Criminal Intent - You Could be Happy (video)

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Several months ago my friend Susan created a video in her head! She shared the song she had used and broke the lyrics down as shown below.

She said "It's moot now, but it was suitable for after Loyalty, and before the announcements of their return." I don't suppose this video even comes close to what she had "in mind".

I hope you enjoy it anyway Susan! It's safe to watch seeing they're coming back! Merry Christmas!


"You Could Be Happy" (Snow Patrol)

Eames to Goren:

You could be happy and I won't know
But you weren't happy the day I watched you go

And all the things that I wished I had not said
Are played in loops 'till it's madness in my head

Is it too late to remind you how we were
But not our last days of silence, screaming, blur

Most of what I remember makes me sure
I should have stopped you from walking out the door

Goren to Eames:

You could be happy, I hope you are
You made me happier than I'd been by far

Somehow everything I own smells of you
And for the tiniest moment it's all not true

Do the things that you always wanted to
Without me there to hold you back, don't think, just do

More than anything I want to see you, girl
Take a glorious bite out of the whole world
__________________________
If you are in Germany, YouTube will not permit you to see this video, so I have made it available on Vimeo (where I personally think it plays better!)

You Could be Happy from CI Musings on Vimeo.

Back to CI

It's been a while since I checked in here.  Not because I've forgotten about Criminal Intent, far from it.  This is a blog post I've been meaning to do for ages, ever since havers sent along a photo of Goren's back.  I don't think anyone dislikes this view of him.....

and how about this:

Or this

and, of course, this

Got a favourite photo of Goren's back? Share it here!

An Interview from Naples Film Festival

Included here because he talks about Goren as well as his film. 
Criminal Intent filming in January!
If you are receiving this as an email update, please click the title to view the video on the web.

About Movie-Making

Although this has nothing to do with Criminal Intent, it was so beautifully made that I wanted to share it. 
Rembrandt - it makes me think of Rembrandt. I wish I could paint portraits.

Vincent D'Onofrio shares his thoughts about acting and making movies.



This video was made at the Savannah Film Festival.

Kathryn said Yes!

I'm borrowing from my friends for this blogpost.  The title is the same one havers used and says it all!  The content is from Susan, our Binder Administrator and Courier.  I couldn't have said it as well.  Thanks Susan!

---

Kathryn Erbe is coming back!!

NOW we can CELEBRATE!!!

It’s being reported everywhere! Kathyrn is coming back!

According to Deadline Hollywood :

“We’re thrilled to have Kathryn Erbe return as Detective Eames, the perfect complement to Donofrio’s Detective Goren,” said USA's president of original programming Jeff Wachtel. “We now have the definitive team for the ultimate season of this phenomenal show.”

You aren’t as thrilled as we are, Jeff!!! Kathryn’s decision to return has turned our fervent hope into reality! And we are so grateful to her for choosing to re-join the cast!!

So party on fellow fans! Our team is back! And as we all know:

Mission Accomplished!!!!

*
*

Photo by Carmine Civitelli, 2006

 And we're feeling as happy as you look Kathryn!!! Even happier!!
*
*

Eames vs Callas?

Now considering Kathryn Erbe has not announced she is returning to Criminal Intent, this is a bit premature.  But in spite of setting oneself up for disappointment, it's hard not to speculate on what could be in Season 10 of Criminal Intent.

So there is a new captain: Zoe Callas (I had to look this up as I haven't watched an episode since Goren and Eames left).  Obviously to get to this point Callas must be a strong woman.  As my friend Tjara pointed out, Callas has the job Eames should have had.  True.  True also that Eames turned it down. 

Now wouldn't it be interesting to have some roll reversal going on in Season 10?

In previous years it's been Goren butting heads with Ross - and Eames cutting through the crap (see this blog post for those antics).  But how about two strong women going head to head?  Will Goren be the one smoothing the waters?  The dynamics could be absolutely fascinating and add even more insight to the characters we already love!

Come on Kathryn!  Please announce your return to Criminal Intent!

Vincent D'Onofrio returns to Criminal Intent

Well, whatever happened behind closed door, I won't complain!  Here is what is on USA Network's CI page today:

VINCENT D'ONOFRIO RETURNS!

FINAL SEASON OF CI COMING IN 2011

Criminal Intent is back! And so is everyone's favorite detective, Robert Goren! Vincent D'Onofrio, will return for the tenth and final season of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Catch all-new episodes of Criminal Intent beginning in 2011. Until then, make sure to check back for more updates on the show and sign up for the official Criminal Intent Facebook page!

I really wasn't sure whether to believe it till I saw it here!  But now we need Eames.  We have to have Eames.

Piece of Cake

Happy Birthday Susan!

And this kind has no calories!!

Have a fabulous and aromatic day!

Left to Right

I have had a life-long love of Left-handed people.  I don't know. There is just something different about them. The ones I know in person have the greatest sense of humour. I usually notice Lefties instantly in real life. Maybe they have a determination about them that I like as they adapt to to the Rightie world. (Teaching calligraphy, I see my fair share. There were 3 in one class in Winnipeg last fall!)

It's a little harder when you're watching the tube, though.  I think it was years before I realized Oprah was a Leftie. In drama series, there are tons of Lefties.  I swear there is at least one per show.

The Lefties I know in real life are pretty ambidextrous. But Robert Goren isn't. I don't know whether it's because you see him writing a lot (and of course he carries his gun on the other hip) or just what, but Vincent D'Onofrio screams Leftie in almost every scene.

I love this scene in Cuba Libre.  Ever noticed the switch from his left hand to right so he can correctly demonstrate what probably happened during the crime?
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You can see a whole bunch of Vincent Leftie photos on my friend Tjara's blog.  She is a Leftie and notices these things (although my close Leftie friend never does!)

And while I was watching Cuba Libre, my eye caught something similar to what Tjara recently pointed out.  I think she posted this cutie photo of Eames from See Me somewhere.

And from Cuba Libre....Not quite as cute, but pretty good!

Happy 49th!

The title for this was going to be Happy Birthday, Detective, but alas, as we know this photo I chose comes from his last moments as a detective. 

And how do we know his date of birth?
Well, I suppose we have to thank Nicole for *something*...

(from Anti-thesis)

I wish we knew as much about Eames!

The War at Home Push-Pull

Thanks to Marie’s comments about the elevator in my recent blog entry, I thought maybe it was a good time to examine the Goren and Eames relationship throughout The War at Home. What a mess of a story – on so many levels. Nobody had a good Thanksgiving weekend that year.


Goren is caught in between two incredibly strong forces, a dying mother who is his only connection to a much wanted and needed family life and his job which defines who he is and what he excels at. Pull-Pull

A third element pulls at Goren – perhaps unexpected to him. Eames is concerned for him. Not family and not really the job. Pull-Pull-Pull

Eames is caught as well. She tries repeatedly to be an ear for Goren and he continually brushes her off. Pull-Push. Perhaps it’s because she makes the mistake of always asking about his personal life in front of Ross. She could not have been more accommodating and concerned towards him in the first three-quarters of the episode. Then he walks out on the Deputy Commissioner and Captain Ross and sweeps everything off his desk. Eames has had enough and speaks sharply to him in front of the elevator.

Robert Goren doesn’t make mistakes very often, but angering your partner is a biggie and as far as she is concerned, it’s time to give him a good shake, so she challenges him for an explanation. PUSH and Pull. She’s worried that he’s jeopardizing his job. She really doesn’t want that. She has continued in a very comfortable (but dynamic) working relationship since she “acquired the taste” for his style.

Eames is saying “Just – I know….” when he cuts her off with “Back off”. What a pity we don’t hear what she’s about to say.

That “back off” was probably the comment that set her off. Boy, if they were married, he’d be eating cold shoulder that night. After offering him a warm shoulder, it got *really* cool. And he seemed to be baffled. What a guy! Goren is still all wrapped up in his own issues and had no idea he’d hurt her feelings. For a guy who can pick up subtle nuances in his suspects, he is so hopeless with Eames. Sometimes he treats her like a piece of furniture.

And what is she thinking as he walks out at the end saying “Fire me”. It was more than a message to Ross, it was a message to Eames expressing his displeasure with the cold shoulder.

We, the audience, are also feeling the Push-Pull. As Marie said, we want to hug Goren and make it better and we want to smack him to make him realize how obtuse he’s being towards Eames.

We feel for the loss of the daughter, but want to shake Dockerty for his stiff upper lip and high expectations he placed on her.

We know that Captain Ross insisted Goren work the case when he was the last person who should have been there, but Goren’s always the best man for the job.

Some of us will be annoyed at Eames for not being more understanding towards Goren. Personally, I thought she was perfect!

