Snake Eyes
- Episode aired Feb 8, 2012
- TV-14
- 42m
A chronic gambler stumbles upon a sure-fire method for manufacturing luck - murder and the number eight.A chronic gambler stumbles upon a sure-fire method for manufacturing luck - murder and the number eight.A chronic gambler stumbles upon a sure-fire method for manufacturing luck - murder and the number eight.
Photos
- Vince Rebetti
- (as Frankie Jay Allison)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOn the plane ride to Atlantic City, Rossi says that he's not a fan of Mob movies. Joe Mantegna (Rossi) plays a mobster in The Godfather Part III (1990), The Last Don (1997) and, most famously, voices mob boss Fat Tony on The Simpsons (1989).
- GoofsJimmy, the cemetery grounds keeper, is shown using an electric weed trimmer - the type which must be plugged into a power cord to work. There is clearly no power cord attached, even when you can hear the sound of the trimmer running.
- Quotes
David Rossi: I can't imagine why not. We're only asking for fifty thousand bucks of taxpayer money so that FBI agents can play Texas Hold 'Em.
Emily Prentiss: Hey, what about you?
David Rossi: What about me what?
Emily Prentiss: You could stake us the buy-in.
Dr. Spencer Reid: Yeah, you're a best-selling author.
David Rossi: No!
Emily Prentiss: Why not?
David Rossi: One, it's against regulations, and I'd like to hold onto this job for a little while longer.
Jennifer 'JJ' Jareau: It's a minor administrative violation.
David Rossi: And two, I prefer to spend my money on actual things, like single-malt Scotch, a fine cigar, beautiful artwork.
Emily Prentiss: Poker chips are things.
Dr. Spencer Reid: Maybe just think of it as, like, a new experience. I mean, at your age, how often does that happen?
David Rossi: At my WHAT?
Jennifer 'JJ' Jareau: Rossi, this may be our only chance to get this guy.
David Rossi: All right, fine. I'm a decent poker player, but I can't promise that I can stay in the game long enough to...
Emily Prentiss: You know what? I bet you're a great poker player, but what if we sent in Reid?
Dr. Spencer Reid: I am banned from casinos in Las Vegas, Laughlin, and Pahrump because of my card-counting ability.
David Rossi: Look, I know I'm not a genius like the boy wonder here, but poker is not blackjack. It's about bluffing, reading human nature, head games. It's not math.
Dr. Spencer Reid: That's not entirely accurate. There actually is a mathematical equation for knowing when to raise and when to fold. If "P" represents the size of the pot at the time of play, then P x N - 1, with "N" representing the estimated number of players at the final round of betting...
David Rossi: Okay, fine. I surrender. Just try not to lose all of my money?
- ConnectionsReferences The Red Circle (1970)
"Snake Eyes" sits somewhere around comfortable middle as far as Season 7, without belonging in either extreme of best or worst. much better than "Closing Time", "Divining Rod" (and especially), "I Love You Tommy Brown" and "There's No Place Like Home", but at the same time is not among the best episodes of the season like "True Genius", "The Foundation", "Dorado Falls", "The Company" and "Self Fulfilling Prophecy".
It's one of those episodes that starts off somewhat unimpressively and may make some fans uncertain as to whether to stick with it, stuck with it as a loyal 'Criminal Minds' fan and as someone who is always fair on a film/show/production/episode, never judging before seeing the whole thing. The first half is too unsub heavy to the point of almost being the unsub show, and because the unsub was one that got significantly more interesting by the halfway mark such an emphasis didn't quite feel justified yet.
Also in the first half, the case is a little dull, predictable and slightly repetitive, and some of the team are underused, almost like they were secondary characters in their own show. There is perhaps also a little too much emphasis on the red rimmed eyes, and perhaps a little more explanation as to the significance couldn't have gone amiss.
However, "Snake Eyes" is worth sticking with as it does get significantly better at the halfway mark. The case is more tense and suspenseful, the unsub becomes more interesting and creepier and the team play a far bigger role in the story and their role is intriguing and cohesive with good team-work and procedural aspects.
Visually, the production values are without complaint. It's very well shot and lit and is overall stylish, gritty, classy and atmospheric. Kudos also to the unique (for 'Criminal Minds') casino setting. The music is moody in the haunting and melancholic sense and fits well, without either enhancing or distracting from it. The direction keeps the momentum going but lets the case breathe. Some of the script is thought-provoking, tautly written and tightly structured.
The highlights of "Snake Eyes" are the undercover operation, in which Reid plays a delightful large role, and the hugely entertaining exchange where Rossi is persuaded to fund it. The Garcia/Morgan/Kevin subplot also fares well, having an adorable charm and fun and very little annoying immaturity, and doesn't take over too much. The sight of Morgan shirtless is now infamous and understandably, even if he looks like he was doused in glossy oil rather than having come out of the shower.
As to be expected, the acting is very good from all the leads and Dean Cain registers strongly as the unsub.
Overall, wasn't sure about the episode at first but it was worth sticking with due to the much better faring second half. 6/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Mar 29, 2017
- Permalink
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD