Criminal Minds (TV Series) The Lesson (2012) User Reviews

What could easily have been far-fetched and ridiculous actually turned out to be Season 8's most harrowing and creepiest episode

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 8 July 2016]

Reading the synopsis, as said in the review summary, if not done well "The Lesson" could have been too far fetched and far too ridiculous to be taken serious.

Viewing "The Lesson", it is not just Season 8's most harrowing and creepiest episode but also one of the most harrowing and most creepy of the later seasons of 'Criminal Minds', almost giving the terrifying "Mr. Scratch" a run for its money.

There is not much to complain about with "The Lesson". Maeve is a character in her short stint on the show that this reviewer has always found somewhat bland, and she is not particularly interesting here.

However, what really makes "The Lesson" so good is the atmosphere, which is continually unsettling and harrowing. Standout scenes include the "Disarticulation" (or the dislocation of joints scene), just the sound effect is enough to set one on edge (contrary to some it didn't feel that gratuitous and added to the atmosphere of the story), and the beautifully choreographed and extremely creepy scene with the woman marionette with music that couldn't have been more perfect.

"The Lesson" looks great visually, some of the atmosphere coming just as much from the visuals as well as the execution of the story. Music is haunting, hypnotic and melancholic. Scripting is tight, smart and tense with some great exchanges in the team and the rapport between Reid and Alex (who is grating less and is slowly fitting in, if still a bit cold) is great.

Nothing to complain about with the storytelling and the taut and never dull pacing, nor with Matthew Gray Gubler's adept directing, which shines especially in the woman marionette scene, some of his most inspired direction of any of the 'Criminal Minds' episodes he directed. Acting is strong from all, though Beth Risegraf is as bland as her character. The dynamic between the BAU team sparkles and all are strongly played, while Brad Douriff (in a type of role that he particularly excels at, and it is a role he plays perfectly) is terrifyingly disturbing as one of the most frighteningly delusional unsubs in the history of the show.

Overall, wonderful in almost all areas. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Creepy

[Jackbv123 · 7/10 · 29 September 2019]

Creep factor 10. Detective factor 7. Profiling 5. Team interaction - mixed 7. Postlude 10+++.

Personal taste. Episodes have been more about the unsub and his/her victims for a while now. In a show that is already one of the creepiest on TV, this episode ranks up there, especially if you think about the post-story future for the survivor.

What hooked me on this show in the early seasons was the profiling and the interactions of the team. Reid has always been one, if not the foremost, of my three favorites, and one of those, Gideon, is long gone. As in many of this season's episodes, the team is relying on Garcia's almost magical data collection combined with detective work and only some profiling. (Garcia's magic relies heavily on data,, much of which, probably does not really exist in any computer or central database. That's just normal for this show.)

Trying to avoid spoilers, I can only say that the postlude brings out the viewer's emotions in a big way.

Blake's very temporary predecessor, Seaver, was much criticized for her invisibility for much of her run. (Actually I would say that criticism belongs to the writers more than the actor.) Blake is more assertive and more of a natural part of the team. Yet, most of her character's notable contribution so far has been her personal support of Spence. I'm waiting for her to break the CM mold set by Elle and Seaver. Prentiss and JJ broke that mold and both got at least temporarily exiled. There is hope because JJ has returned and is a key contributor.

Dont listen to all the fragile people

[nicofreezer · 9/10 · 17 October 2021]

This is a fantastic épisode of Criminal Minds ! One of the very best of the entire 323 épisodes.

Matthew Gray as a director doing a great job, in a Spencer Reid centric épisode A very Solid 9/10 , creepy , spooky , disgusting and a final twist.

Brilliantly Disturbing

[Mindcrime-MeaCulpa · 10/10 · 19 April 2014]

i have had 'Criminal Minds' programmed on my DVR for a while now and have seen more than my fair share of episodes. i especially love it when i luck into a marathon and get to spend a few days fully immersing myself in the world of the BAU.

While i have seen a great many truly twisted and creepy episodes, i finally saw one yesterday that will haunt me for a VERY long time in much the same manner that the movie 'Martyrs' did. The storyline was uber-creepy and FAR more unsettling than anything i'd seen before on the show. It was easily one of the most disturbing things i have seen in recent years. And if you know me, that's really saying something!

This episode was a brilliant rendition of how truly disconnected from reality some people can be. The "human" cost means nothing when it comes to fulfilling their own driving need to re-create a fantasy that only they can truly connect with. Yes, there are some HIGHLY disturbing scenes but i felt they truly supported the storyline and were not gratuitous as some other reviewers have suggested.

Do NOT read any reviews, spoilers, trailers, etc., though. It will absolutely ruin the experience for you.

Harrowing

[marisofigia · 10/10 · 6 December 2012]

This is what i consider a truly worthwhile episode in terms that not only did it touch on different arcs of the show but it also managed to deliver a compelling story. Watching it, i felt entrapped in its haunting atmosphere, a style that becomes Matthew Gray Gubler, as seen in his previous directorial efforts. Acting was excellent, especially Brad Dourif who is a master of disturbing portrayals. But what really makes the episode a stand-out in my opinion is the fact that it tells an ultra violent story without any gory bloodbaths or even a menacing villain. This is an emotionally eerie tale that sends shivers straight to the heart. The spine. And all ligaments indeed.

One of the best episodes of the show

[diniathan · 10/10 · 8 June 2021]

10/10 from me.

The plotline was so interesting and unique, the acting was great (not only by the regular cast members but by the guest stars).

I'd say this episode is not for the faint of heart as there is some torture but it's rather similar to other episodes.

Dance Macabre

[amckee-64063 · 2 September 2017]

The storyline was deliciously terrifying, with plenty of horrifying twists and turns. Our unsub's delusions are as elaborate and entertaining as the episode's "real" storyline. The Reid-Maeve storyline added a touch of sweetness to the whole horror show, although there's not much that can make viewers forget the nightmarish dancing scene. I liked it a lot, but I would recommend viewers with weak stomachs to proceed with caution. Even for this show, this episode is insanely creepy.

Yeah, weird

[stacy031674 · 10/10 · 11 January 2022]

Some are saying this is gruesome. I have seen worse on Criminal Minds. This one is definitely creepy though. Great job on this episode. The actors playing the unsub/s, did a fantastic job with the creepy. It's kind of like a less blood and shortened thriller. If you like thriller and creepy, you will enjoy this episode.

Incorrect Grammar Usage

[deedeekay · 10/10 · 24 July 2018]

A person is always hanged not hung. The writers had different characters misspeak this several times.

too much torture

[yoncassius · 7/10 · 8 December 2014]

Even for this show. It may have been integral to the story; but dislocation of any joint would be excruciating and of all the joints unbearable. These victims would not have remained conscious through all that. I was grateful for a break from the "insub is in the darkened room - just waiting to spring out with a knife and a plan to hurt you - kidnap you and kill you". But the real annoyance is the use of the word "hung" when they mean "hanged". Pictures are hung; people are hanged. Writers please -don't dumb us down. This is probably a common mistake. However that is not an excuse to play fast and loose with the English language. Also - I am still waiting to warm up to Blake.

Warning: This episode contains a very disgusting "disjoint" scene.

[dgg321982 · 1/10 · 10 December 2012]

Followers should get used to various "disgusting" torture scenes in Criminal minds by now. Twisted mind, hallucination and brutal violence not enough? This episode takes the cake. To warn off any faint hearted viewers from this, I going to write it loud here: in this episode, a young girl, her shoulder joints were dislocated by pulling her hands back and upwards.

This scene is so graphic and real, now it burns to my brain and is going to haunt me for a while. I stopped watching right there. A 30-year-old male, I think I could tell myself that was a TV drama and no real harm is done, but that footage sequence left me no reason to believe so. Now I really got to ask: what is the sense of presenting such a scene to us? Is it not enough to give us the idea and let us image the rest? Is it really necessary to depict violence in its full color and let us taste it all? Is it now CM really so down that it has to show the "horror" card to win back its dwindling fans? Are they sure this is not going to get the opposite?

The most disgusting CM episode since I don't remember.

why..

