Criminal Minds (TV Series) Haunted (2009) User Reviews

Very good episode, however...

[privatepracticedoc · 9/10 · 27 March 2022]

I enjoyed this episode and as a licensed psychologist with a PhD, I always enjoy episodes with mental health problems. However there is a major factual error in this episode. The meds that the "unsub" is taking or not taking are not antipsychotics. He would not have any of the symptoms described by the story. The meds he was taking and withdrawing from; alprazalom , and the others are benzodiazepines, or anti anxiety meds. They do not treat psychosis, they do treat anxiety. Sometimes they are given with an anti psychotic which would give the symptoms described.

But that would have been a different story.

Dr Erlich, PhD.

Better on recent re-watch

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 27 September 2016]

Remember not caring much for "Haunted", but gave it a willing re-watch having only having vague memories. "Haunted" actually turned out to be better on re-watch.

It has been considered a lesser Season 5 episode and while there are definitely better episodes of 'Criminal Minds' before and since it is better than "Parasite" and "The Performer" as far as Season 5 episodes go. Can definitely see why some will be disappointed, but also can understand the appeal. Hotch is out of character, lacking his usual focus and very on edge, which is somewhat of a turn off, but it is understandable considering the horrific ordeal he suffered in the previous episode.

What didn't come over as believable was him returning to work just after thirty four days, considering the ordeal it would have been more realistic to have him off for at least four times as much as that but it may not have been possible as Hotch is a favourite among fans. The episode also did focus a little too much on him, while under-using the likes of Reid (who otherwise delights with his knowledge and humour), which does somewhat hurt the dynamic. There are occasional pacing issues, parts feel stretched out and others feel rushed.

However, "Haunted" scores highly in the production values and the music is suitably haunting and also with moments of a melancholic air. The writing is taut and has a good deal of character depth and emotion, Hotch's suffering is very movingly portrayed by Thomas Gibson while the team's concern for Hotch is also believable, especially that of Prentiss, as is Rossi's nonchalance regarding Hotch's ability as a leader. The story is tense and emotional (the atmosphere and emotional impact more than making up for not doing an awful lot new with an idea of someone with a psychotic break) done to death, with flashbacks that add so much to the character development of the unsub, explaining how he came to be this way and what drove him to kill, while not overwhelming the story. The climax is scary in its suspense.

The unsub is a good one, one really feels sorry for him and it is a strong example of understanding a "villain's" point of view, in fact it is the father you hate. Direction is solid and the acting is very good. The regulars all turn in great work with not a weak link in the lot, while it is difficult to fault the guest turns. Sean Patrick Flanery occasionally overdoes it with the line delivery but is suitably disturbingly anguished. Michael Bowen also does a strong job as Tommy, though personally didn't see much point in his presence at the end (by all means it is explained but it adds little, the shoulder touch was very nicely done though).

Bjorn Johnson also nails the bare human emotions in such a terrible predicament. Don Creech and Kanin Howell are chilling at the end and in the flashbacks detailing the past respectively. Glenn Morshower makes for an entertaining cop and there is good interaction between him and the BAU with their differences in methods.

In conclusion, not a great episode but a solid one and better on re-watch. 7/10 Bethany Cox

One of the best of Season 5

[nicofreezer · 9/10 · 13 May 2021]

The first 20 minutes are normal Criminals Mind episode, but the last 20 minutes are pretty great and emotional. Probably one of the best second part for a Criminals Mind episode ever 8.5/10.

