Criminal Minds (TV Series) Elephant's Memory (2008) User Reviews

Bullies

[keysam-02610 · 9/10 · 13 August 2023]

Reid is absolutely right, they could have prevented this. Not because of profiling but by DOING SOMETHING about the bullying. By not turning a blind eye when they KNEW how hard Owen's father was being on him. I was bullied - nothing really extreme - when I was young and as they say in the show, you NEVER forget. Even the relatively mild version I suffered has affected my whole life, in terms of wrecking my self-confidence and making me never take any risks.

There has to be ZERO tolerance of bullying and even today too many families, schools and even TV programmes (Weakest Link anyone?) either ignore it or actively encourage it.

Season 3 at its best

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 24 August 2016]

Not just that, but "Elephant's Memory" is for me up there with the show's best episodes, certainly a standout of the early seasons. As well as being such a well-written and acted episode, it's also one of the most emotional 'Criminal Minds' episode.

What immediately stands out is the brilliant character development of Reid. He always was one of the show's best characters, both in development and personality, and "Elephant's Memory" sees one truly relating to him here.

Being mercilessly bullied in school (still think about it every day, and people really do under-estimate how bullying badly dents confidence and damages you, leaving me with severe anxiety and self-doubt which has contributed towards health problems), for being different from the rest- in a school where anybody with layered/wavy hair, a posh Southern accent, was autistic (Aspegers Syndrome, with learning difficulties and awkward social interaction) and who performed and listened to classical music and opera was not considered normal-, the character development of Reid and his situation and feelings genuinely resonated with me.

Also loved his very touching chemistry with Morgan, Morgan's more empathetic, sympathetic and protective big brother attitude being a very welcome change from his tough guy personality. Particularly strong is a scene where Reid opens up, which must have been incredibly hard for him but took immense courage on his part, ended up admiring him even more and reminded me of my opening up of my health problems and feelings on prejudice directed towards me earlier this year.

The scene at the end with Hotch was similarly great, Hotch showing both his serious boss side but also a caring friend side. The unsub is one that one actually feels genuinely sorry for, after seeing unsubs who are irredeemably evil or frightening or in later seasons poorly developed or ones that you're meant to be sympathetic towards but their crimes are just too cruel to make that happen.

On top of that, "Elephant's Memory" is beautifully made and shot with atmosphere, style and class, while the music is a perfect fit, the script is taut, tense and poignant and the story has great suspense and is genuinely emotional. The acting is very good from all involved, with Matthew Gray Gubler being absolutely outstanding here and giving one of his best performances on the show (and he has always been a high point). Great to see Michael Ironside too, though his role is small.

All in all, wonderful, emotional and remarkably relatable episode and shows Season 3 and 'Criminal Minds' in general at its best. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Superb Episode! Personified Criminal Minds!

[hiltonsmithjr · 10/10 · 16 February 2019]

Amazing Episode!! Agree Completely with The Little Songbird! Reid Really shows us a Lot about himself! He's the Youngest Character but, is EASILY the most Interesting and Diverse!! Episode is Definitely Top 5 of the Entire Run! One Question I Really wish they had let us know: Who was Michael Ironside's character "John"? I'm Guessing Sr Division Head in FBI. Maybe higher. His Scene with Reid is ONE I Never Miss when I rewatch this episode! Staggering!!! PS - Lest we NOT Forget the Johnny Cash theme song!!🏅

Great episode

[lottiemarshalllm · 10/10 · 23 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.

This was a fantastic episode that was not only intense but emotional and it was incredibly well balanced between the two.

I've said it before and I'll say it again I have a soft spot for Reid because I think he is the most well developed character on the show so far and the sympathy he shows to everyone is just so great to watch.

I think the writing in this episode was particularly well done as it felt very satisfying with Reid starting at the addicts meeting and then finishing with a sense of satisfaction knowing that he saved the kids life. (I particularly like them going back to Reid's addiction as it was kind of just dropped at the end of season two so it was nice to have some sense of closure on that topic)And throughout the episode Reid was just so distraught knowing that the killers life could've been so different if people are just helped him, making the episode so much better. I really like that Reid had a heart to heart with Morgan about the struggles of high school and how Reid knows exactly what it feels like to have so much hatred against people who've failed you. I really liked that Reid knew that the team would kill him so he took it into his own hands and thought a step ahead of the team to save the unsaved life.

I thought the whole plot line with the revenge kills was very interesting in made for a really intense episode because you knew that he wouldn't stop until he felt justified.

I could see why people wouldn't like an episode where the writers are trying to make you have more Sympathy towards the killer but I thought this episode did it so well but it didn't really matter. I think that's up to you personal preference and I typically enjoy those episodes That give more backstory and reasoning to the killers.

Although I focus pretty heavily on Reid in my review I do think that Morgan and Hotchner both had good character moments both in relation to Reid but nonetheless very good.

Overall a really terrific episode that not only had a intents and well thought out plot but had some really great character moments and acting from the main characters.