The War at Home is the 8th episode in Season 6 and was written by Warren Leight, Diana Son and Julie Martin. This is one of those episodes that leaves no one satisfied. Except maybe those of us who are happy catching glimpses of the intimate side (as my friend Susan so correctly refers to it) of the Goren/Eames relationship, however hard it is to watch.

Here is a video synopsis:

What Eames is Packing

OBC and I got to "talking" today - I won't even tell you what got us started.... The conversation ended up wondering what type of guns our detectives carry. None of us can forget that last scene before the series is effectively finished. Eames' gun and badge are easy to see here. OBC went off to find out what the standard issue for NYPD officers was and then I went off to do the image comparison. From the choices we were given, we're pretty sure this is a Glock 9mm - you could buy one online for $499 last year. (And that's really more info than I needed to know.) They all look pretty similar to me....

And what does Robert Goren carry? Ah, time for more research!

Goren & Eames and Elevators

So what is it about these two and elevators? They seem to have some of their most interestingly intense and emotional interactions near elevators.

In early years, an elevator provided us with a light quirky Goren moment in Great Barrier. Whoa! He almost touches her. What’s with *that*? He shows a little attack of claustrophobia - as if he doesn’t travel up and down the elevator at 1PP many times a day….


Much later in Season 6, the elevator becomes a place where Goren and Eames actually interact with one another on an emotional level, first in The War at Home. It’s hard to forget the stress of the situation immediately after Goren’s famous frustrated desk-sweep. Eames has finally lost patience with him. She’s been trying express her concern and awareness that he is torn between duty to his mother and duty to his job. After he tells her to “back off” he actually guiltily lifts his eyes enough to see her reaction.

Initially, I thought she looked really pissed at him, but I think it’s not anger she’s showing.


At the end of Season 6 in Endgame, we have another tense elevator scene. Goren is off to see serial killer Mark Ford Brady. And he’s not taking Eames. Here too, she knows he is stressed and follows him to the elevator to confront him. He doesn’t want her there and leaves an uncharacteristically visibly-emotional Eames outside the elevator once again. Love the little look he gives her just as he enters the elevator. There are not very many scenes over the eight years (plus 2 episodes) where these two interact at this level. But again, here they are outside the elevator.



At the end of Season 7 in Frame, we have a simply wonderful scene inside the elevator. The tiny Eames and the big slumping bear of a Goren; what a brilliant picture. A picture that paints a million words. Her concern, his grief. It’s all there and they really don’t have to say a word.


So I wonder what transpired in their very last elevator ride together as Major Case partners?

That made me remember that my friend havers wrote a very sweet 100 word Drabble which takes place just after the screen fades to black in the very last scene in Loyalty. It’s called Together and beautifully features THE ELEVATOR. You can read it here!

And in case you'd like to see a synopsis of these scenes in video format...

After All

These days I'm more than likely to let any anniversary or special date zoom past me, but hopefully that will change soon.

This one didn't slip by unnoticed. After All has passed 20,000 viewings. Wow! Thanks to everyone who has watched it and loved it enough to watch it again. I remember two years ago standing stock still and listening to Cher and Peter Cetera and thinking, wow, this is Goren and Eames; still together after all the crap that's been thrown at them.
And in my little shipper heart, in spite of what transpired in Loyalty, I hope they are still together somewhere. After all.



If you are receiving this as an email update, please click on the title to view the video on the blog or see it on YouTube here.

She Was Convinced She Had His Complete Attention

Ever danced with someone who wasn't all "there" with you?

Check out Robert Goren as he dances with these ladies in two different episodes. They are certain they have his full attention. But who is it that he swivels his head for three times? Eames, of course. The devilish look before he twirls Margie in Pas de Deux happens near the start of the clip, but I had to leave it running because.... well, because.

There is no sound to distract you!

If you're receiving this as an email update, please click on the title to watch the video on the blog.

This post was inspired by Chapter 12 of this fan fiction.

Amends - An Observation

My friend havers refreshed my memory today. She had just noticed that Manny Beltran, the man who had murdered Eames' husband was the doctor who attended Kevin Quinn when he was brought into Emergency at the beginning of the show.

It's hard to catch these details when you've only seen this episode once or twice. We're so caught up in an Eames-focused emotionally-charged episode, that we forget to watch for those juicy gifts given by good writers.

I got to thinking about the episode aside from the Eames factor and realized that Joe Dutton's murder was the "gift" that kept on giving. Manny Beltran murdered Joe Dutton nine years before this episode takes place and in this episode Manny Beltran, now a doctor, attempts to save the life of Joe's then-partner, Kevin Quinn. A nice twist.

