Have always found the character of Robert Goren absolutely fascinating and have always loved his chemistry with Alexandra Eames. Both being a big part of 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent's', a fine show in its first four seasons but since the alternate partnering happened from Season 5 onwards it became hit and miss, appeal. Season 7 was as inconsistent as Seasons 5 and 6, of the previous episodes "Amends" was brilliant but the other three ranged between average and good.
"Depths" is one of the average installments of the seventh season, and considering it was a Goren and Eames episode it could have been a lot better than it was. Quite an interesting premise but the execution was pretty mixed and a good deal less fascinating than it sounded on paper. "Depths" is the sort of episode that started off well but lost the plot later on and became erratic. Is it terrible? Of course not. Is it great? Not even close in my view and this is probably another dissenting opinion.
There are good things here. The production values are fine, have always liked the photography's intimacy and grit and the look of the show has come on a good deal over-time (and it was good to begin with). The music doesn't intrude and has a haunting quality, have not always remembered to say that the theme tune is easy to remember and holds up.
As said, the episode starts off promisingly and the set up is quite neat. Love Goren's perceptions and Eames' sass which is where the writing stands out. Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe are typically terrific, especially D'Onofrio in the latter stages, and pre-'Special Victims Unit' Kelli Giddish was interesting casting in a very different role that didn't come over as too sleazy.
On the other hand, "Depths" did lose focus and too much of the episode is contrivance heavy. It does try to cram in a little too much and with nowhere near enough time to go into full detail, meaning some of it was sketchy and confused. If it was a two parter, that may have been solved. The script is another case of having moments of real intrigue and cleverness but in need of a tightening up.
None of the supporting characters are delved into enough and only Giddish registers of the supporting cast. The ending is uniquely dramatic, but did feel rushed and over-heated. Goren's dialogue was on the abrupt side.
Summing up, watchable but pretty average. 5/10.