throw another bear in the canoe - "A mother would never give up."

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"A mother would never give up."

May. 21st, 2009 at 8:59 AM

Criminal Minds 4x25 & 4x26, "To Hell... and Back." Respectively written and directed by Chris Mundy and Charles Haid, and Edward Allen Bernero and Edward Allen Bernero.

I'm kind of very happy with this episode, from the setup--it's CM, so the black man cruising the unsavory neighborhoods is a hero, not a killer--to, well, just lots. Garcia, Garcia, Garcia. Reid in the barn, sucking it up--and being the guy who notices the clues at the end. Kelly the kidnap victim, smart as a whip. Morgan the city boy, confronted with swine. Rossi using his powers for good. Hotch drinking alone, in his house that looks like nobody ever goes there except to drop stuff off and crash. Prentiss talking to the working girls--and giving back to Morgan as good as she gets. JJ in her element as facilitator and as gunslinging mom. Hotch without a quote at the end, worrying about his "kids" while his own world is falling apart. Morgan taking on the police detective as a proxy for his own feelings of helplessness and inadequacy. Both CotW and the Family Members Of The Week as well. And the UNSUBs. Reid's offense not just that the dominant UNSUB was a sadist, but that the science was bad.

Did I mention Garcia?

Also, oh, Hotch.

Oh, show. You give me moral complexities where other shows give me packaged answers, and I love you for it.

Mood: content

Tags:

geeks with guns

Comments

( 92 comments — Leave a comment )

siggen1 wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 01:07 pm (UTC)

I very much agree with everything you said. I'm filled with glee, by the way, that Hotch doesn't live at the house anymore, which is the view I've been holding forth since the divorce.

I'd also rather like to hear your take on the cliffhanger.

It also occurs to me that with the exception of Elle in S1 (and even then, if you get creative), all season cliffhangers have centered around Hotch in some way, more or less obviously. I don't know.

Edited at 2009-05-21 01:09 pm (UTC)

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matociquala wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 01:21 pm (UTC)

It's an exact parallel to the s1 cliffhanger, isn't it? Agent comes home, tosses some object away, starts to relax, and BOOM.

I suspect that's intentional, given the writer/director team. Ahem. *g*

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cluegirl - May. 25th, 2009 09:03 pm (UTC) Expand

galbinus_caeli wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 01:08 pm (UTC)

Interestingly, it seemed that the characters did not consider it a win.

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matociquala wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 01:19 pm (UTC)

The outcome of the episode wasn't a win. (Probably just enough of a win to get it past the network.)

But this was the first season finale that was not structurally broken somehow.

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huladavid wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 01:16 pm (UTC)

I was pleased to note that (after looking it up) Charles Haid is a Hill Street Blues alum.

Geez, I just flashed on how this might'a been their Of Mice And Men episode...

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beatriceeagle wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 01:17 pm (UTC)

No, that was "Damaged" in season three. They even directly reference it in that one. *g*

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huladavid - May. 21st, 2009 01:24 pm (UTC) Expand

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matociquala - May. 21st, 2009 01:22 pm (UTC) Expand

beatriceeagle wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 01:21 pm (UTC)

Thoughts of note:

Jeff Bedwell is, I believe, Chris Mundy's childhood best friend, something I learned from the "Revelations" commentary. That distracted me through the whole episode. That and the fact that I saw C. Thomas Howell's name in the opening credits.

I'm fairly sure the victim's actress is related to Glenn Kershaw--maybe his daughter? Her name is Lily Kershaw, and the only other thing she's been in is an episode of Third Watch.

Morgan talking to Prentiss about his doubts regarding their jobs is kind of a direct reversal of what we've come to expect, isn't it? Also, we now have canon for exactly how long he's been in the BAU--whatever that's worth.

Reid's healed up pretty well from his bout with anthrax, hasn't he?

And, of course, way to deconstruct your own trick with the quotes, there, CM.

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matociquala wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 01:26 pm (UTC)

Yes to all this.

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matociquala - May. 21st, 2009 02:19 pm (UTC) Expand

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beatriceeagle - May. 21st, 2009 04:36 pm (UTC) Expand

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edschweppe - May. 21st, 2009 05:49 pm (UTC) Expand

beatriceeagle wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 01:38 pm (UTC)

Oh, plus? Loaded with callbacks. Legacy, Damaged, tiny bits of Revelations, and the gigantic one for Fisher King at the end. ETA: And even A Higher Power; Morgan's conversation with Prentiss in this one is a direct reversal of their conversation at the end of that one.

And you know why this finale worked? They saved the tricky season finale stuff for the very end, and devoted most of the episode to just being an episode. The problem with most CM finales is they try to take on more than a normal episode--CM's most likely to forget that clever A plots are not its strong suit in finales and premieres. This way, they managed to get a strong, self-contained episode and a cliffhanger.

Edited at 2009-05-21 01:39 pm (UTC)

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matociquala wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 02:08 pm (UTC)

Well, and no incredibly convoluted caper plots. The *only* time they pulled that off was in "Lessons Learned," because they hadt he necessary controlled environment.

"Masterpiece," on the other hand, was an abject eyerolling flop on the plot front. Likewise "Mayhem." (Though Mayhem had other things to recommend it.)

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jenavira - May. 21st, 2009 03:42 pm (UTC) Expand

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jenavira - May. 21st, 2009 05:03 pm (UTC) Expand

stotangirl wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 02:02 pm (UTC)

I was working and only got to see the last hour or so, but I liked how it seemed to be a mash-up of Hannibal and Of Mice and Men, with the usual CM-messing-around with it all. And I was rooting for Kelly, because, yes, so smart.

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youraugustine wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 02:26 pm (UTC)

I just realized this will be the first time I will have watched (when it dloads)* a CM season finale cliffhanger while it's still actually a cliff-hanger.

This could be interesting.

. . . I also realized that between the name-change (I used to be ~merditha) and the whole-sale replacement of my icons, I do not have a CM icon anymore. I shall have to remedy that immediately.

*I often read your summaries before the episodes. It actually keeps really silly triggery anxiety things down and allows me to enjoy the first watch-through much more! So in a weird way, thank you. >.>

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matociquala wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 03:04 pm (UTC)

Aieee! I think CM has expanded to be MOST of my icons. But I keep needing one illustrate a point...

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huladavid - May. 22nd, 2009 02:25 pm (UTC) Expand

bibliothekara wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 02:41 pm (UTC)

Rossi using his powers for "good", but making me v. v. uncomfortable with his fondling of the vent tube, there. But really, he's the only one where they can get away with doing that. Rules are for people who don't have ethics, but some ethics are more equal then others. And the shoes on the sheet are gonna stick with me, like something out of a documentary.

Oh, show, clever clever show, pointing me over there with Morgan's burnout, and not doing the after-black credit thing for C. Thomas. Then up pops Hotch, and his model-home apartment, and the liquor right out there on the counter, and turning around with no hesitation. "Sometimes the day just...ends." But Hotch is NOT DEAD. He's off frolicking with Jack and ponies, and I will not hear otherwise. Or at least the shot we heard was not a headshot, and Garcia and Hotch are tough as nails and can SURVIVE shots to the chest. *lalala* Who is going to clean the blood off his walls, though?

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matociquala wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 03:09 pm (UTC)

Heh. Rossi's "good" is not particularly "good," it's true. But that's not exactly out of character.

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sksperry wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 02:52 pm (UTC)

Aaaargh! If anyone I ever trained left their weapon further than arms reach away, especially at an active scene, or, almost as bad, leaned it up against something, I'd have him fired. And in Ontario, if 5 armed police officers opend up on a lone, unarmed suspect just because he charged them, no matter how big he was or what he was accused of doing, they'd be going to jail.

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reannon wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 03:00 pm (UTC)

That raised my eyebrow too. Both points.

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prairiedaun - May. 22nd, 2009 01:53 am (UTC) Expand

a_blackpanther wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 03:05 pm (UTC)

Reid at the farmhouse - and in the barn. He was so very nervous. I also love that in the aftermath of "amplification", he listens to his instincts a bit more, but he's still unsure on his feet. I think it's the first time Reid has used the words "I don't know. Maybe."

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matociquala wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 03:10 pm (UTC)

Nah, he's done that before. In "Damaged," and I'm pretty sure other places.

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beatriceeagle - May. 21st, 2009 04:31 pm (UTC) Expand

angharadd wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 03:15 pm (UTC)

Reid's offense not just that the dominant UNSUB was a sadist, but that the science was bad.

That was awesome - and so him!

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matociquala wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 03:18 pm (UTC)

It really was. "You're a monster! AND a lousy scientist!"

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angharadd - May. 21st, 2009 03:21 pm (UTC) Expand

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mahpiya_luta - May. 21st, 2009 08:09 pm (UTC) Expand

grey_bard wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 03:34 pm (UTC)

Hey, maybe this was their Frankenstein episode. If, um. Dr. Frankenstein was a crazy unsub.

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galeni wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 03:35 pm (UTC)

I had trouble watching this one. Pig farm was real and cops works months retrieving DNA and stuff. Just a few miles from me.

Saw Howell's name so wasn't surprised but am distressed. (Hotch!!!) however Hotch looked more calm and centered than he has in ages, which was good to see. Some self-acceptance there, hard fought for.

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matociquala wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 04:38 pm (UTC)

Pretty much every case they do is based on a real one--or several real ones. They try to file off some of the serial numbers.

Squicky, that.

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galeni - May. 21st, 2009 04:45 pm (UTC) Expand

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bev_vincent - May. 23rd, 2009 04:24 pm (UTC) Expand

mayojane wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 04:01 pm (UTC)

Did anyone else notice that the camera was on Reid when Hotch said told the team split up to search the woods near the end or was I over analyzing? I wasn't watching with the roomie last night (she didn't want to stay up till 11 for this one, like she did for LOST last week) so I'm running without my sounding board who's seen alot of the show (I'm catching her up on S3 right now) and instead watched with my fellow... who can count the eps he's seen on one hand.

I was checking for replies on a particularly tense RP thread on my Smartphone when they opened fire up on Lucas, and had to rewind because I was sure I missed some instigating event... except I didn't see one. That's the part of this whole thing is the that doesn't sit right with me the most.

Did anyone else think when we first saw him for a second thru the window, that the Unsub was the still barely living torso of our first on-screen victim, divested of his limbs (which we saw the pigs get)?

Also does anyone know if Gibson's signed for next season? We're a bit overdue to loose a team member... we lost Elle beginning of S2, and Gideon at the beginning of 3S, but no one at the beginning of S4.

8^S

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galeni wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 04:50 pm (UTC)

No, there was no reason shown on screen for the RCMP/Ontario cops to start shooting.

And yes, I too thought that what we learned was Mason was one of the victims being kept alive by machine.

No! Don't say that! (avert, avert) No one else can take Hotch's place and make the team work. He did have a heavy glass in his hand, so I'm thinking he threw it at the gunman which spoiled the aim. After all, Hotch -did- say a word after the screen went to black. (Fingers crossed.)

And now my tv season is over as this was the final finale of the four shows I watch. I always miss the shows but don't mind having nothing to differentiate my evenings so I get more done.

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matociquala - May. 21st, 2009 04:54 pm (UTC) Expand

martianmooncrab wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 04:41 pm (UTC)

I had some trepidation at the beginning, I thought they were doing the stereotypical Damaged War (fill in war of choice) Vet as serial killer, but they spun that around, and then the teen hooker as victim, but wasnt killed because she was able to think on her feet.

Two surprises when you get so fed up with the cliches.

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matociquala wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 04:47 pm (UTC)

They already did the war vet serial killer--end of Season 2--and it's one of their best episodes. (Entitled "Distress," and well worth a watch.)

What you point out is why, in the final analysis, I watch the show. Victims have agency, good people die or fail, survivors take damage, hookers and junkies are people with a subject position, and even the monsters are human... and what they do reflects on us all.

They blow it sometimes, but... when they don't, it's something special. Nuanced and compassionate without being insensate to consequences.

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mothie - May. 21st, 2009 05:47 pm (UTC) Expand

ssa_alexk wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 05:13 pm (UTC)

*hugs finale* SO much better than my other shows'...

It managed to get away with having an actual, plain old episode, while throwing in the dreaded finale cliffhanger at the end. It reminded me a bit of "Lucky"- a regular episode and then it smacks you upside the head for thinking that we were safe. Even though that was the middle of the season, it still applies.

I liked the signs of burnout with Morgan. I was hoping that the cliffhanger wasn't going to be him thinking of resigning. Although, that probably would've been less stressful than "You should have taken the deal. *bang*"

There really was a big similarity to "Fisher King"... And, if we go by that, Hotch should be fine. It looked like the UnSub was going to shoot Elle in the head, and he shot her in the chest. *can't believe that she's willing to skip over summer just to see season five*

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edschweppe wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 05:42 pm (UTC)

The only person running around in RCMP scarlet is ... Penelope Garcia.

