It is sad that Season 10 of 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' was so short, eight episodes is nowhere near enough episodes for a season in my view and is more suited to a mini-series rather than an incarnation of one of the most popular franchises. When it comes to the Season 10s of the three main 'Law and Order' shows (the original, 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent'), 'Criminal Intent's' to me was actually the best and most consistent quality-wise.
"To the Boy in the Blue Knit Cap" is a very good ending to Season 10 and of 'Criminal Intent'. It is not quite great or a going off with a bang sort of episode, with the character writing making a stronger impression than the case, but there are so many things here done brilliantly and at least it felt complete. As far as Season 10 goes, "To the Boy in the Blue Knit Cap" is the second weakest after "Trophy Wine" (also very good despite the uneven guest star turn), but it's only because the other six were so good.
Am going to start with the many great things. It's well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and the direction is accomodating while still having pulse. Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe are terrific, their character writing is closer to the earlier seasons than the darker writing for them in Seasons 6 and 7. The episode in fact is a triumph when it comes to character writing and interaction.
Goren is a fascinating character and his quirkiness is entertaining to watch. Eames has some lovely sassiness. Their chemistry, that and Goren being the hearts of the show, has a playfulness but also has heart. The script is lean and intelligently written, provoking thought and pulling no punches while having personality and not being over-serious. The story compels enough while the supporting cast is solid. Did appreciate that it could easily have passed for an episode of Seasons 1-4 ('Criminal Intent's' best period, with Season 9 being the worst season) and that it wasn't reliant on soap opera.
Do think that other episodes have stronger cases, that have more tension and surprises. It compelled but it wasn't extraordinary or special.
Similarly the ending was on the tacked on side.
Overall, a very worthy send off to a show that was very uneven in the latter seasons but showed huge amounts of brilliance frequently. 8/10.