Not one of the best 'Criminal Minds' episodes, but "Rite of Passage" does have enough that makes one love the best of Season 5 and the whole show even in general so much.
There are a few things that let it down, which makes "Rite of Passage" fall short of full potential. This is all personal opinion of course, but to me the unsub (a decent enough unsub but there have been far more interesting ones before and since) was revealed too early and it is far too obvious almost straight away.
Mike Doyle is also a little bland and somewhat too nice as Boyd, the role was in need of more intensity, sinister edge and charisma but despite the character's repulsive actions Doyle just lacked at times those things, though they do come through more later on. And there is not enough profiling, and when there is any it underwhelms compared to a lot of previous episodes.
However, there is nothing to complain about with the high quality production values, with great use of locale, or the efficient and suspenseful direction and the haunting music. The script has a lot of ingredients that makes 'Criminal Minds' so great in the first place with a nice balance of the then-new and the old. Love the light-hearted humour which is a refreshing change from the very emotional and intense George Foyet story arc, the close knit relationship within the team, Hotch's genuine empathy for the sheriff. Also loved what was done with Garcia, and Prentiss' fluency in languages angle is done far more subtly than with Elle in "Machismo" and actually serves a point.
Storytelling is engrossing, despite lacking profiling and a slightly disappointing unsub. There is enough tension and suspense which come off very believably, with pretty shocking murders (though they're more described than seen, couldn't have come up with a more horrendous way for the sheriff to die), high-voltage chases and a scintillating climax. The characters carry the story very well, and the acting is solid from the BAU, the locals and the sheriff, only Doyle this reviewer had reservations with.
In summary, above-average episode with some great things. 7/10 Bethany Cox
There are a few things that let it down, which makes "Rite of Passage" fall short of full potential. This is all personal opinion of course, but to me the unsub (a decent enough unsub but there have been far more interesting ones before and since) was revealed too early and it is far too obvious almost straight away.
Mike Doyle is also a little bland and somewhat too nice as Boyd, the role was in need of more intensity, sinister edge and charisma but despite the character's repulsive actions Doyle just lacked at times those things, though they do come through more later on. And there is not enough profiling, and when there is any it underwhelms compared to a lot of previous episodes.
However, there is nothing to complain about with the high quality production values, with great use of locale, or the efficient and suspenseful direction and the haunting music. The script has a lot of ingredients that makes 'Criminal Minds' so great in the first place with a nice balance of the then-new and the old. Love the light-hearted humour which is a refreshing change from the very emotional and intense George Foyet story arc, the close knit relationship within the team, Hotch's genuine empathy for the sheriff. Also loved what was done with Garcia, and Prentiss' fluency in languages angle is done far more subtly than with Elle in "Machismo" and actually serves a point.
Storytelling is engrossing, despite lacking profiling and a slightly disappointing unsub. There is enough tension and suspense which come off very believably, with pretty shocking murders (though they're more described than seen, couldn't have come up with a more horrendous way for the sheriff to die), high-voltage chases and a scintillating climax. The characters carry the story very well, and the acting is solid from the BAU, the locals and the sheriff, only Doyle this reviewer had reservations with.
In summary, above-average episode with some great things. 7/10 Bethany Cox
