When it becomes obvious that a forensics expert raped and murdered a student, the investigation focuses on a criminology professor that Cragen arrested decades earlier for similar crimes.When it becomes obvious that a forensics expert raped and murdered a student, the investigation focuses on a criminology professor that Cragen arrested decades earlier for similar crimes.When it becomes obvious that a forensics expert raped and murdered a student, the investigation focuses on a criminology professor that Cragen arrested decades earlier for similar crimes.
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- Detective John Munch
- (credit only)
- Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
- (credit only)
- Special Agent Dr. George Huang, M.D.
- (as B.D. Wong)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDoug E. Doug later appears in season fourteen's Acceptable Loss (2012).
- GoofsWhile discussing the inmates Rebecca had been helping, Kyle tells Benson and Stabler about a specific inmate who relapsed on IV drugs just after getting out of prison. At 7:18, Kyle says that "she even crawled into bed with the guy to help him through the DTs." However, this would not have been possible because IV drug users do not experience the DTs. Also known as "Delirium Tremens," the DTs are only suffered by alcoholics going through alcohol withdrawal.
- Quotes
Donald Cragen: I remember you, Vega. When I collared you after we found that poor woman's stinking corpse, you cried like a baby. You denied it then, but we had your prints all over that oil drum. You lied then like you're lying now.
Javier Vega: I will never forget what I did to Joanna Lewis. Her face will haunt me until the day I die, but my past is my past. I'm a different man now, just like you. Yeah. Yeah, I remember you. You were drunk. The stench of booze was all over you. But you changed, didn't you, Captain? You think you're the only one who can?
- ConnectionsReferences The Simpsons (1989)
On first watch, "Criminal" didn't amaze me story-wise, or at least to begin with, although primary guest star James McDaniel did impress me hugely. A few rewatches later, "Criminal" still strikes me as slightly bland, well compared to having following on from two incredibly powerful in particular episodes, but there has overtime been more to appreciate and McDaniel's performance really does elevate it to a higher level.
Do think that other Season 5 episodes have a lot more tension and emotion than "Criminal". The closest that the episode comes to having those things is the climax, which is not earth-shattering but it still grabs the attention and is well staged. Other episodes have more surprises and are more twisty, for me it was too obvious too early that there was more to the case than what it initially seemed.
Some of it feels predictable, with a quite ordinary first third that could have belonged in pretty much any show, and there is too much conclusion jumping based on past events.
What makes "Criminal" worth seeing however, despite how all of that sounds, is McDaniel who is excellent and gives his character surprising complexity that makes one unsure as to whether he is guilty or innocent. All the cast are fine, with Dann Florek doing tortured guilt quite movingly. It was great to have Cragen spotlighted and see him genuinely remorseful. Although the answer to the guilty or innocent dilemma was not a surprise, the identity of the murderer and motive were not for a while. The climax is well staged as said.
"Criminal" is very thoughtfully scripted and while the story wasn't mind blowing it did become more interesting and not as predictable later on.
It is shot with the right amount of intimacy without being claustrophobic and that the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time has been great too. Nice use of locations too. The music doesn't get over-scored or overwrought, even in the more dramatic revelation moments. The direction doesn't try to do too much and is understated but never flat or unsure.
All in all, not great and a little disappointing but worth watching for McDaniel in particular. 7/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Dec 31, 2020