Law & Order: Criminal Intent:

Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Magnificat

« prev episode next » episode

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 which he did nothing to prevent, and eventually resulted in the deaths of three of his sons. Add a recap »

YOUR SCORE

RESET

N/A n/a

Writers:: Diana Son Ren� Balcer Diana Son

Director:: Frank Prinzi

Stars:: Vincent D'Onofrio (Det. Robert Goren); Kathryn Erbe (Det. Alexandra Eames); Jamey Sheridan (Capt. James Deakins); Courtney B. Vance (A.D.A. Carver)

Guest Star:: Carrie Preston (Doreen Whitlock); Pamela Burrell (Leanne Colson); Kenneth Kimmins (Bob Reedy); Sam Robards (Paul Whitlock); Ross Gibby (Milner); Peggy Gormley (Judge Colby); Dana Vance (Dr. Amanda Ritter); Sebastian Vignone (Adam Whitlock); Jack Metzger (Billy Whitlock); Arian Moayed (Samil Al-Bana); Khan Baykal (Travis); Mueen Jahan Ahmad (Aziz); Albert Jones (Detective Terrell); James Ludwig (Tim Keller); C.S. Lee (Detective Choi); Maximiliano Hernandez (Nunez); Nick Basta (Officer Kenyon); Nina Hellman (Nurse Rodriguez); Atosa Navi (Al-Bana's Wife); Guy Messenger (CSU Tech); Kyle Maruca (Peter Whitlock); Luke Maruca (Peter Whitlock); Matthieu Chatelain (Theo Whitlock); Oliver Chatelain (Theo Whitlock)

When Goren looks at the son's writing sample (the one with the picture of the dinosaur) at the hospital, it is written very neatly and clearly. Later, when he is looking at the same piece of paper, the handwriting is much different. The second paper had handwriting clearly done to look like a child's handwriting. edit »

Special billing was given to Sam Robards (and) in this episode. edit »

Robert Goren: I see why you're not angry at her. Because she's a reflection of everything that you've done to her.
Paul Whitlock: I did nothing but help her.
Robert Goren: No, you terrorized her! You got kicked around at work, you came home, and you crushed her.
Paul Whitlock: I never laid a hand on her!
Robert Goren: You didn't have to! edit »
Alex Eames: I don't know about you, but that guy's starting to stick in my craw. edit »

This episode appears to be ripped from the headlines of the Andrea Yates case. In 2001 Yates, who many doctors believe suffered from a severe case of post-partum psychosis, drowned all five of her children in the bathtub before calling police to tell them what she had done. Yates was found guilty on two charges of capital murder. When questioned as to her reason for killing her children, Yates gave the reason that they were still innocent and would burn in Hell if she did not kill them. edit »
The title of this episode, Magnificat, refers to the prayer that Mary gave upon learning from the angel Gabriel that she will be the mother of the son of God. Also known as the 'Canticle of Mary', the first line of the Latin prayer is 'Magnificat anima mea Dominum'. Magnificat means 'magnifies'. edit »

10
10
farscapefanuk
member since: Mar 6, 2007
Magnificat
The Bottom Line: "Exciting"
A great episode. ...Continue »
08/10/07 04:46am | report abuse
9.7
20
bubbletheory
member since: Nov 12, 2006
Magnificat
The Bottom Line: "Exactly why I watch this series"
One of the best CI episodes. ...Continue »
01/15/07 11:55am | report abuse
9.2
00
TheOfficeTemp
member since: Jul 20, 2006
Magnificat
The Bottom Line: "Exactly why I watch this series"
Had me on the edge of my seat throughout episode! Brilliant! ...Continue »
12/01/06 02:25pm | report abuse
9.7
20
nobody_
member since: Dec 29, 2005
Magnificat
The Bottom Line: "Exactly why I watch this series"
The absolute best the series has to offer. A powerful storyline and brilliant acting come together in a tender and tragic examination of human suffering. The result is transcendent. ...Continue »
11/01/06 12:00pm | report abuse
9.2
10
grimface_87
member since: Oct 30, 2003
Magnificat
The Bottom Line: "Fine example"
If there was any episode of Criminal Intent to show a first time viewer, this is the one... (spoilers) ...Continue »
07/16/06 06:59pm | report abuse