The 10th and final season of the crime drama sends him in style: original stars Vincent D`Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe return as detectives Robert Goren and Alexandra Eames. the death of a banker who collaborated with the Catholic Church; the death of a hacker; the murder of a Wall Street CEO; and in the end, the death of two employees of an Internet company. Chris Brancato replaced Walon Green as Show Runner/Executive Producer. Green served as showrunner/EP during seasons 8 and 9. Former showrunner and executive producer Warren Leight wrote the episode “Trophy Wine,” as well as all the scenes with D`Onofrio and Julia Ormond and the final scenes of the finale, “To the Boy In the Blue Knit Cap.” Co-creator, developer and former showrunner/EP René Balcer also rewrote the finale, but was not named. Brancato suggested that the series be replaced by an 11th anniversary.[12] The season could be included if the planned final episodes reach sufficient ratings. In August 2010, Jeff Goldblum (Detective Zack Nichols) announced his departure from the series after changing agencies and unsure of the future of the series. The renewal options for Goldblum, Saffron Burrows and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio officially expired on July 31, 2010, after being extended by one month on June 30. The series was in limbo at the time. More than a month later, it was confirmed that Criminal Intent would return for a tenth and final season of eight episodes, starring Vincent D`Onofrio as Detective Robert Goren.[6] The news that Law & Order: CI received a proper closure stood in stark contrast to NBC`s abrupt cancellation of the original mothership series in May 2010. [7] Law & Order: Criminal Intent ended its ten seasons on June 26, 2011. It was confirmed by USA Network co-chair Jeff Wachtel on July 15, 2011; Asked about a possible 11th season, Wachtel replied: “No — and that`s said with respect for the show, respect for Dick [Wolf], and most importantly, in terms of the audience.” Wachtel also gave reasons for not extending currency issuance. [4] Episodes of the tenth season averaged 4.43 million total viewers and 1.67 million people between the ages of 18 and 49; higher than the numbers the series pulled in the ninth season.

Adrian Pasdar and Bryan Batt had guest roles in an episode titled “Trophy Wine”.[5] Pasdar played a wine collector named Mason Kent and Batt portrayed a world-class wine sommelier also known as “The Nose.” Both are suspected when a connoisseur of high-end wine – who falsified the product – dies of a heart attack while locked in his basement. [27] In the final episode, “To the Boy in the Blue Knit Cap,” James Van Der Beek played Rex Tamlyn, a confident, party-loving playboy and partner on a Facebook-like website dedicated to “connecting people who share fleeting romantic encounters.” The catchy aspect of the episode involves a lawsuit for a stolen idea. The episode also featured Thad Luckinbill and his identical twin Trent, who played the “Winklevoss-ian” defendants. [28] NFL running back Brandon Jacobs also makes a special appearance as a bouncer. And Tovah Feldshuh repeated her role as Law & Order`s lawyer Danielle Melnick. Julie White played New York`s first matchmaker in the episode “The Last Street in Manhattan,” which grossed $700,000 for her services. Andrea Roth also had a guest role during the season in the episode “Trophy Wine”, in a case in which a wine importer is found dead of a heart attack after being locked in his wine cellar.[20] Steven Weber had a guest role in episode six titled “Cadaver”.[21] Camille Chen and Rosalind Chao also starred alongside Weber.[22] [23] Star Vincent D`Onofrio felt; “The fact that we had so many viewers, more than other cable shows, is strange to see the show end.” Although the show suffered a sharp drop in ratings in the ninth season; coinciding with D`Onofrio and Erbe written from the series. [14] Kathryn Erbe told TV Guide whether Law & Order: CI could be renewed; “I know I`d be there right away…