"Con-Text", the tenth episode of 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent's' second season, does not have the most extraordinary of plots, and is hardly novel, but it still had on paper more than enough to it to have one want to see the episode. Have always gotten a lot of enjoyment out of 'Criminal Intent', which despite lasting much shorter is just as good as the original and prime-'Special Victims Unit', and despite a slight quality dip after "Malignant" (which in itself was not quite a high point like "Anti-Thesis" was) Season 2 was still solid.
As far as Season 2 episodes go, "Con-Text" continues the post-"Malignant" slight dip in quality. Where all the episodes were still decent to very good, with lots of great things, but contained not so minor flaws and lacked the extra something seen with "Malignant" and most of the episodes prior to that. The whole of the second season overall is well worth seeing, but "Con-Text" falls short of being one of its best. It's good but not mind-blowing.
It does have a seen it all before plot and doesn't do an awful new with it.
Did also think the ending somewhat of a let down. The murderer looking like he was innocent in a youthful way at the end agreed rang completely false, considering what he did, and it felt like the writers were trying to make one feel sorry for him in a thrown in attempt that misfired badly. And then to almost shift the blame on somebody else's shoulders, for being an influence, in an unrealistic move made little sese either.
However, there is a lot that works. Absolutely love the chemistry and the little things. Absolutely love how Goren's mind works and what he does to get results, and how the culprit's mind is gotten into. Goren's mannerisms continue to delight, with a deliciously weird moment with an eyeball. Love his teasing chemistry with Eames, a good well-contrasted match, and appreciated that there was more of it and the teamwork which was missing in some Season 2 episodes.
The script is entertaining and intelligent, while enough of the story intrigues and keeps one on their toes (just not continually guessing or being continually teased, the episode is too obvious for that). Can't find fault with the way "Con-Text" looks, was scored or directed. Slick, not too intrusive or constant and accomodating yet with momentum being good ways to sum them up. It is hard to think of anybody better for Goren than Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe matches him very well. John Benjamin Hickey particularly makes a strong impact.
On the whole, pretty good but for me a lesser episode of Season 2 and not the show at its best either. Needing more inspiration and a better ending but elevated by Goren, the little things and the chemistry. 7/10