Season 10 was very much mixed in quality, very like much of the period from Season 6 onward, but although there were less than good episodes there were also good and more ones. "Hero Worship" is an above average episode that is more notable for the character moments than the case.
It is not quite as good as the terrifying "Mr Scratch", the poignant and harrowing "Nelson's Sparrow", the creepy and powerful "The Forever People", the tense "Rock Creek Park" and the unconventional but extremely well done "A Thousand Suns", also remember "A Place at the Table" being good. On the other hand, it's significantly better than the likes of the strange and not in a good way "If the Shoe Fits", the poor "Breath Play", the very unbalanced in writing "Protection", the wastes of good ideas "Hashtag", "Beyond Borders" and "The Boys of Sudworth Place" and the similarly unbalanced in writing "Scream".
Not everything in "Hero Worship" works. The case is certainly not a bad one, but there are two things that didn't quite work. One was that the twist was not that much of a surprise, it was rather obvious or at least one has a suspicion that the hero was not what he seemed, the heroism and humbleness just rang false. The other being the second unsub, too much of an underdeveloped afterthought.
Before anybody is misled, Jennifer Love Hewitt doesn't dominate (nor to me does she single-handedly ruin it) "Hero Worship", it's Rossi and Reid that have the most screen time. The problem here actually is not (like it too often is) Kate being dull or Love Hewitt out of place, but Kate is not used particularly well in this episode, here just spouting generic lines that can be given to pretty much anybody.
Am in two minds about the Reid-Einstein subplot developing, the flirtation and chemistry is admittedly adorable and is well balanced with everything else, but 'Criminal Minds' have a very mixed at best track record with love interest relationships (speaking as a fan before any stone-throwing), often being too sappy and soapy and who can't forget how frustrating the whole Maeve storyline turned out.
Visually, however, 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 the pacing is taut enough.
Writing is mostly thought-provoking and intriguing and much of the story is suspenseful and compels the viewer with a great opening and some nice twists and turns in the latter parts. There is more profiling than many Season 10 episodes, that makes sense and feels like proper team-work and there is a much better balance of screen-time with the team, case and individual team members. Faring best is the very touching Reid mourning Gideon subplot, and his and Rossi's friendship reinforces why they are why the show is still being stuck with despite being nowhere near as good for a while. Also really appreciated the reference to Morgan's experience with bombs and to Gideon hating unfinished business.
"Hero Worship's" acting is very good, with top honours going to Joe Mantegna and Matthew Gray Gubler.
Overall, not a great episode but a good one. 7/10 Bethany Cox
It is not quite as good as the terrifying "Mr Scratch", the poignant and harrowing "Nelson's Sparrow", the creepy and powerful "The Forever People", the tense "Rock Creek Park" and the unconventional but extremely well done "A Thousand Suns", also remember "A Place at the Table" being good. On the other hand, it's significantly better than the likes of the strange and not in a good way "If the Shoe Fits", the poor "Breath Play", the very unbalanced in writing "Protection", the wastes of good ideas "Hashtag", "Beyond Borders" and "The Boys of Sudworth Place" and the similarly unbalanced in writing "Scream".
Not everything in "Hero Worship" works. The case is certainly not a bad one, but there are two things that didn't quite work. One was that the twist was not that much of a surprise, it was rather obvious or at least one has a suspicion that the hero was not what he seemed, the heroism and humbleness just rang false. The other being the second unsub, too much of an underdeveloped afterthought.
Before anybody is misled, Jennifer Love Hewitt doesn't dominate (nor to me does she single-handedly ruin it) "Hero Worship", it's Rossi and Reid that have the most screen time. The problem here actually is not (like it too often is) Kate being dull or Love Hewitt out of place, but Kate is not used particularly well in this episode, here just spouting generic lines that can be given to pretty much anybody.
Am in two minds about the Reid-Einstein subplot developing, the flirtation and chemistry is admittedly adorable and is well balanced with everything else, but 'Criminal Minds' have a very mixed at best track record with love interest relationships (speaking as a fan before any stone-throwing), often being too sappy and soapy and who can't forget how frustrating the whole Maeve storyline turned out.
Visually, however, 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 the pacing is taut enough.
Writing is mostly thought-provoking and intriguing and much of the story is suspenseful and compels the viewer with a great opening and some nice twists and turns in the latter parts. There is more profiling than many Season 10 episodes, that makes sense and feels like proper team-work and there is a much better balance of screen-time with the team, case and individual team members. Faring best is the very touching Reid mourning Gideon subplot, and his and Rossi's friendship reinforces why they are why the show is still being stuck with despite being nowhere near as good for a while. Also really appreciated the reference to Morgan's experience with bombs and to Gideon hating unfinished business.
"Hero Worship's" acting is very good, with top honours going to Joe Mantegna and Matthew Gray Gubler.
Overall, not a great episode but a good one. 7/10 Bethany Cox
