I only had one small problem with this episode. The profilers insist, more than once, that The Company doesn't actually exist, but is a construct to keep the enslaved women subdued. But it does. From the unsub asking if his contact is a Company man to the Company lawyer to the Company Cabin where the children were stockpiled everything pointed to a large and well organized conspiracy to enslave women! Rather than deny its existence the show should have set The Company up as a "Big Bad" to be taken down over the course of a season. Otherwise this was a solid effort. Chad L. Coleman was so perfectly evil as Malcom Ford that it is a shame they can only arrest him once.
8 Reviews
The mystery of Derek's long missing cousin is finally revealed as is The Company she keeps.
DemoChristian12 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Great throughout, didn't like the ending
nosnibordeandre27 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I loved the story-line, and the way the story progressed. It kept me excited all the way through...However, I didn't like the ending....for them to be looking for her for so long, it just seemed kind of anti- climatic how they captured the bad guy. I hate episodes where they have a confrontation with the cops and then a fight ensues. It sort of puts the story in a predictable state. We know who is going to win the fight (no matter how big, small, tall or short the cop is). I actually stopped watching at the point where I saw the cousin and the bad guy hiding behind the trees, because I knew what was to come. My guess is... Morgan and the bad guy gets into a fight; Morgan gets the best of him, and they are able to arrest him. The whole corny family reunion thing happens...and some smart comment by one of the females to the bad guy about his thoughts on women and their role...and that's all just me guessing (so someone correct me if I'm wrong)...I think a better ending would have been if BAU had just missed them when the cops arrived at the cabin, and then they could have made the story a little longer, or even had another episode surrounding the story at a later date.
All in all, it was good until the last few minutes...I would say its at least worth the watch. I just couldn't watch the ending.
All in all, it was good until the last few minutes...I would say its at least worth the watch. I just couldn't watch the ending.
Wrenches the gut in how powerful it is
TheLittleSongbird13 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Season 7 has been one of the most variable 'Criminal Minds' seasons (Season 6 being the most variable, with Season 11 being the worst and two of the show's worst episodes, "200" and "The Black Queen", being in Season 9).
Most of the season's episodes range from average to good. There are too some great episodes, especially "Foundation" and this one, but also some mediocre at best episodes such as "I Love You Tommy Brown" and "There's No Place Like Home". As said, to me "The Company" (based on the real life story of Colleen Stan) is one of Season 7's best, and also one of the most powerful latter season episodes.
Like with "Foundation", it was difficult to believe that it was a late episode. Too many of the recent episodes seemed to completely forget or lose sight of what makes 'Criminal Minds' so great (especially the worst of Season 11, while something like "200" didn't feel like 'Criminal Minds' at all), not so "The Company". It was almost without fault, only being let down slightly by an anti-climactic take-down and Garcia's presence at the end not making sense.
On the other hand, as always with 'Criminal Minds' "The Company" is very well made, dark and gritty while also classy and stylish. The music is haunting and melancholic. The writing chills the blood in any of the scenes carrying out his crimes, is poignant in the scenes with Morgan and his family where the pain is so honest and raw, while Garcia's sparkling and ray of sunshine-like interaction with Morgan (can be overdone, overused and cringe-worthy, but very funny here) and who can't help love the sassy nature of JJ and Prentiss (JJ's shushing of the unsub here is priceless).
The case itself is creepy and suspenseful, with interesting profiling that doesn't have baseless and sudden conclusion jumping, and of the Morgan-centric episodes "The Company" is definitely one of the best ones, after Morgan being either background or being an out of character jerk so often it was wonderful to see a vulnerable and more compassionate but also more determined side so he is a very likable and relatable character here. The scenes with his family (such as the final one, which avoids being a typical sappy and corny reunion scene but ends up being a painfully poignant one) are powerful and moving, and the unsub (chillingly played by Chad L Coleman) is one of the season's creepiest.
The direction is solid throughout, the pacing is never choppy or dull and the acting across the board is very strong. Shemar Moore's exceptional acting here, where he proves that Morgan is more than just a tough guy but also a character with vulnerabilities and hidden emotions dug deep (a much more complex character than is given credit), will make a lot of people wonder why there are those who say that he can't act, doesn't have much emotional range or struggles with emotional scenes (his effectiveness as an actor very largely depends on the writing, in dialogue and how Morgan is written, both have varied wildly throughout the show).
