52 Pickup
- Episode aired Nov 26, 2008
- TV-14
- 42m
A greatly sadistic serial killer who disembowels women and forces them to clean it up before killing them proves difficult to catch thanks to his social charm and simple, yet clever, disguis... Read allA greatly sadistic serial killer who disembowels women and forces them to clean it up before killing them proves difficult to catch thanks to his social charm and simple, yet clever, disguises.A greatly sadistic serial killer who disembowels women and forces them to clean it up before killing them proves difficult to catch thanks to his social charm and simple, yet clever, disguises.
- Jennifer Jareau
- (credit only)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaNear the end of the episode, Austin (the waitress) tells Reid that she's thinking of taking up magic; Courtney Ford went on to play sorceress Nora Darhk in DCs Legends of Tomorrow.
- GoofsMixing Bleach and Ammonia produces toxic gas.
- Quotes
Dr. Spencer Reid: How are you doing?
Derek Morgan: Well, I gave out all my flyers.
Dr. Spencer Reid: How many phone numbers did you get?
Derek Morgan: None. I'm working a case here, kid.
[Reid gives him a look]
Derek Morgan: Okay, four were offered, but I didn't take any of them.
[Reid gives him another look]
Derek Morgan: All right, look, let me school you a little bit. What you have to do with these ladies, just take control of the conversation. When you're talking what makes you feel like an expert?
Dr. Spencer Reid: Uh, statistics.
Derek Morgan: No, trust me. No. Something else.
Dr. Spencer Reid: Well, when I do magic.
Derek Morgan: See, that's perfect. Chicks dig magic.
- SoundtracksMillion Dollar Baby
Written by Phontaine Judd (as Phontaine)
Performed by Phontaine Judd (as Phontaine)
"52 Pickup" is neither among the season's best or worst. Instead it is a solid episode and somewhere around top middle in ranking. It's also one of those episodes that does very little wrong and where all the good things are numerous, the things that people see 'Criminal Minds' for being present and correct, but just missing the extra spark to make it special and one of the best.
One of the very few criticisms of "52 Pickup", other than the numerous good things being done even better in other episodes, for me is that the character of Todd has never really done much for me. There are certainly far worse female team characters, particularly Tara Lewis and Ashley Seaver, both characters having far worse things than just being a bit dull and lack of gelling chemistry. "52 Pickup" deserves credit for trying to give Todd more development, but her personality just isn't engaging me and it is only really with Prentiss where she gels properly.
The only other fault is that there are episodes with more memorable climaxes, the climactic moments are a little lacking in tension and suspense and resolved somewhat too conveniently.
However, visually the production values are without complaint. It's very well shot and lit and is overall stylish, gritty, classy and atmospheric. The music is moody in the haunting and melancholic sense and fits well, without either enhancing or distracting from it. The direction keeps the momentum going but lets the case breathe, and most of the pacing is breathe especially in the latter parts when the tension builds.
It's a mostly well-written episode too, thoughtful, solid in flow and well balanced between case and team dynamic. In terms of concept, the story is pretty fascinating with a unique case for the fourth season and one of the better-developed unsubs of the season. Tension and suspense is mostly there, love how darkly twisted the unsub is and the balance of fresh genuinely funny humour (which agreed was needed and didn't jar) and adorable emotional moments. Reid and Prentiss really shine here and Garcia, despite her screen time not being much, is charming and amusing.
Acting is very good all round. Overall, not always remarkable but interesting and well done episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 19, 2017
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
- 16:9 HD