Law & Order: Criminal Intent backdrop
Drama

The Best Episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent

Every episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent!

Binge this in 5d 21h•Peaking at 9.1/10

The third installment of the “Law & Order” franchise takes viewers deep into the minds of its criminals while following the intense psychological approaches the Major Case Squad uses to solve its crimes.

Airs on
NBCUSA Network
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons10

All12345678910

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 6 Episode 21 - Endgame
    9.1/10(627 votes)

    #1 - Endgame

    S6:E21

    Goren and Eames find a scrapbook belonging to a serial killer on death row. It suggests that he may have had more victims than previously known.

    Director:Jean de Segonzac
    Writers:Warren Leight, Julie Martin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 7 Episode 22 - Frame
    8.9/10(530 votes)

    #2 - Frame

    S7:E22

    Bobby is visited by the past when he finds a picture at his mother's grave indicating an old nemesis has returned, and the case only gets more complex when his brother and a mentor reappear.

    Director:Norberto Barba
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 2 Episode 3 - Anti-Thesis
    8.7/10(602 votes)

    #3 - Anti-Thesis

    S2:E3

    As Goren and Eames sift through the likely suspects in the murder of a university president and his assistant, they discover that the culprit is a wily adversary who has more than these crimes to hide.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writers:Eric Overmyer, Dick Wolf, Stephanie Sengupta, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 5 Episode 7 - In the Wee Small Hours (2)
    8.7/10(438 votes)

    #4 - In the Wee Small Hours (2)

    S5:E7

    The squad continues the investigation into the murder of a teenage girl visiting from Iowa. The detectives uncover the sordid family life of a local judge whose son is linked to the Iowa teenager and another victim. Goren and Logan discover that the judge is a formidable foe as they come under scrutiny.

    Director:Jean de Segonzac
    Writer:Stephanie Sengupta

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 1 Episode 20 - Badge
    8.6/10(518 votes)

    #5 - Badge

    S1:E20

    When the murder of a city auditor and his family seems too perfect, Goren and Eames turn their attention towards law enforcement personnel after learning that the auditor was investigating a number of former cops upon suspicion of double-dipping.

    Director:Constantine Makris
    Writers:Marlane Gomard Meyer, Marlane Meyer, Dick Wolf, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 2 Episode 14 - Probability
    8.6/10(499 votes)

    #6 - Probability

    S2:E14

    While probing the seemingly random murders of several homeless men, Goren and Eames uncover a scam involving a crooked insurance agent. However, an unsual twist leads the detectives to an unlikely suspect.

    Director:Frank Prinzi
    Writers:Gerry Conway, Dick Wolf, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent

    READ
  7. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 2 Episode 23 - A Person of Interest
    8.6/10(427 votes)

    #7 - A Person of Interest

    S2:E23

    Goren and Eames investigate the murder of a former nurse and discover a possible anthrax terrorist plot. The case takes a turn for the worse when Goren is blamed for driving a suspect to commit suicide. Now disgraced, Goren learns that a cunning adversary from his past may be involved.

    Director:Frank Prinzi
    Writers:Warren Leight, Dick Wolf, Stephanie Sengupta, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 5 Episode 6 - In the Wee Small Hours (1)
    8.6/10(493 votes)

    #8 - In the Wee Small Hours (1)

    S5:E6

    Detectives Eames, Goren, Barek, and Logan must solve a case that involves a teenage girl missing in New York City. While Barek and Logan search around for another missing girl, Eames and Goren work to uncover a mystery with a judge and his son.

    Director:Jean de Segonzac
    Writers:Dick Wolf, Stephanie Sengupta, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 6 Episode 1 - Blind Spot
    8.6/10(534 votes)

    #9 - Blind Spot

    S6:E1

    Captain Danny Ross closely oversees Goren and Eames as they hunt for a possible serial killer. This difficult and harrowing case brings Goren back in touch with his old mentor, a profiler, and his mentor's daughter.

    Director:Norberto Barba
    Writers:Warren Leight, Charlie Rubin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 7 Episode 1 - Amends
    8.6/10(421 votes)

    #10 - Amends

    S7:E1

    Eames re-opens the case into her husband's murder.

    Director:Jesús Salvador Treviño
    Writers:Warren Leight, Siobhan Byrne O'Connor, Dick Wolf, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 7 Episode 21 - Last Rites
    8.6/10(371 votes)

    #11 - Last Rites

    S7:E21

    Logan jeopardizes his and Wheeler's careers when a priest convinces him to re-open a murder case that's over a decade old which involves a politically-aspiring ADA who will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.

    Director:Tom DiCillo
    Writers:Warren Leight, Siobhan Byrne O'Connor, Dick Wolf, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 9 Episode 1 - Loyalty (1)
    8.6/10(402 votes)

    #12 - Loyalty (1)

    S9:E1

    Captain Ross finds himself at the tragic center of an overseas conflict, galvanizing the assistance of Major Case detectives Goren, Eames and Nichols.

    Director:Jean de Segonzac
    Writer:Walon Green

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 9 Episode 2 - Loyalty (2)
    8.6/10(375 votes)

    #13 - Loyalty (2)

    S9:E2

    With an illegal arms deal and a hunt for Somali terrorists hanging in the balance, Detectives Goren, Eames, Nichols and newcomer Stevens combine resources in an attempt to bring justice.

    Director:Jean de Segonzac
    Writer:Barbara Hall

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 2 Episode 1 - Dead
    8.5/10(503 votes)

    #14 - Dead

    S2:E1

    The murder of a mortician and the discovery of corpses at a crematorium lead the detectives to a family man claiming to have a consulting business but suspected of being a contract killer with a penchant for perfection. Goren attempts to prove this by setting up a scheme that puts his "fear of making a mistake" in jeopardy.

