I did watch this one police procedural when I was in law school. It was one of the Law and Order spin-offs- Criminal Intent. The show is unique because it focuses on the psychology of the criminal. This show significantly prepared me for my future. It allowed me to understand motives and planing behind many actions. Not just for defendants but for people in general. 

The lead characters are two NYPD detectives, Robert Goren and Alexandra Eames. Goren is a brilliant but misunderstood man. He is an autodidact and can solve the most difficult cases. His background is layered. His mother is a schizophrenic and the man who he thought was his father was absent and irresponsible. His brother is homeless. Turns out later that his real father is a renowned criminal profiler who is his mentor and is also a secret murderer. I think the writers ran out of ideas towards the end of the series. 

In any case, the last season has him seeing a Department psychiatrist to keep his job. She is good. I met several of the real ones and they are so-so. I actually had an intimate understanding of their psychology assessment process and this is one instance where I was asked to participate in at best, unethical behavior, and at worst, something illegal. I tried to stop it which worked initially but not at the end. When nefarious people want their way, they will get it. 

The scene that touched me depicts one of the sessions between the psychiatrist and Goren. She asks him whether he trusts anyone. He replies, yes, his partner Eames, because she has his back. The psychiatrist then asks Goren how long he has been partners with Eames. He says 11 to 12 years. She then rapidly asks a follow-up question – “Do you love her?” He is surprised and responds is telling – “What? But she’s my partner!” 

He does love her. He just did not realize it and cannot admit it.  He was her professional partner for such a long time, going through many experiences.  They both knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses.  In fact, early on in their relationship., she requested another partner because she couldn’t understand what he was doing but eventually withdrew the request after she realized she respected his way of thinking.

And I realized it’s you. After 30 years.