Wednesday, September 19, 2007

CRIMINAL MINDS: SPOILER PAGE FOR "THE EVILUTION OF FRANK"


Criminal Minds: Spoiler Thread for Criminal Minds "The Evilution of Frank" starring Mandy Patinkin, Thomas Gibson, Shemar Moore, Paget Brewster, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness and Matthew Gray Gubler. :)

** This is the original spoiler page from the first airing of the episode. Please add whatever new thoughts or comments you have now.****

145 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just a few more hours of anticipation. I am really looking forward to this episode.

Anonymous said...

Frank and Annie (is that her name?) look like they're doing the boogie-woogie while waiting for Clinton and Stacy to whisk them off to New York to be on TLC's What Not to Wear (Serial Killer Special)!

Uh, I'm pretty sure that's not a spoiler....

Elizabeth said...

being as they are at a station, is Morgan tackling a train too much to hope for????

nebula

Anonymous said...

Jan its Jane and LOL at your comment! Can't wait!!!

Lee :)

Anonymous said...

The phones are turned off. The husband is out bowling. The tape is in the vcr. It is almost CM magic time. I am ready!

Anonymous said...

The opening scene is OMG. Hotch scared they are going to break up the unit. Hotch refering to Reid's problems and then Gideon getting the call from Frank. OMG. OMG.

Anonymous said...

Well they acknowledged that Reid HAD a problem but they did not say what it was.

Bunnyofdoom/Threepwood said...

I think the most shocking thing about this ep so far has got to be Garcia's hair change. WHY IS IT BLACK?

I am on the hunt for Frank and Gideon. (My forum name is Threepwood)

Anonymous said...

Gideon turning to Hotch for help and Hotch putting his job on the line to help him. LOVE IT.

Anonymous said...

I am on the hunt for Frank too. I forgot to put it in my post.

Anonymous said...

More guilt for Gideon to deal with. This is so freakin awesome. I hate commercials. I am on the hunt.

Anonymous said...

Garcia working with Gideon is wonderful. I am so blown away so far with the episode. I can't believe Frank is killing the survivors.

Anonymous said...

Kirsten deserves an Emmy for her performance tonight. I love her working with Gideon. This episode is killing me. I want to scream everytime a commercial comes on.

Eliza said...

you know I have got to stop spoiling myself, but I can't. I am in the pacific time zone, but I have to see what you guys are saying. Oh you tv how you tempt thee.

Anonymous said...

I'm not even reading other comments yet so I am unbiased. This episode was AWFUL. The only good things about it were breathlss Reid and teh beginnig and at the end where Reid caught the ball and got excited. Am I saying this because I love MGG, no way, this episode was just poorly written, poorly developed and what a terrible cop out at the end with Prentiss. Dumb.

I am on the hunt.

Lee :(

Anonymous said...

The episode just ended over where I'm at.

Absolutely stellar. Honestly, I can't believe how fantastic this episode was. Probably my third favourite, after The Big Game and Revelations.

Just...fantastic. All over fantabulishness. Really stellar.

AJCookRocks said...

OMG!!!
Prentiss better not help that witch! what is her deal anyway?
JJ was awsome today.."No Matter what happens. we don't split this time." Loved it!!She is very Mother-like. I love that!

Anonymous said...

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG *hyperventalates into my trusty paper bag i reserve especially for criminal minds*
WOW! what a preformance by The whole cast! HOTCH!!!!!!! NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO His supervisor is a stupid SOB!!!!!! using prentiss like that!!!!!!! GGGGRRRR yet another cliffie... This episode was genious...I NEVER EXPECTED WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END!!! OMG!!!!

JJ: Reid no matter what happens, we don't split up, are we clear?

Reid: crystal clear!

gotta love the reid and JJ :) I hope an unsub kills that SOB superior!!!!! she is whacked!!!! I can't wait to see how the team overcomes this hurdle....this episode is definatley on my list of favorites! :) can't wait till season 3:)

Anonymous said...

Shewon'tdoit
Shewon'tdoit
Shewon'tdoit
Shewon'tdoit
Shewon'tdoit
Shewon'tdoit
Shewon'tdoit
Shewon'tdoit

PLEASE say she won't do it :( I love Prentiss far too much to see her destroyed utterly.

I am totally on the hunt for Frank and Gideon. BUT I'M ALSO ON THE HUNT FOR SAVING PRENTISS' ASS!

Anonymous said...

Wow. This episode was like a second season recap spectacular. Poor Jane. Of all his victims, Frank did the most damage to her.

There's trouble brewing in the BAU! Loved Hotch telling off Karen Hayes from 24. Why does she want to end Hotch's career so badly? I'm worried about how this will play out in the next season, since a lot of crime shows have tried to do this kind of arc and have failed miserably, but I have faith in the writers of this amazing show.

I am on the hunt for Frank and Gideon.

Anonymous said...

This WAS THE BEST EPISODE EVER!!!!!!!!!!! AWESOME!! GOOD JOB!

Anonymous said...

I am on the hunt for Frank

and

I am on the hunt for the witch who wants to fire Hotch and if Prentiss helps her then you better believe I am on the hunt for her.

AWESOME FINALE!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Freakin genius writing. I want to kiss the production company on the lips and then buy the ice cream. The scene with Garcia and Gideon was incredible. Reid was back and JJ remarking about not separating was kick it. Great episode. Well written and the actors have never done this great a job. CM kicked it up a notch tonight.

I am on the hunt for Frank!

Anonymous said...

Holy Crapskies! NOT the cliff hanger I was expecting as I'm not sure I want to hunt the little squished pieces of Frank all over Union Station. I knew Hotch was going to be the one to take it on the chin for the BAU.
Loved the changes in Crazy Jane - she's much more lucid, but ultimately still under Frank's spell. Loved the scene with JJ and Reid, and JJ's comment about how, no matter what happens, they won't be splitting up!
I'm on the hunt for Frank and Gideon!

Bunnyofdoom/Threepwood said...

I thought the acting in this one was very well done, and everytime I saw
Frank I got shivers up and down my spine.

angelninjagirl said...

Wow! That had to be one of the best put together episodes, particularly of this season. I think one of my favorite parts was when JJ told Reid that not matter what they don't split up this time. Good reference to Tobias.

I gotta say though that my initial instinct when Emily was introduced was not to trust her and then I ended up trusting her anyway! Now I don't know what to think...I really hope she doesn't do it and they find someway around that.

Oh well, can't WAIT until season three!!! At least we have reruns, right?

I am on the hunt for Frank and Gideon.

Anonymous said...

Great episode. Bernero wrote an incredible story and the cast was brilliant tonight. The loyalty and trust between Gideon and Hotch and Reid being reminded to stay with JJ. Garcia was too incredible for words working with Gideon and you knew she just wanted to hug him and comfort him. Great. A+++++++

Anonymous said...

I am on the hunt for Frank.


I loved this episode and it just might be my second fav after L.D.S.K.

No way Prentiss turns on Hotchner. No way.

Anonymous said...

I CAN NOT BELIEVE THEY ENDED IT LIKE THAT! I was just starting to like Emily again (I started hating her when her and Reid started fighting). And now this! *screams uncontrollably* Franks dead right? But poor Jane! I liked her.

I totally loved the J.J./ Reid scene...

J.J. "No matter what happends, we're staying together, clear?"

Reid "Crystal Clear!"

LOVE REID!!! I loved the part when Hotch was talking about the team and they were playing catch and Reid caught the ball. The look on his face was priceless. Then Emily knocked the ball out of his hand. Then that look on his face was priceless too. LOL!

I really don't want Emily to do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

What a way to end a season! Perfect writing, great guest stars and our cast nailed it tight. I am thrilled with this episode. It could not have been better but if Prentiss turns on Hotch I will be throwing her under a train.

I am hunting for Frank.

Anonymous said...

The refer to the Reid problem but notice they never said drugs. I think that we are never going to be told what the problem was and frankly at this point I am over it. The episode tonight was very good. No way she sells out Hotchner.

Anonymous said...

Gideon buying the flowers and Hotch trying to figure out if it was a date. That was really cute. I liked the episode. I liked how they worked as a team. All of them using their skills. Morgan trancing into what would have happened when Sarah heard the door knock thinking it was Gideon. The whole thing was great. Mr. Bernero did a great job.

