I decided to only briefly review these past two episodes. There wasn't much content in them that I feel would benefit from a full length recap that I normally do. Both episodes were centred around Hotch, which was nice to see. Lots of interrogations, which actually helped both episodes become even better. Excellent intros, crazy endings. But enough rambling, let's quickly review!
A Place at the Table:
Honestly when I was preparing for another week of reviewing this show, I wasn't really all that excited. Aside from some really great episodes recently, Criminal Minds hasn't been exciting me all that much this season. When I heard about this episode though, I was intrigued and was looking forward to it. Mainly, Ed Asner was set to play Hotch's father-in-law. I love the Brooks family - a lot. Haley was one of my favourite characters on this show until her unfortunate and untimely death. Her sister, Jessica, has always been someone I enjoyed seeing on screen. The fact that we got to see her not once, but TWICE this season is already an incredible thing. It was very interesting to see her break down at the beginning of the episode; it's something we haven't seen from her. The intro of this episode was intense too! And it looks like this could be a possible hate crime? That's really sad. As well, the unsub was trying to recreate a Christmas dinner? Ugh.Regardless of all this, it was an interesting episode. The profiling, as per usual, could've been better. The interrogation scenes early on were good to watch. Jack has really grown up, so fast. It's really unbelievable. Jessica has become such a more developed and layered character. Hotch's father-in-law made me very upset with the attacks at Hotch about Haley's death, but I could understand where he's coming from. Hotch is partially to blame for what happened. This doesn't make it any easier to digest, though. I almost broke down myself over some of their talks. Some great comments by Rossi and Garcia throughout the episode too, as per usual. They've been saving this season for me with their sass and humour. If I had to rate the episode, I'd give it a B-. It wasn't completely unwatchable, the interrogation scenes were logical. But that's about it from the case/unsub side of the episode. And I hope to see way more from Jessica later on!
Mr. Scratch:
An episode filled with clichés. Dark thunder, lightning, and rain to symbolize ominous storytelling, the "it was all a dream" ending, and more. Not that the clichés weren't enjoyable to watch, but you know. Anyway, the intro was pretty interesting in this episode too! It starts off in the interrogation room with Hotch and a suspect. That growling sound the guy hears from Mr. Scratch? Yeah, that's not a sound I would put as my ringtone. "Agent Hotchner, I'm not a murderer!" "Yes you are, and I'm going to find out who turned you into one." Spine-chilling stuff right here. The fact that we got two Hotch-centered episodes in a row in something to be commended. Proxy-killers have always intrigued me. Cognitive interviews are cool to see as well, like the one conducted in Nanny Dearest (8x21). I've always loved how this show can get into the psyche of the unsubs they face, as well as the victims. Both of these episodes spent a great deal of time in interrogation rooms. A cute Hotch/Garcia scene was nice to see.The first person views of the victims as well as the BAU was also a cool feature. The scene where the team discussed their biggest fears was unnerving. I don't know about you, but my biggest fear is bees. Ooh, and nice drawings done by Matthew! They remind me of the monster from the movie The Babadook. And that creepy growl we hear throughout never gets easier to hear. The profiling in this episode was actually prominent. The lights flickering on and off, and Garcia's computers being hacked once again were really scary. The use of candles was romantic. And Hotch's scenes - that dream sequence - were crazily intense! Now, I haven't fully enjoyed an episode directed by Matthew Gray Gubler since Heathridge Manor (7x19). But this one was more unique and intense than most. If I had to grade this episode, I'd give it a B+. It was a unique concept that Breen and Matthew came up with, and the ambiguous ending as well as a possibility about talking about Hotch's father/abuse? That's too good to pass up.
What did YOU think of both A Place at the Table and Mr. Scratch? Did you enjoy Thomas Gibson's performances in both? Did that ending of Mr. Scratch freak you out? Please be sure to leave a comment down below! I've left a lot out of these reviews so to have a big discussion!
I have not yet watched the episode but two Hotch-centric episodes in a row have me very concerned, like they are sort of setting up an exit story line for him, especially when Thomas' contract (as well as most of the cast's, except MGG) is up for renewal for next season, should there be one, and there are still no news about him, or any of the others, having signed to continue.
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to process the complete mindf*ck (pardon my French) that was "Mr. Scratch". It started out so innocuous, with someone claiming a creepy shadow was responsible for killing their loved one...and then once the lights went haywire at the BAU office (I always find it weirdly amusing when Garcia freaks out whenever all her technological devices shut down on her. I don't know why) things just went bonkers from there. In a good way.
