Criminal Minds (TV Series) The Forever People (2015) User Reviews

New and improved

[sickwickedandcool-93934 · 9/10 · 27 March 2016]

Wow, I was floored by A.J. Cooks acting in this episode. JJ has come along way in terms of character and character arcs, she's a survivor and she kicks ass. This episode is one year after her abduction and torture, the case brings up a lot of badddd feelings for JJ and some clear manifestations of PTSD. (Not surprising) Great episode, great acting, some great brother/sister moments between JJ and Reid.

The case, a cult called the forever people likes to test their faith in a freezer with bad results hence the BAU. The cult is creepy enough and fairly original. Overall it's a rewatchable episode. Nice work CM writers.

One of Season 10's best episodes

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 4 November 2016]

Season 10 has been an inconsistent season. There have been some outstanding episodes such as the poignant "Nelson's Sparrow", the terrifying "Mr Scratch" and this affecting and creepy episode "The Forever People".

At the same time there have also been a few mediocre at best episodes, including the very strange in a bad way "If the Shoe Fits", "Hashtag" that has an intriguing premise executed in an underwhelming fashion and "The Boys of Sudworth Place", another example of an episode with a good idea not particularly well executed with a lack of suspense and surprises.

The only thing about "The Forever People" that didn't quite work was Kate, who is dully acted by Jennifer Love Hewitt and just feels too out of place. However, visually it is one of the season's most interesting, looking stark, brutal and with real intensity. The music is haunting without being overbearing and melancholic without being sappy.

Dialogue has the right balance of tension, suspense and poignancy. JJ'S trauma aftermath is beautifully and sympathetically handled, when it could have easily have been overwrought, and also loved the upbeat and very empathetic Reid. The case itself had potential to be incredibly strange, but was extremely creepy and perfectly balanced with the emotional elements.

While "The Forever People" is JJ oriented, it doesn't feel too much of the JJ show and she is written with real empathy. The rest of the team are hardly underused or neglected, with Reid particularly shining especially in his touching rapport with JJ. The unsub is very chillingly realised.

Meanwhile the acting is truly impressive, with AJ Cook doing an outstanding job and Matthew Gray Gubler matching her every step of the way.

Overall, excellent episode and one of the season's best. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Good episode, but lacking in accuracy...

[diana-m-bell · 7/10 · 17 September 2021]

As someone born and raised in Kingman, AZ, and having made multiple trips to/through the Lake Mead and Boulder area, I can tell you the depiction of these areas are sorely lacking. 1) Kingman has 2 zip codes, 86401 for South of I-40, and 86409 for North of I-40. There is no 86400. Nor is there a Selwyn Street. I can over look that. 2) there are zero (0) condominiums in Kingman for someone to leave, only houses, trailers, apartments, and run down monthly hotels. 3) I'm thinking you have Boulder, NV and Boulder, CO confused. Boulder, NV is a desert, not some mountain retreat. While the storyline was great, the inaccuracies were distracting. Do a bit more research, please.

Great episode

[shirleyshani · 10/10 · 26 June 2016]

This may contain spoilers.

Okay, so AJ Cook really does an outstanding job on this one, as do the writers. PTSD is hard to portray in a TV show, without falling into the cliché trap, i.e. having some specific noise/sight as a trigger for memories. Like a fan trigger the memory of a chopper. However, they did it! JJ had no obvious cliché triggers, which makes her PTSD that much more realistic. The part when Reid confronts her, and she nearly falls apart, is touching and re watchable on it's own. But the last scene is amazing: there are number of ways to show how PTSD can destroy a person, but having it put in the mouth of Tivon Askari, with his sadistic tone, like a torture on it's own, was brilliant. My only complaint that they didn't follow through on her process of coping. Kudos writers and actress!

AMAZING! JJ is so strong!

[aslevin-97788 · 10/10 · 28 March 2018]

She is so amazing and strong ahh. I love how she can get over her sadness and push through. The way it is portrayed in this episode is an absolute masterpiece!