Tonight, USA Network aired the series finale of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Many who work on the TV show hope that’s not necessarily true.
Last Summer, it was rumored that the cop drama might be cancelled following a season of lackluster ratings. USA instead opted to bring Criminal Intent back for a 10th and final season of eight episodes. To cap the show’s run, it was also announced that Kathryn Erbe and Vincent D’Onofrio, who left abruptly at the start of season nine, would return.
Though USA has been calling season 10 the end of Criminal Intent, we learned in May that executive producer Dick Wolf wasn’t throwing in the towel just yet. He told reporters that he hoped, “enough fans will come out so the powers that be reconsider their decision.” Later, executive producer Chris Brancato noted that, “Yeah, I think if viewers are enthused about Vincent and Katie coming back I don’t see why it has to be the final season.” The ratings have shown improvement.
Erbe is also hopeful that tonight won’t be the end and would be to season 11. She recently told TV Guide, “I know that I would be there in a heartbeat. I’m fairly positive that Vincent [D’Onofrio] feels the same way. Everyone was really hoping that, in the 11th hour, we’d get some word… Whether the fans are able to muscle us back or not, who knows. They have amazing power.”
Regardless of what happens, Erbe is grateful for the chance to return to the series. She said, “I just know that these eight episodes were like a gift. To be able to come back and have closure with the crew and the cast and everyone… If that happens again, fantastic. It would just be like icing on the cake.”
If the series doesn’t come back, the actress feels that viewers will like this farewell to Goren and Eames better than their departure in 2010. Erbe notes, “I know we set out to make it satisfying… The one thing I know you’re going to see is that Goren and Eames are on much better, more solid ground. Healthier, happier and in good shape.”
If she never gets to play the role again, Erbe imagines that her character would continue solving cases with Goren and just continue to live her life.
What do you think? Would you like to see Law & Order: Criminal Intent continue?
Image courtesy USA.
Yes, yes, yes!!!! Bring it back. They are the two most interesting characters on TV (along with Stabler and Benson). I know my whole family will tune in for an 11th Season!!
Never never take this show off the air. Besides watching season 10 I watch all their re-runs and never get tire of watching these 2 great actors. TV needs more shows like this.
Please continue CI! This show is great and would be an injustice to end this show.
I love Law & Order CI. Goren and Eames make the show enjoyable to watch. The writers are excellent! I hope that it is not cancelled!!!!!!!!! Bring it back for a whole season!
Grt last episode! Goren called eames ‘alex’!
Hard to believe that this well-written and well-acted series would not be renewed in light of the poor quality of many of the TV series and “reality” shows that have continued. Part of the problem seems to be the scheduling. I had a hard time finding the time-slot while really looking for it.
I absolutely am a devoted fan of the show, especially with Vincent and Kathryn as the only detectives. The chemistry and acting of both characters is phenomenal! Please bring it back for at least another season, if not more!
I started watching Criminal Intent in 2004 and was “hooked” upon being introduced to it. Goren and Eames were truly the Holmes and Watson of a modern day TV mystery and were the mainstay of the show…which was quite apparent in their absence. It was a joy to see them return for the 8 episodes in 2011 and it is my sincerest hope that this was not the last of Goren and Eames. It would be an absolute joy to see Criminal Intent return for yet another season as it has been one of very few TV viewing commitments and… Read more »
Challenges my mind and problem solving skills. I would be very dissappointed if this show dissapeared after I found it again. Here’s to another season.
I love the show and hope this is not the final season and that this was not the last show tonight!
Please it can’t be over. I have loved d”onfri & Erbe for the last 10 years (Noth and Nicholson were ok) but Criminal Intent is the only weekly show I wait and look for. Love the cast, the story, the pyschology, the genuine human dyanic they share as characters. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE…keep one of televisions very few quality offerings alive…he and Erbe cannot leave us so soon….we have grown with him, them…cannot we not complete the exploration together?
Criminal Intent is the BEST! Please bring it back with the same actors.
glad to see the end of the program. Vincent D’Onofrio comes across as arrogant and aloof. My least favorite of all of the Law and Order series. I very rarley even tune in. Get rid og D’Onofrio and the show would be much better.
why would you bring this marvelous show back just to tease us with a super short season. this is much too good a program to just end it after bringing back for this short time. Goren and Eames are the perfect ploy to keep this show going. none of the others worked.
wow…what a disappointing series finale. I know they want to come back, but they should have treated this episode as the final farewell…i thought at least Goren’s nemisis would reappear (ya, i know she’s supposedly dead)