Glad to see baby girl get a writing credit on this one, her and Erica Messer, who's episodes I'm always a fan of, did a great job. Also directing was good and happy to see it was MGG. Nice to see him do another great goodbye episode like he did for Paget's first departure.
6 Reviews
Not even close to a disaster- much better than anticipated
TheLittleSongbird7 July 2016
Season 11 generally has been one of 'Criminal Minds' weakest seasons, with most of the other seasons having more standout episodes and less misfires.
Judging from the very mixed to negative reviews on the 'Criminal Minds' message board, most of whom having a bias against the character of Derek Morgan and even Shemar Moore, this reviewer was expecting a disaster and one of the show's worst episodes. To me, while nowhere near one of the show's best episodes "Beautiful Disaster" is not even close to being one of the worst or a disaster.
It is one, again to me, of the better episodes covering this particular on-going story arc, with the unresolved questions that "Derek" had being solved here, though they should have been resolved earlier perhaps. Sure, it's not perfect, parts are a little too complicated with a bit too much going on and some implausible moments and the resolution to the climax did seem a little too simple and convenient.
What makes "Beautiful Disaster" more than watchable and a nice send-off for Morgan are the little character moments (episodes with not so special plots like "Painless" for example, not the worst case but a good example benefit from these). The scene between Morgan and Chaz (chillingly played by Lance Henrikssen) is appropriately tense and the setting of the darkened house (that was like a horror film nod), the final fifteen minutes are really sweet and moving, couldn't help tearing up, and Reid's speech also has an emotional impact.
"Beautiful Disaster" is also a well-made episode, stylish, dark and atmospheric with the darkened house giving a sense of foreboding and horror. Matthew Gray Gubler does very well with the direction, he keeps the story tight and brings eccentricity and tension to the episode. The music is haunting and hypnotic as ever. The script is thought-provoking, poignant, not too convoluted or simplistic and tense and the dynamic between the team carries the episode beautifully.
Contrary to what has been read, this reviewer doesn't think that "Beautiful Disaster" was too soap-opera-ish and that it did feel like 'Criminal Minds', it's episodes like "Derek" and especially "200" that don't and "Beautiful Disaster" in my opinion is a much better episode than both of them. The acting from the regular ensemble is very good, especially from Matthew Gray Gubler and Shemar Moore, and as said Henrikssen is a very effective vengeful villain that does evoke chills.
All in all, much better than anticipated and a nice send off to Morgan. Not as good as the closing of the Boston Reaper/George story arc in "100" but much better than that of The Replicator/John Curtis in "The Replicator" (which had great potential but fizzled badly). 8/10 Bethany Cox
Judging from the very mixed to negative reviews on the 'Criminal Minds' message board, most of whom having a bias against the character of Derek Morgan and even Shemar Moore, this reviewer was expecting a disaster and one of the show's worst episodes. To me, while nowhere near one of the show's best episodes "Beautiful Disaster" is not even close to being one of the worst or a disaster.
It is one, again to me, of the better episodes covering this particular on-going story arc, with the unresolved questions that "Derek" had being solved here, though they should have been resolved earlier perhaps. Sure, it's not perfect, parts are a little too complicated with a bit too much going on and some implausible moments and the resolution to the climax did seem a little too simple and convenient.
What makes "Beautiful Disaster" more than watchable and a nice send-off for Morgan are the little character moments (episodes with not so special plots like "Painless" for example, not the worst case but a good example benefit from these). The scene between Morgan and Chaz (chillingly played by Lance Henrikssen) is appropriately tense and the setting of the darkened house (that was like a horror film nod), the final fifteen minutes are really sweet and moving, couldn't help tearing up, and Reid's speech also has an emotional impact.
"Beautiful Disaster" is also a well-made episode, stylish, dark and atmospheric with the darkened house giving a sense of foreboding and horror. Matthew Gray Gubler does very well with the direction, he keeps the story tight and brings eccentricity and tension to the episode. The music is haunting and hypnotic as ever. The script is thought-provoking, poignant, not too convoluted or simplistic and tense and the dynamic between the team carries the episode beautifully.
Contrary to what has been read, this reviewer doesn't think that "Beautiful Disaster" was too soap-opera-ish and that it did feel like 'Criminal Minds', it's episodes like "Derek" and especially "200" that don't and "Beautiful Disaster" in my opinion is a much better episode than both of them. The acting from the regular ensemble is very good, especially from Matthew Gray Gubler and Shemar Moore, and as said Henrikssen is a very effective vengeful villain that does evoke chills.
All in all, much better than anticipated and a nice send off to Morgan. Not as good as the closing of the Boston Reaper/George story arc in "100" but much better than that of The Replicator/John Curtis in "The Replicator" (which had great potential but fizzled badly). 8/10 Bethany Cox
Confused after a great episode
CrimeDrama11 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Wasn't Chazz Montolo an Italian man? His son was but Chazz had no foreign accent whatsoever. Plus, who would seek revenge after their hitman son was killed - in prison - and it wasn't Morgan's fault! They never revealed who paid off the prison guard to kill Giuseppe Montolo and then murder the guard. Chazz knew his son was a world-class assassin so his son's life was obviously at risk. I often question the motive in this series. Forced conflict without looking at the big picture. I miss Gideon, the early episodes with him were the best. I like Rossi but he acts a little bit like David Caruso in CSI: Miami.
Everything that's great about criminal minds in one episode!
brandonmckay81 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This is the most perfect episode. I used to watch this show every week growing up but just stopped around season 8 or 9. I started a rewatch earlier this year & the last few episodes of this season have been fantastic but this took it to a whole new level. An incredibly well casted villain, high stakes, important profiling & trusting your family to pick up your clues. The performance by Shemar in his final episode as a regular was truly incredible. The phone call with a gun to his head & the gun firing as the scene cut back to Penelope was great TV & had my heart in my mouth. This was an edge of your seat classic for 30 minutes continuing on from the ending of the previous week before showcasing the family side. Some truly beautiful goodbyes. Morgan & Rossi always had great chemistry & this was so great but with Spencer & Penelope, it had me very emotional. They're all incredible actors & I felt every word. Hearing him say 'kid' & 'baby girl' one last time was beautiful. A great episode to say goodbye to a fan favourite original. Exactly what Derek & Shemar deserved.
Story Line seemed pretty weak
jmac-349223 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Obscure reference to "Red"....like morgan didn't have a red shirt, red car, or something in his whole life since the time he was being observed. That seemed so obscure for even Morgan to get the reference, let alone the whole team figuring out that it had something to do with renovation and the door color???? soo weak. The other thing I noticed, when Morgan was bringing his wife in to the ER...the whole staff was standing around totally able to help and one of the workers calls him Agent....no where did he identify himself as an FBI agent (and like 15 seconds later called him Sir). Are we expected to believe he knows them at a personal level? There were several people there to help within seconds, nobody pulled him aside about a gunshot(again I guess they inherently knew he was FBI), so no cops were called, nobody questioned how she was shot. Morgan being held at gunpoint, at one point the gun is unloaded in front of him, yet he does nothing he waits until it is loaded and pointing right in his face (where you can clearly see the bullet is in the next slot to be fired) to make his move. Pretty sappy movie, and story line was bad.... I liked his character, sad to see him go...he deserved a better final episode than this one...or at least polish this turd better!
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