Criminal Minds (TV Series) Zugzwang (2013) User Reviews

"Criminal Minds: Zugzwang' - WARNING SPOILERS

[ldddhunter · 10/10 · 16 January 2013]

Please do NOT read because it does contain partial spoilers---WARNING--I didn't give the whole storyline nor ending, but did mention some details.

**************CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS*********************************

I have to say that this episode was completely EPIC and VERY unexpected; I was able to watch it VERY early tonight; and I'm speechless which is odd because I am always vocal when it comes to story lines on different shows especially when it comes to Criminal Minds. This episode really was (I think anyway) one of the BEST they have ever did. It raised the bar! I adore Dr. Spencer Reid, and Matthew Gray Gubler was just AMAZING!!! I don't want to give away too much because you really have to see it to BELIEVE it. The viewers will NOT know how to feel when they get to watch it (esp the end), so much emotions is what I felt while watching it. Gubler just blew me away in this episode, and I think Dr. Reid's whole world will change forever. He did such an incredible acting that you could feel what he was going through. Just get ready for a phenomenal episode. I still can't stop thinking about it...

One of the best Criminal minds episodes I have ever seen

[painpete · 10/10 · 16 January 2013]

Being the first episode back after Christmas I was expecting little else then a generic welcome back episode which catches up all the previous from before the break, but this was something exceptional and a real game changer in the criminal minds genre. It starts off by reminding us all of the relationship reed has had with this mystery woman. Subsequently he receives a call back from this 'stalker' reed then in a state of confusion goes to hotch for some help as he thinks his mystery woman was missing.

I am not one for writing reviews (positively)but immediately after watching this episode i had to share my utter appreciation for this episode, a real testament to the writers and the actors, without giving away too much there are many twists and turns that are unexpected that would not normally make the typical crime drama.

all this leads to an exceptional climax and i for one cannot wait for the next episode to follow on from this.

Exciting and sad!

[lilian-pagaza · 10/10 · 17 January 2013]

I cry my eyes out! I could not believe it! I was so in to the story that everything took me by surprise, it was something different, I did not expect it to end like that. I totally turn my brain off, somehow I connected with Reid, I was feeling everything that they were feeling. The story, the characters, the anticipation, everything was different but so enchanting that it consume me completely, I was amaze with the change in personality of the main character in the story because he is always so present and in this episode he was lost, this shows that love can do a lot of different things to your body, mind and soul. I definitely enjoy the episode but no more sadness please!

My heart is in pieces

[all-bran55555 · 10/10 · 15 January 2015]

I still have not gotten over this episode. Of all the characters in this series, the two I relate to most are Reid and Garcia. It was a gigantic hammer to my heart when Spencer lost the girl he could have married and had a family with. I still cry every time I think about it, and the episode happened two years ago. You know that a show is good when it crushes your emotions into pieces, and when you feel what the characters are going through. A part of me wished the episode ended differently, but regardless, it was a powerful episode that made me cry over and over again. In fact, I'm crying as I type this. be right back guys, just grabbing tissues.

I'm back, but not for long. I need to listen to some sad music.

Heartbroken and shocked

[t_chan-47433 · 8/10 · 13 June 2015]

So, I'm completely thorn. I do know, by reading the other reviews, that it was kind of logical to end it the way it did, because of the stalked thing and everything. But I hated it. I really hated it. I mean, you're presented with some deep amazing relationship and feelings. And then they go and completely crush them! I'm in total shock and I'm probably gonna stop watching this show for a period, while I recover... I do have to say, Matthew's acting was superb. I agree with other reviewers that finally watching Dr. Reid get a relationship, actually seeing him going goofy and having those sparkly eyes with love, seeing him completely drained, determined. I kind of knew Gray Gubler was a good actor, but with this episode, it showed me an amazing actor. And I found that the choice in actress to play Meave was a right one, too.

Well written episode that avoided giving viewers standard, sappy ending

[greatone_1970 · 10/10 · 16 January 2013]

Excellent episode. Ending was terrific. Was expecting it to be a boilerplate "ho hum" ending you saw coming from miles away, the type of tripe writing you expect in Season 8 of a show on its last legs. The story was leading us to such a clichéd ending that I almost fast forwarded through it. Happily that wasn't the case. Not that I was hoping for the ending they gave us by any means; just that they had the guts to give us something memorable instead of clichéd. Well done.

