Paget Brewster's character Emily Prentiss has not been embraced yet by the majority of Criminal Minds's fans. Since she has only been viewed in two episodes it is probably premature to dislike her already but I spent a few minutes yesterday night cruising some of the fan websites and it seems like the prevailing opinion on this character is not positive. I too must admit that so far I am not impressed. I was not a big Elle Greenaway (Lola Glaudini) fan and I do not think that is the reason behind my having a hard time accepting this new character. I think it may have to do more with the way Emily was thrust into the BAU without the endorsement of Jason Gideon (Mandy Patinkin) or Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) or her constant use of the word sir. Does anyone have any thoughts?
I still thing this woman has the oddest nose I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteI dunno ... I almost like the way they're handling this. I mean, it *would* be uncomfortable, both having a new team member thrown at you and *being* that new team member. It's exactly how bureacracies handle things -- "oh, did we forget to ask you? Get over it!" I think the discomfort on all sides makes it very authentic.
ReplyDeleteThat being said ... I hope they get over it fairly soon. Jason inviting her to play chess is a hopeful sign, and probably way more significant than she realizes. Hotch will likely be the last to come around, but then he's not usually all that warm and cuddly anyhow.
I dunno ... I almost like the way they're handling this. I mean, it *would* be uncomfortable, both having a new team member thrown at you and *being* that new team member. It's exactly how bureacracies handle things -- "oh, did we forget to ask you? Get over it!" I think the discomfort on all sides makes it very authentic.
ReplyDeleteThat being said ... I hope they get over it fairly soon. Jason inviting her to play chess is a hopeful sign, and probably way more significant than she realizes. Hotch will likely be the last to come around, but then he's not usually all that warm and cuddly anyhow.
Lin & Kate: I agree with you both. :)
ReplyDeleteeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
ReplyDeleteI also think the discomfort works; she not only has to earn the trust and respect of Hotch, Gideon, and the rest of the team, she has to earn the trust and respect of the audience. I just hope the audience is willing to give Paget/Emily the chance and doesn't just shut her out. It also makes sense that she'd use "sir" alot; she doesn't know Hotch and Gideon as well as the rest of the team so she wouldn't feel comfortable addressing them by their names yet. Another sign of acceptance would be them saying, "You don't have to call me sir. Gideon is fine."
ReplyDeleteI have to say I really liked the scene with Prentis and Hotch in the episode week before last. I thought Paget played it really well, looking Hotch in the eye when she said politics made people "paranoid" but then averting her gaze as her criticism of politics seemed to touch a more personal nerve. She also had the "I'm really pissed but I can't go off on my boss" restraint to her delivery.
This woman surprices me...I was looking for a pic of her to put on a banner with the cast and didn't find not one where she is not smiling!
ReplyDeleteMy jury's out on Prentis, too. I agree w. the opinions that the discomfort issue seems genuine, as well as Prentis' feeling like an outsider. I think she's also a somewhat odd person (very intense, extremely smart but little empathy, maybe a chip on her shoulder re her politico parents...) who may have trouble integrating. (Reid is different but sweet and easy to like.) But she may be okay. Just don't know yet.
ReplyDeleteCan't get past her nose. I might find it charming if I liked this actress, but I don't.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting very attached to my dislike of Prentiss. I liked Elle at first, until "Derailed". Then I only started to like her when I knew we were losing her. She wan't bad - but I don't think the writers every really knew what to do with her.
ReplyDeleteI hope they've got a clearer idea with Prentiss. They certainly spent more time on her backstory than they aparently did on Elle's. Maybe that's a good sign.
The "sir" needs to be dropped, soon. It's okay for a little bit but it starting already to sound - to me, anyway - sullen and insubordinate.
I'm not putting her on my capsite banner any time soon *g*.
I like her, but it was a bit akward at first.
ReplyDeleteJemma #67
She had a very difficult start, joining the team like this, but I like her.
ReplyDeleteI think I have to check how long she used "sir" that often...
Sabine #67
I tend to dislike when fans just outright dismiss a character. I will admit that I was kind of skeptical at first, but I know better than to judge a character from my first impression because, sure enough, this one's grown on me.
ReplyDeletejacqui #73