Had very high hopes for "Frame", always do have high hopes for season finales and Goren as a character is so fascinating. As was Nicole Wallace in her appearances. Season 7, as said in some reviews for previous episodes, was rocky, starting off brilliantly and ending more than satisfying but hit and miss in between. Not as rocky as the Season 7 of 'Special Victims Unit', which began and ended underwhelmingly and while there were flashes of brilliance there were quite a few misfires.
Which the original 'Law and Order' did not have in its Season 7, two disappointments that were no misfires but the others were good to absolutely brilliant. For me, "Frame" wasn't quite absolutely brilliant or one of my favourite episodes of 'Criminal Intent'. It is one of those episodes that would have fared better as a two parter in my view. "Frame" is still very, very good with so many exceptional things, and towards being one of the better episodes of Season 7. A more than worthy way to end it and at least feels like a season finale.
"Frame" isn't perfect. With a lot going on and things going at the pace that it does, the episode would have fared better in two parts which would have helped make some of the story clearer when it started to get on the over-complicated side in the middle.
Also think more could have been done with Nicole's exit, a great opponent with an exit treated so anti-climactically. Ross' character writing goes backwards too, he was starting to grow on me but here there is a return to what made me not care for him in his early appearances, namely his aggression and all too clear bias.
On the other hand, so many things are exceptional. First and foremost, Vincent D'Onofrio in a truly powerful performance where his intensity burns and his more emotional state devastating. The other standout in terms of the acting is John Glover, chilling and gleefully sinister as Gage (who actually makes a bigger impression than Nicole). Also chilling is his puppeteering of the events and his interaction with Goren which was as psychologically fascinating as it was frightening. Goren's character development adds a lot to him and it was hard to not feel for him when he reaches breaking point, completely understood his reaction when feeling betrayed.
The story is both intense and very poignant emotionally, over-complicated and over-plotted at times but never once is it dull or predictable. The production values are slick and professional, never cheap or gimmicky. The music is haunting without being overbearing or melodramatic, not being too constant or too loud. Enough of the script is intelligent and tight, that shines with Gage and his interaction with Goren.
In summary, very, very good finale to a rocky seventh season. 8/10.
Which the original 'Law and Order' did not have in its Season 7, two disappointments that were no misfires but the others were good to absolutely brilliant. For me, "Frame" wasn't quite absolutely brilliant or one of my favourite episodes of 'Criminal Intent'. It is one of those episodes that would have fared better as a two parter in my view. "Frame" is still very, very good with so many exceptional things, and towards being one of the better episodes of Season 7. A more than worthy way to end it and at least feels like a season finale.
"Frame" isn't perfect. With a lot going on and things going at the pace that it does, the episode would have fared better in two parts which would have helped make some of the story clearer when it started to get on the over-complicated side in the middle.
Also think more could have been done with Nicole's exit, a great opponent with an exit treated so anti-climactically. Ross' character writing goes backwards too, he was starting to grow on me but here there is a return to what made me not care for him in his early appearances, namely his aggression and all too clear bias.
On the other hand, so many things are exceptional. First and foremost, Vincent D'Onofrio in a truly powerful performance where his intensity burns and his more emotional state devastating. The other standout in terms of the acting is John Glover, chilling and gleefully sinister as Gage (who actually makes a bigger impression than Nicole). Also chilling is his puppeteering of the events and his interaction with Goren which was as psychologically fascinating as it was frightening. Goren's character development adds a lot to him and it was hard to not feel for him when he reaches breaking point, completely understood his reaction when feeling betrayed.
The story is both intense and very poignant emotionally, over-complicated and over-plotted at times but never once is it dull or predictable. The production values are slick and professional, never cheap or gimmicky. The music is haunting without being overbearing or melodramatic, not being too constant or too loud. Enough of the script is intelligent and tight, that shines with Gage and his interaction with Goren.
In summary, very, very good finale to a rocky seventh season. 8/10.