Anonymous said...

You killed Rebecca, Frank. I'll never forgive you. Never, ever ever ever ever EVER.

She was cleaning up! SHE SURVIVED EVERYTHING ELSE AND THEN YOU COME ALONG WITH THAT DART! NYAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!

I loathe Frank. SOLELY because of Rebecca Bryant's death.

Anonymous said...

I liked this ep a lot. Seeing all the flashbacks was great. Very well written and well acted. I loved the way everybody pulled together, and Garcia and Gideon were priceless. (And yay! on going back to the Smithsonian!)

I loved loved loved Garcia talking to herself in the dark parking lot. Kirsten totally sold it!

They really got a handle on the gore this time -- a little implication is a lot scarier than gallons of stage blood.

Frank and Jane both rocked. Gideon was exceptional. But Hotch was just so solid, and I think showed why he's in charge of this team. Very good. Very good indeed.

They also managed to endanger a child without making me change the channel -- very well handled.

That said -- the symbolism in the "predator" room was overdone in a big way. Like, yeah, I got it in the first ten camera shots, thanks.

And the Prentiss betrayal loop makes me only slightly less queasy than the Reid on drugs loop. What happened to "we're not going to be a serial series" pledge? A sub-plot that drags out for weeks and weeks is not what I came for. There's a *reason* this show beat out "Lost", okay? (Well, there are several, but the point is ... ) We'll come back every week, we promise! More better cases and less interpersonal bleegh, okay? And poor Prentiss, we were just starting to really warm up to her. This is unfair to everyone involved.

(That said -- we do know there's another BAU team, and I'd love to meet them some time.)

Oh, and I've finally managed to clarify in my mind why the Reid/drugs thing bugs me so much. It would be okay if it was just a distasteful story line. Like, if we found out JJ was developing a drinking problem, or Hotch's marriage was falling apart more, or whatever, that would be consistent with what we already know of the characters -- or at least not *inconsistent* with what we know. In the realm of possibility. But what we know about Reid is, he's *already* afraid of what's going on in his head, and he's *already* afraid that he'll become mentally ill like his mother, and he certainly knows that the types of drugs he could be using would accelerate or cause those problems -- so it makes no sense at all, within what we know of the character, for him to continue to use drugs. So, okay, tell me Gideon's using, I don't honestly know enough about his character to say "No way!" But Reid? The *last* thing Reid would do is use something that will give him *less* control over his own mind. So make him addicted to internet porn or obsessed with collecting rare Cracker Jack toys, that I'll buy because there's no canon directly in conflict with those. But the drugs offends me because it is simply too inconsistent with the Reid we've already been given. (And there ends Lin's sermon on Character Consistency.)

Ah, it's going to be a long and boring summer. *sigh*

Anonymous said...

The little girl telling Gideon to save her almost brought me to tears. I loved this episode. We have the best writers in the world. They are going to have a hell of a time beating this season.

I am on the hunt for Frank.

Anonymous said...

I loooooooved it, and I may not survive the wait for Season 3!

I'm about the hundredth person to mention this, I'm sure, but I loved Reid and JJ's moment there, with the promising to stick together no matter what. I've missed the idea of them as a little unit, and it's nice to see they're getting back to normal, at least in that sense.

Loved that JJ was not only there when they went into that house, but she was first through the door. Surprising, but awesome. Love to see her taking charge. And taking care of little Tracy, too.

And I love Hotch. I love his attitude. I love that he could read that woman and he didn't back down.

And I still love Prentiss. Who knows what she'll do next, but I'm so glad she's a part of the show, and I can't wait to see what happens.

*heavy sigh*

Is it fall yet? :(

Anonymous said...

There was not one wasted moment in this whole episode. Not one. Is it just me or did our cast out due themselves tonight. And thank you God for giving Garcia a real role tonight. She was great with Gideon. They have come a long way together.

I am hunting Frank.

Anonymous said...

Last things first. The evidence: In Revelations, Prentiss was “good a compartmentalization”. In Fear and Loathing Prentiss told Morgan that she did not share personal information because she did not feel she knew everyone well enough. I now take this to mean she did not want to get to know anyone, or she might get attached. Since she started to feel the team’s pain in Open Season, she might have some trouble doing what she is expected to do to keep her job….or will she?

There are a lot of questions posed in this one. The most obvious is what will happen to Hotch? This will give us a lot to talk about for quite awhile. I have questions about Gideon’s backstory. We got another glimpse, but not much. We did get some insight into his psyche. I like the bird angle. There is a huge amount of symbolism in birds.

The camera work was great. The editing was superb. I felt I was in and out of Gideon’s head. The technique was even more effective than that used in Distress.

The story was okay, but I am still soaking it in. I will see more on a re-watch.

Anonymous said...

Loved watching Hotch profile the bitch Director in the last scene. You love your son more. He was so cool and composed. He isn't going anywhere. She needs to be fired and Prentiss had damn well know her place in life.

Anonymous said...

I really agree about the camera work. It was very good. Everything was so fluid. Even the flashbacks were seamless. It is going to be a long season but does anyone really think Emily would turn on Hotchner? Could she really be that ambitious?

Anonymous said...

I can't wait til next season. Why? because can't see what this woman could have agaist hotch. I can't think of any show that would get hotch into hot water except the elle shows. oh, wait the superbowl shows. but that wasn't his fault, right. this is going to be a interesting next season to come. Good ending.

Anonymous said...

I never even thought for a moment that Jane was a mother figure to Frank and how long has his dead mother been in that room? Wouldn't the smell have reeked years ago? Poor Jane. So confused and so mentally challenged.

Anonymous said...

I was at work, very impatient to get home and watch this. I was signed off my computer and out the door, in less then a min.

It was awesome! I loved it. I couldnt believe what Frank and Jane did! And the way it ended. Here she is still trying to fit in, and she's being made to do that?! Will she do it?? Will she say no??? What will they do when they find out what she's doing?? What will Hodge do?

When's the season premiere??????

Anonymous said...

I have a question:

Where did Gideon come from that he suddenly appeared at the train station? He gave the note to Garcia to call Hotch because he would know where to meet him but he just appeared as if from thin air. Did I miss something?

The episode was excellent. Really great job by the whole cast and crew.

Anonymous said...

How does Gideon bounce back from this? The man has been riddled with guilt for two seasons? Look up the word angst and I swear you will see his picture. Mandy did a great job tonight. They all did and it was superb!

I am hunting Frank!

Anonymous said...

Hotch said to Gideon in the opening season that he was concerned about his job. Then the ending scene nailed that he does have a problem. Great episode.

Anonymous said...

Just when Prentiss was being accepted by the fans we get to worry that she is a snake for the entire season. I did like the episode. I agree that I think the reference to Reid, vague as it was, might be the last of what we hear about it. Garcia was wonderful with Gideon. She wanted so badly to help him but I think she only understood half of what he was saying. He did explain things to her. JJ was great tonight. Very good!

Anonymous said...

Of course my biggest problem is with the Hotch/Prentiss storyline and I can't wait to see how that works out next season. I think Prentiss has become attached to the team...but I could be wrong. Hotch has too much going for him to get booted. And the director has made it clear by bringing in Prentiss that she has a personal vendetta.
Favorite part: when Hotch broke down the team for the director and told her exactly who each of them are, really. It also made me grin when he started profiling her and made her pretty uncomfortable.
The Garcia/Gideon connection was awesome; a big switch from the last time they worked together (when he was on crutches and she would have paid anything to get him out of her space!). And I have to agree with everyone else: JJ telling Reid they were sticking together was awesome!
Guess now we have 2 things to wait on: season 2 on DVD and season 3 on t.v.!

Anonymous said...

I thought this was a really great episode. It turned out differently than I thought it would after reading the promo, but I really liked it.

This is crazy—I took notes! This is LONG.

