay, but then it was time to move on to other things. It was time to move Bobby past the issues and on to other things. Obviously the more subdued Goren could well be the idea that he is just taking time to heal and grow. I really liked the episode last night. Maybe they need to do something with the writers, IDK, but IMO the worst of LOCI is better than the drivel the networks are doling out in the guise of reality tv or sit coms. If anyone doesn't want to watch anymore, its a free country.

As far as VDO's energy levels, having seen him in movies I have really come to appreciate that he truly acts based on what the writers have written for him. Good or bad, he follows the script. I know not a lot of people saw The Narrows because of its limited release, but it was obvious that he was giving 100% in a role that was supporting, not lead. In reading the viewer reviews (not just the ones I wrote) I wasn't the only one who thought he WAS the whole movie. It may be very difficult for him to portray a character a certain way but I do remember one interview where he mentioned NOT re-writing what the writers do. Their job is to write and his is to act. And ultimately its the director and producer to make sure it all works.

Okay, sorry for rambling. I have enjoyed this season. Different is not necessarily bad, sometimes its just different. And if it doesn't suit your tastes, okay, that's fine. But, sometimes we need variety to keep things fresh. Maybe some of us needed a little more passion after we had to wait so long. I have a good analogy here--but not in mixed company. Of course, reality is, I'd take VDO in anything anytime, so as long as he's on television I'm watching.

I won't get mad, it's a difference we're 'debating' not 'arguing'

It's the new writers, that's why CI is low this season and if there is a next one, it will be too. We all should riot the network and say 'Give us new actors or give us death!' lol.

Warren Leigh and Rene Balcer shouldn't have stopped writting the episodes. I and everyone who comments here could probably write a better episode!!!

Wo, it got a little heated in here since I last looked in. Here is what I think about those who express strong dislikes on these boards - Please stay.

There is no such thing as a healthy exchange of ideas if everyone is always in agreement. I like it when people can say what they don't like. It's healthy, it's real, it's valid.

However, I don't find it healthy when there are people whose mission it is to only find fault, and post criticisms that go too far as to be so dismissive of a very, very good show.

Some of the criticisms around here can at times seem as if we are not talking about a good show, but a bad slice of pizza, or Chinese take out, or something. If the show has left some people with a bad taste in their mouths, then you have two choices: (1) Don't go to that restaurant anymore. (2) Tell the manager that you really generally like eating here, but the sauce needs a little flavor.

Be gracious about it. No one likes a guest, or a customer that is always difficult to please. Those people should just stay home, and cook for themselves.

I say, these critics generally like the meal here, they like it enough to risk indigestion. It's just that sometimes people get overheated when they don't get exactly what they want. Life isn't like that folks, we can't always get exactly what we want. I think if you look around though at some of the crap meals other places are serving you will realize you've been eating pretty well. I know I have.

As for my suggestions for this menu:

1. No more N. Wallace. Please. Someone mentioned it here earlier, but I had enough of that dish. It was, at times, a spicy, and interesting experience, but I had enough. It was time to take it off the menu.

2. The news this past spring has been chock full of drama. I say we fans put our heads together and try to recall some of the headlines, and see what we can cook up.


I think I'll do some of that tomorrow. I like cooking. Let's see, Vichyssioise, Gumbo, Paella, oooh Cacciatore. I'll need some green olives. Got to go make a list. Goodnight everybody.

LiaNYC and that cliché... no! Take that back and put it in your head and let's talk CRIMINAL INTENT! NOT CLASHING FOOD CLICHés with PEOPLE's OPINIONS OF CRIMINAL INTENT EPISODES!

I like your analogy a lot! It made me smile....and hungry. But really, well said!

Love your metaphor! Very well put!

I have something to add to my previous statement:

LiaNYC, plz don't say anything to me about this first sentence. I miss Nicole Wallace (Oliva d'Abo). She was Goren's arch-nemisis, I want her character to come back, but if she doesn't it's fine with me.

On to business: I hope the writers really don't f-up CI like the episode "All In" (it was okay, but G/E is more than what All In was about). I don't think the remaining 3 eps are like this one. I hope CI's writers don't continue these bad plots and scripts, if the rumors of Dick Wolf creating another spinoff are true, CI will be in a heap of trouble.