I really want to check out the DVDs for this episode - I could have sworn that one of Garcia's windows had the caption "Heisenberg Compensator".

Morgan didn't get to tackle anybody last episode, so he must have been really jonesing in this one. No wonder he tackled the innocent bunny hunter.

Loved the "Berries!" line. Also how they used Kelly's head wound to show that Lucas knows medical techniques.

ObHowler: Not a single eighteen-wheeler in line at the Port Huron border crossing?

ObNitpick: Hotch, you've got a Gulfstream ~~III~~ IV V ~~450~~ ~~200~~ Generic Mutating BizJet sitting on the Detroit tarmac. Don't make Garcia fly commercial - send it back for her!

And Edward Bernero proves once again what a brilliant, sadistic bastard he is. "Sometimes the day. Just. Ends."

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electricland wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 05:59 pm (UTC)

I was working quite hard not to nitpick the Canadian stuff. (RCMP guy: I can't leave my guys unprotected out there! Me: They're not your guys! They're Border Services guys!) Because there was so much to love.

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galeni - May. 21st, 2009 06:04 pm (UTC) Expand

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galeni wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 05:59 pm (UTC)

Huh. Recap on Gibson and the show.

http://www.inentertainment.co.uk/20090521/is-thomas-gibson-leaving-criminal-minds/

Comes down to Maybe?

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rabidfangurl wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 06:36 pm (UTC)

Did you notice that when they were talking about medical supplies being stolen, the first thing Reid mentioned was narcotics? Poor baby, trying so hard not to be that guy and still having it come out in little ways. I'm quite sure the whole rural/farm thing didn't help, either.

My last twenty seconds of the episode went thus: Oh look, Hotch is drinking. Maybe he and Reid can go to meetings toget- Holy shit, did they just kill Hotch? D:

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atuinsails wrote:

May. 21st, 2009 08:47 pm (UTC)

How weird is this? Just for a moment, when we had that weird POV at the end of the episode, like someone was watching Hotch from the living room, I thought maybe Gideon was back. Then the masked guy comes out of the opposite direction, and I was like WTF!

Very good ending.

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youraugustine wrote:

May. 22nd, 2009 05:36 am (UTC)

I think this will join "North Mammon" on the lists of Episodes M Doesn't Rewatch. I know there's stuff to pull out of it and think about, and characterisation things, and everything else, but I can't set it aside from my emotional reaction enough to be able to touch any of it.

(I am an elder sister to a much beloved, mentally disabled, taller, larger, stronger little sister. This episode was very well done, but I don't think I'm in a position to properly appreciate that kind of art on this topic.)

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moxie_raqs wrote:

May. 22nd, 2009 10:43 am (UTC)

I thought the Oz references were deft and brilliant. Do you remember the moment in The Wizard of Oz when Dorothy almost fell into the pigpen until someone caught her? I thought she was just being a priss, afraid of muddying her dress, until my dad explained how dangerous it could be for a little girl to fall into a pen of enormous pigs. Then Penelope referred to Oz at least twice: "I don't think we're gonna be in Kansas anymore," and "pay attention to the girl behind the curtain." She goes on location very rarely, and this world was particularly disorienting and bizarre for her.

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matociquala wrote:

May. 22nd, 2009 11:53 am (UTC)

And the Dorothy G./Oz thing. Yes, it ran through the whole episode.

Interesting if that means they're taking the series in a new direction next year...

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sanguinity - Nov. 12th, 2009 05:59 pm (UTC) Expand

nebula99 wrote:

May. 22nd, 2009 12:19 pm (UTC)

I was disappointed with this - and not just for the ending, which felt like a cheap ratings grabber.

There were lots of good character bits, and often I can forgive aspects of a shoddy plot, but I don't think this one felt like it had been properly thought through.

And coming after Amplification, which was really well done, this couldn't help but disappoint.

(I may rewatch and feel differently, but at the moment I'm giving them a "could do better")

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shadowewolf wrote:

May. 23rd, 2009 01:20 pm (UTC)

Eh, the episodes themselves were fine. Barring(sp?) of course the convenient unattended gun; that just irritated me.

As far as the Cliffy goes, it feels more like they realized.. "oop! We left a thread loose let's tie it up!" And wound up tacking it at the end of the finale.

But hey what do I know?

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