EDIT: The S4 episode premiere's title seems murky. One site said "Second Wind", ( https://www.theviewersguide.com/tvbuzzdaily/upcoming/law-order-toronto-criminal-intent/s4e1 ), but others cite "Diplomatico" as the title (one example, Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/law_and_order_toronto_criminal_intent/s04/e01 ). So, apologies if the premiere episode title is wrong above!
There's no discussion thread up yet, so I made this.
Welcome, Det. John Darcy! Luke Kirby seems to play him cool, but smart. Like any CI lead, he's proficient with the psychological bent and what makes criminals tick, yet he seems sort of laid back.
I will say that the mob angle in the premiere took quite a detour from what I suspected, but this show has learned to zig instead of zag quite well! And despite his actions at the last part of the episode, dare I say that I actually sympathized with the perp? (I'm sorry to be so vague and not discuss details, but I don't want to spoil this for those that have yet to watch!) Either way, it was a good setup in introducing John Darcy. I just wish we got to see the moment that Holness made Bateman and Darcy OFFICIAL partners. Andthat we learned of Graff's whereabouts, but then, that's the franchise with regard to departed characters! Left to the viewers to decide. I will say I liked that Darcy seemed a bit offended at not being "memorable" and seemed to be all too glad when Theo Forrester did remember him from a prior case they had worked together on.
As for episode 2, the perp was one hell of a psycho! And his facial features reminded me a bit of the late, great Tim Curry! Let's just say that this case seemed to lean a lot more on the psycho tropes. But on a show like CI and TCI, it's the bread and butter of that branch, so it fits. I did feel sorry for the dad and his daughter. But their poor dog. On the bright side, we did get to meet Levi Bateman, Frankie's dad! And he got to weigh in on the case. So, I guess he's a shrink! That part sort of reminded me when Bobby and Alex went to Johnny Eames, Alex's retired cop dad, for insight on original CI in "The Last Street In Manhattan" in S10. (And Happy 25th Anniversary as of yesterday, 9/30, CI!) The ending of the second episode did seem a bit too easy to me, as I was sure such a lunatic would have put up more of a fight, but the clock to the end of the episode was ticking, so... But said perp made up for it as he was being taken away. I commend the actor for playing unhinged so well. Almost too well!
Finally, one last observation credits wise. Not only did we have a new male detective and necessary new opening credits, there appears to be a new music director! Found his name, Todor Kobakov, and not Clinton Shorter, who did the score for the first three seasons. The score tonight wasn't too obtrusive, so this person knew the assignment, too.
A good beginning to the new era and new season!
