As said in my review for "Hit", '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.
"Run" concludes the Season 7 two-parter finale very nicely, and on re-watch to me instead of saying which is better between the two of them (having said that "Hit" was superior previously) they're about equal. "Hit" is a little more cohesive and better paced, while "Run" is more suspenseful. Have seen people describe "Hit"/"Run" as the worst season finale, for me that distinction goes to "The Replicator", though compared with other season finales of 'Criminal Minds', "Hit/Run" is 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.
Starting with "Run's" issues, while there is a lot going on and nothing feels convoluted or something it was almost like it was trying to cram in too much in a short space of time, so the episode at times felt rushed as a consequence. Neither of which were issues in "Hit". A couple of moments were on the random side, and others like the old couple's story reference repeated afterwards more than once by Prentiss were quite obvious to the viewer but we're still hit over the head.
Was also expecting Prentiss to look and act more affected and traumatised after her ordeal and with the events and her subplot in "Hit", instead of made to look somewhat emotionless and indifferent-looking.
However, "Run" 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. The music, while not as cleverly utilised as it is in "Hit" is still suitably moody and gives a sense of foreboding.
On top of that, the script is mostly thought-provoking and maintains attention. The ending scene has been criticised for being sappy and forced, personally thought it was very touching, if a little jarring and hasty compared with everything else in the episode, and served as a tear-jerker of a goodbye to Prentiss. Again, like with "Hit", 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. Tension and suspense levels once again are high, and the twists and turns keep coming.
As do the shocks, the biggest ones being that there is more people involved than initially thought (and one of the identities takes one by surprise) and the real motivations for the crimes. JJ's throwdown is intensely choreographed and nail-biting, while I'm more a fan of the pre-Season 6 JJ she's still likable and she kills it in this scene. All the acting is great, Paget Brewster incredible.
In summary, a good conclusion to the two-part Season 7 finale. 7/10 Bethany Cox
