Spencer
- Episode aired Feb 15, 2017
- TV-14
- 42m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
When a member of the BAU gets in trouble in Mexico, they enlist the help of the International Response Team.When a member of the BAU gets in trouble in Mexico, they enlist the help of the International Response Team.When a member of the BAU gets in trouble in Mexico, they enlist the help of the International Response Team.
Pancho Cardena
- Cell Mate
- (as Pancho Cardeña)
Jane Lynch
- Diana Reid
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Taylor Nichols
- William Reid
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
James Van Der Beek
- Tobias Hankel
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen the team explains to Luke and Tara who Tobias Hankel is, JJ mentions that his abduction and drugging of Reid occurred ten years earlier. This aired almost exactly ten years after Revelations (2007), missing the anniversary of its airdate by just a week. Coincidentally, both feature the quotation of the Bible verse from Ecclesiastes 7:20 ("there is not a righteous man on Earth who does what is right and never sins").
- GoofsThe jailer says to Reid, "You don't get a phone call. That always surprises Americans when they get in trouble here [in Mexico]". Actually, in America, people who are arrested are also not entitled to a phone call, which must surprise a lot of people when they are arrested in real life.
- Quotes
Jennifer Jareau: [closing quotation] "There are so many fragile things after all. People break so easily, and so do dreams and hearts." - Neil Gaiman.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Criminal Minds: Miasma (2018)
Featured review
Best Season 12 episode yet
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) 'Criminal Minds' was one of my favourite shows. From Season 6 it did become hit and miss, with the odd gem, but a lot of average episodes and some stinkers.
Season 12 so far has been an inconsistent season but a long way from a bad one, in fact generally it has been much better than anticipated. Before "Spencer" there were no classic episodes, but most ranged from above average to very good. "Taboo" and particularly "The Anti-Terror Squad" were the only disappointments. "Spencer" is a gem and the best of the season yet.
Not quite flawless. There are a couple of unanswered questions that could have been explained more. The other criticism is that Rossi, usually one of 'Criminal Minds' best characters, seemed out of sorts, not the sassy, hard-talking, old school and sometimes sympathetic character that makes him such a great character, here he instead seemed constantly confused and some parts made him somewhat of an annoying fool.
However, "Spencer" visually looks great. 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 is alert, tense and accommodating.
The writing has been the best it's been all season so far and pretty much a masterclass (not since Season 11's "Entropy" has the writing impressed so much), so tautly written, thought-provoking, gritty and poignant. Really appreciated the reference to Season 2's "Revelations", one of the highlights of that season with one of the show's best ever unsubs. The team interaction is absolutely brilliant, their concern for Reid being most affecting. Prentiss and JJ are especially good, with some of Paget Brewster and AJ Cook's finest acting on the show. Alvez is settling in nicely and doesn't try too hard to replace Morgan, loved his gentleness towards Reid too, and Walker is not as bland as he was previously.
Absolutely adored the story in "Spencer". Even though Reid's innocence is never doubted, the tension floored me and left me at other times in floods of tears, the only Season 12 episode to make me feel like that to date. The acting is very good, to say that Matthew Gray Gubler is perfection here is not enough.
In conclusion, great episode and the best Season 12 episode yet. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Season 12 so far has been an inconsistent season but a long way from a bad one, in fact generally it has been much better than anticipated. Before "Spencer" there were no classic episodes, but most ranged from above average to very good. "Taboo" and particularly "The Anti-Terror Squad" were the only disappointments. "Spencer" is a gem and the best of the season yet.
Not quite flawless. There are a couple of unanswered questions that could have been explained more. The other criticism is that Rossi, usually one of 'Criminal Minds' best characters, seemed out of sorts, not the sassy, hard-talking, old school and sometimes sympathetic character that makes him such a great character, here he instead seemed constantly confused and some parts made him somewhat of an annoying fool.
However, "Spencer" visually looks great. 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 is alert, tense and accommodating.
The writing has been the best it's been all season so far and pretty much a masterclass (not since Season 11's "Entropy" has the writing impressed so much), so tautly written, thought-provoking, gritty and poignant. Really appreciated the reference to Season 2's "Revelations", one of the highlights of that season with one of the show's best ever unsubs. The team interaction is absolutely brilliant, their concern for Reid being most affecting. Prentiss and JJ are especially good, with some of Paget Brewster and AJ Cook's finest acting on the show. Alvez is settling in nicely and doesn't try too hard to replace Morgan, loved his gentleness towards Reid too, and Walker is not as bland as he was previously.
Absolutely adored the story in "Spencer". Even though Reid's innocence is never doubted, the tension floored me and left me at other times in floods of tears, the only Season 12 episode to make me feel like that to date. The acting is very good, to say that Matthew Gray Gubler is perfection here is not enough.
In conclusion, great episode and the best Season 12 episode yet. 9/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•157
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jun 10, 2017
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD
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