“Closing Time” – The BAU team hit choppy waters on the beaches of Southern California when they discover a series of bodies hidden in lifeguard towers along the coast, on CRIMINAL MINDS, Wednesday, Feb. 15 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Talk about this episode in the comment...
Careful in case you haven't watched the episode yet... comments might contain ***SPOILERS***
I'm soo looking forward to seeing JJ kick some butts :D
ReplyDeleteMy A.J. -Is finally going to get beat up -WOW- but I hope she kicks his ass. At least the writers are giving her some deserving more air time. THANKS A MILLION E.J.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for this episode, and i hope they let JJ get the bad guy and don't send Morgan in to save the day. Just like to see JJ defend herself and win that's all.
ReplyDeleteSo excited to see JJ *finally* in action!
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think she is alone? and who do you think will rescue her?
ReplyDeleteYet another episode where we know the unsub, and the reason for the behavior, before the show even airs.
ReplyDeleteThis must be the new MO for CM. Makes me sad.
TO: HSG
ReplyDeleteWell you only know the unsub because you want to. You can always NOT WATCH promos or read spoilers.
@Anonymous above: HSG has a point though. Even without watching promos or reading spoilers, just watching the show means knowing who the "Unsub" is within minutes. Case in point, this week's episode. I would love to have more mystery in CM again. How about the classic "whodunnit" once in a while? Not seeing the Unsubs committing their heinous crimes in all gory detail?
ReplyDeleteOf course it doesn't make or break an episode whether we know the Unsub early on or later in the game. There are more aspects which define a good episode, and these aspects can be very subjective, differ from viewer to viewer. But still, the show seems to develop into a "Unsub of the week" show which is what I've always read the producers say they didn't want. A bit more variety would be good, IMO.
Anonymous
ReplyDeleteTrue, but then what would be the point of them?
Just because my opinion does not match yours, does not mean my point is not valid or worth mentioning.
I've been a CM watcher from season 1, and in just the last few episodes have I become discouraged with the direction of the program.
Clearly this is the new normal on CM. Disappointing. It is the only show on TV I watch anymore.
To: HSG
ReplyDeleteWell with your opinion on the episodes this season I agree with you.
But you said "before the show even airs" that's why I posted that comment. However I'm sorry if my writing was somewhat rude, it wasn't on purpose. I was writing that in such a hurry before I left home that even with me trying to suggest something that I do nowadays (to be less disapointed with shows), it looks like I'm one of those haters that think they are true fans of CM..
For that I am (again) incredibly sorry!
CM fans are a family and I should have been nicer =S
I too have watched and supported CM since the very first episode =D
BTW - my name is Ana, i'll stop being anonymous after this post =P
I agree with HSG
ReplyDeleteGlad we can have a civil discourse here. ~: )
ReplyDeleteSo I might be in the minority here...but I actually preferred JJ in her role as media liasion....was it necessary that she became a profiler..it's not like she was not already a 'quasi' profiler. She carried a weapon and was always in the middle of the action....I'm all for developing a character but this just seemed like an unnecessay and not well thought of move.
ReplyDeleteNot in the minority at all. To me she is less involved in the cases.
ReplyDeleteI always thought of her as part of the team, but she had an added group of tasks as liaison.
This season she really has not been getting much on screen time.
Agree with both HSG and Anon above. Also, and we've dicussed this before, there's a marked reduction in the presence of the local PDs, the survivers, families of victims and the journalists - all of whom had a key part to play in our perception of all the members of the BAU, but specifically JJ (and Gideon/Hotch). The time that this absence frees up is taken over by the unsub doing weird horrid things to his victims, loud music, and flashy shots.
ReplyDeleteSo it's as if i'm still missing JJ almost as much as i did in S6 after "JJ" - it's like she never came back. That said, i'm not in the camp of "this is a hardened, less empathetic JJ" - i still love her - just miss how her wonderful role managed to centralise the periphery and act as a foil to the centre (the profilers).
@ Eleven....I'm the anon that commented on JJ's role....I tend to disagree with you in the sense that I do thing that she's changed her persona in becoming a profiler..she's taken on this harder, tougher exterior as though to prove her capabilities as a profiler. In her former role as media liasion she was all about putting the victims first...she more than anyone emphatised with the victims family on a weekly basis and added that gentle touch to the show, now instead of her having her individual role she's competing with my girl Emily for lines during the active investivigation. It's like they felt that had to justify bringing her back....so someone made the ill-thought out decision to make her a profiler...
ReplyDeleteBiz
Anyone else see that Hotch gets his first kiss from Beth on this next episode?
ReplyDeleteHopefully it plays well...keeping my fingers crossed.
I don't intend on rewarding this episode with my vote...so I'll go the Modern Family route tomorrow night...and I think that's what I'm going to do for the rest of the season...if upcoming episodes preview these contrived storylines...I'll bail...since CM is no longer a guaranteed good watch...
ReplyDeleteLooks like Paget Brewster is leaving CM again. Guess it's time to bring back Seaver.
ReplyDeleteSaw that, too. I understand if she wants to pursue other opportunities - we all do with our jobs, now and again. Good luck to her!
ReplyDeleteIf the bring back Seaver - I will probably have to blow up my TV!!!!
Gonna go out on a limb and guess she see the writing on the wall. Probably will not be the only one leaving.
ReplyDeleteCM is not what it once was, and I'm just about ready to quit watching.
Another terrific episode. Lots of the team. Great scene with hotch and Rossi. Really enjoyed the case and I absolutely loved the hotch and Beth scene at the end. It was very touching and nicely done. Great job!