Here is a list of possiblites that SHOULD happen next season:

1.) Another "In The Wee Small Hours" PT 1/2 episode with Goren/Eames & Nichols/Wheeler, so both teams can work together.

2.) Goren's nephew Donny should come back to the light sometime next season.

3.) Either Mike Logan or James Deakins should make a guest-appearance next season, and USA should give us an option to choose!

4.) Megan Wheeler (Nicholson) should bring the baby in an episode or two (Like Dr. Cuddy on "House")

5.) Eames should have a long-lost sibling come in next season.

6.) We should met either Nichols mother or father (or both).

7.) Goren needs to act like he did in Seasons 5-7, now he is just boring as a room full of rugs!

8.) Captain Ross should get PERSONALLY INVOLVED in a case, preferably one with his oldest son (he was sleeping with a girl in "Amends")

9.) Warren Leight should come back or Ren`e Balcer should write the episodes next season.

10.) Nichols needs to be more aggressive in interrogation.

11.) The background music in the show now is WAY TO LOUD! And it's a dog-gone shame too!

12.) SVU (Special Victims Unit) and MCS (Major Case Squad) should share a case together like old times. Benson/Stabler and Goren/Eames or Nichols/Wheeler

13.) The promos they make for Criminal Intent they should go back to the original drum beating music. IT'S LOUDER THAN THE BACKGROUND MUSIC IN THE SHOW!

14.) And last, but not least: CHANGE THE IMAGES IN THE OPENING SEQENCE! WE'VE SEEN THOSE IMAGES SINCE SEASON 4+ (They changed the black and white ones in seasons 5 and 6, in my opinion the old sequnce was better than TBJ's)

Now I need to take a nerve pill! Y'all done ran my blood pressure up!

Unsteady, I'm sorry you have been so disappointed with the show this season. But it feels like you and I are watching different shows. I think the writing and the acting have been great this season. I agree that the network has not shown our beloved show the love that they did in season 7 and I'm not sure why that is. The advertising for the show has not been as intense or clever as season 7. And showing the episodes out of order really did a disservice to the writers and the actors who were obviously working together, especially for the Goren character. Although All In was not my favorite episode, it's certainly not the worst one I've seen, either.

I see nothing that indicates the writers don't care or that anyone is bored with it. And the only misery that the show or VDO have put me through is waiting for the next episode! So here's to season 9....and 10....and....well, you get the idea.

Sheeeeeeesh! I haven't seen this episode yet, waiting for NBC to catch up, but WOW what a lot of opinions, pro and con. I think the main problem has to be laid at the feet of USA's decision to jumble up the airing dates for the shows, think about how the season would have played out if the shows were in chronological order. First to last the episodes would have shown a continuation from last seasons finale to this seasons finale, they would show a team having gone through hell and back and needing to get their rhythm in step again, Goren was torn apart last year, his family gone, his partner and him at odds, who would expect a bright , happy and upbeat beginning. What we got was the jumbled up version of what the season should have been, " All In" was never intended to be the 13th show, it was filmed earlier in the season and in context it makes sense, out of context it grates on the nerves of fans who having seen " Family Values" and " ladys Man" expected more of the same, when it didn't arrive it was like opening a present at Christmas and finding an empty box. Vincent is not to blame in any of this, he did his job playing the shows as written and as we know by now Vince never gives less than 100% to anything he does. The blame clearly goes to USA and their stupid re-arranging of the shows, of course they don't make sense, it's like getting the bill in a restaurant before you order your meal. If you need proof arrange the episodes in their proper order and see for yourself what the season was meant to be. I hope there will be a season nine, and the writers will get their act together, and most of all to USA- AIR THE SHOWS IN PROPER ORDER, to those who have given up on the show, keep the faith, Vince, Kate, Eric, Jeff, and Julliane are a fine group of actors, they deserve to be given respect for what they do. Let's all just relax and hope for a renewal and hopefully less interference from morons who mess up a show they trumpetted as being "so special it needs to be aired uninterupted" HA!

I don't care what the actors do in their own time, that's their business. But the writers and etc of CI I do have a problem. No Goren shouldn't be running around without a care in the world, but his brothers dead (my mother died recently), its time to move on! Eames needs a character check, she is not herself. Nichols... Wheeler is acting like Eames only better!!! Ross needs to lossen up after 3 seasons. I hope we have season 9, 10, 11, 12, etc... But if the writers and etc. keep spewing this CRAP CI's ratings are going right to SVU and L&O. (And maybe the rumored Los Angeles version)

Oh you are so right about the episodes being shown out of order. I know people have been mentioning that here, and it totally makes sense. It really messes with your sense of where our detectives are psychologically.

