"Rule 34" was another episode of Season 14 that had a lot of potential, the concept was a very intriguing one with ideas worth addressing. It was also another episode of Season 14 that could have delivered a lot more on its potential. Up to this very early stage of the season, it started off great with "300", which was how a season opener and milestone episode should be, but followed immediately after by the underwhelming and rather bland "Starter Home".
The third episode "Rule 34" is an improvement over "Starter Home", briefly comparing it to the previous two episodes of the season, but is still not a patch on "300" which set such a high standard that there was always going to be the possibility that the high quality wouldn't be maintained and sadly it wasn't in that episode or here. "Rule 34" is not bad at all, and has a lot to like. Anybody that likes subtlety and coherence are best finding another 'Criminal Minds' episode though.
As said a lot works here in "Rule 34". It is shot slickly and there is a lot of atmosphere, the way the episode is lit adds a good deal to the creepiness. The music is suitably ominous without being over-the-top. The writing and team exchanges provoke thought and the episode's portrayal of the team is back to the close family like one that work with cohesion, with competence and like they care for each other. Their skills aren't underused. The performances are all great from leads and guests, Izabella Miko doesn't overdo the eccentricity and Shane Coffey is eerily unhinged. Joe Mantegna gives my favourite performance of the regulars and Daniel Henney does a nice job in his subplot.
Which could easily have been very soapy, but just about avoided that and will be relatable for any parent. It was a bit of a disconnect when balanced with one of the season's most gruesome cases but was sympathetically handled. The episode does start off very well and is genuinely creepy. Particularly well done of the character moments are Rossi and Galina's interaction, the anxiety inducing takedown and how the episode deals with Garcia's trauma which was quite moving.
Did feel that the case was rather muddled though with a lot going on, too much in the latter stages for my liking, but not fully explored. It also got increasingly too sadistic, can take disturbing well but the more that was revealed it did induce after watching the episode a long period of stomach churning and nausea.
Furthermore, the unsub's actions and motivations were rather all over the place and one does get in a tangle trying to keep up with the next motive and revelation put to us. The unsub is on the underdeveloped side and is very erratic, for such gruesome crimes the overall motive did have a "that's it?" feel.
Summarising, above average but not great. 6/10
The third episode "Rule 34" is an improvement over "Starter Home", briefly comparing it to the previous two episodes of the season, but is still not a patch on "300" which set such a high standard that there was always going to be the possibility that the high quality wouldn't be maintained and sadly it wasn't in that episode or here. "Rule 34" is not bad at all, and has a lot to like. Anybody that likes subtlety and coherence are best finding another 'Criminal Minds' episode though.
As said a lot works here in "Rule 34". It is shot slickly and there is a lot of atmosphere, the way the episode is lit adds a good deal to the creepiness. The music is suitably ominous without being over-the-top. The writing and team exchanges provoke thought and the episode's portrayal of the team is back to the close family like one that work with cohesion, with competence and like they care for each other. Their skills aren't underused. The performances are all great from leads and guests, Izabella Miko doesn't overdo the eccentricity and Shane Coffey is eerily unhinged. Joe Mantegna gives my favourite performance of the regulars and Daniel Henney does a nice job in his subplot.
Which could easily have been very soapy, but just about avoided that and will be relatable for any parent. It was a bit of a disconnect when balanced with one of the season's most gruesome cases but was sympathetically handled. The episode does start off very well and is genuinely creepy. Particularly well done of the character moments are Rossi and Galina's interaction, the anxiety inducing takedown and how the episode deals with Garcia's trauma which was quite moving.
Did feel that the case was rather muddled though with a lot going on, too much in the latter stages for my liking, but not fully explored. It also got increasingly too sadistic, can take disturbing well but the more that was revealed it did induce after watching the episode a long period of stomach churning and nausea.
Furthermore, the unsub's actions and motivations were rather all over the place and one does get in a tangle trying to keep up with the next motive and revelation put to us. The unsub is on the underdeveloped side and is very erratic, for such gruesome crimes the overall motive did have a "that's it?" feel.
Summarising, above average but not great. 6/10
