I loved this episode. It had a bit of everything....Reid's issues with his ongoing drug problem, the start of a romance for JJ, Jack the Ripper like killer, facts about Katrina that were dealt with very well, and great music. I thought the way they dealt with the Katrina aftermath were well done....the loss of records, relocation of people, people who had to be buried unknown.....this all happened. Also, there have not been that many women serial killers portrayed, and I thought that the actress did a very credible job. JJ and Will tip toe around each other for a good part of the episode, then at the end she issues him a challenge to call her.
7 Reviews
'Criminal Minds' goes to New Orleans
TheLittleSongbird15 February 2017
Season 2 was a mostly solid season for 'Criminal Minds'. Boasting great episodes such as "The Fisher King Part II", "Sex, Birth, Death", "North Mammon", "The Boogeyman", the "No Way Out" episodes, "Revelations" and "Profiler, Profiled", with almost all the episodes missing that very high standard still being strong. The only real odd-one out, meaning barely average, was "Honor Among Thieves".
"Jones" has been criticised for its inaccurate representation of New Orleans (the French Quarter not looking like the French Quarter, the bad accents, the inaccurate way people behave and the lack of diversity). However while the accents are bad, 'Criminal Minds' (and speaking as a big fan before any stone-throwing) has never been strong when it comes to accuracy and this is not even the worst case, and like what was said with "Bloodline" inaccurate or demeaning portrayals of cities or groups shouldn't be the sole reason for dismissing an episode.
Other than the portrayal of New Orleans, "Jones" is a great episode and up there with the season's better ones, have seen enough episodes to feel, respectfully, that this is not even close to being one of the worst episodes of 'Criminal Minds' let alone the worst.
Visually, the production values are without complaint. It's very well shot and lit and is overall stylish, gritty, classy and atmospheric. The music is moody in the haunting and melancholic sense and fits well, without either enhancing or distracting from it. The direction keeps the momentum going but lets the case breathe, and all of the pacing is spot-on.
The script is thought-provoking, tautly paced and structured and nicely balanced. The story is absorbing and clever in construction, even the mention of Jack the Ripper or any crime resembling his crimes is enough to give anybody the creeps and it's the same here. There are many clever twists and turns and lots of tension and suspense, the identity of the unsub is shocking and despite such a trauma to lead them to do what they do the episode never becomes one-sided and try too hard to make one feel sympathy for them. The way the case is solved, the procedural aspects and profiling are just fascinating.
Every bit is good is the BAU and their interaction. Reid's subplot following on from his ordeal in "Revelations" is expanded upon and made clearer than in "Fear and Loathing" and it's pretty harrowing, while Will and JJ's chemistry is flirtatiously sweet. Love the brother-like bond between Reid and Morgan and the final scene between Reid and Gideon is like a trusting father-son-like relationship and sees a lovely sympathetic side to Gideon. Morgan and Prentiss talking about lion hunting is interesting, talking about Jack the Ripper is shocking and the whole stuff with Hurricane Katrina intrigues.
The acting is very good, of the regulars Mandy Patinkin, Matthew Gray Gubler and Shemar Moore are particularly strong while Josh Stewart is endearing as Will.
In conclusion, great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox
"Jones" has been criticised for its inaccurate representation of New Orleans (the French Quarter not looking like the French Quarter, the bad accents, the inaccurate way people behave and the lack of diversity). However while the accents are bad, 'Criminal Minds' (and speaking as a big fan before any stone-throwing) has never been strong when it comes to accuracy and this is not even the worst case, and like what was said with "Bloodline" inaccurate or demeaning portrayals of cities or groups shouldn't be the sole reason for dismissing an episode.
Other than the portrayal of New Orleans, "Jones" is a great episode and up there with the season's better ones, have seen enough episodes to feel, respectfully, that this is not even close to being one of the worst episodes of 'Criminal Minds' let alone the worst.
Visually, the production values are without complaint. It's very well shot and lit and is overall stylish, gritty, classy and atmospheric. The music is moody in the haunting and melancholic sense and fits well, without either enhancing or distracting from it. The direction keeps the momentum going but lets the case breathe, and all of the pacing is spot-on.
The script is thought-provoking, tautly paced and structured and nicely balanced. The story is absorbing and clever in construction, even the mention of Jack the Ripper or any crime resembling his crimes is enough to give anybody the creeps and it's the same here. There are many clever twists and turns and lots of tension and suspense, the identity of the unsub is shocking and despite such a trauma to lead them to do what they do the episode never becomes one-sided and try too hard to make one feel sympathy for them. The way the case is solved, the procedural aspects and profiling are just fascinating.
