Law & Order: Criminal Intent (TV Series) In the Wee Small Hours: Part 1 (2005) User Reviews

'Chairman Of The Board'

[ccthemovieman-1 · 8/10 · 23 July 2008]

It looks like we have a diabolical son-and-father-act here, and one that won't be easy to convict since the father is a powerful judge. Most of this part-one episode, however, deals with the kid....a punk who thinks he's the "Chairman Of the Board." The "chairman" is Frank Sinatra and "the board" is the "Rat Pack," Sinatra's famous group of the early '60s who performed together on stage a lot in Las Vegas and made the first "Ocean's 11" movie.

The punk here - "Ethan Garret" (Matt O'Leary) - fancies himself as head of this new Rat Pack group and his other young friends act out other roles that were once played by Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, Dean Martin and Joey Bishop. That doesn't sound anything but harmless, but it is when it involves kidnapping, rape and murder! The opening scenes show us several not-so-innocent high school girls from Iowa visiting New York and on a field trip to New York City. After a day at the New York Public Library and some Laser Tron panic sets in the next morning when it's discovered three kids are missing.

Two of the boys are found quickly but the girl is still missing. After investigations, it looks like she is probably dead. Upon further investigation, it looks like whoever has taken her, killed a North Carolina girl months earlier. A sick website by the "Rat Pack" leads the ringleader's arrest and it is at that time that the Major Crimes Unit discovers his father is a local big-shot judge.

The obvious thing about this episode, and the second part to follow, is that both "Criminal Intent" teams work on this case: the standbys "Det. Robert Goren and Det. Eames and newcomers "Det. Mike Logan" and "Det. Carolyn Barek." It's kind of cool, actually, to see all four together - Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, Chris Noth and Annabella Sciorra, respectively. In this first part, Logan and Eames seem to have the best lines and most prominent roles. I'm surprised Goren was so low-key here, since he's still "the man." (Note: he took charge in the second part.) As the episode winds down, it appears the judge may be more trouble than his sick son. To be continued......

The intense hours

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 26 November 2020]

"In the Wee Small Hours" really does stand out among 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent's' episodes (195 in number over 10 seasons). It's the show's first two parter, and a rare instance for 'Criminal Intent' of seeing not one but two lead detective partnerships (not just Goren and Eames but Logan and Barek as well) working together to solve the same case. Something that had not been done before, and it did interest to see how such different partnerships would fare together.

The previous Season 5 episodes mostly ranged from very good to outstanding, with the only disappointment being "Unchained". Both parts of "In the Wee Small Hours" are among the best of the season. The chemistry between the four leads works remarkably well and the two parter fleshes them out individually with insight and sensitivity, complete with a hugely compelling story throughout. The first part is truly great, setting up events beautifully without taking too long to do so or feeling too padded.

Goren again does feel a little subdued in involvement, he's more himself in the second part. By all means he is still a great character here and his hard boiled edge and compassion are evident what also appealed about him were his comic timing and neuroses which were more apparent in other episodes. When it comes to minor flaws though that is pretty much it.

Absolutely loved how the characters were written. Eames is particularly well done, showing that there is a softer side amongst the sassy wisecracks. Logan and Barek are true to character and while not as charismatic as Goren and Eames they didn't come over as dull to me. All four gel remarkably well, was very worried that there would be too much personality clashing and too much of a disconnect of which team is more interesting but those worries were put to one side quickly. The supporting characters are intriguing though would become meatier later. It is great that Carver has a bigger role after being underused for too long. The acting is uniformly great, lead and supporting.

Furthermore, "In the Wee Small Hours: Part 1" is shot with the right amount of intimacy without being claustrophobic and that the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time has been great too. Nice use of locations too. The music doesn't get over-scored or overwrought, even in the more dramatic revelation moments. The direction doesn't try to do too much and is understated but never flat or unsure. The writing is intelligent and although, like the show in general, there is a lot of talk it doesn't feel long-winded. The story is always compelling, with a lot happening and with a good deal of surprises already. It definitely makes one want to see the second part.

Overall, great first part to one of the season's best. 9/10

Stellar Cast and Story ripped from the headlines!

[Sylviastel · 9/10 · 27 June 2008]

A school bus load of high school students from Des Moines, Iowa make a trip to New York City probably a graduation trip. Unfortunately, Bethany and her two girlfriends go clubbing in the city two nights before she disappears at a game club like paint ball or laser tag. Bethany disappears without her cell phone which was confiscated by one of the chaperones and is never heard from again. Logan and Eames investigate and discover that Bethany is not the only girl to go missing from meeting the chairman or Ethan Garrett who turns out to be the son of a prominent New York City judge. Colm Meaney guest stars as the slick lawyer more than fatherly role. Ethan attacks a police officer and is sent to jail where he unknowingly taped when he talks with his cellmate. Soon, the story that begins with a Nancy Grace type journalist who would do anything to send somebody to jail including accusing the chaperone since he confiscated Bethany's cell phone. Kathleen McNenny does a superb job as the grieving, Bible-toting mid-western mother of Bethany. The actress who plays the Nancy Grace clone does also a superb job in showing the character as nothing more than a sensationalist rather than a compassionate objective talk show hostess. This two part drama is worth watching since it gets complicated.

Reply to Your Goof !

[scientificaltruist · 21 March 2019]

Have watched plenty of Law & Order Criminal Intent episodes ! I liked this episode a lot ! Especially the interaction between D'Onofrio and Chris Noth! The only Law & Order franchise oh yeah that's gotten really old is SVU! The original course is the best. I would rate this is one of the better Criminal Intent episodes. Ask the Goof in remarks to the eye of the hurricane being calm remember the eye of the hurricane means you still have the other half the other 50% of that troidlol storm to deal with ! !