User Reviews

For all those asking Sammy's Song is "The Smile of a Child" by Paul Reeves. It is a wonderful, if short piece specifically written for the episode.

Season 6 generally has been one of 'Criminal Minds' weakest seasons. It started off promisingly with "The Longest Night", which really gave the creeps (including Tim Curry's scariest performance since 'IT') as well as the feels and was an improvement over the previous season's finale.

After that, the season became very hit and miss, "Coda" and "Hanley Waters" (from memory) being good episodes while "The Thirteenth Step", one of the first notable examples of a 'Criminal Minds' episode that didn't feel like 'Criminal Minds' (instead feeling like a story derivative of 'Bonnie and Clyde', but nowhere near close to being as good, or something), was one of the show's worst episodes along with the worst of Seasons 9 and 11.

"Coda" is not exactly a brilliant episode and could have been done better, but for Season 6 it was a good one. Its biggest drawback is Seaver, never have been a fan of her and consider her one of the worst leading female characters on 'Criminal Minds' but she is particularly intolerable in "Coda". That she has a bland personality, doesn't fit at all within the team and that she is too much of an inexperienced rookie are general problems with Seaver, but she is also face-palm dumb here, especially saying whether Sammy is the unknown suspect which is the one scenario virtually impossible, and even worse is her completely uncalled-for rudeness towards Reid on the plane. Rachel Nichols' acting does absolutely nothing to make me like her better.

Also was not a fan of Garcia, a shame because in the earlier seasons she was a very likable character and a ray of sunshine bringing beautifully timed humour and levity to often dark cases. Here though her banter is cringe-worthy and her remarks regarding the victims when the BAU take on the case veer on the too flippant. Apart from a few touching scenes, Hotch once again is practically invisible, almost like the producers and writers were growing bored of Hotch and would have jumped at the chance of writing him out if the characters wasn't so popular with fans. The side plot with Prentiss and Interpol served very little point and comes over as an uncomfortable fit.

What makes "Coda" work however is the chemistry between Sammy and Reid. Their scene when communicating through playing music on the piano is one of 'Criminal Minds' most genuinely poignant moments, and it even outshines JJ's hostage negotiation on the radio in "The Longest Night" in this regard as the most moving individual scene of Season 6. The chemistry itself is touching, and Rossi is also very empathetic. All the acting is good apart from Nichols (which was not helped by bad character writing), Joe Mantegna and especially Matthew Gray Gubler being brilliant while Skyler Brigmann as Sammy gives one of the show's best child performances along with Jake Cherry in "The Big Wheel".

The case itself is good, there are more tension-and-suspense-filled episodes but the climax and the latter scenes between the unsub and the mother are still tense enough, while the mystery and emotional impact elements are beautifully done and the profiling is interesting. The unsub is more interesting on re-watch, found him unmemorable on first viewing but on re-watch he is the sort of character where you hate what he's done but you also sort of understand his point of view. Really enjoy the team dynamic still, and Rossi and Reid in particular have some lovely moments.

Production values are high in quality, and the music, especially that gorgeous song/piece played on the piano in the aforementioned scene between Sammy and Reid, is some of the best-used and most atmospheric music scores of any Season 6 episode. With the exceptions of Seaver and Garcia, the writing is tight and thought-provoking.

In conclusion, one of Season 6's better episodes apart from especially Seaver being so intolerable here. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Does anyone know the song that was played during "Coda"? I really like it and can't seem to get it out of my head.

I'm so disappointed that the show removed AJ Cook and then brought in another blond. I have nothing against Rachel Nichols, but if they want a blond they should have kept Ms. Cook.

It seems to me that the networks on many of my shows are making so stupid mistakes. They have lost touch with their audiences. I do not understand why they keep making so many changes but I sure wish they'd knock it off. The new year has just started and they're killing my favorite shows.

This episode of Criminal Minds was great! "Coda" was amazing! As a piano teacher, I'm always telling students that music does have math as well as reading and history in it and Reid proved me right!! Even though "Sammy" was autistic, glad they used music as a way to help solve his case. Unlike what many people may think or believe, music can be a way of communication too. Downer to this season is new character, Seaver, she's not very bright and will most likely gonna kill the show or get kicked off. "Is Sammy the unknown suspect" How dumb can she be?! He's autistic!!! BRING JJ BACK!! Somebody please help Garcia dress better! NOBODY in ANY office of ANY line of work should or is allow to dress like that! I don't know how she has made it so long. Dying to know the song that Sammy and Reid were playing. Hope they air it again soon or at least post the name of the song.

I thought the show was passable. It was an interesting storyline that used current events to show how circumstances can make even the most normal human a criminal. Good concept...however....

I can't stomach much of it any more since they've made the budget cuts. The biggest impact I've liked is giving Reid more of a voice it seems. The worst is yet to come when/if Prentiss is removed too.

I second thoughts expressed on removing JJ and bringing in a new character who simply isn't that bright, regardless of her history that's supposed to give her some sort of unique perspective. What galls me the most is giving Garcia more air-time by having her pick up the slack left by JJ's absence. I dislike her character intensely, but can bear her as the computer geek. (but her banter with Morgan makes me gag) Now? I'm about ready to stop taping this show since they've chosen to put her so front and center this way.

This was the worst episode ever. It had every cliché in the book (the episodes have been getting worse and worse in my book over the past 24 months anyway, but this was a new low). The acting was also bad and the JJ replacement hasn't got 1/10th of her charisma, they only have her because she is attractive... and the silly subplot with Prentiss is beyond a joke!!! This used to be my favourite series :-(

I hope that the series will pick up as my partner will no longer watch them as they have deteriorated so much, if they can't buck the trend they will have to end the series I would imagine as other great shows like Monk hit that when the writers had given up.

Having worked for years with autistics the portrayal of them was terrible as well!!!