'Criminal Minds' is one of my most watched and re-watched shows, and apart from the odd bump (the only average at best episode of the season being "Honor Among Thieves") Season 2 is a solid one with some great episodes.
"The Perfect Storm" is not one of those great episodes (not like the likes of "The Fisher King Part II", "Revelations", "Profiler, Profiled", "North Mammon" and "The Boogeyman", but it's still an intriguing and good one. Admittedly it's predictable at times, parts are somewhat too pat and melodramatic and one does wish that there were more of the innovative investigation techniques brought to the forefront because there wasn't quite enough of those here.
However, "The Perfect Storm" does have some tension and suspense, especially after the truly shocking and completely unforeseen final revelation and the climax which sees the unsub at their creepiest, and the team dynamic is still adorable and charming and the characters well-established. The murders and modus operandi themselves are pretty freaky too.
Visually, "The Perfect Storm" is still very stylish and atmospheric, the music haunting and melancholic and the direction taut but also accommodating. The script is not exceptional but still provokes thought.
Acting is all strong, all the regular team members turn in great work, am not a fan of Lola Glaudini or the character of Elle but neither are issues here. It is agreed that Nicki Aycox absolutely nails it here, especially as the character is given more dramatic meat and becomes more unpredictable.
Overall, intriguing if also slightly bland. 7/10 Bethany Cox