ReplyDeleteThat last ten minutes or so was legit terrifying. The image Hotch had of all his team being killed was just...WHOA (and as creepy as that scene was, I find it very touching that that's what scares him the most, to be reminded of how much he cares about his team), and watching everyone being mortally wounded was truly disturbing and startling. And then the way the episode just abruptly ended...that haunted look in Hotch's eyes, Rossi's deep concern for his friend's well-being, trying to snap him back to the real world...damn. I REALLY hope the show follows up on that, with at least some passing mention of Hotch getting some proper therapy or finding some positive way to deal with the horror he went through, 'cause that was almost "attacked by Foyet in his apartment" levels of scary. That's a story I'd be all for picking up on, if not in the last two episodes of this season, then sometime next season. Please, show, please, PLEASE do that.
As for Gubler's direction, ooh, yeah, I love "Heathridge Manor". I've liked the episodes he's done since then, "The Lesson" and "Gatekeeper" being particularly surreal and creepy (the best part of "Alchemy", for me, will always be that end dream scene with Reid and Maeve). But I think this is the one to beat in terms of flat out scary, for sure. He's got a nice future as a horror film director waiting for him after the show ends, me thinks :). Very good episode.
In regards to "A Place at the Table", I agree that the story with Hotch and his father-in-law was the best part of that episode. I liked the premise of the case, but in the end there wasn't too much to say about it aside from the fact that it is fun when the show gives us multiple suspects to play with and make guesses about.
But yeah, when Roy leveled that line at Hotch about how when he made a mistake, Roy lost his daughter...god, that hurt. I seriously wanted to hug Hotch there, and throughout the episode in general. I like that we still were able to feel some sympathy for Roy, though-logical anger at losing a daughter too soon combined with the fact that he's suffering from Alzheimer's-it's not uncommon for people to behave like that as a result. And his interaction with Jack was sweet, and then the end when Roy talked about how his disease would eventually have Haley be nothing more than a stranger to him-that brought tears to my eyes. That was heartbreaking. I also agree on seeing Jessica again. I love her, and it's always great when she gets to pop in and say hi. I hope we continue to see more of her for however much longer this series runs.
Happy to have two new reviews to read from you-they may be short, but I still love hearing your thoughts :D. Sorry this season has left you struggling to be motivated to do reviews at times-I've been enjoying it, for the most part, but I agree that it has fluctuated-we'll have a few episodes in a row that are really good, and then a couple that are kinda "eh", and so on. Here's hoping the last two episodes are put in the "good" category for you-it sounds like they've got some interesting stuff planned to wrap the season up, so I'm curious to see how it all goes down. Especially with the events of tonight's episode in mind! Seriously, I NEED some answers to that whole crazy ending.
Anyway, nice overviews! Can't wait for your thoughts on how the season winds down.
From what I've read online, there's no plans to kill any team members off, and so far it sounds like JLH is the only one who's going to leave, according to an interview I read with Kirsten a while back. She didn't seem to indicate anything about any of the rest of the cast leaving, and no articles about the season finale seem to hint at that being a serious concern with the remaining team members. So I'm guessing that's a good sign that everyone's gonna be back.
ReplyDeleteStill, though, you make a really good point, and with the way tonight's episode ended, it'd be very easy to see where they could write that kind of a story for Hotch if it ever did come to that point. I of course want everyone to stay to the series finale, and hope that will always be the case, but it is something to wonder about sometimes nonetheless.
It sounds to me like CBS is planning on doing a bulk renewal announcement early next month, from what I've read online, probably because they likely will renew most of their big shows (this one, "NCIS", etc.) and it'd be easier to just let that information out all at once instead of dropping occasional renewal news here and there. If that's the case, I would imagine we'd probably hear about cast renewal news around that time, too. I hope so.
Didn't even think of that. That is frightening.
ReplyDeleteI read Kirsten's interview and she said JLH would be leaving, but Erica Messer said everything would be okay by the end of the season and the team would be intact. I don't know in which of them I should believe, but as the seasons go by I'm finding it harder and harder to trust in whatever Erica says.
ReplyDeleteEven if no one dies that doesn't mean that someone isn't leaving, like Thomas could not sign to continue as a season regular which could mean that Hotch could take some time off to deal with whatever it is the writers are planning for him and then return full time again after that, or not, only showing up from time to time, as a special guest star. But at this point this is only speculation, and I don't even know why I'm thinking about this when I should be sleeping.
Never ever believe anything EM says. She's notorious for saying too much about the finales, overhyping them, and also misleading everyone.
ReplyDeleteOh, trust me, I have been learning my lesson since season 7.
