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, and a quite effective one for most of the season, that fizzles out badly which was a shame), not to mention a mostly decent "Zugzwang" before frustrating with its slap-in-the-face ending.
"Alchemy" is from personal opinion one of the better episodes of the season. It's not classic 'Criminal Minds' and not the show at its very best, but it's a very well done episode that does a good job with a concept that stands out from most of the other episodes of Season 8.
By all means, not perfect. It is a little rushed in places with a story that would work even better with a longer length. And, while she grew on me in Season 9 and had her moments in Season 8 (especially in her chemistry with Reid), Blake comes over as a cold and dull character and it is strange that she was quickly accepted into the team but too many times in Season 8 it was like she didn't fit. Have nothing against Jeanne Tripplehorn, far from it, but she does have in this episode too much of the delivery of a lecturer.
On the other hand, have nothing to complain about with the production values, it's very well shot and lit and is overall stylish, gritty, classy and atmospheric. The music is moody in the haunting and melancholic sense and fits well, without either enhancing or distracting from it. The direction keeps the momentum going but lets the case breathe and the script is one of the tightest and focused ones all season.
Really enjoyed the story. The case was tense, creepy and suspenseful with a suitably loathsome unsub and a gruesome killing method. Even better was the family-like and truly endearing team interaction, Reid's grief is dealt with touchingly, the ending is sweet, uplifting and poignant and Rossi provides some very funny humour that is well-timed and placed. The team work cohesively and there is a better balance of focus than most Season 8 episodes.
Lastly, the acting is very good with the sole exception of Tripplehorn and that is more to do with the character herself.
In conclusion, very good Season 8 episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox
