While on suspension, Goren takes a deep undercover assignment hoping that it will help him get back on the job. Meanwhile, Eames investigates a triple homicide which turns out to be related ... Read allWhile on suspension, Goren takes a deep undercover assignment hoping that it will help him get back on the job. Meanwhile, Eames investigates a triple homicide which turns out to be related to Goren's case.While on suspension, Goren takes a deep undercover assignment hoping that it will help him get back on the job. Meanwhile, Eames investigates a triple homicide which turns out to be related to Goren's case.
Photos
- Officer Lois Melago
- (as Lauren Vélez)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDean Winters appeared as Det. Brian Cassidy on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" in its first season. In his final episode with that show, his character transferred over to the Narcotics division. As chance would have it, his character in this episode, Mike Stoat, is on suspension from Narcotics.
- Quotes
Detective Robert Goren: [the Chief wants Goren on a dangerous undercover job] Yeah, he's hoping I'll get myself killed.
Captain Danny Ross: The thought occurred to me.
"Purgatory" delivered, and brilliantly. It develops Goren beautifully, sees a deeper bond between him and Eames that sees their chemistry in a new light and there is more than enough to show what was so great about them as characters. It is leagues better than the previous Goren-centric episode "Untethered", which should have been great but to me wasn't, the best 'Criminal Intent' episode since "Amends" and one of the season's few outstanding episodes.
Everything comes together as one beautifully wrapped package. Vincent D'Onofrio is exceptional, as one would expect from whenever playing Goren. Goren has always been a fascinating character, and while his deeper development and family subplot divided fans to me they were done on the whole extremely well. Sure he is a very different Goren from the early seasons, not as perceptive or as neurotic and a lot more troubled and intense which fitted realistically with Goren's development. D'Onofrio conveyed all of this intensely and movingly, with numerous instances without saying a word and instead told through his face and eyes.
Found Kathryn Erbe to be even better. She has also matured in her role and Eames has matured and deepened as a character since the Season 6 premiere, understandably. Erbe portrays this very powerfully, and in a way that is quite understated. Especially moving is her reaction to when Goren finally tells her the truth, heart-wrenching and relatable. Some found Eames too on the mean side this season, it's episodes like "Purgatory" where one can understand why.
Their chemistry has not lost its sparkle. It is different to usual here, more serious and not the sassy playing off of one another. But it is abundantly clear how much they care for each other and how difficult they're finding being apart, especially true in that moment. The story is twisty and has a gritty but also moving atmosphere. The script is thought-provoking throughout.
It is well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and the direction is accomodating while still having pulse. The cast are all top-notch, but D'Onofrio and Erbe dominate and quite rightly.
Overall, outstanding. 10/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- May 4, 2021