Criminal Minds (TV Series) Nanny Dearest (2013) User Reviews

Emorional

[Jackbv123 · 9/10 · 1 October 2019]

Like CM at it's best, there is a ton of emotion in this episode. This show always has badly abused victims, but Yara Martinez really brings to life the aftermath of that abuse as she plays Tara, the one who escaped but not before a lot of suffering of her own. The plot leads her on a journey from adamantly resistant to giving into the needs of the latest family despite an obvious continuing torture on Tara's part. The viewer can almost understand her resistance and then cheers for her as she bravely agrees to help. But the story isn't over and there is plenty of room for tears through the final couple of scenes. Could it be that Melody brings Tara some healing?

The more I see JJ, the more impressed I am. I have long considered Spence the standout in a pack of over-achievers, but JJ continues to show not just a gentle touch and an inner strength, but also the ability to translate that into physical prowess. Amazing shot, JJ. She was also a big factor in getting help from Tara.

Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for a spotlight on Blake. She's not invisible, but I'd have to rank her as the giving the least contribution of any of the team. and that applies to most of her run so far.

I like that there is a little less emphasis in this episode on giving the unsub screen time. There is just enough to reveal his cruelty. For me, I think that is the way I like it. Let's see more of the heroes, especially if they are not regulars, and less time spent following the unsub around.

Better than normal this season

[LoRed27 · 8/10 · 4 April 2019]

One of the standouts in this episode is Yara Martinez as Tara Rios, she brings a realistic touch of fear as an ex-victim which is missing from many in this series. Although not one of the greatest episodes, it is definitely not one of the worst.

The case of the Nanny Killer

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 11 February 2017]

As a fan of 'Criminal Minds', Season 8 has been a mixed bag while not as variable as Seasons 6 and 9 or as underwhelming as 11.

There are good episodes such as "All That Remains", "God Complex", "The Good Earth" and "The Lesson", and also some disappointing ones like "Magnificent Light", "Through the Looking Glass", "The Wheels on the Bus" and "The Replicator" (potentially good story arc that fizzles out badly which was a shame), not to mention a mostly decent "Zugzwang" before frustrating with its slap-in-the-face ending.

"Nanny Dearest" is neither one of Season 8's best or worst, if anything somewhere around top-middle. To me there is a little too much focus on JJ's personal life, which, despite the presence of adorable Henry and great acting from AJ Cook, was a little too soap-operatic, not as heartfelt as it could have been and Will is somewhat underwritten. Am still put off by JJ being out of character, overused and being significantly less likable than pre-Season 6.

Blake is still somewhat of a cold and disconnected character, though not as badly as some of the previous episode.

However, "Nanny Dearest" is a stylishly shot and atmospheric episode, as to be expected from 'Criminal Minds'. The music is haunting and melancholic, the pacing doesn't feel too rushed or drawn out and the direction is mostly solid.

The writing is mostly thought-provoking if occasionally a little sloppy (such as regarding the escape). The story is compelling, with tension, creepiness, suspense and affecting poignancy, helped by a sympathetic victim in Tara (the other victims are not as well developed but affecting enough) and one of Season 8's most abhorrently creepy unsubs. The ways that the BAU, whose chemistry is still adorable, they are not underused and they work cohesively as a team, use to solve the case are interesting.

Acting is very good from all the regulars, and matched by a moving Yara Martinez and a chilling Christopher Amitrano.

In summary, solid episode that is neither a 'Criminal Minds' classic or a low point. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Too curious and then ...

[mloessel · 4/10 · 30 December 2021]

A nanny gets overly curious and pays the price. CM focuses on the sickest most brutal humans produced by a very dysfunctional upbringing or trauma that is never resolved. This episode is a good example. It receives mostly rave reviews and i can see why. You have to have the stomach for what CM presents. The unsubs are demon like and the victims succomb quite easy. The CM team gets very lucky and in real life luck is rarely there. It's been said that humans are very cruel to each other given the right stimuli. You watch how other animals treat each other and when they kill it's for survival, nothing more. CM gives just under an hour of how how human beings will kill for the sole pleasure or because something is forcing them. In this episode there's a scene where the members of the CM us a psychological techique to take a former victim back to the place where her abduction occurred. The scene is intriguing but I question their inability to put limits on these techniques. The writers tend to take liberties with reality but the veiwers need that. And here's a positive note. The ending provides hope. I tip my hat to the writers.

the escape

[a-grillo86 · 11 May 2013]

I don't understand how someone can escape a house, run, be discovered some place nearby and not remember the approximate location of the house she just ran away from. I'm not saying the street address or the street name, but how about the police writing down the place where they found her or where she found help ? that could be a great starting point to an investigation. This show needs to call it a day or step it up. It's at a crossroads. By show, I mean the writers. The acting is fine, but how much can they do if they have terrible writing to work with ?

Overall it was an OK episode. Not much happened on any other fronts. This is the type of episode they put out there to complete a 22-24 episode season. Where in fact they only have good material for 5-10 episodes. Lots of other shows now understand this and only make a 8- 11 episode season and let me tell you that these shows are on top right now in terms of quality and popularity.