Awakenings

Yet another American series where the script writers have run out of story ideas. A reasonable story which has been padded out with sentimental mush, involving JJ and reid - and Reid and his mother.

Whilst character development should always occur in long series, this episode's was rubbish.

I hope it gets better in the remaining episodes.

Okay first things first, we need to address the Reid and JJ situation (which really feels like the main plot point for this episode). Now, the writers definitely heard the criticism for the sudden declaration of love. It was well deserved. However, how they've chosen to address it in "Awakenings" can be interpreted in two ways:

1. Like many other reviewers have said, as doubling down on the awfulness and making the whole thing cringey.

2. That this shows character growth for Reid and more insight into JJ.

I ascribe to the second one and here's why: I don't think you can clearly define romantic love or attachments. Emotions are messy, and consequently so are relationships. You can be best friends with somebody and even harbour some romantic love for them without acting on it. It becomes a question of what kind of presence you want them hold in your life. We've seen JJ and Will's marriage evolve through the span of the show. The two of them work for a reason, but that doesn't mean it would have been out of character for JJ to wonder about what kind of life she would've had if she had decided to pursue a relationship with Reid. They're incredibly close and she's a fairly open minded person (given the nature of her job). As the show constantly reminds us, how we act on our feelings define our choices. JJ recognises that she might have been happy with Reid but in my opinion, I think she realised long ago that she needs Will as her partner (which she states as much to Will). JJ is definitely a strong character but given that her role in her friendship with Reid has largely revolved around taking care of him, she would want somebody to lean against when she needs to. Will gives her that in a way Reid would not be able to. She realises that, which is why she kept it to herself.

While having this whole wrench thrown into the dynamic was unnecessary in the first place, I think the writers managed to mitigate the worst of the damage.

The real gold in this episode is how Reid has grown. I don't think it's out of character for him to hold onto the idea of a future with JJ. I say this because she's the only consistent close female relationship he's shown to have. With his mom's illness, seriously cursed love life and abandonment issues (Dad, Gideon, Maeve, PRENTISS?), I don't think it's inconceivable that he would idolise JJ in a romantic light. He's content to have her in his life however he can and isn't forced to question the dynamics of their relationship. His romantic love for her had been (to his knowledge) unrequited. That changes with JJ's admission, which is why I think she says that it's not fair. Now he's forced to confront his feelings, which is compounded by what's going on with his mom's health. Reid has long been portrayed to have a certain degree of emotional immaturity. Processing his feelings is difficult for him, and I think the show has hinted every now and then that he might be on the autism spectrum. With his mother's prognosis, a turning point has popped up where he needs to figure out who he is if not her son, or the boy wonder thinking of a future with JJ.

Honestly? I'll buy it. It's the only way they could have salvaged that travesty of a plot twist.

Meanwhile, the chase for Lynch continues with some unexpected plot twists. I liked the pacing of this part of the episode (that really felt like a sub-plot) and Lynch makes for a great villain. Grace's character is also fleshed out well, and I appreciated the deeper insight into both of their relationships with Roberta.

All in all, a good effort; definitely better than "Under the Skin".

When Lynch's Daughter get's a new Attorney (Her Father), nobody bothers to check him for a weapon as part of SOP nor does JJ check either of the Lynchs for a second gun? Wake up!

A good strong episode, carrying forward the investigation into Everett Lynch, tugging our heartstrings over the dead and the reasons for their deaths, allowing the JJ/Reid/William complication to move forward a step, and opening up a happier view of the relationship between Reid and his mother. It was great to see Jane Lynch as a sane, intelligent mother rather than a mad old bat. We already knew that her talent allows her to make really severe personality switches within a role (from her part as Sue Sylvester in "Glee" if nothing else!) and it was good to reap the benefit. When I first saw Jane Lynch on Glee, I was really irritated by her character, but increased exposure has demonstrated to me that she is one of the most skilled actors around. Long may she continue to brighten our screens! Ignoring the cribbing in other reviews and with moments of "willing suspension of disbelief", I felt that this was a good story, well presented by the cast (Sharon Lawrence also deserves a mention here) and the production team. The suspense was sustained and the outcome... well, as the writers wished, seeing us forward into the season.

Personally wasn't that enamoured with Season 15's premiere "Under the Skin", with the character moments being a lot better than the pretty bland and obvious case. Despite liking 'Criminal Minds' very much, though will say that it has been very variable for a while now, expectations were not hugely high for the next episode "Awakenings". With it being pretty much the equivalent of the second part of "Under the Skin", as the events is pretty much where that episode leaves off.

Actually liked "Awakenings" less, with it having similar strengths and flaws to the previous episode. But also having the trouble of being over-stuffed, which "Under the Skin" didn't have as much, a case of being more eventful actually not being a good thing (something people would see said often by me). The concept was actually great, especially considering that it was part of an arc continuing from one of the previous season's best episodes, but the execution was very flawed.

There are good things about "Awakenings". The production values, especially the photography, are as slick and as atmospheric as usual. The music is suitably ominous and isn't overused, the main theme is still memorable. One of the better things about "Awakenings" is the acting. Matthew Gray Gubler brings out Reid's torment very movingly.

Sharon Lawrence didn't make Roberta one-dimensional, one does hate her but one feels her grief too. Alex Jennings unsettles as Grace. "Awakenings" does have a heart-breaker of a twist, one of the few genuinely eerie and moving moments of Season 15 and the emotion is really felt.

However, while it is good that more happens here in "Awakenings" it proved to me to be an undoing as well. The episode would have benefitted from having less content and having fewer characters, especially considering some are wasted and not as interesting as they ought to have been. There is too much of everything to do with Reid, it was quite sweet occasionally in "Under the Skin" but it is unnecessary and too sentimental which didn't gel with the tone of the case. It also felt a little too melodramatic. Worse was the everything with Reid and JJ, some of the writing was cringe-worthy and shoehorned in.

Furthermore, the case may be more eventful as has been said already but again is bland and derivative. With nowhere near enough suspense, too much being prematurely obvious, or surprises. Also felt that the story could have done with more clarity and again there were some very promising ideas that were under-explored. The writing can veer on being too soapy and the team have worked with each together more cohesively and intelligently before and since.

All in all, pretty lacklustre but not one of the show's worst. 4/10