Criminal Minds spoiler thread for "25 to Life" written by Erica Messer and starring Joe Mantegna, Thomas Gibson, Paget Brewster, Shemar Moore, Matthew Gray Gubler and Kirsten Vangsness.
**Beware! There will be spoilers in the comments :)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
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«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 295 of 295Question to the Criminal Minds Fanatic Blog administrators:
Do you know if the CM producers look at these reviews?
I think most people are looking for more team interaction (especially Reid/Morgan that has been severely lacking lately), more Reid as he's been neglected, and people are not fond of not seeing a main character at all in an episode.
People also want to see a strong case with more profiling.
I was just curious to know if they look at this. Please let us know.
Thanks!
Yes they do. Ed and the writers have spoken about reading the blog often in chats and the season two dvds have this blog in the extras with a writer talking about them reading it.
I think the Seaver character is a bit 2D just now but I'm willing to give her a chance. Also Reid is looking soo hot!
The only episode that we didn't have one of our cast members in were the few after AJ had her baby and we all knew that was going to happen and it made sense. Someone needs to explain to us why Thomas was in the credits but not the episode. Unacceptable!
Adding my two cents by stating that I agree with what Cara Lynn, Martha, and several other Anonymous comment posters have said, Ashley Seaver is not a good fit for the show, and I at least, am not willing to give a chance to a character and plot line that I strongly believe will diminsh the strength and credibility of the show (it already has in my book).
At one point I was willing (even after the first horrible episode where they introduced this character), but in combination with Wednesday's episode, I think the writing is on the wall. They are either going to have to write her as some unusually fast learner, able to sit with the rest of the team and profile and/or as an emotional wreck. Either choice is cliche and horrible. Oh, and mark my words, if this character stays on as a regular there will be a story of her serial killer dad either escaping from prison or being released. When that inevitably happens, be prepared for triple the melodrama of this characters first episode.
I am willing to give the show that I love a chance to do a 180 and get back to the quality it once had. But if they think they are going to do that by signing on cadets with no substanntive value to add to this show other than some possible fodder for more melodrama, cliche romance, or blinders to put over the audience eyes, then they can count me out.
There are several points I would like to address here, if someone is indeed reading.
First there's the overall quality of the show that has dropped. I'm watching CM and it feels like the characters are just going through the motions. I know it's a bit exaggerated but sometimes it feels so impersonal. Take one line from one character and give it to another and it will work just the same. They lost their individuality, their special tone. I don't know if the lack of manpower has led to less time and less attention to detail,I don't know if the new writers can't write the characters as well as the senior writers (and if that's the case why isn't someone helping them get it right?) I just know something is off. If you read this thread you will see I'm not the only one, and as countless people before me I beg you to do something about it, to fix it somehow before it's too late and this show loses its special spark. It's not the grim of the cases that brings your faithful viewers back every single week, it's these characters we've grown to love.
In connection with that I can say that Wednesday's episode was out of character for many of them. There were a lot of instances lately when people should have been pulled from cases because they were too involved, and they were not. Why was Morgan allowed to work the case when he was the one to make a mistake in the first place? I do understand that he had to make up for his mistake, but don't jump the shark just out of simple desire to portray one character or another as a hero. Just like in the season opener, Morgan was not objective, he was out to prove a point. He was too close and I wonder why none of the team members noticed that and held him back. I think it's out of character for Rossi not to have said anything, he usually does. Lately I feel the realistic chain of events is being manipulated for the glorification of a character or another. While I do realize that this is a TV show and not meant to be realistic, it's gotten to a point where it's getting ridiculous. The trademark of the BAU used to be professionalism, where has that gone? Do they really go out after people with no warrant, little evidence more than speculation and put on a pathetic public show? Is that the New BAU? Because if it is, then I don't want to see it anymore.
Second, to the character of Ashley Seaver. Nothing personal against the actress, and I realize that this isn't easy for her. I know people didn't really welcome Prentiss when she joined the team either and now she grew to be a part of the team. I can see where the writers would think the fans are still upset (and rightly so) about what happened to AJ, but at some point they will calm down and finish by accepting the new girl since they really don't have a choice. The problem is they think people are biased and prone to dislike her anyway. It's not entirely true. There were a lot of people willing to give her a chance but the writers blew that chance. She didn't really need to be so picture perfect superwoman in every way. She does the obstacle course on her lunch break? Really? She's a cadet and yet profiles like a pro. You're trying to hard, it's not real. The fans are not going for it so please stop trying so hard to portray her as a superwoman who can do it all and knows it all. She's just a cadet, she doesn't know it all yet. When Prentiss first came on at first it was awkward, as it should be in situations like these. You're trying to make us feel like she's been there forever and she hasn't. It feels off.
I'm sorry for the very long post but I wanted to explain my view of things and why exactly I have a problem with the writing lately, with the last episode and the new character, in the hope that someone might read and do something about it. I also apologize if I got a little off topic.
Thanks for reading,
Amelia
There are several points I would like to address here, if someone is indeed reading.
First there's the overall quality of the show that has dropped. I'm watching CM and it feels like the characters are just going through the motions. I know it's a bit exaggerated but sometimes it feels so impersonal. Take one line from one character and give it to another and it will work just the same. They lost their individuality, their special tone. I don't know if the lack of manpower has led to less time and less attention to detail,I don't know if the new writers can't write the characters as well as the senior writers (and if that's the case why isn't someone helping them get it right?) I just know something is off. If you read this thread you will see I'm not the only one, and as countless people before me I beg you to do something about it, to fix it somehow before it's too late and this show loses its special spark. It's not the grim of the cases that brings your faithful viewers back every single week, it's these characters we've grown to love.
In connection with that I can say that Wednesday's episode was out of character for many of them. There were a lot of instances lately when people should have been pulled from cases because they were too involved, and they were not. Why was Morgan allowed to work the case when he was the one to make a mistake in the first place? I do understand that he had to make up for his mistake, but don't jump the shark just out of simple desire to portray one character or another as a hero. Just like in the season opener, Morgan was not objective, he was out to prove a point. He was too close and I wonder why none of the team members noticed that and held him back. I think it's out of character for Rossi not to have said anything, he usually does. Lately I feel the realistic chain of events is being manipulated for the glorification of a character or another. While I do realize that this is a TV show and not meant to be realistic, it's gotten to a point where it's getting ridiculous. The trademark of the BAU used to be professionalism, where has that gone? Do they really go out after people with no warrant, little evidence more than speculation and put on a pathetic public show? Is that the New BAU? Because if it is, then I don't want to see it anymore.
Second, to the character of Ashley Seaver. Nothing personal against the actress, and I realize that this isn't easy for her. I know people didn't really welcome Prentiss when she joined the team either and now she grew to be a part of the team. I can see where the writers would think the fans are still upset (and rightly so) about what happened to AJ, but at some point they will calm down and finish by accepting the new girl since they really don't have a choice. The problem is they think people are biased and prone to dislike her anyway. It's not entirely true. There were a lot of people willing to give her a chance but the writers blew that chance. She didn't really need to be so picture perfect superwoman in every way. She does the obstacle course on her lunch break? Really? She's a cadet and yet profiles like a pro. You're trying to hard, it's not real. The fans are not going for it so please stop trying so hard to portray her as a superwoman who can do it all and knows it all. She's just a cadet, she doesn't know it all yet. When Prentiss first came on at first it was awkward, as it should be in situations like these. You're trying to make us feel like she's been there forever and she hasn't. It feels off.
I'm sorry for the very long post but I wanted to explain my view of things and why exactly I have a problem with the writing lately, with the last episode and the new character, in the hope that someone might read and do something about it. I also apologize if I got a little off topic.
Thanks for reading and for your patience,
Amelia
There are several points I would like to address here, if someone is indeed reading.
First there's the overall quality of the show that has dropped. I'm watching CM and it feels like the characters are just going through the motions. I know it's a bit exaggerated but sometimes it feels so impersonal. Take one line from one character and give it to another and it will work just the same. They lost their individuality, their special tone. I don't know if the lack of manpower has led to less time and less attention to detail,I don't know if the new writers can't write the characters as well as the senior writers (and if that's the case why isn't someone helping them get it right?) I just know something is off. If you read this thread you will see I'm not the only one, and as countless people before me I beg you to do something about it, to fix it somehow before it's too late and this show loses its special spark. It's not the grim of the cases that brings your faithful viewers back every single week, it's these characters we've grown to love.
In connection with that I can say that Wednesday's episode was out of character for many of them. There were a lot of instances lately when people should have been pulled from cases because they were too involved, and they were not. Why was Morgan allowed to work the case when he was the one to make a mistake in the first place? I do understand that he had to make up for his mistake, but don't jump the shark just out of simple desire to portray one character or another as a hero. Just like in the season opener, Morgan was not objective, he was out to prove a point. He was too close and I wonder why none of the team members noticed that and held him back. I think it's out of character for Rossi not to have said anything, he usually does. Lately I feel the realistic chain of events is being manipulated for the glorification of a character or another. While I do realize that this is a TV show and not meant to be realistic, it's gotten to a point where it's getting ridiculous. The trademark of the BAU used to be professionalism, where has that gone? Do they really go out after people with no warrant, little evidence more than speculation and put on a pathetic public show? Is that the New BAU? Because if it is, then I don't want to see it anymore.
Second, to the character of Ashley Seaver. Nothing personal against the actress, and I realize that this isn't easy for her. I know people didn't really welcome Prentiss when she joined the team either and now she grew to be a part of the team. I can see where the writers would think the fans are still upset (and rightly so) about what happened to AJ, but at some point they will calm down and finish by accepting the new girl since they really don't have a choice. The problem is they think people are biased and prone to dislike her anyway. It's not entirely true. There were a lot of people willing to give her a chance but the writers blew that chance. She didn't really need to be so picture perfect superwoman in every way. She does the obstacle course on her lunch break? Really? She's a cadet and yet profiles like a pro. You're trying to hard, it's not real. The fans are not going for it so please stop trying so hard to portray her as a superwoman who can do it all and knows it all. She's just a cadet, she doesn't know it all yet. When Prentiss first came on at first it was awkward, as it should be in situations like these. You're trying to make us feel like she's been there forever and she hasn't. It feels off.
I'm sorry for the very long post but I wanted to explain my view of things and why exactly I have a problem with the writing lately, with the last episode and the new character, in the hope that someone might read and do something about it. I also apologize if I got a little off topic.
Thanks for reading,
Amelia
There are several points I would like to address here, if someone is indeed reading.
First there's the overall quality of the show that has dropped. I'm watching CM and it feels like the characters are just going through the motions. I know it's a bit exaggerated but sometimes it feels so impersonal. Take one line from one character and give it to another and it will work just the same. They lost their individuality, their special tone. I don't know if the lack of manpower has led to less time and less attention to detail,I don't know if the new writers can't write the characters as well as the senior writers (and if that's the case why isn't someone helping them get it right?) I just know something is off. If you read this thread you will see I'm not the only one, and as countless people before me I beg you to do something about it, to fix it somehow before it's too late and this show loses its special spark. It's not the grim of the cases that brings your faithful viewers back every single week, it's these characters we've grown to love.
In connection with that I can say that Wednesday's episode was out of character for many of them. There were a lot of instances lately when people should have been pulled from cases because they were too involved, and they were not. Why was Morgan allowed to work the case when he was the one to make a mistake in the first place? I do understand that he had to make up for his mistake, but don't jump the shark just out of simple desire to portray one character or another as a hero. Just like in the season opener, Morgan was not objective, he was out to prove a point. He was too close and I wonder why none of the team members noticed that and held him back. I think it's out of character for Rossi not to have said anything, he usually does. Lately I feel the realistic chain of events is being manipulated for the glorification of a character or another. While I do realize that this is a TV show and not meant to be realistic, it's gotten to a point where it's getting ridiculous. The trademark of the BAU used to be professionalism, where has that gone? Do they really go out after people with no warrant, little evidence more than speculation and put on a pathetic public show? Is that the New BAU? Because if it is, then I don't want to see it anymore.
Second, to the character of Ashley Seaver. Nothing personal against the actress, and I realize that this isn't easy for her. I know people didn't really welcome Prentiss when she joined the team either and now she grew to be a part of the team. I can see where the writers would think the fans are still upset (and rightly so) about what happened to AJ, but at some point they will calm down and finish by accepting the new girl since they really don't have a choice. The problem is they think people are biased and prone to dislike her anyway. It's not entirely true. There were a lot of people willing to give her a chance but the writers blew that chance. She didn't really need to be so picture perfect superwoman in every way. She does the obstacle course on her lunch break? Really? She's a cadet and yet profiles like a pro? The fans are not going for it so please stop trying so hard to portray her as a superwoman who can do it all and knows it all. She's just a cadet, she doesn't know it all yet. When Prentiss first came on at first it was awkward, as it should be in situations like these. You're trying to make us feel like she's been there forever and she hasn't.
I'm sorry for the very long post but I wanted to explain my view of things and why exactly I have a problem with the writing lately, with the last episode and the new character, in the hope that someone might read and do something about it. I also apologize if it got a little off topic.
Amelia
There are several points I would like to address here, if someone is indeed reading.
First there's the overall quality of the show that has dropped. I'm watching CM and it feels like the characters are just going through the motions. I know it's a bit exaggerated but sometimes it feels so impersonal. Take one line from one character and give it to another and it will work just the same. They lost their individuality, their special tone. I don't know if the lack of manpower has led to less time and less attention to detail,I don't know if the new writers can't write the characters as well as the senior writers (and if that's the case why isn't someone helping them get it right?) I just know something is off. If you read this thread you will see I'm not the only one, and as countless people before me I beg you to do something about it, to fix it somehow before it's too late and this show loses its special spark. It's not the grim of the cases that brings your faithful viewers back every single week, it's these characters we've grown to love.
In connection with that I can say that Wednesday's episode was out of character for many of them. There were a lot of instances lately when people should have been pulled from cases because they were too involved, and they were not. Why was Morgan allowed to work the case when he was the one to make a mistake in the first place? I do understand that he had to make up for his mistake, but don't jump the shark just out of simple desire to portray one character or another as a hero. Just like in the season opener, Morgan was not objective, he was out to prove a point. He was too close and I wonder why none of the team members noticed that and held him back. I think it's out of character for Rossi not to have said anything, he usually does. Lately I feel the realistic chain of events is being manipulated for the glorification of a character or another. While I do realize that this is a TV show and not meant to be realistic, it's gotten to a point where it's getting ridiculous. The trademark of the BAU used to be professionalism, where has that gone? Do they really go out after people with no warrant, little evidence more than speculation and put on a pathetic public show? Is that the New BAU? Because if it is, then I don't want to see it anymore.
Second, to the character of Ashley Seaver. Nothing personal against the actress, and I realize that this isn't easy for her. I know people didn't really welcome Prentiss when she joined the team either and now she grew to be a part of the team. I can see where the writers would think the fans are still upset (and rightly so) about what happened to AJ, but at some point they will calm down and finish by accepting the new girl since they really don't have a choice. The problem is they think people are biased and prone to dislike her anyway. It's not entirely true. There were a lot of people willing to give her a chance but the writers blew that chance. She didn't really need to be so picture perfect superwoman in every way. She does the obstacle course on her lunch break? Really? She's a cadet and yet profiles like a pro. You're trying to hard, it's not real. The fans are not going for it so please stop trying so hard to portray her as a superwoman who can do it all and knows it all. She's just a cadet, she doesn't know it all yet. When Prentiss first came on at first it was awkward, as it should be in situations like these. You're trying to make us feel like she's been there forever and she hasn't. It feels off.
I'm sorry for the very long post but I wanted to explain my view of things and why exactly I have a problem with the writing lately, with the last episode and the new character, in the hope that someone might read and do something about it. I also apologize if I got a little off topic.
Thanks for reading,
Amelia
The good news is this episode wasn’t AS bad as I feared, but the storytelling was very weak and illogical and didn’t feel like the smart show I fell in love with. Kyle Secor was very good as Sanderson, and his original case reminded me of “Fatal Vision” the true life story of Jeffrey MacDonald, a Green Beret doctor accused of murdering his family in the 1970s. He claims a group of druggies broke into his house and killed his family, while he only sustained minor injuries. As far as I know, he is still in jail though he maintains he innocence to this day.
The problems with this story started for me at the very beginning. The task of evaluating a convicted murderer and determining if he is fit for parole seems like a job for a forensic psychologist, not a mere profiler. Even though the BAU team is skilled in behavioral analysis, as far as I know, none of them are licensed psychologists. Morgan doesn’t seem qualified for the job he was given, but maybe I am wrong on that.
Once the case started, the profiling techniques used to connect Tom Whitman to Mary Rutka were good, but the link back to James Stanworth was tenuous at best. The only “evidence” implicating Stanworth was that he was a businessman who used to live in that house before Sanderson and his campaign slogan was the same common phrase “let’s do this” that was uttered on the videotape. There was no proven link to the other two accomplices or to any of the murders.
To me, this is when the story completely loses its center and descends into Hollywood cliché. Strauss was right; there was no evidence to arrest Stanworth. But did Morgan listen? Oh hell no. This was the part where Hotch’s absence was keenly felt. I felt the show was fine up to this point without him, but I can’t imagine Hotch ever okaying Morgan to do what he did next. Morgan acted completely unprofessionally and impetuously. It was more like he was a child angry that his parent told him no, so he stomped out of the room, and proceeded to do what he wanted anyway, thereby opening the BAU and the local police department up to a lawsuit. You can’t just arrest someone, because to quote Morgan’s inane reason for targeting Stanworth “it just might be him.” Why the hell did it take the newbie to ask “what if they were wrong?” There was ZERO probable cause to arrest Stanworth. But Morgan trespasses into Stanworth’s home and then taunts him in front of Stanworth’s friends and colleagues, calling him a murderer and a psychopath. And when Stanworth loses his cool, he is arrested. Again on what grounds? Stanworth didn’t say anything that would implicate him in the murders. He only got angry. Well if some strange man barged into my home and started accusing me of being a murderer in front of my friends, I would probably lose my cool as well. Most likely a judge will throw out Stanworth’s arrest as unjustified and any evidence gathered from the arrest and search would be thrown out as fruit from the poisonous tree. So there just went the entire case, and now Stanworth probably has grounds for a harassment suit against Morgan. Yeah that’s some great, logical storytelling there.
(cont.)
(cont.)
Plus if Stanworth really was a cold-blooded psychopath with no remorse, why didn’t he kill Sanderson and his son in the first place? The primary killer’s seemed to be directed at Sanderson, so why wasn’t there any violence against him? The killers didn’t even try and subdue him, and you always subdue the greatest threat first. Was Stanworth’s whole plan to frame Sanderson for a murder he didn’t commit? That seems pretty far reaching for a budding psychopath. Plus, again why leave the son alive? There are just too many unanswered questions to fit Stanworth’s supposed profile as a psychopath.
Then at the end, why was Sanderson released from jail? Did he make bail or did the police conclusively prove that it was self defense? Either way you look at it, Sanderson killed Whitman. All we have is Sanderson’s view of things. Even if Sanderson didn’t kill his family, he could have sought revenge on Whitman for his participation in the crime. You would think there would be at least SOME mention why Sanderson was released from jail, but there wasn’t. Again, weak storytelling that abandoned logic in favor of the heartwarming moment when Sanderson is reunited with his son. Bah. I don’t want sentiment; I want intelligent, believable storytelling.
(cont.)
(cont.)
With all this weak storytelling, there wasn’t much time for team interaction. Poor Reid was criminally underused. I am glad Emily was featured more, but it seems like the writers are setting her up for either a possible emotional meltdown or some sort of career or personal crisis that would lead her to leave the BAU. I want my strong, confident Emily back! She who was so good at compartmentalizing and wasn’t bothered by some victim’s blood on her hands. Rossi was good and I loved his interaction with Strauss. During the scene when Strauss was the only voice of sanity, I could swear there were some hot looks between the two of them that indicate a fiery history. However, “cool” it might have been for Rossi to dismiss politics, the reality is that Strauss was not talking about politics, but rule of law. Morgan should be very glad he didn’t get fired or at least a reprimand for his irresponsible stunt, even though he should have. If Hotch had done that, Strauss would have put him out on his butt, and rightfully so.
As for Ashley, her actions didn’t enrage me like they did last episode, but I still don’t want her around, because her presence doesn’t add anything to the show or the team. It’s like the writers are bound and determined to force a new character upon us, but aren’t sure how to go about doing it in a way the audience will accept. First she was the fragile cadet with the unique background who proceeded to add nothing to the case, but almost got herself killed. Now she wants to complete her remedial training at the BAU and seems to be quite the case fact spouter, even though she knows nothing of her own father’s case. She has no documented background in psychology or criminology (at least it hasn’t been mentioned) and she hasn’t even taken any profiling classes. If the writers want a “newbie”, she should be asking questions about profiling, not acting like she is already a seasoned member of the team. Instead the writers are trying to have her simultaneously take the title of “Team Wide-Eyed Innocent” away from Reid and his role as the team fount of knowledge for all things? Oh hell no! Reid has too little screen time as it is this past season and a half, only to have his function taken over by a cadet. And the rest of the team just accepted her. Yeah right! This team, (like CM fans themselves), don’t like it when their team dynamics are messed with. It took them a while to warm up to Emily and Rossi. The team took JJ’s departure very hard, so I can’t imagine they would just welcome some brand new, not even out of the Academy cadet as one of their own. And since when is the BAU a training ground for unproven agents anyway? Never that’s when. I would love to find out that Emily lied and Hotch didn’t really sign off on Ashley’s training. She has no reason to be there, and I wonder if Emily is blinded by the fact that Ashley is a woman to overlook the fact that Ashley is not qualified to be a profiler. I can’t imagine Emily taking some male cadet who screwed up that royally on his first time out under her wing. Hell, even Rossi didn’t think Ashley should be back, and he was the one who recruited her in the first place. My problem with the new character is with how Ashley is written, and I fail to see how the show needs her presence in the first place.
All in all, this was a weak episode and definitely not up to Criminal Minds’ standards for writing, characterization and intelligence. I hope this is just a minor trough in the season and not a harbinger of things to come.
If someone is really reading this I decided to post a few things on my mind.
The overall quality of the show that has dropped. I'm watching CM and it feels like the characters are just going through the motions. I know it's a bit exaggerated but sometimes it feels so impersonal. Take one line from one character and give it to another and it will work just the same. They lost their individuality, their special tone. I don't know if the lack of manpower has led to less time and less attention to detail, I don't know if the new writers can't write the characters as well as the senior writers (and if that's the case why isn't someone helping them get it right?) I just know something is off. If you read this thread you will see I'm not the only one, and as countless people before me I beg you to do something about it, to fix it somehow before it's too late and this show loses its special spark. It's not the grim of the cases that brings your faithful viewers back every single week, it's these characters we've grown to love.
In connection with that I can say that Wednesday's episode was out of character for many of them. There were a lot of instances lately when people should have been pulled from cases because they were too involved, and they were not. Why was Morgan allowed to work the case when he was the one to make a mistake in the first place? I do understand that he had to make up for his mistake, but don't jump the shark just out of simple desire to portray one character or another as a hero. Just like in the season opener, Morgan was not objective, he was out to prove a point. He was too close and I wonder why none of the team members noticed that and held him back. I think it's out of character for Rossi not to have said anything, he usually does. I’m not attacking any of the characters here because they do what the writers decide they should do, I’m just merely pointing out what I consider to be inconsistencies. Lately I feel the realistic chain of events is being manipulated for the glorification of a character or another. While I do realize that this is a TV show and not meant to be realistic, it's gotten to a point where it's getting ridiculous. The trademark of the BAU used to be professionalism; where has that gone? Do they really go after people with no warrant, little evidence and put on a pathetic public show? Is that the New BAU? Because if it is, then I don't want to see it anymore.
About the character of Ashley Seaver. Nothing personal against the actress, and I realize that this isn't easy for her. I know people didn't really welcome Prentiss when she joined the team either but embraced her eventually. I can see where the writers would think the fans are still upset (and rightly so) about what happened to AJ, but at some point they will calm down and finish by accepting the new girl since they really don't have a choice. The problem is they think people are biased and prone to dislike her anyway. It's not entirely true. There were a lot of people willing to give her a chance but the writers blew that chance. She didn't really need to be so picture perfect superwoman in every way. She does the obstacle course on her lunch break? Really? She's a cadet and yet profiles like a pro. The fans are not going for it so please stop trying so hard to portray her as a superwoman who can do it all and knows it all. She's just a cadet, she doesn't know it all yet. You're trying to make us feel like she's been there forever and she hasn't.
I'm sorry for the very long post. I also apologize if I got a little off topic.
Amelia
@ Lashawna Very deep and insightful analysis of the episode. Thanks for sharing :)
I was extremely surprised to see an Hotchless episode.
I suppose T. Gibson wasn't available, because there is no way the writers just thought 'hey, let's not write Hotch in this episode'.
I don't know if they simply messed up with the press release (wouldn't be the first time) when they wrote Cad Owen's name or if a scene was filmed and didn't make it in the end.
It feels strange to not have a main cast member at all in an episode and I hope it doesn't happen again (even if I'm expecting the episode filmed when Gubler made his trip to Japan to be almost Reidless).
I thought the plot was great, it was a good case really, but the last part...
They narrowed down their suspect too quickly and the way they wrapped up the case wasn't credible.
Disrupting that wannabe Congress man party and accusing him of murderer in front of the elite of DC, without a shred of evidence, could have been a destructive move for Morgan's career.
And Morgan certainly didn't have the right to physically force the man to show him his hands. On what grounds ?
I'm not blaming Morgan, I'm blaming Erica Messer here.
I don't think Hotch being there or not would have changed a thing, it's just Erica Messer who thought it was a satisfactory ending.
She might have written that same ending even with Hotch in the episode.
But the case was good and showed us good Morgan scenes. And at least we didn't see the main culprit from the beginning, we had to guess, it's a big plus.
I sort of had a knee jerk reaction when Ashley Seaver said "It sounds like we need to profile a dormant killer".
How come she is already able to participate when the BAU team is establishing a profile ?
There were moments where she was already able to profile, which makes absolutely no sense. At other times it seems like the writers didn't know what to do with her but thought they had to give her lines.
The highlight of this episode for me were :
- the scenes with Morgan and Don Sanderson. Great moments, I enjoyed those.
- Strauss, I love the conflicts she can bring and Jayne Atkinson is such a brilliant actress.
The Rossi/Strauss scenes are always interesting. Though, Rossi's line 'I know Erin, I just don't care' was rather immature given the circumstances (and I usually love their exchanges, they are unique, no one can talk to Strauss like Rossi does).
I also have a problem with the way the writers are handling Reid.
It's not a matter of screen time (though, I would certainly not object to see him more, of course).
It's how they use his screen time that causes me a problem.
When was the last time we saw Reid being the true genius we know he is ? When was the last time the writers wrote a scene were his very specific skills and his big brain played a role in solving a crime ?
We often had little moments in the first four seasons where we would see Reid working his own kind of magic on a case (without it being a Reid centric episode).
For example the scene in 'Unfinished Business' when Reid remembered the crossword puzzle in his head and solved it mentally.
I want to see those scenes back, I miss them so much !
Sure, Reid participates and helps in the profile. But now it's only in a very 'generic' way, not like the world class genius he is.
So, I hope the writers won't use his screen time to make him crush on Seaver and/or to make him look like an idiot.
Let him shine please !
If someone is really reading this I decided to post a few things on my mind.
The overall quality of the show that has dropped. I'm watching CM and it feels like the characters are just going through the motions. I know it's a bit exaggerated but sometimes it feels so impersonal. Take one line from one character and give it to another and it will work just the same. They lost their individuality, their special tone. I don't know if the lack of manpower has led to less time and less attention to detail, I don't know if the new writers can't write the characters as well as the senior writers (and if that's the case why isn't someone helping them get it right?) I just know something is off. If you read this thread you will see I'm not the only one, and as countless people before me I beg you to do something about it, to fix it somehow before it's too late and this show loses its special spark. It's not the grim of the cases that brings your faithful viewers back every single week, it's these characters we've grown to love.
In connection with that I can say that Wednesday's episode was out of character for many of them. There were a lot of instances lately when people should have been pulled from cases because they were too involved, and they were not. Why was Morgan allowed to work the case when he was the one to make a mistake in the first place? I do understand that he had to make up for his mistake, but don't jump the shark just out of simple desire to portray one character or another as a hero. Just like in the season opener, Morgan was not objective, he was out to prove a point. He was too close and I wonder why none of the team members noticed that and held him back. I think it's out of character for Rossi not to have said anything, he usually does. I’m not attacking any of the characters here because they do what the writers decide they should do, I’m just merely pointing out what I consider to be inconsistencies. Lately I feel the realistic chain of events is being manipulated for the glorification of a character or another. While I do realize that this is a TV show and not meant to be realistic, it's gotten to a point where it's getting ridiculous. The trademark of the BAU used to be professionalism; where has that gone? Do they really go after people with no warrant, little evidence and put on a pathetic public show? Is that the New BAU? Because if it is, then I don't want to see it anymore.
About the character of Ashley Seaver. Nothing personal against the actress, and I realize that this isn't easy for her. I know people didn't really welcome Prentiss when she joined the team either but embraced her eventually. I can see where the writers would think the fans are still upset (and rightly so) about what happened to AJ, but at some point they will calm down and finish by accepting the new girl since they really don't have a choice. The problem is they think people are biased and prone to dislike her anyway. It's not entirely true. There were a lot of people willing to give her a chance but the writers blew that chance. She didn't really need to be so picture perfect superwoman in every way. She does the obstacle course on her lunch break? Really? She's a cadet and yet profiles like a pro. The fans are not going for it so please stop trying so hard to portray her as a superwoman who can do it all and knows it all. She's just a cadet, she doesn't know it all yet. You're trying to make us feel like she's been there forever and she hasn't.
I'm sorry for the very long post. I also apologize if I got a little off topic.
Amelia
I think this episode/season thus far should be titled "Suspension of Belief." First, believing that this episode wasn't some fainthearted attempt at a one hour version of the movie the "Fugitive" minus the one-armed man, calls for a suspension of belief. Second, believing that the BAU would travel around with a man that just murdered someone without handcuffs calls for a suspension of belief. Thirdly, to believe that a videotape of the crime would be kept after all of these years (nevermind the question of how it was taped or why) calls for a suspension of belief. Fourthly, to believe some not even out of cadet status person would have any information given her woeful lack of experience and training to assist in this case, or any other case (including the first episode where she gave the info about not having any pets that didn't go anywhere), up and to the point where she is sharing more information/insight than even the resident young genius (Reid) calls for a suspension of belief.
The ultimate suspension of belief is the hope by CBS and Criminal Minds that the audience is not picking up on all of this that I and many other people have brought to light. It calls for a suspension of belief that fans of this beloved show will just sit back and say nothing while illogical and destructive decisions are made at the expense of the show. The matter of AJ Cook and Paget Brewster aside (both sad situations), did CBS and Criminal Minds think that the audience would just sit back and say nothing when they introduce storylines and characters that don't jive at all with the show. A cadet joining the BAU- okay, well, maybe we should ask pre-med students to help surgeons in the ER.
Did they think that this attempt to placate fans would run with no opposition? If you hadn't noticed, many fans of this show are intelligent people who pay attention to detail, not promises that things will get better when week after week they don't. It's simple, we want intelligent casting and writing decisions, not efforts to make up for past blunders by casting characters and writing stories that are off, way off, from a show that previously set itself apart from those types of tactics. Very disappointing.
Hello,
(that's awhile I didn't post on this blog but tonight I'm in mood to do it, so this is! :)
---------
WOW, I haven't read so much bad reviews for the 5x18 (you know the one which introduced the characters of CM spin-off)! -> 208 messages & about 80 % of bad critics!
A question: do you know when the arc explaning Prentiss leaving begins? I stopped to watch for 6x02 (except 1 more ep a bit later) and I'd really like to not miss this story (Emily Prentiss is my favourite for the beginning so, I'd like to be loyal to this character until the end, stupid, isn't it?! :)
I watched a lot of clips of CM episodes of season 6 (not the whole episodes), especially with the new Agent Seaver and well, sorry to say that but this character doesn't fit at all with the team!
I guess Rachel Nichols is a talented actress though I didn't see her in any others shows/movies and what I read abbout her was as well good as bad so I was curious to "judge" by myself..., but in THIS show, which runs for 6 years now, she simply doesn't fit!
I mean, the BAU team is sensed to count the elite of FBI agents, each of them being an expert in something and there, they accept someone who is a rookie and who is still in training at Quantico (and maybe never leave Quantico besides!)?!.
COME ON, CM writers, give us some credit! You will NEVER see this kind of situation happen in real life, whatever the country! Only the best are hired and before that, they already had a job on the field or behind a desk!
-> Why not to have introduce her like a young psychologist, a FBI CSI able to make proofs talk...well, someone who brings a talent with her?! I"m pretty sure she would have been better accepted by the community!
This situation makes me wonder 3 questions : 1) why to have hired Nichols like regular even though she wasn't appear on screen yet? I mean, it would have been more logical to wait that the arc of 3 episode initially planned be over to see how the audience's reaction, wouldn't it? 2) now that, after 2 epsiodes were aired, it seems that 60 to 70% seems not accept her, can CBS & Ed Bernero still keep her like a regular cast member, at the risk to be opposed themselves to the great majoriy of fans who alredy think that the quality of this 6th season is pretty bad? And Paget Brewster didn't leave yet! And 3) do you think in thiese conditions, that the show will count a 7th season or is it a tactic from CBS to simply sink the show, though its 13-14 millions of viewers?
Well, sorry to have been so long and to end my post on a sad note but well, I'd like to know your opinion! :)
Meanwhile, have a nice day, everyone! :-°
Ghislaine
gbraeme71
Ok so bummed TG and cade owens aren't in the epi, but maybe scenes were shot but they couldn't air them. Hopefully they'll make up for it somewhere else down the line.
Hey, the ratings were solid, and Hotch wasn't even on the show.
Shemar did good with the crap they gave him to work with. Kudos to him.
His episodes had good solid ratings, and up until now, they were high quality episodes.
Last night's was just bad writing. It wasn't because there was no Hotch and very little Reid.
To the individual who bashed Shemar's acting above, while everyone is entitled to their opinion, I whole-heartedly disagree, and so do many others.
I do wish last night's woulda been better though.
Malaise,
The ratings being high for the episode is meaningless. None of the people watching knew it was going to be bad and that Hotch was not going to be in the episode. People watch the show but throw a few really bad episodes in a row at them and they will stop and the ratings will suffer.
If you want proof of this just go back to the ratings for HAT. They were some of CM's highest ratings and nobody on the planet could possibly say that that isn't the worst episode to ever air.
Shemar Moore is wildly talented and I love him as Derek Morgan. I think he did the best he could, they all did, with the crappy script. I also think Thomas Gibson not being in an episode is a dangerous thing. Too many fans were upset with his absence and frankly baring him being ill or something I find it inexcusable given the cast shake ups of late. He should have been there. I am entitled to my point of view and that is it.
I began watching Criminal Minds because Thomas Gibson is a member of the cast; I remain a FAN of the show because it’s a well written thriller with a cast of characters I want to spend time getting to know. I’ve invested countless hours enjoying the show on CBS along with reruns on A&E and ION; I have all 5 Seasons of the DVD’s and I’ve read Jump Cut, Killer Profile, Finishing School and CM Sociopaths, Serial Killers & Other Deviants. I’ve just recently come to find this site/blog (not much of an internet fan) and by reading your comments it’s obvious I’m hardly alone.
When “25 to Life” was over, I was angry and in tears, how CBS could air a Criminal Minds without Thomas Gibson is inexcusable, as many of you have written. It’s none of my business why TG would take time off, good for him. The producers of Criminal Minds owe those of us who not only invest our time but also our money to enjoy their products to be more creative in their production to overcome a few days off.
I love a good crime drama and like many of you, I really look forward to the “cookies” as Mr. Bernero calls them, within the episodes. I know when Aaron Hotchner fell in love with Haley Brooks (The Fisher King, Part One), how Hotch worried for his pregnant wife (Broken Mirror, which I believe is the only episode Kirsten Vangsness does not appear), when he proudly introduced his son to his team (The Fox), worries for his families safety (The Fisher King, Part One, Amplification, Nameless,Faceless), recognized the possibility his wife may have betrayed their marriage and fought with her to allow him to be who he is, returned home to an empty house (In Name and Blood). Getting to know and caring for each of the team members over the years has been extremely entertaining and I do love and care about ALL of them, Hotch is obviously my favorite.
Over the years I’ve felt SSA Aaron Hotchner’s pain as he sat quietly with a burn victim (Ashes and Dust), as he agonized with personally identifying with a suspect (Natural Born Killer, Ashes and Dust), when he cried at the thought that something he did might have impacted a killers rage to kill innocent people on a bus (Omnivore), signing divorce papers (Damaged), no longer wearing his wedding ring (3rd Life), as he struggles to do his job and maintain a good relationship with Jack (Psychodrama, Seven Seconds, A Higher Power, Bloodline, Pleasure Is My Business, Retaliation). When it was possible that Hotch was shot as “sometimes the day just ends” (…And Back), it was agonizing waiting to find out his fate all summer. Learning that he’d been stabbed and his family was in danger (Nameless, Faceless) and I like many of you cry each time I watch “100”, “The Slave of Duty”, “Risky Business” and “JJ”.
Criminal Minds is great story telling through the eyes of these profilers; who, how, why, when and where a person(s) would inflict unspeakable fear and pain on another human being. AND the emotional investment we’ve made in the lives of Hotch, Morgan, Reid, Garcia, JJ, Prentiss and Rossi; as the BAU TEAM and their personal lives is a bond I expect the staff of CBS and Criminal Minds to understand, how there could possibly be a Criminal Minds episode without one of its major characters is beyond me and that it was Hotch, well “sometimes there are no words.”
Mary
Over the years I’ve felt SSA Aaron Hotchner’s pain as he sat quietly with a burn victim (Ashes and Dust), as he agonized with personally identifying with a suspect (Natural Born Killer, Ashes and Dust), when he cried at the thought that something he did might have impacted a killers rage to kill innocent people on a bus (Omnivore), signing divorce papers (Damaged), no longer wearing his wedding ring (3rd Life), as he struggles to do his job and maintain a good relationship with Jack (Psychodrama, Seven Seconds, A Higher Power, Bloodline, Pleasure Is My Business, Retaliation). When it was possible that Hotch was shot as “sometimes the day just ends” (…And Back), it was agonizing waiting to find out his fate all summer. Learning that he’d been stabbed and his family was in danger (Nameless, Faceless) and I, like many of you, cry each time I watch “100”, “The Slave of Duty”, “Risky Business” and “JJ”.
Criminal Minds is great story telling through the eyes of these profilers; who, how, why, when and where a person(s) would inflict unspeakable fear and pain on another human being. AND the emotional investment we’ve made in the lives of Hotch, Morgan, Reid, Garcia, JJ, Prentiss and Rossi; as the BAU TEAM and their personal lives is a bond I expect CBS and the producers of Criminal Minds to understand, how there could possibly be a Criminal Minds episode without one of its major characters is beyond me and that it was Hotch, well “sometimes there are no words.”
Mary
@pillar
AJ Cook was listed in the credits of every episode while she was on maternity leave. When you are a regular cast member you are listed in the credits regardless if you are actually in the episode or not. It is part of your contract.
IMHO, the past two weeks have been the low points this season. Not only have they introduced a controversial character, but the stories themselves have been weak.
I usually am not fond of Ed Bernero's episodes, and actually, last week was better than some of his, but the story was weak, the red herring smacked us over the head several times (no subtlety) and I didn't like the new character.
You know, there is a big difference in replacing characters (Elle and Gideon, with Prentiss and Rossi, respectively) because those people CHOSE to leave the show, and replacing a beloved character who was let go for no good reason I can think of, with a younger version of that actress, albiet one that isn't as good an actress or as beautiful as AJ is.
I was disappointed with last night's episode because Erica Messer usually writes great stuff and this was a miss for her. First there was NO HOTCH and secondly, you knew right away that the dude was going to be innocent of the crimes because it was a Morgan-centric episode. Morgan, who in all honesty is my least favorite character, seems to be a favored character of TPTB, so you know nothing bad is going to happen to him and he will always be vindicated.
I still can't get over the fact that there was no Hotch in the last episode of CM. It's like not having cream and sugar for my coffee; or leaving the house without socks or underwear. It was obvious there was something seriously missing.
Criminal Minds without Hotch is like a day without sunshine; can't do without it. Don't ever make that mistake again--very bad episode. We haven't had enough Hotch this season; and way too much Morgan.
Now I have two episodes to permanently delete from my DVR, this week's and last.
If someone is really reading this I decided to post a few things on my mind.
The overall quality of the show that has dropped. I'm watching CM and it feels like the characters are just going through the motions. I know it's a bit exaggerated but sometimes it feels so impersonal. Take one line from one character and give it to another and it will work just the same. They lost their individuality, their special tone. I don't know if the lack of manpower has led to less time and less attention to detail, I don't know if the new writers can't write the characters as well as the senior writers (and if that's the case why isn't someone helping them get it right?) I just know something is off. If you read this thread you will see I'm not the only one, and as countless people before me I beg you to do something about it, to fix it somehow before it's too late and this show loses its special spark. It's not the grim of the cases that brings your faithful viewers back every single week, it's these characters we've grown to love.
In connection with that I can say that Wednesday's episode was out of character for many of them. There were a lot of instances lately when people should have been pulled from cases because they were too involved, and they were not. Why was Morgan allowed to work the case when he was the one to make a mistake in the first place? I do understand that he had to make up for his mistake, but don't jump the shark just out of simple desire to portray one character or another as a hero. Just like in the season opener, Morgan was not objective, he was out to prove a point. He was too close and I wonder why none of the team members noticed that and held him back. I think it's out of character for Rossi not to have said anything, he usually does. I’m not attacking any of the characters here because they do what the writers decide they should do, I’m just merely pointing out what I consider to be inconsistencies. Lately I feel the realistic chain of events is being manipulated for the glorification of a character or another. While I do realize that this is a TV show and not meant to be realistic, it's gotten to a point where it's getting ridiculous. The trademark of the BAU used to be professionalism; where has that gone? Do they really go after people with no warrant, little evidence and put on a pathetic public show? Is that the New BAU? Because if it is, then I don't want to see it anymore.
About the character of Ashley Seaver. Nothing personal against the actress, and I realize that this isn't easy for her. I know people didn't really welcome Prentiss when she joined the team either but embraced her eventually. I can see where the writers would think the fans are still upset (and rightly so) about what happened to AJ, but at some point they will calm down and finish by accepting the new girl since they really don't have a choice. The problem is they think people are biased and prone to dislike her anyway. It's not entirely true. There were a lot of people willing to give her a chance but the writers blew that chance. She didn't really need to be so picture perfect superwoman in every way. She does the obstacle course on her lunch break? Really? She's a cadet and yet profiles like a pro. The fans are not going for it so please stop trying so hard to portray her as a superwoman who can do it all and knows it all. She's just a cadet, she doesn't know it all yet. You're trying to make us feel like she's been there forever and she hasn't.
I'm sorry for the very long post. I also apologize if I got a little off topic.
Amelia
If someone is really reading this I decided to post a few things on my mind.
The overall quality of the show that has dropped. I'm watching CM and it feels like the characters are just going through the motions. I know it's a bit exaggerated but sometimes it feels so impersonal. Take one line from one character and give it to another and it will work just the same. They lost their individuality, their special tone. I don't know if the lack of manpower has led to less time and less attention to detail, I don't know if the new writers can't write the characters as well as the senior writers (and if that's the case why isn't someone helping them get it right?) I just know something is off. If you read this thread you will see I'm not the only one, and as countless people before me I beg you to do something about it, to fix it somehow before it's too late and this show loses its special spark. It's not the grim of the cases that brings your faithful viewers back every single week, it's these characters we've grown to love.
In connection with that I can say that Wednesday's episode was out of character for many of them. There were a lot of instances lately when people should have been pulled from cases because they were too involved, and they were not. Why was Morgan allowed to work the case when he was the one to make a mistake in the first place? I do understand that he had to make up for his mistake, but don't jump the shark just out of simple desire to portray one character or another as a hero. Just like in the season opener, Morgan was not objective, he was out to prove a point. He was too close and I wonder why none of the team members noticed that and held him back. I think it's out of character for Rossi not to have said anything, he usually does. I’m not attacking any of the characters here because they do what the writers decide they should do, I’m just merely pointing out what I consider to be inconsistencies. Lately I feel the realistic chain of events is being manipulated for the glorification of a character or another. While I do realize that this is a TV show and not meant to be realistic, it's gotten to a point where it's getting ridiculous. The trademark of the BAU used to be professionalism; where has that gone? Do they really go after people with no warrant, little evidence and put on a pathetic public show? Is that the New BAU? Because if it is, then I don't want to see it anymore.
(cont)
If someone is really reading this I decided to post a few things on my mind.
The overall quality of the show that has dropped. I'm watching CM and it feels like the characters are just going through the motions. I know it's a bit exaggerated but sometimes it feels so impersonal. Take one line from one character and give it to another and it will work just the same. They lost their individuality, their special tone. I don't know if the lack of manpower has led to less time and less attention to detail, I don't know if the new writers can't write the characters as well as the senior writers (and if that's the case why isn't someone helping them get it right?) I just know something is off. If you read this thread you will see I'm not the only one, and as countless people before me I beg you to do something about it, to fix it somehow before it's too late and this show loses its special spark. It's not the grim of the cases that brings your faithful viewers back every single week, it's these characters we've grown to love.
In connection with that I can say that Wednesday's episode was out of character for many of them. There were a lot of instances lately when people should have been pulled from cases because they were too involved, and they were not. Why was Morgan allowed to work the case when he was the one to make a mistake in the first place? I do understand that he had to make up for his mistake, but don't jump the shark just out of simple desire to portray one character or another as a hero. Just like in the season opener, Morgan was not objective, he was out to prove a point. He was too close and I wonder why none of the team members noticed that and held him back. I think it's out of character for Rossi not to have said anything, he usually does. I’m not attacking any of the characters here because they do what the writers decide they should do, I’m just merely pointing out what I consider to be inconsistencies. Lately I feel the realistic chain of events is being manipulated for the glorification of a character or another. While I do realize that this is a TV show and not meant to be realistic, it's gotten to a point where it's getting ridiculous. The trademark of the BAU used to be professionalism; where has that gone? Do they really go after people with no warrant, little evidence and put on a pathetic public show? Is that the New BAU? Because if it is, then I don't want to see it anymore.
About the character of Ashley Seaver. Nothing personal against the actress, and I realize that this isn't easy for her. I know people didn't really welcome Prentiss when she joined the team either but embraced her eventually. I can see where the writers would think the fans are still upset (and rightly so) about what happened to AJ, but at some point they will calm down and finish by accepting the new girl since they really don't have a choice. The problem is they think people are biased and prone to dislike her anyway. It's not entirely true. There were a lot of people willing to give her a chance but the writers blew that chance. She didn't really need to be so picture perfect superwoman in every way. She does the obstacle course on her lunch break? Really? She's a cadet and yet profiles like a pro. The fans are not going for it so please stop trying so hard to portray her as a superwoman who can do it all and knows it all. She's just a cadet, she doesn't know it all yet. You're trying to make us feel like she's been there forever and she hasn't.
I'm sorry for the very long post. I also apologize if I got a little off topic.
Amelia
I can't believe Erica Messer wrote this episode. She usually does much better than this! This honestly feels almost like a recycled, rushed script. Get your act together CM writers!
If someone is really reading this I decided to post a few things on my mind.
The overall quality of the show that has dropped. I'm watching CM and it feels like the characters are just going through the motions. I know it's a bit exaggerated but sometimes it feels so impersonal. Take one line from one character and give it to another and it will work just the same. They lost their individuality, their special tone. I don't know if the lack of manpower has led to less time and less attention to detail, I don't know if the new writers can't write the characters as well as the senior writers (and if that's the case why isn't someone helping them get it right?) I just know something is off. If you read this thread you will see I'm not the only one, and as countless people before me I beg you to do something about it, to fix it somehow before it's too late and this show loses its special spark. It's not the grim of the cases that brings your faithful viewers back every single week, it's these characters we've grown to love.
In connection with that I can say that Wednesday's episode was out of character for many of them. There were a lot of instances lately when people should have been pulled from cases because they were too involved, and they were not. Why was Morgan allowed to work the case when he was the one to make a mistake in the first place? I do understand that he had to make up for his mistake, but don't jump the shark just out of simple desire to portray one character or another as a hero. Just like in the season opener, Morgan was not objective, he was out to prove a point. He was too close and I wonder why none of the team members noticed that and held him back. I think it's out of character for Rossi not to have said anything, he usually does. I’m not attacking any of the characters here because they do what the writers decide they should do, I’m just merely pointing out what I consider to be inconsistencies. Lately I feel the realistic chain of events is being manipulated for the glorification of a character or another. While I do realize that this is a TV show and not meant to be realistic, it's gotten to a point where it's getting ridiculous. The trademark of the BAU used to be professionalism; where has that gone? Do they really go after people with no warrant, little evidence and put on a pathetic public show? Is that the New BAU? Because if it is, then I don't want to see it anymore.
About the character of Ashley Seaver. Nothing personal against the actress, and I realize that this isn't easy for her. I know people didn't really welcome Prentiss when she joined the team either but embraced her eventually. I can see where the writers would think the fans are still upset (and rightly so) about what happened to AJ, but at some point they will calm down and finish by accepting the new girl since they really don't have a choice. The problem is they think people are biased and prone to dislike her anyway. It's not entirely true. There were a lot of people willing to give her a chance but the writers blew that chance. She didn't really need to be so picture perfect superwoman in every way. She does the obstacle course on her lunch break? Really? She's a cadet and yet profiles like a pro. The fans are not going for it so please stop trying so hard to portray her as a superwoman who can do it all and knows it all. She's just a cadet, she doesn't know it all yet. You're trying to make us feel like she's been there forever and she hasn't.
I'm sorry for the very long post. I also apologize if I got a little off topic.
Amelia
Emily Rosen makes a good point about ratings. Although Criminal Minds has been getting good ratings, these ratings are based on the fan base who watch faithfully every Wednesday expecting a good episode. But if they keep producing these types of episodes and continue to make bad cast decisions (adding a character like Ashley Seaver that is really bad after losing JJ and maybe Prentiss) eventually they are going to see the ratings slip.
Criminal Minds should leave the team at 6, which will happen if Paget leaves, and spend some money on new writers, and as a job application obligation, make them do a marathon of the show. Actually, it wouldn't kill the current writers and show runners to do a marathon every new season.
Can someone please explain to me what TPTB stands for/means? Reading through the comments, I've seen it mentioned a number of times, and I have no idea what it means. It'll be greatly appreciated.
It means, The Powers That Be
Laura got great suggestions, leave the cast to 6 actors, spend money on the writing and make it mandatory for every writers and the showrunner to watch EVERY episodes before a new season so at least writers would be reminded what makes CM a great show and we, the fans, would not have to ask ourselves ' but doesn't Garcia have brothers?', 'Did Hotch dad died of cancer or a heart attack?'
Another suggestion, to CBS, stop messing with CM and do all is possible to keep Paget Brewster on the show. After the mess you made, it is the least you can do.
Tara
Ever since AJ was fired and her character JJ has left the show, the feeling of each episode has been off. This becomes really clear to me whenever I watch one of the old episodes either on DVD and/or on ion (I will not be buying season 6 on DVD). I think that the CBS and the writers of the show haven't known what to do to make up for that gap, so I think they have grasped at straws by trying to get Garcia to take over some of her duties but now, thankfully, it seems like they have scaled that back a bit, and now they are trying to include the Ashley Seaver character into the team. No, no, no, what is going over at CBS and Criminal Minds???
Like Laura and Tara suggested, I think the CBS execs and the writers should get together to watch a marathon of Criminal Minds to get the show back on track. Leaving the cast at Hotch, Morgan, Prentiss, Reid, Rossi and Garcia is sufficient (it would be great if JJ could come back but I doubt that will ever happen). At this point, they need to do whatever they need to do to get Paget to stay. I think an apology and guarantee that they won't try to screw with her again might be enough, well, that and maybe some more cash- sometimes there is a literal price to pay.
With certainity, I can say that I will not be buying season 6 of the show on DVD (if the Reid episode is good, I will just download that episode to my iPod Touch). I hate saying that because I love the show. Seriously CBS and Criminal Minds give us back the quality we know this show is able to produce, not half baked attempts to placate us with characters like Ashley Seaver that have no place on the show and are doing more harm than good. There is so much potential to make this a great show again by getting the writing tight with the characters of Hotch, Morgan, Prentiss, Reid, Rossi and Garcia. Please do that.
Just watched the last episode on my DVR.
I thought it was a good story. I liked that the BAU team actually interacted in trying to solve the murder. Did not like that Hotch was absent. Not sure I will ever get used to someone replacing JJ. Still hate that CBS dumped her for someone not as good, but sort of looks like her.
Thank you, cachew lover :)
I agree with the people who suggested to leave the cast at 6 members, but not the exclusion of the Paget. Paget should stay on full time, and I hope we don't see Ashley Seaver again after "Corazon." I have nothing against the actress, Rachel Nichols is wonderful, she even replied to my tweets, but it's her character that is totally useless and illogical, it's actually tough for me to watch the show with her on it, I don't know if I'll be able to watch once she's made regular&Paget leaves. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love CM, but they are just messing with the show for no reason, and it just really saddens me because the cast is so great, and they deserve better treatment. It's going to be so tough to give up CM, but if the dross that has been going on since the past 2 weeks continues, then I'll be left with no choice :(
Hotch is my favorite character and I think Thomas Gibson is a fantastic actor. He isn't my favorite character and even I didn't like that he wasn't in the episode. I would love to know the logic of his not appearing in an episode at such a crucial time for the show.
I have read all the comments here about how Seaver as a cadet shouldn't be allowed in the BAU etc. I went and look at the FBI website and here is what I found:
What they teach: Topics include applied behavioral science for law enforcement operations; applied criminology; bio-psycho social aspects of criminal behavior; conflict and crisis management/communication; futuristics in law enforcement; juvenile crime and behavior; management of death investigations; psycho-social behavior and mindset of gangs; spirituality, wellness, and vitality issues in law enforcement; stress management in law enforcement; and mindset and methodology of terrorism. The unit also instructs new agents in psychopathology; problem-solving and crisis intervention; memory and perception; gangs; and group dynamics.
Who they teach: National Academy students, new agents, on-board FBI personnel, domestic and international law enforcement officers, U.S. military and intelligence officers, and other governmental and academic personnel as deemed appropriate.
The unit offers full-time unpaid internship opportunities to qualified students during spring and fall semesters and participates in the FBI’s Honors Internship Program.
So yes, Seaver can definately be in the BAU as an intern.
Personally, I don't mind the character. I am prepared to let the writers tell her story and not jump to conclusion after two episodes. that said, the last episode was weak, not Erica Messer's best work. Not having Hotch didn't help, CM without Hotch don't feel like CM. Morgan is best at being a supporting player. I agree with those who have complain of way too much Morgan this season. Why do we need to have the first half of the season devoted to Morgan? It would have been better to space out some of those heavy focus Morgan episodes during the season. Why not let Rossi, Reid, Prentiss and Hotch shine a bit?
unlike others, I will not stop watching CM or buy the DVD simply because even at its worse ( HAT or the Fight) CM still beat any shows on network tv and most on cable. I just hope the writers will go back at writing the team as a team where we see them interact and not just been told they are.
have a good weekend.
Daisy
I've been reading all of the comments and am sad to say that I am another one to add to the list of disappointed CM fans.
Regarding the last comment by Daisy, while there maybe some way to explain her presence on the show as the intern, the base problem is the character itself. There is nothing there- no personality, looks sullen almost all of the time, looks depressed, annoyed, angry, has made off comments, etc. I don't know, just a very odd signals. Plus, the way the show has functioned is that they get together and bounce off ideas (ideas based on knowledge and experience) to get a profile going in the time that is allowed for the episode. This character can't do that, and because of that, she will take time away from the characters that do have that skill set and that are enjoyable to watch on the show. There is so much to work with with the regular cast, Ashley Seaver does not need to be there.
I know that the Ashley Seaver character has only been on the show for two episodes, but unfortunately for her, those two episodes have been incredibly bad. After the first episode, I was like, okay, that was bad, but let me give this character another chance. 25 to life shut down that possibility for me. The character is just not a fit with the team. And honestly, her atitude and comments really irk me. A comment that Ashley made during this episode that especially irked me was when she was speaking with Reid and he said something like they have to track down a liar and she said something like "Great, we have to track down a liar in D.C.," sorry if that is not verbatim, but I think that is what she said verbatim. Ok, you (Ashley Seaver) are getting to work with one of the most elite teams in the Bureau and your making those types of comments. You have no experience or training and your acting like you can't be bothered to do one of the functions of the job, wow! Sorry, but this character is a no-go for me. CM needs to work with Hotch, Prentiss, Reid, Morgan, and Garcia.
Saw the episode. Didn't think it was up to par with CM, kind of slow at times and too predictable. It is understandable that sometimes things be predictable, but not too much.
I'm looking forward to the "Corazon" episode. I think there is a lot to work with in that plot line; hoping that the writing will be stepped up in that episode. Also, I am hoping that CBS and Criminal Minds will have a Corazon which means heart in Spanish and make this the last episode that will have the character of Ashley Seaver in it. Kind of bummed that she will be in this episode, could have been a good episode to work in all of the regular cast members instead of cutting time from them to give to the new character which doesn't work with the show.
You are right that the BSU takes interns. But those are undergrad and grad college students and those internships are only 10 weeks long. Ashley is not a college student, but rather going through the FBI Academy. She's going to be a new agent here shortly. According to the BSU website, the team is comprised of the following:
Who makes up the unit.
Supervisory special agents and veteran police officers with advanced degrees in the behavioral science disciplines of psychology, criminology, sociology, and conflict resolution. The unit also includes a criminologist, clinical psychologist, research/crime analysts, and management analyst.
The writers haven't shown the audience what Ashley's special qualifications are that would justify a posting to the BAU on her first assignment. Particularly after years of them emphasizing the specialized nature of the team and elite qualifications required to get on the team. The show is violating the rules of its own universe to try and bring a "newbie" on without detailing WHY she should be on the team.
The thing is they can't explain how the new character can be there because she shouldn't be there.
In the first episode she was in they said that she did well in the obstacle course and that her dad is a serial killer (don't know what those have to do with profiling). The only reason Rossi went to speak with her was because they thought she could give them insight with regard to that case, which FYI, she never did. In the latest episode with her, they said that she wanted to complete her remedial training with them. For crying out loud, she hasn't even taken the profiling classes and they have her sitting there throwing out info like she is a profiler. Remember when Hotch asked JJ if she wanted to take the behavorial science/profiling classes and she said no because she liked her role on the team. This is JJ who was a Supervisory Special Agent. All they are trying to do now is find a way to sneak this new character under the radar, hoping that people won't question why she is there.
I have to agree with what LaShawna said. We have always been told the BAU are the best of the best, they're one of a kind; has that changed? Are they less special now that all an untrained cadet has to do is ask and she gets granted entrance? I suppose so since the sister team on the spin off has former convicts among its members.
You know, after being accustomed to very high standards for a long time, such trivialization of the BAU is baffling and a huge disappointment to me.
On top of that they seem to be losing their professionalism and competence too. If a cadet can sit at the same table as Rossi and bring just as much input to a profile, I just have to wonder about the level of training, education and experience required. Not to mention that they have a complete and utter disregard for procedures and regulations lately, as Morgan proved at the end of the episode.
I wouldn't want to have to suspend my disbelief every single week because the writers decide to jump the shark. You could argue it's not supposed to be realistic and it's entertainment, but let me tell you something, this is anything but entertaining at the moment. It's like watching a train wreck waiting to happen. I just hope someone still knows how to operate the emergency brake and pulls it before it's too late.
I have found that when I think an episode is just so-so, it's because I'm focused on my expectations instead of the content of the episode. When I see the episode again, I realize how good it is.
I like participating in other CM forums, because of the variety of opinions. Most watchers enjoyed this episode and, in at least one case, the heartening holiday message of a wrong made right and a father reunited with his son.
@ kat887 You wrote:
"I have found that when I think an episode is just so-so, it's because I'm focused on my expectations instead of the content of the episode. When I see the episode again, I realize how good it is."
Sorry, have to respectfully disagree with you. Having expectations is not a bad thing, especially when those esxpectations are based on the high performance of the thing you have laid the expectations on. In this case, the expectation of many was to see the type of writing that we have come to expect from Criminal Minds. The problem with the latest episode, in my opinion, was the predictability of it. Someone before me voiced their disappointment with this episode because they felt that it lacked the suspense and the keep you on your toes element that Criminal Minds has consistently provided in the past. People come back to see the show because they are expecting to experience what the writers have consistently provided to them in the past.
While not every episode will rise to the level of that expectation 100% of the time, the problem is that lately, more often than not, many people feel that the expectation for a good show has been lacking. Again, this is an expectation that the show itself says it will deliver and has based its credibility and reputation on. If viewers, or the show itself, didn't have this expectation I hardly doubt anyone would be so invested in the show. This is why so many people are upset with the current direction and focus of the show lately. When you expect and are told you are getting the best, it is disheartening to see poor casting choices and bad episodes crush those expectations on more than one occasion.
@kat887 You wrote:
"I have found that when I think an episode is just so-so, it's because I'm focused on my expectations instead of the content of the episode. When I see the episode again, I realize how good it is."
Sorry, I have to respectfully disagree with you on this point. Having expectations is not a bad thing, especially when the thing that you have laid your expectations on is of high quality. In this case, the high quality thing people have laid their expectations on is the show Criminal Minds. This expectation is not something that solely the audience has conjured up, this is an expectation set forth the show itself. The problem with the latest episode, in my opinion, was its predictability and sometimes slow moving pace. Someone before me voiced their disappointment that the episode did not live up to prior episodes characteristic of the show which kept them guessing and on their toes. The type of experience this commenter refers to is something that viewers have come to expect of Criminal Minds, something the show recognizes that it expects of its final product. It is exactly this expectation that the show thrives on to keep people coming back to watch every Wednesday, to buy the DVD's, download the episodes, and buy CM merchandise.
While not every episode can live up to viewer and show expectation 100% of the time, the problem seems to be that lately this expectation has been lacking way too often. If there were no expectation for good casting and solid writing, I doubt that most people would be so invested in the show. However, recent cast shake-ups, poor new casting decisions, and iffy writing have done nothing to lessen peoples fear that the show is rapidly headed down the road of no return.
Really like the suggestion of leaving the cast at 6 and putting more effort into maintaining quality. I'd like AJ to return but think that's out of the realm of possibility. CBS, you can help by giving us Paget!
I'm sorry, but anymore Hotchless-episodes and I will be walking away. Like Lori, I have to admit Morgan is my least favorite character and I simply see him as too hot-headed and impulsive to be the leader tptb seem to want to push at us. Please give more time to Hotch, Rossi and for goodness sake, to Prentiss.
There had better be a deleted scenes aspect to the Season 6 DVDs too; some Hotch/Jack would be the only thing to get me to go anywhere near this episode again.
Dear Santa,
I have been a good and loyal CM fan all season. All I want for Christmas is a return to the incredible writing of the CM of old and a Hotch-centric episode written by Breen. Please.
Thank you,
Susie
USorry in advance if different versions of this comment post- I tried posting it from my computer, but it was acting up. Anyway, to kat887's point that perhaps it is the viewers expectation that is clouding their perception of the episode, I have to respectfully disagree with that assessment. There is nothing inherently wrong with having expectations, especially if those expectations are centered around something that is of high quality. In this case, that expectation is centered around the high quality we all have come to expect from CM. An expectation that in the past the show consistently delivered. If it were not for this expectation, an expectation that the show incidentally promises to deliver, I don't believe many (if any) people would be invested in the show, including the show itself. Moreover, it is this expectation that the show and CBS are banking on to get people to tune in every Wednesday night, to buy the DVD's, download the episodes, watch the reruns and buy the show merchandise.
While viewers and the show shouldn't expect to hit this mark 100% of the time, when the trend seems to be that less quality is being produced on a more consistent level than before, well, therein lies the problem I think people are having lately with CM. The good thing is that there is a chance to return to the expectation a lot of the viewers (and maybe some people who work on the show) know this show is capable of producing. I like the idea to maintain the cast at Hotch, Reid, Rossi, Morgan and Prentiss (I would love to see JJ come back, but I don't believe that wiL happen).
Oops didn't mean to leave out Garcia- Hotch, Reid, Rossi, Morgan, Prentiss and Garcia. There is definitely room to make the show the excellent show we all know it can, and has been, with this cast. CBS, please work out something with Paget (Prentiss).
*sigh* remember all of the special touches? You know, the lil' aw moments or the ones that made you kinda wonder...
"I know what it's like to be afraid of your own mind"-Reid
[in regards to criminals/abusers] "some of us grow up to be them, and some of us grow up to catch them"- Hotch
Morgan's Mom says that Derek talks about Reid and Reid replies, "he talks about me?"
I'm paraphrasing of course, and these are only a few examples. I miss those moments...
This season has been, and forgive me for saying this, a little empty. I've grown to adore these characters and a funny thing happened: I tuned into Criminal Minds for them. The profiling lured me in but the characters kept me.
While I still love the show I feel that more focus should be spent on our team. And while some new characters (Emily, Rossi) added to the team and became part of that family, this particular new character distracts us from that.
The last two episodes were crap and I went into them with an open mind, thinking about how much I like both Prentiss and Rossi as late add-ons to the show. However seeing as I REALLY hate the Agent Seaver charachter, mind you not the actress, here is what I am hoping develops with her charachter. She becomes a serial killer, going after the killers who have left their own damaged children behind, like herself and then the REAL BAU can hunt her down and she dies in a suicide by cop incident with Reid shooting her the most times. Is that too much to ask for? CBS I hope this time you pay attention to CM fans and get rid of this new charachter. How about giving us a new charachter that has had some expirience in another FBI department and transfers to the BAU with some knowledge of what the BAU does.
So far Ashley does not make a good character for me. It seems, like the TPTB have not figured out how to work her into the show. They had the idea of bring on a cadet, but the plan how to do it, is missing There you have the elite BAU team, highly experienced and then you have the cadet with no background in profiling or psychology. The dilemma seems to be that Ashley normally could not do much more than listen and ask questions, but then she would not have a lot of lines (or in case of question maybe slow down the show.) To make her more than an expensive extra the writers let her help the team, so she has some lines to say. But it doesn't change the point, that she is just a rookie. Then there are the clothes. For me she looks like an unskilled school kid, not an future agent. All in all it seems undecided to me.
Ever watched something so bad, that you found it -unintentionally- funny? That's how the episode felt to me. Best line: He said that on the tape. Combined with the look on everyones face -priceless.
Hotch is my favorite character, so I missed him, but his absence it didn't bother me as much as the way Morgan was written. Way to childish. I didn't like it when he compared the Elli situation to the Reaper situation, so Hotch would let him do what he wanted, but this was really not the Morgan, who made a good unit chief last season.
So far I find the new season a huge disappointment. The reasons have been named. But considering the ratings are good and the season planed out anyway I don't expect any changes. (That's not how it works. TBTP only stick to what they think it's right. Which makes all sense to me, considering there to many different opinions like HP shippers and HP haters.) But maybe we can get some explanations to better understand why things are the way they are this season.
LaShawna said...
"If the writers want a “newbie”, she should be asking questions about profiling, not acting like she is already a seasoned member of the team."
YES to that!
The only good thing I could think about having a newbie is that, so she would ask questions about profiling, to expose, but now not only she is working with the team while unqualified, but she is working with the team, to begin with, because SHE requested? Emily had 10 years and Hotch let her standing in front of his door, talking to herself, because he hadn't selected her, now a newbie gets to be a profiler?
This is the best of the best, not a training center.
Although, after the characters we saw from the CM:SB team, I guess the writers just abandoned that logic.
I guess all I really wanted, if we HAVE to be stuck with a new woman because CBS burned the bridge with most of them anyway, is for this new character to make some sense.
If the writers had the humility and say that yes, she knows nothing and shouldn't be here, but I don't know, maybe Rossi wanted to train her because he feels bad for arresting her dad, it would be contrive, but could happen, and maybe, if the writers gave the character a little more learning time before having her helping cases like she had the experience, ok, but don't create a character that doesn't fit, and pretend it does.
We watch a show about PROFILERS, we pay attention.
Can you people who write this, pay some attention please?
LaShawna said...
"If the writers want a “newbie”, she should be asking questions about profiling, not acting like she is already a seasoned member of the team."
And, Mara said...
"We watch a show about PROFILERS, we pay attention.
Can you people who write this, pay some attention please?"
Yes, to both of those points!!!
The problem with trying to mix in a character like this into this type of show is that the way the show is run really doesn't call for some "newbie" cadet to show up on the scene and be part of the team, asking questions that will bog down the pace of the show. It also certainly does not call for a cadet that is in there profiling with the pros either. This is the way I see it:
First Seaver episode- overly emotional, no useful input or team interaction- too much focus placed on Seaver and not on the case or rest of the team- zero chemistry with the team: bad episode
Second Seaver episode- totally bland, seemed kind of annoyed, arrogant, provided information that should have been provided by the seasoned profilers, way too in the mix for someone who is in remedial training- zero chemistry with the team: bad episode
If she is to remain in the show, the writers will either have to continue down the road of overly emotional, or having way too much information because after those 2 episodes, now she is supposed to come back asking questions??? Look, the BAU isn't a cadet training center for a reason. As a viewer, I don't need to know how the profilers on the show come up with what they come up with. Half of the fun of the show is sitting on the sidelines, marveling at their expertise and ability to develop profiles and crack cases. I don't want time taken away from that to see them training. I want to see their established skills on display that works well with the existing team, this is the hearbeat of the show.
Don't like that blogger doesn't have an edit comment function.. meant to type "heartbeat," ;)
This was an okay show. I was not terribly impressed with it. The only episode I have really liked this year was JJ. I just feel something is missing. The team effect seems to be missing a little more each week. This started last year, but is getting worse. As far as "Seaver" I have no strong feelings about her. I do not like the acting. She just doesn't seem to be involved. I keep waiting for things to change and have some of the feeling of the first four seasons.
I watched a re-run of "100" the other nite on ION or A&E.
Thomas Gibson SO-O-O deserved an emmy for that incredible performance. I sobbed like a baby into my C'mas cookie dough. How amazing was he? I have prob'ly seen it previously at least 3 times and it continues to move me like nothing else.
Sorry, I know this blog is supposed to be about recent epis and Seaver, etc. but couldn't resist because CM has excellent actors & writers. I have every confidence that it will not disappoint us and will be back on track really soon with more character development and demonstration of our original team-all of whom most of us know and love. The soul of Criminal Minds.
Have a wonderful holiday, everyone. Don't be afraid to fit in a couple reruns (not DVR'd Fall 2010 epis) - you will be more than satisfied, I promise! And it will help us make it thru til Jan:)
@ Gubegirl That was an awesome episode! Sad end, but good tie into the Hotch/Foyet storyline. Foyet was quite the unsub, and TG, excellent acting. When I see episode's liek that one, it makes me a little sad because of what is going on now with Criminal Minds, but I am hoping that 2011 will get CM back on track.
I really hope that Seaver leaves after her 3rd episode and that Paget stays on the show. It would be so awesome if they could get back to the central characters again (Hotch, Prentiss, Morgan, Garcia and Reid). Here's to hoping...
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Oh, I think ion TV is running a CM marathon starting at 3:00pm EST this Friday.
A&E is also running a CM marathon on December 24th, starting at 6 AM EST.
Not feeling good about this season at all, so some A&E will be just the thing.
To anyone who still cares, please give us more Emily, more Hotch and more Reid. Maybe it was only 1 show to those who are not Hotch fans, but it was horrible to the MANY that love him. Those Hotch-Jack scenes are missed! CM just isn't a good show without him. :(
Usually involved in studying/papers so I don't get to post, but wow, I need to post now after reading all of these comments for a second time. What in the heck (and mind you heck is not the word I'd like to use but I will respect this forum) is going on with CM? I hardly know where to begin. Well, on a positive, I love CM. On more than one ocassion, I have even contemplated changing my major because I found the show so intriguing, but wow, the show has taken a serious dive as of late. Some of the episodes have been downright bad and there is an empty feeling to the show. I don't know if the right word is stiff, but ah, it is just weird. Definitely, this has something to do with JJ not being on the show anymore. Before anyone jumps in says that I am crying over JJ's departure and that is why I think there is something weird about the show, let me assure you that is not the case. The fact is I don't think it is a coincidence that the show feels this way and JJ is not there. Plus, the whole Paget thing. Don't fully understand the whole current contract thing, but it sounds like she wants her liberty from the show and she wants it now. Also, what is the deal with Reid nowadays. Is it me, or has his presence on the show been seriously lacking? Looking forward to the Corazon episode, but the way things have been running lately on the show, I fear that episode may be a let down.
continued...
Prentiss is acting weird which I think may be related to the fact that she is basically out of there, but come on, give her some respect and at least let her go out with a bang. Morgan, Hotch, and Rossi seem to be the same, at least from last season. And Oh man, and what is the deal with the new character. Wow, that character is just plain horrible. I read in one of the comments for the Deadline article that announced the actress was being signed as a regular, that someone said she is supposed to be a play on the Clarice Starling character in Silence of the Lambs(not sure if that is the correct character name for the Silence of The Lambs character), but my question is why in the world would CM want to go down that path. Really, I mean, really. But it's not only that, this character is just not good, honestly, when she appears on the screen, I cringe. Yes, I know that is trong to say, but it is homestly the reaction I get when she appears on the screen. Not to mention the character is not qualified to be part of the BAU. Yeah, yeah, her dad is a serial killer, and.... I've never seen Silence of the Lambs, so is it that the character is supposed to be a genius or something and that is how she becomes an agent at a young age with no experience??? Seriously, I don't understand.
Right now, I am basically holding on to see the Corazon/Reid episode. I'm hoping that will go well so that it will restore my faith in CM; I can always drown out the new character provided that she is not prominent in every episode- seriously, she makes me cringe. Okay, yeah, she has only been in 2 episodes and maybe they were just anomalies, but, I don't know she is just not a fit in my book. Plus, I don't like how they poured her on thick in the "What happens at home" episode and, if it is even possible, I disliked her even more in this recent episode. At this point, I am not sure what, if anything, they can do to resuscitate this character for me. Anything can happen, but I'm telling you now, it is going to take a lot. Also, I love the way they said she was just supposed to be a 3 episode arc character.. I guess 3 episodes means a regular nowadays, but that is their decision and soon the contracts will be signed, sealed, and delivered. I'll say this, when Prentiss arrived on the scene, I liked her off the bat. With Rossi, it took me 2 episodes (his first episode, I was like, eh, let me see what happens next time, then I liked him). But no way was my apprehnsion about Rossi near the level of this Ashley character, no way.
I can't imagine a CM with just Ashley, Hotch, Rossi, Reid and Garcia (minus Prentiss because I have a sick feeling she will be leaving soon). I don't get where they are trying to go with that character, or for that matter, the feel of the show all together. Ratings are high today, but, yeah, no guarantee what will happen after a few episodes like the last two. After all, shows rarely take a nose dive, but rather, a slow dive- slow dive into the a ratings black hole. It has happened slowly but surely to other shows that had as good, and even better ratings than CM. Oh, and also, don't even get me started on how weird it was not to have Hotch in one of the episodes. Yes, I get that he is a human being and needs a day off, we all day, but maybe they may want to (if possible) plan episodes around regular cast members being out. Alright, well I think this makes up for all of the times I didn't comment. Will try and comment on the Corazon episode after it airs.
The one thing this episode did for me conclusively is confirmed my suspicion that if Hotch/TG were to leave CM I could no longer watch it.
I personally have no knowledge about writing for TV/Movies or Law Enforcement and I could tell there were a lot of things in this episode that made no sense or seemed manipulated. It seems to me that there is something wrong with the infrastructure (management and/or the creative team) of this show.
By creative team, I do not mean the cast. Whether it is ego, creative differences, being stretched too thin, or fatigue I hope it gets resolved quickly as things do not appear to be headed in a good direction. I would hate to lose this show.
"The one thing this episode did for me conclusively is confirmed my suspicion that if Hotch/TG were to leave CM I could no longer watch it." PGunn
I couldn't agree more. I can't understand why tptb cannot see how popular and intereesting character Hotch is... maybe they haven't figured out he didn't just win Underappreciated Entertainer of the Year, he crushed the opposition.
I'm very upset at the lack of Hotch but I know it has nothing to do with TG being away. They have plenty of time to shoot a scene or two and probably did (with Cade/Jack) but never made our screens.
This was once a great show. Without Hotch, given Paget (probable) and AJ's exits, I no longer feel that way and won't watch.
Yeah, that whole TG was away golfing thing just doesn't add up. I mean, okay, people take breaks and days off, but planning a TV show is intricate business. You don't just slap together a TV show and air it. There is a lot of planning that goes behind getting a script together, locations, scenes, etc. All of this requires knowledge pre- production. Monkeys get thrown in the wrench of production when there is an accident, or a location doesn't work the way they thought it would, stuff like that, not that someone goes golfing.
The only thing I can think of is that this is some tie into the Hotch grieving over his wife story, which I think could have been handled with at least one scene with Hotch, if not at the office at least at home. At any rate, no Hotch in an episode, not such a great idea.
I definitely don't think that there are any plans to get rid of Hotch (I think that would effectively drive the nail in the CM coffin). The only way I could see the character of Hotch leaving is if TG decided to leave, which I don't think he wants to do, at least, I haven't heard anything to that effect. Also, I think the same thing goes for MGG (Reid). I think that if he were to be written off the show, it would be because he chose to leave the show, so I don't think that the Corazon episode is going to allude to him being written off.
On another note, I just wish the show would get back to what is was before- a kick ass show. Now, it seems like they are regurgitating cliche storylines from movies (the 25 to life episode was a bad rip off of the Fugitive). Speaking of bad movie rip offs, the character of Ashley Seaver, good grief, she is no Jodie Foster and CM is not Silence of the Lambs. I hope the Ashley character doesn't tank the show, however, I don't hold much stock that it won't. CM fans come to see the profiling, which she is not qualified to do for the BAU, but they also come for the characters and, in my opinion, this character is a no go.
Please, please, I am hoping that Corazon turns out to be a good episode.
I LOVE any esp that has more Morgan and less Reid/Hotch.
I like all of the team however, the last few seasons everything has been about Reid and Hotch.
The writing has changed alot and not for the better. Sorry!!!
Sen
No Hotch, no CM. I may like the other characters but none anchor the show the way TG's character does. Even Ed Bernero said that his presence allows the other characters' personalities to shine. So why the back-track and total exclusion now??! I'm not saying every episode has to be ABOUT him, I'm just saying he needs to be there, if only a small scene with Jack. I'm sure fans of other characters would feel equally angry if their favorite wasn't there at ALL.
Rachel
I feel a headache coming on just thinking about our poor baby Reid in the next new episode; 3 more weeks is WAY too long to wait!
Hallucinations, too? I am hoping something he is eating is causing him some serious migraines and that is all it is, but hallucinations? I know you can see auras with migraines but hallucinations is a stretch. Poor baby. I wonder who will care for him; drive him, feed him, stroke his forehead, etc....Once more, I will volunteer...some of these jobs are just too demanding for the rest of you and I must take them on myself:)
Have a great holiday, all you CM fanatics!
OK, I couldn't stand it, so I did a tad bit of googling and came up with the following:
Yes, migraines can cause hallucinations (of a visual nature.)
Yes, so does schizophrenia, meaning headaches and hallucinations (not just auditory ones - as in "hearing voices!" can be symptomatic of having schizophrenia.
OK. So I think maybe Reid is worried he is becoming one of the 10% of those with schizophrenic parents who contract it also. A very real fear.
But, I am hoping that he is only having migraines of an acute type that have a specific cause which can be eliminated so our boy can be well again, soon!
But we will be happy to angst along with him as only Reid can angst - such an expressive face! I can't wait to watch this Reid-centric epi and actually hope it's more than one (it could take awhile to get to the bottom of it, right?)
And will he be able to work during these occurences? In the first pic on today's blog, Hotch is looking greatly concerned at Reid and I am wondering if he is suffering on the job and they are doubting his ability to be able to function properly - as well as being concerned, I'm sure! Like we will all be! Oh, yeah, Reid, we are looking forward to your newest malady...whatever gets you more showtime, buddy, we are all for it:)
Hello Gubegirl,
Reid's symptoms could be linked with a lot of diseases I suppose.
But there's something I would add to the hallucinations and blinding headaches (migraines I suppose).
I might be wrong but I would link that to his sickness/nausea in the episode 'JJ'.
There's also the times where Reid already seemed to suffer, maybe he was already suffering from headaches.
Then there's his strange behavior at the strain station in 'Reflection of Desire'.
Don't get me wrong, it's not that Reid can't be attracted by someone, but he would never randomly check out someone when he's supposed to inspect a place in order to understand a killer's MO (with Hotch and Prentiss present, no less). And it seemed as if he couldn't focus on what Hotch was saying. Then there's Prentiss remark : 'just like that, IQ of 187 is slashed to 60'. It seems to be far more than a joke to me, (even if Prentiss was joking). It seems like a hint that something is wrong with Reid.
A lot of medical issues affecting the brain can cause behavioral changes and makes focusing difficult.
So I would personally add to the blinding headaches and hallucinations : nausea/vomitting and behavior change.
Just like you, I really hope they don't wrap up the whole thing in one episode or forget about it quickly.
From a devoted but worried fan: First, thanks to CM's producers, writers and cast for 5 great seasons. Second...pls. apply the same creative effort as in previous seasons lest our beloved show get canceled. In the last two shows, the cast has gamely worked with plots were nonsensical and dialog that was drivel. The characters are turning into caricatures (Reid on about Star Trek AGAIN?). The stylists seem to hate the cast: Prentiss looks like a baby octopus landed on her head, Morgan's gorgeous face is distorted by a fu manchu, Reid's sporting a bird's nest...yikes! Please turn it around...we love you and we have faith in you!
hmmm.... A LO:SVU episode with AJ Cook... or a CM episode with Agent Yawnalot....
I'll be an SVU fan on 1/12
I am not sure if CBS thinks that CM viewers are dumb, but I am starting to believe so. I was on vacation and thus didn't get a chance to watch the latest two episodes. Usually, I would say thatis a bad thing, but after the last two episodes (and some other episodes before these two, but nothing as bad as the last two), I'd say I am glad I wasn't home to watch these episodes when they aired. All this character brings to the showis melodrama, distraction, and annoyance. Seriously, is this all they could cook up after they let go of AJ Cook andplayed to no end with Paget Brewster. Oh, and before anyone says it, no, I am not bitter over AJ's firing. Do I like it, no. Do Ithink it was stupid, yes, but that is the way of Hollywood and quite frankly I am tired of people pushing the "AJ" card anytime something negative is said about this character. The fact that this character as a whole stinks has nothing to do with whether AJ got canned or not, so instead of jumping to conclusions, I really wish people would examine why what is being said is being said. Sure, there are some AJ fanatics that hated this character on sight, but with a little close reading, that sentiment comes through quickly in their comments about Seaver. This characters first episode was fraught with a ridiculous amount of melodrama and useless banter about her serial killing dad. To make matters worse, in the second episode she seemed distant and had an air about her like she didn't want to be bothered. And for crying out loud, they had her in there profiling. That is just insulting not only to the other members of the "team," but also to the viewing audience.
I think it is rather incredible that CBS expects the majority of viewers to believe that this character wasn't planned from the moment they canned AJ. This character is not a replacement for JJ, but she sure was intended to be put in there and I for one am insulted that they try to spin the whole this is just a 3 arc episode character when not even 10 minutes after this character's first episode appeared it was reported that she was in negotiations to become a regular. Bologna, I say. For anyone who still believes that this character was intended to be just a 3 arc character, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you. If CBS wants to make bonehead moves like fire the show's best writers, get rid of AJ Cook, and reduce Paget's appearances in episodes, then they should at least be upfront about what they are trying to pass off as a character now. But I guess that doesn't fall in line with reasoning such as "Creative Decisions" for getting rid of vital elements of the show, primary among them being the writers.
Continued....
CM is still up there in the ratings, but there is no doubt that it has taken some hits lately. Again, first, the genius move to fire the show's best writers, then getting rid of AJ Cook, and reducing Paget's screen time. Now to complete the brilliant line of thinking, they are adding the Seaver character to the show. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the ratings started tanking after Ashley Seaver starts appearing regularly on the show, and definitely will not be surprised if the ratings start to tank when Paget leaves because all that will be left is Hotch, Reid, Garcia, Morgan, Rossi, and Seaver.. yeah, good luck with that. The veterans are strong, but the problem is going to be that this Seaver character is going to have to be given screen time, especially when Paget leaves, and well, then, that's all she wrote folks. I don't know what, if anything has been set in stone, but they (CBS and Criminal Minds) had better tread lightly when it comes to how they plan to proceed. I consider myself to be an intelligent audience member and do not take kindly to having CBS and Criminal Minds try and sell me a character that has no qualifications to be on the show and expect me to accept the character as a suitable replacement for Prentiss (I say Prentiss and not JJ because from what I have seen thus far they are having Seaver get in there profiling which is really unbelievable and stupid). If I wanted unbelievable storylines CBS and Criminal Minds, I'd watch reruns of the X-Files, at least there the unbelievable works with the show's plot.
I don't know if anyone from CBS reads these comments, or more importantly, if they care (which past history shows they don't), but here I go anyway, get someone on the showthat is qualified to be on the team. Don't try to placate viewers, many of whom have purchased DVD's of past seasons (a nice cash cow for the network), with characters like Ashley Seaver. For heaven's sake, give us a little bit of credit and respect. What the heck, she's in because her dad is a serial killer, that is totally lame!!! No amount of time is going to get me to accept this poor excuse for a cast addition, and there is no amount of writing that is going to salvage a character that should have been done after the 1st weak episode she was in. She is just not a fit no matter how you try and slice it.. can't fit a circle into a square peg. If the show wants to save whatever integrity it has left, they should eliminate this character and please try and get back into the sync of what made Criminal Minds such a stellar show.
Read this on the CBS Community Board for Criminal Mindsand thought it summed up a lot of what I was trying to say in my previous posts:
"Bottom line, she has no business being there and what I don't like, actually hate, is when shows try to spin a huge yarn to insert characters into shows that have no justification being there in order to either placate fans or create a universe around their latest "masterpiece." The way I see it, there are only two roads, possibly three, for this character. Either she will be the glorified intern, mostly in the background asking questions and taking notes, which will slow the pace of the show(I doubt that they will go this route- 25 to life showed that they are most likely going to have her in there profiling as unbelievable as that is- she has zero experience in anything but an obstacle course at the academy). Two, she is going to be a junior profiler.. yeah, wonderful idea there is no such thing- no junior anything in the world of trying to hunt down dangerous criminals, or she is going to be someone's love interest, although, Bernero has vehemently asserted this will not be the case for Seaver or any of the characters, relationships with one another. Any of these routes stink to me."
Amen!
I know this late, but I didn't feel like commenting about these episodes at the time because I would have been negative about it from beginning to end. Specifically regarding this episode, I feel it was slow paced and cliched throughout various points. Plus, the way it ended was a bit over the top. And this new character Seaver, yikes! In her fist episode she was an emotional train wreck, in this one she came back as someone who was offering more info and insight than the pros. Come on, she is a cadet who is still in the academy. She had no business coming back after her first horrible and worthless appearance. Now she isa regular, wow, what a terrible character addition. Basically, I agree with many who have pointed out the one dimensional side of this character, how laughable it is that after 5 years, the all so ever elite BAU had to reach out to a cadet to solve a case- guess they are not so elite after alll. The fact that somehow this cadet gets to join the tem, yeah, it is not like that is totally ridiculous and beyond the point of credibility or believability- no, not at all :( We're not dumb CBS/ABC/CM.
