Criminal Minds (TV Series) Lucky (2007) User Reviews

Alright

[lottiemarshalllm · 7/10 · 20 August 2020]

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'm not gonna lie I really hate the episodes where they go to find a cannibal because I just find it so disgusting. I know that is just a personal issue and doesn't reflect the episode but yikes.

I thought this episode had some really good scenes and some really mediocre scenes. I really liked Garcia and Morgan's ongoing fight and Garcia's date. I'm very nervous about next episode but I loved that it ended with such a big cliffhanger.

I thought delving into Morgan's faith was both good and bad. I like that he explained how his faith was messed with by his troubled past but I didn't enjoy him being so hostile towards this random priest I just don't think that was like him. If Morgan's mad at God he wouldn't take it out on this priest that's just trying to help their investigation.

I thought The plotline about the unsub Being unquestionably Lucky was kind of interesting and Hotchner and Reed having to go to the mental hospital and do some really good detective work was all very well done.

I like Rossi because he's a bit bolder than the other team members but also he doesn't really know how to function as a team member yet which is kind of frustrating. I didn't like him making Morgan interview the priest I thought that was just rude but I guess he has his reasons.

Overall a pretty disturbing episode with a few really good character scenes that made up for the less interesting murder investigation.

And can we just appreciate how brilliant the lines: Morgan: " How bad?" Jj: " Florida"

Disturbing

[shahla_selena · 8/10 · 3 November 2021]

Such a disturbing episode. Done well but made me feel physically sick. Enjoyed getting to know Rossi a bit more though. Didn't see the ending coming either.

IN Florida!!

[hiltonsmithjr · 9/10 · 12 February 2019]

Usually Don't worry about the "Outcome" of an Unsub. Lot of times they are taken Out In the episode. "Lucky" is ONE Time I'd Want to see one In The Chair!! ("Riding the Lightning" is the One time I Didn't!) Excellent Episode.

Definitely atop the top 5 of the most disturbing 'Criminal Minds' episodes

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 31 January 2017]

One of the best episodes of Season 3, and up to this particular point in 'Criminal Minds' run no other episode to me disturbed me as greatly as "Lucky". No, not even "North Mammon", "The Fox" or the "No Way Out" episodes.

"Lucky" is certainly Season 3 at its most disturbing, and few episodes before were this sadistic or graphic. Just like "Elephant's Memory" was Season 3 at its most poignant and the season finale "Lo-Fi" was the season at its most tense. Season 3 was not a perfect season certainly, starting off a tad bumpy (but still actually doing surprisingly well considering the circumstances) but there are some great episodes, even exceptional. "Lucky" is one of the exceptional ones.

'Criminal Minds' nearly always had top notch production values, apart from a few lesser episodes suffering from editing problems on top of everything else wrong with them. "Lucky" is no exception. Visually, it is dark and stylish stuff, reminiscent of what you'd find for a moody thriller or a truly creepy horror and actually a combination of both. The music is full of haunting atmosphere and never feels over-the-top.

Script is thought-provoking, taut and intelligent, while the story is unsettling, tense and suspenseful to the point of giving the viewer nightmares. As said, "Lucky" is a sadistic (especially the unsub and his sickening crimes), shocking (the ending was completely unexpected and makes one really care for the fate of the character in question) and graphic, but in a way where these elements add to the atmosphere instead of feeling gratuitous like it did in another graphic episode like "Corazon" from Season 6.

No disappointments to be had with the team's chemistry, their team-work and their dynamic. Particularly strong is the challenging relationship between Morgan and Rossi (whose initial appearance when joining the show was shaky but he is steadily settling and one likes him more with each episode and he has since gone on to be one of the few reasons why the show's still being stuck with).

The revelation of Morgan's lack of faith in God and the reason also well done. The moment of friction between Morgan and Garcia was the one slightly odd note, not enough to bring down the episode but while Morgan's intentions were meant well his way of words showed a less than pleasant side to him, considering how close the two characters are that was a little jarring.

