But when a veteran show changes networks, there is always the real possibility that not all the viewers will follow. Plus, budgets on the basic cable side are lower than for the broadcast networks, and no one wants to see their favorite show lessened by money issues.

The good news for fans of the "Law And Order: Criminal Intent" is that USA Network premiere is as strong as any of the NBC episodes. While there are noticeable changes in the show's tone and look, those have as much to do with changes behind the cameras as the move to cable.

Like all good "Law And Order" episodes, the show begins with a murder. An undercover cop is killed on a stakeout while his partner is taking a bathroom break. That event brings in Det. Robert Goren (Vincent D'Onofrio) and Det. Alexandra Eames (Kathryn Erbe), who are both quickly drawn into the investigation. As it turns out, the slain officer was the partner of Eames' husband, who was also a police officer. He was killed in the line of duty, and this murder shakes Eames and brings back a lot of memories she thought she had buried long ago.

The challenge for Goren is much different. He is, as one fellow cop notes, a "whack job." When Goren receives the initial call about the murder, he is still in the midst of a medical leave. He's shown sitting on the floor of his apartment as the phone rings, and when he does show up at the hospital, he's sporting a three-day growth of beard and about 40 extra pounds.

The first half of the episode is tautly written and quite surprising. While the official police investigation points at the murder being gang-related, Goren uncovers connections between this murder and the death of Eames' husband. It's clear that they are related, although no one seems to believe Goren's take of the evidence.

The problem with the episode is that the writing falls apart a bit in the second half. Once Goren investigates a bit, it is quickly apparent who committed the crimes. Even worse, it's hard to imagine any police department in the country who would allow a detective to continue working a case directly connected to the murder of their spouse. The writer's try and get around this with the perfunctory "If this is a distraction, I'll pull you off the case" discussion. But that doesn't get around the fact that Eames only seems to be there for reasons more to do with the show than with logic.

One change from the NBC episodes is that the camera work is much more flowing and intimate. There seems to be a lot of use of handheld cameras, and the shots don't seem as staged as is often the case in police shows.

While the episode's ending might frustrate viewers, "Law And Order: Criminal Intent" is still a fine show. D'Onofrio is a master actor in this role, and he's created a character that is compelling and complex. Erbe serves as the perfect foil, and at the end of the day, the success of this show has much less to do with the writing than with the fact this two actors are absolutely riveting to watch.

"Criminal Intent" is back, and I am happy to see it happen. Despite the tiredness of the "Law And Order" franchise, this series stands up as one of the best police dramas on TV.

"Law And Order: Criminal Intent" premieres on the USA Network on Thursday, October 4th, 2007.