"Criminal Minds" And in the End (TV Episode 2020) Poster

(TV Series)

(2020)

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7/10
She should've been there
amsmall2711 August 2020
Spence was hospitalised but he's girlfriend, Max wasn't there? Feels kinda weird.
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7/10
So here we are: THE END.
moonlightbridge20 February 2020
Although I enjoyed Matt's and and Luke's company nothing beats the old team: Gideon (and later Rossi), Hotchner, Reid, Prentiss, Morgan, JJ and Penelope. Although I love "Criminal Minds", for me the show was ruined when Hotchner left. He was a crucial member of the team, crucial actor in this show. Anyway, thank you all for the company!
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6/10
Disappointing ending.
twoyysme14 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Yes there were some tears, but only because I've loved this series from the get go. Still I was hoping old characters would return which would have made this a finale worth celebrating. (Every series does this not just puts a few old scenes in). Instead we had dodgy karaoke and dancing and a fairly broken story. Even so, great memories of great actors for 15 series.
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9/10
A fitting end but missed on a couple things
brandonmckay830 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I can't believe this show is over after being in my life from kid to adulthood but the ending was overall satisfying. They had set up endings for majority of the season but in the end it's only really Garcia who moves on which would be so tough for her as she's kept the family together for so many years. I didn't understand why Max didn't come to the hospital or to the party with Reid if they're still together. I was very happy Luke & Garcia finally agree to a date. I wish they found a way to get Morgan &/or Hotch back for the finale. But the episode itself was great, seeing the team work together to take down the most wanted & one that's been messing with Rossi for over a year. The party scene was really well written & nice music choice to close it out. I am happy the team stayed together & they didn't rush a bunch of endings! If we're lucky, maybe the team will return one day in the future because I was not ready for it to end just yet while the stories were still so good. A show that will always have a place in my heart. Wheels up!
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8/10
Great show, decent episode, mediocre good-bye.
kemority23 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I'm rating this episode an 8 out of respect for the 322 that came before it. By itself it's more like a 5 or 6.

I've recently discovered the reason behind the last few scenes being centered on Garcia. The finale was co-written by Messer (Exec. Prod.), and Kirsten Vangsness, who plays Garcia. No bias there. This choice made the series finale feel more like a single character send-off being Garcia left the team.

Rossi not really retiring was a no-brainer. Being a profiler isn't what he does; it truly is who he is.

I thought there was way too much time spent on the party sequence, and Reid's flashbacks. I had hoped for a little more background on how Lynch found Krystall. We went from "he's alive!" -- to -- "he's exactly where we don't want him". It felt a little rushed given a 2-hour window to work with.

And sorry, but there's no way no one else knew about the secret gun compartment. If the jet had ever been hijacked, every agent would need to know where every firearm is located. I don't often say this, but that really was lazy writing.

As finales go, this felt more like a season wrap up than a series end. Oh well, can't win 'em, all.

PS -- I would have liked to see some more progression/closure to the storyline where the gypsy families kidnapped girls to mold them into wives for the sons. There's no reason a TV show can't return to a previous cliffhanger.

I'll miss this show overall, despite jumping the shark here and there with regards to abuse of authority.
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9/10
Great ending for a phenomenal show
dap_12525 February 2020
After 15 seasons I never tired of watching. Each episode was fresh and intriguing. I understand the people connected with the show need to move on but i'm going to miss this show. Surprised Shemar didn't make a guess appearance. Bye BAU.
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6/10
Decent ending
Kentor123 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Loved the show, season 15 wasnt the best imo, but I still liked it. the ending was decent, they defeated the unsub and saved everyone but I think its weird that garcia's actor wrote this episode and made it about her (wel 40% atleast) . its kinda selfish since theres only 40 minutes and alot of people in the team people want to see. (like tara who didnt get alot of screentime)
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9/10
Good ending, tied it all up
CealCraig20 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I appreciate the efforts to tie up the major characters. I liked the final endings and bringing long gone characters back to be part of goodbye. I'll miss them but times must change. Best wishes to all. And I suspect all those people in the back row were staff: thank you!

