Logan investigates the murder of a judge's son, and suspects that somebody that he put away may have had him killed for revenge. Meanwhile, detective Wheeler learns that her long-lost father... Read allLogan investigates the murder of a judge's son, and suspects that somebody that he put away may have had him killed for revenge. Meanwhile, detective Wheeler learns that her long-lost father may still be alive.Logan investigates the murder of a judge's son, and suspects that somebody that he put away may have had him killed for revenge. Meanwhile, detective Wheeler learns that her long-lost father may still be alive.
- Colin Wilcox
- (as Eugene Jones III)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSeth Gilliam's first appearance as OCCD Detective Daniels, his character appears in four episodes total. He also appeared in two episodes of Law & Order (1990) playing a African immigrant who's wife was murdered in one episode and a defense attorney in the other. He also played A.D.A. Terence Wright on Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005).
- GoofsThe police car has no separator between the front and back seats that is supposed to protect the cops in the front seat from suspects in the back seat. All cop cars today are equipped with this separator.
- Quotes
Thomas M. Grady Jr.: Is this how I raised you? Huh? I gave you everything I never had. And this is what you do with it? You're no better than your grandfather.
Riordan Grady: You mean your dad, Dad? You turned your back on him. I didn't. He's still my flesh and blood.
Thomas M. Grady Jr.: Well, maybe you ought to ask him for the name of a good legal aid lawyer.
Riordan Grady: Come on, Dad. Come on. Be real now.
Thomas M. Grady Jr.: Detectives, read my son his rights.
- ConnectionsReferences Borat (2006)
In this regard "Players" doesn't disappoint. It is one of the best Logan and Wheeler episodes and, despite not quite being on par with the best of the Goren and Eames outings and despite not being a 'Criminal Intent' classic, it is one of the most interesting Logan and Wheeler episodes and one of the better non-Goren and Eames ones. As far as Season 6 goes, which was very hit and miss overall which is such a shame as Seasons 1-4 at their best were so brilliant, "Players" is also one of the best.
My only issue is that for my tastes, and this was true for quite a few Season 6 episodes, the ending is a little too hastily wrapped up.
"Players" is great everywhere else however. It looks good, with the usual slickness and subtle grit. Really liked too that the photography was simple and close up but doing so without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when used, and luckily it isn't constant, and when it is used it doesn't feel over-scored. The direction allows the drama to breathe while still giving it momentum as well. The script is tight and smart, it always intrigues and doesn't become too talky.
Actually really liked the story and did think that it was very involving, even if it didn't have the same amount of tension that other Season 6 episodes had. The case does have a lot of twists and turns, meaning that the truth was nowhere near what one would have thought from the beginning of the episode. "Players" does a great job with Wheeler's subplot and it was good to finally see some development to her other than being the more understated and loyal partner. It had a good deal of heart and wasn't too soap-operatic. The characters are not likeable true but they were to me actually still interesting. Especially Thomas Grady Jr, who clearly had a lot of love as a father but also clearly knew right and wrong without taking sides, refreshing for the job he is in and as a father figure in the franchise (not covering up or taking the law into his own hands).
Can't fault the acting, Chris Noth always delivered as Logan and Julianne Nicholson gives one of her best performances of 'Criminal Intent', she is very moving here. The supporting cast are equally good, Harris Yulin (doing wonders with a relatively small role), John Dossett and Michael Stahl David indeed make fabulous contributions. But it is surprising that nothing has been said about the subtly authoritative turn of Christian Hoff.
Overall, great. 9/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Mar 9, 2021