Am a huge fan of detective/mystery/procedural shows and dramas, and 'Criminal Minds' has always been one of my most watched shows since getting into it. So there was no bias against 'Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders' before watching, was actually rooting in favour for it to work and was hoping it would be better than the very underwhelming first 'Criminal Minds' spin off 'Suspect Behaviour' (though it did get marginally towards the end). This was actually even worse.
Really disliked the first four episodes (hated them even), though the next two were marginal improvements while still not having a particularly high opinion of them at all. If anybody is wondering why 'Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders' was stuck with, it was fairness and curiosity in the hope that it would grow and get better. The seventh episode, Season 1's half way point, "Citizens of the World" does not continue the improvement, and instead it is back to the awful quality seen in the first four episodes.
Once again, Alana De La Garza is a small comfort as Clara, despite little to work with. That's it with any small redeeming merits.
Gary Sinise is slumming it like with before, while Annie Funke and Tyler James Williams, as the show's two most annoying characters, grate on the nerves. Really didn't care for any of the characters, people will find the stereotypes and culture portrayal objectionable, and after a slightly more coherent team interaction and some nice character writing for Simmons in "Love Interrupted" it is almost like those did not happen. The chemistry between the team isn't there, and same with any little character moments and how they work in solving the case isn't delved into enough. There is no menace with the responsible or with anything that makes one feel sorry or anything for them, they are just bland.
Writing is condescending and awkward and the story is dull, predictable and sometimes ridiculous, the writers as ever showing their lack of any proper research. Found it pretty muddled too, and tension and suspense (or even any kind of atmosphere) were nowhere in sight. The visuals again are choppy and obvious and the music is overbearing and could have done with being used less, it is also at odds with everything. One never really feels like they are in the setting, so much the lack of authenticity.
Summing up, awful. 1/10
Really disliked the first four episodes (hated them even), though the next two were marginal improvements while still not having a particularly high opinion of them at all. If anybody is wondering why 'Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders' was stuck with, it was fairness and curiosity in the hope that it would grow and get better. The seventh episode, Season 1's half way point, "Citizens of the World" does not continue the improvement, and instead it is back to the awful quality seen in the first four episodes.
Once again, Alana De La Garza is a small comfort as Clara, despite little to work with. That's it with any small redeeming merits.
Gary Sinise is slumming it like with before, while Annie Funke and Tyler James Williams, as the show's two most annoying characters, grate on the nerves. Really didn't care for any of the characters, people will find the stereotypes and culture portrayal objectionable, and after a slightly more coherent team interaction and some nice character writing for Simmons in "Love Interrupted" it is almost like those did not happen. The chemistry between the team isn't there, and same with any little character moments and how they work in solving the case isn't delved into enough. There is no menace with the responsible or with anything that makes one feel sorry or anything for them, they are just bland.
Writing is condescending and awkward and the story is dull, predictable and sometimes ridiculous, the writers as ever showing their lack of any proper research. Found it pretty muddled too, and tension and suspense (or even any kind of atmosphere) were nowhere in sight. The visuals again are choppy and obvious and the music is overbearing and could have done with being used less, it is also at odds with everything. One never really feels like they are in the setting, so much the lack of authenticity.
Summing up, awful. 1/10