Wasn't too impressed by "Big Sea" when first seeing it and remembered little about it. After re-watching it, as has been done (and still doing) with episodes that didn't stand out on first viewing but deserving of a re-evaluation, it fared better. However, it stuck out as a middling episode of a wildly hit and miss season that is among the show's weakest.
It is not one of the season's better episodes like "Remembrance of Things Past", "Into the Woods", "Hanley Waters", "Safe Haven" and "The Longest Night". But it is a better episode than "Today I Do", "25 to Life", "Corazon" (in fact most episodes featuring Seaver) and particularly "The Thirteenth Step", which is widely regarded as a low-point episode of 'Criminal Minds' and cannot disagree.
"Big Sea" is not a bad episode, it is just one of those episodes, like Season 3's "Identity", Season 4's "Catching Out" and Season 1's "The Popular Kids" (and to a lesser extent "Blood Hungry"), amongst others, that feels a little bland and middle of the road. The whole thing with Morgan having a cousin, considering that we never knew that the character existed until now, felt rather random and out of the blue, and it took up too much of the episode at the expense of not quite enough profiling and little character moments within the team. Morgan telling such a big lie at the end was quite a turn off and out of character, am aware that it was most likely a difficult decision but still calling the lie big is an understatement.
Regarding the case and story, it was a mixed bag. It did have some unsettling moments, with a very sadistic unsub, the modus operandi even more so and the victims' terror looking genuine, and there are a few really good scenes like Reid's fun exchange about how long it would have taken for the victims to be reconstructed and a chilling interrogation scene. However it did lack tension and suspense and dragged a bit in places, and while there is some good profiling and nice character moments there should have been more. There is too a little too much conclusion jumping still, and one really does wonder why it does take so long for the team to figure it all out and discover the means of transport when it is obvious to the viewer early on.
On the other hand, "Big Sea" is as pretty much always (with a few exceptions) very stylishly made, hauntingly scored and serviceably directed. The script has its bland moments, but still provokes thought and has evidence of tautness. As said, the unsub is a very sadistic one while showing some vulnerability in the climactic scenes, and Reid's exchange and the interrogation are particularly well done. The chemistry between Morgan and his aunt is suitably poignant and one does feel for the aunt, one just wishes that the circumstances weren't so out of the blue and took up too much time.
As ever, the acting is very good. Shemar Moore of the regulars is particularly strong, while Karl Makinen is just excellent as Wells, bringing the right amount of chills and vulnerability, and Denise Dowse is touching. The one exception is Rachel Nichols, who continues to show limited range to the ever dull and annoying Seaver (though she isn't as dumb as she is in other episodes).
In conclusion, better on re-watch but a middling episode of Season 6 and of 'Criminal Minds' in general. 6/10 Bethany Cox
It is not one of the season's better episodes like "Remembrance of Things Past", "Into the Woods", "Hanley Waters", "Safe Haven" and "The Longest Night". But it is a better episode than "Today I Do", "25 to Life", "Corazon" (in fact most episodes featuring Seaver) and particularly "The Thirteenth Step", which is widely regarded as a low-point episode of 'Criminal Minds' and cannot disagree.
"Big Sea" is not a bad episode, it is just one of those episodes, like Season 3's "Identity", Season 4's "Catching Out" and Season 1's "The Popular Kids" (and to a lesser extent "Blood Hungry"), amongst others, that feels a little bland and middle of the road. The whole thing with Morgan having a cousin, considering that we never knew that the character existed until now, felt rather random and out of the blue, and it took up too much of the episode at the expense of not quite enough profiling and little character moments within the team. Morgan telling such a big lie at the end was quite a turn off and out of character, am aware that it was most likely a difficult decision but still calling the lie big is an understatement.
Regarding the case and story, it was a mixed bag. It did have some unsettling moments, with a very sadistic unsub, the modus operandi even more so and the victims' terror looking genuine, and there are a few really good scenes like Reid's fun exchange about how long it would have taken for the victims to be reconstructed and a chilling interrogation scene. However it did lack tension and suspense and dragged a bit in places, and while there is some good profiling and nice character moments there should have been more. There is too a little too much conclusion jumping still, and one really does wonder why it does take so long for the team to figure it all out and discover the means of transport when it is obvious to the viewer early on.
On the other hand, "Big Sea" is as pretty much always (with a few exceptions) very stylishly made, hauntingly scored and serviceably directed. The script has its bland moments, but still provokes thought and has evidence of tautness. As said, the unsub is a very sadistic one while showing some vulnerability in the climactic scenes, and Reid's exchange and the interrogation are particularly well done. The chemistry between Morgan and his aunt is suitably poignant and one does feel for the aunt, one just wishes that the circumstances weren't so out of the blue and took up too much time.
As ever, the acting is very good. Shemar Moore of the regulars is particularly strong, while Karl Makinen is just excellent as Wells, bringing the right amount of chills and vulnerability, and Denise Dowse is touching. The one exception is Rachel Nichols, who continues to show limited range to the ever dull and annoying Seaver (though she isn't as dumb as she is in other episodes).
In conclusion, better on re-watch but a middling episode of Season 6 and of 'Criminal Minds' in general. 6/10 Bethany Cox