Adding after a run through of all fifteen seasons (pandemic provides more time...). My comments pretty much stand, but I'll add a few. I too like others missed seeing Max (Spence's new girlfriend), seemed a hole. Having Penelope move to another role makes lots of sense to me after seeing in a short time how negatively being in the BAU was affecting her. Same for Spence, moving to teaching and consulting. Those characters needed to find new paths to grow. Rossi changing his mind and not retiring after all ALSO made sense to me. Loved every characters, some more than others; change is good. And the sense of family was uplifting to counteract the negative emotions with the BAU's mission and activities. I'm sorry Emily won't be the FBI director, but I suspect those characters will have other larger roles in their future lives (all fiction anyway, right?). I still miss the team and "wheels up". Thanks for the memories.
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6/10
Sorry to see it end
ravmeltt3 March 2020
I'm surprised by all the negative reviews here for the finale. I find that it was a good finale and I enjoyed watching it. Of course we wouldn't get everything we wanted. I wondered where Spencer's girlfriend Max was. Why didn't they have her on. Also, seemed they showed more about Penelope when I thought it was about Rossi's retirement. BTW I do love Rossi's wife, Gail O'Grady ever since I think it was NYPD Blue?

I didn't like that they interjected that part about Luke taking Penelope to dinner as if they were going to date? Cause we know that ain't gonna happen. Plus she was moving away anyway.

I am so glad we got to see clips of Gideon and Hotch. I thought they would have brought back in Jennifer Love Hewitt's character too cause I don't think she was killed off, but even so they could have brought flashbacks of her too. But I'm happy we got to see Hotch. I think people did bad by him. He didn't "metoo" anybody or beat up anybody and yet he was treated so callously in my book. I'm so sad for him. He made this show and I think it started to fall when he left. This show could have made 21 seasons like Law and Order.

Anyhow I will miss it and all the actors tremendously. I hope that they come up on my screen soon and not stay away like Hotch. I haven't seen him onscreen since he left this show. Once you make a mistake in Hollywood it's like you're doomed. All the best people. Live long and prosper.
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5/10
A disappointing but almost expected end to a series that had slowly been losing its touch.
Washi_Washi28 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Honestly, this series finale was a bit of a let down. There was a lot of throwback to earlier characters and we did get to delight in C. Thomas Howell and Jayne Atkinson's brief returns to the screen. However, a good chunk of the episode just went by in flashbacks from earlier episodes. The writing felt too cheesy in a bid to have an emotional end to the show's 15 season run. Of course given that it's the end of the show there was bound to be a change to the team roster, but the focus of the episode randomly shifts too much onto Garcia, and it feels a little forced that her and Luke get put together romantically.

The last ten or so minutes of the episode turn into the Garcia show and while I can see the intent behind writing this episode, it doesn't bring the signature Criminal Minds' charm that the team has had in their casual interactions.

Everett Lynch makes for a fitting bad guy to end the show on but given that everything about this episode was just so off, the culmination of the chase to bring him to justice was... eh. I suppose the story only went where it could to the end.

In my opinion, the whole flashback with Reid possibly dying, would've mattered so much more if they'd managed to bring Gideon in for a cameo, instead of Maeve - a relationship I could never really get behind in the first place. The continuity of the existing storylines is completely ignored, and I was left feeling cheated that the writers had put such little thought to how they wanted to end this long run.

All in all, a disappointing end to a show that has in its hey days, been one of the best crime/procedural dramas in the last decade. Given where things went post season 11 however, this feels like a stab at redemption. Simply knowing that the journey is over makes me want to give it, which doesn't say much for the show anymore.
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9/10
Almost everything's good. The only worst thing about it is the fact that this is the series finale.
XueHuaBingYu20 February 2020
Episode 10 is the series finale, so, it's very sad to watch it. As a big fan of Criminal Minds, I really don't want the show to end although I know that everything has to end someday. But this someday is kind of quick for this show. I wanted the show to run forever and ever. But sadly, it's ended.

I was so surprised to see Mave is so different in this episode. I couldn't even recognise her. When I saw her, I was like oh, that's Mave when Spencer called her Mave. Otherwise, I might not know it's her. I know that the last time she appeared on screen and now is a long time, but, if there's no that much difference, it'd be great.

One more thing that made me not perfect is Spencer's love life. I mean this is the series finale and he's with his new girlfriend, Max. But in the series finale, there's no scene of her. On the last party scene, there are couples, like Dave, JJ and even Emily. But for Spence, there's no one. I get that Spence's girlfriend is not police, FBI agent, something that has to do with it, but even Dave's wife is there. Why wasn't she there? So, there should be her. But now, lack of her makes me feel like they forget about Spencer's love life completely. If there was some scene about it, well, it'd be better than this.