So looking ahead I hope they can just leave things in the sequence that was intended. Also, I know the writer's strike caused some delays, and budget issues, all for a good cause, but the end result is that we have been seeing some winter scenes in the spring. This doesn't help with making us forget that this is all not real. I know it's TV, but for the brief time when I am watching the show I would like to be made to feel like it's happening right now, for real, right in front of me. I especially like that feeling when it comes to any Law & Order shows, because then from the moment the episode starts I can sort of feel like I am one of the group and I just got there to examine the body and figure out what the heck happened here. If they are wearing coats and gloves, when I am adjusting my air conditioner then I feel disconnected. I don't look at episodes of The Closer exactly the same way, because it's LA so even at night when the sun goes down you still won't see anyone in heavy winter clothing. So I really am hoping they can get the episodes in sync with the NY seasons. Listen I don't care if they have to stick Erbe and D'Onofrio in a fridge ala Lucille Ball style to form icicles on their chins, I want believability. You know the old saying 'You must suffer for your craft'.

The writer's need to workshop these plots a little better. These last two could have used a little more time in the oven, but we don't want anything overbaked either. I know, I know, now I am being picky. But seriously, it needs a little work. Whatever you do, please don't let Goldblum read anymore poetry! It's really not his thing, sorry Jeff. Leave Longfellow to someone else.

I like that Goren's sense of humor and play are back. I say to Vincent, before you take your final bow, whenever that might be, razzle dazzle us big boy! We know you've got what it takes, we've seen it. You've been playing this game like a world champ, so put your cards on the table.

One last thing, I would love to see a scene next season where Eames dresses up in some vice related sting outfit. If I had those knees I would show them off. Just one more time, oh pretty please. Oh, and the crying thing, anyone know a lady you can cry in a prettier fashion? She breaks my heart. Yes, yes, hard detectives don't cry, but I can't help it. Have you ever seen 'The Addiction' with Lili Taylor (Erbe is in it). Seriously, the lady knows how to cry.

I want all these things to happen too, but I've known too much of television to understand that it very likely won't. I don't know if I still want the show off the air or not; I just know that the show as it is gives us as much grief as it does good times. Do we need that?

I miss Rene Balcer and Warren Leight as well. I love almost every episode they had a hand in creating. I have not enjoyed every episode this season. But, if you rewatch episodes from seasons past you will find some real "clunkers", now that there's only 16 episodes in a season the "clunkers" stand out more. I do wonder about the new writers and if they ever watched the show. Are any of them fans? I don't see much evidence of that. Personally, I think after a show has been on for a long time and new writers have been hired, it becomes not about their considerable-talent but about their ability to grasp the characters. I don't feel thats been done this season and although I agree with Unsteady about "Faithfully" and "All In" I think the storylines where good-but, just didn't deliver. The main reason I fell in love with this show was the feeling of authenticity in the acting (VDO/Erbe) Thankfully, at least my favorite crime fighters are still around and as long as they are, I'm not giving up on the show, I love it! I just want season 9 to be the best. The show has very talented actors with well-known back stories; lets meet Eames family, lets see Carver come back for a cameo, lets get a new "white whale", lets get better writers PLEASE!

Just putting my two cents in:

I'd love to see a Season 9. The Nichols and Wheeler episodes have really held my attention, and the character developments for both characters have been fantastic. Plus, the Goren and Eames episodes seem to be getting their act together. *fingers crossed*

One thing to point out for a possible renewal of Criminal Intent: In Plain Sight. If I remember correctly, the two shows were intentionally paired together by USA. Their ratings have been topped the Sunday numbers in terms of basic cable viewers (discounting HBO and the like) and represent a good ratings and income source for the network. If IPS is renewed for a third season, there is a good chance Criminal Intent will be renewed too as a lead-in show. Just this week, Criminal Intent actually beat out IPS in terms of numbers, which may give some weight to this theory (theory being the operative word).

Wish for next season: can we have 22 instead of sixteen episodes? Please?