Every bit is good is the BAU and their interaction. Reid's subplot following on from his ordeal in "Revelations" is expanded upon and made clearer than in "Fear and Loathing" and it's pretty harrowing, while Will and JJ's chemistry is flirtatiously sweet. Love the brother-like bond between Reid and Morgan and the final scene between Reid and Gideon is like a trusting father-son-like relationship and sees a lovely sympathetic side to Gideon. Morgan and Prentiss talking about lion hunting is interesting, talking about Jack the Ripper is shocking and the whole stuff with Hurricane Katrina intrigues.
The acting is very good, of the regulars Mandy Patinkin, Matthew Gray Gubler and Shemar Moore are particularly strong while Josh Stewart is endearing as Will.
In conclusion, great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Another great unsub
lottiemarshalllm13 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Disclaimer:I am no expert reviewer, I just need a show to binge watch and I'm going to Write a review for every episode I watch.
I love episodes that have that have more empathic and intelligent unsubs, this unsub in particularly episode was great. The amount of hatred I hate for the police officer who thought the unsub was asking to get raped, that was some good writing that honestly felt too realistic.
I also loved the connection to the Jack the Ripper case, as it's such a fascinating case and has stayed in the popular media for over 100 years that I've found interesting for a couple years.
I thought Reid meeting with a old friend was a good way for him to address his problem with drugs and ptsd. I thought that Gideon Talking to him at the end was great.
The only reason I won't give it a higher score was because it dragged a little in the middle. But the end was rather intense with the unsub.
Overall a good episode with a great unsub, good setting, good local police with good chemistry with JJ lol, and a few good character moments with Reid and JJ but not the others.
I love episodes that have that have more empathic and intelligent unsubs, this unsub in particularly episode was great. The amount of hatred I hate for the police officer who thought the unsub was asking to get raped, that was some good writing that honestly felt too realistic.
I also loved the connection to the Jack the Ripper case, as it's such a fascinating case and has stayed in the popular media for over 100 years that I've found interesting for a couple years.
I thought Reid meeting with a old friend was a good way for him to address his problem with drugs and ptsd. I thought that Gideon Talking to him at the end was great.
The only reason I won't give it a higher score was because it dragged a little in the middle. But the end was rather intense with the unsub.
Overall a good episode with a great unsub, good setting, good local police with good chemistry with JJ lol, and a few good character moments with Reid and JJ but not the others.
Great
bellamitchell-0073222 January 2021
In response to another idiotic comment I saw, I'd like to explain a few things. This show makes plenty of male serial killers with sad back stories and their aren't nearly as many female serial killers as their are male, it's not in a woman's nature at all so of course this killer has a sad back story it's not forced at all, it's realistic. 90% of the time women who are serial killers have tragic back stories . Don't listen to that incel James.
And where was Marie LaVeau?
jkadmire26 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Loved this episode. All of my favorite characters are here, except Joe Montagna. It's obvious that something is critically wrong with Spencer, although why he bullies Emily is never explained. I lived in Louisiana and have been to New Orleans many times. Yes, the setting of the French Quarter is dreadfully inaccurate, and I don't know why some of the characters were given this strange "Alabama crossed with Hollywood" accent. Cajun/Creole dialect is much different. Those of us who know the real things are probably a little distressed, but it's still a good episode.
Anything to do with Jack the Ripper is almost automatically gripping, and this episode thoroughly exploits the fascination. New Orleans, itself, is both beautiful and creepy, with an evil undertone. The atmosphere of the movie "Skeleton Key" is effectively duplicated, so turn on the lights and watch with a friend.
I simply can't see Josh Stewart as a love interest for the beautiful JJ. He has some stage presence and is considered a solid actor, but I just can't see her with this sad-eyed mope. If he's going to be around more, maybe I'll begin to love him, too.
Penelope, to me, is always the MVP for the group. Without her help, they'd be at loose ends, and I would love to have someone like her in our tense little office. Enjoy the interaction between her and Morgan, and her with the two other women. I get the sense they like each other which is very nice for the viewer. CSI Miami suffered after the two female leads gave every indication they didn't like each other and were jockeying for position. It ruined the team concept we all love. I assume Reid's instability comes from his hostage situation, and that hasn't been thoroughly explored. Gideon talking with Reid at the club was both gentle and touching, which also added to the happiness of all of us watching.
This show has numerous strands, all loosely tied to the terror in New Orleans, and each character held a piece of the puzzle. This time, it transcended being a "police procedural" and became a true psychological enigma. Well Done!
PS: Marie was a Voodoo Priestess from the 1800s, buried in one of the larger cemeteries. People still visit her grave to ask for favors, and she is presumed to know the evil that haunts New Orleans. Am glad they didn't drag her out, but she's a big part of the gloomy cloud that hangs over The Big Easy.
Anything to do with Jack the Ripper is almost automatically gripping, and this episode thoroughly exploits the fascination. New Orleans, itself, is both beautiful and creepy, with an evil undertone. The atmosphere of the movie "Skeleton Key" is effectively duplicated, so turn on the lights and watch with a friend.
I simply can't see Josh Stewart as a love interest for the beautiful JJ. He has some stage presence and is considered a solid actor, but I just can't see her with this sad-eyed mope. If he's going to be around more, maybe I'll begin to love him, too.
Penelope, to me, is always the MVP for the group. Without her help, they'd be at loose ends, and I would love to have someone like her in our tense little office. Enjoy the interaction between her and Morgan, and her with the two other women. I get the sense they like each other which is very nice for the viewer. CSI Miami suffered after the two female leads gave every indication they didn't like each other and were jockeying for position. It ruined the team concept we all love. I assume Reid's instability comes from his hostage situation, and that hasn't been thoroughly explored. Gideon talking with Reid at the club was both gentle and touching, which also added to the happiness of all of us watching.
This show has numerous strands, all loosely tied to the terror in New Orleans, and each character held a piece of the puzzle. This time, it transcended being a "police procedural" and became a true psychological enigma. Well Done!
PS: Marie was a Voodoo Priestess from the 1800s, buried in one of the larger cemeteries. People still visit her grave to ask for favors, and she is presumed to know the evil that haunts New Orleans. Am glad they didn't drag her out, but she's a big part of the gloomy cloud that hangs over The Big Easy.
Terrible
jamespetenbrink17 September 2019
They completely make up things about the ripper case to fit their narrative like the ripper renting the room where he mutilated mary Kelly. Also they really forced sympathy for a serial killer. That never occurs when the killer is a male.
Jones
nebohr19 December 2021
My mom always said: "If you keep making that face it will freeze and stay that way". Hotch. Gideon. Take note.
If all that research was so important why not put it in the car and drive inland? Duh.
Like, we think it would have been easier to write the message in blood, right?
Who's Roberta Kay Needy?
We think Reid is going to kill Emily. But his balls are going to have to drop first, right?
Who's the main drag in New Orleans? It wouldn't be Divine; he died in, like, 1990.
Wait! What!? Just a few episodes ago the unsub was slashing husbands and wives in just a few minutes but now killing one person is: "A slaughter that takes time"?
At 01:22- The tree that came through the window was lush with foliage. But at 07:37- The same tree is a pile of bare sticks.
Hotch if you would hire literate agents you wouldn't have to read everything to them. Duh.
Less that 10 minutes in and we've solved the case. We think a homosexual male ghost of Jack the Ripper did it. With the knife. In the alley.
Oh, go ahead with the lame round robin briefing. You still have over one half hour to kill.
A Gulfstream G550 costs around $3,600 an hour to operate.
So: during Mardis Gras women wanting to avoid being raped would be smart if they avoided New Orleans.
If all that research was so important why not put it in the car and drive inland? Duh.
Like, we think it would have been easier to write the message in blood, right?
Who's Roberta Kay Needy?
We think Reid is going to kill Emily. But his balls are going to have to drop first, right?
Who's the main drag in New Orleans? It wouldn't be Divine; he died in, like, 1990.
Wait! What!? Just a few episodes ago the unsub was slashing husbands and wives in just a few minutes but now killing one person is: "A slaughter that takes time"?
At 01:22- The tree that came through the window was lush with foliage. But at 07:37- The same tree is a pile of bare sticks.
Hotch if you would hire literate agents you wouldn't have to read everything to them. Duh.
Less that 10 minutes in and we've solved the case. We think a homosexual male ghost of Jack the Ripper did it. With the knife. In the alley.
Oh, go ahead with the lame round robin briefing. You still have over one half hour to kill.
A Gulfstream G550 costs around $3,600 an hour to operate.
So: during Mardis Gras women wanting to avoid being raped would be smart if they avoided New Orleans.
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