I've never been a big fan of the "Chameleon" storyline (all the way till the end), but this episode was good. Rossi did well showing his angst and regret, and I love his relationship with Krystall.
8 Reviews
Rossi-centric episode
organicoreo12 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed this episode--it definitely borrowed from Ed Gein, which is a common source of inspiration for many horror movies and shows. However, I didn't feel like borrowing from that made it bad, because I always find those fascinating and wonderfully creepy.
This is a Rossi-centric episode, and shown as a "flash-back" story-telling format, which is common throughout Criminal Minds. Krystall and Rossi's chemistry was pleasantly enjoyable and the end of Rossi's story was moving as well. I think it was great that this episode addressed something that hadn't been brought up before, which was Rossi's age. Rossi having to come to terms with aging causing him to be slower and weaker than an unsub but Krystall's reassurance of his intelligence was well-done, in my opinion.
The rest of the team didn't make much of an impression this episode, though I did notice Garcia's little mini hand vacuum was adorable. Roberta was played wonderfully and though her screen time was limited, she was enjoyable to watch. Grace was a little dull of a character--my biggest qualm was that it was really odd for her to scream "Daddy" before stabbing Alvez. I thought it was completely unnecessary since both Reid and Alvez were already figuring out who she really was without her having to spoon feed to the audience that she was Everett's daughter.
Overall, I really enjoyed the creepiness of Everett's crimes and thought this was a well done, enjoyable episode.
This is a Rossi-centric episode, and shown as a "flash-back" story-telling format, which is common throughout Criminal Minds. Krystall and Rossi's chemistry was pleasantly enjoyable and the end of Rossi's story was moving as well. I think it was great that this episode addressed something that hadn't been brought up before, which was Rossi's age. Rossi having to come to terms with aging causing him to be slower and weaker than an unsub but Krystall's reassurance of his intelligence was well-done, in my opinion.
The rest of the team didn't make much of an impression this episode, though I did notice Garcia's little mini hand vacuum was adorable. Roberta was played wonderfully and though her screen time was limited, she was enjoyable to watch. Grace was a little dull of a character--my biggest qualm was that it was really odd for her to scream "Daddy" before stabbing Alvez. I thought it was completely unnecessary since both Reid and Alvez were already figuring out who she really was without her having to spoon feed to the audience that she was Everett's daughter.
Overall, I really enjoyed the creepiness of Everett's crimes and thought this was a well done, enjoyable episode.
A look at the Man behind the Mask: David Rossi
Washi_Washi26 January 2021
One of my pet peeves with how the individual storylines for the team are fleshed out is the fact that from the original team in the hey days (until season 7) of Criminal Minds, Reid, JJ and Prentiss get their turns for character growth on screen, whereas Rossi has had more of an off screen evolution following his early days with the BAU.
In my continually improving opinion of season 14, not only is "Chameleon" very much Rossi's episode, it is a well put together first part of an arc. I really appreciate the fact that not only did the writers give Rossi a life partner, they showcased an integral aspect to doing a job like his: taking care of your mental health and emphasising the need to talk about something difficult and traumatic.
I think a lot of why Rossi's character gets criticism in the show's fan base is because he's a difficult character to get to know. He's portrayed as this well-versed, brilliant man who is incredibly successful at what he does, but also not without personal demons. The show gives us this latter insight in sudden intense bursts that tend to overwhelm an otherwise fun-uncle typed character. Oftentimes, it feels like Rossi is either one of two things: an indulgent senior team member or a man haunted by loss and failure. This episode felt like a long awaited platform for Mantegna to wield his talents and he does it justice.
The story is paced and directed well, and the supporting cast do a good job. As expected, the episode ends on a cliff hanger. It does however bring a confusing, unexpected twist with a supporting character. I'm looking forward to the second part to see if the dust clears!
In my continually improving opinion of season 14, not only is "Chameleon" very much Rossi's episode, it is a well put together first part of an arc. I really appreciate the fact that not only did the writers give Rossi a life partner, they showcased an integral aspect to doing a job like his: taking care of your mental health and emphasising the need to talk about something difficult and traumatic.
I think a lot of why Rossi's character gets criticism in the show's fan base is because he's a difficult character to get to know. He's portrayed as this well-versed, brilliant man who is incredibly successful at what he does, but also not without personal demons. The show gives us this latter insight in sudden intense bursts that tend to overwhelm an otherwise fun-uncle typed character. Oftentimes, it feels like Rossi is either one of two things: an indulgent senior team member or a man haunted by loss and failure. This episode felt like a long awaited platform for Mantegna to wield his talents and he does it justice.
The story is paced and directed well, and the supporting cast do a good job. As expected, the episode ends on a cliff hanger. It does however bring a confusing, unexpected twist with a supporting character. I'm looking forward to the second part to see if the dust clears!
Amazing episode!
xiaorho11 September 2021
I have to say that it is great and just like I want to see in Criminal Minds. Can not understand some bad reviews and complaints about rossi. He is very good. The story is chilling and the ending is creepy enough. It's weird that people who care enough to give reviews on their favorite tv series are also so harsh in giving rating. I would never give less than 5 for any episodes of my favorite tv series. Some episodes may be disappointing or weak, but it always is still a decent show.
Hidden
TheLittleSongbird15 December 2020
Despite the high rating here and seeing fellow fans reviewing it favourably, the idea didn't overly excite me. By all means it was far from one that was doomed from the start, it was interesting but with it not being particularly original as an overall concept and a few story strands for procedural crime shows and even 'Criminal Minds' part of me did worry that it would be derivative and be indicative that the show had run out of ideas. Which was what was the case when it carried over as an arc, one that for me didn't entirely work, in the next season.
"Chameleon" for me was a great episode. To me it is a lot better than what has been said here, being in the top 3 episodes of Season 14 easily alongside "300" and "The Tall Man" and the best since the latter. My opinion of Rossi is very different too, personally love him myself and he was one of my main reasons (his sass never gets old and is always welcome) for still sticking with 'Criminal Minds' when it became variable over-time, another being Reid. "Chameleon" does a great job with him.
It was great to see a more serious side to him and see how the case affected him, apparent from his opening scene, and it did bring a lump to my throat actually. His side story works really well too, wasn't crazy about it when it was first introduced earlier in the season but it really grew overtime and "Chameleon" sees that growth. It brought a lot of heart to the episode and Krystall has turned out to be one of 'Criminal Minds' better "love interest" characters, loved how sympathetic she is, she's likeable and she has a personality.
The team work incredibly well together, not only do they cohesively, all serve a point to the story and they all play a role in solving the case their closeness and seeing each other as more than just colleagues also is lovely to see and hard to not be touched by. "Chameleon" is visually stylish and has a horror film-like vibe (a well made one). It is remarkably well directed by AJ Cook in her directing debut, who gives the atmosphere an unsettlement very reminiscent of a Matthew Gray Gubler-directed 'Criminal Minds' episode at its creepiest. The script is not too talky and provokes thought. The acting is fine, Joe Mantegna is restrained yet still authoritative and his conflict and pain is portrayed very movingly.
Admittedly the story didn't sound special on paper, interesting yes but there was the risk of it being ideas and structurally wise rather derivative of other episodes. The case starts off a little routinely but kicks into gear very quickly and while there aren't any innovations as such it is more than compensated by quite a few things and is always never less than intriguing. The atmosphere is very creepy, even more so than the previous episode "Hamelin" and that can't have been an easy feat. The unsub is the stuff of nightmares and the modus operandi does make one sick to the stomach, by latter episode 'Criminal Minds' standards this is brutal (without being too over-sadistic). There is also a big twist and to me it was an ingenious one, no other big twist this season floored me as much as the one here (not even that for "Flesh and Blood").
Very little to criticise about "Chameleon". It does start off on the routine side case wise but my only major problem (which people might feel is a nit-pick) is how fake looking the faces are, nobody buys that they are real for a minute which stops us from being more shocked than we are meant to. We still are though because it is a sight that one never forgets and never wants to ever see again, not to be seen when eating.
Overall, an extremely well crafted episode and a high point of Season 14. 9/10
"Chameleon" for me was a great episode. To me it is a lot better than what has been said here, being in the top 3 episodes of Season 14 easily alongside "300" and "The Tall Man" and the best since the latter. My opinion of Rossi is very different too, personally love him myself and he was one of my main reasons (his sass never gets old and is always welcome) for still sticking with 'Criminal Minds' when it became variable over-time, another being Reid. "Chameleon" does a great job with him.
It was great to see a more serious side to him and see how the case affected him, apparent from his opening scene, and it did bring a lump to my throat actually. His side story works really well too, wasn't crazy about it when it was first introduced earlier in the season but it really grew overtime and "Chameleon" sees that growth. It brought a lot of heart to the episode and Krystall has turned out to be one of 'Criminal Minds' better "love interest" characters, loved how sympathetic she is, she's likeable and she has a personality.
The team work incredibly well together, not only do they cohesively, all serve a point to the story and they all play a role in solving the case their closeness and seeing each other as more than just colleagues also is lovely to see and hard to not be touched by. "Chameleon" is visually stylish and has a horror film-like vibe (a well made one). It is remarkably well directed by AJ Cook in her directing debut, who gives the atmosphere an unsettlement very reminiscent of a Matthew Gray Gubler-directed 'Criminal Minds' episode at its creepiest. The script is not too talky and provokes thought. The acting is fine, Joe Mantegna is restrained yet still authoritative and his conflict and pain is portrayed very movingly.
Admittedly the story didn't sound special on paper, interesting yes but there was the risk of it being ideas and structurally wise rather derivative of other episodes. The case starts off a little routinely but kicks into gear very quickly and while there aren't any innovations as such it is more than compensated by quite a few things and is always never less than intriguing. The atmosphere is very creepy, even more so than the previous episode "Hamelin" and that can't have been an easy feat. The unsub is the stuff of nightmares and the modus operandi does make one sick to the stomach, by latter episode 'Criminal Minds' standards this is brutal (without being too over-sadistic). There is also a big twist and to me it was an ingenious one, no other big twist this season floored me as much as the one here (not even that for "Flesh and Blood").
Very little to criticise about "Chameleon". It does start off on the routine side case wise but my only major problem (which people might feel is a nit-pick) is how fake looking the faces are, nobody buys that they are real for a minute which stops us from being more shocked than we are meant to. We still are though because it is a sight that one never forgets and never wants to ever see again, not to be seen when eating.
Overall, an extremely well crafted episode and a high point of Season 14. 9/10
Chameleon
bobcobb30114 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The show needs to flip the formula more and try different things. More often than not it works.
While this episode, told through flashbacks, was better than most this season, it lacked drama. It did not feel as powerful as the producers thought it would.
While this episode, told through flashbacks, was better than most this season, it lacked drama. It did not feel as powerful as the producers thought it would.
Noooo Rossi
jeffdork25 January 2019
Ugh
daviskatie4212 February 2019
The core plot of the episode is somewhat interesting, but Rossi just isn't interesting. He has the personality of a plastic bag! Not every episode needs to focus on a particular character... The show is called Criminal Minds, not Rossi's mind. Rossi isn't necessarily a bad character when he just says his lines, but they keep trying to craft stories for him and they don't work. Yuck!!
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