    Director:Darnell Martin
    Writers:Dick Wolf, Stephanie Sengupta, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 4 Episode 3 - Want
    8.5/10(489 votes)

    #15 - Want

    S4:E3

    After he gets into the head of an insane man driven to torture, murder, and cannibalism by overwhelming despair and loneliness, Goren surprises his colleagues with a passionate plea that the man be spared the death penalty, and engineers the confession that will save the man's life through a plea bargain.

    Director:Frank Prinzi
    Writers:Elizabeth Benjamin, Dick Wolf, Stephanie Sengupta, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 5 Episode 1 - Grow
    8.5/10(448 votes)

    #16 - Grow

    S5:E1

    When city health inspector Larry Chapel is found dead in an elevator, a quick look into Chapel's home life introduces them to Chapel's recently widowed brother, Evan, and little girl Gwen. Goren isn't very surprised to learn that Nicole Wallace is Evan's fiancée and the future mother to his little girl, but Major Case soon realizes they're off the mark in who they believe the suspect is, and Goren's only hope is to get Nicole to help him trap the killer. Logan joins the Major Case squad, but isn't pleased with being relegated to the background while the other detectives solve the cases, and Deakins tries to find a partner for him.

    Director:Frank Prinzi
    Writers:Marlane Gomard Meyer, Marlane Meyer, Dick Wolf, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 5 Episode 20 - To the Bone
    8.5/10(427 votes)

    #17 - To the Bone

    S5:E20

    Logan and Barek investigate a series of home invasions that result in grisly murders and their search leads them to local foster mother Chesley Watkins who had a series of young men going in and out of her home throughout the years. One of the young men involved in the home invasions was one of her boys, and while trailing the young man, Logan shoots a suspect who was brandishing a weapon at himself and Barek. When the suspect turns out to be a cop, Logan finds himself in the hot seat, and Barek sticks up for her partner, knowing that the truth is on their side. The investigation leads to Watkins as a suspect, and Logan is forced to deal with memories from his own past as Watkins plays on the weaknesses she sees.

    Director:Jean de Segonzac
    Writer:Charlie Rubin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 7 Episode 9 - Untethered
    8.5/10(450 votes)

    #18 - Untethered

    S7:E9

    Goren investigates when his nephew, a prisoner who's bipolar, claims that inmates are being abused to the point of murder.

    Director:Ken Girotti
    Writers:Warren Leight, Dick Wolf, Stephanie Sengupta, Charlie Rubin, René Balcer, Diana Son

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 7 Episode 11 - Purgatory
    8.5/10(391 votes)

    #19 - Purgatory

    S7:E11

    Still on leave from the force, approached in a bar after a confrontation, and pondering his future, Goren meets another officer on suspension (Winters) who makes him an interesting job offer. Goren decides to tip the balance in his favor with an undercover operation.

    Directors:Jesús Salvador Treviño, Jean de Segonzac
    Writers:Warren Leight, Siobhan Byrne O'Connor, Dick Wolf, Stephanie Sengupta, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 1 Episode 14 - Homo Homini Lupis
    8.4/10(462 votes)

    #20 - Homo Homini Lupis

    S1:E14

    When an business executive's wife and two daughters are kidnapped for a loanshark because the loan hasn't been paid off, Goren and Eames are frustrated by the man's lack of cooperation, which stymies them further when the man's released daughter proves to have been sexually assaulted.

    Director:David Platt
    Writers:Dick Wolf, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 3 Episode 4 - But not Forgotten
    8.4/10(421 votes)

    #21 - But not Forgotten

    S3:E4

    When a bookkeeper goes missing, Goren and Eames are led back to the death of her brother, a hitman, two years earlier. An imprisoned mobster seems to be their best bet, but when another body turns up it takes the case to a whole new level.

    Director:Constantine Makris
    Writers:Gerry Conway, Dick Wolf, Stephanie Sengupta, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 8 Episode 14 - Major Case
    8.4/10(338 votes)

    #22 - Major Case

    S8:E14

    Detective Eames assists with Nichols' case involving the death of an addict who was just days from going straight when Wheeler is otherwise engaged in the labor and delivery of her baby.

    Director:Christopher Zalla
    Writers:Andrew Lipsitz, Dick Wolf, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 1 Episode 1 - One
    8.3/10(753 votes)

    #23 - One

    S1:E1

    Goren and Eames are called in when a jewelry heist leaves behind three bodies. After ruling out mafia involvement, they realise that the thefts are directly connected to recent credit card thefts and stolen identities. They're led to an extremely charismatic thief, and their only hope is convincing one of his partners to turn on him.

    Director:Jean de Segonzac
    Writers:Dick Wolf, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 1 Episode 7 - Poison
    8.3/10(502 votes)

    #24 - Poison

    S1:E7

    The detectives investigate a murderer who poisons hospital victims with cyanide. They suspect a nurse whose profile is typical, but when they discover more murders away from the hospital they have to widen their search.

    Director:Gloria Muzio
    Writers:Dick Wolf, Stephanie Sengupta, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Law & Order: Criminal Intent Season 1 Episode 16 - Phantom
    8.3/10(499 votes)

    #25 - Phantom

    S1:E16

    The detectives investigate a slain bank robber and check out his sister, who is involved with a bogus United Nations economist. As the detectives close in on the suspect, Goren learns the suspect wants his children's approval and must stop him before any more murders.

    Director:Juan José Campanella
    Writers:Marlane Gomard Meyer, Marlane Meyer, Dick Wolf, René Balcer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Endgame" is the best rated episode of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent". It scored 9.1/10 based on 627 votes. Directed by Jean de Segonzac and written by Warren Leight, Julie Martin, it aired on 5/14/2007. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Frame".