While not one of the very best episodes of 'Criminal Minds', "Solitary Man" to me is one of the better episodes of Season 5 along with the likes of "100", "...A Thousand Words", "The Uncanny Valley", "Mosley Lane" and "Risky Business".
'Criminal Minds', save a few exceptions (i.e. "The Thirteenth Step", "The Fight"), has more often than not being a very well made show. "Solitary Man" is no exception, it is photographed with a lot of classy style and lit atmospherically with lovely scenery. The music is haunting and moody with the odd bit of pathos, while the direction is alert and sympathetic and the pacing taut.
The script is thought-provoking, with the unsub telling of his crimes through his stories a la fairy tale style being a wonderfully weird and neat touch and with a nostalgic quality that reminds one of earlier seasons. Conceptually, the story seemed strange on paper, but actually it's told in a way that is not silly at all.
It is quite tension-filled, is sometimes creepy and has one of the most emotional endings of the season with only the endings of "100" and "Mosley Lane" ahead. Love the chemistry between the unsub and his daughter, and other than the ending there are some very nicely executed scenes, like the final one with Prentiss and Morgan, the very clever way in how the case is solved, the bond between Jody, JJ and Prentiss and the very funny scene between Rossi and Reid (even if Rossi showing a meaner side to him may be a turn off). Managed to feel sorry for the unsub too in resorting to drastic measures to get the one thing he wants more than anything in the world.
Acting is great all round, no complaints to be had from any of the regulars (the BAU chemistry is a delight as hoped) and there are strong supporting turns from Gabriella Carteris, Bradford Tatum and Morgan Lily.
To conclude, powerful episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox
'Criminal Minds', save a few exceptions (i.e. "The Thirteenth Step", "The Fight"), has more often than not being a very well made show. "Solitary Man" is no exception, it is photographed with a lot of classy style and lit atmospherically with lovely scenery. The music is haunting and moody with the odd bit of pathos, while the direction is alert and sympathetic and the pacing taut.
The script is thought-provoking, with the unsub telling of his crimes through his stories a la fairy tale style being a wonderfully weird and neat touch and with a nostalgic quality that reminds one of earlier seasons. Conceptually, the story seemed strange on paper, but actually it's told in a way that is not silly at all.
It is quite tension-filled, is sometimes creepy and has one of the most emotional endings of the season with only the endings of "100" and "Mosley Lane" ahead. Love the chemistry between the unsub and his daughter, and other than the ending there are some very nicely executed scenes, like the final one with Prentiss and Morgan, the very clever way in how the case is solved, the bond between Jody, JJ and Prentiss and the very funny scene between Rossi and Reid (even if Rossi showing a meaner side to him may be a turn off). Managed to feel sorry for the unsub too in resorting to drastic measures to get the one thing he wants more than anything in the world.
Acting is great all round, no complaints to be had from any of the regulars (the BAU chemistry is a delight as hoped) and there are strong supporting turns from Gabriella Carteris, Bradford Tatum and Morgan Lily.
To conclude, powerful episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox