Law & Order: Criminal Intent (TV Series) The War at Home (2006) User Reviews

Sluts, if they slept around and bitches if they didn't

[Mrpalli77 · 9/10 · 25 September 2017]

A 22 years old woman soldier was deployed in Iraq. She went on leave in order to spend some time in her hometown together with her family (her mother is played by former "nanny" Fran Drescher). Besides, she had to arrange her forthcoming wedding day with a fellow soldier of Hispanic descent who served in Afghanistan. Being stressed after risking her life to perform her duty, she hooked up with a friend and they went out on a night binge till morning light; anyway she didn't come home the morning after and what appeared to be a runaway (she's got even Irish passport) was actually something much worse, there were secrets overseas that mustn't be unveiled.

Goren is estranged in this episode due to his mother's health; she's confined in bed and his job doesn't give him any time to spend with her. He freaked out throughout the episode.

One of the best episodes

[azmogroupon · 10/10 · 26 May 2020]

The story was very well-written containing lots of ups and downs which makes the audience hanging what would happen in the end. Excellent acts by the actors especially the detectives. The dramatic story showed the challenges they have to face between family vs career.

Painful humanity

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 4 February 2021]

"The War at Home", the title pretty much summing up exactly what the story is all about, has proven to be somewhat of a love or hate episode. With the most common criticisms from what has been seen and heard being the military being portrayed in an unflattering light (sure their portrayal is less than positive, but many episodes in the franchise and in similar shows did this a lot and in some cases less tastefully), too much Goren and Goren being out of character.

Count me in as one of those people who actually loves "The War at Home", while actually sort of understanding why others don't (the Goren being out of character criticism in my view though isn't taking into account enough Goren's situation and that his state of mind and way of thinking would actually be different to normal). It is not an easy episode to watch, both the case and even more so Goren's subplot being truly hard-hitting, even for a show and franchise that are quite uncompromising in the first place, but it's easy to figure out from the synopsis that it was not going to be.

Although the case may not be the most complex in the world, or the most non-stop tense, it has enough turns to avoid over-obviousness while also not being convoluted. The perpetrator and motive were not expected. Better though is the truly harrowing and poignant Goren personal life subplot, that really stuck in my mind a lot on first viewing and still has that quality. His personal life was illuminating and really hit hard and was relatable. To be honest, it is no surprise and understandable when he breaks and it is amazing that he didn't do it earlier on in the show if it was that bad (that enormity of pressure would break anybody).

Vincent D'Onofrio cannot be raved about enough, a gut-wrenching, intense and heart-rending performance. Kathryn Erbe contrasts with him beautifully and her serious side was great to see, as was her clear care for Goren. There are excellent supporting performances all round, Fran Drescher (better known for comedy) and Rita Moreno (best known to me as Anita from 'West Side Story') are both against type and pull their interesting characters off beautifully. Especially Moreno in a performance that is as powerful as D'Onofrio's. Ross didn't bother me here for the first time.

Photography and such as usual are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction has some nice tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way. The script is taut and emotionally varied, never rambling.

In my view, this episode is brilliant. 10/10

Michael Biehn as a guest star

[gunslingers-1 · 10/10 · 28 November 2006]

You bring Michael Biehn back in future roles playing his same character and I'll be there to watch the show. Otherwise, this is a a Law and Order show I don't normally watch.

Excellent writing for whomever wrote MB's role. It's how we love him. He's a strong influence and the character part was seemingly written just for him.

We saw a tough side of Michael as well as a softer side. He's an excellent actor and I'm just thrilled that he was brought on or he came on as a guest star. Sure made my week!

Thank you!

Not A Lot Of Fun In This One As Goren Snaps

[ccthemovieman-1 · 5/10 · 31 August 2008]

There was nothing fun about watching this particular "Criminal Intent" episode. It was an unpleasant story with the typical Law & Order, and we also our lead character, "Det. Robert Goren," finish the story by walking out of the office, saying "If you want to fire me, go ahead." He doesn't care anymore. What a bummer of a story.

The crime story involves the military so you know Law & Order, with its left wing leanings over the years, is going to trash the men in uniform and what they represent. To the writer of this episode, the uniform means cover up an illegal incident and then kill someone if you fear they might rat you out. All of that is said to be looking after "your brothers." Boy, the bias in this show, particularly when it comes to anything involved with Iraq, is just so blatant it's laughable.

What isn't laughable is to see Goren beginning to unravel, thanks to the pressures of the job and his crackpot mother, who we see for the first time in the six-year history of this show. She has been mentioned a half-dozen times, and we know she's a burden to our lead detective. Now we finally see her. She's in a hospital being treated and is super paranoid about everything. Goren is trying to be a good son and wait on her, but gets called in on this case - at Thanksgiving, no less - and it's all an ugly mess. Between her phone calls, and the ugly crime case, Goren loses his temper a few times, and even gets his supportive partner "Eames" (Kathryn Erbe) angry at him.

Some "name" actors guest star in this episode: Michael Biehn as the murdered girl's father, Fran Drescher as the girl's mother and Rita Moreno as Goren's mother.

It will be interesting to see how Goren's situation is played in the next episode that features D'Onofrio.