(S02E18) You have to give this show credit because it frequently blends so many disparate topics together and it always does it well. Here we had a look at post-Katrina New Orleans coupled with the emergence of a Jack the Ripper copy-cat killer -- two things you probably wouldn't expect to see together.
It was really was one of the more interesting cases that the BAU team has been assigned. I think the only thing that bugged me a little was the way the preview sold the episode as having this massive twist. It wasn't so massive and I figured it out even before I realized it was the twist. That's never good.
Our killer was a female. There was your twist. The second you realized guys were being lured down dark alleys all alone... well, it was obvious wasn't it? Other than a pretty looking woman, how else are you going to get a guy to stroll away from his buddies on guys night out? I was literally yelling at my TV once Morgan came to the same conclusion that I had ten minutes earlier. That was my only gripe though. The rest of the episode easily made up for it.
We got a lot more from Reid in this episode, which was good. It ended with him having a little man to man chat with Gideon. He's been having a hard time, it's been tough, etc. Reid's buddy (another nice turn from Entourage's Rhys Coiro) made a good point though. Reid works for a team of profilers. They're going to know something is wrong with him. The only thing we didn't get an answer to? Is Reid using? That was never mentioned and despite Reid's promise "to never miss a plane again," it wouldn't surprise me if the drug problem pops up in another episode before the season is over.
Continuing with the streak of good guest stars (Criminal Minds seems to get a lot lately), this episode also featured Dirt's Josh Stewart as the New Orleans cop assigned to the case. It looks like we may be seeing him again though. There was definitely some serious flirtation between him and JJ. She even gave him her card. Maybe he'll pay her a visit at Quantico?
Overall, another great episode from Criminal Minds. Other shows really need to take a cue from this one because something is working here.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-01-2007 @ 2:39PM
Elizabeth said...
I definitely got the feeling we haven't seen the last of the New Orleans detective...they totally set up another visit to NO, or possibly for him to show up at Quantico to see JJ.
I think Reid's definitely using, why else would he be so awful to Prentiss? He's not usually a jerk, so I would think that they're trying to show how the drugs are affecting him negatively.
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3-01-2007 @ 2:39PM
Dan Chichian said...
I liked the episode and kept waiting to find out that her victims were men who were actually who were in the bar the night she was raped. I certainly would not have minded the old partner being one of the victims.
The way the Gideon/Reid ending was handled felt very anticlimactic. Gideon tells Prentiss they know there is a problem but he doesn't really do anything about it. Sure they had their little chat and elicited a promise to behave but that was it?
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3-01-2007 @ 2:40PM
Bill said...
Can people tell me what critics have against this show? This was a show that I didn't care so much for when it started, but I stuck with it. I'm really glad I did. This show hit it's stride about 3/4 of the way through the first season, and it's just getting better and better. I feel that the critics who dismiss this show are people who haven't watched it since it early days. The show is much different than your usual crime procedurals.
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3-01-2007 @ 5:15PM
Jo said...
I'm not convinced that Reid's problem with Prentiss is all about using. Something big's going on there, and I'm hoping the writers are truly teasing us along into something unique and interesting, not just the drugs. I think Reid's afraid of Prentiss, and I want to know why.
I also liked the New Orleans cop, and hope he comes back. Good episode, but I also figured out the twist too soon.
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3-01-2007 @ 5:16PM
LadyOracle said...
Episodes like this are the reason why I watch Criminal Minds. I have to admit when I saw the previews with the "Jack the Ripper" copy cat, I groaned. It's so overdone. But I have to admit they did it well. They changed things up with the story and they didn't overplay the Ripper angle. It was tastefully done.
I am deeply amused by the JJ and the New Orleans cop. I think that there is quite a bit of potential for character development. I find it interesting to see JJ, who is used to dealing with desperate, frustrated cops, is attracted to this obviously hurting man. Savior complex anyone?
I also like how they handled the Reid aspect of this episode. His behavior seemed more consistent with his character, seeking out the opinion of his friend. The rest of the team, Prentiss excluded, finally acted like they noticed something. I am not entirely convinced this drug thing is over. On the one hand his opening up to Gideon could be construed as a step towards getting better. On the other hand he might just be learning how to cover his butt better. Either way the writers are finally driving the plotline forward smartly.
I do have one small rant. I realize that they are trying to recreate every part of the country in or around the LA area. And for this I give them a little leeway. But it drives me nuts that the show feeds into regional stereotypes. Why was the lady in Galveston wearing cowboy boots, in her house no less. I lived in Texas most of my life. I've never had the accent and I have NEVER owned a pair of cowboy boots. Rant over.
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3-01-2007 @ 5:57PM
MrC said...
Jo-
Reid has always been the "resident genius" of the team, in an almost autistic fasion(asperger's?) and while Prentiss is not (that we know) as smart as him, she's certainly close from what we've seen, and she doesn't have his social problems. It's entirely possible he's threatened by her because of that, or simply because of his socialization problems is having a difficult time accepting her into the established group.
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3-02-2007 @ 7:39PM
Gavin said...
i relly getting to like this show is enterntaining and simple, i just don't have time to wacth it after i wacth jericho cuz i have to do homeowrk but o well i guess i'll see it online
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3-02-2007 @ 7:40PM
Ken said...
I think Reid's problem with Prentiss is that she is a reminder of what happened to Elle. The characters never bring up what happened to Elle or talk about her at all. Still, it would make sense that they would sympathize with her situation and be a little afraid of falling into the same trap. Reid is an especially empathatic character when dealing with unsubs and he may be losing some of his ability to feel compassion for them, especially after dealing with someone who was both his captor and his only ally. The emotional distress in that situation has to be incredible. I think what his real fear is is his own mental state, with or without drugs. His realtionship with Prentiss is very interesting.
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3-13-2007 @ 9:02PM
Jaya said...
I agree with both Ken and MrC on the Reid issue. I also agree with the blog for Distress (that Reid was mirroring Elle). I think that maybe his edginess has more to deal with anxiety issues than drugs. His mother is schizophrenic so he is prone to a lot of mental health issues. He may also be experiencing anxiety because he is not getting over the issue as fast as he would like to. I think that he's angry at himself for being affected.
I don't think they are going to write out his character this soon, as it is way too stereotypical because of Elle, however, Matthew Gray Gubler could have other projects going on and I can see them maybe writing out his character for a few episodes so that he (Reid) can get help. On that note, I think the other characters are trying to give Reid the time to work things out for himself as he is a very introverted character, and is used to dealing with things on his own.
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3-17-2007 @ 7:03PM
Marjorie said...
Reid is coming around and I think, allowed to be a pain to Prentiss for a while. She has integrated pretty quickly and he, with his social problems as well as some professional jealousy, may simply not like her, so he was snippy. I hardly think he has to be a sweetie every minute to be a good character on the show. I think a character that made others on the team antsy would be a good idea and Hotch would be especially pissy.
I think Reid has resisted the drugs, but has not yet thrown them out. He has learned, first hand, that oblivion has some merit to get away from pain and he may keep the drugs around for hard times to come.
I love this show and resent all the pre-empted time for other things.
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