Hopeless

Season 5, Episode 4, Aired

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8.3
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The BAU investigates a group of suspects with a pack mentality who are randomly selecting their victims in the nation's capital and murdering them for the thrill of it.
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Fan Episode Reviews (6)

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  • The team feels the strain when pursuing three Unsubs acting out of mindless violence. Morgan and Hotchner separately respond in ways that question the range of reaction to acts of brutality. Good to have an episode so unembarrassed about an idea.moreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By eggyface, Oct 05, 2011
    These last two episodes, CM has really got into its stride. I like the confidence of the writers in changing the team dynamics and the way the team is changing too. Especially in this episode which focused on the pack mentality, I liked seeing the BAU act as individuals with their own sense of responsibility for their actions. Hotch's decline is for that reason alone a good decision for the show. Too much cosy stuff and I don't believe in it. Really like the Morgan / Hotch conflict and the necessity of taking sides. Just what the show needs. I don't like Hotchner as a rule but thought he was definitely worthwhile in this episode. The issue between him and the great cop was right at the heart of the story and it worked. Do you respond emotionally to violence or with restraint? Hotch was a bit stiff and preachy with the guy, but the cop wasn't going to give voice to those matters on his own initiative. The cop was going to act, purely and simply. Morgan's episode and he was great. Garcia was right -- he was being drawn too strongly to the vulnerable woman. But it's an understandably human mistake. Loved the scene at the end where Rossi (increasingly the heart and stability of the team) explained Hotch's reason for walking away -- both for the image of the three of them walking (Hotch, Rossi, Prentiss) and for the fact that Morgan stayed behind willingly. 'You want to take your shot, take it.' Whole episode made uncomfortable watching. Being a social irritant though, that's a good deed done.moreless

  • Brutal

    8.2
    "Great"
    By Parricida, Oct 05, 2011
    I think this episode tried to have very brutal and violent atmosphere and they tried their best(?) to make us realize it. To have as cruel and violent crime as it can. But I really felt, in some level, it did not worked. They used very much that hidding tehnic - not showing us the bodies, on the white blankets, leaving the whole visual side to our imagination. Maybe it worked for some people but I think the shock coming from that was not as good as if they had really worked the brutality into visual side. This way all the reactions.. not only those police officers.. and not only Morgan but all.. would have made more sense. This way they felt little not attached or somehow out of the place. Do not get me wrong, I loved the episode.. I loved the action.. I loved the meaning, the story..Morgan had some amazing scenes.. specially between him and Garcia.

    The ending was very stylish too.moreless

  • A little episode review, a lot of defending Hotchner and missing Reid!

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By bookt111965, Oct 05, 2011
    This is the first review I've ever written so I hope it makes sense. About the episode, I liked this one. It was not one of my favorites, but it's Criminal Minds folks! How bad can that be? The case itself was an excellent storyline and one they haven't done a lot.

    I think that Morgan was too close to the victim's sister. I think that was the point they were trying to make though is that these are just people like everyone else and sometimes things touch us whether we want them to or not. I didn't personally like that part of the story ending at her doorstep, I would've liked it to end with him telling her the news in a more professional setting.

    As far as this season goes I think they've done some good episodes, but this is not my favorite season so far for one reason...Reid. It is what it is, I miss Reid! I hope his leg is better soon!

    Now the real reason I bothered to write this...in defense of Hotchner, I happen to like him quite a lot. There's no character I don't like on the show. I think they are all important to the dynamics of the team and people underestimate how important the ones they don't personally care for are to the show. Thomas Gibson is a fantastic actor and anyone who doubts that should compare Hotch to Greg on "Dharma and Greg" and try to tell me he can't act. He's awesome!

    Since I'm here I'd like to add Rossi is so much better than Gideon!!! Joe Mantegna rocks!moreless

  • Too generic and predictable for my tastes but I'm sure plenty of people will enjoy it.

    5.5
    "Mediocre"
    By Lady_Lancaster, Oct 05, 2011
    Washington D.C. needs the assistance of the BAU when two couples, one white and one black, are found betaen to death after home invasions. Initially, the team feel they are dealing with a 'pack' - at least three unsubs who are committing their crimes as acts of extreme vandalism as well as, obviously, a desire to kill.

    More deaths confirm the BAU's suspicion that they are dealing with multuple unsubs who are enjoying exerting power over their victims as they believe that violence equals both power and respect. Their profile leads them to a group of construction workers whom they believe are in some way connected to the crime.

    Meanwhile, Derek becoming involved with the sister of one of the victims annoyed me because he would know better and it would not have been an issue. Good for Garcia telling him that he should NOT be doing that!

    Because the unsubs believed themselves to be all mighty and all powerful, suicide by cop was really the only way it was going to end and I personally was glad when it did. Only Garcia counselling Morgan interested me in this whole episode. Morgan himself crossed a line (which he continues to cross later in the season) and I didn't like that, most particularly as we see that he will be heading the BAU before we know it ...moreless

  • Review

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By vicky24c, Oct 05, 2011
    In this episode of Criminal Minds, the following happens. We open with 3 Unsub's entering a house, and killing both couples inside of it. Soon the BAU are called in to help with the investigation. Soon another couple are killed, and the team put together a profile. Soon they manage to ID the Unsub's, and when they go to arrest them, only one is there. The other 2 get killed by police fire when they try to make an escape. Overall a really good episode. Overall another strong episode, I can't wait to see how the rest of the season is going to turn out.moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • TRIVIA (1)

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    • When Garcia confronted Morgan about his involvement with a victim's sister, she said she knows what she's talking about because she counsels the grieving families of victims. Her volunteer work was first mentioned in "Penelope."

  • QUOTES (2)

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  • NOTES (1)

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    • The song heard when the unsubs are watching one of their videos is "Treat Me Like Your Mother" by The Dead Weather. The song heard when the unsubs are in the bar with the two hostages is "Summer Wind" by Frank Sinatra. The song heard at the end of this episode is "Heavy and Hanging" by Patterson Hood.

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