I loved it and had some comments on the 4/10 review

[wade_draper · 10/10 · 4 November 2021]

I absolutely loved this episode! Exquisite pacing, storyline, and just the right amount of mystery to keep me hooked, even despite the fact that we knew who the killer was from the start! However, the purpose of this particular review is to voice some comments on the reviewer who gave it a 4/10 solely based on the vocal aspect of this episode. This charlatan posted more of a personal crusade upon the citizens of the southern United States, of which they admitted to being one, rather than provide a valid review of the episode itself. I have visited both the deep South and Louisville, and I can say from my experience, that the vast majority of people from both places speak relatively similarly. This person decided to berate the good people of the South as uneducated and incapable of producing original thought; not to mention they insinuated that Louisville, Kentucky is not part of the South, when in fact, the entire state was south of the Mason-Dixon Line, and therefore were a part of the Southern United States when that distinction was originally formed. My final point derives from the author of this "review's" insinuation that those from the deep South are incapable of producing "articulate, complet sentences." Take note of the way I spelled "complete." This is exactly how the author spelled that particular word. And earlier in the review, the author stated that they do not "omit letters from a word," and yet, there seems to be something missing from the author's spelling of the word "complete." I would also like to point out that I said I had visited the deep South earlier in my review. This is false, but not in the way your mind jumped to conclude. I am from Central Arkansas, am a Mechanical Engineering student at Southern Arkansas University, speak as though I am "from the backwoods of the deep South where we've never encountered another human being or been educated," and yet have proven myself far more articulate than the author of the review has ever fantasized about being. And so I sign off with one final anecdote: If you don't know what you're talking about, sit down and shut your mouth, or otherwise, don't say anything.

Second Epiosde even better

[projectsgamer · 10/10 · 1 September 2021]

This episode was amazing from the start to finish you are fully interested what is going on the one thing that this show knows how to do is get the criminal so interesting I don't know how they do it but it was so interesting with trama as a little kid and him freaking out about it and don't know what is going on and the thing is you care for this guy what happened to him and he does not mean to hurt anyone it is home life when he was a little boy but that is not it tho why that happens Great Episode one of my fav episodes this season so far.

Responding to "I live in Los louisville"

[cbtupperware · 10/10 · 23 February 2023]

I'm writing this in response to whoever that person is saying people of Louisville don't have a southern accent. I was born in Louisville. Lived all over kentucky my entire life. I can surely attest that every person born and raised here has an accent of some sort. Not to mention, people of smaller towns outside of Louisville, such as Shepherdsville, Lagrange, etc, travel to and work in Louisville. Insinuating that people from the south are uneducated while simultaneously misspelling words shows that you need to hop off your soapbox and look around you. Louisville is the biggest city by population in the state and closest to small towns in Indiana. Some people there may not sound like they're from there because they travel there from out of town/state to work there. From one kentuckian to supposedly another, we're southern.

Sympathetic unsub

[kellielulu · 9/10 · 30 October 2022]

Darrian Call is one of the most sympathetic unsubs of the entire series. Without going into much detail it's best to be viewed you see how abuse affects the victims long term. Another man who suffered from it as a child is still dealing with the trauma as an adult. He's gone on a killing spree of sorts in a life that has given him no breaks . He is joyless and it's heartbreaking. I don't know enough about what medications he would actually be on but not getting what he needed caused a psychotic break. One thing that occurs to me is this is the types of unsubs Gideon would have shown compassion too . In many ways I prefer the time with Rossi as the team dynamics strengthen but Gideon was good at knowing the different kinds of unsubs and not treating them all the same.

Hotch is just coming back to work after over a month recuperating from Foyet stabbing him. Haley and Jack are in hiding and Hotch's life is as uncertain as ever. Reid is on crutches after being shot in the leg in the previous episode. It's to cover for MGG who was on crutches at the time.

There is an amusing scene at the beginning of the episode where Reid and Garcia are talking about how Hotch never blinks !

I live in Los Louisville

[send-04871 · 4/10 · 11 April 2019]

I live in Louisville, KY and I can promise you that absolutely NO ONE speaks like that. I've never met a police officer or any other citizen who speaks that way. I have always loved this television program, however, the "southern"accent is atrocious. We do not omit letters from a word or speak as though we are from the backwoods of the deep South where we've never encountered another human being or been educated. We are articulate and capable of forming complet sentences, opinions, and independent thought . I'm offended by the way that we are represented. Perhaps, they should do research before depicting a city that way .