Expected no less than the usual great entertainment, and this episode delivered. Going to miss this show!
7 Reviews
Well written 2nd final episode!
Top_Dawg_Critic20 February 2020
Season 15 finally redeems the last three seasons of Criminal Minds.
Washi_Washi28 January 2021
FINALLY, we get a good episode this season, one meeting established Criminal Minds standards of old. It is well shot and directed, and I loved the throwback to Gideon (although I did miss Mandy Patinkin). I appreciate that Everett Lynch is a well written antagonist. One things the writers have gotten right about the past two seasons has been his character development. We get more insight into how this character became the disturbing criminal that he is, and we understand Roberta better.
This episode has a bittersweet end. Yes, the good guys prevail, but once again it came with costs. Given that "Face Off" seems to be the penultimate episode of the series, it's ends on a cliffhanger and we're left to wait and see how the show ends itself.
This episode has a bittersweet end. Yes, the good guys prevail, but once again it came with costs. Given that "Face Off" seems to be the penultimate episode of the series, it's ends on a cliffhanger and we're left to wait and see how the show ends itself.
"Damaged people are dangerous"
TheLittleSongbird2 March 2021
Despite the story for "Face Off" being one of the more interesting ones of Season 15 on paper and there was intrigue as to how the show would continue the Lynch arc, part of me was apprehensive. With almost all the previous episodes of what is by far for me the worst 'Criminal Minds' season, sadly it was also the final one, being rather underwhelming and way off from how the show first started. Have long pined for the day when 'Criminal Minds' was actually great.
Not all of Season 15 was bad though. "Face Off" is proof of that. By all means, it is not quite perfect and is not one of the best 'Criminal Minds' episodes. "Face Off" is though for me by far the best episode of Season 15 and the only one of two to be above average and therefore worth watching. The other being "Saturday", which is probably not a popular opinion ("Under the Skin" was sort of watchable but was still heavily flawed). Also consider it the best 'Criminal Minds' episode since "Chameleon".
My only real problem with "Face Off" was that it did feel on the rushed side at times and some parts could have been delved into more.
Everything else is great. Was riveted by the dynamic between Rossi and young Gideon, which had both intrigue and intensity. That was a big strength as it was basically the heart of the episode. The case was also a very compelling one with a sense of urgency and plenty of tension, it also didn't feel too derivative like most of the season's cases were and despite being part of an arc there wasn't as much of a running out of ideas feel that plagued a vast majority of the season. It was not too easy to figure out and it was not too over-complicated in my view either even when more complex than most of the season's episodes.
After plenty of vanilla or strange unsubs this season post-"Awakenings", Lynch again proves to be one of the best and creepiest in a while. Roberta was also interesting, with one getting a better understanding of her here, and personally didn't think young Gideon was cheesy at all. Loved the team character writing and interaction, Rossi and authoritative yet protective Prentiss being the most well done.
The script is taut and thought-provoking, little is cheesy or soapy. The production values have class and atmosphere and the music is haunting enough. Had no problem with the performances, with Joe Mantegna giving his best performance of the season with his meatiest material. Ben Savage stands out too.
Overall, very good and the best of an underwhelming season. 8/10
Not all of Season 15 was bad though. "Face Off" is proof of that. By all means, it is not quite perfect and is not one of the best 'Criminal Minds' episodes. "Face Off" is though for me by far the best episode of Season 15 and the only one of two to be above average and therefore worth watching. The other being "Saturday", which is probably not a popular opinion ("Under the Skin" was sort of watchable but was still heavily flawed). Also consider it the best 'Criminal Minds' episode since "Chameleon".
My only real problem with "Face Off" was that it did feel on the rushed side at times and some parts could have been delved into more.
Everything else is great. Was riveted by the dynamic between Rossi and young Gideon, which had both intrigue and intensity. That was a big strength as it was basically the heart of the episode. The case was also a very compelling one with a sense of urgency and plenty of tension, it also didn't feel too derivative like most of the season's cases were and despite being part of an arc there wasn't as much of a running out of ideas feel that plagued a vast majority of the season. It was not too easy to figure out and it was not too over-complicated in my view either even when more complex than most of the season's episodes.
After plenty of vanilla or strange unsubs this season post-"Awakenings", Lynch again proves to be one of the best and creepiest in a while. Roberta was also interesting, with one getting a better understanding of her here, and personally didn't think young Gideon was cheesy at all. Loved the team character writing and interaction, Rossi and authoritative yet protective Prentiss being the most well done.
The script is taut and thought-provoking, little is cheesy or soapy. The production values have class and atmosphere and the music is haunting enough. Had no problem with the performances, with Joe Mantegna giving his best performance of the season with his meatiest material. Ben Savage stands out too.
Overall, very good and the best of an underwhelming season. 8/10
The beginning of the end.
XueHuaBingYu20 February 2020
This episode is the second last of the Criminal Minds TV series. And I feel so sad to watch it knowing that the show's going to end. No matter how much I feel sad about it, I still have to watch it. So, I was pretending to be strong and I watched it.
What I love about this episode is Emily being the greatest unit chief of all time. She always protects her team from anything. She always takes blame even if that is for the others. I always consider that this is the greatest part of her. That's why I felt sad whenever she has to lose her job as unit chief before. Without her, the team is going to break in pieces. I feel like she's the only reason why this team last long.
Anyway, although this episode is all about Lynch. But it's good to enjoy as all Criminal Minds episodes. I've totally enjoyed it.
What I love about this episode is Emily being the greatest unit chief of all time. She always protects her team from anything. She always takes blame even if that is for the others. I always consider that this is the greatest part of her. That's why I felt sad whenever she has to lose her job as unit chief before. Without her, the team is going to break in pieces. I feel like she's the only reason why this team last long.
Anyway, although this episode is all about Lynch. But it's good to enjoy as all Criminal Minds episodes. I've totally enjoyed it.
Part 1 Series Finale
blueoysterdvp20 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Other than the somewhat cheesy "young Gideon" character CBS created, what a great episode. Well played and written. Hope Part 2 is more substance than the fluff many Series Finales lean towards. I expect some sentiment but hope it's well done.
Savoring this so much!
xiaorho16 September 2021
Because it is the last before the last, I kept on postponing watching it. Exciting episode indeed! So thrilled and also so sad, realizing that it is going to an end. Everything is so great! I wish they would make more episodes...
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