Will be interesting to see how the characters deal with what happened going forward. They had been developing a mental health issue for Spencer Reid a few seasons ago, but seemingly dropped it. Hopefully they'll get back to it now, as Matthew Gruber can really emote well and provide touching moments.

Lasting effects

[Aubpire-826-223695 · 10/10 · 19 January 2013]

I don't know if this is a SPOILER or not so stop reading if you haven't seen this episode.

Reid was superior, as was the entire cast but the FBI officer who closed her eyes or looked down at the conclusion moved me as much as anything else. It was such a wonderfully simple choice. The 'relationship' that was established and supported by everyone reached through the screen and made you hold your breath.

I don't care for violent content but this series does not glorify it but rather shines a light on the reality of mental illness and how covert it can be. I loved the story and how everything was handled. It was fresh and well produced as well as the casting was spot on. Learning the meaning of Zugzwang was great and I will use that forever. Thank You, CM!

Perfect, shocking, tragic, gutsy ending.

[caiteyfoxner · 10/10 · 5 January 2014]

I was beginning to frown at my favorite TV show--Criminal Minds--by the time this episode came around. I was so tired of the less realistic and boring cases. I was also getting tired of the happy ending that we see so often. I truthfully tip my hat to Breen Frazier and Jeff Davis for actually killing Maeve because it is realistic! I mean I know that we do need to give Reid a break: he has been captured, tortured, suffered addiction, has a troubling past, a schizophrenic mother, he relates to many of the UnSubs, and above all, he has a nonexistent love life. However, this is what this type of stalker actually would do in this situation--when they see no way out and all they want to do is possess the object of their obsession, that stalker would take themselves and their person they seemingly cannot live without out of the world! So I congratulate the writers for having the guts to kill Maeve, even though all we want is Dr. Spencer Reid to be happy for once. Could we please see Reid have a baby and be a father? That would be AMAZING.

Being fully emotionally human brings pain to Reid

[constance22 · 9/10 · 17 January 2013]

++++++++++++Spoiler's Alert++++++++++++

I love this drama and have been watching for years. I watched this episode twice already today since it revolves around Spencer Reid, who is one of my favorite characters.

This episode is a heart breaker for the BAU but especially for Dr. Reid. He has had an unemotional life in the series except when with his mom in other seasons and finally he is in love.

It was so heartfelt and tender a portrayal of a different kind of loving, his not wanting or needing to ever see her and still love her and she loves him. An incredible meeting of mind/spirit for them.

Then finally this episode: the physical meeting brings heartbreak and tragedy. I am very curious to see how this will be followed up next episode. Like another commentator earlier, I hope there will be a positive outcome.

Excellent.

The worst episode of Criminal Minds

[craywiiamz · 26 September 2020]

To add to the other review, Diane had to remove her gun from Maeve's head to shoot herself. A whole team of crack shots had guns pointed at her, but not one, especially JJ, took the shot! Stupid, stupid, stupid!!!!!

Bang

[amckee-64063 · 10/10 · 5 September 2017]

An intense, heartbreaking episode that I adored. Diana is a great villain, and both Spencer and Maeve gave thrilling performances. The episode offered an intimate look atone of the show's most interesting characters, while still providing plenty of action, police work, sexual tension, and straight-up insanity. The ending is brutal, but the episode itself is more than worth it.

More than 100

[Jackbv123 · 9/10 · 30 September 2019]

Spence is my hero in this show, so all my thoughts on this episode must be considered through that filter.

Spence is probably the most victimized cast member of CM. That is part of what makes this episode so sad and so maddening. Of all his trials and tortures, this is the worst. As such, that makes this episode the most memorable of the entire series.

This is classic CM. Unsub strategies and cruelty, team profiling, Reid genius, team loyalty.

I hated the ending and yes it was cliche in a general sense, but it was contrived in the final execution (pun not intended). So hate it, but be honest. Hating it is perfectly OK and perhaps the desired outcome of the writers, but that doesn't make it bad. I thought there was a particular brilliance in the sequence that led up to the contrived final act. Diane tried to force Reid to crush Maeve and instead Maeve died with not just one but two things that couldn't be taken away, the second being Reid's active willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Is sadness and tragedy more profound than victory or love. 100 and Zugzwang stand out in my mind like no positive CM ending I can think of. (And I have seen 13 seasons of it.)

BTW one of my pet peeves of crime shows especially CM is what I call the omnipotent criminal (unsub). Diane is not quite omnipotent like Scratch and Reaper, but she does manage to have amazing resources for a failed geneticist and a lone unsub at that. She has no trouble moving the boyfriend and Maeve in a busy city. She has state-of-the-art surveillance in at least two places. She's managed to secretly stalk at least 3 people. She out-wrestles Reid. She's not omnipotent, but she is quite talented in a lot of areas. Minus 1 star.

Great storyline, unrealistic episode

[cjlove2523 · 7/10 · 11 December 2019]

*HUGE SPOILERS*

I am skipping the whole buildup and am focusing straight to the ending of the episode once they found out who the stalker was.

I loved the Reid and Maeve storyline. I actually thought how nice, they're giving Reid a happy storyline! But this was an absolute ridiculous mess of an episode. In fact, ALL of the agents messed up in this episode. Yes.. I realize it's just a TV show for entertainment purposes but it's not entertaining when there are too many basic and simple errors. For instance, at the end where they're all running into the warehouse where the action is taking place, you have a half a dozen specially trained FBI agents, with their guns drawn right on the unsub who is very clearly emotional, unstable, unbalanced and deranged.. with a gun to Maeve's head after just shooting Reid to boot. After some emotional chit chat, and realizing she was going to commit suicide.. the minute her arm moved up with the gun to her head, at least ONE of the agents would have instinctively fired at Diane's leg. I know the way she did it, it looks quick, but there was PLENTY of time before that due to the dialouge. Hear me out. These are top of the line FBI profilers. They could all read Diane's hysteria. From the time Reid spouted the secret quote to Maeve (I guess to secretly prove he did love her IN CODE) Maeve realized it and then stupidly repeated the author...OUT LOUD! (Did she actually WANT to die?? If she figured it out why didn't she keep it to herself?) There is a gun pointed directly to her head!!! THEN she even boldly states that the code Reid gives Diane to free Maeve, she even taunts Diane that "He's the one thing you could never take away from us" which OF COURSE pushes Diane to confusion and left her in the dark feeling worthless, hopeless and envious which in return makes her unwilling to let them win by flatly and calmly saying "No." (I will not let them win) So she shoots herself. The problem is the whole BAU saw all of this conversation and reaction and would have brought her down before she could even lift her arm. Diane may have been holding Maeve, but she was plenty away from her to get a clear shot of a part of her person to get her down before she fired. And let's not forget this was actually Reid's HUGE mistake by saying he'd take Maeve's place and kill himself for her!! As romantic as that may have sounded for Reid fans to swoon over, you do NOT say that to a deranged stalker wanting to be with you while pointing a gun to the woman he truly loves head. He's supposed to be a genius. You don't trigger an unstable woman by saying not only would you give up your life for the hostage (knowing Diane can now plainly see Reid is in love with Maeve) but also not comforting the stalker by saying if she shoots her, they wouldn't ever be able to be together. And if she shoots herself.. well then.. she is DEAD! I've seen this episode more than once, and each time I see it, I notice more and more mistakes and never have I been more disappointed in the BAU. Especially Reid. Not only that, but I'm not going to even get into the fact that Diane wipes them both out with a single shot. This post is long enough.

This was all just another horrible tragedy to tack on to all of Reid's misfortunes. They just don't ever let Spencer have a happy ending. I will not be surprised if in the last season, he has to get both arms and both legs amputated after some sort of explosion that will also leave him blind.

I gave this a 7/10 for the acting. MGG and the 2 ladies did great. But you really have to have a HUGE suspension of belief for this episode to accept it. Still and always will love the show. Just didn't like this episode

Why?

[championbc-99-5005 · 1/10 · 19 July 2015]

SPOILER -- SPOILER -- SPOILER -- YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

The BAU is always the cavalry to the rescue. They always get there in time. If someone is alive with ten minutes to go in the show, that person is going to live.

Spencer's love interest is likable, intelligent, and perfect for him. Spencer is the best character in the show, the sympathetic character, and deserving of something good finally happening in his life.

I was moved when Hotch's ex-wife was killed, and it was well-incorporated. I was not moved by this. I have hurt seeing Spencer cry in grief before, and he did not deserve for this to happen.

How you can have a whole room full of FBI agents, guns trained on the unsub, and still let her kill herself and Spencer's love interest with one bullet -- how it can violate the formula of the show and kill someone in the last ten seconds -- this show was just bad, bad, bad.

I really have no desire to ever watch it again at this moment.

Grammar and Spelling Count

[FrankFaz · 24 July 2018]

Honestly, I can't take criticism of a TV show if the writer can't be bothered to proofread for spelling errors or use proper grammar.

Absolutely Shocked!!

[fluffykitsister · 8/10 · 18 February 2014]

Omg I am actually BAWLING my eyes out right now!! Im so shocked and upset right now. Being in a long distance relationship, I know exactly how Reid was feeling every step of the way. I went to see my guy last year and customs wouldn't let me into England for basically made up reasons. I literally felt my heart ripping out of my chest by the end of this episode. The way their relationship was portrayed was absolutely spot-on. Long distance is based on feelings and mutual desires, looks just don't even matter. I wish she didn't die, I feel so upset! This episode was truly something else. I wish things would of been different but I cant help and think how dramatic and perfect this episode was in every single sense.

Not for the romantic in you

[slevine292 · 10/10 · 7 March 2021]

I won't reveal much, but I will say I was pulling for Reid to finally be happy. While other critics say the death of Maeve could've been prevented, I believe the writers have other plans for Reid.

Yes, Reid needs to be happy and Maeve was his equal in every way, but her death should have been foreseen because Criminal Minds is not a show for the romantic. Her death hurts, but not as much as Hotch's wife.

I believe the story was well thought out. The stalker storyline held up well and the murder suicide was believable to me. The writers hit the mark here and giving this storyline to Reid was the right call. I look forward to any other challenges they give his character.

Actually quite decent until the badly botched ending

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 9 July 2016]

"Zugzwang" has often been described by 'Criminal Minds' fans as one of the worst episodes of the show. To me, it is a lesser episode, and one of the most frustrating ones too.

The episode as always does look great, 'Criminal Minds' has always been a well-made series, with plenty of gritty but classy style and atmosphere, and "Zugzwang" is no exception. The music is haunting and devastatingly melancholic.

A lot of the writing is tight, very thought-provoking and genuinely emotional, one really does feel for Reid here. The stalker/kidnapping story-line dominates the episode, but that doesn't mean that profiling and criminal psychology are completely side-lined, though they have been much more interesting before.

In "Zugzwang", the team dynamic is always enjoyable and the characters well-established, Maeve finally getting some meat to her character which Beth Riesgraf does quite well with. The acting is very good on the most part, with Matthew Gray Gubler especially being a revelation, his heart-break and devastation is emotionally devastating.

Generally "Zugzwang" was quite decent, though it does kick off with a very strange and awkwardly sappy dream sequence. Also, although there was very little to complain about with the acting, this reviewer didn't really care for Michelle Tratchenberg here, she seemed rather bland and evokes neither menace or sympathy.

But the biggest let-down is the badly botched, no let's rephrase that as slap-in-the-face ending, which is emotionally manipulative, implausible, ridiculous, forced and a cheap way of not only writing out a character that seemingly fans were not warming to but reminding us that Reid can't be happy (or that's how it felt).

In conclusion, a decent episode marred badly by the worst ending in 'Criminal Minds' history. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Worst Episode Ever!

[jaji-23705 · 1/10 · 3 March 2019]

This episode was poorly written. Not only because of the end result, but everything about it! This is my first review. I had to register to this site to relieve some of this frustration!

SPOILER ALERT!!!

So Reid couldn't fight off a girl!?!?!?!?! REALLY!?!?! He was right there!! And a WHOLE team of BEHAVIOR analysts couldn't tell that the shooter was distraught!?!?!?!?! Her head was WIDE OPEN!!! COME ON!!!!

Ok, I understand he couldn't pull off a fake kiss, but then he's going to say kill me, not her, while she had a gun to her head!?!?!?!?! If he would have continued to de-value her, he would've had a better chance. Anyways. If I knew about this episode, I would've definitely skipped it.

