Public Enemy
- Episode aired Feb 10, 2010
- TV-14
- 42m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
A serial killer who targets random victims in highly visible places to create a sense of public fear is the subject of a BAU investigation.A serial killer who targets random victims in highly visible places to create a sense of public fear is the subject of a BAU investigation.A serial killer who targets random victims in highly visible places to create a sense of public fear is the subject of a BAU investigation.
Natalie Edwards
- Tara Kelly
- (as Natalie Brooke Edwards)
David Landry
- Paul Collins
- (as David Lee Landry)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAll entries contain spoilers
- GoofsIn his flashback, Connor O'Brien sees himself reading a book as a child. The book he is reading is one from "A Series of Unfortunate Events". The series started in 1999, only 11 years before the air date. Connor is 30, leaving a nine year gap between when the first book was published to when he would have been able to read it.
- Quotes
Aaron Hotchner: There are lots of ways that sons defeat their fathers.
Dr. Spencer Reid: I just keep getting PhDs.
- SoundtracksCriminal Minds Theme
Composed by Mark Mancina
Featured review
One of the very good episodes of Season 5
As a big fan of 'Criminal Minds', the show was at its best in Seasons 1-4 (a contender for the best season being 4), though a good deal of Season 5 was also solid, though with a higher number of average-or-less episodes than before.
Season 5 saw outstanding episodes such as "100", "...A Thousand Words", "The Uncanny Valley" and "Mosley Lane", while also seeing underwhelming episodes like "The Fight" (didn't feel like 'Criminal Minds' at all), "Hopeless", "The Performer" and "Parasite". Most range from decent to great.
"Public Enemy" is one of Season 5's very good episodes. Wouldn't have said no to more Hotch and Reid, though what they have is strong and hardly wastes them but it's just the matter of more screen time. Also didn't completely buy seeing father and son in the same prison, probably fitted with the unsub's motives for his crimes but it was just a situation that seemed very unlikely to me.
However, "Public Enemy" is stylishly and atmospherically made, solidly directed and hauntingly and melancholically scored. It is a very well written episode too, provoking a lot of thought and being written in a smart and intelligent manner. A standout line was Hotch's "there's lots of ways that sons defeat their fathers", a line that hit me hard and like a nod to Hotch's own harsh childhoods. Reid's response was somewhat amusing too, despite Hotch saying something very serious.
The story draws one right in with a lot of tension and suspense, as well as some unexpected twists and red herrings. Notable examples being the red-herring right at the beginning which suggested mass poisoning was going to happen but turned out to be much more sinister and the hardcore but not-so-traditional profiling where the unsub is profiled like an arsonist. The killings are random but increasingly daring, the motives are pretty twisted and also loved the large and enthusiastic role the BAU played here.
Most enjoyable was Rossi, his sassy and direct personality shining like a ray of sunshine, being the one to come up with some of the answers (correctly) and his re-enacting in the church being one of the most creepiest scenes and it was a shock to see Rossi like that. JJ's role gave the episode heart as well, and Prentiss having a good deal of screen time is always welcome. The acting is great, especially from Joe Mantegna.
In conclusion, a very good episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Season 5 saw outstanding episodes such as "100", "...A Thousand Words", "The Uncanny Valley" and "Mosley Lane", while also seeing underwhelming episodes like "The Fight" (didn't feel like 'Criminal Minds' at all), "Hopeless", "The Performer" and "Parasite". Most range from decent to great.
"Public Enemy" is one of Season 5's very good episodes. Wouldn't have said no to more Hotch and Reid, though what they have is strong and hardly wastes them but it's just the matter of more screen time. Also didn't completely buy seeing father and son in the same prison, probably fitted with the unsub's motives for his crimes but it was just a situation that seemed very unlikely to me.
However, "Public Enemy" is stylishly and atmospherically made, solidly directed and hauntingly and melancholically scored. It is a very well written episode too, provoking a lot of thought and being written in a smart and intelligent manner. A standout line was Hotch's "there's lots of ways that sons defeat their fathers", a line that hit me hard and like a nod to Hotch's own harsh childhoods. Reid's response was somewhat amusing too, despite Hotch saying something very serious.
The story draws one right in with a lot of tension and suspense, as well as some unexpected twists and red herrings. Notable examples being the red-herring right at the beginning which suggested mass poisoning was going to happen but turned out to be much more sinister and the hardcore but not-so-traditional profiling where the unsub is profiled like an arsonist. The killings are random but increasingly daring, the motives are pretty twisted and also loved the large and enthusiastic role the BAU played here.
Most enjoyable was Rossi, his sassy and direct personality shining like a ray of sunshine, being the one to come up with some of the answers (correctly) and his re-enacting in the church being one of the most creepiest scenes and it was a shock to see Rossi like that. JJ's role gave the episode heart as well, and Prentiss having a good deal of screen time is always welcome. The acting is great, especially from Joe Mantegna.
In conclusion, a very good episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•141
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jan 21, 2017
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
- 16:9 HD
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