Loyalty, or Lack There of in the Last G/E CI

“In New York City’s war on crime, the worst criminal offenders are pursued by the detectives of the Major Case Squad. These are their stories.” Doink Doink.





Spoilers follow, FYI.





Seriously, last chance here.






Loyalty part 2 just finished here. The last Goren/Eames episode. Well, it was suppose to be Goren/Eames but some how amidst the elementary plot (that would’ve been found in season 1 of the show and should not have been used for season 9) Nichols and his new partner. A smattering of Goren and Eames here and there. Everything seemed rushed. The plot line with Danny Ross was hurried along in Loyalty part 1, the Captain was quickly dispatched with. There's not much else to say, everything was rushed to make way for the successors.


I’m just flabbergasted and disappointed by these two episodes. I mean this is the show that gave us the most amazing episodes with the character of Nicole Wallace. The plot lines with Gage, which were fantastic. The episode “Untethered” ALONE spoke volumes to the incredible stories and acting capable of those involved with this show. Or how about “Endgame” or “Frame” or “Purgatory” But these two episodes were such a cop out. Both were an insult to Vincent D’Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe, everything built up in the last 9 years, and the fans. Chris Noth was given a better send off.


It seems like they completely disregarded everything that had happened. A staple of every episode (except for precious few) gave us an incredible scene in the interrogation room.


Only a few things I did enjoy:

Bobby’s line “Tie me up, do what you want to me, but don’t question how I feel about my country.”

The last scene between Goren and Eames. Okay. This was the only really good scene in the whole thing. I’m not a Goren/Eames shipper, but I liked their moment. I think that the characters love each other but I just never saw romantic love between them. Partners and best friends I can see easily.


Overall though, just a massive disappointment. Criminal Intent and I are finished unless they ever have a guest spot for VDO or Kathryn Erbe.


What it was, was great and that will be missed.

Devoted Fandoms

Hardcore fangirls (and boys) are an interesting breed. I consider this thought as I sit through the Grammys waiting for a brief moment of Quentin Tarantino. Suddenly I begin to consider all of the long B-movies, the crappy award shows, the random episodes of TV I have sat thru in order to see an actor or actress that I’m a fan of.

For instance, Ed Wood. One of the longest, most random movies you could sit through, especially if you aren’t a fan of Johnny Depp. No no, as a Vincent D’Onofrio fan I waited for an 8-minute appearance towards the very end of the movie to see VDO playing Orson Welles. And when I got there I discovered that his voice had been dubbed by that of the man who used to play The Brain (as in Pinky and The Brain).

But we still sit through these things even if just for a glimmer. We stay up till 3 in the morning to record a movie off TV because the movie isn’t going to be released on DVD anytime soon. And to buy it on VHS from Amazon would cost more than you care to pay. It’s amazing the things we do.

In that same thread, I point to the massive outpouring of devoted Conan fans these last couple of weeks. There were rallies held in the rain, “I’m With CoCo” shirts and signs, and a mass online campaign to show support for the ginger giant. It’s no secret that I am a devoted fan and I have never been so proud to be a part of a fan community.

So my three readers and any other fangirls or fanboys out there, tell me about your hardcore fandoms.

Team Conan

Goren and Eames

I love Law and Order Criminal Intent. It is a fantastic show and the truth of the matter is that I started to watch it because of Vincent D'Onofrio. I believe it to be one of the more original shows that has been on TV in the last 10 years. Bobby Goren is a truly interesting and unique character. And the interaction between Goren and everyone else is part of the reason that I maintained this fandom.

Like many, I was upset when they announced that Vincent D'Onofrio was leaving and that Kathyrn Erbe was going to be phased out along with Eric Bogosian. In all honesty I probably won't continue to watch the show without these two main characters/actors. But I won't be boycotting the show or the network for that matter. In most of the interviews I've read D'Onofrio has said that he's decided to leave because they've done all that they can with his character. And I can see the reasoning behind that logic. He has given a lot to this show and this character. Anyone else remember why they brought the second team in? Because VDO collapsed on set a couple of times, he's given his all to this franchise and has decided to move on from it.

Kathyrn Erbe has also been with the show all along. Most shows don't last this long and if they do the cast usually switches out much earlier. Am I bummed out about the direction the show will probably end up taking? Of course. Am I angry? No. I like USA Network. They allowed CI to go somewhere that it never would've been able to as a lead in for SVU. We got some REALLY GREAT development with Bobby's character and Alex for that matter.

As a fan of both of these actors I'm hoping that this will give them both the opportunity to do more work. VDO has mostly done smaller roles during his years on CI and hopefully this'll mean I have to clear out some space on my D'Onofrio DVD shelf for new movies.

Plus. There's always fanfiction. Goodness knows that's what I've been using during the season break.

But again, I certainly won't be boycotting USA. Hello, Burn Notice, In Plain Sight, Psych, they do have good shows.

Premier Weeks and Other Things

First off. The sad news. It's been confirmed that Vincent D'Onofrio is leaving Criminal Intent at the beginning of the 9th season. He said in one article that he was ready to leave and thought that they've done everything they can with the character of Goren. As a CI fan I'm so incredibly bummed to hear this. As a VDO fan I'm excited that this might mean a few more movies with him. I don't know yet if I'll keep watching CI, I started to watch it for the expressed purpose of weekly D'Onofrio and I just don't really care for Jeff Goldblum in this role. Also I'm not sure how they're going to do this. The actress who had been Chris Noth's partner, then Jeff Goldblum's is leaving the show and most articles say that Kathryn Erbe and Eric Bogosian are going to be phased out. Basically they're going to be starting from scratch.

On to happier topics, the last two weeks were mostly focused on premier week.

The Office - Strong out of the gate as always. It was a nice throw back to the earlier episodes that just focus on the going-ons at Dunder Mifflin Scranton. Dwight, Andy and Michael OWNED the cold open!

Big Bang Theory - I was so excited for season 3 to start. I got into this show at the end of last spring and up until that point only saw season 1 and clips of season 2 offline. When this premier finally rolled around I was giddy! And it certainly delivered! I do feel a little weird about Penny and Leonard being together. As much as I hate to admit it I've become a little bit of Penny/Sheldon shipper. That probably has more to do with me wanting Leonard for myself. Another great appearance by Laurie Metcalf as Sheldon's mother.

House - HOLY CRAP! Okay if Hugh Laurie doesn't get an Emmy for season 6 I'm going to think that the whole thing is fixed. The two hour premier was IN-FREAKING-CREDIBLE! I wasn't crazy about him and that other woman, I'm a long time Huddy shipper, from the very first episode of season 1. Loved House in the mental institution and his interaction with the other inmates.

Numb3rs - The Premier is tonight, very excited. Finally getting some more in the way of Charlie/Amita.

The Jay Leno Show - I actually enjoy it. More then I enjoyed the 10.00 dramas. It's nice to have some comedy before the ever depressing news. Hopefully it'll work out well. It is basically a pared down version of Jay's Tonight Show. But it has been fun thus far.

Off the top of my head those are the shows I can think of. I'm waiting impatiently for the second half of Burn Notice season 3. Fanfiction for a reason people.

Oh My

Okay a couple of things.

First: Got the Comic-Con tickets this morning! Yay! So much excitement, going with my sister this time. Should be interesting, sis isn't super fluent in geek.

Second: This brought me down a little: http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/09/16/scoop-shake-up-brewing-at-law-order-ci/

What exactly does this: Where does that leave Vincent D’Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe? The CI vets are in talks to return in some capacity mean? I can pretty much guarantee that if VDO isn't back on they loose me as a viewer. That thought seriously makes my stomach fall a little. What is CI without Goren and Eames?

Third: Big Bang Theory Season 2 on DVD, a review will be up later on.

Also don't forget that the season finale of America's Got Talent is on tonight. I'm hoping for Grandma Lee to win... I think.

A Sleepy Sunday

Well last night I ended up watching Sudden Death.

It was kind of incredible, a blatant rip off of Die Hard, but incredible never the less.

The Trailer:

Take a look, let me know if anything seems familiar. The movie was a little hard to focus on because I was busy noticing all the ripping off. It wasn't just big things like van Damme tying that thing around his waist and jumping off the roof, but there were little things too in the story line. Kind of like Die Hard on ice.

Started to watch Lethal Weapon after that. I don't know why but I keep starting to watch it and then stopping half way through for some reason or another.

Fell asleep watching HGTV, there's something oddly enjoyable about home shows. Also it keeps me from the strange dreams I get if I fall asleep with the news on.

Woke up briefly this morning and tried to watch CBS Sunday Morning but fell asleep again, which is not an uncommon occurrence. In fact, I go through that routine almost every Sunday.

Been working on reading for school most of the day. A lot of pages for a little point. This one author has an entire theory of how Casablanca is a metaphor for America and the hesitance to enter World War II. It actually made quite a bit of sense to me. But I get annoyed with these classes sometimes, I don't know why we can't ever let a movie just be entertaining. Why does everything have to have this secret meaning? Sometimes it is interesting, I love the whole back/in story with Citizen Kane, with why the sled was called Rosebud and how Hearst made sure that the movie didn't win any Oscars. At the same time why can't we just take things for what they are and not try to shove them into these big metaphorical realms.

Watched a bit of the Bond marathon on USA, but didn't stay with it too long. They weren't showing any of my favorites until later. Golden Eye was on. This movie has special meaning for me because it was my first in theatre Bond and it was also the first new Bond of my generation. I've loved James Bond movies since I was about 7. My grandpa had most of them on VHS and on Sundays my siblings and I would watch them. This set off my spy phase which meant me running around in all black, with my "spy kit" and calling myself Jane Bond, 006, James' sister.

After that I just threw the news on while I finished up some reading for school and waited for Khole and Kourtney Take Miami. I cannot explain my fascination with this show, all I can say for sure is that it is there and I like watching it. Threw on some Law and Order CI after that, just in time for a little D'Onofrio.

Not sure what I'll put on now, probably just something random that I can fall asleep to. We'll see what tomorrow brings me.

Sweet Geeks

--Geek Girl