Season 4 is a contender for the best 'Criminal Minds' season, with so many fantastic episodes and even lesser episodes such as "Demonology" and "Catching Out" not being bad at all.
"Amplification" is up there with the fantastic episodes of the season, and almost up there with the best of the show overall. What was immediately impressive was that it took a very familiar idea that has been portrayed a number of times in media and made a tense, suspenseful and thrilling episode where one really finds themselves caring for the characters and their welfare.
The story is incredibly compelling throughout, with tension, suspense and thrills aplenty as well as emotional impact, showing the full horrors of something as terrifying as an anthrax attack. The script is tautly structured and thought-provoking, doing a wonderful job with developing the BAU team and how the case affects them personally, Reid and Morgan are especially well done here. Love the chemistry between JJ and Hotch (very touching bonding scenes), Reid and Morgan (almost like brothers) and Rossi and Prentiss (their ending scene being a standout, showing a compassionate side to Rossi).
Production values are stylish, classy and atmospheric, while the music is hauntingly moody. The acting is very good, with particularly brilliant performances from Matthew Gray Gubler (not surprising, he has always been a bright spot, even in lesser episodes when he isn't underused) and Shemar Moore.
Overall, fantastic episode that does wonders with an old idea, but with such great execution it was an idea that didn't feel old. 10/10 Bethany Cox
"Amplification" is up there with the fantastic episodes of the season, and almost up there with the best of the show overall. What was immediately impressive was that it took a very familiar idea that has been portrayed a number of times in media and made a tense, suspenseful and thrilling episode where one really finds themselves caring for the characters and their welfare.
The story is incredibly compelling throughout, with tension, suspense and thrills aplenty as well as emotional impact, showing the full horrors of something as terrifying as an anthrax attack. The script is tautly structured and thought-provoking, doing a wonderful job with developing the BAU team and how the case affects them personally, Reid and Morgan are especially well done here. Love the chemistry between JJ and Hotch (very touching bonding scenes), Reid and Morgan (almost like brothers) and Rossi and Prentiss (their ending scene being a standout, showing a compassionate side to Rossi).
Production values are stylish, classy and atmospheric, while the music is hauntingly moody. The acting is very good, with particularly brilliant performances from Matthew Gray Gubler (not surprising, he has always been a bright spot, even in lesser episodes when he isn't underused) and Shemar Moore.
Overall, fantastic episode that does wonders with an old idea, but with such great execution it was an idea that didn't feel old. 10/10 Bethany Cox