Mid-Season Check In On LOCI...

[LOCIfan]

So, we're half-way through the grand experiment of splitting CI between our beloved Goren/Eames and Logan/Barek. How do you think LOCI's doing so far? Do you only watch the Goren/Eames eps? Only the Logan/Barek eps? Have there been any surprises in the Logan/Barek eps that've caused you to tune in? Do you think this was a good idea, or should TPTB just have let the series die a glorious death last season? Anybody have any fave eps so far this season?

As for me, I still watch all eps. I continue to enjoy the Goren/Eames eps more than the Logan/Barek eps, but not as much as I thought I would. I'm finding Logan a fun character to watch and watch as he evolves as a member of the Major Case Squad. I still find Barek a drag on the partnership and hope that she either brightens up or gets replaced, pronto. Also, I found Goren and Logan such a delightful pairing in the 2-hour episode that I keep hoping we'll see them together again, maybe in a scene or two here and there. They were such fun in that episode (my fave of the season so far)...

Now, what do you think?

[Patcat]

The greatest problem so far is the lack of good writing for Barek--I don't blame Sciorra--I think she's doing the best she can with what she's given.

But I'm coming to like Logan more and more.

And the episodes with Goren and Eames have been better. The schedule seems to be working for both Mr. D'Onofrio and Ms. Erbe; he, in particular, looks better in every episode (she always looks good), and some of his energy seems to be back.

And I thought the 2-hour episode excellent.

Patcat

[comedykicks]

I love the Goren/Eames team. It took me a while to catch on to this show and now that I'm hooked, they added another team!

I wasn't on line doing the message board thing, so it took me by surprise and I refused to watch the first Logen/Barak episode. I noticed that they were on every other week and only watched Goren and Eames until I'd heard about Mr. Vincent suffering from fainting spells and that he was happy to spit the shows with another team.

That's when I started feeling selfish and petty and decided to try and watch all the shows rather than just one duo.

So, I still don't like Logan. I just can't appreciate him. Noth is so pretty and talented, but I just can't get into him as an actor on this series. Its like they are tying to out do the role of Goren with someone even more unstable. I mean his whole character is riding on the fact that he decked a politician (was it that or some other official?) and he runs around saying, "Maybe this is the day I break". I just don't know what to make of it at the moment. I think I will come around to him soon enough.

As far as Barek goes, I like her. I like the quiet personality. I think she's more like Goren, in that she notices the little things, speaks several languages, and has an understanding of people and what makes them tick. I also think they make her character so quiet because if she was out there like Noth, it would be distracting and fans would accuse the directors of trying to replace or out do the character of Goren.

I'm terrible with show titles but I caught one of the new episodes on USA with Logan and Barek and it guest starred Samantha Mathis as a plastic surgeon. I liked that episode and I guess thats when I made the decision to give the new kids a chance.

He's out there on the edge going by instinct and she's grounded, sensible and takes her time. I think they work well together, but I would enjoy seeing Barek a little more snarky. I have to quit thinking of them as another Goren and Eames, but as Logan and Barek. Two separate individuals with their own style.

Still love Goren and Eames though. I will never like the other two over this team. Earbe has the best one liners ever!

[BegToDiffer]

It is Goren & Eames for me. I gave Logan a try, but there is just no challenge there. When Logan & Barek are on, its JUST ANOTHER COP SHOW to me. So, now I have extra time on Sunday nights to do some catching up around the house.
I did enjoy the episode with all four of them, and if there are more, I will watch.

[cifan]

I guess I haven't really given Logan & Barek enough of a chance. When I first found out they were alternating weeks, I decided to only watch the Goren & Eames episodes. I did see "In the Wee Small Hours" and enjoyed it. The four of them worked well together, however I have not watched one episode with just Logan & Barek.

I should really be more opened minded. Maybe I'm afraid I'll end up liking the Logan & Barek team more

[NicoleMarie]

I have a love/hate relationship with CI right now.

[digresser]

For me, I find it's like sitting down to watch Sherlock Holmes and instead getting a first season, sex-crimeless, SVU episode. Now, personally, I like SVU (although they can get rather angsty at times), but I like it as its own show. I think Logan and Barek have the potential to be very good characters (although Logan pretty much has achieved that), and that they are very well acted. It's just that at Sunday nights at 9pm I want a clever, quirky-Sherlockian mystery, not physical, gritty SVU-like acting, with characters that seem like they would be more at home on that show. Although, I sometimes wonder wear, exactly, Barek would truly be at home.

I think, for me the problem is this: CI is just a very different type of show without Goren and Eames. While I wouldn't mind a different show featuring Logan and Barek or additional episodes (more than the normal 22, I mean) featuring them, when I watch their CI episodes I find myself unable to fully enjoy them as I'm rather resentful that this is just one more episode being taken away from Goren and Eames.

The solution?
I keep watching. If this how it has to be for Vincent D'Onofrio's health and well-being, than I'll take my eleven episodes. Beggars can't be choosers. And it is very nice to see Vincent D'Onofrio's color returning, eyes bags disappearing, weight evening and energy increasing. It's like the old Goren, and even more importantly, it means good things for Vincent D'Onofrio's health. I'll also deal with the episodes featuring Logan/Barek because CI is my favorite show on television and I will try to do my part for their ratings. Plus, you never know when a good Deakins and Carver moment might occur.

I will keep my fingers crossed for two things, though (along with the secret *doomed* hope of all returning to normal). The movie was very good, I really hope for more crossovers. Would it completely mess with everything (credits, salaries, etc) to have a little mention or glimpse of the other main team during an ep? I know that if I knew Goren and/or Eames would occasionally pop up (physically or in conversation) during a Logan and Barek ep, I would definitely not miss a single one. Plus, it would do WONDERS for continuity. I know when I have Logan/Barek on, I tend to multi-task, so maybe I've missed any references, but I know that no references or appearances have been made about them on the Goren/Eames eps (aside from "Grow"). How is that even logically possible? Anyway, the other thing I'm crossing my fingers for is that the Logan/Barek eps could seem to be more suited to them and not Goren/Eames. I think my resentment and frustration would mellow a little if I couldn't continually imagine Goren and Eames doing most of the same things as Logan and Barek (especially with Goren/Barek), only doing them better and quirkier (and, dare I say, less mumbled).


As a side-note, I find it kinda interesting that neither USA or Bravo's websites or TV spots mention Logan and Barek (that I've seen, at least). They probably aren't in any episodes that Bravo has the rights too (at least, yet), but USA has shown their eps. While I understand that it probably wouldn't make much sense to try and keep track of the promos to make sure they match the few Logan/Barek eps, I'm surprised that they don't at least mention them on their website.

Still, USA and Bravo advertise for CI much better than NBC, so for that I'm grateful to them. Personally, my favorite spots are Bravo's montage of Goren and USA's "obsessive/compulsive" bit with CI, SVU and Monk. I also seem to recall a good one that really focused on Goren's sense of smell. But I'm starting to digress, here...

[NicoleMarie]

locifan said:

So, we're half-way through the grand experiment of splitting CI between our beloved Goren/Eames and Logan/Barek. How do you think LOCI's doing so far? Do you only watch the Goren/Eames eps? Only the Logan/Barek eps? Have there been any surprises in the Logan/Barek eps that've caused you to tune in? Do you think this was a good idea, or should TPTB just have let the series die a glorious death last season? Anybody have any fave eps so far this season?

So far to me, CI mirrors season 4 in so many ways. I don't see much change in D'Onofrio's appearance. His color has returned but the bags are still there and he is heavier than he has been on CI yet. (Not that I mind the man being a bit thick through the middle, I'm happy knowing he's real and not plastic and silconed!!) To me, the old Goren has yet to resurface. I don't have any favorite shows so far. I liked a lot "Scared Crazy" but it is not a favorite.

Of course, I don't watch the Logan shows. What I resent most about this season is the push from all directions to get me to accept Logan. Not. Gonna. Happen. Ever. My problem is not with the division of shows, it's with Logan himself. Had anyone but Logan been Barek's partner, I would be a happy camper.
I also resent the silent implication that if one does not watch the Logan shows, you are only a D'Onofrio fan and/or not a real CI fan. Sorry if I sound like a B***h here but, I think I'm entitled to dislike a Logan immensely and be a CI fan at the same time.

Of course, I don't want anymore crossovers or mixing of the teams. Mixing the teams on a constant basis would leave me in one hell of a pickle. My not watching Logan is not a knee jerk reaction to having Goren and Eames for only 11 shows; it's a protest against Logan himself. If I could be guaranteed Logan would never shove a pool stick in someone's throat, or any other similair act, I would happily shut up and watch all of the CI shows. Stuff like that truly unnerves and upsets me, so go ahead and make fun of me for it if you want. I know it's only tv but it won't stop my reaction to it.

I think my main gripe is that CI isn't the same show I started watching 4 years ago. The characters are different, the storylines are different to me. It doesn't have the same feel. I feel jerked around and manipulated alot. It has become the quintessienal "Goren Show", rather than "Criminal Intent". I think it seems to have wandered off the original premise with the constant detours through Goren's head. (Why can't we trip through Eames' head for once?? That would be interesting...oh, never mind.)

I know that's a bit ironic for me to not like the uber focus on Goren since the Goren character is what got me watching CI in the first place. But like I said, Goren is a very different Goren to me now. I've had these same gripes pretty much since season 4 anyway but I still hang in there. I have a love/hate relationship with CI as of late but I still love the show deeply and passionately, no matter how critical I am or how much I snark on it!

Ok, to balance this post before someone blows a gasket...(I'm kidding!!!!)

What do I like so far this season? I like how the storylines are back on earth and are not trying to pull you one way or the other, meaning they are not laced with the writers' opinions or political agendas. (SVU, take note!!!) And the storylines seem more logical, not out of left field or overtly creepy. I can't pick them apart, and I love it when I can't pick them apart. They're again puzzles to figure out, instead of me being left to guess and assume, and I truly hate guessing and assuming.

With the exeption of the CI movie, Goren seems to have gotten over himself a bit. (I'm not trying to be mean!) D'Onofrio has more color and is more awake, which is great. I'm not left wondering if his health or his attitude is affecting the Goren character like I have before. (Example: was Goren dull and sleepy because D'Onofrio was exhausted?) (I hope that made sense...) Eames is more alive and witty and is up in the middle of everything.

This should make someone smile, LOL, comparing CI to SVU this season, CI rules again! ;D

[NicoleMarie]

AG!! I wrote another book!

[BegToDiffer]

I don't know how people can claim that LOCI is the same show with Logan/Barek. I only watch the ones with Goren/Eames because that is Criminal Intent. The Logan shows don't have the substance to match the original show. If we only get 11 episodes with the "real LOCI", I wish they would have done half a season of LOCI and half a season with Logan/Barek and called it Law & Order: Cops & Robbers, or anything except Criminal Intent.
I hope that helps to address the issue of those not watching Logan/Barek as not being true Criminal Intent fans.

[SarahIvy]

Hello, I'm a new gal, I thought I'd go ahead and dive in with my two cents

I am very unhappy with how this season is working out. I happen to love the character of Logan, but I think he is absolutely not a good fit for Criminal Intent, and I cannot figure out why a talented actress like Annabella Sciorra is so painfully flat as Barek.

I've been watching all episodes, and it really is like two different shows now. The Logan/Barek episodes are very much old-school L&O, which is fine, but not what I eagerly await on Sunday nights. I thought 'In the Wee Small Hours' was fantastic and made good use of all the characters, and I would have felt much more supportive if they had pursued that format (which is more similar to SVU) rather than a complete split, because then each episode could have retained some of the aspects that make it Criminal Intent. As it stands, this season is half Criminal Intent, and half mediocre L&O.....the Logan/Barek episodes for me just completely lack everything that originally set Criminal Intent apart and made me love it (the Sherlock detective as a central irreplaceable feature, the more cerebral nature of the storylines).

I have enjoyed the Goren/Eames episodes this season, and I have watched all the Logan/Barek episodes (because I am nothing if not ridiculously loyal to my tv shows), but I fear rather than The Return of Logan giving the series a boost that could help it battle Desperate Housewives, it's going to have the opposite effect and Criminal Intent is going to spiral down into an incohesive mess.

