In its prime (Seasons 1-5, with Season 4 to me being the best and most consistent season with a lot of classic episodes and even the weakest episodes being far from awful) 'Criminal Minds' was one of my favourite shows. From Season 6 it did become hit and miss, with the odd gem, but a lot of average episodes and some stinkers.
Of the inconsistent but better than expected, considering the significant changes and the troubled behind-the-scenes, Season 12, "Spencer" is the best episode of the season so far and blew me away (the previous three or four episodes have done a noble job with Reid's story). "Elliot's Pond" and "Mirror Image" were also impressive. Most have ranged from above average to good, with many strengths but also big flaws. The weakest so far were the average "Taboo" and the disappointing "The Anti-Terror Squad". No classics yet, though "Spencer" came close but no low-points that are on the same level as "200", "The Black Queen" or the worst of the mostly underwhelming Season 11.
"In the Dark" is like "Assistance is Futile", "Sick Day" and "Seek and Destroy" in that it is neither a bad or great episode. Not Season 12 at its weakest, but really not one of the best either, if there is one word to sum it up it would be middling.
There are things that could have been done better. Reid's prison subplot was very well done in previous episodes but is now starting to feel rather dragged out. There are things too that could have done with more explanation, such as the cause of the unsub's odd behaviour, the whole business with the DNA, the increasing precision of the murders and why the victims were targeted, most of them needed more clarity and less vagueness.
Walker is still bland and needs more to do and better acting to make him more interesting or make a stronger impression.
Visually, the episode looks great as to be expected. Very well shot and lit and is overall stylish, gritty, classy and atmospheric. The music is moody in the haunting and melancholic sense and fits well, without either enhancing or distracting from it. The direction is alert, tense and accommodating.
Some of the writing is thought-provoking, there is suspense and creepiness with the story (which seemed like a very over-familiar done to death set-up but turned out to be more than meets the eye) and the unsub is a surprisingly complex one, his crimes are heinous and uncondonable but because of his past and want for help one does feel some sympathy for him. He is very well acted too.
Character moments wise, a standout is Alvez's tense chemistry with Shaw, showing how well Alvez is settling. Loved that Tara Lewis is more involved and more likable than in Season 11, her deduction regarding the sleepwalking added enormously. All the acting is very good.
In summary, decent middling episode but 'Criminal Minds' has done far better. 6/10 Bethany Cox
Of the inconsistent but better than expected, considering the significant changes and the troubled behind-the-scenes, Season 12, "Spencer" is the best episode of the season so far and blew me away (the previous three or four episodes have done a noble job with Reid's story). "Elliot's Pond" and "Mirror Image" were also impressive. Most have ranged from above average to good, with many strengths but also big flaws. The weakest so far were the average "Taboo" and the disappointing "The Anti-Terror Squad". No classics yet, though "Spencer" came close but no low-points that are on the same level as "200", "The Black Queen" or the worst of the mostly underwhelming Season 11.
"In the Dark" is like "Assistance is Futile", "Sick Day" and "Seek and Destroy" in that it is neither a bad or great episode. Not Season 12 at its weakest, but really not one of the best either, if there is one word to sum it up it would be middling.
There are things that could have been done better. Reid's prison subplot was very well done in previous episodes but is now starting to feel rather dragged out. There are things too that could have done with more explanation, such as the cause of the unsub's odd behaviour, the whole business with the DNA, the increasing precision of the murders and why the victims were targeted, most of them needed more clarity and less vagueness.
Walker is still bland and needs more to do and better acting to make him more interesting or make a stronger impression.
Visually, the episode looks great as to be expected. Very well shot and lit and is overall stylish, gritty, classy and atmospheric. The music is moody in the haunting and melancholic sense and fits well, without either enhancing or distracting from it. The direction is alert, tense and accommodating.
Some of the writing is thought-provoking, there is suspense and creepiness with the story (which seemed like a very over-familiar done to death set-up but turned out to be more than meets the eye) and the unsub is a surprisingly complex one, his crimes are heinous and uncondonable but because of his past and want for help one does feel some sympathy for him. He is very well acted too.
Character moments wise, a standout is Alvez's tense chemistry with Shaw, showing how well Alvez is settling. Loved that Tara Lewis is more involved and more likable than in Season 11, her deduction regarding the sleepwalking added enormously. All the acting is very good.
In summary, decent middling episode but 'Criminal Minds' has done far better. 6/10 Bethany Cox