Scared to Death
- Episode aired Oct 10, 2007
- TV-PG
- 1h
The unit tracks a man working through his fears by working them out on others.The unit tracks a man working through his fears by working them out on others.The unit tracks a man working through his fears by working them out on others.
- Bill Calvert
- (as Matt Bushell)
- Jenny
- (as Jennifer Keyes)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode was dedicated to Mark Kamps, the supervising sound editor at the time on Criminal Minds. He passed away at the age of 44 on August 24, 2007, in Ventura, California, less than a month before the episode aired.
- GoofsWhile making notes about his first patient, the doctor writes the word "anxiety" as "axiety."
- Quotes
Emily Prentiss: So Hotch is even more intense now that Gideon's gone.
Dr. Spencer Reid: Yeah, I've noticed.
Emily Prentiss: Do you think that's gonna change?
Dr. Spencer Reid: I certainly think we'll find out.
Emily Prentiss: What about you? You okay?
Dr. Spencer Reid: Oh, I'm- I'm great.
Emily Prentiss: Do you want to talk about it?
Dr. Spencer Reid: What's there to talk about, really?
Emily Prentiss: Gideon.
Dr. Spencer Reid: Oh, no. He, uh- he left a letter explaining everything. Just like my dad did when he abandoned me and my mom.
Emily Prentiss: He addressed it to you.
Dr. Spencer Reid: Yeah, yeah. You know, Gideon stood toe to toe with some of the... the sickest people on this planet. I think that took a lot of courage, right?
Emily Prentiss: Yeah.
Dr. Spencer Reid: So, why'd he do this? It's addressed to me, but I'm- I'm not- I'm not the only one that he abandoned.
Emily Prentiss: But why is it addressed to you? I think you need to read that letter again.
Dr. Spencer Reid: I have an eidetic memory, Emily.
Emily Prentiss: Ah, yeah, I know, and an IQ of 187, but what do you remember about your father?
Dr. Spencer Reid: What do you mean?
Emily Prentiss: Well, he gave you ten years before he left, and yet you've erased all those memories. And it's too painful, I get it. But then Gideon leaves. I think you need to read that letter again, and ask yourself why, of all the people he walked away from, did he only explain himself to one person: you.
The third episode of the season "Scared to Death" is not among the best 'Criminal Minds' episodes, but is still a solidly done episode. It does feel somewhat rushed in places, as a result to tell a lot of story and cram a lot in which means that the mystery doesn't take time as it should do and parts could have done with more explanation.
Wasn't completely crazy about the ending either, which seemed melodramatic and anti-climactic with a rather too convenient comeuppance for the unsub. Lastly, this reviewer still hasn't warmed to Strauss, she is more tolerable and less bitchy than in the previous two episodes but she still isn't gelling and still comes over as a little cold.
It's in particular the character interaction that makes "Scared to Death" a solid and enjoyable episode, such as Reid struggling to come to terms with Gideon's departure being the most affected, the moment with Hotch at the start, the scene in the elevator between Reid and Morgan (which was a refreshingly humorous moment), the interaction between Prentiss and Reid and that of Hotch and Morgan at the end. The character moments and the interaction are always what makes 'Criminal Minds' such a pleasure, and "Scared to Death" doesn't let the viewer done.
As for the mystery, it is a decent one with some disturbing murders based on the victims' anxiety disorders which the unsub takes advantage of and preys on, and the way the team go about solving the case with the profiling and psychology is satisfying enough if more intelligently done and creative in other episodes. The unsub is not the most interesting or most well developed but he's still an effective creep and it's easy to hate him.
Visually, it's stylish, audacious, atmosphere and suitably moody, while the direction is solid and the music is haunting and fits with the mood well, while not enhancing the action it never distracts either. The script is thought-provoking and tight, and the acting from all the leads is very good and Michael O'Keefe is effectively creepy and does convey some menace.
On the whole, solid episode if a little disappointing at the same time. 7/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jul 18, 2016
Details
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
- 16:9 HD