It starts out with Gideon buying flowers for an old friend from college--he was being wishy washy about what to get for her and Hotch calls to tell him that there has been a Special Request for an assessment of the BAU--it is 6 months early. Hotch is worried about budget cuts and says when Gideon speculates that "what can they take, the plane" that it could be more than the plane. Gideon says "so what, I prefer the train." Hotch tells him that this has been a bad year for the BAU what with Morgan's problem in Chicago, Elle's killing of a suspect, and Reid's problem. He says the only file they didn't request was His (Hotch's file). During this time, Gideon is still trying to pick out flowers and Hotch is teasing him about having a date, and Gideon not telling him he dad a date!

While Gideon is talking to Hotch, he see's Jane and is freaked out. His phone rings and the caller ID says "Sarah" (Gideon’s friend—not the lady from the cabin in FK1) but when he answers the phone it is Frank who asks him what his fascination is with birds—the pictures, the books. Frank says that birders are obsessive. Frank then tells him that Jane came to DC to find Gideon and Frank wants her back.

Gideon runs and drops the flowers that he bought.

Cut to Hotch talking with who I am calling the Blonde Bitch. He tells her that she hasn’t seen what he has seen. She asks him what happened on Friday. Hotch tells her that he got a call at 7:15 p.m. calling the BAU to 181 Arthur Street – Gideon’s apartment . . .

Cut to the BAU team minus Gideon at Gideon’s apartment. The camera pans the apartment—pictures of birds, trains, a table set for dinner, with the candles lit and wine poured. They said the body was eviscerated on Gideon’s bed. Six witnesses saw Gideon running down the street, covered in blood, with a gun in his hand. Gideon is a suspect! The BAU can’t work on the crime, so Hotch has JJ take pictures with her cell phone and e-mail them to Garcia, who is coming into the BAU from a date and she is wearing a brunette, pageboy-style wig! One of the pictures JJ sends Garcia is part of a page with the numbers 1-8 listed (this is important later). The team views the body and notes that the lower right rib bone has been cut out and they open her left hand and the rib bone is there. The team wonders what Frank is up to. Morgan notes that Sarah must have let Frank in because there are no signs of a break in and no defensive injuries. He notes that the table is set, candles lit, and wine poured. Hotch remarks that there are many interpretations of the scene and anyone of them can implement Gideon.

Gideon calls Hotch and says he saw Frank walking down the street and dropping something in the trash but he couldn’t get a shot at him because the street was too crowded. Gideon said that if he hadn’t been late, Sarah would still be alive. He tells Hotch that he saw Jane when he was buying flowers. Hotch tells him that the team will find Frank, Gideon needs to find out why Frank did this. Gideon says he needs his files and Hotch tells him he will have Garcia bring them to him, and that he should find a quiet, safe place to work.

Outside, Hotch tells the team what Gideon told him. Then a kid on a skateboard rides up and says “Agent Morgan? Beauty covers a multitude of sins, but underneath the skin, we all look alike. Give me Jane or I will kill them all.”

Cut to Garcia (blonde again) sitting in a parking lot in Esther. She is nervously talking to herself about sitting all by herself when a crazy killer is on the loose when Gideon jumps in her car and scares her half to death. Gideon tells her to drive, and when she asks where to, he says “just drive.”

Gideon and Garcia end up at the Smithsonian with the same guy from The Big Game. He expresses his condolences to Gideon and Garcia thanks him and Gideon says they need to understand the evolution of Frank—what created him.

Back at the BAU, they notice that one of the pictures is from Gideon’s black leather book. The first page is torn out, but part of it still remains—the numbers 1-8 in Gideon’s handwriting. Hotch says this is Gideon’s murder book and the numbers 1-8 are the list of people they have saved. A collage of faces pops up on the screen and I noticed little Fanning and Rebecca from FK2.

Cut to Rebecca’s apartment. She is pouring someone a cup of coffee and asking if they really want 5 sugars in it. It is Frank impersonating Gideon. He asks Rebecca what happened to her; grabs her arm and says he has never felt fear, that he is incapable of feeling fear. Rebecca is confused. The phone rings (Frank says “saved by the bell”) and it is JJ telling her to get out of her apartment, Hotch says just to hang up the phone and leave. Too late, Frank picks up the phone and says that Rebecca’s name should be moved to a new list. When the BAU gets to Rebecca’s apartment, she is dead on her bed with a note from Frank in her hand that says “Union Station 7 a.m.” Reid says that all but 1 of the 8 on the list is accounted for. Hotch gets a call and tells the team that Jane is in custody with Metro Police—she was ranting that she had to talk to the BAU. The team realizes that Frank is going after the children. Prentiss and Reid go get Jane and she tells them that she asked for Gideon—they tell her they are bringing her to him and she says that Gideon was right, Frank can’t feel love. He wants to but he can’t. She says that he is coming for her. Reid says that he is already here.

Back at the BAU, the team finds out that Tracy Bell (little Fanning) and her family moved to McLean, VA—she was the only one they hadn’t talked to. The team goes to the house, and she isn’t there. They promise her parents they will find her.

Jane is at the BAU, lighting up a smoke. She asks if she did the right thing by coming to the BAU. They asked her why she left Frank. She said Frank changed just like Gideon said he would. Gideon knows Frank better than anyone and Frank knows it.

At the Smithsonian, Gideon is talking about personality evolution—biology, psychology and socialization. Genetics loads the gun, psychology points it, and socialization (that isn’t the word he used, but I can’t remember it) shoots the gun. Why did Frank break from his pattern? Garcia has age breakdowns of his victims. It doesn’t make sense to Gideon—the numbers should go up as the victim’s age goes down and it isn’t that way. Garcia says maybe the younger women don’t attract him and then says she doesn’t know what she is talking about. Gideon says she is onto something. Jane was about 22 when he first saw her. Frank sees Jane as his mother.

At the BAU, Jane is being questioned about Frank. She said Frank is from Manhattan and that he lived there with his mother, Mary Brightcoff or Britecov or something like that. He told her stories about every Sunday his mother taking him to the Fair of Long Island and having dinner parties where he dressed up and served cocktails. Then she asks “is loving Frank wrong?” Prentiss tells her we don’t chose who we fall in love with. She asks Jane if she thought she could change Frank and Jane nodded yes and then asked if Frank started changing again. Jane said she saw his desire to kill her but he stopped himself. They had an argument and Jane yelled at him and told him that Gideon was right and he was angry. She was afraid, so she ran away to DC.

Back to Gideon and Garcia. Gideon flashes back to the diner in Nevada and says that Frank was obsessed with facts. His name was Frank, from the Germanic, meaning spear. He talked about the woman on the Upper East Side of Manhattan whose body was found in her apartment a year after she died. No one missed her. Gideon surmised that Frank was talking about his mother. She was German and probably immigrated to the US in the late 1950s. Garcia does a search for Mary Britecov and finds a few, but none of them found dead on the Upper East Side. She did find one who had 63 prostitution arrests. Gideon says that the dead woman on the Upper East Side was never found—Frank was hiding his mother.

Gideon gets a call routed through from JJ. It is Tracy (little Fanning) and Frank is with her. Tracy is scared. Frank says “I chose the train station because Gideon loves trains,” he said “I saw them in your apartment” (Fangirl fact: MP is a big Lionel train enthusiast.) Gideon says, “I will find you, I will stop you.”

Garcia asks him what she can do. Gideon writes a note and says to call Hotch and read him the note; he will know what to do. Gideon picks up his gun, chambers a round and leaves.

Union Station. The FBI is moving in. Prentiss asks where Gideon is and Hotch said he would be there. Prentiss asks, “as an agent or executioner?” A voice comes over the radio that the target has been found and they have a clear shot. Hotch says not to fire.

Cut to JJ (in a Kevlar vest!) and Reid about to enter an apartment. She says to Reid, “Reid no matter what happens, we don't split up, are we clear? Reid says, “crystal clear!” (Yay JJ).

Back to Union Station, Hotch asks where Tracy was. Frank asks for Jane. Hotch says he can’t have her, and then Frank says they will never see Tracy again.

JJ and Reid break into an apartment.

Back at Union Station Gideon tells Frank about a woman who was a doctor and had three boys. She ran a clinic and dedicated her life to helping others and Frank dedicated his life to hurting others (didn’t really understand this part, will have to watch again). He says that Frank’s mother knew he was a special child and wouldn’t let him out in the world. When three jobs wasn’t enough, she turned to the world’s oldest profession and Frank was a witness to all the “vistations.”

