Criminal Minds Review: Chameleon (Season 14 Episode 13)
On Criminal Minds Season 14 Episode 13, “Chameleon,” a Rossi-focused episode may be the introduction to one the last villain arcs of the series.
Maybe you should just tell me when to leave something to the imagination.
This is how Rossi responds to Krystall’s reaction to yet another unsub’s “quirk” of the week. Well, Rossi, we’ve been posting and tweeting about what we don’t need to see on screen for years, and the show hasn’t listened yet.
Just in case you don’t want to watch the episode to find out: that “quirk” is cutting off women’s faces. And yes, we do see said faces. Lots of them, in fact. I rest my case.
Oh well. At least they don’t get that much screen time. Through a flashback format, this episode focuses on Rossi’s role in the investigation, and it’s an approach that pays off.
There’s a slow burn in the first minutes of the episode before we learn just what happens to Rossi. I’m almost expecting something worse. I mean, nearly being strangled is terrible, of course, but every member of the BAU, Rossi included, has nearly died about twenty times by now, so…
Regardless, he and Krystall still make it work. The unsub is genuinely terrifying even before he leaves human faces casually tossed around a house. His skill in adapting to new looks and personas really does make him a chameleon.
For this most part, this is a very strong episode. Rossi and Krystall’s scenes make the case more about emotion than shock value, at least until we get to the plot twist. Too often, these priorities are reversed.
One part that’s no so strong? Everett’s mother, a conwoman herself, and her ridiculously over-the-top attempts to seduce Luke and Matt. Opening a few buttons in your orange jumpsuit? Really?
That twist is another thing. Seeing a victim turn out to be Everett’s supposedly dead daughter now working with him is truly shocking, but it stretches belief just a touch too much in what we see on screen.
I do appreciate the payback as Rossi sees Grace in prison, her father now one of few to escape the BAU’s pursuit. Character-focused episodes are generally one-shots (the half season Reid spent in prison aside,) but there’s reason to believe this is only the start of something.
First, the last conversation and the escape itself all but tell us as much. On top of that, we’re quickly approaching the end of both this season and this show. An arc like this could carry us through to a climax that culminates the series.
Some additional props: first, to AJ Cook, for rocking out the first episode she’s directed. With the show set to end in a shortened next season, there may not be many more chances, but I hope she’s given at least one.
Second, of course, to the costume and makeup departments. Everett is believable in all his roles in large part to their work. Again, we almost buy it even when we know exactly who he is. It’s what makes him all the more terrifying.
What did you think of this episode of Criminal Minds? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Criminal Minds airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on CBS.
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Caitlin Wyneken
Caitlin is an elder millennial with an only slightly unhealthy dedication to a random selection of TV shows, from PBS Masterpiece dramas to some of the less popular series on popular networks. Outside of screen time, she's dedicated to the public sector and worthy nonprofits, working to make a difference in the world outside of media.
One thought on “Criminal Minds Review: Chameleon (Season 14 Episode 13)”
Sorry, but I just missed something. Please explain what happened in Little Rock with Grace. I thought she was the daughter of the woman who proposed to the killer, and that the two women were mother and daughter living in their own home. Or were they in the killer’s home. Just don’t understand the relationship between the two women.
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