In its prime (Seasons 1-5, with Season 4 to me being the best and most consistent season with a lot of classic episodes and even the weakest episodes being far from awful) 'Criminal Minds' was one of my favourite shows. From Season 6 it did become hit and miss, with the odd gem, but a lot of average episodes and some stinkers.
Season 12 to me could have been far worse, most of the episodes to me have been decent or above, generally it is much better than the worst of Season 11 and of that season in general which was mostly underwhelming. "Hell's Kitchen" is one of the season's lesser episodes. It is Season 12 at its weirdest, which is not really meant in a good way, and perhaps one of the whole show's strangest. Not a low-point and not an awful episode, but a long way from a classic.
Visually, the episode looks great as to be expected. 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 is alert, tense and accommodating.
The case has its moments. It is creepy and gruesome (without being gratuitously so), and has perhaps the creepiest unsub yet of the season. A word of warning, don't watch the flies scene while eating, it will make one heave. "Hell's Kitchen" did start off well and intriguingly. The latest victim is interesting, more than a damsel in distress and fights for survival. The acting is very good all round.
However, the further "Hell's Kitchen" got the weirder it got and the creepiness didn't come consistency. A much better job could have been done explaining the unsub's motivations and actions, there is a lot that makes one go what and asking why.
The team interaction seemed bland and underused here, and while Reid's subplot was harrowing, poignant and intriguing in previous episodes it has become significantly less so. It is becoming too dragged out and like the writers are running out of ideas. Walker is pretty bland still, and the climax is incredibly rushed and one big anti-climax.
In conclusion, one of Season 12's weakest and a case of weird and strange clumsily done. 5/10 Bethany Cox
Season 12 to me could have been far worse, most of the episodes to me have been decent or above, generally it is much better than the worst of Season 11 and of that season in general which was mostly underwhelming. "Hell's Kitchen" is one of the season's lesser episodes. It is Season 12 at its weirdest, which is not really meant in a good way, and perhaps one of the whole show's strangest. Not a low-point and not an awful episode, but a long way from a classic.
Visually, the episode looks great as to be expected. 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 is alert, tense and accommodating.
The case has its moments. It is creepy and gruesome (without being gratuitously so), and has perhaps the creepiest unsub yet of the season. A word of warning, don't watch the flies scene while eating, it will make one heave. "Hell's Kitchen" did start off well and intriguingly. The latest victim is interesting, more than a damsel in distress and fights for survival. The acting is very good all round.
However, the further "Hell's Kitchen" got the weirder it got and the creepiness didn't come consistency. A much better job could have been done explaining the unsub's motivations and actions, there is a lot that makes one go what and asking why.
The team interaction seemed bland and underused here, and while Reid's subplot was harrowing, poignant and intriguing in previous episodes it has become significantly less so. It is becoming too dragged out and like the writers are running out of ideas. Walker is pretty bland still, and the climax is incredibly rushed and one big anti-climax.
In conclusion, one of Season 12's weakest and a case of weird and strange clumsily done. 5/10 Bethany Cox
