A few days ago, this reviewer mentioned that Season 3 started off shaky with "Children of the Dark" being the first great 'Criminal Minds' episode, though this was with relatively vague memories of "Doubt". After seeing "Doubt", while the succeeding two episodes suffered a little, she has to take back that the episode is one of them.
"Doubt" really is a terrific start to Season 3. My only real complaint actually is the character of Strauss, she doesn't gel with the team and is a pretty nasty piece of work and very difficult to warm to (it is never explained why she has such a problem with Hotch) coldly played by Jayne Atkinson. Have always loved Prentiss, and this episode doesn't colour my opinion any differently, but she is a little out of character, lacking her usual likability and warmth, here and that is Strauss' doing mostly.
However, two things in particular stand out. One is how Gideon is written, when he reaches breaking point it is frightening and heart-breaking and his narration is poignant and suspenseful with an ever ominous dominant feeling of doubt, so well done in fact that his departure feels more explained and doesn't feel quite as sudden. The other is the ending, which is riveting in its intensity, suspense and harrowing and heart-rending emotional impact, one of the most shocking of the entire show.
Love the story, conceptually it may seem over-familiar and not everybody will like that the unsub is obvious and revealed early on but it is incredibly absorbing filled with everything that makes 'Criminal Minds' so great with how they solve the case, the dynamic between the team and the character moments (Gideon and Hotch are especially well done here, also love Reid and JJ) and the early reveal of the unsub is justified with some really clever twists and turns when it turns out things are not what they seem. The script is very taut and high in tension and emotion.
It's a typically very well made episode, with its usual audaciousness and moodiness complete with stylish photography. The music while not exactly action-enhancing fits very well and is never distracting or intrusive. Apart from Atkinson, the acting is very good particularly from Thomas Gibson and Mandy Patinkin, the latter giving some of his best acting of the series.
To conclude, a terrific start to Season 3 and so much better on re-watch. 9/10 Bethany Cox
"Doubt" really is a terrific start to Season 3. My only real complaint actually is the character of Strauss, she doesn't gel with the team and is a pretty nasty piece of work and very difficult to warm to (it is never explained why she has such a problem with Hotch) coldly played by Jayne Atkinson. Have always loved Prentiss, and this episode doesn't colour my opinion any differently, but she is a little out of character, lacking her usual likability and warmth, here and that is Strauss' doing mostly.
However, two things in particular stand out. One is how Gideon is written, when he reaches breaking point it is frightening and heart-breaking and his narration is poignant and suspenseful with an ever ominous dominant feeling of doubt, so well done in fact that his departure feels more explained and doesn't feel quite as sudden. The other is the ending, which is riveting in its intensity, suspense and harrowing and heart-rending emotional impact, one of the most shocking of the entire show.
Love the story, conceptually it may seem over-familiar and not everybody will like that the unsub is obvious and revealed early on but it is incredibly absorbing filled with everything that makes 'Criminal Minds' so great with how they solve the case, the dynamic between the team and the character moments (Gideon and Hotch are especially well done here, also love Reid and JJ) and the early reveal of the unsub is justified with some really clever twists and turns when it turns out things are not what they seem. The script is very taut and high in tension and emotion.
It's a typically very well made episode, with its usual audaciousness and moodiness complete with stylish photography. The music while not exactly action-enhancing fits very well and is never distracting or intrusive. Apart from Atkinson, the acting is very good particularly from Thomas Gibson and Mandy Patinkin, the latter giving some of his best acting of the series.
To conclude, a terrific start to Season 3 and so much better on re-watch. 9/10 Bethany Cox
