Law & Order: Criminal Intent (TV Series) The Unblinking Eye (2005) User Reviews

No Damon and Pythias here

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 22 January 2019]

The rather interesting relationship between two would be actors, Jeff Hephner and Pablo Schreiber are what drives this Criminal Intent episode. Both these guys conspire to murder Hephner's girlfriend Vicky Schnee. At the same time they carefully work to frame Hephner's former girlfriend Kat Allen.

This CI story could have qualified for a Columbo story. As Vincent D'Onofrio carefully tracks down all these little details you can almost hear Peter Falk urging him on.

The relationship is the key here. These are not Damon and Pythias co-equal symbiants. Hephner can only have one star in his universe and Schreiber can only exist as a planet. Schreiber has career aspirations of his own, but somehow he always fumbles.

This story also has some very mixed motives as to why the fiance had to be killed. They'll frighten you as they should when you realize what some will do to get ahead.

I loved seeing Bobby Goren nail Hephner and even that mook Schreiber.

Are These Actors Good Enough To Fool The Cops?

[ccthemovieman-1 · 8/10 · 13 July 2008]

Two young people are shot right after some window shopping. A punk comes up to the girl and shoots her dead at point-blank range. He then fires at the fiancé who is about 15 feet away. He survives, but the more the program goes on, the more it becomes a possibility that he is in on the shooting. Having himself shot as well as his girlfriend. That seems a little far-fetched but then again, a lot of these Criminal Intent stories are pretty bizarre, so it's a definite possibility. The kid is an aspiring young actor.

Contemplating the above, Eames wonders, "Taking a bullet to the shoulder to make it look real? Now that's acting!" Did the young actor have the whole thing set up, or is he just lucky to be alive as a jealous actor-friend of his could easily be behind this murder. He's the better actor but was sabotaged earlier in his career by his buddy.

Jealousy and desire to become a movie star is a big part of the motivation for this story......but which actor is the most jealous of the other?

Us against the world

[Mrpalli77 · 9/10 · 15 September 2017]

Two soon-to-be actors are waiting for the big break. They both comes from San Diego, but their resumes show they were only acting at college sessions. They have to make up something, otherwise time pass by and they are compelled to find a real job.

The episode points out how sometimes wannabe actors take advantage of reality show or TV news to pursue their careers. Less efforts are needed as well as specific skills.

I prefer Pablo Schreiber's acting in SVU series as the villain William Lewis, here he's not the one who calls the shot, he's too subject to his buddy's will. I hope it's the last time James Sheridan is blindfolded.

Murder in the blink of an eye

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 29 October 2020]

Have said more than once before about having been always intrigued by good concepts and how difficult topics would be covered. "The Unblinking Eye" did sound very interesting on paper, with real potential to be creepy but also there was the worry of it being confused. Had seen the episode quite some time ago, remember liking but not loving it, but decided to re-watch it recently, especially after being so impressed by Pablo Schreiber as William Lewis in 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'.

"The Unblinking Eye" is not one of Season 4's or of 'Criminal Intent's' best episodes, but it is very interesting (especially for the relationship that plays a major part here, which is one of the main reasons to see the episode) and very well done. Its many good things being great, even if the extra something (i.e. more tension and more emotion) present in other Season 4 episodes is not quite there here. If asked whether "The Unblinking Eye" is recommended, my answer would be a yes definitely.

Namely to see the very twisted relationship between Michael and Ed, which is tense and well written. Of the two performances, Jeff Hephner as Michael comes off better as the more interesting character and with a more menacing presence. Schreiber is good and the intensity is there, though his character is not as strong and his material not as meaty. There are though many other reasons to see it.

All the regulars are very good, Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe never disappointed and likewise with their chemistry. Will say though that when it came to little character moments Goren was a touch subdued in comparison to most other episodes of 'Criminal Intent', though he is very satisfying at the end. The production values are slick and not busy or too static while also not being overly safe as well. The music is haunting without being intrusive.

Writing is thought-provoking and tight enough. The story is a bit bizarre in places (not the first time with 'Criminal Intent' and not one of the worst cases) and the frame up was a bit too neat, but is very compelling on the whole and isn't too simple or too complicated.

Overall, very well done. 8/10

ONE OF THE BEST

[jreeders518 · 10/10 · 8 December 2020]

An ersatz Leopold and Loeb, carefully weaving a web of deceit that comes unraveled at the slightest pushback from the detectives. Well acted by everybody especially the actress who portrayed the "spurned" ex girlfriend who was the fall guy for the two actual murderers. Great all around.