User reviews

Typical Criminal Minds episode. Entertaining but not spectacular. In the beginning JJ mentions that the murder rate in Buffalo was over 700 people last year. Assuming she was talking about 2008 (Since this episode takes place in 2009), this number seems to be random since only 37 people were murdered in Buffalo in 2008. Furthermore, no more than 74 people have been murdered in any single year since 2000.

While I agree with the previous reviewers that this is an outstanding episode, I must add that Alex O'Loughlin's magnificent performance is but a part of the pieces that add up to more than their sum. This is truly the first episode of Criminal Minds that is completely unique. The beginning alone *feels* different - the atmosphere is charged, the turns fast and *unsettling*. It felt more like a beginning to a thriller movie that could stand shoulder to shoulder with classics like The Silence of the Lambs and Se7en. Extremely impressive.

The plot is just staggering. The details so amazing. The nuances so perfect. From cinematography to editing, music and sound effects, this just blows all the episodes out of the water. There is *nothing* thrown in needlessly - the most common flaw in any given Criminal Minds episode - this is locked tight. Way too often the series takes the audience for stupider than we are and has loads of unnecessary exposition and those embarrassing re-enacting scenes - actually for once done right here, setting an example for the following episodes.

The best thing is that there is an unpredictability that keeps the viewer constantly unsure what will happen next. This is the one time the BAU team is not instantly, routinely throwing together a profile. This is *complex*, utterly compelling, loaded with emotion. Unlike #4.8, which had delusions of grandeur starting already with its title, THIS is the first true masterpiece of the series. The lesson: downplay, don't overplay. Engage the viewer's imagination. Achieve the impossible.

A definite contender, absolutely. It has been said that it's the first unique episode of 'Criminal Minds' and the first masterpiece, and I cannot disagree that this is one of the most unique episodes and that is an outstanding episode in all aspects.

"The Big Wheel" to me is one of the few episodes of 'Criminal Minds' to achieve perfection, where everything works and everything serves a purpose and has the impact it should. And this reviewer says this as a big fan of the show, not afraid to admit that some episodes and seasons like with all shows are better than others but when an episode of 'Crimimal Minds' was good like "The Big Wheel" it made for riveting television.

It looks wonderful visually, 'Criminal Minds' always has been a well-made show but "The Big Wheel" is one of the more visually interesting and striking episodes, with some of it effectively stark, some of it melancholic and some of it claustrophobic but in a way that enhances the atmosphere. The climax is especially well done in this regard. The filming as always is stylish and slick, and it's all very atmospherically lit. The music is haunting and hypnotic, and while it always served the show well in a positive way without being extraordinary "The Big Wheel" is one of the few cases in the earlier seasons where the music when used really enhanced what was happening, especially the fairground music in the climax.

Here the writing is some of the tightest and thought-provoking of the show, not just the opening and closing bookend quotations but the procedural aspects and the delving into the mind of the unsub. Any humour doesn't feel out of place, the tense moments are nail-biting and the poignant moments are incredibly touching. The story is an interesting idea and brilliantly executed, with a genuine unsettling atmosphere and nothing feeling rushed or padded, as said everything feels necessary, well-explained and has real punch. The climax is both high in tension and emotion, with such a suspenseful build up to the outcome, which was quite heart-rending.

Direction throughout is more than solid, the tension and suspense doesn't slip, the characters are interesting and success is done getting good performances from all involved. The regular cast all do fine jobs, particularly Joe Mantegna, Matthew Gray Gubler and Paget Brewster but this is a case of the supporting roles making more of an impression. Much has been said about the performances of Alex O'Loughlin and Jake Cherry, and there is not much really to add. O'Loughlin magnificently brings both eeriness and anguish to an unsub that's both one that the viewer is frightened of and sympathetic towards (not many killers on 'Criminal Minds' fit that distinction, especially before this episode, but Vincent is one of the biggest examples). Cherry is remarkably affecting (reducing me to tears at the end) in a very difficult role, to the extent that one really does believe that he is blind, definitely one of the better child performances on the show.

