Season 4 for me is one of 'Criminal Minds' strongest seasons, one with so many very good to outstanding episodes, that stick in the mind much more than the lesser episodes (which is not the case for some seasons) and even the weakest ones of the season are still better than the worst episodes of Seasons 6-11.
Although being so blown away by the likes of "The Big Wheel", "Conflicted", "Zoe's Reprise", "The Instincts", "Memoriam" and "Omnivore", Season 4 is still not devoid of episodes that underwhelmed. That was the impression gotten from "Demonology" (despite the brilliant performance of Paget Brewster, it was a case of doing something different and executing it in a rather strange way) and this episode "Catching Out", "Normal" needs a re-watch, remembering that not doing much for me but it's been a while.
"Catching Out" is an episode that has been seen three times by me (mostly because of loving the team interaction and character moments and wanting to like it much more than turned out), and it still leaves me reasonably indifferent. By all means better than my first two watches, but with so many classic episodes and the season generally being one of the show's strongest the difference in overall execution is vast.
It is saved by the character moments and the team interaction. The BAU are well-used and work well with nobody out of character or useless, their scenes are actually both much more memorable and much better executed than the case itself. Reid touching JJ's stomach to feel the baby kick was a really sweet and heart-warming moment, while the end chase was exciting and Morgan being profiled at the beginning simply priceless. Morgan and Rossi deciphering the codes used to jump railroad cars was very cool, and also love how Hotch leads the team in a no-nonsense but never degrading way.
Visually, "Catching Out" as always with 'Criminal Minds' is very well made, with the dark visual style adding a lot to the atmosphere. The scenery and the railroad location gave a little creepiness. The music is appropriately moody and haunting, not always enhancing but never distracting. The acting from all the leads is very good, there is some thought-provoking writing and again the chemistry and scenes with the leads are magic.
What a shame that the actual case brings the episode down in such a big way. Very little creative was done with it, instead it lacked tension, suspense or any real surprises. A good deal of it was a slog pacing-wise, and not helped by a sketchily developed and blandly played unsub, a rather strange and extreme motivation and things that should have been explained better but were either part-explained or neglected, so sense is also lacking at times here.
All in all, a rare disappointing, though a long way from bad, episode in a strong season. 6/10 Bethany Cox
Although being so blown away by the likes of "The Big Wheel", "Conflicted", "Zoe's Reprise", "The Instincts", "Memoriam" and "Omnivore", Season 4 is still not devoid of episodes that underwhelmed. That was the impression gotten from "Demonology" (despite the brilliant performance of Paget Brewster, it was a case of doing something different and executing it in a rather strange way) and this episode "Catching Out", "Normal" needs a re-watch, remembering that not doing much for me but it's been a while.
"Catching Out" is an episode that has been seen three times by me (mostly because of loving the team interaction and character moments and wanting to like it much more than turned out), and it still leaves me reasonably indifferent. By all means better than my first two watches, but with so many classic episodes and the season generally being one of the show's strongest the difference in overall execution is vast.
It is saved by the character moments and the team interaction. The BAU are well-used and work well with nobody out of character or useless, their scenes are actually both much more memorable and much better executed than the case itself. Reid touching JJ's stomach to feel the baby kick was a really sweet and heart-warming moment, while the end chase was exciting and Morgan being profiled at the beginning simply priceless. Morgan and Rossi deciphering the codes used to jump railroad cars was very cool, and also love how Hotch leads the team in a no-nonsense but never degrading way.
Visually, "Catching Out" as always with 'Criminal Minds' is very well made, with the dark visual style adding a lot to the atmosphere. The scenery and the railroad location gave a little creepiness. The music is appropriately moody and haunting, not always enhancing but never distracting. The acting from all the leads is very good, there is some thought-provoking writing and again the chemistry and scenes with the leads are magic.
What a shame that the actual case brings the episode down in such a big way. Very little creative was done with it, instead it lacked tension, suspense or any real surprises. A good deal of it was a slog pacing-wise, and not helped by a sketchily developed and blandly played unsub, a rather strange and extreme motivation and things that should have been explained better but were either part-explained or neglected, so sense is also lacking at times here.
All in all, a rare disappointing, though a long way from bad, episode in a strong season. 6/10 Bethany Cox
