Balcer was showrunner for "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" through the . In March 2007, Balcer returned to "Law & Order" at the end of its 17th season as executive producer and head writer. He continued on as showrunner through the show's 20th and final season, writing and directing the show's series finale "Rubber Room", which the "New York Times" called the "best finale of all" that season's TV series. In June 2010, he was hired as showrunner of the "Law & Order" spinoff, "". "LOLA", as it was called, was cancelled after one season, with Balcer again writing and directing the series finale. Balcer then rewrote the series finale of "Law & Order Criminal Intent", bringing to a close his long association with the "Law & Order" franchise.