Criminal Minds (TV Series) Brothers in Arms (2008) User Reviews

H-K (Hunter-Killer)

[ttapola · 7/10 · 2 September 2010]

Another solid episode with a killer (pun intended) concept: a serial killer who kills cops! Now, enough police dramas have been made to hammer it home that when a cop is killed, his brothers in arms don't treat it like just another murder case - of which they have their hands full of anyway. But a *serial* cop killer? Who lures his victims into traps like a hunter? Now *that* is pretty fresh. So with just the concept alone, the writers are on the better side of average 5.5/10 TV. But do they exploit it to its full potential?

Well, the decision-makers should have made this a double-length episode, especially with Morgan being an ex-cop and the Fight Club stuff thrown in. This one has not enough space to really breathe. Sure, it is thrilling, but the end comes all too soon. And had it been a truly remarkable ending, we might have had a classic on our hands. Still, can't really complain. After a shoddy start for the season - unoriginal episodes and an over-ambitious one - it's good to get two solid 7/10 episodes in a row. And, you know what they say about the third time...

The (excellent) case of the cop killer

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 25 January 2017]

As said a few times, Season 4 is a strong contender for the best season of 'Criminal Minds'. One where the lesser episodes, such as "Demonology" and "Catching Out", are still better than the worst episodes of particularly Seasons 9 and 11, and where there are so many classic episodes that picking a favourite is like trying to say what your favourite ice cream flavour is.

"Brothers in Arms" was an excellent episode, and while just falling shy of being a classic of Season 4 it came very, very close and in the better half of the season. If it had slowed down slightly, with a couple of the latter scenes as more is unravelled feeling slightly rushed (agree about a two-parter working equally well and even better perhaps) and if the ending didn't feel sprung upon quite as suddenly, "Brothers in Arms" would have been one of the season's very best episodes.

Visually, "Brothers in Arms" looks great, being stylishly photographed and that it's one of the darker and grittier looking episodes of the season was necessary for the story and adds a lot to the atmosphere. The music is haunting and melancholic as ever, the direction solid and the pacing taut.

The script provokes a lot of thought and clearly written with a lot of heart and intensity. The story is rich in tension and suspense, where it is clear how such a personal case affects the team (especially Morgan), as well as emotion, and is gripping throughout. The climax is a nail-biter, even if not the most surprising, and the very final moments are heart-warming and moving. Good back-story for the unsub too, and the conflict between the BAU and the police regarding the unsub based on the profile is well done.

Regarding the acting, that is great across the board. Shemar Moore and Thomas Gibson especially, and the unsub is also played with the right amount of intensity.

In conclusion, excellent episode and very nearly one of the very best episodes of Season 4. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Well Played

[alexdbellingham · 5/10 · 25 June 2018]

Some have noted stuff like "Stripes upside down" that is because of the fact that NONE of the actors in this episode are ACTUAL Phoenix Police officers, nor are the cars operated by the Department.

When it comes to TV and Movies, you can be accurate to a point for things that are based on real life people, locations, events and or situations. The rank stripes being upside down are their way of being accurate without portraying their actors as real Public Safety officers.