The premise for "The Posthumous Collection" sounded really interesting on paper, strange and not typical for 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' (a great show in its prime, for me the earlier seasons are better) but it did interest me and also sounded quite creepy. Which was fine, as 'Criminal Intent' proved numerous times before and since "The Posthumous Collection" that it could do creepy very well indeed. There was a good deal of promise here.
Which was lived up to on the most part. "The Posthumous Collection" is not one of my favourite episodes of Season 4, a slight disappointment too after the previous episode, or of 'Criminal Intent' in general. Much of it is still very good with some great little character moments and it was equally great that Eames, like her very much as a character just to say and she and Goren are the best lead pairing of the show, had some great lines here.
It does start off on the routine side, the murderer is not that much of a surprise here, and other episodes have more tension and emotion.
So much works in "The Posthumous Collection's" favour though. The episode is slick-looking and visually doesn't try to do anything too fancy or indulgent while also not being too safe. The music is not too dramatic and to me doesn't over-emphasise. The direction is not breakneck pace but it doesn't plod in my opinion either. The story is strange (especially that twisted motive) but very diverting on the whole, with a great ending and a quite chilling and suitably over-confident killer (including questioning in a taunting way what Foren knows about art).
Furthermore, the script is a good mix of entertaining and thought-probing. Some of the best lines come from Eames this time, such as her quip at Goren's not being able to identify a smell (which is surprising for Goren as he is so observant and so knowledgeable, able to pick up upon things that the other characters don't, this is not meant in a bad way but is an interest point). But hearing how Doris talks about her brother the way she does is as shocking to the viewer as it is to Goren, one of the most shocking things a sister has said about her brother anywhere from personal experience.
Goren doesn't shine in a psychological sense as much as in other episodes but is still a joy. All the acting is very good indeed, leads and supporting.
Concluding, very well done but could have been even better. 8/10
Which was lived up to on the most part. "The Posthumous Collection" is not one of my favourite episodes of Season 4, a slight disappointment too after the previous episode, or of 'Criminal Intent' in general. Much of it is still very good with some great little character moments and it was equally great that Eames, like her very much as a character just to say and she and Goren are the best lead pairing of the show, had some great lines here.
It does start off on the routine side, the murderer is not that much of a surprise here, and other episodes have more tension and emotion.
So much works in "The Posthumous Collection's" favour though. The episode is slick-looking and visually doesn't try to do anything too fancy or indulgent while also not being too safe. The music is not too dramatic and to me doesn't over-emphasise. The direction is not breakneck pace but it doesn't plod in my opinion either. The story is strange (especially that twisted motive) but very diverting on the whole, with a great ending and a quite chilling and suitably over-confident killer (including questioning in a taunting way what Foren knows about art).
Furthermore, the script is a good mix of entertaining and thought-probing. Some of the best lines come from Eames this time, such as her quip at Goren's not being able to identify a smell (which is surprising for Goren as he is so observant and so knowledgeable, able to pick up upon things that the other characters don't, this is not meant in a bad way but is an interest point). But hearing how Doris talks about her brother the way she does is as shocking to the viewer as it is to Goren, one of the most shocking things a sister has said about her brother anywhere from personal experience.
Goren doesn't shine in a psychological sense as much as in other episodes but is still a joy. All the acting is very good indeed, leads and supporting.
Concluding, very well done but could have been even better. 8/10
