In its prime (Seasons 1-5, with Season 4 to me being the best and most consistent season with a lot of classic episodes and even the weakest episodes being far from awful). From Season 6 it did become hit and miss, with the odd gem, but a lot of average episodes and some stinkers.
Despite being very worried as to how it was going to turn out, having been so disappointed with most of Season 11, Season 12 so far has been patchy but actually nowhere near as bad as anticipated, especially considering the numerous and substantial changes and troubled behind-the-scenes (primarily the controversial firing of Thomas Gibson). None of the episodes so far have been exceptional, at the same time none have been on the same level as the worst of Seasons 9 and 11, the weakest "Taboo" was still average. This episode, "Keeper" is the same and in many ways it's the best of Season 12 so far and a step up from the previous three episodes.
"Keeper" has its deficits. While not as cold or as stiff as in Season 11 (Aisha Tyler did show in the season premiere "The Crimson King" that her acting was starting to grow, though not exactly great still, just not as limited), the character of Tara Lewis still isn't interesting in terms of character development and isn't too warm in personality, she isn't gelling as well as she should.
The red herring/twist is much too obvious, not exactly an original twist either and 'Criminal Minds' has attempted red herrings before and with variable results, and easily foreseeable too early. At least it was easy to swallow and understand, unlike the twist revelation in "Taboo". The climactic moments also seemed abrupt and didn't feel that well rounded off, somewhat anti-climactic if you will.
However, "Keeper", as is the case with a vast majority of episodes of 'Criminal Minds' (a couple of some of the exceptions being "The Thirteenth Step" and "The Fight", which had severe editing problems and sometimes amateurish camera work), is very well made visually. 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 has momentum but also has instances where it allows things to breathe.
Writing is tight and thought provoking on the most part, and the story is interesting and has a better balance of case, personal lives and team interaction than "Sick Day" from this season and too many episodes from Seasons 8-11. The case is suspenseful and emotional, and a great job was done developing the unsub (the best developed and acted one of the season so far and the most ideally used), the back-story is just heart-breaking with the abuse neither overdone or trivialised. Nothing gratuitous here and with more of a psychological element, which has always been the much preferred approach personally for the show, than a horror element.
Reid's subplot is also guaranteed to bring tears to the eye with how sensitively and beautifully acted it was written. Too many latter season episodes have focused too much on personal lives which can be soap-operatic, clichéd and to the detriment of the case, not here with Reid's subplot. Love the chemistry between him and Rossi too, which gives some valuable poignant advice here which is testament as to why he is one of the show's best characters and one of the reasons why it's still stuck with.
Was pleasantly surprised by the team interaction. Apart from a little too much of Alvez (understandable for a new-comer and he's settling in quite well as well as being played with appeal by Adam Rodriguez) the balance of screen time is much better. The standout is the chemistry between Rossi and Reid, and thank goodness Garcia's hostility towards Alvez as seen in "The Crimson King" (a real turn off that was) showed signs of thawing. The return of Prentiss has proved to be one of the best decisions the show has made in a long time, and she's a great leader. The acting is very good, especially from Joe Mantegna and Matthew Gray Gubler while there is some note-worthy acting from Courtney Gains.
Overall, the best of the season so far. Not enough to suggest that 'Criminal Minds' is back on form but it's a step in the right direction, here's to hoping that continues. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Despite being very worried as to how it was going to turn out, having been so disappointed with most of Season 11, Season 12 so far has been patchy but actually nowhere near as bad as anticipated, especially considering the numerous and substantial changes and troubled behind-the-scenes (primarily the controversial firing of Thomas Gibson). None of the episodes so far have been exceptional, at the same time none have been on the same level as the worst of Seasons 9 and 11, the weakest "Taboo" was still average. This episode, "Keeper" is the same and in many ways it's the best of Season 12 so far and a step up from the previous three episodes.
"Keeper" has its deficits. While not as cold or as stiff as in Season 11 (Aisha Tyler did show in the season premiere "The Crimson King" that her acting was starting to grow, though not exactly great still, just not as limited), the character of Tara Lewis still isn't interesting in terms of character development and isn't too warm in personality, she isn't gelling as well as she should.
The red herring/twist is much too obvious, not exactly an original twist either and 'Criminal Minds' has attempted red herrings before and with variable results, and easily foreseeable too early. At least it was easy to swallow and understand, unlike the twist revelation in "Taboo". The climactic moments also seemed abrupt and didn't feel that well rounded off, somewhat anti-climactic if you will.
However, "Keeper", as is the case with a vast majority of episodes of 'Criminal Minds' (a couple of some of the exceptions being "The Thirteenth Step" and "The Fight", which had severe editing problems and sometimes amateurish camera work), is very well made visually. 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 has momentum but also has instances where it allows things to breathe.
Writing is tight and thought provoking on the most part, and the story is interesting and has a better balance of case, personal lives and team interaction than "Sick Day" from this season and too many episodes from Seasons 8-11. The case is suspenseful and emotional, and a great job was done developing the unsub (the best developed and acted one of the season so far and the most ideally used), the back-story is just heart-breaking with the abuse neither overdone or trivialised. Nothing gratuitous here and with more of a psychological element, which has always been the much preferred approach personally for the show, than a horror element.
Reid's subplot is also guaranteed to bring tears to the eye with how sensitively and beautifully acted it was written. Too many latter season episodes have focused too much on personal lives which can be soap-operatic, clichéd and to the detriment of the case, not here with Reid's subplot. Love the chemistry between him and Rossi too, which gives some valuable poignant advice here which is testament as to why he is one of the show's best characters and one of the reasons why it's still stuck with.
Was pleasantly surprised by the team interaction. Apart from a little too much of Alvez (understandable for a new-comer and he's settling in quite well as well as being played with appeal by Adam Rodriguez) the balance of screen time is much better. The standout is the chemistry between Rossi and Reid, and thank goodness Garcia's hostility towards Alvez as seen in "The Crimson King" (a real turn off that was) showed signs of thawing. The return of Prentiss has proved to be one of the best decisions the show has made in a long time, and she's a great leader. The acting is very good, especially from Joe Mantegna and Matthew Gray Gubler while there is some note-worthy acting from Courtney Gains.
Overall, the best of the season so far. Not enough to suggest that 'Criminal Minds' is back on form but it's a step in the right direction, here's to hoping that continues. 7/10 Bethany Cox
