The Performer
- Episode aired Nov 11, 2009
- TV-14
- 42m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
The BAU team follows a trail of murders that seems to align with the tour schedule of a rock star.The BAU team follows a trail of murders that seems to align with the tour schedule of a rock star.The BAU team follows a trail of murders that seems to align with the tour schedule of a rock star.
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- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMusician/singer Jon Bon Jovi was originally slated to guest star as Dante.
- GoofsThe camera and crew are reflected in the glass wall of the meeting room as they move to the left.
- Quotes
Emily Prentiss: [voiceover] writer Cyril Connolly said: Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self.
- ConnectionsReferences A Clockwork Orange (1971)
- SoundtracksLove Will Tear Us Apart
Written by Ian Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner as Joy Division
Performed by Gavin Rossdale (as Dante), Marc Fantini and Steffan Fantini
Featured review
Well, it is different, but it isn't one of the season's better episodes
For me, "The Performer" is one of Season 5's weaker episodes along with the very bland and just scraping average "Parasite". Not awful but not great, a brave attempt to do something different but it doesn't quite come off.
Starting with good things about "The Performer", as always with 'Criminal Minds' it looks great, psychedelic in colour and darkly atmospheric. There are a few moments of haunting music, and of the writing the standout was that terrific scene at the end between the team, that was very funny and very sweet and shows very well how strong a bond they have. Some of the in-jokes were a lot of fun and didn't feel too out of place.
Gavin Rossdale is excellent as the prime suspect, and the episode in the early stages does well in making the viewer believe it was him responsible. His relationship with his manager is touchingly depicted too. The acting is very good across the board.
However, the case does lack atmosphere, is quite slight and over-stretched-feeling and while one always welcomes a big revelation twist this one was not that surprising, in fact it's pretty easy to figure out too soon. Profiling is also always welcome, and is a large part as what makes 'Criminal Minds' so great, but there isn't quite enough here and didn't serve as much point or interest as it should have done.
Also did not buy the whole thing with JJ going to the house alone, which was not plausible in a situation that desperately required back-up straight-away and practically was a suicide move. It also takes her a long time to get there, whereas it took the rest of the team nowhere near as much time, that was contrived and the lack of explanation didn't help matters either.
'Criminal Minds' has had many times where it tries to do things differently with varying success. "The Performer" is an example of one that doesn't quite work, with the atmosphere feeling over-the-top and the methodology of the killings very strange even for the concept. The music has its moments but has a tendency to be too intrusive.
In conclusion, not one of Season 5's better episodes. For great episodes of the seasons, stick with "100", "...A Thousand Words", "The Uncanny Valley" and "Mosley Lane". 5/10 Bethany Cox
Starting with good things about "The Performer", as always with 'Criminal Minds' it looks great, psychedelic in colour and darkly atmospheric. There are a few moments of haunting music, and of the writing the standout was that terrific scene at the end between the team, that was very funny and very sweet and shows very well how strong a bond they have. Some of the in-jokes were a lot of fun and didn't feel too out of place.
Gavin Rossdale is excellent as the prime suspect, and the episode in the early stages does well in making the viewer believe it was him responsible. His relationship with his manager is touchingly depicted too. The acting is very good across the board.
However, the case does lack atmosphere, is quite slight and over-stretched-feeling and while one always welcomes a big revelation twist this one was not that surprising, in fact it's pretty easy to figure out too soon. Profiling is also always welcome, and is a large part as what makes 'Criminal Minds' so great, but there isn't quite enough here and didn't serve as much point or interest as it should have done.
Also did not buy the whole thing with JJ going to the house alone, which was not plausible in a situation that desperately required back-up straight-away and practically was a suicide move. It also takes her a long time to get there, whereas it took the rest of the team nowhere near as much time, that was contrived and the lack of explanation didn't help matters either.
'Criminal Minds' has had many times where it tries to do things differently with varying success. "The Performer" is an example of one that doesn't quite work, with the atmosphere feeling over-the-top and the methodology of the killings very strange even for the concept. The music has its moments but has a tendency to be too intrusive.
In conclusion, not one of Season 5's better episodes. For great episodes of the seasons, stick with "100", "...A Thousand Words", "The Uncanny Valley" and "Mosley Lane". 5/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•58
- TheLittleSongbird
- Sep 28, 2016
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
- 16:9 HD
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