Sheesh, sorry to be such a downer in my first post

[psychochik]

So far, as we have reached the half way point, I am a little disappointed. I was quite willing to give Logan a break and I have watched every episode, but with the blandness of Barek I havent enjoyed those other episodes. I like Logan, he was one of the reasons I watched the original. He and Lenny were awesome. He and Barek are far from awesome.

The episodes this season have gotten a little bit better over last year, two in particular would be Scared Crazy and In The Wee Hours. The movie was really good, I enjoyed having the competition between teams, it added a little bit of fun to it. Scared Crazy really, in my opinion was heading back where the root of the show is supposed to be, it was way more the old Goren and the way he picks things apart than any episode last season. I really think that Vincent's health issues last season made it tough for him to give it 100% and get down to the Goren we are all used to.
As for his appearence this season, I'm fine with it, he looks alot better, I know he put on a bunch of weight to do Orsen Welles and is taking his time dropping the weight due to it being easier on your body. I'm glad to hear that all the actors are happy with the set-up for this season, Kathryne gets to be Mom, Vincent gets to be Dad and make films, Chris gets to do his side projects and Annabella can do her thing.
I think if they continue with this next season they need to find Logan a more upbeat parnter, Barek is too low-key for me.
I will still try to watch the Logan/Barek episodes with an open mind, but each time I see them I seem to dislike Barek more.

[amberlight]

I echo those who believe we have two distinctly different shows now. I put on Logan and Barek but find nothing to hold me.

I am still a loyal viewer but purely because I enjoy Vincent's work so much, not because of the stories. I believe the writers have lost their way in those vastly over-convoluted plot lines with many dead ends. I find the tales lame frankly with the exception of In The Wee Small Hours - that 2 hour ditty was the best piece of writing done in a few years. I loved every second of that. That is the way the weekly show should go - but doesn't. Vincent has stopped character developement. I am not sure if that is simply a dry spell or he's bored and uninspired. However, I still enjoy watching and listening to him over any TV offering. I find his style fascinating and continue to feel that way. If he was not the lead, I know I would not be watching the show. Maybe it's natural for a show to loose some edge after 5 years, but it seems a shame. I keep hoping, week after week for a revival that never happens. With the exception of The Great Barrier (1 hr epi's) none of the others remain in my memory.

[Cassie]

I see them as two seperate shows. Criminal Intent Kids, Goren and Eames. Major Case Squad...Logan and Barrak. Surprisingly I like them both. I wasn't thrilled at all about Logan coming to town. But I like him. and I like her too. I know no one else is crazy about her. She just reminds me of a quiet, soft spoken person. Like, You need to pay close attention to her, or you will miss something important. Plus I like her hats...not all of them, but some of them

I also think that they should have both teams interacting on each others show. Like SVU, they have the 2 teams. DId anyone notice that they moved Logans and Barraks desk, right smack next to Goren and Eames desk. Logan sits next to Eames now...
and Barrak gets Goren by her side

[trisha]

Though the format sounds appealing after seeing them all in The Wee Small Hours, I can't imagine CI being like SVU with two teams in every episode. There's hardly time to develop a lot of the "criminal intent" in the one team episodes, leaving little time for the cast to be seen. Plus, the actors would still have to work everyday, defeating the purpose of the split to begin with. Right?

Cassie, I see your point about Barek. I guess that a lot of us aren't finding her interesting enough to want to watch her closely.

It's too bad that Logan is paired with such a dull person. Even the clothes she wears and snack foods she eats are boring. I mean, does the woman have any other colors besides brown, black and grey in her wardrobe? Why in the hell would you want to dress an already overly subdued character in camouflage colors is beyond me. I mean, why not hide her behind a plant while your at it?!

I don't know if the writers can make her a little more peppy and interesting, or if they should just get rid of her. But, with each passing episode, I'm starting to seriously lean toward get rid of her. I think Logan is a keeper, though, and seeing him take on more aspects of the cases than I had imagined he would, and pulling it off, makes me think he'd be better paired with an eager, younger man who he could be the mentor for in some ways. You know, someone really book smart, but with a lot to learn in terms of street smarts -- they could learn a lot from each other.