Unfinished Business
- Episode aired Mar 1, 2006
- TV-PG
- 42m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
When a serial killer reappears, the team works with a retired BAU agent who just published a book about the perpetrator.When a serial killer reappears, the team works with a retired BAU agent who just published a book about the perpetrator.When a serial killer reappears, the team works with a retired BAU agent who just published a book about the perpetrator.
Robert Ray Manning Jr.
- SWAT Leader
- (as Robert Manning Jr.)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe character Max Ryan bears a strong resemblance to Robert Ressler, one of the founders of the real-life BAU (then known as the BSU). He wrote books about his experiences, including He Who Fights Monsters and I Have Lived In The Monster, the latter of which can be seen on a desk in a later episode.
- GoofsIn the opening scene (after the credits), Elle's hair is in bangs. In the scene where they discuss the killer using zip ties instead of ropes her bangs have suddenly grown in.
- Quotes
Dr. Spencer Reid: What do you think of Ryan?
Aaron Hotchner: He hasn't changed much.
Dr. Spencer Reid: I think we can learn a lot from him.
Aaron Hotchner: What could you possibly learn that you don't already know?
Featured review
Even with a rather familiar idea, "Unfinished Business" is still an extremely good episode
While there are better episodes in Season 1, such as "The Fox", "Plain Sight", "Compulsion", "Charm and Harm" and "Riding the Lightning" (in a season where the only less than mediocre episode was "Machismo"), "Unfinished Business" is nonetheless an extremely good episode.
"Unfinished Business" very easily could not have been as good as it was. The basic idea of a serial killer resurfacing again after a long period of time is very familiar territory, meaning that the episode faced the danger of being tired, routine and predictable. While the idea has been done better elsewhere, it is done surprisingly well here (as does most of the 'Criminal Minds' episodes, yes this is not the only episode in the show with this concept, exploring this concept, especially Season 4's "Omnivore").
However, "Unfinished Business", while not doing much new, has enough twists and turns to stop it from predictable and has enough tension and suspense to keep it from being tired, especially in a quite hair-raising climax. The interplay between the team and the welcome supporting addition of Max Ryan also helps keeping things fresh, and the identity of the unsub is one of Season 1's most unforeseen or shocking, reminding that seemingly normal people are not what they seen which is what makes the unsub particularly chilling here.
My only problem here actually is Elle. Never have been her biggest fan (and that's putting it mildly), and while seeing her more developed than usual was appreciated she is still annoying (especially with her getting cranky over trivial things and being reminded too many times of it throughout the episode) and played with not much personality. The rest of the team are very interesting, with nobody dominating too much or feeling too much in the background, so the interaction and dynamic does feel more balanced.
Production values as ever are very high in quality, while the music is haunting without being melodramatic, the direction is solid and the script-writing tight and thought-provoking. The acting is very good, lead and supporting.
All in all, extremely good episode that does a surprisingly great job making such a familiar idea feel much less stale than it had potential to be. 9/10 Bethany Cox
"Unfinished Business" very easily could not have been as good as it was. The basic idea of a serial killer resurfacing again after a long period of time is very familiar territory, meaning that the episode faced the danger of being tired, routine and predictable. While the idea has been done better elsewhere, it is done surprisingly well here (as does most of the 'Criminal Minds' episodes, yes this is not the only episode in the show with this concept, exploring this concept, especially Season 4's "Omnivore").
However, "Unfinished Business", while not doing much new, has enough twists and turns to stop it from predictable and has enough tension and suspense to keep it from being tired, especially in a quite hair-raising climax. The interplay between the team and the welcome supporting addition of Max Ryan also helps keeping things fresh, and the identity of the unsub is one of Season 1's most unforeseen or shocking, reminding that seemingly normal people are not what they seen which is what makes the unsub particularly chilling here.
My only problem here actually is Elle. Never have been her biggest fan (and that's putting it mildly), and while seeing her more developed than usual was appreciated she is still annoying (especially with her getting cranky over trivial things and being reminded too many times of it throughout the episode) and played with not much personality. The rest of the team are very interesting, with nobody dominating too much or feeling too much in the background, so the interaction and dynamic does feel more balanced.
Production values as ever are very high in quality, while the music is haunting without being melodramatic, the direction is solid and the script-writing tight and thought-provoking. The acting is very good, lead and supporting.
All in all, extremely good episode that does a surprisingly great job making such a familiar idea feel much less stale than it had potential to be. 9/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•31
- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 15, 2016
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
- 16:9 HD
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