Although the concept of "Stray's" story is a familiar one, with it being used quite a few times before and especially since to variable effect, it when done right is very suspenseful and creepy. Though there have been times, such as the 'Criminal Minds' episode "The Thirteenth Step" where it has neither and is done amateurishly. The previous episode "Pravda" saw Goren starting to primarily work with a detective other than Eames in Bishop and will admit to not being totally enamored by the pairing and wanted to see whether it improves here.
For me, it doesn't really, for the same reasons as before, and generally never did quite do it for me. Didn't hate it, just felt indifferent to it. "Stray" as an episode overall though was very good and helped by that the case is a strong one and that the killers are interesting, even if even more could have been done with both. Not one of the best depictions of two people on a killing spree, but a long way from, nowhere near close to being even, being one of the worst.
The production values may not be the definition of lavish but they fit the mood of the episode and show more than ideally, with the photography being especially slick. The music avoids being too loud even when under-scoring in the revelation parts. It is directed with the right amount of crispness but also sympathetic edge. The acting is very good, especially from of course Vincent D'Onofrio and the unsettling performances from the killers.
"Stray" benefits from an intelligent script, with a few amusing parts and some ever clever perceptions from Goren. The story is mostly involving, with a case that has suspense, unsettles in a non-gratuitous way, has two interesting killers and an ending that's memorable. The state of mind and how the mind works for the male killer was fascinating and refreshing.
By all means "Stray" isn't perfect. The chemistry between Goren and Bishop doesn't have anywhere near the same amount of spark or gel as much as Goren with Eames (theirs will always be my personal favourite of the 'Criminal Intent' lead partnerships). Although Samantha Buck performance-wise doesn't fare too badly, Bishop is a somewhat bland character in my opinion.
A little more could have been done with the whole dynamic between the killers, especially with who dominated who and it would have fared even better if the female killer's back-story went into more detail.
Concluding, very well done. 8/10
For me, it doesn't really, for the same reasons as before, and generally never did quite do it for me. Didn't hate it, just felt indifferent to it. "Stray" as an episode overall though was very good and helped by that the case is a strong one and that the killers are interesting, even if even more could have been done with both. Not one of the best depictions of two people on a killing spree, but a long way from, nowhere near close to being even, being one of the worst.
The production values may not be the definition of lavish but they fit the mood of the episode and show more than ideally, with the photography being especially slick. The music avoids being too loud even when under-scoring in the revelation parts. It is directed with the right amount of crispness but also sympathetic edge. The acting is very good, especially from of course Vincent D'Onofrio and the unsettling performances from the killers.
"Stray" benefits from an intelligent script, with a few amusing parts and some ever clever perceptions from Goren. The story is mostly involving, with a case that has suspense, unsettles in a non-gratuitous way, has two interesting killers and an ending that's memorable. The state of mind and how the mind works for the male killer was fascinating and refreshing.
By all means "Stray" isn't perfect. The chemistry between Goren and Bishop doesn't have anywhere near the same amount of spark or gel as much as Goren with Eames (theirs will always be my personal favourite of the 'Criminal Intent' lead partnerships). Although Samantha Buck performance-wise doesn't fare too badly, Bishop is a somewhat bland character in my opinion.
A little more could have been done with the whole dynamic between the killers, especially with who dominated who and it would have fared even better if the female killer's back-story went into more detail.
Concluding, very well done. 8/10
