Season 1, like with all the seasons of 'Criminal Minds' (for me Season 4 is the best season), is not a consistent season. When it is good, it is very good to outstanding, when it isn't so much, it's average or worse.
There are some fantastic episodes in the season, such as "The Fox", "Charm and Harm", "Riding the Lightning", "Compulsion", "Extreme Aggressor" and "Broken Mirror" (also really liked "What Fresh Hell" and "Somebody's Watching"). Only "Machismo" (one of the lesser episodes of 'Criminal Minds' in general) is mediocre at best, though "The Popular Kids" and "Blood Hungry" also had potential to be much better.
"A Real Rain" is not without its flaws, but on the most part it was one of the season's best episodes. After such an intense build-up, it was somewhat of a disappointment that the ending was as anti-climactic as it was which did dilute the suspense. Also have never really warmed to Elle, she comes over as cold, egotistical and annoying often and played often with little personality by Lola Glaudini. While worse in other episodes, especially "Machismo", "A Real Rain" doesn't make me feel any different.
However, the production values are top notch as is the haunting and affecting use of music. The script is one of the tightest and most thought-provoking of the season, with some really nice personal touches like the interaction between Gideon and Hotch and the terrific Chinese Dinner scene so lovingly done, the profiling is one of the season's most interesting and the story is one of the season's most tautly paced and suspenseful ones.
Performances, with the sole exception of Glaudini, are very good indeed. Of the regulars, Mandy Patinkin and Thomas Gibson are particularly strong and Ethan Phillips is cast beautifully as the unsub.
All in all, excellent episode and one of the season's best. 8/10 Bethany Cox