Criminal Minds

I'm surprised no one else has made a topic for what I consider to be the best television show out right now. I don't want to hear a word against that.:lol:

Anyway, what do you all think of Gideon leaving the show and riding off into the sunset? How about Hotch almost putting in for a transfer away from the BAU?

I was afraid Gideon would committ suicide after watching the first show of the season, but as it happend in the episode "In Name and Blood" he just had too much emotional stress to continue with the team and left for good. Hopefully Gideon's replacement, Joe Mantegna (Real life name), will be able to step in his shoes.

Well, I just started this series this season, so I've only seen 2 episodes.

I love it.
It has surpassed my love for CSI.
Next paycheck I think I'm going to go buy the box sets for the other seasons.

Well, I just started this series this season, so I've only seen 2 episodes.

I love it.
It has surpassed my love for CSI.
Next paycheck I think I'm going to go buy the box sets for the other seasons.
Yes you really should get them when you can afford it. Especially Season 2. There is a bit of background story that goes on in each season so it would be totally worth it. THe show is absolutely fantastic and I'm surprised that alot more people don't know about it.

One of my favourite shows but then I love to watch this crime shows anyway. Always nice turns and interesting stories.

This week's show looks like it's going to be a real thriller. Apparently, the unsub poses as a psychiatrist, finds patients who tell him what their worst fear is, and then the unsub proceeds to use that fear as a way to kill them.

I'm really looking forward to it.

Great show last night- what do you all think?

I just came to say that is one of my favorite series!!! I just can't debate the episodes since we are one season behind here in Brazil, so I have to avoid spoilers!!

Missed last nights' episode on Living (not sure how far behind US we are), but the previous one was the one with the cannibal, which ended with Garcia's date, where her date shot her at the end Can someone tell me what happened in the next episode last night? Thanks.

Hi there! I just searched through the forum to finbd a thread about Criminal Minds. I think we should revive this thing as a testament to a really great tv show!

Now that the third season is done, there are huge questions regarding the ending!

I think it's been long enough that this isn't a spoiler, right?
What does everyone think of "Lo-Fi" and its impact on the show?

In other words, who's in trouble?!

Also, who's your favourite character? Favourite episode?

The season finale was definitely brilliant. What a great cliffhangar at the end- we don't know which one of the SUVs blew up and it could have been any one of the characters.

There have been new promo trailers out for Season 4 and the second part of this episodes. It looks amazing. I don't think any of the of the main characters got hurt from the explosion by looking at the at the trailers, but there was a couple scenes with Hotch having blood all over him, so I dunno if he was involved or not.

I believe there will be alot of action and suspense in Part II, because as well all know New York City has a terrorist cell in it now. Morgan should like all of this seeing as how he is the "tough guy" of the team and enjoys getting his hands dirty.

My favorite character is Hotch. He has the perfect temperament and personality of an FBI Agent, as well as being an extremely smart individual. He gets his work done quickly and effectively and does not tolerate any ****. If I was to become an Agent, I think that I would try to model myself off of how Hotch does his job.

The season finale was definitely brilliant. What a great cliffhangar at the end- we don't know which one of the SUVs blew up and it could have been any one of the characters.

I know. I can't believe we've waited this long!

There have been new promo trailers out for Season 4 and the second part of this episodes. It looks amazing. I don't think any of the of the main characters got hurt from the explosion by looking at the at the trailers, but there was a couple scenes with Hotch having blood all over him, so I dunno if he was involved or not.

Oh! I didn't know that! :lol: I have to go find them! Mind you, season 4 isn't due here till May anyway.. May! So far away!

I believe there will be alot of action and suspense in Part II, because as well all know New York City has a terrorist cell in it now. Morgan should like all of this seeing as how he is the "tough guy" of the team and enjoys getting his hands dirty.

It was actually a great idea for an episode, I agree. Very clever. And ditto on Morgan too!

My favorite character is Hotch. He has the perfect temperament and personality of an FBI Agent, as well as being an extremely smart individual. He gets his work done quickly and effectively and does not tolerate any ****. If I was to become an Agent, I think that I would try to model myself off of how Hotch does his job.

Ah! Same! I love that perfect temperament thing. And I like the fact that his human emotion was brought in too, with the divorce. Poor guy.

My favorites are the nerdy character (don't remember his name) and Garcia. Those two have always been my faves.

I just watched the season 3 finale tonight and I have no idea who it could have been in the car. I don't want to sound gruesome, but I hope it is J.J. and not anyone else, cause I like everyone else.

My favorites are the nerdy character (don't remember his name) and Garcia. Those two have always been my faves.

I just watched the season 3 finale tonight and I have no idea who it could have been in the car. I don't want to sound gruesome, but I hope it is J.J. and not anyone else, cause I like everyone else.

I know, but her relationship with the cop is really sweet... I've read somewhere that some people could instantly be discounted because they sat into different cars than the one that exploded, but I didn't look that closely! :lol:

Criminal Minds Season 4 Promo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A06vnzq8tYs&feature=related)

:err:

I will put it in spoilers, so anyone who hasn't seen it doesn't get spoiled.

:upset: Poor Kate. I thought she might have been the one who was involved in the explosion. Though I didn't want her to die when I realized she was still alive.

Wow! That scene with Derek and the ambulance was wicked. My mom screamed when she thought he was dead. But somehow I knew he wasn't and I was happy when it showed him alive. I love what Garcia said. Something like "I am mad at you right now." :lol:

Great episode!

I started the series last year when Gideon left. My Supervisor at the time raved about how great the show was. So I thought "Ok, I'll check it out" and was hooked in two seconds flat.
Now I'm ticked because I only taped about 30 minutes of the Season premier. Oh well, I'll catch it later.

Fury, the series isn't due to air here for ages, but I read the spoiler anyway! :lol: I always try to find out what happened, even though I won't see it myself for a while. I heard that that first episode was fantastic. I was re watching some of the season one and two ones on dvd the other day..

It's just so original a series.. I can't believe how under rated it is!!:sigh:

I love Rossi- I never thought I would, early on he was such a grouch and well.. no Gideon, but he's really grown on me at this stage, I think he's great.

Anyone watch last night's episode?

I thought Luke Perry was great on the episode. Really hated him as the character, but I guess I was supposed to. Loved that they used a private religious sect for an episode. Great writing.

The episode was so suspenseful. I was a little worried for my favorite character (the nerd, still can't remember his name :lol:).

I loved the bit with Garcia at the beginning when they were talking to her in the plane. She is my other favorite.

The nerd! *shock*! :lol: Spencer Reid!! :D

I didn't see the episode, sadly, but I said I'd interject with the character name nonetheless! :D

I love this show. My favourite character is Reid, he's such a nerd! Plus his back story is pretty interesting too. I try not to watch this show when I'm by myself at home, it freaks me out too much. There's always someone sneaking into someone's house, it just plain freaks me out!

There's always someone sneaking into someone's house, it just plain freaks me out!

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I'm catching up on the first seasons to get the backstory, but I have to be careful not to watch too many episodes at once, because I get freaked out too.

I think shows like CSI don't freak me out as much because the crime is almost always personal, as opposed to some random person who caught the killer's fancy, which seems to have a higher (albeit still small) chance of happening in real life.

Know whats funny, I actually like this show a lot, me and my mom watched it a few weeks ago, we did not know what it was at first...ended up being really good.

Watched it the next week, by accident again...lol..watched about three or four episodes..now..

hmm, if I am right, it is on tonight..:hmm:

I found last nights episode rather anticlimactic. They could have done so much with a Exorcism plot but they really didn't flesh it out too much. I realize they wanted to do more with character back story but I really don't care for episodes like that, killer story driven stories are why I watch this show. I love the team but i don't need an entire episode on their past.

I wasn't really paying a lot of attention to that episode, I did not mind it though...


wasn't interesting enough for me to put my whole attention on it though:)

I found last nights episode rather anticlimactic.