Anyway, saw this post on the CBS community board and had to share it here. It is the reason I decided to post something about this episode. It is on the sarcastic side, but nonetheless gets the point across about Seaver.
"Will be interesting to find out how the Magnificent, super sleuth Seaver is written back into the fold. Perhaps it will be another scenario where they need her unique experience, you know, the whole my dad is a serial killer thing. Never mind that this never materialized into anything but worthless information about not having pets as a child. But who knows, maybe in her time away she would have profiled and solved cases with the likes of John Douglass and maybe will have figured out where Jimmy Hoffa is buried.
Ay yes, who needs experience and knowledge to join an elite team like the BAU when your a cadet who has a serial killing dad and has mastered an obstacle course at the academy."
If this type of craziness continues on CM, count me in as another viewer who will stop watching the show.
Okay, I know these comments are probably closed out, and at some point, I know I will bring this up again. Right now, I am watching a repeat of CM on ion, the episode where Prentiss first appears. She introduces herself to Hotch and informs him that she has been an agent in the FBI for 10 years. Hotch was initially dismissive of her because he did not know about her transfer. At that point, he probably suspected that Strauss was behind this transfer, which she was, she pushed Prentiss' initial application to the BAU in hopes that Prentiss would spy on Hotch and the team for her. Um, Prentiss came in with 10 years of experience, 10 years (at the end of this episode she explained to Hotch how she would go about solving a case that was pending- by her second episode, she demonstrated that she had what it took to be on the team- experience and knowledge). Cadet Ashley Seaver (emphasis on cadet) hasn't even graduated from the FBI academy and now she is poised to step onto the team. You have got to be kidding!!!
Does CBS/CM think we are stupid, or is it that they hope we have short term memory. Maybe it is something more in line with hoping that we will just accept whatever storyline they through at us. Ugh, it makes me so mad that they are trying to pull this just to get Seaver on the team. This is a joke!
Cindy and sev others have made good points. As I also felt and mentioned before, Seaver's 2nd appearance was so preposterous with her posing as a profiler, it was indeed maddening. And maybe abit insulting as well, as Cindy notes.
Altho' we fanatics all know better even before, the reruns on ion and A&E are constant reminders of just how skilled, knowledgable, or to use the word some of you have mentioned, "elite" our team actually is.
Seaver needs to stay a trainee for a L-O-N-G time if she stays at all to make her character credible, and might I suggest, why isn't she shutting up and listening and learning which is what newbies do to learn their craft? Why, pls tell me, because I really am having a hard time digesting what the writers are forcing on us.
Maybe another petition is necessary to be listened to? I say that partly in jest since it seems abit extreme, and partly because they didn't listen about AJ and (poss a little bit about Prentiss) but mainly to get their attention. Rewrite her role and MAYBE, just MAYBE we will accept her. That's a huge maybe at this time since we all have such a bad taste in our mouths - but hey, some of us are not just being negative or cynical, we just want our smart, engaging show back.
Period.
Your thoughts? If anyone out there is still checking this blog, it seems to be the only place to communicate if not vent and speaking of venting, wasn't tonite supposed to be the first new show after the holidays? Did that change? I am bumming altho' I will watch AJ on NBC's L & O tonite at 10.
Gubegirl! Happy New Year! How were your holidays? Mine was okay, can't complain. I am so glad that you wrote something; I thought my comments were made in vain as I believed no one else was checking this blog as there hasn't been a new CM episode (other news, but no new CM episode). I really couldn't help writing something last night, it was sort of a knee jerk response to the episode I mentioned where Prentiss first joined the team. It got me so mad because you can clearly tell the difference between Prentiss (who, FYI had to prove her worth to be on the team, a spot that she proved she deserved based on her experience) and this cadet Seaver who has no experience whatsoever. I really despise when shows violate the universe that they created for the show, the foundation, just so that they can insert a character who doesn't fit within that universe. The universe being that the BAU is a team with experienced team members who each bring their own expertise to the table. There is no way that cadet Seaver can do that, no way, unless they write her in an completely unrealistic way, as being able to pick up profiling with ease.
Her sitting at the team table and profiling during 25 to life was beyond ridiculous, and I'll say it again, insulting. If they needed to get another cast member (specifically a female cast member), why couldn't it have been someone with at least a shred of credibility and believability within the context of the show??? Someone strong, experienced and confident JJ or Prentiss (well, at least the way they used to write Prentiss).
The issue with having a character like the Seaver character is that unless they write her in an unrealistic way (coming in and being able to profile off the bat like they did in 25 to life) then it is going to be this whole she is training, in the background kind of deal which would then beg the question, why did they have to get rid of JJ and push out Prentiss to bring in a character that is going to be in training, in the background? Is that a way to "refresh the show?" I don't think so. I think that this character is taking the show two steps back when it had the potential to take two steps forward. I think what makes this show great is the experience of sitting back and watching the profiling experts do what they do best, not sitting through some profiling 101 class. I don't need to know how they do what they do, I want to see them do it. This is why I am not interested in the show becoming a training ground for newbie cadets, or a show where just about anyone can join a team, a team that was once highly selective and skilled. Oh, with respect to them pushing the show to the 19th, I think it has been hinted that they did that so that they could run the show ith Tom Selleck behind it (don't know the name of that show). Not sure if that is true, but that is what I heard. And double ditto on being excited to see AJ tonight on Law & Order SVU at 10!
Gubegirl! Happy New Year! How were your holidays? Mine was okay, can't complain. I am so glad that you wrote something; I thought my comments were made in vain as I believed no one else was checking this blog as there hasn't been a new CM episode (other news, but no new CM episode). I really couldn't help writing something last night, it was sort of a knee jerk response to the episode I mentioned where Prentiss first joined the team. It got me so mad because you can clearly tell the difference between Prentiss (who, FYI had to prove her worth to be on the team, a spot that she proved she deserved based on her experience) and this cadet Seaver who has no experience whatsoever. I really despise when shows violate the universe that they created for the show, the foundation, just so that they can insert a character who doesn't fit within that universe. The universe being that the BAU is a team with experienced team members who each bring their own expertise to the table. There is no way that cadet Seaver can do that, no way, unless they write her in an completely unrealistic way, as being able to pick up profiling with ease.
Her sitting at the team table and profiling during 25 to life was beyond ridiculous, and I'll say it again, insulting. If they needed to get another cast member (specifically a female cast member), why couldn't it have been someone with at least a shred of credibility and believability within the context of the show??? Someone strong, experienced and confident JJ or Prentiss (well, at least the way they used to write Prentiss).
The issue with having a character like the Seaver character is that unless they write her in an unrealistic way (coming in and being able to profile off the bat like they did in 25 to life) then it is going to be this whole she is training, in the background kind of deal which would then beg the question, why did they have to get rid of JJ and push out Prentiss to bring in a character that is going to be in training, in the background? Is that a way to "refresh the show?" I don't think so. I think that this character is taking the show two steps back when it had the potential to take two steps forward. I think what makes this show great is the experience of sitting back and watching the profiling experts do what they do best, not sitting through some profiling 101 class. I don't need to know how they do what they do, I want to see them do it. This is why I am not interested in the show becoming a training ground for newbie cadets, or a show where just about anyone can join a team, a team that was once highly selective and skilled. Oh, with respect to them pushing the show to the 19th, I think it has been hinted that they did that so that they could run the show ith Tom Selleck behind it (don't know the name of that show). Not sure if that is true, but that is what I heard. And double ditto on being excited to see AJ tonight on Law & Order SVU at 10!
Gubegirl! Happy New Year! How were your holidays? Mine was okay, can't complain. I am so glad that you wrote something; I thought my comments were made in vain as I believed no one else was checking this blog as there hasn't been a new CM episode (other news, but no new CM episode). I really couldn't help writing something last night, it was sort of a knee jerk response to the episode I mentioned where Prentiss first joined the team. It got me so mad because you can clearly tell the difference between Prentiss (who, FYI had to prove her worth to be on the team, a spot that she proved she deserved based on her experience) and this cadet Seaver who has no experience whatsoever. I really despise when shows violate the universe that they created for the show, the foundation, just so that they can insert a character who doesn't fit within that universe. The universe being that the BAU is a team with experienced team members who each bring their own expertise to the table. There is no way that cadet Seaver can do that, no way, unless they write her in an completely unrealistic way, as being able to pick up profiling with ease.
Her sitting at the team table and profiling during 25 to life was beyond ridiculous, and I'll say it again, insulting. If they needed to get another cast member (specifically a female cast member), why couldn't it have been someone with at least a shred of credibility and believability within the context of the show??? Someone strong, experienced and confident JJ or Prentiss (well, at least the way they used to write Prentiss).
The issue with having a character like the Seaver character is that unless they write her in an unrealistic way (coming in and being able to profile off the bat like they did in 25 to life) then it is going to be this whole she is training, in the background kind of deal which would then beg the question, why did they have to get rid of JJ and push out Prentiss to bring in a character that is going to be in training, in the background? Is that a way to "refresh the show?" I don't think so. I think that this character is taking the show two steps back when it had the potential to take two steps forward. I think what makes this show great is the experience of sitting back and watching the profiling experts do what they do best, not sitting through some profiling 101 class. I don't need to know how they do what they do, I want to see them do it. This is why I am not interested in the show becoming a training ground for newbie cadets, or a show where just about anyone can join a team, a team that was once highly selective and skilled. Oh, with respect to them pushing the show to the 19th, I think it has been hinted that they did that so that they could run the show ith Tom Selleck behind it (don't know the name of that show). Not sure if that is true, but that is what I heard. And double ditto on being excited to see AJ tonight on L&O :)
@ gubegirl I really couldn't help writing something last night, it was sort of a knee jerk response to the episode I mentioned where Prentiss first joined the team. It got me so mad because you can clearly tell the difference between Prentiss (who, FYI had to prove her worth to be on the team, a spot that she proved she deserved based on her experience) and this cadet Seaver who has no experience whatsoever. I really despise when shows violate the universe that they created for the show, the foundation, just so that they can insert a character who doesn't fit within that universe. The universe being that the BAU is a team with experienced team members who each bring their own expertise to the table. There is no way that cadet Seaver can do that, no way, unless they write her in an completely unrealistic way, as being able to pick up profiling with ease.
Her sitting at the team table and profiling during 25 to life was beyond ridiculous, and I'll say it again, insulting. If they needed to get another cast member (specifically a female cast member), why couldn't it have been someone with at least a shred of credibility and believability within the context of the show??? Someone strong, experienced and confident JJ or Prentiss (well, at least the way they used to write Prentiss).
The issue with having a character like the Seaver character is that unless they write her in an unrealistic way (coming in and being able to profile off the bat like they did in 25 to life) then it is going to be this whole she is training, in the background kind of deal which would then beg the question, why did they have to get rid of JJ and push out Prentiss to bring in a character that is going to be in training, in the background? Is that a way to "refresh the show?" I don't think so. I think that this character is taking the show two steps back when it had the potential to take two steps forward. I think what makes this show great is the experience of sitting back and watching the profiling experts do what they do best, not sitting through some profiling 101 class. I don't need to know how they do what they do, I want to see them do it. This is why I am not interested in the show becoming a training ground for newbie cadets, or a show where just about anyone can join a team, a team that was once highly selective and skilled. Oh, with respect to them pushing the show to the 19th, I think it has been hinted that they did that so that they could run the show ith Tom Selleck behind it (don't know the name of that show). Not sure if that is true, but that is what I heard. And double ditto on being excited to see AJ tonight on L&O
Dr.Reid.. can you profile me.. I can't stop thinking of you.. I think I m falling for you.. ILOVEYOU Spencer!
Spencer Reid.. I love you so much!
Gets me going all over again to see AS in this photo....oh-h-h-h-
don't care to go there again and think I will skip this re-run.
I'm with my buddy gubegirl on not watching this one. It made no sense to me. I'm a big Hotch fan but his absence was not the problem here. This just felt like one of the worst written ep.'s ever.
Have absolutely no desire to revisit this episode. No Hotch and brutal writing. Thank god season 7 is back to 'normal'. S7, epi 4 comin' up!!! :)
I was revisiting the comments and man, it brings back memories of dark times. Glad that is over.
A No-Hotch episode... Could you guys imagine a whole season 7 without him?
Laura
I need to repost this:
Megan said...
"Really like the suggestion of leaving the cast at 6 and putting more effort into maintaining quality. I'd like AJ to return but think that's out of the realm of possibility. CBS, you can help by giving us Paget!"
My thoughts exactly at the time.
But I am so happy we were both wrong.
I still can't believe it.
My favourite show. :)
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