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Law & Order: Criminal Intent

Privilege

Season 6, Episode 12, Aired Jan 09, 2007

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9.2

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Goren and Eames investigate when Isabel Harrington is found murdered in her apartment, and while their investigation initially leads them to the married father of her 18-month-old daughter, they soon begin to look more closely at her family – invalid grandmother, wastrel father, young step-mother and weak half-uncle.moreless

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
Richard Kind

Ernest Foley
GUEST STAR
D.W. Moffett

Grant Harrington
GUEST STAR
Caprice Benedetti

Leslie Mercer

Vincent D'Onofrio

Det. Robert Goren
Kathryn Erbe

Det. Alexandra Eames
Eric Bogosian

Capt. Danny Ross

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Fan Episode Reviews (7)

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The best episode Season Six thus far

8.1

"Great"

By ebrown2112, Oct 08, 2007

"Privilege" provides a glimmer of hope that Season Six, and LOCI itself, is not a lost cause. The episode contained many elements missing from other S6 eps:

1) The "Criminal Intent" scenes (scenes that provide subtle hints about the story's resolution) were well-done; 2) Mike Post's score sounds "normal" again;
3) An interesting plot with no diversions.
4) Goren's reaction to the matriarch's mistreatment reflects his discontent about his own mother's condition, but it fits rather than being a distraction;
5) The cops actually tell the perp that he's "under arrest"!!!

The only bad part about this episode was the horrendous teaser with the lame song and the stalker cam. "CSI" meets "VH-1". It's just...bad.

This wasn't an "all-time" great episode, but a fine effort relative to the season. I hope the trend continues.moreless
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Whew! What a relief! The production team is back on form after the disastrous Goren/Eames episode, "The War at Home" shown before Thanksgiving. (But not for long...)

8.0

"Great"

By donelson, Feb 20, 2007

I was very afraid that LO:CI would be going down the tubes after the disastrously bad "The War at Home" episode. This episode shows that, with good writing and good direction, D'Onofrio and Erbe are truly the best team to watch on TV today.

I really hate it when new writers or directors take a perfectly good series and "try to put their own stamp on it" - usually messing it up so badly that the series tanks.

Although not as good as the best episodes (e.g. Sengupta's terrific work), this story benefits from writers who understand the D'Onofri/Erbe sympatico, and from good performances all around. Even Spin City's Richard Kind performs well in a serious role.moreless
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Exciting to have Gorne/Ems back after Thanksgiving but disappointing in the set up of the plot.

9.4

"Superb"

By sparkie_ac, Jan 15, 2007

Love to see Goren/Ems together after the thanksgiving episode. It was nice they touched base but no other back round to "what happened" was give, what a bummer! But that didn't stop it from the team of doing a great job acting. Vince did a great job with his charector and the emotions involving the hitting home part of the case. And Ems stepping up to the plate was awesome and then her stand by her partner(man) strength was wow. Loved it. The writers did have a few classic CI moments back into the show instead of all the big changes, which was great to see too. Wow just after I thought that Ross was getting the hang of it and being more of a team player and leader there he goes again bad mouthing Goren! There where times I wanted to scream because of it! I think the over all episode was great for Major Case but the ending again this week was rushed instead of normal great CI and again NO court time at all, what up with that? Still loved it!moreless
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Doris Roberts was wonderful

9.6

"Superb"

By angelspinknose, Jan 12, 2007

This was the best episode in a long time. The story was definitely ripped from the recent headlines. It was nice to see Doris Roberts as a grand lady. I was hoping that they would also arrest the son and daughter in law that were robbing her blind and killing her.
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Goren and Eames investigate the murder of a young mother and must contend with the subterfuge of a wealthy family.

9.5

"Superb"

By ilyahna, Jan 11, 2007

I thought this episode was great. Goren, for the first time in season six, I think, was back to his old self (albeit still looking a little tired). He and Eames seemed to be working well together, despite the tension of "The War at Home." Speaking of, I wasn't sure what to expect in this episode as far as continuity concerning Goren's behaivor in the last episode, and although there was very little said, I thought it was subtly and realistically dealt with and I wasn't disappointed. Eames, in this episode, got the opportunity to take a more active role as has been the precedent in season six, and I enjoy getting to see her in action! As far as the flow of the case and the investigative style, I thought that this was much more like the CIs of old, and that is something I have been missing. There were some absolutely great moments in this episode as well. The part where Goren find Mrs. Harrington and realizes she's been neglected by her children was so dramatic... D'Onofrio is such a convincing actor, and I could just feel Goren's anger through the screen. Hearing him tell those people to sit down and shut up was great fun, especially when Eames chimed in and warned them they'd better listen to him! I also absolutely loved the exchange between Ross and Goren, when Goren asked him with no small amount of spite "Has anyone ever told you you're reductive?" Goren and Ross seem to be heading toward a major confrontation, although it seems that Ross has been rather tolerant of Goren's recent (TWAH) behavior. It was never more clear than in this episode that Goren has little respect and little patience for the captain, and I can't say I blame him. All in all, this episode was what I tune in to CI to see !!moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (1)
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- The downstairs neighbor who finds the bodies is identified as "Amy" in the credits, and it sounds as if Isabel calls her that is the opening seconds. However, Eames clearly calls her "Regan" during her interview, which is an odd combination of the actress's real first & last names ("Meghan Rafferty").
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QUOTES (12)
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- Barry Epstein: Isabel and I haven't been romantic since Bastille Day. Alex Eames: Now there's a holiday that's tough on relationships.
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- Danny Ross: His father had allergies, so you think Ernest Foley may be good for a double family murder 18 years apart? Robert Goren: Yeah, that's one-one one theory has anybody ever told you you're reductive? Danny Ross: My ex-wife.
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- Ernest Foley: Goldenrod, roses, name the bloom and I sneeze. Just to make it through this damn party, I had to double up on my Claritin. Which means, detectives, that if I had gone to Isabel to confront her about her lies, I never would have brought her a bouquet of flowers. Alex Eames: How'd you know about the flowers, Ernest?
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- Alex Eames: As a little girl I used to dream of living this way. Robert Goren: It's musty in here, you can see the dead flies way up. Fake flowers. Hope you got over that.
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- Grant Harrington: You have no right to barge in here, and start demanding ambulances Robert Goren: Shut up. Alex Eames: I'd shut up if I were you. Grant Harrington: Detectives, get out of my home. Robert Goren: I said to shut up, so sit down, and shut up!
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- Alex Eames: (about Goren) He's a tile buff.
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- Robert Goren: (to Grant Harrington) You don't know what's going on here, do you? I mean, between your first wife's overdose, your mother's neglect, your daughter's murder, you are at best looking like the angel of death.
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- Robert Goren: You know, actually, this home reeks of everything but concern.
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- Danny Ross: I know she's supposed to be in fragile health, but pay a call on Lady Harrington; find out if she's really signing these papers, or if they're robbing her grave before she's even in it.
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- Alex Eames: I love when men say they have to babysit. If they're your kids, it's not babysitting. It's called being a dad.
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- Alex Eames: (to Dylan) Marijuana. Most people keep diapers and baby wipes in their diaper bag.
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- (Discussing the Harrington family's reward for finding Isabel's killer.) Alex Eames: A hundred thousand dollars for a black sheep daughter. They're making all the right gestures.
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NOTES (2)
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- The song playing during the opening montage was "Pride" by the group Syntax off the album Meccano Mind.
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- Special billing was given to Doris Roberts (and Special Guest Star) in this episode.
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ALLUSIONS (2)
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- This episode is ripped from the headlines of the Brooke Astor story. Anthony D. Marshall was accused of mistreating his mother, afflicted with Alzheimer's disease, in 2006. Along with reducing her medications and not maintaining her quarters, rumors circulated that he was helping himself to her estate by giving himself raises, selling beloved paintings and giving unapproved money to theater productions. A petition for change of guardianship was filed by Mrs. Astor's grandson Phillip Marshall in July 2006, which was granted along with her removal to a hospital for recovery and finally transfer to one of her homes where she died in 2007. That same year criminal charges were filed against Anthony and an estate attorney, both resulting in guilty verdicts on October 8, 2009.
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- According to her friends, the victim was looking for a 'prince'. In the opening scene, her yoga instructor delivered her lost slipper, reminiscent of Cinderella.
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