Bully
- Episode aired Dec 11, 2013
- TV-14
- 42m
When the BAU is called to Kansas City to investigate a series of murders, a tense reunion ensues between Blake and her father, a retired police captain, and her brother, a detective, who mus... Read allWhen the BAU is called to Kansas City to investigate a series of murders, a tense reunion ensues between Blake and her father, a retired police captain, and her brother, a detective, who must work together to help solve the crime.When the BAU is called to Kansas City to investigate a series of murders, a tense reunion ensues between Blake and her father, a retired police captain, and her brother, a detective, who must work together to help solve the crime.
Photos
- Charles Gates
- (as Jake Miller)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Garcia is giving the team information about how many kids have died at Jefferson High, she says: "It's like Sunnydale". This is a reference to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The town in Buffy is called Sunnydale, and the high school is Sunnydale High, built on a hellmouth, which led to a lot of students being killed, hence the reference
- Quotes
Alex Blake: [opening quote] "Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet" - Vietnamese proverb
- ConnectionsReferences Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)
- SoundtracksOut of the Fire
Performed by Toxic Holocaust
Season 9 has always struck me as one of the most wildly variable and weaker seasons of 'Criminal Minds'. There are great episodes such as "Gabby", "The Caller" and "Angels"/"Demons", the first two being two of the best 'Criminal Minds' episodes of the latter seasons (post-Season 6). Season 9 however has also had two of the show's low-points "200" and "The Black Queen" and its worst season premiere in "The Inspiration", "Mr and Mrs Anderson" also underwhelmed. Then there are many episodes that fit in neither extreme and range between average and solid.
"Bully" is one of Season 9's solid episodes, though closer to being one of the season's better episodes than the worst. While a lot of good effort went into developing Blake, who features heavily here (perhaps a little too much in places), and any questions one has about her in previous episodes are answered, the whole father and brother relationship and conflicts isn't quite as interesting as it could have been. Her chemistry with her brother is entertaining and tense, but her father is a little underwritten and not as compelling. Jeanne Tripplehorn, Brennan Elliot and Tom Bower all give good performances and work well together this said.
To me, the climactic scenes were written a bit too conveniently and patly. The outcome of the case is not that hard to foresee and shows an unsub giving up too easily and what were dilemmas and conflicts before were too quickly and easily resolved especially in this case with so much time gone.
However, "Bully" is a typically very well made episode. It is very stylishly filmed and atmospherically lit. The music is haunting and melancholic, fitting very well with the episode's mood while never quite enhancing but never distracting. The direction lets the story breathe while still maintaining the momentum.
"Bully" is also smartly and thought-provokingly scripted, and despite Blake dominating the team are still interesting, serve a point, function well and are not side-lined (certainly not to the extent of "200" and "The Black Queen"). Could understand Morgan's anger and hurt (being a character who has gone through the same thing as Blake) but also why members like Rossi and JJ defended Blake. Loved the team's genuine concern for Blake too. The very final scene with the barbecue is somewhat sappy but also adorable and a fond reminder of how well the team get on together.
The case is a tense one but also very sad. Also found myself relating to the subject, having suffered merciless bullying myself in school, have felt its damaging effects (still do) and have always felt strongly about it being taken much more seriously than it is. Despite the crimes, and in no way can one condone his actions, did find myself feeling a pang of sympathy for the unsub without feeling like the episode tried too hard to do it.
All the acting is very strong all round.
Overall, solid episode though had potential to be better than it turned out to be. 7/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 9, 2017
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD