Miasma
- Episode aired Jan 31, 2018
- TV-14
- 42m
The BAU is called when the New Orleans P.D. discovers a mass grave inside a vandalized above-ground crypt in a local cemetery.The BAU is called when the New Orleans P.D. discovers a mass grave inside a vandalized above-ground crypt in a local cemetery.The BAU is called when the New Orleans P.D. discovers a mass grave inside a vandalized above-ground crypt in a local cemetery.
Photos
Storyline
Did you know
- GoofsGarcia stated "I tracked the van via VIN number." VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. By stating VIN number she is saying Vehicle Identification Number Number.
- Quotes
Assistant Director Linda Barnes: I'd like to pick up where we left off yesterday.
Emily Prentiss: No. Let's not. This is not about our case in Mexico last year or any other cases. This is about you. You want something.
Assistant Director Linda Barnes: I want the BAU to be held accountable for its actions.
Emily Prentiss: If you truly believe that we acted inappropriately or had evidence of a crime that was committed, you would have had me arrested. The fact that you haven't tells me that's not what you're after.
Assistant Director Linda Barnes: No?
Emily Prentiss: No. Your specialty is remaking units and divisions in your image; slimming them down, dividing their resources so you can maximize their efficiency. You want to make a name for yourself. Everything about your demeanor says "I want to be in charge." And you project power not because you fear you don't have it, but because you can't get enough. You want to be the Director someday. That's why we're here. To appease your ego, your ambition.
Assistant Director Linda Barnes: Have you always had issues with authority?
Emily Prentiss: Better agents than you have tried to split the BAU and failed. Each time, the BAU has done its job, and done it well, and so have I. And you know what that's gotten me? Respect, support, and capital. So whatever game it is you're trying to play here, I want no part of it.
Assistant Director Linda Barnes: Why don't we take a break before you say something you will regret?
- ConnectionsFeatures Criminal Minds: Spencer (2017)
Season 13 so far has not been too bad at all, pretty good even actually. It is already so much better than Season 11, which started off well actually but quickly went downhill, and has generally settled quicker than Season 12. As far as the previous Season 13 episodes go, only "Submerged" properly underwhelmed. There aren't any classics yet but also no low points, most episodes up to this point were decent to very good.
"Miasma" is another very solid episode if not one of the season's best. The case may not be mind-blowing or unique, but it is very compelling and eerie (the mass grave is really creepy) with an unpredictable nature when needed. There are also enough nice and surprising turns to balance it all out. There is a good deal of suspense but also sympathetic emotion.
The team work, the procedural aspects and how it's all solved evokes prime 'Criminal Minds', there is lots of each and it's all thought-provoking and delightful. It doesn't make the mistakes that many latter season episodes made (i.e. too much unsub, unsub revealed too early, problematically executed cases, too much reliance on convenience, lack of balance, too many soapy personal life subplots, team underuse and not enough procedural/delving into the criminal's mind). In fact, there is a sense that "Miasma" didn't forget what made 'Criminal Minds' work so well in the first place. The twists keep coming and those towards the end are shocking. The climax avoids being clichéd and goes a different direction, and one that made just as much sense as what it could have been, to what is expected.
Plenty of room for little character moments within the team, one of my favourite things about 'Criminal Minds' and something that lifts even the lesser episodes. Prentiss (lovely to see more of a focus on her and in a way where it's easy to root for her), Rossi (sassy and sympathetic) and JJ (showing a lot of authority while not being too much of "the JJ show") are particularly well written.
Everybody does a great job with the acting, all the regulars are strong as ever and the support is more than acceptable. The unsub's identity does shock, and the unsub is one that gives one the creeps but with one of the season's most tragic back-stories there is a touch of the sympathy factor towards the end.
Visually, "Miasma" is stylish and atmospheric, while the music is haunting without being over-bearing while having presence still, the script is taut with a touch of sweetness and poignancy here and there and the direction is alert and accommodating.
Didn't think "Miasma" was perfect. Some of it did veer towards the weird, the unsub's motivations and justifications were somewhat all over the place and nonsensical. Was also expecting them, considering how tragic their plight and back-story were, to show more anger towards their target at the end.
Also felt that the climactic take-down could have had more tension and less of the "know what's going to happen" vibe, didn't find it plausible that back up was little despite having a team member that has had their lives at risk many times. Not sure what my stance is on Barnes, a somewhat cold character and her role within the team didn't quite gel.
Overall, solid. 7/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- May 22, 2018
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD