5 reviews
He's a self-proclaimed "Wanksta"
After a trial involving the rapper "Apocalypto" (Samuel Smith) in which he was sentencing to 5 to 15 years, the judge's son, a teenagers drawn to hip- hop culture was found dead with a bullet in his neck; he was dropped off the judge's SUV car with an ace of hearts card. At first, detectives looked for perps inside gangsta's world, then they drew the attention to carjacking partners, who had strong "shemale"'s alibi. But the perps had to be found elsewhere. The boy was attending a prep school and he befriended other spoiled brats who wanted to play "wanksta" in order to escape the routine. After connecting them to a bodega robbery, it's not hard to figure out he wasn't the only one wannabe gangster.
On the side, Det. Wheeler tried to collect evidence to find her father, who disappeared years before. He could be buried along with other bodies but the episode left this question unresolved.
On the side, Det. Wheeler tried to collect evidence to find her father, who disappeared years before. He could be buried along with other bodies but the episode left this question unresolved.
Wheeler's missing Father
The story line about Wheeler's Father cuts in & out of this episode 3-4 times with a major related ending. The script is 52 pages or about 52 minutes. It was in the original airing. I guess USA has less air time & more commercials, therefore; cut out this story line within the story completely. Wheeler's father was involved with the liquor industry & liquor wholesaler's. One liquor wholesaler complained about being shaken down, he & another wholesaler disappeared soon after. At the end, a mafia dumping ground is uncovered with 4 fresh bodies, two being the liquor wholesaler's. Wheeler's Father isn't one of the bodies, he's to tall, yet, there's more digging to do.
Music and culture
- bkoganbing
- May 17, 2016
- Permalink
Seeking the truth
When it comes to Season 6 of 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent', the Goren and Eames episodes tended to fare a lot better in overall standard. The Logan and Wheeler outings were more variable, there were great episodes absolutely but others didn't work so well (though only "Bombshell" was a misfire and "Tru Love" came close). "Players" immediately did sound more interesting than most of them, as anybody that generally doesn't care for Wheeler (actually like her) will be pleased to see some development.
In this regard "Players" doesn't disappoint. It is one of the best Logan and Wheeler episodes and, despite not quite being on par with the best of the Goren and Eames outings and despite not being a 'Criminal Intent' classic, it is one of the most interesting Logan and Wheeler episodes and one of the better non-Goren and Eames ones. As far as Season 6 goes, which was very hit and miss overall which is such a shame as Seasons 1-4 at their best were so brilliant, "Players" is also one of the best.
My only issue is that for my tastes, and this was true for quite a few Season 6 episodes, the ending is a little too hastily wrapped up.
"Players" is great everywhere else however. It looks good, with the usual slickness and subtle grit. Really liked too that the photography was simple and close up but doing so without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when used, and luckily it isn't constant, and when it is used it doesn't feel over-scored. The direction allows the drama to breathe while still giving it momentum as well. The script is tight and smart, it always intrigues and doesn't become too talky.
Actually really liked the story and did think that it was very involving, even if it didn't have the same amount of tension that other Season 6 episodes had. The case does have a lot of twists and turns, meaning that the truth was nowhere near what one would have thought from the beginning of the episode. "Players" does a great job with Wheeler's subplot and it was good to finally see some development to her other than being the more understated and loyal partner. It had a good deal of heart and wasn't too soap-operatic. The characters are not likeable true but they were to me actually still interesting. Especially Thomas Grady Jr, who clearly had a lot of love as a father but also clearly knew right and wrong without taking sides, refreshing for the job he is in and as a father figure in the franchise (not covering up or taking the law into his own hands).
Can't fault the acting, Chris Noth always delivered as Logan and Julianne Nicholson gives one of her best performances of 'Criminal Intent', she is very moving here. The supporting cast are equally good, Harris Yulin (doing wonders with a relatively small role), John Dossett and Michael Stahl David indeed make fabulous contributions. But it is surprising that nothing has been said about the subtly authoritative turn of Christian Hoff.
Overall, great. 9/10
In this regard "Players" doesn't disappoint. It is one of the best Logan and Wheeler episodes and, despite not quite being on par with the best of the Goren and Eames outings and despite not being a 'Criminal Intent' classic, it is one of the most interesting Logan and Wheeler episodes and one of the better non-Goren and Eames ones. As far as Season 6 goes, which was very hit and miss overall which is such a shame as Seasons 1-4 at their best were so brilliant, "Players" is also one of the best.
My only issue is that for my tastes, and this was true for quite a few Season 6 episodes, the ending is a little too hastily wrapped up.
"Players" is great everywhere else however. It looks good, with the usual slickness and subtle grit. Really liked too that the photography was simple and close up but doing so without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when used, and luckily it isn't constant, and when it is used it doesn't feel over-scored. The direction allows the drama to breathe while still giving it momentum as well. The script is tight and smart, it always intrigues and doesn't become too talky.
Actually really liked the story and did think that it was very involving, even if it didn't have the same amount of tension that other Season 6 episodes had. The case does have a lot of twists and turns, meaning that the truth was nowhere near what one would have thought from the beginning of the episode. "Players" does a great job with Wheeler's subplot and it was good to finally see some development to her other than being the more understated and loyal partner. It had a good deal of heart and wasn't too soap-operatic. The characters are not likeable true but they were to me actually still interesting. Especially Thomas Grady Jr, who clearly had a lot of love as a father but also clearly knew right and wrong without taking sides, refreshing for the job he is in and as a father figure in the franchise (not covering up or taking the law into his own hands).
Can't fault the acting, Chris Noth always delivered as Logan and Julianne Nicholson gives one of her best performances of 'Criminal Intent', she is very moving here. The supporting cast are equally good, Harris Yulin (doing wonders with a relatively small role), John Dossett and Michael Stahl David indeed make fabulous contributions. But it is surprising that nothing has been said about the subtly authoritative turn of Christian Hoff.
Overall, great. 9/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Mar 9, 2021
- Permalink
Noth Always Good, But Still Sad To See D'Onofrio's Roles Dwindling
- ccthemovieman-1
- Sep 7, 2008
- Permalink