Overall, very powerful episode and one of Season 7's best. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Most of the season's episodes range from average to good. There are too some great episodes, especially "Foundation" and this one, but also some mediocre at best episodes such as "I Love You Tommy Brown" and "There's No Place Like Home". As said, to me "The Company" (based on the real life story of Colleen Stan) is one of Season 7's best, and also one of the most powerful latter season episodes.
Like with "Foundation", it was difficult to believe that it was a late episode. Too many of the recent episodes seemed to completely forget or lose sight of what makes 'Criminal Minds' so great (especially the worst of Season 11, while something like "200" didn't feel like 'Criminal Minds' at all), not so "The Company". It was almost without fault, only being let down slightly by an anti-climactic take-down and Garcia's presence at the end not making sense.
On the other hand, as always with 'Criminal Minds' "The Company" is very well made, dark and gritty while also classy and stylish. The music is haunting and melancholic. The writing chills the blood in any of the scenes carrying out his crimes, is poignant in the scenes with Morgan and his family where the pain is so honest and raw, while Garcia's sparkling and ray of sunshine-like interaction with Morgan (can be overdone, overused and cringe-worthy, but very funny here) and who can't help love the sassy nature of JJ and Prentiss (JJ's shushing of the unsub here is priceless).
The case itself is creepy and suspenseful, with interesting profiling that doesn't have baseless and sudden conclusion jumping, and of the Morgan-centric episodes "The Company" is definitely one of the best ones, after Morgan being either background or being an out of character jerk so often it was wonderful to see a vulnerable and more compassionate but also more determined side so he is a very likable and relatable character here. The scenes with his family (such as the final one, which avoids being a typical sappy and corny reunion scene but ends up being a painfully poignant one) are powerful and moving, and the unsub (chillingly played by Chad L Coleman) is one of the season's creepiest.
The direction is solid throughout, the pacing is never choppy or dull and the acting across the board is very strong. Shemar Moore's exceptional acting here, where he proves that Morgan is more than just a tough guy but also a character with vulnerabilities and hidden emotions dug deep (a much more complex character than is given credit), will make a lot of people wonder why there are those who say that he can't act, doesn't have much emotional range or struggles with emotional scenes (his effectiveness as an actor very largely depends on the writing, in dialogue and how Morgan is written, both have varied wildly throughout the show).
Overall, very powerful episode and one of Season 7's best. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Great episode, but ...
menneke0019 December 2012
Great episode. Amazing spin & story lines.
Loved it. Loved the storyline. Loved the recurring characters, Loved the implications, Loved the emotions involved.
Just an amazing storyline.
But.... I would've made it into a special (make it a longer episode since it's so special to a member of the team) like they did with the episodes about Ian Doyle.
It would've allowed for a more complete portrayal of the all possible discovery of information and all possible searches the team performs. Maybe even include a goose chase.
But other than that, GREAT EPISODE. JUST LOVED IT !!!!
Loved it. Loved the storyline. Loved the recurring characters, Loved the implications, Loved the emotions involved.
Just an amazing storyline.
But.... I would've made it into a special (make it a longer episode since it's so special to a member of the team) like they did with the episodes about Ian Doyle.
It would've allowed for a more complete portrayal of the all possible discovery of information and all possible searches the team performs. Maybe even include a goose chase.
But other than that, GREAT EPISODE. JUST LOVED IT !!!!
A gem after a string of hohum episodes
Jackbv12312 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Since episode 12, I have been waiting for the magic to resurface and this episode does it in style. It is more than a just a Morgan special. It has so many good elements.
It goes without saying that the villain is so detestable, but this is a good topic to bring out that emotion. In some ways it would seem like the torture he inflicted was mild compared to women having joints permanently dislocated, or toes cut off, or an arm chopped off or worse, but one only has to consider how many men there are at least partly like him, and how many women suffer the loss of their personhood in a lasting relationship and even marriage to recognize that this case is also worthy of the CM horror hall of fame.
The viewer is pulled emotionally by Cindi's plight, but I didn't think it took much acting on the part of Shanola Hampton. Nevertheless, she delivered the character and the heartache.