ReplyDeleteAnother terrific episode. Lots of the team. Great scene with hotch and Rossi. Really enjoyed the case and I absolutely loved the hotch and Beth scene at the end. It was very touching and nicely done. Great job!
ReplyDeleteFirst Whitney Houston dies, now PB is leaving CM again.
ReplyDeleteI'll miss her character, she's one of favorite characters.
I hope they give her a great final send off!
Maybe a promotion or something would be nice. Or they could give me some closure and kill her off for good, I'm so tired of this uncertainty about the cast.
If they don't stop it soon....CM might be on it's last leg to stand on and season 8 could very well be the last.
Ugh damn CBS! Ruined everything by firing the girls in S6. O well good luck paget!
CM has officialy jumped the shark. But I'll watch until it's over lol
I pretty much enjoyed all of this episode. Yes, one gripe, and it's the fact that we saw the unsub right from the get go.
ReplyDeleteNow that that's out of the way, I thought there was a good amount of profiling in this episode. I thought that the team really worked through all the different behavioral issues, victimology, unsub background, etc. So yeah, even though we saw the unsub, I don't think it was at the expense of the team or of the profiling.
I think all the team members had some very good points to them. It was cute to see Hotch with Beth at the beginning and their date at the end. I never saw "The Bittersweet Science", because it had a boxing plot, excessive gratuitive violence, and a script written by Janine Sherman Barrois- all turnoffs for me. But I liked Beth. I thought she was cute and sweet, and feel that she and Hotch had good chemistry.
And it was funny to hear a little guy talk between Hotch and Rossi. That's something you certainly don't expect out of Hotch. And JJ was pretty badass in her takedown scene.
I'm sorry that Paget's leaving, but considering her treatment last season, who can blame her? I think they could leave the spot empty. I don't think we need six profilers. It makes the profile so choppy to me when six of them are speaking. It was choppy enough with five.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't really thrilled with the episode tongiht. Another ep where we knew who the unsub was before the opening credits. I had read somewhere that they were going to be changing that, but I sure don't see it.
Agreeing with some of the previous posters, I loved the old JJ who dealt with the LEOs and the families. I don't like this super bad assed JJ. I don't understand why they felt the need to change a character that we loved. That's how we grew to love these characters. I almost cringe when I see her on the screen, especially tonight with her super skills as a takedown artist.
To Pat: I do actually like her new persona. She still has the same JJness she always had. Now it is just under her tough hard exterior. I liked her better as a media liason too and think there are way too many profilers now. I love Paget and Emily is my favorite character but its nice to see her go so she can take cahrge after the crazy thing we call season 6 of CM. Personally I hope this series will come to a close, but do not leave it on a cliff hanger, because it just isn't the same as the old profiling and I miss all of that. Also tonights episode fell short of expectations. They kept saying JJ's big fight but it lasted what, 10 seconds? It seemed really anti-climatic and the storyline was too predictable. Anyways I love the show and all the characters, well except Seaver, but its time for it to end.
ReplyDeleteAnother episode that did not live up to the hype....for some reason it seems that Hotch's character is slowly turning into Gibbs from NCIS....maybe this is the direction that the show is heading too ....NCIS Minds..the producers want the ratings that NCIS draws so it's modeling CM along the same lines....and now that I'm ranting I totally see it JJ=Ziva, Derek=Tony, Garcia=Abby, McGee=Reid and Rossi=Dr. Mallard.
ReplyDeleteI liked this episode enough but Criminal Minds lacks mystery overall.
ReplyDeleteJJ's actual fight scene was great but it was stupid of her to let go of control in the situation and put her gun down. Then she charges him. He could have just shot her. Dumbass move on JJ's part but cool fight scene. ALso, I like Hotch and Beth. I think Beth is completely different from Haley and will be more accepting of Hotch's job and I hope she sticks around.
Too bad that paget is leaving but her storyline has run dry thanks to the lame writing.
Honestly, I can imagine the show without Emily just cuz she wasn't there in the first season.
This whole thing has just been a mess. First, Paget and AJ get screwed over, then Rachel Nichols.
If the writers are smart, they should not bother replacing paget, just keep the cast as it is and maybe have Kevin in the show more or bring Seaver back in a revamped, recurring capacity. But no new characters. Of course, Rachel Nichols has been getting some kickass new material since she was unfairly fired from CM, she got her own show! And it sounds awesome! Plus its Canadian!
Also, JJ being trained by Derek was not eye opening at all. That was my first thought when that little "spoiler" was teased. Criminal Minds sucks at teasing.
ReplyDeleteAnother great episode, love seeing this side of JJ and Hotch & Beth are sweet.
ReplyDeleteI thought tonight's episode was terrific. There was lots of profiling and each team member was well represented. There have been many good episodes this season (not all but many) The negativity on this site is very depressing. I can understand if the show is no longer satisfying for some people but I think it would be better if individuals who feel this way simply move on and not wish the series would end. Millions of people still enjoy the show. All my best to the cast and crew who work incredibly hard to entertain us.
ReplyDeleteI was totally disappointed with this episode. I think my days with CM Wednesdays are just about over.
ReplyDeleteFirst, again, we see the unsub at the beginning....no mystery there. Then we have the Hotch and Beth fiasco. All this happy-sappy new team dynamic has to stop! Everybody's just become everybody's 'buddy' now and it's not the way the show was intended. The darkness, mystery and intrigue has all but gone.
I didn't think the profiling process made any sense and it just seemed to ramble. Then, that scene at the end with JJ - are you serious?! What trained FBI agent puts down their gun and gives control to the unsub??? Then she charges him? I wanted to scream (shades of Seaver episodes!)....
Believe it or not I do have a life - it's just that Weds were reserved for CM. I think my reservations have just been cancelled.
I'm so disappointed - we now have our team back - please bring back our show!!!!
P.S. - I still love to look at Rossi!!!
I am absolutely loving the Hotch/Beth stuff. He is so nervous and unsure of himself around her and it's such a 180 from the tough, always in control, always confident unit chief and TG is playing it off so well! : )
ReplyDeleteI loved the elevator scene with Rossi and the way Morgan used the "wanna go out with us singles" excuse to remind Hotch that it was Valentines Day.
I enjoyed the case as well. It kept you guessing and actually figuring things out right along with the team. That was one seriously messed up family and the only one I really felt sorry for was the kid. Too bad the wife didn't get join her lover in the car compactor.
Reid diagnosing JJ's injuries was great and as soon as I saw JJ fighting I knew that she'd been training with Morgan. I wonder how Will feels about that? ; )
I tend to agree with Nanci, again.
ReplyDeleteWhen the unsub is revealed from the get go, it removes a huge part of what made the show great to begin with.
We, the viewers, used to be sort of a part of the team. Albeit silent. We got to figure the case as the team did, and this made for a vested interest in the story.
Now once the unsub is shown and you see the first victim, it does not take long to know where the episode is going.
Then all there is to do is fill in with the interpersonal stuff of the cast.
This unsub technically was not an "angel of Mercy". But how many times now have we seen that unsub classification? Too many.
The show has been watered down. Big time.
I thought the Hotch/Beth scene and kiss at the end was cute and that's enough Hotch cuteness for me for a while. I'm not against them giving Hotch a love life but don't really understand why he has time for one now but it's not a huge deal. I wasn't a fan of the case/unsub story. There was nothing to give me empathy with any of the victims. It's not so much seeing the unsub from the beginning that bothers me as when it precludes showing the profiling skills of the team. Just my unoriginal humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteI just looked up the ratings for last night's episodes--11.8 million. Wow, what a drop, considering last week was 13.3 million! That's a difference of over 2 million! Maybe the news about Paget Brewster's depature put a damper, but it does give me worry.
ReplyDeleteI thought the case was interestingly resolved and to me the whole JJ is going to be badass was overdone like most CM teasers are wont to be. It was not even 10 seconds and for me it did not make her any less than the JJ I know and love. My heart stopped a little at the tiny scene between JJ and Morgan because this pairing is epically underdone in the series. Even more than the Reid/JJ scene, as I expected that.
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely enamoured of this Aaron and this Beth (it was 2mins in the beginning and 1.5mins at the end - i think i can live with that). It’s utterly refreshing to see a confident woman going for what she wants with so little fuss and so much humour. I am beguiled. That split second when he looks like ‘oh sh** she is going to kiss me!’ immediately becomes ‘heck, I think thank you?’ – I found it delightful. And I’m so so glad they refused to be trapped within an alpha male reductive. Fantastic writing and subtle acting. I am also pleased to have no endless unresolved sexual tension; she said as much, really! But it does not preclude further possibilities because the kiss was brief and chaste. And can I say I loved the shocking streak of red on her? So complementary of all his red ties in another world.
I loved Reid/JJ, Morgan/JJ, Morgan/Hotch (Hotch’s “oh &**&& I am NOT going to cock this up” and Morgan’s “dude, DON”T cock this up” was non-verbally perfect – I adore these two together) and Rossi/Hotch. There were such short scenes but well handled without anyone saying too much – the elaborate dialogue came in the profiling scenes, which is what I love most. And I’m staying away from bars for a while. That scene with Mike wearing the blood-splattered PVC apron is going to haunt me for a while.
Oh Rossi!
I’m so going to miss my Prentiss, though.
It was great to JJ get into some action. It was great to see Hotch smile but I still wish they would get rid of Beth. I don't feel she is the one for him. Good show though.
ReplyDeleteI just looked up the ratings for last night's episodes--11.8 million. Wow, what a drop, considering last week was 13.3 million! That's a difference of over 2 million! Maybe the news about Paget Brewster's depature put a damper, but it does give me worry.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing it's because it went up against both "Modern Family" and "American Idol".
Regarding the ratings. The whole week has been like this. Huge drops for almost everyone on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Numberwise Criminal Minds is #6 this week so far in viewers. Last week it was
ReplyDelete7th. The same holds for the demo. Even Modern Family dropped from 5.5 in the demo to 4.7. No doubt Idol affects CM but this week has been weird across the board.
The ratings drop might also have to do with the fact that people are no longer enthralled with CM...there are a lot of fans out there that do not like the direction the show has taken and they just simply refuse to watch. Erica Messer also has a lot to do with fan tuning out...when fans voiced their displeasure about the whole OOC Hotch...she said they weren't fans...and you have other fans telling fans who voice their displeasure to "go away". So I guess a portion of the fans have done just that...I don't think that you can just say it's American Idol, because AI is also down in the ratings.
ReplyDeleteThe sad thing is week to week, CM is not living up to the "hype" and people are not tuning in to see Hotch falling in love. When I want love I watch Greys.
ReplyDeleteIf you are going to talk about ratings then do so with an unbiased mind and look at them in context. The average demo number to this point last year for Criminal Minds was 3.6 and this year it is 3.7. Last year CM did score a 2.9 for a first run episode and to date it has not been that low.. CM is also in an incredibly competitive time slot. Whether you agree with the turn the show is taking or not, numbers have to be viewed practically not emotionally. I say this not to be argumentative, but to put some perspective into the discourse.
ReplyDeleteSeason 7 to me has been a let down,there are only a few episodes that were okay. I feel that the writers hyped up Criminal Minds too much before it began and when it aired it was nothing like I thought. The character change wasn't needed; like with JJ I always thought that she was strong and capable that's why she is on the team, but now its like they turned her into G.I Jane. I find her to be too agressive and preferred her the way she was before.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else that the mystery and suspense is gone in the show, and find that is why some of the episodes are boring. Don't get me started on the Beth character I don't like her at all. I think that she isn't right for Aaron and to be honest I feel that it was a shame that the writers had to destroy the character of Haley so they could bring Beth on for Aaron.
I always thought that Haley and Aaron were good together, until they started writing her as this needy, whiny, selffish wife who makes it all about her. I also feel that is the reason why the other viewers disliked her so much, which isn't fair. I hated that they killed her off and if there are any good writers on the show then she would still be alive.They could have kept her around even for Jack if they weren't going to reunite her and Aaron together.
I just hate that they write Aaron at the beginning of the series very light-hearted,he smiles, laughs,and by seasons 3-4 he's dark,quiet,distant,and even cold at times. I just think that they are now making his character like how he was before, when he should have stayed the same way the whole time. I know a lot of people are going to hate this idea, but why don't they find a way to bring Haley back.If the writers are really good then they could come up with a storyline for her, and make her be Beth's competition which would be interesting.
Since Erica Messer is so focused on Aaron's love life then they could make it a love triangle and see who would win Aaron's heart forever. and I am hoping it will be Haley in the end. Besides it would be great for Jack to have his mother around knowing how much he's missed her.
Haley could come back different than before she could have been through a lot and experience things that she hadn't before. She could be much strong,independant and used to relying on herself. They need to let Reid or Morgan have a love life because trust me they need it more than Aaron does.
The last girl Reid had was Lila and it would be great for him to have a girlfriend or think about bringing her back as well. If the writers wants to keep the show going strong then focus on the writing material and storylines, but at the same time make the characters change naturally not drastically.
Season 7 to me has been a let down,there are only a few episodes that were okay. I feel that the writers hyped up Criminal Minds too much before it began and when it aired it was nothing like I thought. The character change wasn't needed; like with JJ I always thought that she was strong and capable that's why she is on the team, but now its like they turned her into G.I Jane. I find her to be too agressive and preferred her the way she was before.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else that the mystery and suspense is gone in the show, and find that is why some of the episodes are boring. Don't get me started on the Beth character I don't like her at all. I think that she isn't right for Aaron and to be honest I feel that it was a shame that the writers had to destroy the character of Haley so they could bring Beth on for Aaron.
I always thought that Haley and Aaron were good together, until they started writing her as this needy, whiny, selffish wife who makes it all about her. I also feel that is the reason why the other viewers disliked her so much, which isn't fair. I hated that they killed her off and if there are any good writers on the show then she would still be alive.They could have kept her around even for Jack if they weren't going to reunite her and Aaron together.
I just hate that they write Aaron at the beginning of the series very light-hearted,he smiles, laughs,and by seasons 3-4 he's dark,quiet,distant,and even cold at times. I just think that they are now making his character like how he was before, when he should have stayed the same way the whole time. I know a lot of people are going to hate this idea, but why don't they find a way to bring Haley back.If the writers are really good then they could come up with a storyline for her, and make her be Beth's competition which would be interesting.
Since Erica Messer is so focused on Aaron's love life then they could make it a love triangle and see who would win Aaron's heart forever. and I am hoping it will be Haley in the end. Besides it would be great for Jack to have his mother around knowing how much he's missed her.
Haley could come back different than before she could have been through a lot and experience things that she hadn't before. She could be much strong,independant and used to relying on herself. They need to let Reid or Morgan have a love life because trust me they need it more than Aaron does.
The last girl Reid had was Lila and it would be great for him to have a girlfriend or think about bringing her back as well. If the writers wants to keep the show going strong then focus on the writing material and storylines, but at the same time make the characters change naturally not drastically.
Season 7 to me has been a let down,there are only a few episodes that were okay. I feel that the writers hyped up Criminal Minds too much before it began and when it aired it was nothing like I thought. The character change wasn't needed; like with JJ I always thought that she was strong and capable that's why she is on the team, but now its like they turned her into G.I Jane. I find her to be too agressive and preferred her the way she was before.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else that the mystery and suspense is gone in the show, and find that is why some of the episodes are boring. Don't get me started on the Beth character I don't like her at all. I think that she isn't right for Aaron and to be honest I feel that it was a shame that the writers had to destroy the character of Haley so they could bring Beth on for Aaron.
I always thought that Haley and Aaron were good together, until they started writing her as this needy, whiny, selffish wife who makes it all about her. I also feel that is the reason why the other viewers disliked her so much, which isn't fair. I hated that they killed her off and if there are any good writers on the show then she would still be alive.They could have kept her around even for Jack if they weren't going to reunite her and Aaron together.
I just hate that they write Aaron at the beginning of the series very light-hearted,he smiles, laughs,and by seasons 3-4 he's dark,quiet,distant,and even cold at times. I just think that they are now making his character like how he was before, when he should have stayed the same way the whole time. I know a lot of people are going to hate this idea, but why don't they find a way to bring Haley back.If the writers are really good then they could come up with a storyline for her, and make her be Beth's competition which would be interesting.
Since Erica Messer is so focused on Aaron's love life then they could make it a love triangle and see who would win Aaron's heart forever. and I am hoping it will be Haley in the end. Besides it would be great for Jack to have his mother around knowing how much he's missed her.
Haley could come back different than before she could have been through a lot and experience things that she hadn't before. She could be much strong,independant and used to relying on herself. They need to let Reid or Morgan have a love life because trust me they need it more than Aaron does.
The last girl Reid had was Lila and it would be great for him to have a girlfriend or think about bringing her back as well. If the writers wants to keep the show going strong then focus on the writing material and storylines, but at the same time make the characters change naturally not drastically.
Season 7 to me has been a let down,there are only a few episodes that were okay. I feel that the writers hyped up Criminal Minds too much before it began and when it aired it was nothing like I thought. The character change wasn't needed; like with JJ I always thought that she was strong and capable that's why she is on the team, but now its like they turned her into G.I Jane. I find her to be too agressive and preferred her the way she was before.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else that the mystery and suspense is gone in the show, and find that is why some of the episodes are boring. Don't get me started on the Beth character I don't like her at all. I think that she isn't right for Aaron and to be honest I feel that it was a shame that the writers had to destroy the character of Haley so they could bring Beth on for Aaron.
I always thought that Haley and Aaron were good together, until they started writing her as this needy, whiny, selffish wife who makes it all about her. I also feel that is the reason why the other viewers disliked her so much, which isn't fair. I hated that they killed her off and if there are any good writers on the show then she would still be alive.They could have kept her around even for Jack if they weren't going to reunite her and Aaron together.
I just hate that they write Aaron at the beginning of the series very light-hearted,he smiles, laughs,and by seasons 3-4 he's dark,quiet,distant,and even cold at times. I just think that they are now making his character like how he was before, when he should have stayed the same way the whole time. I know a lot of people are going to hate this idea, but why don't they find a way to bring Haley back.If the writers are really good then they could come up with a storyline for her, and make her be Beth's competition which would be interesting.
Since Erica Messer is so focused on Aaron's love life then they could make it a love triangle and see who would win Aaron's heart forever. and I am hoping it will be Haley in the end. Besides it would be great for Jack to have his mother around knowing how much he's missed her.
Haley could come back different than before she could have been through a lot and experience things that she hadn't before. She could be much strong,independant and used to relying on herself. They need to let Reid or Morgan have a love life because trust me they need it more than Aaron does.
The last girl Reid had was Lila and it would be great for him to have a girlfriend or think about bringing her back as well. If the writers wants to keep the show going strong then focus on the writing material and storylines, but at the same time make the characters change naturally not drastically.
Season 7 to me has been a let down,there are only a few episodes that were okay. I feel that the writers hyped up Criminal Minds too much before it began and when it aired it was nothing like I thought. The character change wasn't needed; like with JJ I always thought that she was strong and capable that's why she is on the team, but now its like they turned her into G.I Jane. I find her to be too agressive and preferred her the way she was before.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else that the mystery and suspense is gone in the show, and find that is why some of the episodes are boring. Don't get me started on the Beth character I don't like her at all. I think that she isn't right for Aaron and to be honest I feel that it was a shame that the writers had to destroy the character of Haley so they could bring Beth on for Aaron.
I always thought that Haley and Aaron were good together, until they started writing her as this needy, whiny, selffish wife who makes it all about her. I also feel that is the reason why the other viewers disliked her so much, which isn't fair. I hated that they killed her off and if there are any good writers on the show then she would still be alive.They could have kept her around even for Jack if they weren't going to reunite her and Aaron together.
I just hate that they write Aaron at the beginning of the series very light-hearted,he smiles, laughs,and by seasons 3-4 he's dark,quiet,distant,and even cold at times. I just think that they are now making his character like how he was before, when he should have stayed the same way the whole time. I know a lot of people are going to hate this idea, but why don't they find a way to bring Haley back.If the writers are really good then they could come up with a storyline for her, and make her be Beth's competition which would be interesting.
Since Erica Messer is so focused on Aaron's love life then they could make it a love triangle and see who would win Aaron's heart forever. and I am hoping it will be Haley in the end. Besides it would be great for Jack to have his mother around knowing how much he's missed her.
Haley could come back different than before she could have been through a lot and experience things that she hadn't before. She could be much strong,independant and used to relying on herself. They need to let Reid or Morgan have a love life because trust me they need it more than Aaron does.
The last girl Reid had was Lila and it would be great for him to have a girlfriend or think about bringing her back as well. If the writers wants to keep the show going strong then focus on the writing material and storylines, but at the same time make the characters change naturally not drastically.
Season 7 to me has been a let down,there are only a few episodes that were okay. I feel that the writers hyped up Criminal Minds too much before it began and when it aired it was nothing like I thought. The character change wasn't needed; like with JJ I always thought that she was strong and capable that's why she is on the team, but now its like they turned her into G.I Jane. I find her to be too agressive and preferred her the way she was before.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else that the mystery and suspense is gone in the show, and find that is why some of the episodes are boring. Don't get me started on the Beth character I don't like her at all. I think that she isn't right for Aaron and to be honest I feel that it was a shame that the writers had to destroy the character of Haley so they could bring Beth on for Aaron.
I always thought that Haley and Aaron were good together, until they started writing her as this needy, whiny, selffish wife who makes it all about her. I also feel that is the reason why the other viewers disliked her so much, which isn't fair. I hated that they killed her off and if there are any good writers on the show then she would still be alive.They could have kept her around even for Jack if they weren't going to reunite her and Aaron together.
I just hate that they write Aaron at the beginning of the series very light-hearted,he smiles, laughs,and by seasons 3-4 he's dark,quiet,distant,and even cold at times. I just think that they are now making his character like how he was before, when he should have stayed the same way the whole time. I know a lot of people are going to hate this idea, but why don't they find a way to bring Haley back.If the writers are really good then they could come up with a storyline for her, and make her be Beth's competition which would be interesting.
Since Erica Messer is so focused on Aaron's love life then they could make it a love triangle and see who would win Aaron's heart forever. and I am hoping it will be Haley in the end. Besides it would be great for Jack to have his mother around knowing how much he's missed her.
Haley could come back different than before she could have been through a lot and experience things that she hadn't before. She could be much strong,independant and used to relying on herself. They need to let Reid or Morgan have a love life because trust me they need it more than Aaron does.
The last girl Reid had was Lila and it would be great for him to have a girlfriend or think about bringing her back as well. If the writers wants to keep the show going strong then focus on the writing material and storylines, but at the same time make the characters change naturally not drastically.
Season 7 to me has been a let down,there are only a few episodes that were okay. I feel that the writers hyped up Criminal Minds too much before it began and when it aired it was nothing like I thought. The character change wasn't needed; like with JJ I always thought that she was strong and capable that's why she is on the team, but now its like they turned her into G.I Jane. I find her to be too agressive and preferred her the way she was before.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else that the mystery and suspense is gone in the show, and find that is why some of the episodes are boring. Don't get me started on the Beth character I don't like her at all. I think that she isn't right for Aaron and to be honest I feel that it was a shame that the writers had to destroy the character of Haley so they could bring Beth on for Aaron.
I always thought that Haley and Aaron were good together, until they started writing her as this needy, whiny, selffish wife who makes it all about her. I also feel that is the reason why the other viewers disliked her so much, which isn't fair. I hated that they killed her off and if there are any good writers on the show then she would still be alive.They could have kept her around even for Jack if they weren't going to reunite her and Aaron together.
I just hate that they write Aaron at the beginning of the series very light-hearted,he smiles, laughs,and by seasons 3-4 he's dark,quiet,distant,and even cold at times. I just think that they are now making his character like how he was before, when he should have stayed the same way the whole time. I know a lot of people are going to hate this idea, but why don't they find a way to bring Haley back.If the writers are really good then they could come up with a storyline for her, and make her be Beth's competition which would be interesting.
Since Erica Messer is so focused on Aaron's love life then they could make it a love triangle and see who would win Aaron's heart forever. and I am hoping it will be Haley in the end. Besides it would be great for Jack to have his mother around knowing how much he's missed her.
Haley could come back different than before she could have been through a lot and experience things that she hadn't before. She could be much strong,independant and used to relying on herself. They need to let Reid or Morgan have a love life because trust me they need it more than Aaron does.
The last girl Reid had was Lila and it would be great for him to have a girlfriend or think about bringing her back as well. If the writers wants to keep the show going strong then focus on the writing material and storylines, but at the same time make the characters change naturally not drastically.
I officially now have a least favorite episode of Criminal Minds. Never thought that day would come. I did enjoy awkward-romantic Hotch and the Hotch/Rossi elevator scene, and Reid "not telling you how to do your job but..." scene was great. But those tiny moments aside, I hated the rest. The unsub storyline was boring, and I'm sorry, but JJ's fight scene was ridiculous. Completely unbelievable in my opinion. I'm supposed to believe that all of a sudden she is all Kung Fu Barbie? Whatever. I don't know where this episode came from, but I miss the REAL Criminal Minds!
ReplyDeleteAnonyous - not sure about the multiple posts but I do agree. The changes in Hotch, all of a sudden, are ridiculous. S1-5, he was dark, brooding, moody and 'stiff' - now he's happy, smiling and pulling a girlfriend out of his hat, so to speak!
ReplyDeleteLike I said earlier, this happy-sappy new team is NOT the Criminal Minds that we know and love and have watched from season to season. They brought back the team - now bring back the show!
And....don't even THINK about replacing Emily Prentiss....we've had that fiasco before and it would be the nail in the coffin for CM to try and go that route again.
Sorry to rant but the season is well under way and, for the most part, it's been disappointing. The cast is capable of much better but they can only work with what they've been given....love them all and always will. But....give them their 'identities' back! These people, I don't know at all.
Two points - 1) we're increasingly discussing everything else but the case - that's telling, i think. We hardly ever discuss the characters any more in relation with what's going on in the central mystery because the mysteries are flat and weak, on average (or we've reached our saturation point). The sweetness/cute overdose tends to stand out in otherwise nondescript stories. There has been humour, sappiness (relative to the pirate hat, i don't see the current hotch as any more or less sappy, really), and flirting through all seasons. We're just discussing them more because what is left is not worth much debate. If one checked the actual minutes spent on Hotch/Beth, for example, i doubt they would amount to very much. If anyone has the exact minutes, i'd appreciate it.
ReplyDelete2) I don't find Hotch's characterisation unrealistic, albeit a tad sudden, esp given the Emily drama at the end of last season. But any more of being stuck between darkness and more darkness and i'd have started anticipating a suicide not long into the future. Not sure about the girlfriend out of the hat either - suddenly meeting someone attractive and falling in love as opposed to what, though? Not trying to be argumentative here - would like to know how else you think it could have been done (as opposed to 'suddenly'). I'm more curious because it has been about 4 years since his wife left him.
Its me the one with the multiple posts, I am sorry for that I didn't know that it would come out that way. Its my first time posting a comment on here and I don't know if | clicked too many times or what. I will know better next time and again I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteNot a bad episode by this season's standards, but it did make me wonder if I was watching FBI/SVU instead of FBI/BAU. Not sure why the BAU would have been called in, or why the LAPD couldn't have solved the case, since there was such minimal profiling.
ReplyDeleteAnonyous - not to worry about the posts, it happens! Glad for your comments.
ReplyDeleteEleven - I appreciate your opinion and it's good that we can 'agree to disagree' on the Hotch situation! However, I totally agree that the timing would be right for Hotch; it has been four years or so. I just don't agree as there has been no 'lead up' to a relationship. I think that maybe he could have 'eased' into the situation a little, thought about what it would mean to Jack to see him dating again, had those conversations with him..etc. Beth just appeared, now they're sharing the first kiss and going on a date. Probably the way it really happens in life but for this series, it just feels out of place. Maybe it's just me.
I am disappointed with the direction of the characters - I would like it to stay the way it was Seasons 1-5 - dark, intense and mysterious with a little bit of humor and a personal touch here and there. What they're doing now just seems over the top and forced. Again, just my thoughts.
We'll see how the season goes. I surely don't think it's the end of CM - nothing that drastic has happened yet.
Nanci - i am not surprised by his suddenly being in love/happy. I think the Hotch happiness/love is the other way round. He was more receptive to someone because he was already beginning to be happy. My surprise is not with Beth - it's about how since the second episode of this season he has been chirpier. Maybe it started with "Out of the Light"? not sure. S7 does feel fractured, though. I didn't expect AH to suggest a cookout in the first place so soon after Prentiss' return.
ReplyDeleteIt is true, however, that the "difficult" bits are being left to our imagination. The reasoning seems to be that it would take up too much screen time–think that's a copout and, well, nonsense :-) It was a difficult series - the characters were grey and human. Like everything else about the current season (and partialy the previous), the characters are being simplified, sanitised and prettified with no real conflict. But again, i say my frustrations with the past 1.5 seasons has been all to do with the way the mysteries have been written, shot and imagined, and intermittently the characterisation. Weak mysteries in a crime show are a bit of a problem, no? :-)
cheers,
eleven
Eleven,
ReplyDeleteI understand what you're saying and, yes, I agree that weak mysteries are just that...weak!
In the past CM's mysteries are what dominated the show with the personal aspects being shown here and there. Now...it's just the opposite. At least, that's how I see it.
All that said - I'll watch CM till the (bitter) end...I love the cast and they've done an outstanding job through all of it!
Me, too, Nanci, until the bitter end.
ReplyDeleteGotta say, though, I'm loving this season's Morgan - last season my brain wasn't too comfortable with how he was written. This season it's been lovely.
Now Garcia....sigh.
I wonder whether now that Hotch has a love interest we'll see "The Return of Foyet." That was a great arc, but I don't think I'd be able to stomach Foyet's return if it extended past one episode. And it had better have a happier ending or CM will have turned into a complete melodrama.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile I'm pining for the return of Diana Reid!!! Hoping Jane has some open time in her busy schedule soon.
To Anonymous above me I agree that season 5 was a huge arc in the show, and having Foyet return would be very interesting. I mean now that Hotch is trying to move past what he did to his family, and he's dating Beth (I guess) it would be great to have a happier ending this time around.
ReplyDeleteIn my imagination the happier ending would be if Haley was really alive and Foyet actually thought that he had murdered her but didn't. It would be really great for Jack to have her back in his life and was able to be his mother again. Since a lot of the viewers don't like Beth then with Haley being back, it will show how much Hotch still loves her by the affect she still has over him.
I also know that a lot of the viewers didn't like Haley either but I sure that they preferred her over Beth, so if you really want Foyet to return I think that this storyline would be great for all characters.
By the way do you know how I could write to Erica Messer or the show itself and have my say?
Umm....you do realize that Hotch beat Foyet to death with his bare hands and that they buried Haley right? The only way Foyet or Haley are returning is through a seance.
ReplyDeleteLet's host a seance, SF...
ReplyDeleteAnother blogger has clocked Beth's actual screen time over the two episodes - less than 5mins.
Loving all the tidbits emerging from the upcoming ep being directed by MGG. Expecting it to be the highlight of an otherwise pretty lackluster season. Don't let us down, Matthew!
ReplyDeleteAnother blogger has clocked Beth's actual screen time over the two episodes - less than 5mins.
ReplyDeleteWow, 5 whole minutes in two episodes. OMG!! She's taking over the show! ; )
Imagine the drama if she were to have actually had a couple of episodes like Will did where he had more dialogue than most of the regular cast. ; )
I ship JJ and Morgan hard. Have since she came on the show. They have chemistry. I hate that she is married, wish something could develop between these two.
ReplyDeleteThe characters seem more like family than love interests, to me. Would just be weird to see something sexual between any of them. All this time there has been no romance on the job, why change it after 7 seasons? But then they are changing everything else, maybe this is next.
ReplyDeleteWow, I agree with all the comments here. You guys hit the nail on the head! Now if only the writers would stop by and take note.
ReplyDeleteI love the tiny interpersonal scenes - Rossi & Hotch in the elevator, Reid with JJ at the ambulance, Reid and Morgan's exchange.
All it needs is a solid mystery and the great cast will do the rest with these interpersonal flourishes.
Love your comments SF81387. I agree too regarding Beth..she's barely been on. I for one like her and her storyline with Hotch and do not see what the big fuss is about. I think it is a perfectly natural progression in his character. He was happy and smiling early on in the show when he had Haley and after that, he has been very glum for like four years. Good for him that he is finding some happiness. And, I know he his happy with his son, however grown up relationships and the happiness they create are different.
ReplyDeleteLove your comments SF81387. I agree too regarding Beth..she's barely been on. I for one like her and her storyline with Hotch and do not see what the big fuss is about. I think it is a perfectly natural progression in his character. He was happy and smiling early on in the show when he had Haley and after that, he has been very glum for like four years. Good for him that he is finding some happiness. And, I know he his happy with his son, however grown up relationships and the happiness they create are different.
ReplyDeleteTo sf81387,
ReplyDeleteI understand that Hotch killed Foyet with his bare hands and Haley was buried, but the actual Reaper doesn't have to return maybe it could be his admire who's
copying his crimes and making Hotch think that he's back.It wouldn't be the first time they did that, they had a episode where there was a serial killer copying a bunch of other serial killers and the way they murdered
their victims.
Haley doesn't have be dead either maybe it wasn't her that they buried, it could be someone else.They could write that she had a decoy and it was them that died in the house that day not her.
I also realize that Beth has been on for only 2 episodes but I feel like its 2 episodes too many. She just doesn't fit with Hotch to me
and she needs to go. But most of all the show needs to get back to good writing,and doing a storyline like this will surely bring back the ratings that they seem to be
losing week after week.
I don't know if they are running out of good material or Ercia just can't write a good story anymore, but its obvious that us viewers have to help her out or Criminal Minds will lose a lot more supporters.
I like Beth and I hope she sticks around...in the background of course, just as Haley always did.
ReplyDeleteHaving Haley not really be dead is the stuff soap operas are made of and would be really bad primetime television IMO. It would also invalidate all that Hotch has been through and the personal growth he has experienced because of it.
We also don't need a copycat of the Reaper. Been there done that.
To sf81387,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you feel like Criminal Minds bringing Haley back would be a soap opera, but I really don't feel that way. As much as Haley was in the background most of the show I felt like they didn't explore the character more just like they could have explored Will and even Kevin. The show could have made her more than just Aaron's wife and mother of his son.
She understood his job and how important it was to him so every time he wouldn't be there she understood why. But By season's 3-4 she all of a sudden became different and angry and this whiny, needy wife who doesn't get her husband. I also know that Aaron made some personal growth because Haley died but, that only happened because the show killed her off and the situation forced him to. If she had lived the storyline may have been different or maybe not. But it not only happened to Aaron it was to Jack too. Your not the only one who felt that they didn't need to kill her off I read in past comments after they did that episode that it was the most heartbreaking episode of the show.
Quite a few felt that it wasn't necessary for them to do that and besides are you going to hoestly tell me that even if she came back for Jack it would be wrong? Aaron isn't the only one who's life could change Jack's as well, and even to nothing doesn't have to change for Aaron he could continue seeing Beth all the same.( even though that will suck)
What the show needs to do is bring back its intensity and suspense and stop dishing out this they call episodes, and get back to the good old days where they had all their supporters.
The moment i heard that Hotch was to have a love interest, my first thought was Jenna Elfman! I mean how amazing would that have been to have those two reunited, they had crazy chemistry. It really did suck the moment Bellamy Young got the part, gutted is an understatement!
ReplyDeleteI wish Paget Brewster all the best and i hope that she returns to our screen very soon, there are rumours that Colin Ferguson is doing a pilot and if she could get a part on that show i would be a very happy girl! It's just nice to have your two fave actors together on the same screen!
Hotch cradled Haley's dead body in his arms and sobbed. I'm guessing he would've noticed if she were a decoy. She's been dead for over 2 years? Why would they allow Hotch and Jack to believe she was dead for so long if it weren't true?
ReplyDeleteWhile Haley dying was heartbreaking it was also the finest hour of television this show has ever produced and I would never want to see anything cheapen it, so I'm going to just say no to any kind of Haley resurrection storyline. It would be too silly and cheesy IMO.
I think that in episode 3.02 when Hotch told Haley "This is who I am" and she replied, "No, this is what you do", it made it pretty clear that Haley had no understanding at all about how important that job was to him, until that very moment and then the writing was on the wall. In that moment, she clearly understood that it wasn't just a job for him but some kind of calling and she knew it was never going to end and that she couldn't deal with it anymore.
Up until that point she was doing her best to be tolerant, but she was unhappy and had been since Season 1. It was clear as early as Season 1 when she handed him the phone and sarcastically told him "it's your wife" that his job and his being gone all of the time was frustrating her and that their marriage was beginning to suffer. Haley didn't suddenly turn into a whiney, nagging wife. The build-up to it was there all along and I would never categorize her as whiney or unreasonable. The man she fell in love with was slowly disappearing and there was nothing she could do to stop it. The break up of the marriage was sad and there was no one person to blame and her dying probably saved him from becoming completely consumed by the job. Two or three years ago he certainly would've forgotten Valentines Day, but two or three years ago he would've just shrugged and kept right on working. He's learned some very hard, but valuable lessons and to erase all those lessons with some bizarre resurrection of the dead storyline would be horrible so I hope they'd never go there.
Now if they wanted to explore the suggested abuse from Hotch's childhood by having him lose his temper with Jack and come close to striking him, I could get into that. We've all seen what he's capable of when pushed to the limit and one has to wonder if he's ever addressed the fact that he killed another human being with his bare hands.
Amen, Sf, amen.
ReplyDeleteTo sf81387,
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to be harping on the topic of Haley coming back or anything, I just really liked the character and actress and wanted the writers to write her better and do more for her. Meredith Monroe is a good actress and I just feel like they didn't explore her talent enough and just written her as a house wife and mother and there's nothing wrong with that. And at the end after she and Aaron got divorced is when she became more independant and stronger.
I feel like that was where they could have developed her character instead of killing her off. I want Criminal Minds to be like it was in the beginning with the good writing, good acting and storylines. I just feel like its losing its edge or indivuality from the other shows. Either way I will still love Criminal Minds but can do without certain characters.
That hint that the show gave us about Aaron being abused sounds interesting and they should look into that but I just hope it doesn't go as far as him hitting Jack. I love Jack I think that they should show more of him so we can get to know him as a character all on his own.