Absolutely love Goren and Eames' pairing, and Goren especially is the most fascinating of all the 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' leads. Which was very apparently in Season 6. Do prefer them over the pairing that they alternated with throughout Season 6 Logan and Wheeler (still like that pairing though actually), and prefer and am more used to them as characters. Their episodes on the whole in Season 6 are better than the Logan and Wheeler ones and they had the season high points.
Have said in my reviews for some of the previous 'Criminal Intent' episodes that Season 6 was a bumpy one. "Brother's Keeper" to me is one of the best and is a brilliant one. Am aware that there are people that didn't actually like Goren's character development in the season or the personal life subplot seen in some of the season's episodes, but this reviewer is not one of them. Actually really liked, loved even, that it continues on from what was learnt about Goren and his family life in "The War at Home" (personally love that episode, saying that as not all fans like it) and builds upon it to something even more emotional which is quite a feat.
"Brother's Keeper" is one of the episodes where everything comes together brilliantly. A major strength is the acting. Vincent D'Onofrio in particular is absolutely exceptional, always did love him as Goren and he is one of the major reasons as to why 'Criminal Intent' worked as well as it did at its best. Here though he gives some of his best ever work, including reducing me to tears at the end. Kathryn Erbe is hardly inferior, actually is on D'Onofrio's level. A standout moment being her reaction to learning the truth about Goren's brother.
Tony Goldwyn was never this moving and Rita Moreno once again excels against type. Tom Arnold's character is over the top but thankfully just about doesn't lean on the wrong side of bizarre, Arnold was clearly having fun. The personal life subplot is gripping, not just for the tense family dynamics but also the truly poignant emotional impact (like with the coat). Did think too that it did advance Goren's character and that his development was illuminating, not only does it show a different side to him we get more of an understanding of what made him the way he is.
Yet luckily to me, his personal life didn't overshadow the case too much. The case was a clever and always very intriguing one and never felt predictable or confusing, thanks to some nicely executed twists and turns. It is also tightly paced and the truth was actually a complete shock, because "Brother's Keeper" did such a great job making me think that it was somebody else. The script is intelligent and beautifully balanced tonally.
It looks good, with the usual slickness and subtle grit. Really liked too that the photography was simple and close up but doing so without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when used, and luckily it isn't constant, and when it is used it doesn't feel over-scored. The direction allows the drama to breathe while still giving it momentum as well. The subject is handled with force and tact, seeing this difficult issue from all sides rather than just one and in an uncompromising way.
Overall, brilliant. 10/10
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