I really feel as though the show creators should have included a disclaimer at the end of this episode to help people understand that not all truck drivers are potential murderers, especially considering the last shot of the show. It gave the impression of the opposite.
8 Reviews
Quite Tearful
intotheminds8 November 2010
I rate this 8/10. I cried, so that means it touched me emotionally. That's what Criminal Minds is about: emotions. Getting into the minds of the 'bad guys' is the main point.
The plot was good and all; it was quite original. It was creative and I enjoyed it. I won't write any spoilers, but the criminal's love for his child is overwhelming. It's true though, you would do anything for your child.
I enjoyed this episode all in all. I recommend you watch it. Oh, and *slight spoiler* there is a funny scene between Reid and Rossi. It's nice when they add the 'funny' in between the lines of the deadly, psychotic, and sadistic.
The plot was good and all; it was quite original. It was creative and I enjoyed it. I won't write any spoilers, but the criminal's love for his child is overwhelming. It's true though, you would do anything for your child.
I enjoyed this episode all in all. I recommend you watch it. Oh, and *slight spoiler* there is a funny scene between Reid and Rossi. It's nice when they add the 'funny' in between the lines of the deadly, psychotic, and sadistic.
Taken By Surprise
groveargentum3 August 2013
While channel surfing, I stopped at what looked like an interesting scene. I couldn't stop watching. The story, the writing, the acting, the way it was shot kept me engaged until the very last emotion filled scene.
I was really taken by surprise by the ending and the actors in the show mirrored what I felt.
Came here to see what others thought and to see if I was the only viewer affected this way. I'm not usually interested in crime stories, but this one was unusual and moving. Praise to the writers and everyone involved with this episode.
I was really taken by surprise by the ending and the actors in the show mirrored what I felt.
Came here to see what others thought and to see if I was the only viewer affected this way. I'm not usually interested in crime stories, but this one was unusual and moving. Praise to the writers and everyone involved with this episode.
How The King Fell
amckee-6406330 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Once again, Criminal Minds demonstrates its incredible ability to be both heartbreaking and creepy. You pity our unsub as he tries and fails to give his little girl the love she deserves, while at the same time loathe and fear him for the horrors he puts woman through. The episode manages to give a grim note to the most innocent of things--bedtime stories, childhood drawings, and the desire of parents to care for their children. The scene where the Jody cheerfully describes her father's murders--all lovingly painted on her wall and described through the lens of a fine fairy tale--was particularly horrifying. Even the end of the episode is chilling--even as the team comes home, another innocent woman is unwitting lured to her doom.
May seem strange on paper, but quite a powerful episode
TheLittleSongbird9 February 2017
While not one of the very best episodes of 'Criminal Minds', "Solitary Man" to me is one of the better episodes of Season 5 along with the likes of "100", "...A Thousand Words", "The Uncanny Valley", "Mosley Lane" and "Risky Business".
'Criminal Minds', save a few exceptions (i.e. "The Thirteenth Step", "The Fight"), has more often than not being a very well made show. "Solitary Man" is no exception, it is photographed with a lot of classy style and lit atmospherically with lovely scenery. The music is haunting and moody with the odd bit of pathos, while the direction is alert and sympathetic and the pacing taut.
The script is thought-provoking, with the unsub telling of his crimes through his stories a la fairy tale style being a wonderfully weird and neat touch and with a nostalgic quality that reminds one of earlier seasons. Conceptually, the story seemed strange on paper, but actually it's told in a way that is not silly at all.
It is quite tension-filled, is sometimes creepy and has one of the most emotional endings of the season with only the endings of "100" and "Mosley Lane" ahead. Love the chemistry between the unsub and his daughter, and other than the ending there are some very nicely executed scenes, like the final one with Prentiss and Morgan, the very clever way in how the case is solved, the bond between Jody, JJ and Prentiss and the very funny scene between Rossi and Reid (even if Rossi showing a meaner side to him may be a turn off). Managed to feel sorry for the unsub too in resorting to drastic measures to get the one thing he wants more than anything in the world.
Acting is great all round, no complaints to be had from any of the regulars (the BAU chemistry is a delight as hoped) and there are strong supporting turns from Gabriella Carteris, Bradford Tatum and Morgan Lily.
To conclude, powerful episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox
'Criminal Minds', save a few exceptions (i.e. "The Thirteenth Step", "The Fight"), has more often than not being a very well made show. "Solitary Man" is no exception, it is photographed with a lot of classy style and lit atmospherically with lovely scenery. The music is haunting and moody with the odd bit of pathos, while the direction is alert and sympathetic and the pacing taut.
The script is thought-provoking, with the unsub telling of his crimes through his stories a la fairy tale style being a wonderfully weird and neat touch and with a nostalgic quality that reminds one of earlier seasons. Conceptually, the story seemed strange on paper, but actually it's told in a way that is not silly at all.
It is quite tension-filled, is sometimes creepy and has one of the most emotional endings of the season with only the endings of "100" and "Mosley Lane" ahead. Love the chemistry between the unsub and his daughter, and other than the ending there are some very nicely executed scenes, like the final one with Prentiss and Morgan, the very clever way in how the case is solved, the bond between Jody, JJ and Prentiss and the very funny scene between Rossi and Reid (even if Rossi showing a meaner side to him may be a turn off). Managed to feel sorry for the unsub too in resorting to drastic measures to get the one thing he wants more than anything in the world.
Acting is great all round, no complaints to be had from any of the regulars (the BAU chemistry is a delight as hoped) and there are strong supporting turns from Gabriella Carteris, Bradford Tatum and Morgan Lily.
To conclude, powerful episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox
On the road again
kellielulu31 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Familiar part of the country for me this one is set in New Mexico and I have gone back and forth from California to New Mexico and back again many times. So watching the stops along the way are very relatable . The potential dangers are never far from your mind .
Without going into many details this episode touches on many things that come into play in everyday life. Issues of custody , foster care, families that are at a disadvantage due to financial and limited child care or family to help out. Here it leads to many killings. It also underlines how some victims get more attention than others depending on their status, race ect an ongoing problem.
It was also interesting to see one of the victims family members stay at the police station waiting for information on her mother. Prentiss and Reid look after her. I had a hunch Reid stayed with her while the rest of the team closed in on the unsub .
The unsub in this one I would have liked a little more background on . He's both a sad figure but also a scary one he's got some unnerving ways but on the surface yeah wouldn't necessarily suspect him.
An ending with Prentiss and Morgan as we get an update and Morgan trying to convince Prentiss there is more good than bad out there.
Without going into many details this episode touches on many things that come into play in everyday life. Issues of custody , foster care, families that are at a disadvantage due to financial and limited child care or family to help out. Here it leads to many killings. It also underlines how some victims get more attention than others depending on their status, race ect an ongoing problem.
It was also interesting to see one of the victims family members stay at the police station waiting for information on her mother. Prentiss and Reid look after her. I had a hunch Reid stayed with her while the rest of the team closed in on the unsub .
The unsub in this one I would have liked a little more background on . He's both a sad figure but also a scary one he's got some unnerving ways but on the surface yeah wouldn't necessarily suspect him.
An ending with Prentiss and Morgan as we get an update and Morgan trying to convince Prentiss there is more good than bad out there.
One of the worst for plot nonsense
scarlet812-593-11196722 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers*** This could have been a good episode but a couple of really dumb things popped up. First of all, a child would not be adopted away from a parent for the reasons shown in this show if the parent did not want to terminate parental rights. Another ridiculous item was Reid idealizing outlaw bikers' relationships with their "ole ladies," i.e. sort-of-wives, legal or not, describing them as protective of their chosen women above all else. Bikers' first loyalty is to the club, not to an ole lady; they treat women like crap, and while they might treat their own ole lady better than a "pass around" (girl who is sexually available to all of them) the ole lady must know her place, which is figuratively under her man's boot heel. Those two idiotic flaws just ruined this episode for me. The show is far fetched in a lot of aspects, but they don't usually get quite this blatantly wrong on things.
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