Mindhunteris often considered to be one of thegreatest TV detective shows of all time. The show stood out for covering the birth of criminal psychology in the 1970s rather than solving a crime each episode. The skeptical FBI culture represented in the show madeMindhuntermore similar to detective shows likeThe X-Filesthan modern crime dramas at times.
Mindhunterfeatured some terrifying serial killers, but the show had very few jump scares and gory action scenes. Instead,Mindhunterlet the killers describe their own crimes, occasionally showing crime scene photos. This was an unusual approach for a crime show to take, but resulted in some horrifying scenes, makingMindhunteravery disturbing TV drama.
19Season 1, Episode 1
After A Hostage Situation Goes Wrong, Holden Ford Looks For A New Career Path
The first episode ofMindhunterwas shocking, and rather than showing Holden’s brilliance at hostage negotiation, it examined a failed mission. Many detective shows involve a failure for their main characters, but there is usually a personal connection for them. For Holden, this was a way forMindhunterto show that he understood the psychology behind the situation.
WhileMindhunteris one of the rarecrime dramas with no bad episodes, the first episode was the lowest rated on IMDb, with a 7.9 score. This is likely because there was a significant amount of plot that needed to be set up. Holden is not an instantly likable character, so it would also take time for the series to make him sympathetic.
18Season 1, Episode 6
The Profiling Team Starts To Run Into Difficulties
The only otherMindhunterepisode to get a score under 8.1 on IMDb was episode 6 in season 1, and this is likely to be because it was a departure from the criminal cases. Much of the tension came from awkward dinner table conversations for the main characters, who were all in strained relationships and weren’t as interesting as the serial killers.
17Season 1, Episode 7
Ford And Tench Interview A Grotesque Predator
Jerry Brudos' echoing laugh sets the tone for this episode, which is undoubtedly one of the most disturbing inMindhunter. That said, Brudos is one of the most frustrating characters on the show, and none of the main cast makes much progress in their professional or personal lives. Brudos' denial and Holden’s later discomfort are both extremely uncomfortable to watch.
16Season 2, Episode 8
Bill Tench Struggles To Connect With His Son
Mindhunter’s best episodes are when the characters make a breakthrough, as the science was so experimental for the time period, despite being central in modern detective shows. The main characters spend most of this episode struggling, from the red tape holding Holden back to Bill’s struggles to connect with Brian. While Brian’s story was disturbing, it did not get the attention that it should have here.
15Season 1, Episode 4
The Team Are Assigned To A Disturbing Murder Case
Mindhunteris a crime drama masterpiecedue to how different it is from other crime shows. However, this episode feels more like many of its gritty contemporaries than it usually does. The string of suspects and interrogations feels familiar here. However, the episode leans into some of the funny moments, ending on a high note that hints at more to come
14Season 2, Episode E6
The BSU Is Sent To Atlanta
Mindhunter’s Atlanta storyline is one of the most heartbreaking in the show, and it is difficult to watch at times. One of the major issues that held the Atlanta Child Murders case back was extreme racism, and the scene in which a judge tells Tench he wishes he could incarcerate a child on the spot is well-acted but painfully real.
13Season 2, Episode 1
After His Medical Episode, Holden Finds Himself Under Surveillance
Season 2 ofMindhunteropened with a disturbing and unexplained sequence, continuing the show’s tone. The episode throws several new issues into the mix, which feels chaotic at times, but it is an excellent character study. Holden’s struggle with his mental health illustrates a new side to him, while the team’s new dynamic shows how much they have come to respect each other.
12Season 1, Episode 3
Wendy Carr Joins Bill Tench And Holden Ford As Part Of The Team
The strained relationship between Bill Tench and Holden Ford means that they will never be one ofTV’s best detective duos. However, this is the first time that they have worked seamlessly together and gotten results. The scene in which they question Dwight about his mommy issues, leading him to open up, is one of the best moments of teamwork in the show.
11Season 2, Episode 7
Holden Risks His Reputation And Progress To Try And Lure A Killer Out Of Hiding
Mindhuntercould be hilarious at times, reflecting the way that many people with jobs in murder investigation can take on a dark sense of humor. The Atlanta murder plot is harrowing, but the scene in which Holden sprints past a funeral procession with a crucifix is both tense and ridiculous without being disrespectful to the overarching situation.
Mindhunterwas canceled due to budgetary reasons, which included the use of period-accurate accessories. This episode included tools and brands that would have been used in that time period, and it is impossible to imagineMindhunterbeing as successful without this attention to detail. The 1970s outfits, filming style, and sepia tones defined the look of the show.
10Season 2, Episode 3
Holden Sees The Human Cost Of The Atlanta Murders
While the actors playing serial killers have often drawn the most attention, some of the best acting inMindhuntercomes from the actors playing the parents of Atlanta’s murdered children. Holden’s meeting with these parents is devastating, and the scene stays with you after the episode ends, and the raw emotion even overshadows Bill’s horrendous discovery about his son.
