After such a great season opener in 'Criminal Minds' third milestone episode "300" (after Season 5's brilliant "100" and Season 9's weak "200"), and with the show being for a while one of my most re-watched since it first began before moving on to other shows a lot was expected from "Starter Home". Plus the concept sounded pretty cool and a healthy dose of Rossi and Reid (my two main reasons for sticking with the show when it declined) is always welcome.
"Starter Home" was quite a big disappointment, especially after following on from greatness. Not a terrible episode as such, and there are far worse 'Criminal Minds' episodes which were namely the worst of Seasons 9 and 11, but rather middle of the road and a long way from 'Criminal Minds' at its best. As far as Season 14 goes, it is neither one of the best or worst. Compensated by Rossi and Reid's presence but the case underwhelms and the writers seemed to forget what made prime-'Criminal Minds' so great.
Like all 'Criminal Minds' episodes, none of the episodes even the weak ones are irredeemable, there are good things about "Starter Home". Again, it is slickly and atmospherically shot. The music didn't sound too constant or too loud, and had an ominous without being too obvious vibe when used.
Rossi and Reid, my favourite BAU members, are delightful. Rossi has some nice sass and Reid's intelligence is amusing and thought-provoking, the Sheriff's confusion when told all this information Reid is put forth is understandable as one would feel the same trying to take in what Reid rightly says. Joe Mantegna and Matthew Gray Gubler carry the episode beautifully. The episode starts off promisingly with some creepiness.
Unfortunately, this wasn't maintained all the way through when "Starter Home" too early becomes not as interesting as it ought to have been. There is not enough urgency or suspense to the case, which sounds intriguing on paper but was pretty routine in execution. Tension and suspense is lacking too throughout and it would have helped if the unsub made a stronger impression. Which wasn't to be sadly, this unsub completely lacked menace or anything to make one feel anything for. The motivation was rather extreme and weak for such elaborate crimes, and the modus operandi and the significance could have gone into more detail.
While Rossi and Reid fare very well, the rest of the team felt relatively underused this time and there isn't as much of a sense of closeness, the procedural work this time is little more than conventional and could have been more. Rossi's subplot is rather soapy and doesn't add anything, actually found it out of place within the episode. Some of the writing is thought-provoking but mostly it could have been tauter and been a lot more than just functional.
All in all, middle of the road and disappointing. 5/10
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