While loving 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' in its early seasons it did become inconsistent halfway through its own and the unevenness was never completely corrected. Was not crazy about the introductory episode of new character Zach Nichols, titled "Rock Star", and wasn't crazy about him as a character or how he worked with Wheeler. The character did grow on me though in later outings quite quickly thank goodness and he did have some very good episodes in his run.
His second episode "In Treatment" is not one of those very good episodes. It is not a terrible episode by all means, but it felt very uneven and has similar strengths and flaws to "Rock Star". As far as Season 8 goes, "In Treatment" is one of the lesser ones and a disappointment after following on from the brilliant previous episode "Identity Crisis". As far as 'Criminal Intent' goes, for me it's in the weaker end as well and did have potential to be better than it turned out and improve over "Rock Star".
Production values are slick and are simple without being simplistic. The music is haunting and not too over-emphasised when used. The direction is sympathetic while having momentum and personality.
The acting is very good. Despite not liking Nichols as a character, Jeff Goldblum gives one hundred percent commitment. Also liked Wheeler's character development, she's come on a long way since she was first introduced though never have had an issue with her in the first place.
Sadly, the story never properly grabbed me and is very predictable. The perpetrator's identity and everything about the how and why of the truth are not surprising at all, found it pretty obvious actually due to nothing new done with familiar ground. It also at times felt rather strange, especially towards the end. Capped off by a very melodramatically contrived climax.
Furthermore, the writing has some thoughtful moments but could have been tighter, more flowing and been more subtle, a lot of it is too forced. Particularly with Nichols. Who as a character is still not doing it for me, too bizarrely quirky and overly silly for the sake of it and at times bumbling. He and Wheeler still don't gel, the chemistry has a strained try too hard feel and they are just too much of an odd couple (with him vastly overpowering her). A few parts are not particularly buyable and even awkward, such as Nichols interrupting a group session that easily in a high security building.
Concluding, still uneven. 5/10.