brabbel123 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
brabbel123) wrote2009-11-27 02:54 pm
brabbel123) wrote2009-11-27 02:54 pm
[Review] Criminal Minds - 5.09 "100"
Okay, slow nightshift yesterday... so I wrote down some of my thoughts on that truely remarkable episode, possibly the best episode so far - and that's saying something given the quality of this programme.
Absolutely perfect episode - with a couple of minor (and one major) flaws.
The major complaint being Hotch's killing Foyet in blind rage. I'm not approving of an "eye for an eye"-mentality, I don't condone self-justice. And it's not as though I don't understand Hotch (or anyone else in such a situation)! I do. He witnessed Haley's death, he feared for Jack's life, but ultimately, I fear even more what this loss of control is going to do to him. Let's face it, he killed another person with his bare hands, just thinking about it gives me the creeps. And having to live with that after the rage subsides must be quite impossible for such an honest and usually collected man who devotes his time to bring people such as Foyet to justice and prevent revenge. I definitely hoped he'd turn away from that abyss, thus prooving himself above Foyet, and I found that scene almost unwatchable. At least, if not that, I hoped that the team was on site in time to save Hotch from himself.
Honestly, I don't know what took them so long, anway. Or what about the backup team Morgan called? Why would they all take so much longer than Hotch to get there?
The third... well, I don't call it flaw because it was the single human thing she ever did, after all... but why did Strauss finally develop a heart and a conscience? She finally had Hotch where she wanted him, and she backs down? She won't pursue an inquiry about his actions, the one time they're really in question? The interviews with the team were really well done - I loved the way they told the truth, but still didn't let Hotch hang out there alone (as Gideon did, if we are honest, after 3.01). This investigation was a team effort, and the whole team lost. I liked Reid's allusions to his own experiences of torture - a tiny bit of continuity that's always welcome. On the other hand, they did manage to contradict canon a bit as well, because since when does Reid's eidetic memory cover things he only hears?
And Foyet's staying close to Hotch... um, his whole point in not killing Hotch was to torture him by taking away his family - are we meant to believe Foyet won't stay to watch?!? Honestly, I even counted on him remaining close to the hospital in 5.01, and follow Haley and Jack from there since he must have known they'd come to visit before being whisked away by that marshall (BTW, not giving in to torture but still losing... powerful scene, indeed). But did I see some doubtful faces as to Hotch's frame of mind when he told the team he only stepped down so Foyet might think he was falling apart? Urm... perhaps the team thought so, too, Hotch...
Otherwise, this was a perfectly executed episode. I thought Hotch and Haley's conversation went way beyond awesome - it was so bittersweet, knowing what was about to come, both putting Jack first... beautiful portrayal. And they made me like Haley after 5.01, I can't believe it. But staying calm, not pleading with Foyet took guts, and I appreciate that.
Somehow, I wonder why Foyet didn't go for Jack first, though. Of course, his death would have been even more difficult for Hotch to bear (but only via telephone, Foyet would have been deprived of watching Hotch's reaction), on the other hand, he could have tortured 2 people at the same time. Instead he even lets Jack leave the room? Good for Jack (and boy, did I love that "working on the case"-bit), though, he's traumatized enough by the loss of his mother withouth having to witness the murder himself.
So yes, 100 was worth the hype - strong emotions, lots and lots of characterization, Gibson's best performance so far... what more can I ask for?
I'm already looking forward to seeing Hotch deal with everything. Will it change his way of approaching victims and their relations, now that he's been on all 3 sides of an investigation - investigator, victim and someone who lost a loved one to a serial killer? Will Morgan now remain as Unit Chief? How's Hotch going to juggle his job and taking care of Jack? Hopefully, they'll delve deeper here and even more hopefully, his process of healing doesn't happen off screen. I love seeing my favourite characters be put through the wringer - but I'd like to witness their getting back on their feet as well, if not even more so. Don't deprive me of that!
Rating: 9.5
Absolutely perfect episode - with a couple of minor (and one major) flaws.
The major complaint being Hotch's killing Foyet in blind rage. I'm not approving of an "eye for an eye"-mentality, I don't condone self-justice. And it's not as though I don't understand Hotch (or anyone else in such a situation)! I do. He witnessed Haley's death, he feared for Jack's life, but ultimately, I fear even more what this loss of control is going to do to him. Let's face it, he killed another person with his bare hands, just thinking about it gives me the creeps. And having to live with that after the rage subsides must be quite impossible for such an honest and usually collected man who devotes his time to bring people such as Foyet to justice and prevent revenge. I definitely hoped he'd turn away from that abyss, thus prooving himself above Foyet, and I found that scene almost unwatchable. At least, if not that, I hoped that the team was on site in time to save Hotch from himself.
Honestly, I don't know what took them so long, anway. Or what about the backup team Morgan called? Why would they all take so much longer than Hotch to get there?
The third... well, I don't call it flaw because it was the single human thing she ever did, after all... but why did Strauss finally develop a heart and a conscience? She finally had Hotch where she wanted him, and she backs down? She won't pursue an inquiry about his actions, the one time they're really in question? The interviews with the team were really well done - I loved the way they told the truth, but still didn't let Hotch hang out there alone (as Gideon did, if we are honest, after 3.01). This investigation was a team effort, and the whole team lost. I liked Reid's allusions to his own experiences of torture - a tiny bit of continuity that's always welcome. On the other hand, they did manage to contradict canon a bit as well, because since when does Reid's eidetic memory cover things he only hears?
And Foyet's staying close to Hotch... um, his whole point in not killing Hotch was to torture him by taking away his family - are we meant to believe Foyet won't stay to watch?!? Honestly, I even counted on him remaining close to the hospital in 5.01, and follow Haley and Jack from there since he must have known they'd come to visit before being whisked away by that marshall (BTW, not giving in to torture but still losing... powerful scene, indeed). But did I see some doubtful faces as to Hotch's frame of mind when he told the team he only stepped down so Foyet might think he was falling apart? Urm... perhaps the team thought so, too, Hotch...
Otherwise, this was a perfectly executed episode. I thought Hotch and Haley's conversation went way beyond awesome - it was so bittersweet, knowing what was about to come, both putting Jack first... beautiful portrayal. And they made me like Haley after 5.01, I can't believe it. But staying calm, not pleading with Foyet took guts, and I appreciate that.
Somehow, I wonder why Foyet didn't go for Jack first, though. Of course, his death would have been even more difficult for Hotch to bear (but only via telephone, Foyet would have been deprived of watching Hotch's reaction), on the other hand, he could have tortured 2 people at the same time. Instead he even lets Jack leave the room? Good for Jack (and boy, did I love that "working on the case"-bit), though, he's traumatized enough by the loss of his mother withouth having to witness the murder himself.
So yes, 100 was worth the hype - strong emotions, lots and lots of characterization, Gibson's best performance so far... what more can I ask for?
I'm already looking forward to seeing Hotch deal with everything. Will it change his way of approaching victims and their relations, now that he's been on all 3 sides of an investigation - investigator, victim and someone who lost a loved one to a serial killer? Will Morgan now remain as Unit Chief? How's Hotch going to juggle his job and taking care of Jack? Hopefully, they'll delve deeper here and even more hopefully, his process of healing doesn't happen off screen. I love seeing my favourite characters be put through the wringer - but I'd like to witness their getting back on their feet as well, if not even more so. Don't deprive me of that!
Rating: 9.5