I'm into a few different shows that are currently still airing, including The Sopranos, The Tudors, and the various Law & Order series, but the only show I've come on here to write about thus far has been Law and Order: Criminal Intent. My interest in the show has waxed and waned, but it's captured my imagination in a powerful way that none of the other cop shows I consider my "guilty pleasures" have done.

Mostly it has to do with the character of Detective Robert Goren, whom I've come to see as a heroic figure: someone with deep insight into human nature who lives a selfless existence driven by compassion, a solitary, introverted, intellectual figure unlike what one often encounters in cop shows. The way Vincent D'Onofrio, an actor and artist I've come to respect in his own right, plays him, is mesmerizing, showcasing a blend of intuitive physicality and precise intellect. D'Onofrio makes Goren intimidating and abrasive, yet gentle and caring, in a way that sparks curiosity about this intense and complex character.

What I've found in discussions here is that what fans of the show tend to see in Goren is what they tend to see in themselves and their own lives; for some reason, Goren holds up a mirror to a particular sort of person, typically someone passionate and introverted, who is curious about the human mind. This leads to some very interesting conversations that are often both self-revealing and psychologically and socially aware. I find the Criminal Intent forum here uniquely refreshing, characterized by a rare sort of honesty, and enjoy discussions there, although I sometimes meander away, given the slow pace of activity there and the inconsistent quality of episodes this season.