Law and Order: Criminal Intent - Vincent Donofrio Carries This Compelling Television Show

Character Robert Goren is the Lynchpin to This Gripping Detective Drama

Recently rumored to be leaving the show, Vincent Donofrio is (fortunately) now slated to stay on for future seasons of Law and Order: Criminal Intent. Why is this so significant? Simply put: the show revolves around his brilliantly developed character: Robert Goren. Donofrio brings his big-screen movie experience to this television show, elevating it well above the average American cop or detective drama. Even people who are not fans of the genre should give the series a try, solely based on the strength of Donofrio's main character.

Donofrio's character on Law and Order: Criminal Intent represents a complex mixture of tortured genius and brilliant sleuth. He is at once able to slip inside the minds of criminals and profile them to the point where he can break them psychologically and, often, cause them to confess. The most gripping moments of Law and Order: CI inevitably involve Donofrio. These frequently feature the Goren character's realizations or edge-of-your-seat interviews with suspects. However, equally often, such intense scenes reflect his failures or self-doubt. The show's other characters are at their best when they play off of Donofrio, supporting, questioning or even undermining the character of Robert Goren.

Major series-shaping events and plot arcs often revolve around Donofrio's character. Recurrant villains and support characters usually give some insight into his personality or otherwise inform his role. Goren's family has come up in critical episodes, and, like Goren himself, his family members are shown to be complex and flawed, but always dynamic and fascinating. Even the Goren character's weaknesses act as strengths in relationship to the series, providing perspective and adding complexity to the show. Goren's partner never hesitates to point out problems with Goren's logic or reasoning, when they occur. Kathryn Erbe (who plays Alexandra Eames) acts as part sidekick and part critic to this domineering and demaning detective.