Ep 17. Vacancy

Detectives Robert Goren (Vincent D’Onofrio) and Alexandra Eames (Kathryn Erbe) are back in action in Law & Order: Criminal Intent season 5 episode 17, titled "Vacancy." In this riveting episode, the detectives take on the case involving the brutal murder of a young man, Jake Deckard.

The episode opens with Deckard, a talented young architect living in New York City, interviewing for a new job at a prestigious architectural firm. He's thrilled to have made it through the grueling interview process and is offered the position on the spot. But while celebrating his success with his friends that same night, Deckard is brutally murdered in his apartment.

As Goren and Eames begin investigating Deckard’s murder, they discover that the young architect was living alone in an apartment that had once been occupied by a young couple. The detectives discover a hidden camera in the apartment, which leads them to theorize that the previous occupants were involved in filming and sharing amateur pornography.

As they delve further into Deckard’s personal life, the detectives soon discover that he was living in a neighborhood plagued by gentrification. The gentrification, they discover, is the result of a wealthy developer with ties to organized crime. That developer has been using underhanded tactics to buy up property in the area, including strong-arm tactics to force people out of their homes.

As Goren and Eames investigate further, they discover a possible connection between the murdered architect and the criminal developer. They soon learn that Deckard had discovered evidence of the developer's illegal activities. The detectives are left to question whether Deckard’s murder was an attempt to silence him.

As the detectives continue to gather evidence, Eames is haunted by her own personal demons. She’s been struggling with the idea of starting a family with her husband and wonders if the hazards of their job make it too risky to bring children into the world. Meanwhile, Goren’s obsession with the case is getting the better of him. He’s becoming increasingly manic as he unearths more and more secrets in his investigation.

As the investigation comes to a head, Goren and Eames unearth a shocking conspiracy that ties together all the threads of their investigation. They work tirelessly to bring the perpetrator to justice but find themselves pursued by a ruthless and powerful adversary who will stop at nothing to protect his illicit empire.

"Vacancy" is a gripping episode that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. With its well-crafted storyline, excellent performances, and deft direction, this episode is a standout installment of Law & Order: Criminal Intent season 5. Fans of the show will not want to miss this thrilling and thought-provoking episode.