Magnum Opus

Season 8 is a good overall season. However, there are at least 5 or 6 episodes that aren't that good. This is one of the weaker episodes of season 8. It's just "okay".

For those of you who've never seen this episode, you have an unsub who's draining the blood from his victims, but he's not a vampire wannabe. You'll never believe what this killer is doing with the blood. It's sick. The unsub is a real wacko. He's quite a pathetic creature too. You almost want to feel sorry for the sicko and give him a hug. He's completely out of his mind. There are a couple of scenes where the killer tries to sell off his "work" and he comes off as being completely pathetic (intentionally by the writers). And you just say to yourself that this guy needs to be put out of his misery. His mind is completely screwed up.

Some may say that Criminal Minds is just coming up with bizarre motivations for unsubs because they're running out of ideas. However, you have to remember that there have been killers in this world who have had INSANE motivations for killing. Look no further than serial killer Herbert Mullin. This real life serial killer claimed that by killing people, he would prevent earthquakes. So there's pretty much nothing Criminal Minds can do as a motivation for an unsub that could be too far fetched. People are NUTS.

This is the first episode to air after the classic "Zugzwang" (8x12). Reid is obviously grieving over Maeve's death and Matthew Gray Gubler does a wonderful job showing Reid's sorrow over his girlfriend's death. Reid still is able to call the team on the phone and help them out with their latest case from his apartment. Everyone tries to cheer him up but he's not in the mood to talk about it, only to help them every once in a while from home on the case they're working on.

great episode..as usual..Dr Barbara Moore..would like to see this character evolve..Morgan seemed very comfortable with her.. She appeared to be a real Medical Examiner..some of the medical language was very on point and precise.. and the "team" could use an ME to travel with them for on scene medical information along with the fact she was very pretty has to be a major plus..also can not close without a shout out for Spencer Reid..always a fan.. longtime fan of the show which continues to make us all think and be cautious in the world around us. some say its too dark even though they gleaned a great deal from the show.. It has been and continues to be a show for those who recognize there are those people and situations out there who are dark and we learn to be safer when we have this knowledge

As a fan of 'Criminal Minds', Season 8 has been a mixed bag while not as variable as Seasons 6 and 9 or as underwhelming as 11.

There are good episodes such as "All That Remains", "God Complex", "The Good Earth" and "The Lesson", and also some disappointing ones like "Magnificent Light", "Through the Looking Glass", "The Wheels on the Bus" and "The Replicator" (potentially good story arc, and a quite effective one for most of the season, that fizzles out badly which was a shame), not to mention a mostly decent "Zugzwang" before frustrating with its slap-in-the-face ending.

"Magnum Opus" to me is another one of the weaker episodes of Season 8. It is not an irredeemable episode, none of the 'Criminal Minds' episodes are not even the very worst ones, but, considering that 'Criminal Minds' is so brilliant when on form and even at its best, "Magnum Opus" underwhelmed hugely.

Starting with what "Magnum Opus" does right, Have nothing to complain about with the production values, 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.

Love the team interaction and it registers far more than the case itself. Reid's grief is genuinely moving (acted beautifully by Matthew Gray Gubler), the team's concern and support for him is every bit as touching and Garcia is like a ray of sunshine. Barbara Moore is a charming character, and yes her chemistry with Morgan was nice to watch. Most of the actors do a good job with what they're given which is beneath them mostly really.

With exceptions. Blake is still a cold, dull and disconnected character, and while Jeanne Tripplehorn is a long way from a bad actress she does look uncomfortable here and her line delivery is wooden. "Magnum Opus" also signals a fairly rare case of me feeling absolutely nothing for the unsub, this unsub is too vanilla and rather dense and there is nothing creepy, menacing, conflicting or interesting about him. More often than not, the unsubs on 'Criminal Minds' are solidly to brilliantly played, can't say so for the very weak performance of John Patrick Amedori who seemed to have no idea how to portray the character.

Regarding the story, it is one of the season's most pedestrian and considering that there is very little special about the case and very little atmosphere let alone creepiness, tension or suspense there is an indication of the show running out of ideas. That the unsub (also revealed too early and shown too much) is a complete misfire of a character doesn't help, nor does the lazy writing for the case (with the profiling and psychology criminally under-utilised) or undistinguished direction.

In summary, pretty mediocre and pedestrian episode. 4/10 Bethany Cox