[nickdoris · 1/10 · 13 September 2019]

I'm so in love with this show and I'm only 20 minutes into this episode but I just cannot finish it. It's so incredibly gruesome for what seems to be no reason. Instead of feeling intrigued like I do with most episodes, I just feel sad and nauseous. Like the episode has physiologically depressed me. Sound effects make it even worse. Would not recommend for any reason.

For those who have distanced themselves from Criminal Minds- this episode will not bring them back

[JokerWhySoSerious · 5/10 · 9 December 2012]

**spoilers** "The Lesson'' is the tenth episode from season 8 of Criminal Minds, directed by Matthew Grey Gubler, who, of course, plays Reid. This episode explores themes such as delusions, childhood, torture, crucifixions and sadism. Here lies the problem- these have previously been explored, in far better ways (except crucifixions and marionettes, from memory). Delusions, of course, the episode ''Normal'' in season 4, where the ending of "The Lesson" is eerily similar. Torture and sadism- has already been ripped apart and analysed and classified in episodes such as ''No Way Out''. I do not mind an episode about torture- but if you are going to make an audience sit through vicious and uncomfortable scenes, make it worth it- at the signature quote at the end of the episode, it seems to be more about Reid's relationship, than the case. The problem with this is that what we have seen in the last 40 minutes seems pointless and a waste.

There is however, an extremely visually stunning and frightening scene, involving a marionette. With a lullaby rendition of the Pixies ''Where Is My Mind?'' it is - amazing and distracting from the blotchy editing, irritating reminders of far better criminal minds episodes- particularly 'Heathridge Manor' where rituals were explored and showed as well.

I do wish Criminal Minds would stop with the vicious torture, and how we never see the cases effect anyone (except Garcia). The emotion in previous cases- Rossi, Hotch, Elle, and Gideon especially, were amazing

Gratuitous

[patrick-samphire · 2/10 · 5 December 2014]

I've enjoyed Criminal Minds up until this point, but this episode basically descends into gratuitous torture-porn. There's absolutely no reason why the scenes of torture have to be so lovingly depicted. It's supposed to be a show about catching criminals through behavioural analysis, not about getting off on seeing people being tortured.

I do wonder if the writers are starting to run out of ideas and are falling back on trying to be shocking.

Anyway, I expect I'll give the show a couple more episodes in the hope that this is just a one-off, but otherwise, Criminal Minds may have run its course for me.

Just Because It Needs to Be Said Again...

[championbc-99-5005 · 1/10 · 18 July 2015]

This may be the worst one I have seen yet. I love this series, especially because I love (most of) the characters.

But this one is too dark, too violent, and shows too much of the actual gratuitous violence.

It is also in that category I call "art for art's sake." That is when theater people do theater for themselves, and do things that only interest their own weird preferences for theater.

Also, while it was interesting at first, the show is now beginning to do too many of those plots where you find out that some person/people in the show are only in the unsub's imagination. It was an interesting trick once or twice, but now it's getting old.

There is a back story developing, but right now, it's not too interesting.

This one was just too ugly, too meaninglessly graphic, and dwelt too much on innocent people in horrendous pain.

Why?

[stephjones-35526 · 2/10 · 15 July 2021]

This episode was a bit much for me. Too much gore not enough analysis. It was just so weird I just couldn't get into it.

100% GRAFFIC HORROR

[dranthonykstevens · 2/10 · 11 October 2019]

This episodes if in the category of horror with graphic scenes. I think it should have been rated R or X and not allowed on TV. I really enjoy criminal minds. It is sad that its producers included an episode of this low moral standard.

Too personal

[clpierce1977 · 5/10 · 24 March 2023]

I love this show, but this is the one episode in which I will never watch again. Once is enough. I have some medical knowledge, and what was done here scares me on a primal level, like zombies.(I know, fictional, but to me, terrifying). Just the thought of being trapped in a body that is slowly being broken down, and then, is you live, all the surgeries and therapy, both physical and mental, is too much. If it were me in this situation, or similar, I would beg to be put out of my misery, because I couldn't imagine living through a horror like this, and ever recovering fully.

So, thank you, but no. Not watching this one ever again.