At the end when finally cornered, Beltran explains to Goren and Eames he's tried to make amends by becoming a doctor, by saving hundreds of lives. Eames replies "It doesn't make up for the one you took away."

Although Manny Beltran may have only pulled the trigger and killed one man, he is ultimately responsible for Kevin Quinn's death and the death of his own cousin, Alfred Minaya.

If Beltran had turned himself in at the time, they would not have imprisioned the wrong man for Joe Dutton's murder (Ray Delgado is also a victim here), thus sending Ray's son on killing spree to avenge his father's imprisonment.

Victor Delgado may also be a victim. Except now he's a murderer, too. And his father will be set free.


This episode was written by Warren Leight and Siobhan Byrne O'Connor.

The Filled Binders!

Here is a slide show of the completed binders from the Criminal Intent Binder Project showing the binder inclusions and many of the decorated page contributions we received. A huge thanks to Susan, our Administrative Anchor, for not only receiving the pages at the post office, but purchasing the fun accessories, assembling the binders, contacting the agencies and shipping (or delivering in person!). We can never thank you enough! (When I list those off, it makes me wonder what I did to contribute!!!)

And a huge thanks to all the contributors for making this project the success it was. Pretty cool, huh?

If you're receiving this as an e-mail update click on the title to view the slideshow on the Blog.

Avatar or Icon

So if you hang around on the internet very long, you’ll find there are things called Avatars and Icons. I was never sure what the difference was. Live Journal members are fond of making Icons and I thought I’d try my hand at it. With my new computer I have all my CI stuff in one place, so suddenly, it’s become a lot easier to crop and post on a whim in only a few minutes.

So, what is an avatar?
I found this acronym: Advanced Video Attribute Terminal Assembler and Recreator in my search. Wikipedia says: An avatar is a “computer user's representation of himself/herself or alter ego whether in the form of a three-dimensional model used in computer games, a two-dimensional icon”. Oh, look, there is that word icon again.

What is an icon?
When you look up icon, it opens a huge can of worms, but the most relevant definition I could find easily says “a computer icon (or simply an icon) is a small pictogram. A computer icon usually ranges from 16 by 16 pixels up to 128 by 128 pixels.” This doesn’t quite sound like what my friends are creating…. But really, who cares. What they’re doing on Live Journal are episode photos which have been cropped and reduced to 100x100pixels and are no more than 30kb. Some are “enhanced” and have text added. Many are very clever.

My inspiration comes from my friends havers and tjara. Click on their names and you can see some of their very fun blog posts featuring icons.

Here is a favourite of mine made by havers!
(It cracks me up every time I see it!)

I adore this one from tjara. It's the "unexpected" aspect that I love.

When I realized that I “needed” an avatar when I hung out on forums, I chose my favourite promotional CI photo and popped the Dasani water bottle in behind them. It was just after Purgatory aired…. I think she handed the water to him that day.

And for my first adventure into icons, I have created three of Eames. I really don’t know... I realize they’re boring, but I like my Goren and Eames in their true colours. Maybe one day I’ll go wild; make some icons with captions and play with the colour. But for right now, this is as good as it gets! Okay, now what do I do with these things????

Can you name the episodes these come from? (Hint: I have a blog post on Eames which have the three video clips these icons came from)

And then, because it was still in Photoshop....

You're Mine

Okay!

Robert Goren's Home

We see Robert Goren's home in a scant few episodes: Amends, Frame, Faithfully and Loyalty. We know from Faithfully that his address is
210 Mather Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY 11222

For some reason, I thought he'd moved somewhere along the way, but when putting together this mini-vid, I had to re-assess that. All scenes show the same home. The biggest difference that I noticed was the floor. And perhaps the cupboards are darker later. An eagle-eyed Susan noticed the 2 cups and bowls in Faithfully. Has he "got someone"? or does he have a higher threshold for putting his dishes away? How about that nice harvest gold stove.....?

Here, for your amusment, are most of the scenes in Robert Goren's place. There is no sound to distract you. Once you've seen it, try answering these questions. (Don't expect me to have the answers!)

• Is this a house or an apartment?
• Does he own the place?
• Do you see any discontinuities?
• What stands out most to you? (about the surroundings, not the characters - stop watching them!)
• What do you suppose is on his fridge?
• Where is the rest of the house????
  

If you are receiving this as an email update, please go to the blog to view the mini-vid.

Comprehensively Updated and Enlarged

Would Goren do it any other way than Complete? .....Since when did he start playing bridge??

I found this little gem (actually, it's a BIG book) while cleaning out my parent's home. You just never know what you'll come across....

Criminal Intent Binder Delivered!

On Friday, May 28th, Susan from the CI Binder Project, hand delivered Vincent D'Onofrio's binder to him in New York City at the Joe's Pub's screening of Don't Go In the Woods.

Here is Vincent signing the photo page Susan prepared ahead of time. If you look carefully on the page, you can see one of the postcards I created and made available for the Fluff Campaign.

He smiled at it. A smile from the man who created my favourite character ever. To call it sweet is an understatement.

A huge thanks to Susan for her thoughtfulness in preparing personalized sets of photos for each of us on the CI Binder Crew and for allowing us to share her experience vicariously with a story and photos - and lots of excited chatter behind the scenes.

I am still overwhelmed. We feared the binder might never reach him and that we would never know.

For all the details, story and slide show(s), please visit the Saving Goren and Eames Blog

Law and Order Criminal Intent - Season 5

Now available on DVD at Amazon!

Fire!

Squeezing some photo editing in during the day....

(like I don't have anything better to do....)

The photo came to me from Outerbankschick like this:

And I fixed it....

Perfect - not so Perfect!

I've had some very very confusing YouTube revelations in the last few days. While I was checking my channel the other day, I noticed that there were more videos listed than ususal.... YouTube gave me back Perfect! Except not everyone can see it. As it turns out, it is blocked in some countries, the US being one of them! And this is the same problem with Somewhere.
Confusing!
Frustrating!
Annoying!
Unfathomable.
All of the above. So if you're in one of the "right" countries, here is Perfect - all about Goren's relationships with father figures and his drive to be perfect in order to gain the attentions of a loveless father.

If you are unable to see it, here is it's current alternate location!

Somewhere Returns One More Time

Well, hopefully, it's here to stay this time.
NOTE: September 8, 2010 Somewhere is only availble on YouTube in some countries.  To see it on my website, click here.

Somewhere was originally added to YouTube on November 20, 2008 and had 663 viewings before it was blocked on January 29, 2009.

I disputed the copyright with YouTube and won it back!

Somewhere came back for a few more month and then suddenly YouTube blocked it around August 15, 2009 with 1,437 viewings.

And it's back today. This poor video. YouTube gives it and takes it away and now its back after being gone for 9 months (this time). I'm thrilled! I think this has the best match for lyrics/music/mood/story of any vid I've made. The music (by Within Temptation) still gives me goosebumps!

If you're receiving this as an email update, please click on the title to view the video on the blog or go to YouTube.

Extended Deadline for the CI Binder Project

The deadline for submissions to the Criminal Intent Binder Project has been extended to April 24, 2010. We're getting lots of comments on the Saving Goren and Eames Blog, and there are still lots of tweets. AND there is something new on the Saving blog, too.

We've created 3 online letters, so if you don't have the time to write one, just go to the blog and sign your name - we'll add your name and any extra comments you make to the binders which are being sent to the departing actors.

Now, I'm in a position to know the tally of letters.... and I just want to say.

CANADA, WHERE ARE YOU????? (We're being beaten by South America and Europe!)

I know that everyone I talk to knows who Robert Goren is - and there are lots of serious fans. Please pop in and sign the online letters - or send me an email with your letter. And there is still time to send one snailmail....

Susan Civitelli
P.O. Box 397
West Haven, CT 06516
USA

We want these binders to bulge - and things are certainly headed that way this week! So help us out! Thanks!

Criminal Intent - Loyalty (video)

Very short, very poignant, probably the best I've ever made.

For all the loyal fans who mourn the loss of Goren and Eames. But in particular, to the CI Binder Project Crew. Thank you so much.

Music: The Music Box - found by fluke on the web..... I have no other info.



If you are receiving this as an email update, please click on the title and view the vid on the blog.

You're the best. You always will be.

From Loyalty, Part 2. The final Goren and Eames episode.


What's wrong with this picture?



Ross's Funeral

"It's good."

"Then go it alone."

"It's betray your partner day."

"I should try to talk you out of this."

"That's always been a wasted effort."

"You know what I want."

"Ya, this insane thing follows me around."

"Detective Goren has become a liability."

"You're the best. "

"You always will be."

"See you around, I guess"

And with one last scratch of the back of his head, he's gone.

"I won't be taking the Captain's exam."