The story was great. The viewer thinks things are going one way (except if you are watching the clock and know too much time is left), and then bam. Why? Not only is the team asking but so is the viewer. I thought the way they got the key information from the lawyer was a bit too easy, but otherwise the scenario is moving right along.
Then the very last scene caps off the episode like icing on the cake. Classic CM.
It goes without saying that the villain is so detestable, but this is a good topic to bring out that emotion. In some ways it would seem like the torture he inflicted was mild compared to women having joints permanently dislocated, or toes cut off, or an arm chopped off or worse, but one only has to consider how many men there are at least partly like him, and how many women suffer the loss of their personhood in a lasting relationship and even marriage to recognize that this case is also worthy of the CM horror hall of fame.
The viewer is pulled emotionally by Cindi's plight, but I didn't think it took much acting on the part of Shanola Hampton. Nevertheless, she delivered the character and the heartache.
The story was great. The viewer thinks things are going one way (except if you are watching the clock and know too much time is left), and then bam. Why? Not only is the team asking but so is the viewer. I thought the way they got the key information from the lawyer was a bit too easy, but otherwise the scenario is moving right along.
Then the very last scene caps off the episode like icing on the cake. Classic CM.
OMFG!!!!!!!!
mounabenjazia9711 April 2020
Disappointing
addamonik22 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I love this show, and I am often willing to omit its faults, but this episode was infuriating.
The mystery of Derek's cousin's disappearance had been teased for so long, and this episode just didn't do it justice.
First, Desiree just randomly bumps into Cindi on the road, after 8 years, which goes to show how stupid bringing her back to Chicago was in the first place.
The name Malcom Ford comes up in a very surface level checking of the gun's provenance. Also, the suicide was apparently murder and the photos were planted. Why wasn't this uncovered 8 years ago?
They go to Malcom's house, and it's immediately obvious Cindi's been living there. He successfully kept her for 8 years, but conveniently missed burning off the part with her name on the contract. Aham.
Then the reunion is all f'ed up because she comes to the precinct voluntarily and is behaving like an automaton.
They keep going back and forth on whether she has Stockholm syndrome or not, and I guess in the end they go with no she doesn't, she was just protecting her son, but I don't think that's a good enough explanation for her actions. She seemed to oscillate between complete obedience and defiant acts, with complete open distain there at the end. Her changes in behavior were giving me whiplash.
Also, the lawyer there at the end just coughed up all that incriminating information like it was nothing. You're telling me a ring like the Company (which they just pretended didn't exist wtf) managed to exist for years without any kind of hierarchy or leverage on its members/consequences for snitching? Yeah I don't buy it.
IMO this topic warranted 2 episodes, spent on getting to the bottom of the Company and their kidnapping and brainwashing methods. This was just so half-assed it was ridiculous. They had a compelling villain, plus a highly anticipated plot, only to let both go to waste.
The mystery of Derek's cousin's disappearance had been teased for so long, and this episode just didn't do it justice.
First, Desiree just randomly bumps into Cindi on the road, after 8 years, which goes to show how stupid bringing her back to Chicago was in the first place.
The name Malcom Ford comes up in a very surface level checking of the gun's provenance. Also, the suicide was apparently murder and the photos were planted. Why wasn't this uncovered 8 years ago?
They go to Malcom's house, and it's immediately obvious Cindi's been living there. He successfully kept her for 8 years, but conveniently missed burning off the part with her name on the contract. Aham.
Then the reunion is all f'ed up because she comes to the precinct voluntarily and is behaving like an automaton.
They keep going back and forth on whether she has Stockholm syndrome or not, and I guess in the end they go with no she doesn't, she was just protecting her son, but I don't think that's a good enough explanation for her actions. She seemed to oscillate between complete obedience and defiant acts, with complete open distain there at the end. Her changes in behavior were giving me whiplash.
Also, the lawyer there at the end just coughed up all that incriminating information like it was nothing. You're telling me a ring like the Company (which they just pretended didn't exist wtf) managed to exist for years without any kind of hierarchy or leverage on its members/consequences for snitching? Yeah I don't buy it.
IMO this topic warranted 2 episodes, spent on getting to the bottom of the Company and their kidnapping and brainwashing methods. This was just so half-assed it was ridiculous. They had a compelling villain, plus a highly anticipated plot, only to let both go to waste.
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