Law & Order: Criminal Intent - Untethered (Season 7)

Another Goren episode kicking off with the, by now standard, action editing and another episode being driven by Goren's family - in this case his never-before-seen nephew; though given what we know about Goren's brother this isn't perhaps such a surprise. More and more we are beginning to realise that part of Goren's apparent social ineptitude stems from being the family member who sacrificed his personal life to stay at home and look after mom. That said, Frank makes the rather curious comment that Goren should get a motel and bang Eames - doesn't know Bobby very well, or revealing a hidden truth?

Meanwhile, of course, Goren does again put family above all else, and asked to investigate what is going on at the prison his nephew is incarcerated in, Goren breaks with protocol and conducts his own investigation, going against Ross' orders as well. There is a bizarreness about Ross in this episode. He has spent the last few years with litte regard for Goren and his methods, and seems to actively dislike the best detective Major Case has, but here he puts his job on the line in order to help him out. It's not really the Ross that has been developed. I more expected him to sell Goren out as soon as he got the chance.

Conversely you can see how it would have gone down in the early seasons. Goren would have told Deakins what was happening, Deakins would have encouraged them to investigate; they'd have gone to Carver for a warrant: if had been seasons one or two they would have been refused with a stroke of the soul patch, asking for more evidence; seasons 3 - 5 and Carver would have thrown the warrant at the with a fifty. Times sure have changed on the ole CI.

I think the thing I like most about this episode is that that the results of the actions from everybody involved is believable. Ross and Eames have bad marks on their jackets, while Goren is suspended pending inquiry. It's a satisfactory outcome for Goren's actions, but at the same time, the fact that they still take him seriously enough to investigate the prison is also satisfactory. The final aspect of the episode, as Goren seems to have lost another member of his family is also a nice touch. He seems to always be searching for something, poor old Bobby. Hopefully one day he'll find it.

"B"