BigBadaBruce

Like the other Law And Order series, Criminal Intent is a story-driven show, with the characters back-stories gradually introduced and expanded upon depending on the episode. Until the latter series that is, when a season was devoted to Goren's mother dying. The scripts in this series, however, can only be as good as it's actors. Now I won't lie, I haven't seen every character, just over half of them, so I may miss some out.

Detective Robert Goren, played by Vincent D'Onofrio. If any character is the main character, it's this guy. Extremely intelligent with an ability to unlock suspects minds, he uses psychology, detective skills, and library knowledge to solve his crimes, he is brilliantly played in this series, not a single action is wasted, showing his eccentricity, and yet almost as if his body is just weighed down by all his intelligence. At different times he displays linguistic German, Dutch, Spanish, even certain Asain language and American Sign Language. Member of Team A.

Detective Alexandra Eames, played by Kathryn Erbe. The more experienced detective, she and partner Goren create a tremendous team, his eccentricities playing off her analytical ability, she is the "straight man" of the partnership and she is well underplayed by Erbe, symbolising a weary but driven woman who gets the job done.

Detective G. Lynn Bishop, played by Samantha Buck. Only appeared for six episodes in Season 3, she played the unthankable role of being the unwanted partner, Eames at the time on maternity leave, and Bishop was the cold-hearted replacement who feels uncomfortable with Goren and ends up compared unfavourably to Eames.

Detective Mike Logan, played by Chris Noth. An old legend of the original Law And Order, in the years preceding his last Law And Order case in 1995 and his return in 2005, he has been brought back into the fold and simultaneously mellowed himself down from the old hothead of legend. His old-style detective skills and weary, burnt look gives him an interesting aspect. Due to Goren's popularity, Team B's episodes are slated, despite the intelligence of the episodes and the different look to Goren.

Detective Megan Wheeler, played by Julianne Nicholsen. The straight-edge to Logan's rule breaker, she plays off intelligently and offers the right balance needed between her and Logan. In the latest series her position will change as she will be partnered with Jeff Goldblum's character, offering a new aspect, which will be interesting to see.

Two differing type of Captains, first James Deakins played by Jamey Sheridan, was played in the style of the "Loved Boss", yes expecting results but confident in his team and allowing them to do it their way, Sheridan still exudes authority, and is very good. Replaced in Season 5 by Danny Ross, played by Eric Bogosian, less tolerant but more hands-on than his predecessor, he offers a different aspect to Deakins, and is the only character from season 5 onwards to appear in every episode. He bounces off all characters well.

The characters are all very well played, and this creates a better show, despite the story driven style. Very good.

A lot of TV Shows have become popular with the main character having disability. Look at the old-fashioned Ironside, wheelchair-bound. The new Psych, with Shaun Spencer a fraudulent Psychic . Just two examples of this genre. A third is the extremely popular Monk. A Police Officer, who had a nervous breakdown after his wives murder, is also a sufferer of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), which helps him solve his cases, as he obsess over every element and goes over every crime scene excessively. He notices unimportant details because of it and uses that to solve his case. The show does have an element of believability in that it would be more believable that someone obsessed about everything would solve difficult crimes, not an average joe. Humour is also a main point, as it's very tongue-in-cheek, and it's the character interactions between Monk and his "co-workers" that make you interested. A very good show, and worth watching.