Law & Order: Criminal Intent (season 4)

Law & Order: Criminal Intent (season 4)

Season 4 U.S. DVD Cover
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 23
Broadcast
Original channel NBC
Original run September 26, 2004 – May 25, 2005
Home video release

DVD release

Region 1 November 24, 2009[1]

The fourth season of Law & Order: Criminal Intent premiered on NBC on September 26, 2004, and ended May 25, 2005. The series remained in its time slot of Sundays at 9 PM/8c, but the season finale episode "False-Hearted Judges" aired on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at 10 PM ET/9 CT.

Stars Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, Jamey Sheridan, and Courtney B. Vance returned for the fourth season. Around mid-season, star Vincent D'Onofrio fainted twice from exhaustion, once on set and again at his home.[2] Writers René Balcer and Elizabeth Benjamin won an Edgar Award in the category Best Episode in a Television Series Teleplay, for the episode "Want".[3] Almost three months before the fourth season finale, it was announced Chris Noth would join the show in the fifth season, alternating episodes with D'Onofrio, due to his health issues at the time.[4]

Production

NBC renewed Law & Order: Criminal Intent for a fourth season on May 12, 2004. On Sundays during the 2003-2004 broadcast network TV season, Law & Order: CI was undefeated in its third season against regular competition in 18–49 and was the only NBC regular series to win that time slot in the last eight years.[5]

In a broadcast network first, Law & Order: Criminal Intent viewers chose the fate of Detective Robert Goren's nemesis, Nicole Wallace (Olivia d'Abo): whether she lives or dies at the end of the episode "Great Barrier" (aired originally on October 17, 2004). Two versions of the episode were shot before the voting began on October 6 and ended October 20, 2004. The East Coast viewers saw Wallace live; the West Coast viewers saw her die. More than 116,000 viewers cast a vote online. "We are very gratified by the response," said show runner-executive producer René Balcer, "We've always seen this as a gift to our fans, to thank them for their continuing dedication to the series. Live or die, we'll abide by their decision."[6][7] The choice of Wallace living became the outcome, but Wallace is believed to be killed in the seventh season by Detective Goren's mentor, Dr. Declan Gage (John Glover).

Previous original Law & Order actor Chris Noth guest-stars in the episode "Stress Position" as his character Detective Mike Logan before returning to join the cast for the fifth season.

Cast

Primary cast

Actor/Actress Character Duration Notes
Vincent D'Onofrio Detective Robert Goren entire season
Kathryn Erbe Detective Alexandra Eames entire season
Jamey Sheridan Captain James Deakins entire season
Courtney B. Vance ADA Ron Carver entire season

Recurring cast

Notable guest stars

Neil Patrick Harris guest starred as John Tagman, a character based on Jeffrey Dahmer, in the award-winning episode "Want".

Episodes

No. in
series		 No. in
season		 Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code		 U.S. viewers
(millions)
671"Semi-Detached"[8]Frank PrinziTeleplay by: Gerry Conway
Story by: Gerry Conway & René Balcer		September 26, 2004E540412.67[9]
The investigation into the deaths of a shock jock (Fisher Stevens) and the housekeeper who supplied the pain killers to which he was once addicted leads Goren and Eames to a detox clinic staff member whose mental illness hits Goren close to home.
682"The Posthumous Collection"[10]Jean de SegonzacTeleplay by: Marlane Meyer
Story by: Marlane Meyer & René Balcer		October 3, 2004E452511.00[11]
The investigation into the death of a famous photographer (Sam Tsoutsouvas) leads to the discovery of multiple homicides committed by the collaborator on his latest project (Glenn Fitzgerald), who was attempting to exorcise demons from his past through an artistic expression the photographer soon found intolerable.
693"Want"[12]Frank PrinziTeleplay by: Elizabeth Benjamin
Story by: Elizabeth Benjamin & René Balcer		October 10, 2004E540712.81[13]
After he gets into the head of John Tagman (guest star Neil Patrick Harris), a man driven to torture, murder, and cannibalism by overwhelming despair and loneliness, Goren surprises his colleagues with a passionate plea that the man be spared the death penalty, and engineers the confession that will save the man's life through a plea bargain.
704"Great Barrier"[14]Frank PrinziTeleplay by: Diana Son
Story by: Diana Son & René Balcer		October 17, 2004E540211.92[15]
When Goren and Eames search for a jewel thief who murdered her accomplice, they discover that the clever larcenies are the brainchild of her lover, Nicole Wallace (special guest star Olivia d'Abo), Goren's long-standing nemesis. As the detectives delve into the personal and working relationships between the two women, they uncover a plot to cause the death of Wallace's ex-husband, the only person who can lead them to evidence of the very first murder Wallace committed.
715"Eosphoros"[16]Alex ZakrzewskiTeleplay by: Stephanie Sengupta
Story by: René Balcer		October 24, 2004E540112.40[17]
When Goren and Eames investigate the death of a prominent atheist and her kidnappers, they discover that the crime, fueled by a need for sympathy and publicity as well as greed, began close to home.
726"In the Dark"[18]Alex ChappleTeleplay by: Jim Sterling
Story by: Jim Sterling & René Balcer		October 31, 2004E540311.51[19]
During the investigation into the deaths of several homeless people, Goren and Eames uncover a series of frauds that lead them to a woman (Rutanya Alda) in the early stages of dementia and the man (Geoffrey Lewis) who is willing to commit murder to demonstrate his devotion for her.
737"Magnificat"[20]Frank PrinziTeleplay by: Diana Son
Story by: Diana Son & René Balcer		November 7, 2004E541411.53[21]
Goren and Eames are frustrated when the law has no provision for the arrest of a man whose abusive control of his family and neglect of his severely depressed wife led her to several murder-suicide attempts that he did nothing to prevent, which eventually resulted in the deaths of three of his sons.
748"Silver Lining"[22]Kevin DowlingTeleplay by: Marlane Meyer
Story by: Marlane Meyer & René Balcer		November 14, 2004E540915.16[23]

A master thief who specializes in stealing antique silver from wealthy families across the country is finally captured after his pregnant wife takes desperate measures when an appraiser threatens to ruin her white-picket-fence dreams of the future.

Based on Blane Nordahl.[24]
759"Inert Dwarf"[25]Alex ChappleTeleplay by: Warren Leight
Story by: Warren Leight & René Balcer		November 21, 2004E540813.47[26]
A world-renowned physicist (Austin Pendleton) resorts to murder to avoid being humiliated by his failure to prove a controversial theory of quantum physics for which he has spent his career espousing.
7610"View from up Here"[27]Alex ChappleTeleplay by: Jim Sterling
Story by: Jim Sterling & René Balcer		January 2, 2005E541014.85[28]
A nanny confesses to murdering a condo association president and a second attempted murder that she claims God told her to commit. The common links were both victims had lived in the same poorly constructed building and they were rumored to be having an affair.
7711"Gone"[29]Christopher SwartoutTeleplay by: Stephanie Sengupta
Story by: Stephanie Sengupta & René Balcer		January 9, 2005E540613.23[30]
Goren matches wits with a one-time chess prodigy (Robert Carradine) who has become a fugitive when the body of a young woman is found tossed in the trash.
7812"Collective"[31]Frank PrinziTeleplay by: Gerry Conway
Story by: Gerry Conway & René Balcer		January 30, 2005E541114.26[32]
A female con artist (Kim Director) who frequented fantasy conventions is found dead, and the reason can only be discovered in the stifling confines of the small literary fandom to which her latest victim belonged.
7913"Stress Position"[33]Frank PrinziTeleplay by: Charlie Rubin
Story by: Charlie Rubin, Warren Leight & René Balcer		February 13, 2005E541613.53[34]
When a prison guard is murdered, Eames and Goren investigate, only to discover they've riled the feathers of Mike Logan (special guest star Chris Noth), a Staten Island police officer who happens to be dating the nurse at the prison. Logan joins the duo to find out exactly what is happening at the prison.
8014"Sex Club"[35]Alex ChappleTeleplay by: Elizabeth Benjamin
Story by: Elizabeth Benjamin & René Balcer		February 20, 2005E54159.04[36]
When Goren and Eames investigate the death of the new owner of a "little black book" once belonging to legendary playboy George Merritt (Peter Bogdanovich), they uncover the marital indiscretions of a U.S. Senatorial candidate involving sex clubs. However Goren soon discovers his ex-wife (Rosanna Arquette) is holding a more shameful secret.
8115"Death Roe"[37]Rick WallaceTeleplay by: Warren Leight
Story by: Warren Leight & René Balcer		March 13, 2005E540515.72[38]
After a food critic is found beaten to death, Goren and Eames turn their suspicion to the chef at the last restaurant she visited. Unfortunately, Joshua Mailer has also gone missing, and their investigation then turns to his father-in-law (Chris Penn), the owner and head chef of another very popular restaurant in the city. An off-the-cuff comment tips Goren off to the fact that not all is well in the Onorato household.
8216"Ex Stasis"[39]Bill L. NortonTeleplay by: Diana Son
Story by: Diana Son & René Balcer		March 20, 2005E541912.35[40]
When a young woman is shot during an unscheduled appointment, Goren and Eames investigate her death and learn she had received a kidney transplant a few years earlier. Initially, they believe Vanessa Nikos may have been killed so her organs could be harvested, but soon learn her death was more closely connected with the organ she initially received from living donor Boyce Wainwright (Gregg Edelman). When her shooter, who is also awaiting an organ transplant, is found dead, the police realize that they're onto something.
8317"Shibboleth"[41]Darnell MartinTeleplay by: Stephanie Sengupta
Story by: Stephanie Sengupta & René Balcer		March 27, 2005E541810.70[42]
When Phoebe Morton is murdered while on the phone with a 9-1-1 operator, Goren and Eames take the case and soon realize that Morton is one of five women murdered with a similar connection: the killer known as Body By Jake (B.B.J.). Their investigation leads them to Keith Durbin (Paul Sparks), a recently released parolee who appears to be a perfect suspect. Goren has his suspicions about Durbin, who doesn't seem to Goren to be the right suspect. When they learn there are similar earlier murders, Goren and Eames focus their attention on a new suspect, and realize that, although he's not guilty, Durbin is the key.
8418"The Good Child"[43]Jean de SegonzacTeleplay by: Marlane Meyer
Story by: Marlane Meyer & René Balcer		April 3, 2005E542112.98[44]
After Dennis and Camille Burnett are found murdered in their home, the only survivor is their twenty-year-old daughter, Rachel. Because the Burnetts had been in the witness protection program, Goren and Eames initially suspect someone connected with a crime family had the Burnetts killed. The detectives soon realize that the connection isn't the parents; it's the daughter. Suspicion then turns to the daughter's biological parents (John Shea and Jean Arbeiter) and her birth father's very jealous wife.
8519"Beast"[45]Frank PrinziTeleplay by: Gina Gionfriddo
Story by: Gina Gionfriddo & René Balcer		April 10, 2005E542010.94[46]
When Lisa Ross is brought into the emergency room with a severe case of chloracne, suspicion quickly turns to her husband Greg (Bronson Pinchot), a well-known dentist, especially after she dies. During their investigation, Goren and Eames hear whispers about Lisa's infidelities, but the real break comes when they learn that Lisa was not the first woman to whom Greg Ross had been connected who had died of the same symptoms.
8620"No Exit"[47]Jean de SegonzacTeleplay by: Gerry Conway
Story by: Gerry Conway & René Balcer		May 1, 2005E542311.60[48]
When five young people are found dead by the railroad tracks, Goren and Eames initially write them off as suicides until their investigation reveals one of the victims had no desire to be part of a suicide pact. Although they begin looking into a website that gives instructions on how to commit suicide, the investigation leads the detectives to the unsolved suicide of one of the victim's co-workers, who had once testified against the company in a harassment suit.
8721"The Unblinking Eye"[49]Frank PrinziTeleplay by: Jim Sterling
Story by: Jim Sterling & René Balcer		May 8, 2005E542411.54[50]
After a young actress (Jicky Schnee) is gunned down after an evening out with her boyfriend (Jeff Hephner), Goren and Eames initially focus their attention on a young man who had showed an unusual interest in the couple, but soon realize that there is more to this case than meets the eye. A jealous and seemingly obsessive ex-girlfriend, a best friend (Pablo Schreiber) who never made it as an actor, and a grieving boyfriend who seems too good to be true lead Goren and Eames down another path, one where the key to exposing the truth about the present depends on exposing the lies of the past.
8822"My Good Name"[51]Alex ZakrzewskiTeleplay by: Warren Leight
Story by: Warren Leight & René Balcer		May 15, 2005E542210.32[52]
When the body of a man is found and it soon becomes obvious the body has been moved, Eames and Goren investigate the death of Walter Czabo, whose wife has been sleeping with a decorated former police officer who happens to have close ties to Deakins. The suspects start piling up, starting with Frank Adair (guest star Michael Rispoli) and leading to his controlling publicist, but as long as Deakins lacks good, hard proof, he is reluctant to go after his friend, who wields a lot of local influence.
8923"False-Hearted Judges"[53]Jean de SegonzacTeleplay by: Diana Son
Story by: Diana Son & René Balcer		May 25, 2005E542614.98[54]
It's open season in New York when not one but two powerful judges are executed. At first they seem to have no connection; one was a family court judge whose entire family was attacked and the other is an appellate court judge. After investigating the judges more thoroughly, Goren and Eames realize that their first set of suspects was simply a smokescreen, and there is a far more insidious threat. Their investigation leads them to a non-custodial father (David Andrews) who has a beef with the court system.
Preceded by
Season Three		 List of Law & Order: Criminal Intent episodes Succeeded by
Season Five

References

  1. ↑ Lambert, David (August 12, 2009). "Law & Order: Criminal Intent - The 4th Year DVDs Formally Announced; Release Date Revealed". TVShowsOnDVD. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  2. ↑ Ryan, Joel (November 17, 2004). "Mystery of "Law & Order: C.I." Star". E Online!. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Edgar Award Winners and Nominees Database". The Edgar's. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Chris Noth Joins NBC's 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent'". The Futon Critic (NBC). February 9, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  5. ↑ "NBC Unveils Massive 'Law & Order' Franchise Renewal". The Futon Critic (NBC). May 12, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  6. ↑ "In Network First, NBC Empowers Audience to Vote on Alternative 'Killer' Endings for New Episode of 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent' on October 17". The Futon Critic (NBC). October 6, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  7. ↑ "More Than 116,000 Viewers Cast Vote on Fate of Nicole Wallace, 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent'S' Recurring Murderess Guest-Star". The Futon Critic (NBC). October 21, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Episode Guide: Semi-Detached". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. September 29, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Episode Guide: The Posthumous Collection". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  11. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. October 5, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Episode Guide: Want". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  13. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. October 12, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Episode Guide: Great Barrier". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  15. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. October 19, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Episode Guide: Eosphoros". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  17. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. October 26, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Episode Guide: In the Dark". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. November 2, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Episode Guide: Magnificat". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  21. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings Report". ABC Medianet. November 9, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Episode Guide: Silver Lining". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  23. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. November 16, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  24. ↑ http://stephenjdubner.com/journalism/silverthief.html
  25. ↑ "Episode Guide: Inert Dwarf". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  26. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. November 23, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Episode Guide: View from up Here". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  28. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. January 4, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Episode Guide: Gone". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  30. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. January 11, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  31. ↑ "Episode Guide: Collective". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  32. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. February 1, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Episode Guide: Stress Position". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  34. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. February 15, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Episode Guide: Sex Club". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  36. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. February 23, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  37. ↑ "Episode Guide: Death Roe". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  38. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. March 15, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  39. ↑ "Episode Guide: Ex Stasis". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  40. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. March 22, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  41. ↑ "Episode Guide: Shibboleth". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  42. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. March 29, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  43. ↑ "Episode Guide: The Good Child". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  44. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. April 5, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  45. ↑ "Episode Guide: Beast". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  46. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. April 12, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  47. ↑ "Episode Guide: No Exit". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  48. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. May 3, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  49. ↑ "Episode Guide: The Unblinking Eye". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  50. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. May 10, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  51. ↑ "Episode Guide: My Good Name". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  52. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. May 17, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  53. ↑ "Episode Guide: False-Hearted Judges". NBC. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  54. ↑ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. June 1, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.