Nelson's Sparrow

The best of Season 10 for me is "Mr. Scratch", a contender for 'Criminal Minds' best episodes in a long time and is also one of the show's creepiest and most chilling.

"Nelson's Sparrow" is another one of the standout episodes, a close second best to "Mr. Scratch". While this reviewer understands why one may not be totally enamoured by "Nelson's Sparrow" but to me it was a beautifully done tribute to Gideon, and a worthier send off than "In Name and Blood". That did have a touching scene with the letter addressed to Reid, but Gideon's departure always did seem abrupt as a result of Mandy Patinkin's departure also being abrupt and unexpected and leaving on bad terms, so that was inevitable in a way.

It's not a completely perfect episode. It is agreed that the melancholic music score does get over-the-top at times (not usually a problem with 'Criminal Minds'). More problematic is the unsub's reasons for his crimes, they didn't make much sense, other than that the unsub was delusional, and seemed too disconnected from one another.

However, "Nelson's Sparrow" looks wonderful, stylish, beautifully filmed and with a lot of atmosphere. The theme tune is hypnotic and haunting. The script is tense, very emotionally affecting and tightly structured, and the story throughout is engrossing with a suspenseful shoot-out between Rossi and the unsub, there may have been a feeling of vengeance but it seemed to me that that was not the reason for the scene ended as it did and not a case of turning vigilante (trying not to give it away here), he was saving his own skin and saving himself from being yet another victim of the unsub (which it would have happened that way if Rossi hadn't reacted quickly).

What made "Nelson's Sparrow" so well done and satisfying were the many little character moments, like Reid's emotionally devastating grief, Hotch retelling a story that Gideon told him about the snowstorm (which saw a rare light-hearted side to the usual sober and serious Hotch), the numerous flashbacks revealing Gideon and Rossi's younger selves, Rossi telling Reid of the BAU being nicknamed the BS unit and trying not to laugh, the ugliness of the torture that the unsub put his victims through (who cannot fail to flinch at the sound of dislocating the legs of his last victim?) and the ending reference to the Euripedes quote initially said by Gideon in "Broken Mirror" repeated by Hotch.

Great acting also all round. Joe Mantegna and Matthew Gray Gubler particularly stood out of the regulars, fitting because they were the ones affected most by the situation. Ben Savage as younger Gideon was incredible, getting even the mannerisms spot on which must not have been an easy feat. Robin Dunne shines too, while the unsub is one of the most loathsome in a long time.

In conclusion, "Nelson's Sparrow" is one of the standout episodes of Season 10, close second best after "Mr. Scratch" and compares extremely favourably with the later seasons of the show. 9/10 Bethany Cox

For me there are three characters hat hooked me on this show. Gideon, Reid, and Hotch. Gideon left a while back, but we get to reminisce in this one. That's this episode's hook. Other than that, it didn't have to be great, but that doesn't matter.

As much as I would have loved to see Mandy back for an episode, I absolutely LOVED that they cast Corey Matthews (ahem, Ben Savage) as a young Jason. Matthews and Gideon were both very quirky so I was in 90s heaven when I watched this episode! They couldn't have picked a better actor for that role

Okay now i get why dave rossi had all those wives

this episode was really really remiscent. Im glad we got to have this final moment with gideon to tie the loose things, though it was rather sad. The flashbacks were rlly cute tho the fact young gideon has been played by boy meets world is rlly funny cuz he looks so out of place for a gruesome show. Besides that it was really sweet and in another universe i would hope for a foundations of the bau show with young rossi and young gideon running around crazy and randomly creating terms. The signature was so adorbsies. The lore behind the unsub wasnt as nuanced as theybe been in the past but the lore was so good it gets a 9 star. Rossi was fine as hell damn.

By now, I'm sure everybody knows how unhappy Mandy Patinkin was while being on Criminal Minds...But lets face it...He was still awesome when he played Jason Gideon...And I am very happy that the show creators brought back the character for this episode...

Ben Savage's performance was uncanny as young Gideon...He captured everything that was essential about the character...Everything from his expressions to his passion...The only reason I gave this episode an 8 out of 10 is because they didn't show him enough...

I really hope they make more episodes featuring Ben Savage...I would love to see the young duo of Gideon and Rossi again...My hope is that the next story takes place in Baltimore...This way they can bring back another iconic TV detective...

That being Detective Munch...That character has made appearances on many other shows on different networks including The X-Files...So him popping up on Criminal Minds would be true to form...

Imagine Richard Belzar reprising his character and then the episode goes into a flashback with Zack Braff playing the younger version of that character to team up with Gideon and Rossi...

That would be truly awesome...And that's all there is too it...