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Criminal Minds Season 5 Episode 5

Cradle to Grave

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8.7

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 10/21/09

The BAU travels to Albuquerque to investigate the case of a serial killer who impregnates young women and murders them after they have given birth.

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (11)

Another ho-hum episode

4.0

By Hearty2, Nov 17, 2011

For me, this whole series isn't so much about the gruesome murders - which seem to be getting more and more gory - it's about the interaction of the BAU team members. How they cope doing the job they do, how they interact with each other and how they grow and change. This whole season is heavily focussed on Hotch, as was this episode. The other characters are in the sidelines a lot which makes me rather unhappy. The gruesome murder focus is getting a little tired. One would think that there would be more uses for the BAU's talents out there - perhaps the CIA could use Reid's talents in deciphering code, perhaps Garcia could go up against a tech expert, perhaps JJ - the public face - could --- okay I'm waffling. This episode was a bit ho hum for me. Another gruesome murder, another typical twist, la di da. If it weren't for Hotch's promotion I'd have fallen asleep.moreless
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What a twisted and an incredible episode!! So much going on in one hour it was hard to keep track, but the way i like them, not a dull moment at all!!moreless

10

By KkMc7080, Oct 08, 2011

An unsub pregnanates women, kills them and keep the male children and if the they're girls he takes the girl babies to Arizona and leaves them with churches or hosptials, that way state police won't get too suspicious. A very creative episode and a well written episode, and there's another twist a little shake up at the BAU, I'm not going to say what only cause if there's someone out there that hasn't watched the episode I don't want to be the one spoiling it for you. Overall this episode was one of the better episodes of the season, can't wait for the rest of the season, and I can't wait for the 100th episode!!moreless
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So so good, not expected.

10

By bellagirl_008, Oct 08, 2011

OMG who expected that i know i didn't, a good episode crime wise, but who cares about that when you get a big twist at the end like that wow, i am so so exited for the next episode i really just can't wait. This is all making the anticipation for the 100th so much bigger i can not wait it's going to be awesome. The only thing i regret about this episode is the fact that the unsub story line wasn't done any where as well as it could of been iwould like to have seen that in it's own episode that wasn't so foccused on the team. Speaking of the team i loved JJ, Morgan, and Hotch in this episode however i wished we could of seen some more of the other cast members.

7 days till next week.moreless
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The plot is creepy and more than a little gratuitous. This is unfortunately the kind of episode that gives credence to the charge of some critics that the show does women down. Not easy to watch.moreless

6.0

By eggyface, Oct 08, 2011

Doesn't anyone feel manipulated by this case? The forcible removal of the newborn? The murder within minutes of giving birth? The long imprisonment and multiple miscarriages? The all-important blue-eyed, blond-haired man-child? Why is there no strong reaction of disgust from anyone within the BAU? It just seems business as usual with them. Garcia's little joke about having Morgan's child, my Prince? Does none of this matter?

It's no real comfort that the horror is alleviated by the unbelievability of the plot. The B-plot of Morgan and Hotchner in this context was at least diverting, if again, unbelievable. I'm not sure what is gained watching Morgan cope with the kind of paperwork and politics that Hotchner thrives on. Though I wonder who is really pulling the strings behind the promotion/demotion. (It will help Hotchner at this time, no? And it's valuable experience for Morgan.)

Enough of the negatives. There were moments of good acting. Morgan brings a nice bristling kind of conflict, 'Man, I'm worried about you'. The grandparents were lovely people. It was good to see more of JJ. Liked Rossi and Reid with the Presbyterian pattern and the Lisa, Elizabeth, Amanda pattern -- that at least felt on the move and serious. Reid looked so pleased with himself. It's not enough to stop 'Cradle to Grave' being the low point of the season so far.moreless
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Creepy!!

8.5

By bookt111965, Oct 08, 2011

I love the entire cast of this show, so pretty much any episode rates an 8 or better from me, but this wasn't one of my favorites. It was good, but really creepy! Maybe when I watch it on DVD I'll feel differently.

I read all the other reviews and I guess I'm the only one that was bothered by the timing of an unsub with breast cancer? This is breast cancer awareness month, what were they trying to say by broadcasting it this month instead of another? Maybe I just took it wrong. Anyway, I was really glad to see more of J.J. and Reid this week. Love all the cast and like episodes when they all participate evenly. Thought we were losing Hotch for a minute there at the end, and am relieved he's staying. I am so excited about the 100th episode. I cant't decide if I am hoping they kill Foyet or let him rot in prison for eternity. I think maybe dead is better in his case.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

EDIT

Thomas Gibson	Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner
Joe Mantegna	Senior SSA David Rossi
Matthew Gray Gubler	SSA Dr. Spencer Reid
Shemar Moore	SSA Derek Morgan
Paget Brewster	SSA Emily Prentiss
A.J. Cook	SSA Jennifer "JJ" Jareau

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Hallee Hirsh	Carol	Guest Star
Erik Sundquist	Robert Reimann/Unsub	Guest Star
Liz Burnette	Maria Ortiz	Guest Star
Jayne Atkinson	Section Chief Erin Strauss	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (2)
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- Garcia: That's the sad part, my prince. The genetically perfect offspring of Penelope Garcia and Derek Morgan would not get top dollar on the black market.
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- JJ: Journalist William D. Tammeus wrote, "You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around and why his parents will always wave back."
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NOTES (1)
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- The song heard when the Winmars were introduced to their grandson is "Such a Beautiful Thing" by Chris Mills. Also heard in this episode was "When the Music's Not Forgotten" by Deadman.
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