Amplification
- Episode aired May 13, 2009
- TV-14
- 42m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
The BAU co-work with the U.S. Army to find the perpetrator behind an anthrax attack on a park in Annapolis, Maryland.The BAU co-work with the U.S. Army to find the perpetrator behind an anthrax attack on a park in Annapolis, Maryland.The BAU co-work with the U.S. Army to find the perpetrator behind an anthrax attack on a park in Annapolis, Maryland.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen General Whitworth first arrives at the BAU, he and Hotch discuss the handling of Dr. Hatfill in 2001. Dr. Steven Hatfill was a virologist and biological weapons expert at Fort Detrick. In 2002, Hatfill became the prime suspect in the 2001 anthrax attacks. His personal and professional life were severely damaged by the investigation. Hatfill sued the government. In 2008, the government settled the lawsuit by paying Dr. Hatfill $4.6 million (after attorney fees). The Justice Department also officially exonerated him, stating that after their intensive investigation, it was clear Dr. Hatfill was in no way involved in the attacks.
- GoofsAfter interviewing one of the victims at the hospital, Dr. Linda Kimura tells Dr. Spencer Reid that before death, the other victims exhibited aphasia due to the impact of the anthrax on the parietal lobe of the brain. The type of aphasia shown, fluent aphasia, where the patient combines unconnected words incoherently, is usually due to damage in the temporal lobe. Damage isolated to the parietal lobe might result in some minor language difficulties, but would not likely cause aphasia.
- Quotes
Dr. Spencer Reid: [Reid is being cleaned by a bio hazard team] I'm about to get naked so they can scrub me down. You sure that's something you wanna see?
- ConnectionsReferences Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
- SoundtracksCriminal Minds Theme
Written by Mark Mancina
Featured review
The case of the anthrax attack
Season 4 is a contender for the best 'Criminal Minds' season, with so many fantastic episodes and even lesser episodes such as "Demonology" and "Catching Out" not being bad at all.
"Amplification" is up there with the fantastic episodes of the season, and almost up there with the best of the show overall. What was immediately impressive was that it took a very familiar idea that has been portrayed a number of times in media and made a tense, suspenseful and thrilling episode where one really finds themselves caring for the characters and their welfare.
The story is incredibly compelling throughout, with tension, suspense and thrills aplenty as well as emotional impact, showing the full horrors of something as terrifying as an anthrax attack. The script is tautly structured and thought-provoking, doing a wonderful job with developing the BAU team and how the case affects them personally, Reid and Morgan are especially well done here. Love the chemistry between JJ and Hotch (very touching bonding scenes), Reid and Morgan (almost like brothers) and Rossi and Prentiss (their ending scene being a standout, showing a compassionate side to Rossi).
Production values are stylish, classy and atmospheric, while the music is hauntingly moody. The acting is very good, with particularly brilliant performances from Matthew Gray Gubler (not surprising, he has always been a bright spot, even in lesser episodes when he isn't underused) and Shemar Moore.
Overall, fantastic episode that does wonders with an old idea, but with such great execution it was an idea that didn't feel old. 10/10 Bethany Cox
"Amplification" is up there with the fantastic episodes of the season, and almost up there with the best of the show overall. What was immediately impressive was that it took a very familiar idea that has been portrayed a number of times in media and made a tense, suspenseful and thrilling episode where one really finds themselves caring for the characters and their welfare.
The story is incredibly compelling throughout, with tension, suspense and thrills aplenty as well as emotional impact, showing the full horrors of something as terrifying as an anthrax attack. The script is tautly structured and thought-provoking, doing a wonderful job with developing the BAU team and how the case affects them personally, Reid and Morgan are especially well done here. Love the chemistry between JJ and Hotch (very touching bonding scenes), Reid and Morgan (almost like brothers) and Rossi and Prentiss (their ending scene being a standout, showing a compassionate side to Rossi).
Production values are stylish, classy and atmospheric, while the music is hauntingly moody. The acting is very good, with particularly brilliant performances from Matthew Gray Gubler (not surprising, he has always been a bright spot, even in lesser episodes when he isn't underused) and Shemar Moore.
Overall, fantastic episode that does wonders with an old idea, but with such great execution it was an idea that didn't feel old. 10/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•131
- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 30, 2016
Details
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- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
- 16:9 HD
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