ReplyDeleteI don't have as much experience with Erica Messer's interviews, but I dunno, from the photos I've seen online with the cast and whatnot, I think everyone still seems pretty happy on the show and cool with coming back. I think the season will end on a good note. And sure, if there were some secret about the finale Kirsten couldn't reveal for some reason, she'd have to skirt around it, but her interview seemed pretty cheerful-I imagine if one of the other longtime cast members was leaving she'd have been even more cagey about the show's upcoming plans and maybe even a little less happy than she seemed in that interview. I really think we'll be okay. And I think what Erica says about how the finale will play out is probably how it will actually play out, too. I dunno. I'm not ready to be all suspicious and wary.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to see if they did have Hotch taking some time away, though. But if he came back after Foyet, I imagine he'll make it through this, too.
Yeah, Rossi being shot was particularly unnerving-of all the team members, he's been one of the luckier ones, relatively speaking, in terms of finding himself in dangerous situations-he's come close a time or two, but the others have had WAY more life-threatening moments over the years. And I love Rossi, so I would be very sad if he died. Very sad. I was glad that Blake's departure didn't involve her death, too-I liked her and didn't want her to die, either (and I definitely approve of a Blake/Rossi pairing :D).
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, it was definitely disturbing, that's for sure. I think you're right about it being a parallel to everything with Haley-Hotch is VERY protective of everyone in his life, and he's responsible for his family, he's responsible for his team, they all relied or rely on him for their safety. So yeah, I have no doubt whatever feelings of failure he has about Haley manifested themselves with his teammates. When he was pointing the gun at the door that Rossi and Reid entered through, only to suddenly turn and shoot at the unsub-I actually cheered out loud at that. I knew he couldn't be fooled that easy :D.
The abusive father storyline hadn't even crossed my mind during that ending-it's a part of Hotch's story I often forget about (obviously in part because it's barely been touched on for years on the show :p). But I wouldn't mind seeing the show delve into that part of his life in depth down the line. There's so many other aspects of these people's lives in general left to explore, really.
She gave several interviews where she spilled out the whole season finale, spoiled everything.
ReplyDeleteExcept maybe for when she said one of the team members would be put in danger but it turned out to be only Will, and it also ended up not being so dangerous after all, since he was okay to get married in the next day.
Ah. Eh, well, that's how most showrunners work nowadays, isn't it, doing one or the other (or both)? I've heard fans of other shows make similar comments about the showrunners they follow, too.
ReplyDeleteBesides that, considering how spoiler-happy the internet tends to be nowadays with photos and fan speculation and so on, even if a showrunner did try to keep a lid on things, the likelihood of something being spoiled by someone else will always be high anyway. Some of that might be a failing on Erica's end, but the way the media/network reports on things can play a role in that, too, so...*Shrugs*.
I don't think she is leaving since her pregnancy was written into the show
ReplyDeleteThat's what I thought too until I read KV's interview. But now they're also going to write AJ's pregnancy into the show, and both JLH and AJ are to give birth in July, somewhere around the date season 11, if there's one, starts shooting, which means both actresses will be on maternity leave at the same time, which will leave the team without both of their female field agents. Bringing in someone temporarily to replace one of them has been done before, when they brought in Jordan from counter terrorism to work as a media liason, but now both of them are profilers, so it's a little bit harder to find, not only one, but two people who could do that job. What could work in this situation would be them bringing back for a short time two of three ladies that have already done that job previously, Emily, Ashley and Alex. Or if JLH is really leaving, bringing in yet another new actress permanently, or as long as permanently lasts for her, because that part seems to be cursed (Elle left, Lola's decision; Emily, if they hadn't done what they did to Paget she'd still be there, and the show would be a lot better without having to have gone through all the cast shake ups that came from this, that affected the show a lot and imo decreased a lot its quality; Ashley, replaced Emily; Emily, Paget is forced to return, Emily replaces Ashley replacing her (because of course the team couldn't have four men and four women, note the sarcasm, so they fired Rachel) and then at the end of the season leaves and agrees to return only as a guest star; Alex, replaces Emily and then leaves too, no one seems to know why JT left; Kate replaces Alex), and someone temporarily to replace AJ/JJ.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. We will just have to wait and see.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. Rossi's the only one of the team who doesn't really have a full-fledged nemesis! (Not saying he needs one, but the rest of the team definitely have one or more.)
ReplyDeleteNow I'm thinking about Roy's comments to Hotch again. Wow. It's so clear Hotch still loves her. ;_;
It's been confirmed that JLH is leaving.
ReplyDelete