Spectator Slowing

This episode fell decidedly below average on the scale. Simmons' sub-plot was so pointless that it detracted from the search for the UnSub. It feels very much like he was given this personal focus simply because everybody else got one. There was nothing particularly engaging about the family dynamics even though Daniel Henney tries quite hard. I think this is largely to do with the fact that there's no real story there besides "Dad's on duty while Mom gets some rest!" I will say however, Henney has a very easy charm on screen. Of all the new team members, I fell immediately into place with Simmons because his character was written like a place holder. Brought an interesting set of skills and an established background but no real insight into him as a person (except for the one episode where his wife was taken hostage). He's relaxed, charming, smart and talented, on top being very easy on the eyes. But that's it. As a result, his sub-plot that focuses on him as Matt and Dad was just a wasted opportunity.

Though the case was based on an interesting premise, given how quickly this team has put clues together before, the deduction just did not come close to the expected mark. I definitely zoned out of the episode a few times because I was just plain bored.

Season 15 does not seem to be doing that great.

"Spectator Slowing" was admittedly another episode where expectations weren't high. Having not been very impressed by the previous two episodes of a generally disappointing Season 15, which was sadly the last season and 'Criminal Minds' did deserve a much better final season than this. Saw it anyway as a 'Criminal Minds' completest and to see how the final season to one of my most watched and re-watched shows (for a while) would fare, only to be mostly disappointed with all but two episodes.

There is no improvement shown in "Spectactor Slowing" compared to the previous two episodes "Under the Skin" and "Awakenings". With those three episodes, the season actually got worse with each episode. It is as bad as the worst episodes of Seasons 9 and 11, which is a category that nobody wants to be in (seeing as the worst of those episodes made the mistake of not feeling like 'Criminal Minds', something that none of the Season 15 episodes did but in terms of blandness and such it is also as bad), and in the lesser end of a season that was not worthy of a show that started off so strongly.

Is it irredeemable? Absolutely not. None of the lesser 'Criminal Minds' episodes are. It is still a well made episode visually, 'Criminal Minds' did style and atmosphere very well throughout its run with some exceptions and "Spectator Slowing" is not immune from that. The music is suitably haunting without over-emphasising.

Performances are all good, lead and supporting. Also felt that JJ's return was handled in good taste.

Unfortunately, "Spectator Slowing's" storytelling is weak. Both the case and the personal lives. The case here is even worse than the previous two episodes of showing that 'Criminal Minds' has now generally run out of ideas, there is next to nothing surprising and the suspense and emotional connection just aren't there either. It takes too long to solve, ridiculously so in my view actually, and the viewer is as at sea as the team, completely clearly out of their depth, clearly were in the episode. The unsub is neither menacing, sympathetic or even interesting, they felt underdeveloped and their motives needed to go into more detail.

For me the catalyst and lead up to the crimes seemed at first understandable but then quickly came over as too extreme and irrational for my tastes. "Spectator Slowing" is dominated too much by the family side story, good to see some development but it wasn't that illuminating and was too at odds with the case. Almost like filler in an episode that was already quite dull. The writing overall tended to be too soapy. Lastly the ending is ridiculous.

All in all, not good sadly. 3/10