Birthright
- Episode aired Dec 12, 2007
- TV-14
- 1h
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
The team travels to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where women are being abducted, burned and mutilated. Soon it turns out that similar killings happened in the 1980s.The team travels to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where women are being abducted, burned and mutilated. Soon it turns out that similar killings happened in the 1980s.The team travels to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where women are being abducted, burned and mutilated. Soon it turns out that similar killings happened in the 1980s.
William Morgan Sheppard
- John Caulfield
- (as W. Morgan Sheppard)
Jeff Corbett
- Michael Ballantyne
- (as Jeffrey Corbett)
Elizabeth Roberts
- Tara Ricker
- (as Elizabeth Ann Roberts)
Kandis Fay
- Julie Stanton
- (as Kandis Erickson)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWilliam Morgan Sheppard and Jennifer Hetrick both guest starred on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
- GoofsRossi speaking to sheriff Caufield after their unsub was killed by his wife mentions his unsolved case was 21 years old yet in Criminal Minds : Damaged he's having nightmares on the 20th anniversary of the case .
- Quotes
[last lines]
Man: Agent Hotchner?
Aaron Hotchner: Yes.
[signs for package]
Emily Prentiss: What is it?
Aaron Hotchner: Haley's filing for divorce. I've been served.
Featured review
Could have been more, but has a lot to like
For me, "Birthright" is one of the lesser Season 3 episodes of 'Criminal Minds', and there are more powerful (emotionally and atmospherically), more layered and more complex episodes. It could have been more, but there is also a lot to like.
"Birthright" has been criticised for inaccurate depiction of Fredericksburg and not being believable in how the unsub knew so much about the old killings with so little information released. The first criticism this reviewer cannot verify, not being from the area but will not dismiss the criticism as it is not the first time that 'Criminal Minds' has been criticised for inaccurate representations. Admittedly some of the accents to me didn't seem that great, a couple exaggerated.
The second criticism is understandable. It is explained in the episode, but it definitely could have been elaborated upon more because it was done in a way that seemed underdeveloped and could easily have been missed. However, generally the story in "Birthright" is great, with great suspense, a chilling modus operandi intelligent use of profiling, some nice diverting twists and turns and a very surprising true identity for the unsub, it is made clear early on that it had to be somebody local and closely related but such a great job was done making another character seem the guilty one that the real identity was a shock. If there is a criticism though, it would have been somewhat more believable if it was that person responsible.
'Criminal Minds' has always been great for little character moments, and "Birthright" does not disappoint in this regard. The standout is the story between Rossi (who is settling in within the BAU very nicely after a naturally shaky first impression) and the sheriff, with the significance of the piece of jewellery Rossi carries round explained. One really feels sorry for Hotch in this episode at the end and what was done with JJ was very touching. The light-hearted humour is somewhat missed, but one can understand why it was not used in such a darkly harrowing and tragic story as it may have felt out of place if badly done.
Production values are slick and atmospheric with lovely use of locations, while the music is appropriately haunting without being over-bearing. Tautly and smartly scripted and solidly directed, "Birthright" also benefits from the great dynamic between the team, a suitably tragic ending and strong acting from particularly Joe Mantegna and Thomas Gibson.
In summary, could have been more but there is a lot to like here. 7/10 Bethany Cox
"Birthright" has been criticised for inaccurate depiction of Fredericksburg and not being believable in how the unsub knew so much about the old killings with so little information released. The first criticism this reviewer cannot verify, not being from the area but will not dismiss the criticism as it is not the first time that 'Criminal Minds' has been criticised for inaccurate representations. Admittedly some of the accents to me didn't seem that great, a couple exaggerated.
The second criticism is understandable. It is explained in the episode, but it definitely could have been elaborated upon more because it was done in a way that seemed underdeveloped and could easily have been missed. However, generally the story in "Birthright" is great, with great suspense, a chilling modus operandi intelligent use of profiling, some nice diverting twists and turns and a very surprising true identity for the unsub, it is made clear early on that it had to be somebody local and closely related but such a great job was done making another character seem the guilty one that the real identity was a shock. If there is a criticism though, it would have been somewhat more believable if it was that person responsible.
'Criminal Minds' has always been great for little character moments, and "Birthright" does not disappoint in this regard. The standout is the story between Rossi (who is settling in within the BAU very nicely after a naturally shaky first impression) and the sheriff, with the significance of the piece of jewellery Rossi carries round explained. One really feels sorry for Hotch in this episode at the end and what was done with JJ was very touching. The light-hearted humour is somewhat missed, but one can understand why it was not used in such a darkly harrowing and tragic story as it may have felt out of place if badly done.
Production values are slick and atmospheric with lovely use of locations, while the music is appropriately haunting without being over-bearing. Tautly and smartly scripted and solidly directed, "Birthright" also benefits from the great dynamic between the team, a suitably tragic ending and strong acting from particularly Joe Mantegna and Thomas Gibson.
In summary, could have been more but there is a lot to like here. 7/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•91
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jul 23, 2016
Details
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
- 16:9 HD
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