‘Criminal Minds’ season 10, episode 21 review: Matthew Gray Gubler, Mr Scratch and shadows
Remember your creepiest childhood memory? Monsters in the closet. noises that go bump in the night, and shadows with claws for hands are the theme for tonight’s “Criminal Minds” episode. What happens when the boogeyman is you?
A man named Mr. Scratch has figured out how to give innocent people a psychotic break and make them think that a shadowy figure with claws is attacking them and murdering their loved ones when in fact it was actually themselves killing their own families.
The victims smelled sage before seeing a shadowy boogeyman attack their families, but really they were being drugged and it was causing them to act out. All of the killers have similar stories as to what they saw and what happened and after learning that all of them were adopted the team realizes that there is a connection between the unsubs.
Things get really frightening when Hotch finds himself facing the killer and is sprayed with a drug so that he can figure out what scares Hotch… and he learns that the idea of his team showing up and dying because of him is what terrifies him. When his team actually shows up, Mr. Scratch suggests to him that the people coming in the front door will be him and that he needs to shoot them, but Hotch was playing him the whole time and shoots at Mr. Scratch instead. He misses, but the team is able to apprehend Mr Scratch.
This was a great story and not one that we typically see on a crime show. “Criminal Minds” star Matthew Gray Gubler directed tonight’s episode and we have to say he did a great job raising the bar when it comes creeping us out. We are fairly sure we are going to have terrifying nightmares tonight thanks to this episode so well done Gubler! Episode grade: B+
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Ms Scratch
April 28, 2015 @ 1:12 pm
Great episode, to me, the creepiest and scariest Criminal Minds has ever done. However, [SPOILER ALERT} why would Hotch go to this house alone and with no protection, say a gas mask??? Knowning what they know about the unsub’s MO. I guess characters have to do stupid uncharacter like things in order to have this story.
I’m disappointed with this “review” because there was no review just a basic recap and an “overall good episode” type critique. I’ll have to look elswhere for a real review. Consider labeling it a recap so people who are looking for a review don’t waste their time.
mary
April 24, 2015 @ 5:50 am
This episode was simply outstanding. Thomas Gibson’s performance was amazing, MGG’s direction was off-the-scale crazy good and the story was complex and thought provoking leaving the viewer with questions to think about. Criminal Minds back on its top game and I am amazed that some people didn’t seem to like it. I guess if you like a more generic cops-with-guns and crime-by-numbers show then Mr Scratch was not for you. For me, this was TV viewing gold – I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. A+++. Kudos to Mr Gubler.
Sam Smith
April 23, 2015 @ 2:51 pm
I really don’t get it. I don’t like the episodes MGG directs. My least fav. especially this one since the ending didn’t make much sense to me. If Hotch was emotionally damaged, he shouldn’t be running a team at the BAU. This for me leaves me wondering if this is an out for Gibson. Since no one has contracts for season 11, this would be his out. His credibility in his position at the BAU, for me, is not credible anymore. So sorry to see season 10 circle the drain for me. I’ve been a fan for 9 seasons. Season 10 is definately losing me and alot of other fans from anothere board I’ve read. They need to go back to their original formula. And fast!!
Commenter
April 24, 2015 @ 2:28 am
Sorry you feel that way, but most people watch Criminal Minds for its scary but genius element. MGG brought that out x10 tonight. Although, Hotch will be affected by this event, it’s how he deal with it that will show whether or not he is a ‘credible’ leader
Karen
April 23, 2015 @ 1:29 pm
Had to find a mindless, non-scary show to watch afterwards because it scared the sh** out of me! But I wonder if Hotch will have residual effects in future episodes. Thought they may have left the door open for a continuation of this storyline!
Michael Astorga
April 23, 2015 @ 5:26 am
Huh, wha happen?
emily
April 23, 2015 @ 5:13 am
HOLY SHEET…That was a creepy & fahreaky episode…thanks Mr. Gubler, I am seriously so scared to sleep tonight! Hello…single mom here! Definitely sleeping with lights on!
Sherry
April 23, 2015 @ 4:54 am
Hellava job Gube! Another feather in your directorial cap!
Dan
April 23, 2015 @ 4:27 am
Crazy good! It was a mind f*ck. Next 3 episode’s are going to be great!
tracy
April 23, 2015 @ 3:24 am
What in the hell happened at the end, did he just want to get into hotchs mind for future use? That episode scared the hell out of me, I thought they were dead. Wow, I myself have watched every episode religiously & it just gets better & better. A+ on my scale.
John Vogel
April 23, 2015 @ 3:12 am
I give this episode an A+. This was probably the most amazing episode of Criminal Minds to date, and I have seen every episode. I mean, this was truly scary at a very fundamental psychological level. This is an episode that really messed with my mind… and the ending.. was pure genious!