User Reviews

...as sequel episodes within a series go, this one falls under the category "too little/too late." Because the original episode, Season 9's "The Monster," would have been a lot more appropriate as the first part of a two-part crossover with CRIMINAL MINDS. Preferably during the second half of the latter series' thirteenth season! Or (at the very latest) the first half of their fourteenth season.

Instead, we--the viewers--had to wait five years for a follow-up to this almost-forgotten dangling plot thread. And, now, it appears we may have to wait that long, again, because the trailers for next week's episode are obviously not those to the conclusion of a two-parter.

For that, and the relative obviousness of the Inside Mastermind, I have to deduct three stars from a perfect score of ten..

Are we going to have to wait another five years for the next part of this story? I would have accepted this as a two-parter, if the following episode brought the remaining bad guys to justice.

Too much filler, not enough main story. I have known of Richard Gant (Raymond Hanna, Sam's father) for many years, and I don't think of him as a comedic actor, so the attempts at wacky family hijinks falls flat.

Nice way of cutting out Vyto Ruginis who played Arkady. Mention his name, but don't have him in the episode.

Speaking of missing actors, once again. Chris O'Donnell is a no-show, and it is noticeable. What's up with that?

Aside from these distractions, the over-all main story was good. It does keep your attention, and the darkened vacant theater location is nightmare to track down a bunch of scurrying, likely dangerous, criminals attempting escape.

Slightly puzzled by the ending reveal - why would Collins need to open the door for the other guy? This is a movie theater, and all exits have the press bar to open the door from the inside.

Six stars - it would have been higher if not for the distracting side-story, and making us have to wait for the conclusion of this story arc.

"The Body Stitchers" was an effort by NCIS: Los Angeles to go a bit grittier and to give us an episode that felt like it would be on a program from HBO or Showtime. Those kind of networks rely on these creepy cults and sometimes broadcast channels can do okay with it. Okay, is probably the best description here as I liked the edgier material, but overall the episode fell into the same kind of traps that the series always does.

They teased a return for this group down the road and I certainly hope that they up the ante when they do return. We need real stakes and danger, something we didn't get here.

This was a sequel but there will likely be another sequel? That makes the writers look silly. After being introduced to this bizarre cult in "Monster" in season 9, most hardcore crime drama fans wanted resolution when the sequel comes around. However, when FBI Agent Collins, the apparent leader of the cult says, "...lay low for a very long time...", I shook my head knowing the case would not be resolved. So, a sequel after the sequel, really? All that's left is the manhunt. I thought Jeffries hopping in the backseat with a small cooler containing a "gift" (body part from his mother) for Collins (aka Vincent) was stupid since Collins admitted they will not be active for a long time. I am already dreading the next sequel.