Green Light
- Episode aired May 3, 2017
- TV-14
- 40m
When Reid fears his mother has been abducted, he asks the BAU to investigate while he's stuck in prison.When Reid fears his mother has been abducted, he asks the BAU to investigate while he's stuck in prison.When Reid fears his mother has been abducted, he asks the BAU to investigate while he's stuck in prison.
- AUSA Manny Martinez
- (as Antonio Leon)
- Warden Harding
- (as William C. Mitchell)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRossi (Joe Mantegna) repeatedly uses a mock-paternal tone when discussing Lindsey Vaughn's evolution as a contract killer. Most notably, when Garcia uncovers a pattern of 15 execution-style murders, Rossi quips, "that's our Lindsay," in a sarcastic "that's my girl" kind of tone. Lindsay is played by Mantegna's real life daughter, Gia Mantegna.
- GoofsWhen Luke is talking to Calvin Shaw and tells him he is being transferred, he pronounces Milan wrong. He pronounces it like the city in Italy, it is actually pronounced MY-lyn.
- Quotes
Penelope Garcia: Okay. Here.
Emily Prentiss: [Takes the envelope from Garcia] What is this?
Penelope Garcia: My letter of resignation.
Emily Prentiss: Penelope!
Penelope Garcia: [Shakes no] If Reid dies, I quit!
Emily Prentiss: We won't let that happen!
Penelope Garcia: Emily, I'm exhausted! And it is breaking me. And this whole year has been an emotional roller coaster. It's like every time something happens, there's a piece of myself been chipped away, and if one more thing goes down, I don't think there's gonna be anything left.
- ConnectionsFeatures Criminal Minds: 3rd Life (2008)
- SoundtracksNight Song
Performed by Family Band
[Played when the team scrutinizes the evidence in their conference room]
"Green Light" to me was the one of the best episodes (perhaps so far second best) of an inconsistent but better than anticipated Season 12. Almost as good as "Spencer", on the same level as "Elliot's Pond" and "Mirror Image" and much better than "True North", "Anti-Terror Squad" and "Taboo". "Green Light" may not be a classic 'Criminal Minds' episode, but is a long way from a stinker, very easy to see why as of now it's one of the higher rated episodes of the season.
Wouldn't have said no to more Rossi, who is somewhat underused here. More so of an issue was, to me, Reid's treatment in prison generally has been portrayed in a way that goes too far in the cruelty factor (this episode included), with the character of Wilkins somewhat of a cartoonish prison cliché too far, while one really feels sorry for Reid and roots for him how and what he's thinking has been explored a little too heavy-handedly that has indicated more unhappiness (not a good thing if your favourite 'Criminal Minds' character is Reid).
However, visually, the episode looks great as to be expected. Very well shot and lit and is overall stylish, gritty, classy and atmospheric, with at times a film noir look and feel. The music is moody in the haunting and melancholic sense and fits well, without either enhancing or distracting from it. The direction is alert, tense and accommodating.
All the acting is very good, especially from Paget Brewster and Matthew Gray Gubler. The team interaction is absolutely brilliant here, where one truly sees everybody's genuine concern for Reid and desire to help him through a seemingly helpless situation and how close they are as a team. Here Reid's importance to the team is acknowledged, especially by Prentiss and Garcia, and Prentiss' concern and pulls no punches approach in proving Reid's innocence confirms that bringing her back was one of the best decisions the show has made in a while. A hugely satisfying scene too was the scene between Alvez and Shaw, certainly the most satisfying Alvez moment all season and may possibly convert non-fans.
On top of that, the writing is thought-provoking and tautly structured. A lot happens in the story, the main revelation is a huge shock when the viewer was made to think otherwise in the previous episodes when the arc was covered and the twists and turns keep coming without putting one's brain into overload. It was great to have an initially promising but got heavily dragged out subplot put to bed and unanswered questions starting to get answered.
In conclusion, not a 'Criminal Minds' classic but a nail-biter. 8/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jun 16, 2017
Details
- Runtime40 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD