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Alexandra "Alex" Eames is a fictional character within the ''
Law & Order ''Law & Order'' is an American police procedural and legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf and produced by Wolf Entertainment, launching the '' Law & Order'' franchise. ''Law & Order'' aired its entire run on NBC, premiering on ...
'' universe portrayed by
Kathryn Erbe Kathryn Elsbeth Erbe is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Alexandra Eames on ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'', a spin-off of ''Law & Order'', and Shirley Bellinger in the HBO series '' Oz''. Early life Erbe was born in New ...
. Eames first appears on ''
Law & Order: Criminal Intent ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' is an American police procedural Drama (film and television), drama television series set in New York City, where it was also primarily produced. Created and Executive producer#Motion pictures and television, p ...
'' as a detective partnered with
Robert Goren Robert Goren is a fictional character featured in the NBC-USA Network police procedural and legal drama television series ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent,'' portrayed by Vincent D'Onofrio. Goren is a detective investigator first grade for the Ma ...
(
Vincent D'Onofrio Vincent Philip D'Onofrio (; born June 30, 1959) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for his supporting and leading roles in both film and television. He has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. His roles include Private Leonar ...
). Following the end of the series in 2011, Erbe reprised her role in two episodes of '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', with her character promoted to lieutenant and now working in the joint City/Federal Homeland Security Task Force. Erbe received a 2008
Satellite Award The Satellite Awards are annual awards given by the International Press Academy that are commonly noted in entertainment industry journals and blogs. The awards were originally known as the Golden Satellite Awards. The award ceremonies take place ...
Nomination for Best Actress: Television Drama Series for her portrayal. She appeared in 142 episodes.


Career

Eames entered the police academy in 1993. Eames' role model, Senator Maureen Pagolis, spoke at her graduation from the academy. Before joining Major Case, Eames was with
Vice A vice is a practice, behaviour, or habit generally considered immoral, sinful, criminal, rude, taboo, depraved, degrading, deviant or perverted in the associated society. In more minor usage, vice can refer to a fault, a negative character tra ...
for five years. For two years of that time, she was stationed in
Chelsea Chelsea or Chelsey may refer to: Places Australia * Chelsea, Victoria Canada * Chelsea, Nova Scotia * Chelsea, Quebec United Kingdom * Chelsea, London, an area of London, bounded to the south by the River Thames ** Chelsea (UK Parliament consti ...
. Her badge number is 5798. On one occasion when she is shown in uniform, she is wearing the
American flag The national flag of the United States of America, often referred to as the ''American flag'' or the ''U.S. flag'', consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the c ...
and citation bars for years of service, Excellent Police Duty, Meritorious Police Duty, and pistol proficiency. On another, she has a button with the
World Trade Center World Trade Centers are sites recognized by the World Trade Centers Association. World Trade Center may refer to: Buildings * List of World Trade Centers * World Trade Center (2001–present), a building complex that includes five skyscrapers, a ...
's likeness and a unit citation bar, with the flag and the duty bars.


In ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent''

In ''
Law & Order: Criminal Intent ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' is an American police procedural Drama (film and television), drama television series set in New York City, where it was also primarily produced. Created and Executive producer#Motion pictures and television, p ...
'', Eames is a police detective with
Manhattan Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the original counties of the U.S. state ...
's Major Case Squad (MCS). While stationed in MCS, Eames is partnered with Detective
Robert Goren Robert Goren is a fictional character featured in the NBC-USA Network police procedural and legal drama television series ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent,'' portrayed by Vincent D'Onofrio. Goren is a detective investigator first grade for the Ma ...
and is the senior partner of the two. In the season six premiere, Eames is kidnapped and tortured by Jo Gage (
Martha Plimpton Martha Plimpton (born November 16, 1970) is an American actress. Her feature-film debut was in '' Rollover'' (1981); she subsequently rose to prominence in the Richard Donner film ''The Goonies'' (1985). She has also appeared in '' The Mosquito ...
), the daughter of Dr. Declan Gage ( John Glover), Goren's mentor. She rescues herself. She returns to duty but starts seeing a therapist to cope with the
trauma Trauma most often refers to: *Major trauma, in physical medicine, severe physical injury caused by an external source *Psychological trauma, a type of damage to the psyche that occurs as a result of a severely distressing event *Traumatic inju ...
of her ordeal. At the end of season six, Eames works a case with Detective
Megan Wheeler ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'', a spin-off of the crime drama '' Law & Order'', follows the detectives who work in the "Major Case Squad" of the New York City Police Department, a unit that focuses on high-profile cases (in most cases murder, j ...
( Julianne Nicholson) that has ties to Goren's nemesis,
Nicole Wallace ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'', a spin-off of the crime drama ''Law & Order'', follows the detectives who work in the "Major Case Squad" of the New York City Police Department, a unit that focuses on high-profile cases (in most cases murder, jus ...
( Olivia d'Abo). Eames also begins partnering with Detective Zack Nichols (
Jeff Goldblum Jeffrey Lynn Goldblum (; born October 22, 1952) is an American actor and musician. He has starred in some of the highest-grossing films of his era, such as ''Jurassic Park'' (1993) and '' Independence Day'' (1996), as well as their sequels. ...
) in the season eight episode " Major Case" after Wheeler, Nichols' regular partner, goes into labor. In the Season 9 premiere "
Loyalty Loyalty, in general use, is a devotion and faithfulness to a nation, cause, philosophy, country, group, or person. Philosophers disagree on what can be an object of loyalty, as some argue that loyalty is strictly interpersonal and only another h ...
," she and Goren are pulled off a pair of homicides by Capt. Danny Ross ( Eric Bogosian), who they do not realize has been working undercover for the FBI on a case involving one of the victims. When Ross is subsequently murdered, Goren and Eames team up with Nichols and Serena Stevens (
Saffron Burrows Saffron Domini Burrows (born 22 October 1972) is an English actress and model who has appeared in films such as '' Circle of Friends,'' ''Wing Commander,'' '' Deep Blue Sea,'' ''Gangster No. 1,'' ''Enigma,'' ''Troy,'' ''Reign Over Me'' and ''The ...
) to find his killer, only to be stonewalled by the FBI. Goren soon gets into a physical altercation with the prime suspect, leading to his suspension and Eames' decision to help him covertly with his side investigation.


