With 'Criminal Minds', some seasons are better than others and every season has a mixture of outstanding, great, very good, good, average, mediocre and bad episodes. This said, lesser episodes of Seasons 1-4 (with possible exception of "Machismo") are better than the lesser episodes of Season 6 onward.
Season 9 generally is one of the weakest 'Criminal Minds' seasons, and due to a wider divide between the best and worst episodes one of the show's most inconsistent. There are some good/great episodes like "Gabby", "The Caller", "Angels"/"Demons", and also underwhelming ones such as "Mr and Mrs Anderson", "The Inspiration" (the show's worst season premiere)/"The Inspired" and two of the show's low-points "200" and "The Black Queen".
"Fatal" is neither one of the best or worst episodes, instead being an above-average in between episode. Not everything in the story comes together. Really didn't buy that the whole shuttle stuff was not only not big news but that the unsub didn't have knowledge of it, it was also fairly ridiculous that only one obstacle was in the way of the trip to Greece being made and that it wasn't re-arranged in the whole twenty years between past and present events. The motives also seemed somewhat random.
Also wouldn't have said no to more Garcia, whether it was humour or contributing in some way to the case solving, so long as it wasn't providing all too convenient answers from her computer and not much overdone innuendo banter.
Otherwise, "Fatal" was decent. The unsub was an interesting one, in no way are his actions condoned but it's hard not to feel bad for him as well once his motives are gradually revealed and once the twist at the end happens. The method for murder was a fairly atypical one for male unsubs and the mythology was very intriguing without being cheesy or overwhelming or convoluting the story. The case is relatively suspenseful, if somewhat deliberate rather than taut in pace, and the twist at the end is bittersweet where your initial perspectives on the unsub and Wick are completely turned on their head.
The team interaction is absolutely delightful. It was appreciated that JJ and Morgan took a backseat, instead of being the JJ and Morgan show that some episodes of Season 9 were, while particularly standing out were the incredibly sweet backstory with Hotch and Jack, Reid making the connections with the mythology and the "About Face" reference and that intensely harrowing and heart-wrenching phone conversation scene with Rossi.
Visually, the production values in "Fatal" 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 the atmosphere. The direction keeps the momentum going but lets the case breathe. The script is very thought-provoking and often leaves one surprised and shocked.
Performances are very good all round. Can't fault any of the regulars, while Brian Baumgartner excels in a role very much against type for him and Terry Serpico does a good job as a not-what-they-seem character.
In conclusion, patchy but also decent. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Season 9 generally is one of the weakest 'Criminal Minds' seasons, and due to a wider divide between the best and worst episodes one of the show's most inconsistent. There are some good/great episodes like "Gabby", "The Caller", "Angels"/"Demons", and also underwhelming ones such as "Mr and Mrs Anderson", "The Inspiration" (the show's worst season premiere)/"The Inspired" and two of the show's low-points "200" and "The Black Queen".
"Fatal" is neither one of the best or worst episodes, instead being an above-average in between episode. Not everything in the story comes together. Really didn't buy that the whole shuttle stuff was not only not big news but that the unsub didn't have knowledge of it, it was also fairly ridiculous that only one obstacle was in the way of the trip to Greece being made and that it wasn't re-arranged in the whole twenty years between past and present events. The motives also seemed somewhat random.
Also wouldn't have said no to more Garcia, whether it was humour or contributing in some way to the case solving, so long as it wasn't providing all too convenient answers from her computer and not much overdone innuendo banter.
Otherwise, "Fatal" was decent. The unsub was an interesting one, in no way are his actions condoned but it's hard not to feel bad for him as well once his motives are gradually revealed and once the twist at the end happens. The method for murder was a fairly atypical one for male unsubs and the mythology was very intriguing without being cheesy or overwhelming or convoluting the story. The case is relatively suspenseful, if somewhat deliberate rather than taut in pace, and the twist at the end is bittersweet where your initial perspectives on the unsub and Wick are completely turned on their head.
The team interaction is absolutely delightful. It was appreciated that JJ and Morgan took a backseat, instead of being the JJ and Morgan show that some episodes of Season 9 were, while particularly standing out were the incredibly sweet backstory with Hotch and Jack, Reid making the connections with the mythology and the "About Face" reference and that intensely harrowing and heart-wrenching phone conversation scene with Rossi.
Visually, the production values in "Fatal" 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 the atmosphere. The direction keeps the momentum going but lets the case breathe. The script is very thought-provoking and often leaves one surprised and shocked.
Performances are very good all round. Can't fault any of the regulars, while Brian Baumgartner excels in a role very much against type for him and Terry Serpico does a good job as a not-what-they-seem character.
In conclusion, patchy but also decent. 7/10 Bethany Cox
