Since her first appearance, Tara Lewis took a while to warm up to and really mesh with the team. However, I feel she's been getting consistently better as a character and she especially shines well in Broken Wing. While this is a Tara-centered episode, I feel that there was a little too much Tara and not enough of the rest of the team, though it makes sense because Aisha Tyler was the one to direct this episode.
The case wasn't that interesting to me personally--it was definitely unique but not necessarily memorable in terms of the case and unsub. The unsub was greatly underexplored and not very memorable. Molly stands out as a likeable character and Daryl was played amazingly.
Tara's backstory was interesting and her chemistry with Daryl played well onscreen. The standout scene in this episode that really makes up for most of its "dullness" is the confrontation with the unsub with Tara's emotional and powerful speech about her struggle with her ex-husband's alcoholism. The way addiction is explored and addressed in this episode was powerful and done well, in my opinion.
The music fit well but the directing wasn't anything particularly standout to me. There was not much tension or suspense and the case felt much more like a side platter to Tara's story, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but its mediocrity holds the episode back from being one of the most memorable of this season.
6 Reviews
Less than angelic mercy
TheLittleSongbird17 November 2020
Part of me was a bit nervous before watching "Broken Wing". Not because of the subject matter, which is so true to life and will hit home with many people as well as being a very important subject to address. And actually the case didn't sound too bad on paper, even if it wasn't the most original. My reservations laid with seeing that it was Tara-centric, personally have never found her as interesting as the other team members and intensely disliked her even in Season 11.
On that front though, "Broken Wing" was so much better than expected. It may not have wowed me, it didn't always feel fully developed and other episodes are more creative and novel with their storytelling. But "Broken Wing" did a difficult and brave subject justice and it is an emotionally powerful episode that is going to be very personal for those who have gone through it in some way. It also did something that no other 'Criminal Minds' episode did beforehand, it made me care for Tara.
"Broken Wing" does fall a little short. There are aspects of the story that could have been better fleshed out. The unsub did feel underdeveloped, and while it was great that the identity was not an obvious one this is an example of an episode where it would have benefitted from the unsub being introduced a little earlier. With their backstory being barely flimsy, the motive wasn't buyable and felt like the writers were indecisive over what the motive should be in the writing stages.
Also things that didn't feel explored enough were the loved ones of the victims (though one cannot say that they weren't rootable), the idea of whether the deaths were accidental or not and of course the motive. The climax didn't do it for me either, pretty awkwardly staged and like it was written in a hurry to wrap everything up.
Having said all of that, "Broken Wing" does a lot right. The production quality is still high, as slick and atmospheric as can be. When the music is used it is appropriately moody, and the theme tune is a memorable one. The acting from all the regulars is very good to great, Aisha Tyler gives perhaps her best performance of her stint on the show. She is so much more comfortable and engaged and she moved me in a way that she didn't before. The other great performance comes from Gale Harold, Daryl and Tara have a fascinating and beautifully written dynamic together and Harold brings a lot of heart to the episode. The script is not too rambling and is well meaning. Of the supporting characters, Smith is the most colourful even if he is not a subtle character and one one hates immediately (a feeling that remains throughout).
Despite the story execution not being perfect, the story also has a lot that is commendable. Namely its "not holding back" and heart-wrenching approach to a tough subject that is heart-wrenching enough on its own as a topic. But for it to be done so hard-hittingly without being heavy-handed really made things emotional, being somone that did nearly lose someone close a few years ago in this way this did hit home. 'Criminal Minds' has to me always varied when it comes to team personal life subplots, some of them are very soapy and uninteresting and with the worst ones it can be like watching two episodes in one. Not the case here which was really surprising, Tara's subplot connected really well with the case and one movingly sees how much it means to her and was poignant too. Have said about the case not being original or fully fleshed out, but it was still very compelling and emotionally investable. And it did have surprises and kept one guessing, with it doing such a great job at making the viewer convinced of the unsub being someone else.
In summary, not great but well done. Not deserving in my view of being one of the season's lowest rated episodes here. 7/10
On that front though, "Broken Wing" was so much better than expected. It may not have wowed me, it didn't always feel fully developed and other episodes are more creative and novel with their storytelling. But "Broken Wing" did a difficult and brave subject justice and it is an emotionally powerful episode that is going to be very personal for those who have gone through it in some way. It also did something that no other 'Criminal Minds' episode did beforehand, it made me care for Tara.
"Broken Wing" does fall a little short. There are aspects of the story that could have been better fleshed out. The unsub did feel underdeveloped, and while it was great that the identity was not an obvious one this is an example of an episode where it would have benefitted from the unsub being introduced a little earlier. With their backstory being barely flimsy, the motive wasn't buyable and felt like the writers were indecisive over what the motive should be in the writing stages.
Also things that didn't feel explored enough were the loved ones of the victims (though one cannot say that they weren't rootable), the idea of whether the deaths were accidental or not and of course the motive. The climax didn't do it for me either, pretty awkwardly staged and like it was written in a hurry to wrap everything up.
Having said all of that, "Broken Wing" does a lot right. The production quality is still high, as slick and atmospheric as can be. When the music is used it is appropriately moody, and the theme tune is a memorable one. The acting from all the regulars is very good to great, Aisha Tyler gives perhaps her best performance of her stint on the show. She is so much more comfortable and engaged and she moved me in a way that she didn't before. The other great performance comes from Gale Harold, Daryl and Tara have a fascinating and beautifully written dynamic together and Harold brings a lot of heart to the episode. The script is not too rambling and is well meaning. Of the supporting characters, Smith is the most colourful even if he is not a subtle character and one one hates immediately (a feeling that remains throughout).
Despite the story execution not being perfect, the story also has a lot that is commendable. Namely its "not holding back" and heart-wrenching approach to a tough subject that is heart-wrenching enough on its own as a topic. But for it to be done so hard-hittingly without being heavy-handed really made things emotional, being somone that did nearly lose someone close a few years ago in this way this did hit home. 'Criminal Minds' has to me always varied when it comes to team personal life subplots, some of them are very soapy and uninteresting and with the worst ones it can be like watching two episodes in one. Not the case here which was really surprising, Tara's subplot connected really well with the case and one movingly sees how much it means to her and was poignant too. Have said about the case not being original or fully fleshed out, but it was still very compelling and emotionally investable. And it did have surprises and kept one guessing, with it doing such a great job at making the viewer convinced of the unsub being someone else.
In summary, not great but well done. Not deserving in my view of being one of the season's lowest rated episodes here. 7/10
Broken Wing
bobcobb3014 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This Aisha Tyler-starring and directed did feel different, but the content just wasn't there.
The backstory was weak, and the acting never really connected. I appreciate getting a unique episode, but this was nothing special.
The backstory was weak, and the acting never really connected. I appreciate getting a unique episode, but this was nothing special.
Tara hyping Tara
hellebenzon-2636710 October 2019
The episode in itself was ok, not great, but the constant Tara-centric hype was cringing, since she directed it herself. She should have let more of the others shine, and sorry but the acting was off and well kind 'o narcissistic :-/ And where was Reid? Was he even on screen?
Excellent Episode from Beginning to End
nichellewelleslyauthor7 December 2018
Definitely an episode that I would watch over and over again. The subject matter hit very close to home for me on so many different levels, primarily that of addiction versus sobriety. As someone who has had two family members whom I love very much to go through this particular struggle for 20+ years (one has been clean for 8 years, while the other is trying to get clean and stay clean yet again), I related to Tara's character the most.
As for the character of Daryl, Gale Harold did a phenomenal job! I've followed his career for a long time, and continue to be amazed by the talent that man has to embody whatever role he chooses to play. The scenes between him and Aisha Tyler's characters were both raw and realistic. If my opinion counts for anything, I would love for GH to become a recurring character. There are so many more avenues of healing and developing a working relationship these characters can take.
As for the character of Daryl, Gale Harold did a phenomenal job! I've followed his career for a long time, and continue to be amazed by the talent that man has to embody whatever role he chooses to play. The scenes between him and Aisha Tyler's characters were both raw and realistic. If my opinion counts for anything, I would love for GH to become a recurring character. There are so many more avenues of healing and developing a working relationship these characters can take.
Definite spoiler
Jackbv12320 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I hate the fact that the owner of the treatment center didn't get taken down somehow. He made a threat against Molly in front of witnesses and carried through with it which put her at extreme risk even if the killer didn't find her.
He said what he hated most of all was that addicts are selfish. He is the king of selfish.
He said what he hated most of all was that addicts are selfish. He is the king of selfish.
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