Jane appears and Gideon tells her that Frank thinks that she is his mother. Frank and Jane run to one another and profess love (YUK) for each other and jump into the path of a train and disappear. Is this another disappearing act or did they get splattered on the tracks?

Garcia is sitting with Gideon inside the train station and the phone rings. It is Tracy thanking Gideon for saving her life. She is with JJ and Reid and they are in an apartment, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and the camera pans to the bed and there is a mummified woman on the bed—Frank’s mom.

Back to the present. The Blonde Bitch (BB) tells Hotch that she thinks that he is no longer effective at his job. Hotch then starts profiling the BB, about the pictures and awards in her office, that she has 3 children and that she favors the middle one, the boy . . . and the BB breaks in and tells him that she questions his ability to lead the team. Hotch talks about Morgan’s not telling what happened to him all those years ago in Chicago, because to tell someone something like that you really have to trust them and trust has to be earned; Reid’s intellect is his shield and right now his shield is under repair; Prentiss having a hard time fitting in, but is finding her place; JJ working so hard all day and having to go home every night wondering if she made the right decisions; Garcia filling her office with color and gadgets to offset the horror she sees on the screens every day; and Gideon damned with knowledge, but still giving 100 % and caring about every case. He said “I stand by their actions, I stand by my team.” “If you think you can find a better person to do this job, good luck.” BB starts to ask a question and Hotch says “How do I know you favor your son? I am good at my job.”

Cut to Gideon updating his murder book. He tapes a picture of Sarah in the book, writes her name and the date.

BB talking again, but not to Hotch. She says something like “you were put into the BAU because you wanted it, not necessarily because you were qualified to be there. You are too reckless. I believed in you. The team is in trouble. They are reckless and out of control. I want Agent Hotchner out of the BAU.” The camera cuts to Prentiss, and BB says “you will help me make this happen if you want to stay in the BAU.”

ARG! No Prentiss, don’t do it!

I am on the hunt for Frank and Gideon.

Anonymous said...

I thought that the plot was fast paced, well defined and very suspenseful. You could feel the adrenalline pumping as they tried to chase down Frank before he killed again. Great writing.

Anonymous said...

JJ: "No matter what happens, this time we are NOT splitting up! Clear?"

Reid: "Crystal clear"

My fav part!

Anonymous said...

I am hunting for Frank!!!!


I liked the episode and surely Prentiss is not going to allow herself to become a mole. I can't imagine that happening. I bet she goes to Hotch or Gideon with the information. It's going to be interesting to see how this cliffhanger plays out next season! It is going to be one heck of a long summer but I think I can rewatch this episode a few more times and there are a few from before the Super Bowl that I still have not seen. I am so glad that I found this show. I love it.

Raphael0877 said...

This had to be one of the best - no - the best episode of this series. That even includes Revelations. It had everything that we as fans love about this show: drama, humor (Garcia in the parking lot talking to herself), angst (will Prentiss do it or not?). Wow, this is going to be a very long summer. I talked my husband into watching, and now he's mad at me because he didn't realize it's a two-parter that won't end till Fall. Sorry about that.

I am on the hunt for Frank and Gideon.

Anonymous said...

Where is Gideon going to live and feel safe now? First the cabin has a dead head delivered to it and now his home has a dead friend in it. How is he ever going to feel safe living anywhere again? He needs to live in his office. Poor man. The episode was really great. They did us proud and the finale was a great piece of work.

I am hunting for Frank!

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr. Bernero: If Hotchner leaves the BAU will Touchstone/CBS be sending fans tranquilizers? Great episode. Great season. Thanks for the wonderful ride!

I will be hunting Frank and Gideon.

Anonymous said...

Lori: I like what you came up with: BB-Blond Bitch.

Just when I had stopped thinking of Prentiss as Morticia in comes BB and turns me upside down. We do not know Prentiss well enough to predict what she is going to do.

The episode was so conhesive. Everything flowed really well and I agree that there were no wasted seconds in this one. I thought Carradine gave another great performance. Wonderful!

Hunting for Frank and Gideon.

Anonymous said...

I need to really closely rewatch it tomorrow. I was so engrossed in the tense pace of finding Frank that I missed lots. I want to see Gideon's apartment again. I think they gave us some more backstory but I think I missed it. I was sitting on the edge of my chair. Glad Frank hopped infront of the train but sorry Jane went with him. She was a very sorry figure. As crazy as she could be she still knew that only Gideon could stop Frank. Prentiss??? Who the hell knows what she will do. The episode was one of the best. Flawless and I did not see any continuity problems but I will rewatch tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Gold stars to everyone associated with this episode.

I have a mental image of every Gibson fan on the planet worrying all summer long.

Kirsten had a much larger part than usual. Yippee for that.

Thomas Gibson gave a wonderful performance. One of his best.

Anonymous said...

I am an idiot. I meant to write that I am looking for Frank.

Anonymous said...

When Garcia was in the car waiting for Gideon talking to herself I thought she was going to have a panic attack. Nice acting on KV's part.

The episode was not what I was expecting. It was much better. I am so happy with Frank being made into train chunks but I agree that it is a shame about delusional Jane.

Hotch will be fine. He is too good at his job to be replaced.

Anonymous said...

I know this is coming out of left field and has nothing to do with the episode but I noticed tonight that Kirsten and Mandy have both lost weight. They always look good but I really noticed it tonight.

The episode was great and I am hunting Frank and Gideon.

Anonymous said...

So Frank saw something in Jane that reminded him of the nice things about his sleeze mother. That was interesting. I almost cried when Garcia and Gideon were sitting on the bench and the little girl called to thank him. I loved this episode. It had everything but if Hotch leaves I am going to have a meltdown.

Anonymous said...

Very good episode. Please do not let us lose Gibson.

Anonymous said...

I was shocked when I saw that the Supervisor from HELL was talking to Prentiss!

Anonymous said...

Reid: We are just going to have to let it go about the drugs. I don't see them bringing it up again.

Hotchner: Handled himself brilliantly with the witch trying to fire him.

Gideon: A nervous breakdown waiting to happen.

I am looking for Frank.

Anonymous said...

danielle said...
Reid: We are just going to have to let it go about the drugs. I don't see them bringing it up again.

Ahh, Danielle they WILL bring it up! His storyline isn't over!

Anonymous said...

Danielle, they dont' call them nervous breakdowns anymore, they are called "major depressive episodes".


Okay thats totally a quote from Season 1 I wasn't just trying to school you I swear.

Lee

Anonymous said...

I nearly missed this episode because I had forgotten to set my VCR timer. Thankfully, I realized what I'd done, turned around, came back home, and fixed it! If I'd missed this episode, I would've been one unhappy CM fan!

This episode was unbelievable! I saw part of it on my last break and couldn't wait to get home and watch the whole thing. Wonderful performances by the whole cast, especially Mandy and Thomas. The ending really floored me too; I can't wait to see how they work this out. I'm hoping that Prentiss doesn't betray Hotch and I don't think she will. Now comes the long wait until Season 3!

I was actually getting teary-eyed when Gideon was talking to Tracy during both phone calls. Just the way his voice softened to comfort her then became harsh and threatening when he spoke to Frank again sent shivers down my spine. what's really sad is the sanctity of both Gideon's apartment and his cabin in the woods has now been taken away from him.

I also love the scenes with Garcia and Gideon. It's great to see the two of them interacting more and I hope we see more of that in Season 3. But until then...

I am on the hunt for Frank and Gideon!

Eliza said...

I have a mental image of every Gibson fan on the planet worrying all summer long.

Oh we will. Fablous episode. Gibson rocked the socks. Someone over at another board was like, Only hotch can make "Because I'm good at my job" sound like "Shut up Bitch" bwhaaaaaa.

Anonymous said...

Safe to say that Thomas Gibson will be the most talked about actor on the series this summer. I bet there were thousands of googles after the episode with fans trying to see if he is leaving the show. Has anyone heard anything, one way or another?

I liked the episode and will write more after I rewatch it.

I am looking for Frank and Gideon.

lisaw918 said...

Loved the birds. All the animals, actually. Starting at Gideon's apartment, and then we relocated to the Smithsonian to find a whole new crowd of predators. I guess Gideon's fixation on birds of prey and other animals that kill out of necessity meshes well with his study of the only animal that kills for pleasure. But yeesh. I totally thought I'd date Gideon, until tonight. Not just because his girlfriend got sliced and diced, though. But because I couldn't go in that bedroom and see all those animals staring at me, during :D

And the trains!!! I bet those were Mandy's trains. He probably spent hours trying to figure out which of his beloved treasures should be given a new temporary home. *love*

And hello, Rebecca Bryant, Daughter of the Fisher King... so sorry. You survived captivity and almost going up in flames only to be cut to pieces by a homicidal sociopath. And thank you everybody who should be thanked for sparing Elle Fanning. That little kid was the cutest victim ever, and the only one I actively rooted for. Poor Gideon. He is so losing it. And no wonder. But every time he does, he comes back. If he couldn't, he would have shot Frank. Especially before the dude grabbed Jane and proceeded to shake hands with a speeding commuter rail. But I guess there was no other end for Jane, any more than there was for Frank. She couldn't live with Frank, and she couldn't live without him. Literally. As for him, well, if he couldn't feel love for Jane, and he couldn't enjoy Gideon's fear, then his only future was in meaningless killing, and with that taken away from him in prison (we would hope... at least, the kind of killing he liked: slow, no resistance and involving a scalpel), coupled with the loss of his power over Gideon -- that is, Gideon finally figuring out that he, Frank, was just an ordinary psycho with a mommy-fixation... well, death was the only answer. And a pretty quick death, in contrast to his victims. Life really isn't fair. Pretty much ever.

That's such an inconsiderate way to commit suicide. Being suicidal only gives you the right to kill one person -- yourself. Endangering the well-being, even the lives, of others just to off yourself is really not ok. And there are other ways to die that are even less painful than getting pancaked by an Amtrak. And the Metro! Since I've lived here in D.C., several people have jumped in front of the Metro. Not only does it endanger all the people on board, it pretty much wrecks the day for hundreds, if not thousands, of people.

But Frank, of course, having no feelings, would not care. So let's move on.

Loved Hotch joshing Gideon about the date and the flowers. And of course, when Gideon's grief-stricken and panicked... who's he gonna call? Yay, so much Hotch and Gideon stuff in this one. And some more superb acting from both of them, especially Mandy. I loved the part when Hotch profiled the entire team at the end and stumbled over the part about Gideon. He knows how much pain the man lives with, and even after everything that had just happened, Hotch managed to describe him while sticking to the "empathy is good" mantra, even empathy that practically eats Gideon alive on every case. But especially the children; it was only after Tracy was taken that he pretty much said 'screw this.' Of course, he might have lost it over Rebecca if he'd ever met her. But she went in his book just the same. A woman he never knew, who was the focus of one of the cases that was toughest on him, what with Elle's shooting and the loss of his cabin-sanctuary. Not that any of it was her fault, but if Rebecca had never been born, it would have been easier on all of them. But he still mourns her. God, I love this guy :)

And I liked that Garcia was the one who stayed with him and helped him. And it wasn't just because she's the Tech Goddess. She's the only one who could just sit, listen, do whatever he needed and just be there. All the other profilers would have been asking endless questions, trying to reason their way through, the way they usually do with cases. But that wasn't what he needed. This profile was his show, and Garcia was the audience he needed to keep him focused and on his game, no matter how many times he kept running into the same brick wall. Everybody else had to help from a distance. Also, J.J., although she's not a profiler, is starting to think otherwise; generally a good thing, but not here. She would have been just as distracting as any of the others. Yay for those Smithsonian scenes. And yay for the reappearance of Miscellaneous Curator Dude from "The Big Game." Ten points for continuity. And big yay for J.J. insisting she and Reid not split up, under any circumstances. They've definitely had enough of being snatched out from under each other's noses. And it brought us back once more to "The Big Game"/"Revelations." TPTB are so not done with this poor boy.

Whoa! Hotch mentioned Morgan's issues and Reid's trauma. See, none of it's gone. But I was having a little trouble keeping up the expectation of things resurfacing. Glad for the reminder.

And he mentioned Elle! So they haven't forgotten her name. I was beginning to wonder. *eye roll* I like this, though; it's almost too subtle to notice. Hotch has brought her up twice, once to Prentiss in "Sex, Birth, Death" and tonight to Gideon. But since Elle left, no one else has even seemed to notice she's gone, much less made mention of her. And I think there are two reasons for that. One: Hotch feels considerable guilt over losing Elle. He still thinks he could have saved her; that was obvious from the way he brought her up in the context of his leadership being questioned. And two: he was the only one who could walk so close to that darkness taking hold in a friend and colleague and still keep at least a semblance of objectivity, essential in any person dealing with her then. The others all felt betrayed, I think; I haven't changed my opinion that because they fight every day against obsession and hatred, because they're always fighting that battle inside themselves, her capitulation, her becoming (seemingly very easily, and without any remorse) what they are all trying to avoid becoming, was something from which they had to separate themselves, not only mentally, but physically. Hotch probably felt that sense of betrayal, too, but his guilt and feelings of personal responsibility for her overrode it. And it's not just Morgan and Reid who are still dealing with things; Hotch hasn't left any of this behind.

I have to watch this episode again. I totally missed whatever Reid, Prentiss and J.J. were playing around with towards the end because I was listening to Hotch's voiceover. He speaks and everything else pretty much drifts out the window :) But whatever it was, it was adorable and unscripted. We were seeing MGG there; Reid is never that carefree or that unguarded, with any of them; he's the most self-conscious that I think any person could ever be. But adorable nonetheless.

Ah, mystery solved! Prentiss made noises about yearning for the BAU, so the woman upstairs made it happen. She invested in the Bank of Emily. And now she comes around to collect. What is wrong with this woman, and what does she have against Hotch? This is more than doubting his leadership skills. She's at the top, cashing in her chips in order to stage a coup against a man she could probably just demote, if she couldn't find grounds for termination. And she's been planning this, or someone has, for a while, or Prentiss wouldn't have been assigned to the BAU in the first place. Something's fishy.

And I am sorry... actually, strike that, no I'm not. If it's either Hotch or Prentiss, quite frankly, I will say sayonara to Emily. I've gotten to kind of like her, but it's no contest.

This was a nice no-cliffhanger cliffhanger. Good job, people. (No cliffhanger in the sense that this will be a long, drawn-out arc; sneaky conspirators need time to plan. Also, in my opinion, neither Hotch nor Prentiss is going anywhere. But I'm interested to see what Emily will do.)

Ooh, something I almost forgot. Garcia freaking out when Gideon gets in the car with her... Reid has his revenge for her winding him up so much in "Boogeyman" that he gets spooked by Morgan :)


I am on the hunt for Frank and Gideon.

lisaw918 said...

Oh, I can't believe I almost forgot:

When they've discovered Frank's mother's decayed corpse, and Reid goes back in alone, just staring... ooh, the things that are going through his head right then make me want to squeak with happiness. That was so eerie, and so real. Frank removed his mother from his life, and she still haunted his steps. Reid's magnificent brain just starts running through all the maybes. Eesh.

Sigrid said...

I liked this episode, and I can't WAIT to see what happens with Hotch in the next season. The way he talked to that woman (did she have a name, if so I don't think I caught it. Is she the same woman as the one in Extreme Aggressor, Assistant Director whatshername? *goes to check IMDb* Hmh, apparently not.), he was, in all his Hotchlyness, reeling a bit out of control there. I think maybe.... Oh dude, I can't believe I'm saying this, because I so don't want to say it, but here goes: What if she's right? Is he spinning out on us?
This case appears to have taken quite a toll on him, he was a MESS in those scenes with that woman. And when they found that girl from Fisher King dead, and Morgan said that there was nothing that they could've done, and you just KNOW Hotch blames himself. If Gideon hadn't been late... And the fact that Gideon was late is clearly something Hotch can blame himself for, if Gideon was held up in the office...

Also, was this date of Gideon's the same woman as in Fisher King?

Sigrid said...

and I'm a dumbass and forgot the info. Okay, two more of my cents.

I will personally KILL (in a metaphorical fic-way) Emily Prentiss if she DARES go along with that shit. She better have more loyalty to Hotch than that.

And this is also oddly anticlimactic. Come on, we all wanted to see Frank a) behind bars or b) shot by Hotch or Morgan to save Gideon's life, didn't we?

I'm on the hunt for Frank and Gideon (siggen1 over at the forum)

dearlydead said...

So, is Garcia moving on from Morgan? She was just "getting to second base" with some other guy...Is Jayne Atkinson going to get killed on "24" Monday because she has a new gig on CM?...Prentiss and Morgan have been getting very chummy. Is she going to be loyal to the team and maybe get something going with Morgan?...Reid seems to have recovered from his drug problem and Gideon is as complex and unknown as ever...Will Hotch lose his position?...HUM, can't wait until September.

Elizabeth Bear said...

That was a particularly nice ep, I think. I'm particularly enamored of the X-Files homage, the return of the Thematic Mockingbirds, and Reid, at the end, walking back in to look at Frank's dead mother, buried in flowers.

Yeah, Spencer. Not really over that guilt....

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed the episode. I liked it. It was not what I was expecting from some spoilers I had been highlighting on another site so I was caught off guard. I wish they would have told us more about the drug situation and I don't think Prentiss will sell out Hotch.

Anonymous said...

what can one say about this episode,but awesome,well done to all involed in this and what wonderful acting from mandy and keith,surely an emmy nod for mandy and keith as guest star this emmy season....long live gideon and the bau and keep up the good storylines guys.............................

Anonymous said...

I liked the episode so I hope nobody will misunderstand the few glitches I had with it.

The reference to Reid left us knowing almost less than we knew before.

There was never a really understandable explanation given to why she wanted to fire Hotchner.

Those things said I like the episode. I think Season Finales can be tricky things. How freaked do you want your audience to be before the show comes back for the new season?!

Prentiss has been consistant in her distain for politics and here she sits facing that very thing she dislikes so much. Moral dilema but it looked as if she was getting ready to lie. You could see the wheels turning in her head.

The contrast between Gideon's book and Franks's book was black and white. Victims saved versus victims killed. Carradine was wonderful as Frank. I think he gave a flawless performance.

I will of course be rewatching the episode soon.

Anonymous said...

There is no doubt many Hotchner fans in need of a tall beverage today.

It is just my humble opinion but I don't think it happens. I don't think we start the third season without one of our lead actors.

I only had the chance to see the last part of the episode. I will comment further when I see the first part this evening.

I would like to ask: What the reference to the Mockingbirds meant?

Anonymous said...

Hotch listed the reasons his job was in jeopardy for us. All those great episodes: Morgan's arrest, Reid's capture, Elle's questionable shooting. Even small things like Hotch ordering Morgan to step away from a car with a bomb in it and Morgan refusing. In such a high profile field these things would not go unnoticed. We also saw Hotch go head to head with a major political figure in "Sex, Birth, Death" It is very brave for a reason, it would rarely go unpunished. I would think there would be a great deal of competition for Hotch's job. It wouldn't take much to replace him. There really is no need to have Emily do anything. Ultimately it is a political decision.

Anonymous said...

Ken: I agree with you but the points you listed didn't happen at one time and he has never felt any pressure before about his job being in jeopardy. I would imagine there is a great deal of competition for his job. She states that many people wanted his job before he was given. I do however have a problem connecting how Prentiss is going to work into this. As you said they could just have demoted or fired Hotchner. Do you have any thoughts on that?

Anonymous said...

Olivia: I would think they are just setting up the new season.

I liked the episode all in all. There was so much symbolism in this one that I am not sure I caught it all.

Rewatching it tonight.

Anonymous said...

Garcia had her largest role in this episode. The scene in the car with her waiting writing her own obit was funny. Her scenes with Gideon reminded me that not only is she great at the the one liner but she is also incredibly good as a serious actress. Looking at her and Gideon sitting on the bench at the end was one of my favorite parts.

I am searching for Gideon and Frank

Anonymous said...

I did also think it was interesting the "BB" did not say she wanted to fire Hotch, she wanted to "end his career." There is something personal going on here. The only realistic reason she would need Emily as Hotch's job could be taken from him without any real justification is to discredit him with the team. I hope not, it could make for some pretty ugly shows. I love this show because of the great team work. I don't want to watch suspicion and mistrust contaminate the team. That would perhaps be the one thing that would turn me off the show. I hope I am wrong.

Elizabeth Bear said...

The mockingbirds also appeared in "The Big Game."

Gideon admires mockingbirds a great deal. They are tricksters...

Just like our heroes, who are a bunch of magicians, liars, hackers, social engineers, and poker players.

Tricksters.

They are all about fooling the bag guys.

They're the mockingbirds, keeping the snake out of the nest.

respectanimals said...

Add me to the list of those that loved this episode! I have to admit that it wasn’t at all what I was expecting. Some of it was predictable, especially them finding the body of Frank’s mother in the apartment, and it turning out to be Printess the superior was talking to in the end, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of watching those scenes at all. I was also really glad to see that they were able to set up a season cliffhanger (Printess/politics/Hotch) without putting anybody at death’s door.

To me, this episode definitely belonged to Gideon and Hotchner. Being the Gideon fan that I am, it goes without saying that I absolutely *LOVED* all of the scenes with Gideon. Even though I have never been a huge Hotchner fan, I really liked him in this episode. Maybe it’s because it showed more of his friendship with Gideon and that Hotch puts the team ahead of the beaurocracy. It made him more human to me, even more so than the scenes with his family do. He was definitely the one in control, but he didn’t come off as a stuffed shirt at all. I also loved the way he put his superior in her place at the end. I’m not really looking forward to the show getting into politics next season (as I didn’t enjoy those particular aspects to this season), but my guess is that Hotch will more than be able to hold his own against his superior’s political/personal agenda. It also might be a nice sideline to the weekly round of serial killers.

My favorite scene is probably the one where Hotch and Gideon are on the phone talking about the date and which flowers to buy. That was great! I also liked that they put Garcia with Gideon in this episode. They don’t usually get to play off each other much and the fact that he’s always so gloomy and she’s always such the comedian, makes their interactions either really fun to watch or very suspenseful. I almost cried myself when he was on the phone with the little girl and she was begging him to save her.

The only thing I was disappointed about was that we still don’t know why Gideon wears a wedding ring. How many seasons do I have to wait to find out if he’s a widow or is just divorced? LOL! Even though I am now starting to lean towards him being a widow, personally I’m to the point of not caring which one it is, I just want to know. It was cool to see his apartment though. The trains, the phonograph, the old projector, the upscale liquor, the birds (a little too many birds if you ask me). I did not see one personal photo however. You would think he would at least have a photo of his son in a frame somewhere, either in his office or his apartment. Frankly I’m just left with more questions about the man, rather than getting any answers. I’m guessing that is exactly what the writers have in mind, as I think they enjoy torturing us Gideon fans. I do pity any woman that dares date that man, as he is definitely a disaster waiting to happen. It’s easy to see why he the way he is, but at least he always finds a way to keep going.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for explaining the mocking birds for me. I did not understand. I liked the episode last night. I don't believe Prentiss will turn on Hotch. He gave her a chance to prove herself and has been fairly supportive of her.

Elizabeth Bear said...

Did anybody else think it was sort of thematic that Sarah Jacobs dies because Gideon stays late at work?

Anonymous said...

i am wondering what is wrong with BB cause she most definately can't be right in the head. she kept saying that the team was out of control and the reason was because the Hotch was a bad leader. I personally think she's cracked. when did having problems coping and out of control become the same. even BB's eval of Emily was wrong cause she is not "reckless" if anything she's abit ridge not reckless.
I love the scene with Reid and JJ she was going to make dam sure he was not going anywhere LOL
Is it Fall yet?? :(

frogdawn said...

I liked it! Very interesting bit in this one about how people become criminals: genetics loads the gun, early experience (? or something like this, may not be remembering exactly right) aims the gun, and environment pulls the trigger. I read a book called "The Agile Gene" about this very thing - how nature and nurture work together to produce behaviour.

I am on the hunt for Frank and Gideon

Elizabeth Bear said...

Dr. Erin Strauss--you can see her name on the diploma--does seem to have the very wrong idea about most people, doesn't she? And she keeps using that word, reckless.

I suspect she's getting pressure from the congresswoman Hotch got on the bad side of in Sex Birth Death.

Anonymous said...

I caught the word "reckless" too and I just do not understand what they have done that has really been that way. They don't work 9-5 jobs with specified tasks. Every case is different and requires judgement calls. I would think that you have to take chances and think outside the box to do the job efficiently.

I am searching for Frank!

Anonymous said...

Was I imagining it or did I actually hear them refer to Elle last night??

Anonymous said...

I liked that the cliffhanger was not someone's life hanging on the balance. Hmmmm, Prentiss as mole,now another reason for fans to dislike her even more.
The wrap-up at the end was great.It shows how well the characters's arcs were developed over the season.
I am on the hunt for Frank and Gideon.

Anonymous said...

I liked that they used the actual actresses/survivors that Gideon had saved in the past. I liked that they could flashback to the old case to remind us of who they were. Young Tracy calling Gideon to thank him in the end for saving her again made me want to cry.

Anonymous said...

Hotch put himself and the whole team in the line of trouble by helping Gideon. I know it was also to catch Frank but it was still a risk. He hides Gideon. Sends Garcia w/ the files to help Gideon. He has them all profile the scene in the apartment. He told JJ to take pictures with her camera phone and do it quickly without being noticed. He communicated with Gideon thoughout the whole investigation that they were instructed to stay out of.

There was no way Hotch was throwing Gideon under a bus and now we have to see if Prentiss throws Hotch under one.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to always be the problem child but I have questions:

Why would the Smithsonian man give a basic fugitive access to a room there?

Is the Reid drug? storyline over and I misssed it?

Does Gideon have enough clout to stop what is being done to Hotch if he is made aware of it?

I am searching!

Elizabeth Bear said...

Mona:

The guy from the Smithsonian is a personal friend of Gideon's. We've seen him before.

The Reid drug storyline is... ambiguous. There are hints that it's continuing, and an argument can be made that it was resolved.

And regarding Gideon's clout? No, probably not. Hotch is his supervisor, more or less, and it's Hotch who decided that Gideon was sane enough to stay on the team.

Anonymous said...

Thank you and sorry for always needing so much help. I only recently started watching so I think I miss more than most people. Thanks.

Elizabeth Bear said...

Not at all. It's what we're here for. *g*

Anonymous said...

I loved the episode.

Anonymous said...

WOW! I have to say that I really LOVED this episode. I think the ending of this episode validates some of what the fans were feeling about the Prentiss character, that maybe she had ulterior motives, although I am not sure where she will go now...she seems to have melded with the team to a certain extent...and Reid telling her she doesn't really know him or the team at all...totally dead on...despite the fact that he was messed up at the time...gotta love that Reid...super smart all the time.

I loved the scene with Reid and JJ and think the little girl is adorable. I also like Hotch's scenes, he broke out of his, we always have to follow the rules mantra and I thought it was refreshing.

Hmmm...I am sure that I will think of more, but all in all, I really enjoyed this episode...and I do want to know what happens with Hotch and the rest of the team next season...will she or won't she...will Prentiss become a real member of the team or not...'

Oh and I am on the hunt for Frank and Gideon.

Elizabeth said...

Gah!!! I was just starting to like you, Emily Prentiss . . .

I really liked this and Hotch was just so fantastic - so wonderfully loyal to his whole team.

And I thought Reid was thinking about his own situation looking at the mummified mom.

Shame Morgan didn't actually tackle that train.

I am on the hunt for Frank and Gideon.

nebula

Anonymous said...

tanya
Yes the infamous Elle was mentioned. That was something for the fans I think.

Anonymous said...

Whew, that episode was intense. Btw, I totally meant to post this earlier -

Anyway - The episode was great and had me rooting for the BAU and cursing Frank (NOOOO REBECCA, SOOO SAD) Also, I knew that they wouldn't kill the little Fanning girl - she's just too cute. And it would be unbelievably cruel after killing Rebecca. Hotch, Gideon and Garcia I think stole the show with good moments from the rest of the team (the most notable Reid and JJ moment, I think everyone knows what I am talking about)

Prentiss is an interesting character and I am really looking forward to seeing how they develop her - I think we may get faked out for awhile, but in the end, she'll do the right thing.

Btw, Does anyone know who exactly the blond bitch is anyway? She needs to be kidnapped by an unsub and then saved by the BAU so she freakin' owes them big-time. She sucks.

My only little thing that bugged me was at the end, when Frank and Jane take their Big Leap...it seemed to me that there were an awful lot of FBI agents who were standing around and doing alot of yelling but not a whole lot else...it seemed to me they could have been a little more active in preventing the Big Leap, but then again, I can't say as I blame them for not trying *too* hard - it just seems to make it so Franks wins really and I don't like that.

I know there was some discussion in the chat room about Hotch's one line, which was something like "So we battled another monster and won." Most people seem to not like it, as it seemed to be awkward, but I really kinda liked it as it really snapped into clarity for me the irony of the statement. They really didn't win, Frank pretty much got the better of them and died on his own terms - it had a very wry and caustic delivery (at least it seemed so to me)and I think it fit very well.

Ok, well I think that's about all I have to say. I like the little character story arcs, and I hope for more character development next season.

I am on the hunt for Frank and Gideon. (I can still join in right? :D)

Anonymous said...

I think Jane pushing Frank in front of the train would have provided great satisfaction.

I also hope the show doesn't get too "political." They should take note of a hugely popular show in Canada - Da Vinci's Inquest - that ran for 7 years when it focused on interesting cases in the coroner's office. As soon as the coroner became mayor and embroiled in politics, the show was cancelled.

Anonymous said...

Jane was mentally beaten down and so delusional. I think her life ended a long time ago when she first met Frank and lost her mind. I am more surprised that she went in search of Gideon. The only thing I can come up with is that she looked into his eyes again and saw what she says she saw in NWO. I think it was a tad unrealistic that with everyone standing around he was able to just jump with her but I think the writer, Ed Bernero, wanted a clear ending to the Frank storyline and it doesn't get much more closed then being crushed by a train.

I am searching for Frank and Gideon.

Anonymous said...

Nidrian
There is no closing day time for registration on the contest.

Most people look at things as wins and losses, because it is easier to deal with clear outcomes. Life is not a sporting event. The gray area in-between is what this show is about. Each one of the episodes shows how life and death dilemmas wear on the psyche.

Anonymous said...

I wish the show could have been slightly longer. Even another 30 minutes would have given them time to delve alittle bit deeper into Frank's past. I love the way Gideon and Garcia figured out his mother was a hooker. Watching Gideon remembering with the flashbacks to all the things Frank first said to him was fascinating to me. The making of a serial killer.

Anonymous said...

Question for the group:

I am not understanding the part about Frank not targeting children in his initial kills. He targeted children to retaliate against Gideon because he knew kids meant something to Gideon but they mentioned Frank not having young victims and I am sketchy as to what they were saying.

Help please.

Anonymous said...

Frank was a psycho-sexual killer of adults. He had specific requirements for his kills. This came out in part of the conversation with Frank in the first No Way Out.

He never killed children. He only used them at the end of his spree to get Jane

Anonymous said...

Hotch was really worried about him bing evaluated 6months b/f he should be. He is a good team leader and it seems that he got a lot of respect from hie team. He might not order Gideon as much becouase he knows that Gideon would do the right thing either way. Loved the eppy. Can't wait till next season to find out exactly how is Prentis going to try to get rid of Hotch.

I am on the hunt for Frank and Gideon.

Anonymous said...

I really liked the episode but if the BB wants him gone then why did she not just go ahead and fire him. What does she need Prentiss for?

lisaw918 said...

eden: It's got to be a personal vendetta. You're right, if she wanted him gone because she doubted his leadership skills, he'd be gone. She wants an inside man in Prentiss, someone who can help her put Hotch through the wringer. I too would like to find out why :) And I'm sure we will, eventually.

The Swedish Mystery said...

I liked this ep. It was a pity that Frank had to die because he was such a great villain and an interesting character.

I welcome Hotch's bitch boss and her ways of trying to get rid of him with the help of Prentiss. I just hope they will give her a good motive instead of her just being a bitch about it. Why is she so set againt Hotch???

Prentiss seem too nice of a person to be able to go behind everyone's backs but who knows? We know so little about her. Anyway I like that they have introduced some office politics to CM and I hope it will bring some good drama and angst for next season.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone else have concerns about how this will affect the Reid/Gideon relationship arc?

If Hotch is no longer available to help Reid,and Gideon is under even more stress, who will help Reid?

I don't think Reid is incapable but he certainly has never played politics....it will be interesting to see how he does.

Criminal Minds Fan said...

I think Gideon is probably pretty mentally fried but I still think he has the internal clout to save Hotch.

Anonymous said...

KUDOS to all who were involed in such a well written and acted season ending for season 2, you guys all rock and mandy your acting is awsome

Anonymous said...

Has anyone noticed that what ever part mandy plays,he always manages to include his likes of train,cooking ,birdwatchung(yes he once said he liked to do this with his sons when they were younger,and always adds that persoan mandy touch.yes he has lost some wieght but looks good.as always kudos to mandy for such a wonderful job on cm .am sure we shall see more of how he and hotch have that special friendship in ther lifes at the bau.and maybe ge to know lots more about all our faves next seasonwhen is it that will start?looking forward to series 2 on dvd when that will be realeased anyone know yet?of course we shall get all those nice extras with the dvd.awsome is what I saw of cm and well done across the board to all those backroom guys,besides the writters.I am sure that all the actors put a lot of them selfs into their parts and have some sort of say in what they wear,eg mandy casual style like he likes to wear same said of mgg,and shemar ,kristern ,but not that up on pretis(paget)thomas or aj.

Anonymous said...

I´ve just watched the ep. I´m soooo shocked ... I can´t believe they´re going to make us waiting until next season to know what happens about Hotch´s job. It was just me or that evil woman suggested to replace him with Emily?

I am on the hunt for Frank and Gideon.

Anonymous said...

Five days later, the light dawns.

The obvious (and therefore probably wrong) solution is for Prentiss to eventually be forced to turn to her mother and ask her to use her considerable political clout to help save Hotch's career. Emily will totally hate having to do this, of course, but will bite the bullet to save her team -- her friends.

Hmmmm -- now I have to wait until fall to see if I'm right!

Anonymous said...

There was so much in this episode. First of all the guest stars we had come back were amazing. Watching Gideon hold it together to find him and Garcia was incredible. This was an extremely well written and directed episode. I am more than pleased.

Anonymous said...

here we get nwo1 this friday 24th may and wait with great antiscpation for nwo2,the whole of series 2 of cm is brillant as was series 1 and like many lok forward to dvd of series 2 and those wonderful extras that dvds give us and of corse series 3 of cm for us it will be spring 2008,but we get reruns of series 2 on chanel 5 in the fall and series 2 is stillon livng chnael right now were at ep 13 of series 2 so halfway though.just let all involeded in the series that it is wonderful and we just love it here.......

Anonymous said...

here we get nwo1 this friday 24th may and wait with great antiscpation for nwo2,the whole of series 2 of cm is brillant as was series 1 and like many lok forward to dvd of series 2 and those wonderful extras that dvds give us and of corse series 3 of cm for us it will be spring 2008,but we get reruns of series 2 on chanel 5 in the fall and series 2 is stillon livng chnael right now were at ep 13 of series 2 so halfway though.just let all involeded in the series that it is wonderful and we just love it here.......

Anonymous said...

a good friend from the usa sent me a copy of the no way out 2 for me to see, this arrived after nwo1 had aired in the uk,so I was lucky to get to see it and Imust say kudos to all and plese give mandy an emmy for this and the 1st nwo1 ep,as he was awsome in it and best guest actor of course keith. well done all,will we get a list of emmy noms posted on the site if anf when it come out,just hoope to see cm get a nod or tow for the series.

Anonymous said...

I loved it even more this time. Carradine is just terrific. All of them gave top notch performances in this episode.

Anonymous said...

Now I am dying for next week!

Anonymous said...

Better the second time around.

Anonymous said...

I agree that it was much better the second time around. I caught so many small details that I missed the first viewing. I can't wait till next week.

Anonymous said...

Great Episode! Come on next week!

Anonymous said...

I still wish Jane had lived but she was so conflicted and mentally fragile. I loved this episode.

Anonymous said...

Our Prentiss cliffhanger is going to be interesting. Will she or won't she sell out Hotch? Nay!

Anonymous said...

I loved the Garcia/Gideon scenes. She is so nervous at first but then he sits down and talks to her about the biology, psychology and socialization of a person and they really seemed to work well with each other.

One thing I thought the first time and thought again tonight was that this episode just flew by. All of a sudden it was half over and then it seemed as if only a couple of minutes had passed and it only had 10 more minutes to go. That's a good epi--one that has you so engrossed you don't realize that so much time has gone by and it is almost over!

Anonymous said...

Lori,

It was like that for me too. It seemed like the episode just flew by and then it was over. I loved this episode. I can't wait to see how the Hotchner storyline plays out.

Anonymous said...

The first time we saw this episode we did not know that we were losing Gideon. That was not lost on me when I watched it again tonight. He is mentally broken at the end of this episode. It does give them a lead in for getting rid of him.

Anonymous said...

I thought about Gideon being gone soon too. I think this episode showed what an incredible character he has been during these past few years. I don't like how Mandy left but he gave us his best while he was with us. This episode and No Way Out, Part One certainly prove that.

This was a well written and acted episode and I agree that it flew by really quickly on second viewing.

Anonymous said...

This was a perfect CM episode. No continuity flaws that I could see. Perfect story and perfect acting. It was even better the second time around like meatloaf.

Anonymous said...

This was no Fisher King but it held it's own as a good season finale. The Hotch story could be fun to watch. Prentiss squirming on the hook. Gideon gone and unable to help Hotch. That certainly adds a twist we did not know about before. Hotchner is on his own if Prentiss turns.

Anonymous said...

Gideon and Garcia hiding out trying to figure out what Frank was up to were my favorite scenes. I enjoyed this episode even more this time.

Anonymous said...

glad they notice that reid does have a problem. glad to be able to see this one again. because we get a new one next week. i am so excited for the new season to start.

Anonymous said...

This was a great Garcia episode for me. I love the bit in the car when she's waiting for Gideon and she's reciting her own death as it would be headlined in a newspaper/tv. That was funny, but when Gideon appeared at the car...even though I knew he was going to turn up, I jumped out of my skin!!!!

Anonymous said...

...loved the Reid/JJ bit at the apartment building (whatever happens in there...we stick together...), but then again it was just a fantastic episode. I watched it before I'd seen a lot of the S2 eps so it was just another story for me, not a finale. Watching it over again is great. I agree with the previous posters....you pick up on a lot of little details that you would maybe miss with the first watch. Thank heaven for box sets and net downloads! :-)

Elizabeth Bear said...

I still have mixed feelings about this ap. There are parts that are just *brilliant" -- Hotch turning into Frank when Garcia hands Gideon the phone, for example--and bits that I think were poorly handled (How *does* Frank have that number, anyway? and who did the incredibly heavyhanded jump-cutting during Gideon's speeches about predators at the "Smithsonian." All I can think is that they must have been in a hurry, with two extra eps last year, because that's not the usual nifty quality of Criminal Minds editing.

The season ender eps, I have to admit, have not so far been my favorite. (I thought everybody was terribly out of character for parts of Fisher King 1, as needed to drive a plot that required the protagonists to be a little thicker than they usually are.)

On the other hand, there's a lot to love from a fan perspective--KV showing off her range (man, she's good to watch *act*), the thematic arc and resonances surrounding Rebecca's death (and I admire the production team for having the courage to kill that character--that took guts!), the nods to past continuity throughout.

My money is still on Prentiss and Hotch for the win over Strauss. I've liked Emily since she squealed "SHOW ME!" after getting bonked on the head by Reid, and I think she and the boss will manage to pull off one of the classic CM scams, though it may take some sacrifice on both their parts.

Anonymous said...

I agree that Prentiss and Hotchner will work it out. I loved the episode but as far as a real cliffhanger, I did not think there really was one. I thought the acting was great and the guest stars were great.