To conclude, outstanding and a definite contender for the best episode of Season 4. 10/10 Bethany Cox

This was a very compelling episode . . . which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, and put me through the emotions ringer! This episode was beautifully cast! The boy who played Stanley was really great.He and 'Vincent' (the awesome Alex O'Loughlin) were a perfect fit. What I'm most excited about though is the versatility of guest star Alex O'Loughlin (Moonlight, The Shield, etc.). He completely 'owns' every role he plays. I've watched him in a variety of roles (TV and movies), and he makes every single character he plays come to life! That's special, and rare. He's what they'd call a 'Natural", born to act. He's really immensely talented, on top of his good looks, and it was a delightful treat to see him on TV again!

I have to admit I never heard of this guy before, and to the best of my knowledge, never saw him before. His portrayal of Vincent was very moving. Criminal Minds' killers are mostly exploitative and creepy, seldom interesting, certainly never sympathetic. The restrained story-telling, minimizing the gore, getting the team out of the way so we could focus on the carefully revealed story of Stanley and Vincent, brilliantly and understatedly played by both actors, was some of the finest TV I have ever seen. Kudos too to whichever of the four composers listed was responsible for the background music that started at the point when the ferris wheel rose and crowd noise faded. Extremely effective, underscoring, literally, the pathos of the situation. Bravi, production team and actors!

I'm not a fan of episodes that concentrate too much on the unsub. But this one was done just right. Everything fit.

The writing was on point. We got the sense of who the unsub is and still there was enough time spent on profiling.

And the acting was just amazing, especially from Alex O'Loughlin. He made Vincent human. His presence disconcerting but there was a vulnerability to him. And his scenes with young Jake Cherry were beautiful as well.

This is an episode I can re-watch anytime.

This episode was outstanding. Words cannot describe the emotion and pure genius of Alex O'Loughlin. I usually do not feel bad for a killer, but I could not help myself in this instance. Alex O'Loughlin portrays his character with a touch of innocence, anguish, and eerie understanding of a criminal's mind. I have never been touched so much by a single hour of television. Surely, this very talented actor deserves an Emmy for such an extraordinary performance. This is an actor on his way of becoming a legend in his own time. Criminal Minds "The Big Wheel" is just an example of the versatility of Mr. O'Loughlin. Watch him on his next two movies: "Whiteout" and "The Back-Up Plan." Plus, if "Three Rivers" is picked up on CBS, he will be returning to TV in the Fall.

This was so different and great.Alex is the best and that little Jake played his part just right.For the ones that don't know Alex try and find his shows. You will not be disappointed. He has the ability to change with the part he's playing. That's a sign of a good actor.I have watched criminal minds before but it never kept my interest too much. This was a special story and I'm sure was written just for Alex. It was sensitive and quiet and you saw more from the side of the serial killer. It surprised you from beginning to end. This has to be the classic show for Criminal Minds. The Derek Morgan part was unusual also. This just has to be 'a have to see show'.It had it all. We can only hope Alex will be on more programs so we can have more quality shows.

So cinematic, so perfect. the child actor was a phenomenal in his role. Vincent, too, did a wonderful job of bringing out his character's sad background story.

In this very moving episode of Criminal Minds, we see another outstanding performance by the charismatic and mega-talented Alex O'Loughlin. With the brilliant portrayal of UNSUB Vincent, he shows his unique ability to make his audience feel a connection with the "bad guy" and see his humanity. We can't help but feel pity for Vincent, but we also see his strength and dignity with which he tries to break out of the terrible repetitive cycles he's locked in. We witness a marvelous character transformation that opens our eyes to how extraordinarily precious life is. O'Loughlin's finely nuanced acting and Simon Mirren's brilliant writing created one of the most memorable episodes of any crime series ever.

I give a 10 out of 10 based on the acting, the music, the intensity. One of my top 5 episodes. My only nit picks with this one are when Emily prentis keeps interrupting hotch and morgon when they are reviewing footage of Vincent's walking.. (explains what ocd is like she's talking to kids.. Just seemed unnecessary especially as she's with hotch and morgon) that's very slight tho and doesn't at all diminish this episode.. If anyone ever finds the music playing at the end, please let me know. Its just beautiful!