Season 6 of 'Criminal Minds' was decidedly hit and miss. It started off promisingly with "The Longest Night", which was an improvement over the Season 5 finale "Our Darkest Hour", but since had good episodes like "Remembrance of Things Past" and "Devil's Night" and disappointing ones like "Today I Do" and especially "The Thirteenth Step" for examples.
Although not without imperfections, "Safe Haven" to me is one of the season's better episodes. There are a few scenes where the team jump to conclusions too quickly and without much build up or proof, while the scene between Morgan, Ellie and her mother was not that well written, sappy and unrealistic, and saw a rather unprofessional side to Morgan with the disclosing of such personal details to and in front of the very people that he shouldn't have done too. The reason for the murder of the reverend also could have been made clearer.
However, once again "Safe Haven" is a very well made 'Criminal Minds' episode with top-notch production values, is solidly directed and hauntingly scored with the odd appropriate melancholic moment. Apart from that aforementioned scene and the occasional tastelessly flippant remark and cringe-inducing innuendo banter from Garcia, the script is smart and thought-provoking, with the episode not losing sight at all of what makes 'Criminal Minds' so good in the first place. Jeremy's parting remark really sends chills up the spine, and would make an intriguing future episode.
The case is tense and suspenseful, with a powerful and devastating climax especially, while the identity of the unsub and the revelations learnt about him are shocking and unthinkable. Morgan and Ellie's subplot will be, and has been, criticised for being unrealistically close and not adding much (one of the few issues that struck me about "Remembrance of Things Past", as well as criticisms for the Ellie character herself. Thought so myself on first viewing, seeing it again the subplot and Ellie's situation read to me as an interesting mirroring of the case. The subplot also gave the episode some heart, and the chemistry between Shemar Moore (excellent here) and Isabella Murad (whose acting has come on a lot since her character debut in "Our Darkest Hour") is moving.
Once again, the BAU have a natural and charming chemistry, and all the regular roles are beautifully played. Making even more of an impressions are the supporting turns, especially Sterling Beaumon, who is effectively creepy while injecting a little sympathy for his circumstances (you actually hate his mother just as much as him), and Mare Winningham, who is compassionate yet also hugely believable in her terror.
In conclusion, not a total smooth ride but generally one of Season 6's (one of the show's weakest and most hit and miss ones) better episodes. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Although not without imperfections, "Safe Haven" to me is one of the season's better episodes. There are a few scenes where the team jump to conclusions too quickly and without much build up or proof, while the scene between Morgan, Ellie and her mother was not that well written, sappy and unrealistic, and saw a rather unprofessional side to Morgan with the disclosing of such personal details to and in front of the very people that he shouldn't have done too. The reason for the murder of the reverend also could have been made clearer.
However, once again "Safe Haven" is a very well made 'Criminal Minds' episode with top-notch production values, is solidly directed and hauntingly scored with the odd appropriate melancholic moment. Apart from that aforementioned scene and the occasional tastelessly flippant remark and cringe-inducing innuendo banter from Garcia, the script is smart and thought-provoking, with the episode not losing sight at all of what makes 'Criminal Minds' so good in the first place. Jeremy's parting remark really sends chills up the spine, and would make an intriguing future episode.
The case is tense and suspenseful, with a powerful and devastating climax especially, while the identity of the unsub and the revelations learnt about him are shocking and unthinkable. Morgan and Ellie's subplot will be, and has been, criticised for being unrealistically close and not adding much (one of the few issues that struck me about "Remembrance of Things Past", as well as criticisms for the Ellie character herself. Thought so myself on first viewing, seeing it again the subplot and Ellie's situation read to me as an interesting mirroring of the case. The subplot also gave the episode some heart, and the chemistry between Shemar Moore (excellent here) and Isabella Murad (whose acting has come on a lot since her character debut in "Our Darkest Hour") is moving.
Once again, the BAU have a natural and charming chemistry, and all the regular roles are beautifully played. Making even more of an impressions are the supporting turns, especially Sterling Beaumon, who is effectively creepy while injecting a little sympathy for his circumstances (you actually hate his mother just as much as him), and Mare Winningham, who is compassionate yet also hugely believable in her terror.
In conclusion, not a total smooth ride but generally one of Season 6's (one of the show's weakest and most hit and miss ones) better episodes. 8/10 Bethany Cox