With the acting, nothing to complain about either. Kirsten Vangsness is particularly terrific of the regulars, but Jamie Kennedy was the biggest surprise. Was expecting him to be a disaster (then again was expecting that too from Frankie Muniz in "True Night"), but actually not only was he unrecognisable but out of all the unsubs from Season 3 Kennedy's Floyd is easily the freakiest, a side that one does not expect at all from Kennedy.

In conclusion, a "classic/elite" Season 3 episode, not many episodes (speaking as a huge fan) of 'Criminal Minds' have properly disturbed me but "Lucky" is one of them. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Chilling but awesome!

[xiaorho · 10/10 · 4 October 2021]

This episode is super awesome with two different cases. The secondary one is cool (poor Garcia). I have been watching reruns and I believe Derek is actually secretly and unknowingly in love with Garcia. He just doesn't want to admit it and neither is she. He cares too much to be just a friend and he is jealous in his own way though he always wants the best for her. Anyway, it really is an interesting background story for the next episode. Meanwhile, the primary case is truly gruesome and the ending is very very disturbing. But that what makes Criminal Minds is super awesome. As much as I feel disturbed, I can't help myself thinking this is a superb episode.

I don't understand what the two reviewers here defending satanic people complaining about. It clearly is stated that most satanic cults do not kill people. Mostly they are annoying pranksters who are merely attention seekers with childish agenda. Rossi is even the one who debunked the idea of killers satanic cult anyway. If the unsub happens to be the super rare one who does otherwise, it is just one rare case as explained before, so what's the complain about? Don't you watch the episode?

Top 5 episode

[joestaneck · 10/10 · 26 March 2023]

Having watched endless reruns and marathons of Criminal Minds, there are a few that stand out and this is one of them. The relationship dynamics between members of the team are further developed, the pair of twists at the end plus Jamie Kennedy's depiction of the serial killer was excellent (and creepy). The subject matter of religion and one of the greater taboos associated with killing is not going to be for everyone. But overall one of my favorite episodes for sure and the killer had a vibe of JD (initials as to not be a spoiler) regarding being "Lucky" and of course the nature of the crimes.

Garcia got away with murder

[rachel-garber1947 · 9/10 · 13 August 2014]

As I recall, from the one episode I saw in re-runs, Garcia was recruited by the BAU after she was caught hacking into their computer system. If I remember correctly, she was offered the job as an alternative to going to jail. Yet as the facilitator of a support group, she flagged the names of victims so the cases wouldn't be forgotten. Later, she met a man in a coffee shop who turns out to be the unsub on some open cases. He invited her for a date, and when he escorted her back to her apartment, he attempted to kill her. She accepted the date in the first place because she was angry with Morgan, who just tried to warn her to be careful about a man she knew nothing about. After she returned home from the hospital, she was given police protection. Then one of the officers protecting her was murdered. Did she even express remorse that she caused all this drama. Where were the consequences for Garcia, not that I expected her to be arrested, but it seemed to me, that she took it upon herself to flag cases, something she had no business doing, and what, everyone held her hand? Why doesn't she ever have to suffer the consequences for her wrongheaded, and possibly illegal actions. That is a real puzzle for me. She is the computer expert, so she knows the power of the internet, she was hired because she hacked into the BAU system, yet it seems nothing ever happens to her, she needs a wake-up call. Instead she puts on her I just want to see a world of sweetness and light and kittens and... gag me. I'm tired of her irresponsible behavior for which she never has to face the consequences. Have you guessed that I am not fond of this character, perhaps not Garcia herself, but the things that she takes it upon herself to do.

Another GOOF on the writers part...

