Criminal Minds: The Criminal Minds screencaps for "Aftermath" are courtesy of Stacy.
Quote: "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." Helen Keller
Music: "When the Music's Not Forgotten" by Deadman, "Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley and "Tears and Rain" by James Blunt
I liked this eppy. It was good. This was the first time I got to see the ending, for some reason I missed it last time. (Whether I stepped out of the room for some strange reason, or my tape messed up as I probably recorded it, who knows)
ReplyDeleteI liked how Reid goes and talks to Ellie to make sure she was OK. He was the only one he seemed to do that. I know Gideo did at the end, but that wasnt until after they brought the guy in for questioning and had to let him go.
Okay, here is my twisted little thought . . . at the end of the episode when Gideon takes Elle into the other room and says to her:
ReplyDeleteYou need some air
You need to think about this job
What you’ve been through
And what you’re capable of
Do you understand me?
And then gives her that "look" do you think that subliminally he was telling her to take care of Lee?
After the shooting, she looks at him like, "okay, I did it" in a defiant manner, and he has a pained look on his face.
I don't know--that just occurred to me when I watched it again tonight! The people in the chat says that he didn't give her that message, but I put it up for your consideration.
I have to say, this episode is almost intolerably sad in retrospect, after having seen "Revelations" and the episodes immediately following it. I mean, it's a good kind of intolerably sad, but still. Sad.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I love the cop in this one, Maggie Callahan. Something about her just clicked, and I kind of wanted to adopt her into the BAU team. (I know this is a sentiment that is often expressed about John Blackwolf and Cal McGee, as well.)
It really is a good episode. If I had a top ten list of CM episodes (I don't, because it's just too hard to decide, sometimes, and new ones keep pushing old ones out) it would definitely be in it.
Is it me or was the music that was played not incredible? I loved it. It added so much to the episode. The writer really reached for a feel with it and I think it worked.
ReplyDeleteMy notes after my first watch thru of this ep:
ReplyDeleteDisappointed to find out they don't share hotel rooms? Of course, I think in RL that the FBI a)doesn't spring for a private jet or b)spring for solo hotel rooms.
Okay, I think I was wrong. I think Morgan and Garcia are already doin' it. LOVED when he was at the clinic talking to her and tells her to look up sexy and brilliant on her computer and then calls her a goddess. All the women looking at him. "It was a work call". Yeah right, Morgan. Mmm.Hmm, I'm sure you've got some swampland you want to sell us, too, right? Or maybe a bridge?
And elle, poor, poor Elle. Liked the continuity with showing her surgical scar, thus are explained her high necked shirts. Obviously, she wasn't ready to be back on the job--this case sparked too much in her....and it was HER fault the rapist got let go. Interesting, she blames Hotch for sending her home, yet doesn't blame Gideon, whose actions totally instigated the attack. Had he not gone to the press, the unsub wouldn't have gone after Elle.
I'm not surprised that Elle did what she did, but I think she's gonna regret it more than she realises. By doing what she did, regardless of the reason, she's not that much better than the people she profiles. So, maybe she doesn't torture, but she unjustly took a life. And what was her REAL motivation--getting him off the street or absolving her own guilt over fucking up the sting op? I think both Gideon and Hotch know she did it (despite Gideon's protestations in the preview of "innocent til proven guilty").
Loved the woman cop taking a room in the hotel and then going to Gideon's room. *hee*
Loved Reid going to talk to Elle; "It's not profiling it's psych 101". Reid's not quite so socially inept as he sometimes appears. And he drinks. Always good to know these things. And JJ tonight being quite helpful.
And I think the cop shop is almost exactly the same as the one they used in Perfect Storm, close to the same colours, too. Once I d/l the ep, I'll have to check and see. If it's not identical...damned close.
Overall, I liked this ep and I honestly think the setup they have for Elle leaving will work...next week's ep (I remembered to watch the promos this week) looks good too. *hugs Elle*. I'll miss her.
Elle was sinking and you knew it and it was weird watching it again. You knew where it was heading but there was that small part of me that wanted someone to fix it. I liked watching this one again. I didn't realize how much I had missed the first time. I would give this episode an A-.
ReplyDeleteTotally loved the episode.
ReplyDeleteThis was not one of my favs until I watched it again tonight. This episode is well written and nicely paves the way for Elle's character to exit the show whether it be fallout from her actions in an unsuccessful cover up or her choice to quit following her mental demise due to the trauma of her attack. This has a much better impact than the easy way out of killing a character off. I think they laid this out perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThe scene with the women looking at Morgan while he was on the phone with Garcia was priceless. I loved the whole episode but the small snippets of comedy we get from those two take the edge off and I love it.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that someone is missing from the caps. I watched the reel twice. You know what I think. We are going to be just fine. I am getting more excited about season three everyday. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteGreat episode but watching Elle drowing this time was no easier than the first. I agree with the person who commented about being surprised that Reid had a drink. I think there is still a part of me that forgets he is a grown man. That must be the same part of me that wants to take him home and feed him. The episode was really good.
ReplyDeleteIt was like watching someone getting ready to fall off of a cliff. Our writers did an awesome job of taking Elle there. And damn yes the music was great in this one. Definate Ipod tunes.
ReplyDeletewhat do I like about cm, the quotes,they make you think
ReplyDeleteWatching Elle lose it the way she did seemed so foreign. She was always so together. The progression of her spiral was interesting and well done as someone has previously mentioned but it was also profound. I always liked Elle and after FK2 I knew we were headed for angst and I think by then we knew Lola was leaving but watching it was both fascinating and weird. The writing in this one was really great but the music slammed the message over the finish line. Inspired choices for sure.
ReplyDeleteI think she did it because she felt so helpless inside. As though what she did didn't make a difference and she just snapped. Great episode.
ReplyDeleteGreat episode. It was my first time seeing it.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why they didn't see how bad off she really was? I am guessing that it was just part of the setup to her leaving. Very good episode and the music was terrific. It was strange to see MP on the show though and know that Gideon wouldn't be back.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that I also found it weird that she blamed Hotchner but not Gideon. Gideon certainly blamed himself and I do think he could tell she was melying down. I think he thought she would pull out of it like he had done so many times. I also think Gideon would be the one most likely to make excuses for her behavior. Hotchner is always going to follow the rules and emotion isn't really his thing.
ReplyDeleteGreat points by everyone. There were lots of layers to this episode but I think guilt really was the thought of the day.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone has a breaking point and Elle reached hers. Great episode.
ReplyDeleteThis was a good episode - although what happens in the rest of it gets overshadowed by Elle's actions at the end.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that struck me about this was the scene in which the rape survivor is interviewed and which is part of the caps. This woman has been through a trauma and she is sat down, wearing nothing but a hospital gown, while 3 fully clothed officers, 2 of whom are men, stand over her and ask questions. I know there is some dramatic licence here but it really shows her as having lost all power.
One thing I liked about this ep was Reid going to talk to Elle. He didn't make a very good job of it, but at least he tried. Bless him.
And the Morgan/Garcia convo is just fantastic and lightens the mood beautifully.
You read about people in law enforcement burning out after working for many years and most of them did not go through what Elle went through. I add my comment to one listed before in saying I think it was almost to be expected that she would not blame Gideon. Hotch is preceived as the one making the final decisions and he was the one that sent her home with nobody there to help protect her. Awesome episode. Sad to lose Elle but okay.
ReplyDeleteI really like that they left her standing. She is broken and has lost her way but we know from what happens next that Elle goes on. She just isn't with us. Killing her would have been too easy. Now if they want to kill someone else's character I am ALL for that one but Elle was different. There was no reason to have that type of closure. It was what it was. A person who simply snapped under conditions anyone of us would have also.
ReplyDeleteIMO "Aftermath" was one of the best episodese in the entire season and we had a great season so that is saying a lot!
ReplyDeleteThere is so much to like about this episode it is hard to name them. I do think Gideon knew. I think he knew and she knew he knew and if there was one person who could understand her actions it would always have been him. He knew what it was like to fall into a pit. He had done that himself before. I don't think Hotch has that level of experience. I wasn't surprised that she lashed out at him. I was touched on how he took it.
ReplyDeleteGreat episode.
ReplyDeleteHum, they're profilers but sometimes don't see what is right under their noses. First time around I didn't realize how distressed Elle was, either. Great to see it again.
ReplyDelete-DD
P.S.Thank you, Shemar! ; )
Gideon was warning Elle to cool it, and telling her to remove herself from the case. He knew she was having flashbacks or could sense it. She had already lost control by confronting the unsub and her anger was escalating, not decreasing as would be typical if she was simply angry. PTSD!
ReplyDeleteAgents get their own rooms.
The scene in the hospital with the rape victim was a bit exaggerated, but not unheard of. Police agencies can get very upset and lose some perspective when there is a series of high profile crimes that cause fear in the population. Tact goes out the window. The BAU team should know better, though.
Loved this episode both times I watched it.
ReplyDeleteI loved the episode but it was so sad. I loved Elle.
ReplyDeleteThis episode had it all. Bad hair, Gube in glasses, a wonderful but sad story and perfect music. It doesn't get much better than this.
ReplyDeleteAt least I got to see why Elle is no longer at the BAU. I don't know how I missed it when I watched it the first time. I think her participating as a decoy in that sting really set her off. She just was not emotionally ready to come back to work.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best episodes so far!
ReplyDeleteGreat episode. It was sad the first time around. Lola leaving us and all but she has been gone so long now that I was able to enjoy the episode more.
ReplyDeleteLove the episode. Very well written and the music was great as already mentioned. Hard to see Elle lose it like that but she wasn't ready to go back to work.
ReplyDeleteA truly wonderful episode.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what the music was that Elle turned on in the house when she was being bait for the rapist?
ReplyDelete