Unforgettable

In its prime (Seasons 1-5, with Season 4 to me being the best and most consistent season with a lot of classic episodes and even the weakest episodes being far from awful) 'Criminal Minds' was one of my favourite shows. From Season 6 it did become hit and miss, with the odd gem, but a lot of average episodes and some stinkers.

Season 12 has been an inconsistent season but has been nowhere near as underwhelming as Season 11. The best episodes of Season 12 ("Spencer", "Elliot's Pond" and "Mirror Image") are not classic/elite, while the worst ones ("True North", "The Anti-Terror Squad" and "Hell's Kitchen") are not bad enough to be stinkers/low-points. "Unforgettable" fits in neither extreme, somewhere in the middle as far Season 12 goes though much better than "True North".

Visually, the episode looks great as to be expected. 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 is alert, tense and accommodating.

The acting is very good, masterclass quality in the cases of Matthew Gray Gubler and Jane Lynch. Their chemistry is very touching here, and Diana's dialogue about coming to terms with her illness is heart-wrenching but also inspirational. The writing is of uneven quality but their scenes were written beauty.

Finally, Walker is more interesting, with a well-interwoven back-story that proves essential to the case and his chemistry with Sam also resonates strongly. The team work cohesively, together and with proper investigation, their concern for Reid also notable.

However, the case itself is pretty humdrum and lacks tension and suspense. It also ends on an incredibly anti-climactic and rushed note, even for 'Criminal Minds'.

As much as Reid is one of my favourite characters on the show, him and Rossi nowadays are my favourites, the prison subplot started off really well but now feels like it has gone on too long and has felt eventually too drawn out over the season, by the end of the episode the subplot was practically begging for a resolution.

In conclusion, not bad but not one's definition of unforgettable. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Ep 20 "Unforgettable" ironically becomes instantly forgettable through paper-thin case material that even personal stakes can't salvage.

Carlos Bernard's direction maintains functional pacing while the poisoned federal employees investigation lacks substance, depth, or genuine intrigue. The heart attack murders concept promises medical mystery but delivers superficial procedural mechanics.

Damon Gupton receives overdue character focus as Walker's friend dies, but thin writing prevents emotional investment. The newest team member remains underdeveloped after an entire season, making his personal connection feel manufactured rather than earned. Supporting performances blend into unmemorable procedural background.

Most damningly, the case itself feels rushed and underdeveloped. The poisoning methodology receives cursory explanation, the unsub's psychology remains unexplored, and the resolution arrives without satisfaction. Criminal Minds typically excels at psychological depth... here, everything feels like outline rather than fully realized storytelling.

Reid's minimal presence provides welcome relief from stalled prison arc, though Jane Lynch's brief Diana appearance adds nothing meaningful. The episode exemplifies Season 12's exhaustion: competent production values masking creative bankruptcy. Even reducing Reid's storyline can't compensate when the main case offers nothing substantive.

5.5/10 - Memorably bad through thin material, underdeveloped case, and complete lack of psychological depth or narrative substance.