Of Season 10, "Nelson's Sparrow" and "Mr Scratch" are the only two episodes to me that leap out as outstanding, and two of the best episodes of 'Criminal Minds' in recent years.
Granted, there are definitely worse episodes of 'Criminal Minds' out there, especially the worst of Seasons 9 ("200", "The Black Queen" and 11 ("Awake", "The Bond", "Till Death Do Us Part", "Inner Beauty"), the latter universally regarded as the show's worst season for good reason. "Hashtag" is a lesser episode of Season 10, and that is a shame because like "Burn" it had all the makings of an intriguing episode but was left wanting.
There are good things in "Hashtag". The production values as always look great, very stylish and atmospheric. The music is haunting and melancholic, while not quite enhancing the atmosphere or action it never distracts either. The unsub is a truly creepy one and one that is not revealed too early or used too much, something like many of Season 11's episodes made the mistake of doing. The episode starts off very well and the team meeting is interesting. The acting is good on the whole, with the only real exceptions being Jennifer Love Hewitt, who brings little personality to Kate, doesn't gel with the team and feels out of place within it too, and the lady playing Savannah, not much there either.
However, "Hashtag" is an example of having a concept that everybody will identify with (the dangers of social media) but explores it far less interestingly than it ought. The case itself is too over-familiar and pedestrian, it is a case/idea that we have seen many times before and "Hashtag" does little with it. It does lack atmosphere or urgency as a result of the whole social media stuff taking too much prominence, too much of it feeling forced (such as taking names from 'Buffy and the Vampire Slayer') and everything said is not that illuminating with nothing said that we don't know already.
While you do hate the unsub, you also hate the victims too. Especially Tara, can't believe somebody can be so careless in her online presence. Most people, including people, would be wary of even taking one selfie let alone being prolific at it, making her an easy target for the wrong people. No wonder the team were shocked. There is once again a lack of balance within the team, with too much focus on less interesting characters and the characters that make the show being practically background. Rossi and Reid have very little to nothing to do here, while the whole Morgan and Savannah subplot feels like filler that feels so disjointed and soap-opera-like compared to the rest of the story, with their tacky end scene completely spoiling what could have been a pretty good conclusion.
The lack of chemistry and the lack of personality for Savannah makes it even worse. The writing lacks tightness and such, and what makes 'Criminal Minds' such a great show, when good or even better at its best, often doesn't come through enough. Also Morgan's remorse towards the unsub, considering that he is the tough guy of the team and often near-aggressive with criminals regardless of age, does feel out of character and unwarranted.
Overall, intriguing idea but pretty mediocre episode. 4/10 Bethany Cox
Granted, there are definitely worse episodes of 'Criminal Minds' out there, especially the worst of Seasons 9 ("200", "The Black Queen" and 11 ("Awake", "The Bond", "Till Death Do Us Part", "Inner Beauty"), the latter universally regarded as the show's worst season for good reason. "Hashtag" is a lesser episode of Season 10, and that is a shame because like "Burn" it had all the makings of an intriguing episode but was left wanting.
There are good things in "Hashtag". The production values as always look great, very stylish and atmospheric. The music is haunting and melancholic, while not quite enhancing the atmosphere or action it never distracts either. The unsub is a truly creepy one and one that is not revealed too early or used too much, something like many of Season 11's episodes made the mistake of doing. The episode starts off very well and the team meeting is interesting. The acting is good on the whole, with the only real exceptions being Jennifer Love Hewitt, who brings little personality to Kate, doesn't gel with the team and feels out of place within it too, and the lady playing Savannah, not much there either.
However, "Hashtag" is an example of having a concept that everybody will identify with (the dangers of social media) but explores it far less interestingly than it ought. The case itself is too over-familiar and pedestrian, it is a case/idea that we have seen many times before and "Hashtag" does little with it. It does lack atmosphere or urgency as a result of the whole social media stuff taking too much prominence, too much of it feeling forced (such as taking names from 'Buffy and the Vampire Slayer') and everything said is not that illuminating with nothing said that we don't know already.
While you do hate the unsub, you also hate the victims too. Especially Tara, can't believe somebody can be so careless in her online presence. Most people, including people, would be wary of even taking one selfie let alone being prolific at it, making her an easy target for the wrong people. No wonder the team were shocked. There is once again a lack of balance within the team, with too much focus on less interesting characters and the characters that make the show being practically background. Rossi and Reid have very little to nothing to do here, while the whole Morgan and Savannah subplot feels like filler that feels so disjointed and soap-opera-like compared to the rest of the story, with their tacky end scene completely spoiling what could have been a pretty good conclusion.
The lack of chemistry and the lack of personality for Savannah makes it even worse. The writing lacks tightness and such, and what makes 'Criminal Minds' such a great show, when good or even better at its best, often doesn't come through enough. Also Morgan's remorse towards the unsub, considering that he is the tough guy of the team and often near-aggressive with criminals regardless of age, does feel out of character and unwarranted.
Overall, intriguing idea but pretty mediocre episode. 4/10 Bethany Cox
