I'm seeing a bit of a trend in this last season of CM. The writers seem to be packing a lot of story in 40 or so minute shows. This episode definitely had some plot holes, which I won't mention here because of spoilers; but the episode was entertaining enough to keep watching through to a satisfying outcome.
10 Reviews
Ghost
bobcobb3012 February 2020
Please Don't Phone It In!
wwkirk31 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Writers, even though this is the final season of criminal minds, please make an effort to write plausible scripts. It's ludicrous that two FBI agents could be abducted right out of a column of agents and local police. Especially, not by using an incredibly loud flash grenade and cutting off their vehicle. Even though the abducted agents were in the last car, police cars and SUVs do have rear view mirrors!
The characterization of the primary villain wasn't terrible, but it was somewhat cliched. Also, the get-the-leader-to-turn-against-his-chief-lieutenant tactic, has been done to death.
It would be nice for this series to march to its finale with solid stories, maybe even with original ideas, rather than weak ones.
The characterization of the primary villain wasn't terrible, but it was somewhat cliched. Also, the get-the-leader-to-turn-against-his-chief-lieutenant tactic, has been done to death.
It would be nice for this series to march to its finale with solid stories, maybe even with original ideas, rather than weak ones.
Can't keep the story straight.
lindabellcrandall5 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Does the writers even watch or read previous stories? If you have been a faithful watcher of this series then you know that in the episode LDSK, the police officer Scott McCarty was an insubordinate smart ass who didn't like women in charge. At the time he was killed he was being punished, being made to being closed up in the trunk of a car. He also leaked information to the press. Not what I would call a dedicated police officer.
Bad everything
cjf-7578020 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Lame plot, TERRIBLE (over) acting, fake tears from the witnesses in the beginning scenes, Garcia acting loopy and melodramatic, even Prentiss seems stilted - just awful all around. And the 2 new dudes and the new chick (I just started catching up on the newest seasons) were such weenies during the flash-bang scene and the scenes where the dudes were being held - the dudes just leaning over catching their breath like rookies. The old team went through a LOT but didn't act so weak and pitiful. Ugh I do not like the new team so I'm glad the show ended.
An episode with potential...but executed poorly in many ways.
organicoreo15 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This episode, once again, had potential, but suffered from a wide range of issues. It felt like it should have been a two-part case but was condensed into one. It seems like Criminal Minds for the past couple of seasons continue to keep pulling from past cases either as copycats or comebacks, which isn't by itself a bad thing but it is when it isn't executed very well.
"Ghost" was not a very tightly knit episode, with many plotholes, shallow dialogue, and rushed directing. There was no tension, not even during Alvez and Simmons' abduction. This felt reminiscent of Derek Morgan's abduction and torture in "Derek," but with less torture. Alvez and Simmons, the "tough guys" of the team after the OG "tough guy" left, are able to conveniently save themselves, save for when the team comes in to hit a perfect shot to make sure we know this isn't completely the Alvez-Simmons show.
The directing here feels oddly choppy, with changing shots that are noticeably rough in transition and just not well done. The script here is really lacking for me. Much of the dialogue isn't very good, either too cringey or melodramatic. The acting was also poorer than usual for this show, especially with the victims. Alvez was uncharacteristically unlikeable here from the beginning scene about Simmons' busy newborn schedule. It felt as if he's been pushed into a typical role of an ignorant "mansplainer." Garcia was not very interesting or likeable in this episode either and the most unbelievable part here was her "tattoo" database search with such a poor drawing. Tara's acting was not convincing after the abduction and it felt very melodramatic. A positive side to this episode was Rossi and his relationship to the boys. It was touching hearing him refer to them as his own sons.
Overall, the episode was not very good or memorable. It had the potential makings of something interesting but lacked the suspense, tension, and tightknit writing that would have made it great. Sorely disappointing for one of the few episodes of our last season.
"Ghost" was not a very tightly knit episode, with many plotholes, shallow dialogue, and rushed directing. There was no tension, not even during Alvez and Simmons' abduction. This felt reminiscent of Derek Morgan's abduction and torture in "Derek," but with less torture. Alvez and Simmons, the "tough guys" of the team after the OG "tough guy" left, are able to conveniently save themselves, save for when the team comes in to hit a perfect shot to make sure we know this isn't completely the Alvez-Simmons show.
The directing here feels oddly choppy, with changing shots that are noticeably rough in transition and just not well done. The script here is really lacking for me. Much of the dialogue isn't very good, either too cringey or melodramatic. The acting was also poorer than usual for this show, especially with the victims. Alvez was uncharacteristically unlikeable here from the beginning scene about Simmons' busy newborn schedule. It felt as if he's been pushed into a typical role of an ignorant "mansplainer." Garcia was not very interesting or likeable in this episode either and the most unbelievable part here was her "tattoo" database search with such a poor drawing. Tara's acting was not convincing after the abduction and it felt very melodramatic. A positive side to this episode was Rossi and his relationship to the boys. It was touching hearing him refer to them as his own sons.
Overall, the episode was not very good or memorable. It had the potential makings of something interesting but lacked the suspense, tension, and tightknit writing that would have made it great. Sorely disappointing for one of the few episodes of our last season.
Oof
jana_sayles31 January 2020
Long distance serial killer
TheLittleSongbird2 February 2021
Was really not impressed with the first three episodes of Season 15, before being pleasantly surprised by the previous episode "Saturday" (not a popular opinion probably). So despite trusted fellow fans of 'Criminal Minds' not liking "Ghost" at all, there were glimmers of hope as the idea did sound interesting. And there was the hope that before watching the episode that Season 15 would be a season where it started off shakily and got better after a certain point. Not to be.
"Ghost" didn't continue the big improvement seen with "Saturday". If anything the quality went backwards and has everything that was wrong about Season 15 present. Most of the episodes were very weak for similar and even the same reasons to each other, apart from two ("Saturday" and "Face Off" and "Under the Skin" was sort of watchable") and "Ghost" in my view was among the worst. Nice concept but weak and severely underdeveloped execution in a bland and often ridiuculous episode.
The episode is not without its moments. The photography is particularly well done of the suitably creepy production values, especially in the quite unsettling way the case is introduced. The music also has an ominous presence without over-emphasising or being over-the-top.
Did like the performances, lead and supporting.
Same cannot be said for the case. One that, even for the type that it is, is incredibly derivative and clearly indicative of the show having run out of ideas. The pace is dull and there is no tension or suspense, actually thought that the episode felt phoned in. Some of it is beyond ridiculous too especially the latter stages. The unsub had potential but turned out to be very cliched and didn't turn out to be one that was irredeemably menacing or sympathetic despite uncondonable actions due to a lack of development.
Really didn't buy how long it took for the team, again out of their depth and almost pointless, to figure out the truth when the viewer is well ahead of them the whole time and when it is so obvious. The ending completely lacks urgency or thrills and was almost over too quickly.
In summary, hugely disappointing. 3/10
"Ghost" didn't continue the big improvement seen with "Saturday". If anything the quality went backwards and has everything that was wrong about Season 15 present. Most of the episodes were very weak for similar and even the same reasons to each other, apart from two ("Saturday" and "Face Off" and "Under the Skin" was sort of watchable") and "Ghost" in my view was among the worst. Nice concept but weak and severely underdeveloped execution in a bland and often ridiuculous episode.
The episode is not without its moments. The photography is particularly well done of the suitably creepy production values, especially in the quite unsettling way the case is introduced. The music also has an ominous presence without over-emphasising or being over-the-top.
Did like the performances, lead and supporting.
Same cannot be said for the case. One that, even for the type that it is, is incredibly derivative and clearly indicative of the show having run out of ideas. The pace is dull and there is no tension or suspense, actually thought that the episode felt phoned in. Some of it is beyond ridiculous too especially the latter stages. The unsub had potential but turned out to be very cliched and didn't turn out to be one that was irredeemably menacing or sympathetic despite uncondonable actions due to a lack of development.
Really didn't buy how long it took for the team, again out of their depth and almost pointless, to figure out the truth when the viewer is well ahead of them the whole time and when it is so obvious. The ending completely lacks urgency or thrills and was almost over too quickly.
In summary, hugely disappointing. 3/10
Don't watch if you're tired.
rlburoker-664988 February 2020
Are the producers trying to give young inexperienced writers and directors a shot at a big time prime time show? You know, like in sports, when a team is so far behind in the score, they know there's no chance of winning, so they let the rookies finish the game?
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