Ridiculous ending

[stephaniemsandlin · 7/10 · 18 February 2014]

This episode has been on my mind since last night. The sudden and tragic death of Dr. Donovan was meant to be a gutwrenching painful experience. The producers hit their mark with this.

What irritates me the morning after is the plausibility. So Diane is standing there out of control ready to flip out at any second and shoot someone, the rest of team is there guns drawn then Diane goes for the double fatal headshot and no reaction from the team. I'm sorry but with Hotch, Rossi, JJ and Morgan having their guns pointed at her, their training would've kicked in and someone would've taken the shot to stop Diane. They've done it before.

You can say sure they were emotionally drawn in and giving Reed space. I don't buy it. Hotch would've kept a cool head.

Maeve's death felt forced, unrealistic and you can hear the producers going "hey, let's go for the emotional jugular." It was the first time tragedy in the show has been represented in a way that felt unrealistic to me and I've been watching the show for years.

Having the team locked out of the room would've worked better when Diane pulled the trigger. Having them standing there with no reaction. Sorry, not buying it. They would've at first sign of Diane bringing the gun to her head, someone would've taken the shot.

Memo to the producers: cheap and awful tactic to exterminate a character in a non-believable way.

Couldn't agree more!

[stevenhatfield · 3/10 · 18 January 2013]

@Beth Lambert : I could not agree more with you! It was absolutely STUPID to just throw away Maeve like that! Beth is a terrific actress, who is now free with the cancellation of Leverage!

My wife and I were absolutely horrified that they didn't let Reid finally have a real girlfriend... and my wife was so upset after watching the show, which does not bode well for her continuing to watch it.

After 8 seasons, I think that it is time to walk away from it.

The show's producers are probably giddy with excitement with how much attention this episode is getting, but I don't think that they yet realize that it may have just jumped the shark.

Grrrr

[BethLovesAlex · 7/10 · 16 January 2013]

HATED the ending. HATED IT. Reid is my favorite character and deserves happiness with a nice girl. J.J. manages to have a love life without her guy getting murdered, but does anyone else? Nope.

The moment I saw Reid talking to a girl in Maeve's first appearance, it made me the happiest I'd ever been watching this show (and I love this show). I was elated. I couldn't wait for another teaser of their relationship. I waited with bated breath.

When I learned by accident that Zugzwang would contain a confrontation with Maeve's stalker, I couldn't wait to see the happy conclusion to their story.

And now I'm crying.

Seriously, you jerks?! This ending had BETTER be a hoax, and she'd better come back in the next episode as simply injured and not at all dead.

*sniffle sniffle cry cry cry cry*

Rating is for acting. Acting was awesome.

Horrible horrible writers. I hate you. You'll let the team save anyone but the love interests.

Very poor plot

[alameli · 5/10 · 21 January 2013]

Ending was the only part worth watching in this episode. The rest was simply poor and very, very trivial. Well, Michelle Trachtenberg was nice, and did everything she could to look psychopathic. Matthew Gray Gubler delivered his part as gracefully as usual. But. The plot was a disaster, so predictable and plain, and totally unbelievable! It was stupid from the beginning, when Reid first heard about stalker and did not do anything about it, but it got much more stupid with all the soapy garbage like "you will never have HIM" or "and now tell her you don't love her". I wanted to hide under my bed from all these pathetics. I love the show, and season 8 is good, and I will just try to wipe this episode out of my memory.

Aggravating

[improvizatori · 6/10 · 7 September 2021]

So Maeve was introduced to the show for the sole purpose of killing her off. Stupid.

Rage Rage Rage

[helendunham-06839 · 2/10 · 5 January 2022]

I've seen this episode many times. Years later it still enrages me.

Stupid storyline as a whole.

1. Reid is an FBI agent and would have used the BAU resources to look into catching the stalker long before we get to this stage.

2. Diane the lone unsub can magically move both the bodies all by herself, monitor all her surveillance and stalk Maeve while maintaining her job and relationship.

3. Stupid, stupid ending that none of them took a shot at her before she killed them both. Spencer, while not the most athletic- was not able to get the gun off her even though he is a trained agent.

And the most enraging thing of all. WHY COULDN'T THEY LET REID HAVE SOME HAPPINESS!!!!!

Worst episode EVER.