Season 3 had its bumpy moments, especially starting in difficult circumstances with the abrupt departure of both Gideon and actor Mandy Patinkin, but much of it was a very solid season and did surprisingly well with its difficult circumstances (even if not perfect).
Even its weakest episode, "Identity", was still decent if slightly bland and forgettable, and lesser Season 3 episodes like "3rd Life", "Limelight", "About Face", "Scared to Death" and "Birthright" were not bad at all. It was however great (some more than that) episodes such as "Elephant's Memory", "Tabula Rasa", "Lucky", "Lo-Fi", "Seven Seconds", "Penelope", "Children of the Dark" and "True Night" that helped it make it a solid season.
"A Higher Power" is towards the weaker end of the season, due to other episodes having more tension, creepier cases, more interesting unsubs and more emotional intensity, but still has many great merits. Considering the great build up of its great concept, couldn't help feeling let down by the unsub being revealed much too soon (which did diminish the suspense levels a little). And that the unsub was a competent but unremarkable one lacking in creepiness or much to make him unforgettably interesting (played just as much by Scott Michael Campbell). Pacing occasionally could have tightened up.
However, visually the production values are without complaint. It's very well shot and lit and is overall stylish, gritty, classy and atmospheric. The music is moody in the haunting and melancholic sense and fits well, without either enhancing or distracting from it. The direction keeps the momentum going but lets the case breathe, and all of the pacing is spot-on.
The script is thought-provoking, well-balanced and solid on the whole, if occasionally pedestrian and predictable. The story does well with its great concept, the tension and suspense could have been more consistent and with a few more twists (what there were especially with the notes were pretty ingenious) and a later unsub revelation, but it it's hardly devoid of either of those things and is entertaining and affectingly sad. The ending is the most emotional and tautly suspenseful "A Higher Power" got for me, some were underwhelmed by it but to me it was one of the more satisfying scenes.
Loved the team character moments and interaction as usual. Reid is on fire, Garcia is a ray of sunshine, mellow and witty, Rossi is settling in nicely and one does feel sorry for Hotch. The acting is solid as to be expected.
In conclusion, good if lacking a few ingredients to make it special. 7/10 Bethany Cox
