While being marginally better than two of the show's low-points "200" and "The Black Queen", "The Inspiration" was a disappointing start to Season 9 and quite easily the worst season premiere of 'Criminal Minds'.
The story just didn't grip me, with a lack of momentum and creepiness, further disadvantaged by a less than interesting or menacing unsub, gratuitous and quite frankly disgusting shock value, a really strange feeling throughout and one particularly cringe-worthy scene. There are a few nice moments in the script though, the leads are fine and their team dynamic despite needing to be there much more and the production values don't disappoint.
Coming onto "The Inspired", it is an improvement over "The Inspiration", with the gratuitous shock value gone and the twins twist given a plausible explanation (something that it was begging for in the previous episode). The inconsistencies of "The Inspiration" (like the obsession with the praying mantis) are also given explanation, there is more focus on the psychology, and explanation for why the women were killed.
Production values are once again very high, with lots of grit, atmosphere and class. The music is moody in a haunting sense, the leads are all on top form, the team dynamic while needing to be focused on more is endearing and one has to love how Reid reacts well to the mentally ill. The best thing about "The Inspired" is Camryn Manheim, her role is more developed and interesting from a seemingly innocent character in "The Inspiration" to a character who is not what she seems, if anything the catalyst for evil, and Manheim is a revelation.
However, apart from significant improvements the story is still not engaging enough, being both dull and over-the-top with a distinct lack of tension and suspense. The twist is too much of an in-your-face cliché, and the climax is incredibly corny and belongs more in the 90s (and it would even have been out of date then). The script does lack tautness, and the unsubs just don't come across as twisted, crazy or menacing enough, almost somewhat goofy. Fred Koehler does what he can, but is a little bland.
In conclusion, while it improves quite vastly on the season premiere "The Inspired" is still less than inspired. 5/10 Bethany Cox
