From Childhood's Hour
- Episode aired Oct 19, 2011
- TV-14
- 43m
The BAU team investigates the abductions of young children with troubled mothers in St. Louis. Also, Rossi reconnects with his first wife who has shocking news for him.The BAU team investigates the abductions of young children with troubled mothers in St. Louis. Also, Rossi reconnects with his first wife who has shocking news for him.The BAU team investigates the abductions of young children with troubled mothers in St. Louis. Also, Rossi reconnects with his first wife who has shocking news for him.
- Kelsey Tanner
- (as Sevaun Cavanaugh Kastl)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaHeather Tom guest starred in this episode. Her younger siblings David Tom and Nicholle Tom (twins) guest starred together in Damaged (2008).
- GoofsWhen the 13-year-old girl calls 911 to report that her mother's boyfriend is attacking, the address is in St. Louis, Missouri but the ZIP(TM) code is 91342, which is in the Los Angeles area.
- Quotes
Derek Morgan: Talk to me, mama.
Penelope Garcia: First off, you are on restriction from my inner Lamborghini.
Derek Morgan: Garcia...
Penelope Garcia: I mean it. This high-performance engine may purr like a puma on the prowl, but this time, Derek, you have seriously overheated my engines, and I will require some cool-down laps upon your return, if you know what I mean by that.
Derek Morgan: Baby girl, you're on speaker.
Penelope Garcia: I knew that.
- ConnectionsReferences THX 1138 (1971)
- SoundtracksCriminal Minds Theme
Composed by Mark Mancina
As far as Season 7 goes, "From Childhood's Hour" is up there among the better ones, on par with "Self Fulfilling Prophecy" "Proof" and "Unknown Subject" and almost as good as "True Genius", "The Foundation", "Dorado Falls" and "The Company". Elsewhere Season 7 was very much mixed, though the only disappointments to me were "Closing Time", "Divining Rod" (and especially), "I Love You Tommy Brown" and "There's No Place Like Home".
"From Childhood's Hour" has a huge amount to recommend. Maybe Rossi's story line took up a little too much of the episode (though this didn't feel like a major criticism compared to some episodes because a great job is done with the case and the unsub) and the writing occasionally could have been tighter. The unsub's story could have ended a little later than it did, it felt like it was resolved too early. They were pretty much the only things that weren't quite right however.
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. There are some humorous moments, courtesy of Garcia and especially Reid, who can't help love "Frankly I'm not too eager to see the perishable food version of this room", and some thought-provoking and emotional ones.
Rossi's story line with his first ex wife is beautifully done and struck an emotional chord with me. It was strongly suspected that it was going to be bad news that Rossi was going to be told, but this particular bit of bad news was a real shock and makes one feel really sorry for Rossi and Carolyn.
In no way is the case neglected or any less memorable. There is a touch of sadness but it is also very disturbing in that danger comes from an unexpected place, a painful reminder that people that seem trust-worthy can not always be as much as they seem. The unsub is one of the more interestingly developed ones of the season.
To be expected, the team dynamic is delightful, family-like in bond, with some great character moments and interaction. Standing out in particular is the Rossi story line, which sees a poignant emotional side to Rossi after seeing him as the sassy, old-school and tough-talking character. Garcia and Reid's humour and Prentiss' genuine warmth and sympathy stand out too.
Acting is very good all round, Joe Mantegna being particularly strong of the regulars, with great supporting turns from a moving Isabella Hoffmann, Mason Cook in a remarkably emotionally complex child performance, a subtly chilling Patrick Stafford and a conflicted Heather Tom.
In conclusion, disturbing, sad and very well done episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 21, 2017
Details
- Runtime43 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD