My overall feelings on Season 14 were mixed to positive, with three great episodes, a few average ones, most in between and one big disappointment. It was far from the best or most consistent season of 'Criminal Minds', Seasons 3 and 4 are my favourites. It was also not one of the worst, not like Seasons 9 and 11. After watching Season 15 in its entirety, to me overall apart from two episodes it was one of the worst seasons as well.
"Under the Skin", bringing back the characters that featured so memorably in one of the previous season's best episodes "Chameleon", was watched with mixed expectations. Despite being really impressed by "Chameleon", part of me was nervous after being so disappointed by the season finale "Truth or Dare". My feelings on the episode were mixed, it is certainly better than that episode, is one of the better episodes of Season 15 and at least feels like a season opener. But the characters that made such a big impression in "Chameleon" deserved a better story than the one here.
There are a lot of things that are good in "Under the Skin". Cannot fault the production values, with it being atmospherically shot in particular. The music isn't used too much and isn't too loud and has an eerie moodiness. The episode starts off very well and is genuinely creepy at first, which sets a promising tone from the outset. The JJ and Reid plot in "Truth or Dare" was near-universally panned by fans, and while the writing is still pretty cheesy and soapy the chemistry between AJ Cook and Matthew Gray Gubler actually struck me as quite sweet.
Moreover there are lovely moments within the team, which to me is one of 'Criminal Minds' biggest appeals (the little character moments with the main characters), and one does understand what it means to them to solve the case. All the regular actors are on strong form and Tom Anandes really makes the skin crawl.
However, "Under the Skin" is indicative of 'Criminal Minds' having run out of ideas. Too much of the case is fairly bland and predictable, as well as quite thin, after a strong start. There are some good ideas here that are not followed all the way through, which was a problem in some of Season 14 and in Season 15 of my recent viewings of 'Criminal Minds' episodes. The connections were interesting on paper but rather underdeveloped in execution. A lot more suspense was needed too.
The truth is too obvious too early in my view and could have taken a little more time to be revealed. The ending felt rushed and anti-climactic and the way the truth is revealed would have benefitted from more show and less tell. The dialogue can be thought provoking but it also can be quite cheesy.
All in all, watchable but pretty average start to one of the show's weaker seasons. 5/10
"Under the Skin", bringing back the characters that featured so memorably in one of the previous season's best episodes "Chameleon", was watched with mixed expectations. Despite being really impressed by "Chameleon", part of me was nervous after being so disappointed by the season finale "Truth or Dare". My feelings on the episode were mixed, it is certainly better than that episode, is one of the better episodes of Season 15 and at least feels like a season opener. But the characters that made such a big impression in "Chameleon" deserved a better story than the one here.
There are a lot of things that are good in "Under the Skin". Cannot fault the production values, with it being atmospherically shot in particular. The music isn't used too much and isn't too loud and has an eerie moodiness. The episode starts off very well and is genuinely creepy at first, which sets a promising tone from the outset. The JJ and Reid plot in "Truth or Dare" was near-universally panned by fans, and while the writing is still pretty cheesy and soapy the chemistry between AJ Cook and Matthew Gray Gubler actually struck me as quite sweet.
Moreover there are lovely moments within the team, which to me is one of 'Criminal Minds' biggest appeals (the little character moments with the main characters), and one does understand what it means to them to solve the case. All the regular actors are on strong form and Tom Anandes really makes the skin crawl.
However, "Under the Skin" is indicative of 'Criminal Minds' having run out of ideas. Too much of the case is fairly bland and predictable, as well as quite thin, after a strong start. There are some good ideas here that are not followed all the way through, which was a problem in some of Season 14 and in Season 15 of my recent viewings of 'Criminal Minds' episodes. The connections were interesting on paper but rather underdeveloped in execution. A lot more suspense was needed too.
The truth is too obvious too early in my view and could have taken a little more time to be revealed. The ending felt rushed and anti-climactic and the way the truth is revealed would have benefitted from more show and less tell. The dialogue can be thought provoking but it also can be quite cheesy.
All in all, watchable but pretty average start to one of the show's weaker seasons. 5/10