Season 4 is a very strong contender for the best season of 'Criminal Minds'. A season with so many classics (like "The Big Wheel", "Zoe's Reprise", "Minimal Loss", "Memoriam", "The Instincts" and "Conflicted" to name a few), some of the best of the whole show, and one where even weaker episodes such as "Demonology" and "Catching Out" are still watchable and much better than the worst episodes of Seasons 6, 9 and 11.
"52 Pickup" is neither among the season's best or worst. Instead it is a solid episode and somewhere around top middle in ranking. It's also one of those episodes that does very little wrong and where all the good things are numerous, the things that people see 'Criminal Minds' for being present and correct, but just missing the extra spark to make it special and one of the best.
One of the very few criticisms of "52 Pickup", other than the numerous good things being done even better in other episodes, for me is that the character of Todd has never really done much for me. There are certainly far worse female team characters, particularly Tara Lewis and Ashley Seaver, both characters having far worse things than just being a bit dull and lack of gelling chemistry. "52 Pickup" deserves credit for trying to give Todd more development, but her personality just isn't engaging me and it is only really with Prentiss where she gels properly.
The only other fault is that there are episodes with more memorable climaxes, the climactic moments are a little lacking in tension and suspense and resolved somewhat too conveniently.
However, visually the production values are without complaint. It's very well shot and lit and is overall stylish, gritty, classy and atmospheric. The music is moody in the haunting and melancholic sense and fits well, without either enhancing or distracting from it. The direction keeps the momentum going but lets the case breathe, and most of the pacing is breathe especially in the latter parts when the tension builds.
It's a mostly well-written episode too, thoughtful, solid in flow and well balanced between case and team dynamic. In terms of concept, the story is pretty fascinating with a unique case for the fourth season and one of the better-developed unsubs of the season. Tension and suspense is mostly there, love how darkly twisted the unsub is and the balance of fresh genuinely funny humour (which agreed was needed and didn't jar) and adorable emotional moments. Reid and Prentiss really shine here and Garcia, despite her screen time not being much, is charming and amusing.
Acting is very good all round. Overall, not always remarkable but interesting and well done episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox