The long wait for fans of Law & Order: Criminal Intent is over. The season eight premiere is airing this upcoming Sunday, April 19 at 9/8c on USA Network, and it's an exciting kick-off to this upcoming season.

For anyone not familiar with this branch of the Law & Order franchise, Law & Order: Criminal Intent tells stories in a different format. CI takes the viewers into the mind of the criminal, and details how the Major Case Squad uses psychological approaches to solve crimes.

CI veterans Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe return as Goren and Eames once again, with episodes alternating back and forth between partners Goren and Eames, and partners Wheeler (Julianne Nicholson) and Nichols (Jeff Goldblum).

I honestly didn't know what CI would be without Chris Noth, who left the show last year, but when I heard Jeff Goldblum was going to be joining the cast I had high hopes. Goldblum tends to brings quirkiness to roles that I'm anticipating will be a good match to the Goren character. The season premiere stars D'Onofrio and Erbe and won't disappoint their fans who have been waiting patiently for this night.

In this new episode the drug-addicted daughter of a city politician survives a hit on her blackmailing, dealer boyfriend. While investigating Goren and Eames uncover secrets and lies in this twisting tale. Kathy Bates gives a stellar performance as the grandmother of the teen.

Following last year's trend where we saw more of the background on Goren as well as Eames, Goren reveals a bit more about his childhood in trying to get through to this troubled teen. I've always loved D'Onofrio's intensity in his portrayal of Bobby Goren. It's refreshing to see a police detective whose quirks aren't drinking or doing drugs. As for Kathryn Erbe, what I really like there is that her portrayal of Eames is not over the top. Eames comes off as very tough, but with a definite softness to her. The two together have a great chemistry that plays well onscreen. The depth that both bring to their characters is amazing and fascinating to watch.

So settle back with a pizza and a glass of wine and get ready for that duh-dunk that makes our hearts race. This year is going to be another great one!