'Criminal Minds' in quality regarding their season finales has some better than others. "The Fisher King Part 1" (Season 1) and "Lo-Fi" (Season 3) were particularly great season finales, while "The Replicator" (Season 8) wasted a potentially good story arc.
"Hit" was a reasonably decent first part of the two-part season finale on the most part, and from personal opinion the better of the two episodes. Have seen people describe "Hit"/"Run" as the worst season finale, for me that distinction goes to "The Replicator", with "Hit/Run" being one of the lesser ones.
To be honest, 'Criminal Minds' has been much more variable with their season premieres, with "Extreme Aggressor" (Season 1) and "The Fisher King Part 2" (Season 2) being outstanding, and the others decent to good, with only "The Inspiration" (Season 9) being below average.
Can see though why some may not be totally enamoured by "Hit". Had mixed feelings on Prentiss' subplot. Loved that it showed a sensitive and vulnerable side to Prentiss and Paget Brewster conveys that beautifully in her acting, but there is one scene where she is offered a job over the phone that comes over as awkward and really out of place within the rest of the action and felt like over-the-top foreshadowing. Also didn't like about how she blatantly lied to her therapist, which didn't seem like Prentiss, and the therapist seeming not to see through the lie.
Strauss is as cold and uninteresting as ever, while anything with Hotch and Beth would have more charm and heart and such if Beth wasn't such a bland character dully played by Bellamy Young and while one loves to see Hotch being happier it's like he's moving on too quick. Wouldn't have said no to more Reid and Hitch too, Reid deserved more lines than he did and there's not much that's as memorable or as quotable as other episodes.
However, "Hit" is very stylishly and atmospherically made, as is always the case with 'Criminal Minds', "The Thirteenth Step" and "The Fight" being one of few exceptions. While the music is rarely a problem on 'Criminal Minds', not only is it haunting and moody here but "Hit" contains some of the cleverest utilisation of music of any post-Season 6 episode.
On top of that, the script is mostly thought-provoking and maintains attention, if a little bland when it comes to character moments (though one cannot help love Garcia imagining herself in a suit, the deduction of music being brought to the crime, linking how music has lasting effect on people emotionally at a young age and Garcia and Reid at the convention) or quotable lines. The story does do a good job trying to do something fresh and keep things intriguing with an old and not always compelling subject matter and thinking outside the box, with highlights being a twist involving a victim turning the tables on the attacker and being second guessed right at the end. Suspense and tension levels are very high.
All the acting is strong all round, apart from Young and Jayne Atkinson. Paget Brewster deserves particular plaudits.
In conclusion, a good first part to the season finale. 7/10 Bethany Cox