In conclusion, as stated in above, this episode is the series finale. So, Criminal Minds is officially ended and there will be no more of Criminal Minds from now on. Although I'm not ready to accept that fact, but eventually, I will have to. Criminal Minds is finished, yes, but it will be alive in all of our hearts. So, here I am saying that Criminal Minds is one of the best TV series I've ever watched and also, it's one of my favourites of all time. Well done, Criminal Minds casts and crews.

P.S: One more thing I forgot to mention is seeing those old scenes made my heart warm. Those scenes are kind of unnecessary, but it's good to see they added those old scenes.
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6/10
Ughhhhh
Pnkprinses30922 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
We have known for a while now that the writers are sexist and let their egos overtake their fan service. They kicked the actors who play Hotch and Gideon to the curb and wouldn't let them back in no matter what. They forced JJ out and told Kirsten to lose weight. They don't care about their actors or fans.

The ending of last season sucked and took away an important friendship and piece of the show. It took about the last bit of respect I had for the show, I just continued to watch to the end for the closure.

The show became repetitive: bad guy kills people (usually women), they go, they quickly figure out who it is, bad guy gets last victim, they save her before the victim is killed. Nothing really happens...it's also pretty empty when they save the final person every time.

The show ending was cute. The "reveal" about the jet was a disappointment but the blow up was a great turn of events. Looking through the GOOD episodes was nice and felt touching. Penelope leaving is a good ending because she has been the glue the whole show. It bothered me that they focused on JJ being the BAU head, Rossi retiring, and Prentiss going on to be the head of fbi when that didn't happen, though. They could have done so much more with this ending (including getting over themselves and bringing back old characters)

BUT HELL YES MY SHIP SAILED: PENELOPE AND LUKE!!!
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2/10
Disappointed
susanrat13 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I've watched every episode and for me this was one of the weakest. The fact it was the final one makes it worse! Half the episode was dedicated to Penelope, and this has made me quite cross!! It would seem Kirsten co wrote the episode so I'm guessing that's why. Reid suddenly gets ill then miraculously better, Lynch story was poorly ended, and what about Dave retiring. Seriously the mans had enough! What happened to JJ and Will, did they move? As my Nan would say 'twaddle'. So many questions, and not good ones in a cliff hangery kinda way!
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8/10
Appropriate way to end (Spoilers)
Jackbv12321 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Some of the things in this last episode are what you'd expect. Memories. Cameos by past villains and heroes. The meaning of life. An open ended future.

It was time. Probably past time. I lost a lot of love for the show when so many regulars departed, mostly in quick succession and then Matthew Gray Gubler went part time. (Even so, he eeked out the honor for most episodes in the series.)

This episode could have ended at least partially in despair. For most of the world not part of this BAU family, the series was constant fear and despair and there were even a couple of tragedies for the family.

Instead we got hope. That's why I point out my biggest disappointment in the episode. No Max. Not even a reference. A significant part of the story was Spencer's reunion with Maeve. She tells him he has a choice and she makes a slightly veiled reference to the possibility in Max. But Max did not appear either at the hospital or the farewell party. Couldn't they even squeeze her in at the party somehow?

My wife jokes that these shows always have one of the star crime-fighters give something away too early so that there has to be a chase, either running, or in a car. Well, Dave was stupid and so we have not only a pseudo plane chase, but a beautiful explosion. Seriously Dave. You had a bead on him. Just shoot the guy. It's totally justified in many ways. But Hollywood never allows the good guys to "just shoot the guy" without overwhelming immediate danger and provocation. Only self defense is justified.

Otherwise, I think most of us got most of what we wanted. Two farewell scenes! Wow. And despite the possible looming departures, everyone gets a good ending.
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8/10
overall opinion
jaynefox-378793 June 2021
While I am sad that it has ended, I think bringing back David Rossi was a mistake. In my opinion he ruined the show.
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7/10
What happened to Max and Lisa? 😳
cblaess2 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I do like the ending. Yes, it's a bit rushed and there isn't really much of a case, but I still thought it was a good enough episode. But... Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of Luke and Garcia... What happened to Lisa though?? The last time she was in the show, she was moving in with Luke. And they were happy. And now he's asking Garcia on a date? And what about Max (let's ignore the very confusing writing about Spence's love life, with finding his soul mate, but also not able to move on from JJ...). They finally wrote in a smart woman, who makes him laugh. And then... Crickets... Lastly, when Rossi rejoins the BAU he had never seen the jet before and now he knows all the hidden compartments... I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!! 😳 But anyway overall I liked the episode. 😊
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6/10
Waste of an Hour
cockezville25 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I have been kind of sickened by this show the last couple of years mostly because of the focus on Reid, who I never appreciated. The finale was no different, a head trauma event that was ridiculous. The FBI would have checked him out so the head trauma scenario was far fetched as was the whole Everett dragged out bore. And that party for Penelope, whose character grated on my last nerve, was so staged and tedious. The series should have ended years ago.
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3/10
Where was Morgan?
beachbrewer26 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The whole episode was actually pretty lame. But if the writers wanted to close the show out with a going away party for Garcia, they needed to bring Shemar Moore for a cameo. There is no way Morgan and Savanna would have missed this party! If Shemar wasn't available, the writers needed to come up with a different ending. Guess everybody just ran out of creative gas and just wanted to go home.
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6/10
Boy that was a buzzkill!!
bobbo9999 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
So for any show to last 323 episodes and remain even vaguely watchable towards the end is a miracle....but the last few episodes really greased the skids for putting this doggy to sleep!! Aside from the drippy huggy crap, the thing that bugged me the most about this was the fact that couldn't Rossi just put a bullet in the bad guys head without blowing up the $50 million Gulf Stream??? Seems to me they'd all be benched by the FBI brass for such a dumb move...but whatever, it's over finally!!
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5/10
Series finale almost as bad as Game of Thrones finale :(
Top_Dawg_Critic20 February 2020
I expected more "oomph" from the writers instead of all this head-trauma pointless reminiscing, and a goodbye to only Penelope and Spencer? Even the camera work towards the end had blank space between scenes. They'd been better off finishing up the series episode 9, maybe the explosion took out the entire BAU team?! Anyways, after 15 years of amazing drama and entertainment, it's sad to see this show come to and end, I will miss it for sure. "Wheels up in 5"
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5/10
Rushed ending
jbfan7728 November 2020
Really disappointed that this was the last episode the whole season I felt was rushed and what happened to Reid's new girlfriend in the last 4 episodes she didn't even make an appearance while he was in hospital fighting for his life, and to have strauss, an unsub and his dead girlfriend talking to him what happened to Gideon! This was a very sloppy ending and for Penelope to be the only one leaving!
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3/10
Unfortunately, a disappointing season.
m_almutlaq13 April 2020
I was hoping that this season's book would be a season full of events for every member of the unit, but what I witnessed in this season was disappointment, boring stories and events, and the last episode was as if the producers wanted to finish the series as soon as possible, and in general this series I followed from the first season to the last, We can say the first 12 seasons were very beautiful, Season 13 and 14 are OK. In conclusion I say Thanks to all the actors who took part in this series from start to finish, and a bouquet of flowers I give to actors Matthew Gray, Kirsten Vangsness , A.J. Cook and Joe Mantegna
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4/10
And in the End
bobcobb3019 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Definitely a let down of a finale for this episode.

The Lynch stuff ended ridiculously as he gave up his location for no reason and made the BAU behave how no law enforcement officials would.

Then having random boring party scenes for the second half of the episode was bad too.

Not the way we want to remember the show.
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2/10
Talk about mediocre!
dirtbunny19918 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I stopped watching the show many years ago, but started watching it again recently with their "binge-athons" on WE and Ion. I don't know how this got a 7.5 average rating when this finale episode sucked so bad. Wrapping things up with that obnoxious 'Chameleon' character was far-fetched, but seeing that plane explode with him on it was quite satisfying. The flashbacks with Reid while he was in a coma were exactly the schmaltzy scenes that you'd expect from such a premise, but having his schizo mom as the one to decide what kind of medical procedures he should get was absolutely ludicrous. A man as practical and pragmatic as Reid would never let his literally crazy mother be the one to decide whether he lives or dies.

The last almost half of the show focused on Garcia, who was arguably the most annoying and inane character on the entire show. I can't believe the producers let her write the finale and focus mostly on herself - wretched choice! I can see why so many reviewers hated this episode for that very reason - it was completely stupid and left a bad taste in the viewers' mouths. I'm glad I wasn't a dedicated fan because I would've felt completely ripped off after investing in 14.5 seasons (this was just a half season) and having such a ridiculous sendoff as this episode. I give it two stars because I kind of liked the Reid flashbacks corny as they were, but Garcia's sendoff ruined it. What a disappointing season finale.
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3/10
Dreadful
ak202013 April 2020
This series has been one too far, and the last episode is particularly dreadful.

If you are expecting any story, forget it. The actual story is predictable and takes up about 20% of the episode. The rest is rubbish.
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