[natchor8 · 9/10 · 7 March 2019]

Great episode, except for the GOOF, right in the beginning!! Having lived in Florida for a long time, and familiar with the nicknames, history, etc. of Florida, when JJ is giving out the preflight briefing on the case at the BAU office... she says that 'the case was in Bridgewater, FL and that the body was found just at a nearby park, right along Alligator Alley.. a nickname for I-75.' The information about the nickname is, however, innacurate. The nickname 'Alligator Alley' is not a nickname for the entire length of I-75 in Florida, it only refers to the section of I-75 that runs east and west along the Everglades. It is the section that only runs from the Ft Lauderdale area to the Naples area. Bridgewater,however, is up closer to the Orlando area. It would be a good 3+ hour drive to dump the body along the 'Alley,' so it would not be refered to as 'right nearby.' Before improvements to the Alligator Alley section of roadway, the added lighting and the added fencing along the sides to protect the wildlife from entering the highway, the road was a tiny, two-lane road, one lane in either direction. Passing another car, in the pitch black, was indeed a death trap. If you had to pass another vehicle, you would have to drive into oncoming traffic with speeds in both directions readily exceeding 80+mph! Passing another car, was essentially like playing an extremely deadly game of 'Chicken!' Being face to face, having to drive into the oncoming traffic lane, knowing that there would be vehicles traveling at great speeds that were headed right AT YOU!! When there were crashes, and both vehicles were going 80-100 mph.. it was like driving 160-200 mph, right into a brick wall! Back in the day, before the improvements, it was definitely a white knuckle drive! Also, to add to the danger on this already scary, small two lane road, and nothing but wetlands as far as you could see, with a waterway canal running right alongside the length of the road, the gators would come out of the water and were often out sunning themselves on the embankment. Often, they would even lay themselves all the way onto the warm pavement, causing even more traffic accidents! (With so many gators - that even the most prosperous zoos would be envious - all lying so close and onto the roadway, over this particular section that crosses the Everglades/marshlands, is what originally, caused the creation of the "Alligator Alley" nickname!) Trying to stop quickly enough, once the gator appeared out of the pitch black and into the headlight beam, often proved fruitless, causing many traffic accidents and huge pileups! Nowadays, however, with the improvements of adding lanes in both directions (no more passing into oncoming traffic!) and even a separation median, new fencing, and new lighting that runs on both the north and south sides, it is protected from the gators reaching the pavement and the games of 'Chicken' from being played! The gators are still seen, very, very prevalently, sunning themselves along the canal waters embankment! It's a great drive for kids to see all the wildlife! Actually, it is a pretty great sight for tourists, and even us local residents, as well!!

Warped theology

[scramblewithme · 1/10 · 9 April 2020]

Could have been a decent, if not disgusting, episode if it weren't for the completely WRONG theology and false doctrine. This is not the first episode in which they spew false doctrine. At least in this one they didn't make the "religious" person out to be a complete freak as they do in every other episode that involves people that they consider religious. Granted, I do not expect the unregenerate to create accurate Christian television. However, I do expect them to stay away from it.

Inflated & ridiculous, but most of all - miserable

[idesheaven · 2/10 · 28 February 2024]

It seems like post-Gideon, Criminal Minds is amping up everything about it's cases. The first few episodes with Rossi are all ungrounded spectacles to the point that it feels ridiculous. It's at it's hardest to watch here, where even the lighting & the flashbacks of the unsub feel more like a bad blumhouse movie than a genuine crime procedural. The disgust we're supposed to feel at the unsub's crimes feels more like shock value than anything insightful about "criminality" or the human condition. It's disgusting on a basic level - yes, but it has no interest in making the audience think. It's less Law & Order, and more American Horror Story, & the tone switch feels cheap & not in line with the show's goals.

More disappointment comes at the resolution of the b-plot - Garcia's meet-cute with the handsome stranger. The beginning of this arc feels promising, her confrontation with Morgan - a departure from their usual flirty banter - gives us a new dimension to their relationship. Garcia pointing out that Morgan doesn't seem to view her as a legitimate option, either for himself or for any conventionally attractive man - is biting criticism, one that begs the question of the show as well - why can't Morgan & Garcia's flirting ever be taken seriously, or brought out of the theoretical? But this episode squanders all that interesting potential by the resolution of Garcia & the handsome strangers date. By making "James" be a violent stalker, the show confirms Garcia's worse insecurities. It essentially reaffirms the idea that yes, no conventionally attractive man would be genuinely interested in her romantically. It's a pessimistic, cruel conclusion - a miserable jump-scare just like the rest of this episode.