Anonymous
- Episode aired Jan 21, 2015
- TV-14
- 41m
The BAU searches Tallahassee for a serial killer who calls the authorities to report the crimes prior to committing them. Also, as Rossi prepares for a weekend visit with his daughter, Joy, ... Read allThe BAU searches Tallahassee for a serial killer who calls the authorities to report the crimes prior to committing them. Also, as Rossi prepares for a weekend visit with his daughter, Joy, he receives startling news about the death of a comrade from the Vietnam War.The BAU searches Tallahassee for a serial killer who calls the authorities to report the crimes prior to committing them. Also, as Rossi prepares for a weekend visit with his daughter, Joy, he receives startling news about the death of a comrade from the Vietnam War.
- Joy Rossi
- (as Amber Stevens)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is dedicated to the late Meshach Taylor (Harrison Scott), good friend of Joe Mantegna (Rossi). Joe Mantegna directed this episode as a tribute to Meshach Taylor, who died of cancer late June, 2014. The two had been close friends for 44 years. Taylor graduated from Florida A & M University, which is located in Tallahassee, where the episode takes place.
- GoofsThe military burial rituals are out of sequence, with the casket flag being folded and presented, the playing of Taps and then the three rifle volleys. The correct sequence is the three rifle volleys, then the playing of Taps, then the folding and presentation of the casket flag.
- Quotes
Thomas Scott: This is more than I was expecting!
David Rossi: Every marine is entitled to a funeral with full honors. You just have to ask. Plus a couple of three stars from my cigar club in DC, who wanted to fly in to be part of this.
Thomas Scott: And them?
David Rossi: Those gentlemen are who are left from your father's squad in Vietnam
Thomas Scott: How did you find them so quickly?
David Rossi: Someday I'll introduce you to one Penelope Garcia
- SoundtracksMended Souls
Performed by Casey Hurt
It is not quite as good as the terrifying "Mr Scratch", the poignant and harrowing "Nelson's Sparrow", the creepy and powerful "The Forever People", the tense "Rock Creek Park" and the unconventional but extremely well done "A Thousand Suns". On the other hand, it's significantly better than the likes of the strange and not in a good way "If the Shoe Fits", the poor "Breath Play", the very unbalanced in writing "Protection", the wastes of good ideas "Hashtag", "The Boys of Sudworth Place", the disappointing "Beyond Borders" and the similarly unbalanced in writing "Scream".
There is much to praise in "Anonymous". Visually, as always, the production values are without complaint. 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.
Really appreciated the subtlety of Joe Mantegna's direction, there is momentum and flow while also an intricately that helps in empathising with certain situations in the episode. The same goes for Mantegna's acting too, Rossi is one of the most interesting characters on 'Criminal Minds' and from his first appearance has been the one that grows the most and "Anonymous" like the Rossi-centric episodes of Season 7 is a masterclass in subtlety and complexity which brings a different side to the "King of Sass", take no prisoners and old-school usual self.
"Anonymous" serves as a tribute to the character of Harrison Scott and his actor Meshach Taylor. This tribute was done in a heartfelt and thoughtful way, instead of slowing things and not taking up too much of the episode. The chemistry between Rossi and Morgan (which saw the quote of the episode with Rossi's It's all in your technique, and all those muscles of yours won't help in something like this") and the sweet one with him and Joy were absolutely great. Much of the writing is thought-provoking and there are engrossing parts in the story (like some classic misdirection at the beginning and surprisingly well executed back and worth of focus on Rossi and the unsub). The acting is very good, especially from Mantegna.
Not everything is entirely smooth-sailing. Despite never condoning his awful actions but empathising with his love for his daughter and the tragic situation, the unsub could have been better developed and his motives much clearer and less confused.
There could have been more profiling and psychological delving, what there was felt incidental and even irrelevant to the story. Tension and suspense was there but could have been more consistent. Kate is rather bland and stuck with generic lines that could be given to anyone and Jennifer Love Hewitt's somewhat out of place presence.
One of the bigger complaints is the climactic takedown, that was lacking in tension and was so predictable and somewhat like a re-hash. This may sound like nit-picking but JJ's involvement in the takedowns feels stale and did long ago, the character has been out of character, overused and less likable for a while now (though no complaints can be made about AJ Cook's acting) and "Anonymous" does nothing to change my perception. Plus there are agents far more qualified to take down the unsub.
In conclusion, decent episode with a lot to admire but not much above that in terms of why one sees 'Criminal Minds' in the first place. 6/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- May 20, 2017
- Permalink
Details
- Runtime41 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD