A university president is killed and the suspects include a professor who wants a chairman position, a grad student, and a lecturer from Oxford.A university president is killed and the suspects include a professor who wants a chairman position, a grad student, and a lecturer from Oxford.A university president is killed and the suspects include a professor who wants a chairman position, a grad student, and a lecturer from Oxford.
Photos
- Janey Lin
- (as Liana Pai)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen the series was created, the character of Robert Goren was modeled after Sherlock Holmes and, to a degree, Alexandra Eames was modeled after Dr. John Watson. The character of Nicole Wallace--a serial killer who is the only criminal to ever be able to match Goren's intelligence--becomes his archenemy. Nicole was modeled after Professor James Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes' nemesis and the only criminal Holmes encountered that matched his intelligence. Nicole was also partly modeled after Irene Adler, who was a minor criminal and the only woman that ever held Holmes' interest romantically. Similarly, a grudging respect--as well as some sexual tension--seems to exist between Goren and Nicole.
- GoofsGoran speaks to the police in Australia and refers to the Victoria Police as the Melbourne Police. Also he says Elizabeth Hitchens was 'President' of a company but the correct term is more likely 'Managing Director'. Australian companies do not have presidents.
- Quotes
Nicole Wallace: Tell me, Robert, how often do you get up to the Carmel Ridge Center?
Robert Goren: Once a week. And a phone call every day.
Nicole Wallace: How old were you when you first realized it?
Robert Goren: No. You want to play, then it's gonna have to be tit-for-tat. You have to tell me something true about you, about Nicole.
Nicole Wallace: All right. I did meet Nicole before I left for England. She told me things.
Robert Goren: Where is she now?
Nicole Wallace: I don't know. Carried away by dingoes? It happens a lot in Australia.
- ConnectionsReferences A Cry in the Dark (1988)
Although the season opener "Dead" is great, one of its main great things being one of the show's cleverest and creepiest killers, and the following episode "Bright Boy" was very good for namely the character of Robbie and his interaction with Goren, "Anti-Thesis" for me was the best of the three episodes up to this point of the season. One of the high points of Season and one of the best 'Criminal Intent' episodes, perhaps even one of the best episodes of this, the original 'Law and Order' and 'Special Victims Unit' combined.
It is especially good for the character of Nicole Wallace, a deceptively attractive but actually very clever and frighteningly cunning. One of not many 'Criminal Intent' guest characters to fit under the term "Goren meets his match" and worthy of his intellect. While the mystery has plenty of twists and turns, is cleverly plotted, is never obvious and riveting, the truly sparkling cat and mouse game-like interactions between her and Goren (as always a character one can't help being fascinated by) are even better.
The interrogation has plenty of tension and is quite chilling, not to mention hugely entertaining, while the ending is one of the show's best ever scenes in my view. The script is intelligent and tightly structured, at its best with Goren and Wallace.
Despite the whole cast being terrific (wouldn't have said no to more of Kathryn Erbe perhaps though), it's Vincent D'Onofrio and Olivia D'Abo that shine most. Cannot get enough of D'Onofrio, who has always been a big delight in 'Criminal Intent' and essentially is the show, and for me this is one of D'Abo's best roles, didn't realise she had it in her.
Production values are stylish and have a brighter look than the first season while maintaining the show's grit. The music doesn't overbear and is not overused. The direction is deft and allows D'Onofrio and D'Abo to have fun.
Concluding, an outstanding episode and classic 'Criminal Intent'. 10/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 27, 2020