Even better episodes were to follow with the likes of "The Fox", "Riding the Lightning", "L.D.S.K", "Charm and Harm" and "The Fisher King Part I" (in a mostly very good first season with "Machismo" being the only less than mediocre episode).
This said, Season 1 got off remarkably strongly, with one of the show's best season premieres in "Extreme Aggressor" and "Compulsion" was every bit as good an episode and even better. "Plain Sight" is perhaps the best episode up to that particular point in the show.
It isn't perfect of course. Was much more surprised by the reveals of "Extreme Aggressor" and "Compulsion", whereas "Plain Sight" while still very clever with a strong twist was comparatively slightly predictable and how the case is figured out has been more plausibly done in other episodes.
What makes "Plain Sight" work so well though is the excellent profiling, which is classic 'Criminal Minds' and some of the best of the entire season, and the character interaction with the BAU which has always been a strong point with 'Criminal Minds' but in so many ways (too many to list) it's quite special and the character personalities and such are well-established and interesting. The case itself is very suspenseful and never less than engaging, atmospherically it is also very unnerving, even the subject matter makes one feel uneasy. While Season 1 got off to a great start, "Plain Sight" is a sure sign of the show maturing and finding its place, things you don't always find in shows so early into their runs.
Visually, it's very well made as pretty much to be expected, with the camera work being especially clever and atmospheric. The music is dynamic and haunting, not always enhancing but never once distracting. Direction is solid, the script and pacing are taut and thought-provoking and the acting all round with no weak link is very good, particularly Mandy Patinkin, Matthew Gray Gubler and the creepy performance of the unsub.
All in all, great episode and what it achieves so well is remarkable for so early on in the show. 9/10 Bethany Cox
This said, Season 1 got off remarkably strongly, with one of the show's best season premieres in "Extreme Aggressor" and "Compulsion" was every bit as good an episode and even better. "Plain Sight" is perhaps the best episode up to that particular point in the show.
It isn't perfect of course. Was much more surprised by the reveals of "Extreme Aggressor" and "Compulsion", whereas "Plain Sight" while still very clever with a strong twist was comparatively slightly predictable and how the case is figured out has been more plausibly done in other episodes.
What makes "Plain Sight" work so well though is the excellent profiling, which is classic 'Criminal Minds' and some of the best of the entire season, and the character interaction with the BAU which has always been a strong point with 'Criminal Minds' but in so many ways (too many to list) it's quite special and the character personalities and such are well-established and interesting. The case itself is very suspenseful and never less than engaging, atmospherically it is also very unnerving, even the subject matter makes one feel uneasy. While Season 1 got off to a great start, "Plain Sight" is a sure sign of the show maturing and finding its place, things you don't always find in shows so early into their runs.
Visually, it's very well made as pretty much to be expected, with the camera work being especially clever and atmospheric. The music is dynamic and haunting, not always enhancing but never once distracting. Direction is solid, the script and pacing are taut and thought-provoking and the acting all round with no weak link is very good, particularly Mandy Patinkin, Matthew Gray Gubler and the creepy performance of the unsub.
All in all, great episode and what it achieves so well is remarkable for so early on in the show. 9/10 Bethany Cox