Criminal Minds – Does it hit a home run for its season finale?

The formula for a Criminal Minds episode is well-set after seven seasons, though they do break out of it once and a while. I tend to find the stronger episodes are the ones that break the formula, either with a deep focus on one of the team, or the ones with strong performances by the bad guys in the episode.

The two-part season finale “Hit”/”Run” has both, focusing on both JJ and Emily Prentiss and featuring a chilly performance by Tricia Helfer as Izzy Rogers. Izzy is a stone-cold sadistic killer, assassin and terrorist, who is nonetheless very clever in her ploys. The BAU team has difficulty figuring her out, because they underestimate her. I think showing us how only through Prentiss using her Intelligence background and contacts gives them any understanding of Izzy at all, and showing Prentiss using that knowledge to defeat the bomb, was a much better way of showing her discontent.  It was certainly better than forced house metaphors on display earlier.

I thought it was also interesting how the second half also reflected “100.”  The show has mirrored JJ and Hotch before, but not so exactly as they did in “Run.” Instead of the male serial killer attacking Hotch’s wife and son, this time it was a female serial killer attacking JJ’s partner and son. Both invaded their homes and put their children in danger. Luckily it turned out much more happily as JJ defeated Izzy, and instead of the team gathering somberly for Haley’s funeral, this time we see a surprise wedding. Henry now gets to brag to all his classmates that his mother is a ninja. As he should, because JJ was tough and smart, and fierce.

The finale didn’t focus on Hotch, Rossi, Garcia, or Morgan, though they were all active in the case. Reid seemed to have little to do, with most of the analysis work falling to Prentiss. Will took a step forward in this episode, becoming our point of view in several scenes while the usual BAU team was necessarily absent. I always enjoy seeing him and little Henry and Jack, as our team’s connection to humanity outside the FBI.

The episode sends off Prentiss nicely, without killing her (again), and gives us a moment of welcome lightness after all the darkness. The wedding scene maybe dragged a little, but since it also served as Prentiss’ farewell, I feel most of it was earned. Thank you, Paget Brewster, for giving us the complex, wonderful character of Emily Prentiss all these years; you will be missed.

Short notes:

• This my second CBS show to feature explosions this week. I suspect Person of Interest might have one, too. CBS goes all out in their finales with things blowing up.
• Even as an evil assassin, Tricia Helfer manages to bring some sort of warmth to Izzy. Or maybe it’s only because I like her as an actress so much, but I think I could watch her little gleeful smile all day long.
• The domestic glimpses of the team on their day off is precious. My favorite was Garcia and Reid heading to some sort of Sci-Fi convention, and all the Doctor Who nods. Garcia was, I think, a female version of the Eleventh Doctor (It’s the fez. Fezzes are cool), while Reid was the Fourth Doctor. Then, to top it off, Kevin showed up as the Eleventh Doctor and his date was dressed as Amy Pond.
• Though of course it would’ve been even funnier if Kevin had worn something identifiably from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
• While it made for an interesting unraveling, I felt that Izzy’s backstory was convoluted at best, and the claim of no photographs highly doubtful, even if Izzy did a better job of disguises in the past.
• I hope they bring in another female agent to replace Prentiss.  Although I’m glad to have JJ in the field now and I’m sure the argument can be made that the show doesn’t require a replacement, I would still like one, if only to spread out the jeopardy.

What did everyone think?  Are you excited for Season Eight?  Or should we take a moment and say goodbye to Prentiss before we start talking about next year?

Clacked by Liz Tamura
on May 17, 2012 @ 07:59 EST5EDT