Partnership with Robert Goren

Eames' pragmatic, analytical investigative style and acerbic humor serves as a balance against Goren's often eccentric investigation and
interrogation Interrogation (also called questioning) is interviewing as commonly employed by law enforcement officers, military personnel, intelligence agencies, organized crime syndicates, and terrorist organizations with the goal of eliciting useful informa ...
methods. Their working relationship is close and supportive, but there is sometimes tension and conflict between them. Eames and Goren did not see eye-to-eye at first; puzzled by his interrogation methods, she had asked her superior officer for a new partner. She soon learned to appreciate his investigative skill, however, and withdrew the request, all without ever revealing this to Goren. In turn, Goren respects Eames' tenacity and steadiness under pressure. Although Goren and Eames have never been romantically involved, they both have shown professional and personal loyalty to one another. During Eames' absence due to her maternity leave, Goren makes the connection to a suspect missing his partner and compares his temporary partner G. Lynn Bishop (
Samantha Buck Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann are film writers and directors who have made five films together. Buck is also an actress and has directed the documentary '' Best Kept Secret'' solo. They are best known for the 2019 film '' Sister Aimee''. ...
) unfavorably to Eames. In the episode " Blind Spot," when Eames is abducted, Goren is in obvious distress over her welfare. When Goren is suspended and decides to go undercover on his own in a prison where his nephew has witnessed abuses, Eames keeps in communication with him and asks for their Captain's help when his plans go awry. Goren decides to go undercover during his suspension and does not inform Eames of this decision, which causes a considerable conflict between them after his actions come to light. Goren apologizes and states that he wanted to keep Eames away from the situation, but she reacts angrily and replies that his actions were based on selfishness and that "all iswounds are self-inflicted." Additionally, when the case of Eames' late husband is reopened (see "Joseph Dutton" section below), Eames is in obvious distress regarding Goren reviewing her late husband's case and tells him that it is "not one of ispuzzles." At the end of the two-part Season 9 premiere "Loyalty" dealing with Ross' murder, Eames is promoted to Lieutenant (she has recently passed the exams) and assigned as Captain (''pro tem'', pending her Captain's exams) of the Major Case Squad. She is also told to fire Goren for his physical altercation with their prime suspect earlier in the episode. When she carries out this first duty as Captain ''pro tem'', Goren tells her not to worry, as he believes his recent actions made his dismissal unavoidable. He kisses Eames on the cheek and they share an embrace before he leaves; Eames then places her own gun and badge on her new desk and calls the Chief to (supposedly) resign from the force. Neither Eames nor Goren appear for the remainder of the season. After a year's absence, Eames and Goren again became the series' lead characters for its tenth and final season. No explanation is given for their reinstatement.


In ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit''

Eames appeared in the fourteenth season of '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', having been promoted to Lieutenant in the joint City/Federal Homeland Security Task Force. She appeared in the fourth episode, "
Acceptable Loss An acceptable loss, also known as acceptable damage or acceptable casualties, is a military euphemism used to indicate casualties or destruction inflicted by the enemy that is considered minor or tolerable. In combat situations, leaders have to ...
", as the SVU squad crosses paths with Eames when their investigation of a
sex trafficking Sex trafficking is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. It has been called a form of modern slavery because of the way victims are forced into sexual acts non-consensually, in a form of sexual slavery. Perpetrators of the ...
ring uncovers a connection to a terrorism case on which Eames is working. She tells the detectives to stand down and briefs them on her investigation. After SVU goes forward with their prostitution investigation, Eames blames SVU for making her lose her target. When Detective
Olivia Benson Olivia Margaret "Liv" Benson is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the NBC police procedural drama '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', portrayed by Mariska Hargitay. Benson holds the rank and pay-grade of Captain and is the Com ...
( Mariska Hargitay) realizes that one of the alleged prostitutes was connected to the terrorism plot, Captain Don Cragen (
Dann Florek Ezekial Dann Florek (born May 1, 1950) is an American actor and film director. He is best known for his role as New York City Police Captain Donald Cragen on NBC's '' Law & Order'' and its spinoff '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', and Dav ...
) calls Eames in, and Benson pleads with her to let them work the raid with her. Eames agrees, and together they foil the terrorism plot. At the end of the episode, Benson asks Eames why she tilts her head at suspects while interrogating them, and Eames responds that it was something her former partner (presumably Goren) taught her. She briefly mentions that her partner moved on after 11 years of working together, and for her it was also time for a change. Eames returns to help SVU track down a sniper who injured Detective
Amanda Rollins Amanda Rollins Carisi is a fictional character on the NBC police procedural drama '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', portrayed by Kelli Giddish. Rollins was a detective with the Manhattan Special Victims Unit at the 16th Precinct of the New ...
( Kelli Giddish) in the episode "Poisoned Motive".


Personal and family life

Eames joined the NYPD to follow in the footsteps of her father, Johnny Eames, also a police officer. Eames' younger brother has three children in private school, is part of the FDNY, and is married to a nurse. After their aunt hit Eames' brother, Eames said they never saw her again. In " Vacancy", a suspect senses her anger towards alcoholics and uses her vulnerability to sabotage the case against him. In " The Last Street in Manhattan", Eames indicates that she grew up and went to elementary school in the Inwood section of Manhattan. She also takes care of her elderly father, who still lives there and complains that she has given him no grandchildren. Eames jokes that her father has "Irish Alzheimer's" – meaning he only remembers grudges. In the third season, Eames volunteers to serve as a surrogate mother for her sister's baby, a storyline intended to coincide with Kathryn Erbe's real life pregnancy, as the unmarried Eames had no onscreen romantic attachments. She gives birth to a boy, with whom she has a close relationship. She enjoys
Danish pastry A Danish pastry ( da, wienerbrød ) sometimes shortened to just Danish, especially in American English) is a multilayered, laminated sweet pastry in the ''viennoiserie'' tradition. The concept was brought to Denmark by Austrian bakers, where the r ...
, mentioning it in at least two episodes.


Joseph Dutton

Eames is widowed. In an interview with the ''
Chicago Tribune The ''Chicago Tribune'' is a daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, owned by Tribune Publishing. Founded in 1847, and formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (a slogan for which WGN radio and television ar ...
'' in 2001, Erbe said of Eames, "Her husband was a cop who was killed in the line of duty. None of this you will probably hear in the show." However, in the 2006 episode " The War at Home" and in subsequent episodes, the scripts reveal that her husband Joseph Dutton was killed in 1998. In the season seven premiere "
Amends "Amends" is episode ten of season three of the television show ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. It was written and directed by series creator Joss Whedon. Advertised as a Christmas episode, it was first broadcast on December 15, 1998. Plot It is C ...
" Dutton's case is reopened, and she and Goren discover that the wrong man had been convicted; DNA evidence points to another suspect whom she and Goren subsequently arrest.


Awards and decorations

Following are the medals and service awards worn by then-Detective Eames in "
Loyalty Loyalty, in general use, is a devotion and faithfulness to a nation, cause, philosophy, country, group, or person. Philosophers disagree on what can be an object of loyalty, as some argue that loyalty is strictly interpersonal and only another h ...
" (2010). In the episode "
Amends "Amends" is episode ten of season three of the television show ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. It was written and directed by series creator Joss Whedon. Advertised as a Christmas episode, it was first broadcast on December 15, 1998. Plot It is C ...
" (2007), she is missing the WTC Breast Bar but is wearing a Years of Service White Citation Bar showing XXV for 25 years of service (should actually show XIV for 14 years since joining the force in 1993).


References


External links


NBC biography of Alexandra Eames

USA's Law & Order: Criminal Intent
site, including 18 "Character Insight" videos {{DEFAULTSORT:Eames, Alexandra Law & Order: Criminal Intent characters Law & Order: Special Victims Unit characters Fictional New York City Police Department lieutenants Television characters introduced in 2001 Fictional female detectives Crossover characters in television American female characters in television