Fan favorite Vincent D’Onofrio returns to “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” as the final season begins. The season opener centers on the murder of a bank employee, a devoted Catholic whose death brings to light suspects from the church, her workplace and her friends. Other scenarios set for the season include the case of the country’s most talented “cyberwarrior” and a woman who blackmails a tabloid “bad boy.”
This first case of the season also brings the series full circle. It serves as a reunion for the cast’s original detectives — the astute Robert Goren (D’Onofrio) and humane Alexandra Eames (Kathryn Erbe). Though Goren hasn’t been on “Intent” for a year, since he was fired for insubordination, he’s no worse for the wear.
| On TV |
| ‘Law & Order: Criminal Intent’ |
| When: 9 p.m. Sunday |
| Channel: USA |
He’s skipping mandated therapy sessions, and his boss is none too happy about it. Those sessions will be explored as the season goes on, allowing Goren’s torrid past to surface.
Despite the personal issues Goren may bring, his boss can’t deny that having such a sharp cookie back on the force is a good thing.
After Goren pressures a sexual-abuse victim into revealing details of the case, Eames looks on in amazement and exclaims to her superior: “He’s back.”
Now in season 10, “Criminal Intent” debuted on NBC in 2001 before crossing over to the USA Network. From 2005 on, Chris Noth co-starred on an alternating basis with D’Onofrio as the lead detective. Jeff Goldblum also starred on “Intent” after D’Onofrio exited.
