Criminal Minds (TV Series) Normal (2008) User Reviews

Mitch Pileggi Delivers A Great Performance In a Familiar Scenario

[cchase · 8/10 · 21 December 2008]

This is not a show I usually watch. I've been aware of it for some time, and I'd heard about the trade-off of the lead role between Mandy Patinkin and Joe Mantegna, both excellent actors. But because my plate is already full as far as police procedural dramas go, between the LAW AND ORDER and CSI franchises, I figured I didn't have it in me to commit to one more show from that genre.

But for some episodes, I will make exceptions. And when I saw that this one featured one of my all-time favorite actors, Mitch Pileggi, I knew I'd have to record this one at the very least.

I don't know that I'd pick up this series on a regular basis, based on this one episode. Only for those who know what I mean, I guess it's a spoiler to say that the story is very derivative of the work of Brad Anderson, a writer/director who has tackled similar dark themes in his film SESSION 9 and in an episode of the Showtime series MASTERS OF HORROR called "Sounds Like."

But derivative or not, Pileggi, who has played everything from laid-back drifters to homicidal psychopaths and is best-known as Mulder and Scully's boss from THE X-FILES series, straddles that fine line between sympathy and sadism well in this turn as a mild-mannered family man who has a complete psychological meltdown after a horrific tragedy. Faith Ford (MURPHY BROWN) is also very good as his wife. And the rest of the cast, though I'm not at all familiar with the characters, handle themselves pretty well.

I would have to know and see more to fully appreciate their work, but Mitch is the reason why I tuned in to begin with, and I'm happy to say that I wasn't the least bit disappointed.

A nail-biter

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 23 November 2016]

Having just re-watched "Normal" after a long time, while not quite among the best episodes of one of 'Criminal Minds' better and most consistent seasons it is certainly better than the likes of "Demonology" and "Catching Out" and much better than the vaguely indifferent reaction from first viewing long ago.

Two things are especially good. "Normal" contains one of Season 4's most visually striking and quite frightening, nail-biting in its intensity and horror-like suspense, opening sequences, and also for me one of the most visually striking and frightening opening sequences in the whole history of 'Criminal Minds'. Mitch Pileggi is remarkable also as the unsub (especially in the climax, which had an ingenious twist), he creates uneasy chills but at the same time because of the case being so tragic this is an unsub we feel a great deal of sorry emotion for.

"Normal's" story is compelling throughout, not letting one down at all after such a promising opening. Pacing is taut and fluid the entire time, and not only is there palpable suspense and tension, but the psychological elements are horrifically disturbing as they ought and emotionally some of the episode is tearjerker-inducing. Especially in the climax which was both scary and quite heart-breaking. The script on the most part is very well written, with a lot of thought and emotion, as well as the odd bit of humour. A favourite was the very humorous "endless supply of 3 things" exchange between Salinas and Reid.

All the acting is great, lead and supporting, Pileggi being particularly note-worthy. Visually, "Normal" looks great, being especially eye-catching at the start and the grit, atmosphere and class is maintained through the whole episode's duration. The music is haunting and moody, not always adding but never distracting. The direction as always is solid.

Criticisms are very few here. Can understand about a few finding the "happy" ending sappy and out of place for such a gritty episode, personally thought it was quite sweet and while a bit jarring tonally there are worse cases in the show in other episodes (speaking as a big fan). The only things for me actually that didn't strike me as right were the very forced and empty attempt at empathy at the end with Morgan towards the unsub (both the line and also, for someone usually so tough with criminals, that side to Morgan at that point just didn't feel right from that particular character at that particular time and aiming it at the last person he would usually do), and the dull and ill-fitting character of Todd.

Overall, a nail-biter of an episode that was almost among the season's best episodes but doesn't quite make it. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Empty Words

[ttapola · 8/10 · 2 September 2010]

Like another reviewer has stated, Mitch Pileggi is the main draw here. He's a very versatile actor and this is some of his best work. His character here is *nothing* like Walter Skinner of The X Files (no hyphen!). Of course, even a talented actor can elevate standard material so far, but fortunately the script is good, and Pileggi really sinks his teeth into the character who in the beginning seems unoriginal and even unintentionally comic (the Road Warrior references), but in the end is revealed to be as much a victim as his own victims.

The majority of episodes of Criminal Minds follow a pattern that is starting to become tedious: A serial killer is established (nothing wrong with that). The police are helpless. The BAU arrives and some(one) of them lectures on the evolution of a serial killer (this unfortunately happens here also) and predictions are made of the killers upcoming actions. Predictions that almost always are spot-on. Then, it is just a matter of time before the unsub is caught. And with that, much of the potential tension evaporates. Often we end up with a race against the clock. If that isn't formulaic, nothing is. Yes, the BAU wouldn't be very good in their job were they more often wrong than right, but they make even a small mistake way too rarely. Here, it is *refreshing* to see them make a mistake (or two) - it makes them more human, not unerring supercomputers that predict human behavior as it were upcoming weather. And it makes the story *so* much more intense when they are reactive instead of pre-active.

A special mention of great directing and editing in the opening sequence where Norman (Pileggi) goes off: it's nail-bitingly tense and the car-crash is spectacular by TV standards. Sadly, it seems to have swallowed so much of the budget that impressive wide shots are rare in the climactic chase. Simplicity is used effectively in the scene of Norman lying in his bed, after having paralyzed a particularly unpleasant fellow driver, just staring emptily in the ceiling, the overall feel being unnerving in just the right way. In the middle of the episode, there is some unnecessary material, such as the waaay clichéd portrayal of how Norman is being treated by his colleagues (or as he *thinks* they are treating him). And a shotgun in his cubicle? Really? Fortunately, as soon as Norman is blasting away with his pimped-up shotgun (gotta love the enhancements!) with that dead stare in his eyes, Pileggi delivers the chills perfectly. And his meltdown in the end is just magnificent work of acting, aided by a twist I think few saw coming, making this one really bleak episode indeed. Morgan's line "it's going to be all right" is either a stroke of black genius from the writers or just a lucky coincidence. How the frak is it going to be all right? Emptier words have rarely been spoken. What robs this episode one star is the tacked-on "happy feelings" ending that seems totally out of place in relation of the rest of the episode. After such a harrowing journey, viewers should be left searching their feelings, not force-fed happiness. A shame. 8/10.

Incredible

[whoman2 · 10/10 · 4 April 2021]

I first started watching Criminal Minds a few years ago from Episode 1 but stopped when Gideon left. I started again a couple of months ago and now I'm here in Season 4. This has to be my favorite episode so far. Mitch Pileggi is one of my favorite character actors (since Shocker) and I was surprised and excited to see him pop up. What an incredible performance. This episode was very well written. Lots of suspense, action, and even brought a tear to my eye at the end. A good script to me runs the gamut of emotions and this was it, even giving me a chuckle with Reid's "ooh ooh" when they were in the chase and the "gas" gag at the end. Fantastic!

Heartbreaking

[xiaorho · 10/10 · 13 October 2021]

Great performances by the actors, especially when they apprehended the suspect. Truly heartbreaking. I could feel what Jordan must have felt by the end of the case. The last scene in BAU office saves the day after such a case. And it is nice to see that rare little smile from Aaron. Thumbs up for Criminal Minds! I wish for a reboot of a new season really! (with mostly the same players please!)

Walter Skinner is here !

[nicofreezer · 10/10 · 4 May 2021]

And what a performance by Mitch Pillegi, probably the best guest actor in the show. This episode is a Classic from A to Z , a must watch for Criminals Mind and X files fans !

Mitch Pileggi

[Perdmaxlilly · 10/10 · 13 April 2021]

I just caught this episode and OMG. I loved him on X-Files of course but his performance on this episode is amazing. The fact he didn't win an Emmy for this is shocking and frankly a disgrace.

Son of a Mitch...

[philipkmeadows · 10/10 · 10 December 2022]

This episode just aired as a re-run as I returned home from the pub. I enjoy CM for some casual viewing, am by no means a fanboi.

I only caught the second half, but it was easy enough to get an idea of what had occurred beforehand.

So I sat down, chilled out, noted to myself, "Ooh, it's FBI Director Skinner as the unsub, that's cool" - Then the investigation climax scene occurred...

I'm not gonna spoil it, but OMFG, it's a kick in the guts and utterly heartbreaking!

Massive props to Mitch Pileggi for a truly emotive portrayal, and also to the stunt drivers for a feature-quality car chase sequence.

Epic, almost to real!

[twanster-97655 · 10/10 · 10 November 2022]

There is alot of stand out episodes, from Coda to big wheel, stand out killers like reaper but Norman is in my opinion, one of the best, he is scary relatable to so many in that he is an everyman, a family man who suffered a mental break and this led to insanity! The actor did an incredible job! This had a "Falling Down" vibe to it, a working man broken by a major event and becomes something unthinkable. You will love this episode and my only wish it that it was longer and Normal had been given more time on screen! Its Dark and touching, it's another episode where you sympathise with the killer. Well done everyone but especially the writers and especially Norman.

Nice intro but ...

[biochill · 7/10 · 10 August 2010]

... why make the criminal a bad guy.

Apologies for the spoiler, don't read ahead if you still want to see the episode!

I like the opening because the criminal character seems to shoot the woman in the car because she flamed him. Just later it turns out he did it because she reminded him of his dominant wife. To make it even worse, he goes on a killing spree for blonde women in cars. I would have liked it more if he would have targeted victims who were being rude to him first. That would have given the killer the aspect of being a good/righteous person after all (somehow reminding of the movie "Falling Down"). But the story is to make him a sad and bitter person turning into a bad person. That puts a death mark on him in the eyes of the audience. It would have been more interesting if he would have stayed a good person in some way.

Also the narrated phrase after the introduction, "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats." is great, but I would have preferred if the "normal man" would have stayed within his own laws, and not kill victims by luring them.

WOW

[GoldenGooner04 · 10/10 · 25 February 2023]

I started watching Criminal Minds when I was in the US, it's on US Netflix, I liked it. But when I returned to the UK, it's not on UK Netflix so finally managed to see season 3 and onwards, there have been top quality episodes, I am pleased this season every episode is not about killing women. The actors in this are very good, but this episode just was the Best, how good was Mr Skinner. Mitch Pileggi a actor I loved in the X Files and who was pretty poor in the Dallas re-boot.

But in this episode he is simply brilliant and the ending was simply WOW. I hope he won awards for his acting it was so good your eyes were stuck to the screen I don't know why this is not on UK Netflix it's so superior to some of the series that are on there.

Stunning Performance!

[jlthornb51 · 10/10 · 12 February 2022]

This is a riveting, ripped from the headlines episode in which Mr. Mitch Pileggi gives what is nothing less than the performance of a lifetime. He is absolutely unforgettable and once again proves what an underrated and underappreciated actor he is. "Normal" is an hour of television you will not soon forget thanks to a truly superb performance from a fine actor, Mr. Mitch Pileggi.