I can see that. I enjoy finding out about their backstory, but not when it completely takes over the plot. I was unclear on what was happening - did they actually kill that priest in Spain? Did he poison them, or was it the stress of what he was doing that killed them? How did he convince those other priests to participate in an unsanctioned exhorcism?

It took me a really long time to find this thread! anyway, I've been a fan of this show since season 2...my mom got me hooked. My favorite character is and always has been Hotch because he's such a challenge to figure out. My favorite episode is Omnivore because it shows a very different side to Hotch...it's fairly new so if your country is behind the US, you may not have seen it yet.

Also, if anyone is interested, I started a social group for this show.

Did anyone see Jackson Rathbone (a.k.a, Jasper in Twilight)? He was awesome! That episode will go down as one of my faves, because of the huge plot twist. Jackson was great, it was cool to see him act in this, since he had like, two lines in Twilight. My favorite character will always be Reed. I just love him so much! He rules! :love:

HOTCH!!!

I'm assuming that Thomas Gibson isn't going to leave the show; he's sort of the central character, after all. And if he were to leave, an entire ream of Emily/Hotch shippers would be out of business.

And zomg, though I knew the Boston Reaper would be back, since he escaped, I would have thought that he would target them all, like the Fisher King, and not just Hotch.. even if he was the one who was offered the deal... So I assume George Foyet will show up again in early season five.

HOTCH!!!

I'm assuming that Thomas Gibson isn't going to leave the show; he's sort of the central character, after all. And if he were to leave, an entire ream of Emily/Hotch shippers would be out of business.

And zomg, though I knew the Boston Reaper would be back, since he escaped, I would have thought that he would target them all, like the Fisher King, and not just Hotch.. even if he was the one who was offered the deal... So I assume George Foyet will show up again in early season five.

hmm, yea I just started watching this show and I didn't get what was going on at the end there [I am guessing your talking about the ep. last night]..

I was not a fan of the end...

hmm, yea I just started watching this show and I didn't get what was going on at the end there [I am guessing your talking about the ep. last night]..

I was not a fan of the end...

Ah, right.

If you only just started watching, then the end will make no sense. I'll explain it here, because you may have missed the background story.

The basic principle is that the person in the house with the black mask on, was a very prolific serial killer who had offered Hotch a deal. He promised that he would stop killing people if Hotch stopped hunting- and Hotch refused. So when the man said "you should have taken the deal," he's referencing their past run in. It works very well in line with the rest of the season, and he was a character I had been expecting to see again.

And well, we needed a cliffhanger. What better one than that?

Ah, right.

If you only just started watching, then the end will make no sense. I'll explain it here, because you may have missed the background story.

The basic principle is that the person in the house with the black mask on, was a very prolific serial killer who had offered Hotch a deal. He promised that he would stop killing people if Hotch stopped hunting- and Hotch refused. So when the man said "you should have taken the deal," he's referencing their past run in. It works very well in line with the rest of the season, and he was a character I had been expecting to see again.

And well, we needed a cliffhanger. What better one than that?



aw thank you, makes sense now lol.


idk, it's kind of hard to see the show without Hotch..isn't it? even though I have seen maybe 5 episodes..lol..

But also that wasn't the only think that annoyed me about this episode[which was a extremely messed up one at that!], when those stupid cops or whatever shot the not so smart brother, I was hella PO'ed :grumble::grumble: I know it is a show, but still, he did not deserve to die..he had his hands up! and with what he was doing, he did it cause his psycho brother, who needed to die!(and did, thankfully!) [I did that in case someone didn't see the season final yet..]

I agree with you on the spoiler tags, it's for the best to use them because airdates are different in different parts of the world.

I suppose that killing both brothers was a true disaster. In the background of the frame where Lukas is being shot, you can see Morgan yelling "Stop!" or something like it, trying to get the police officers to lower their weapons. Morgan has mentioned how tired he is of it all; this episode was the first time ever I saw him walk away from something. He doesn't do that, that's part of his character. And on top of that, there are immediate questions about the eyes on the drawings Reid found- someone watching? Or is it connected to that old unsub who shows up at Hotch's apartment later on? His symbol was an eye. Was he involved in what happened in Canada? He also attacked Morgan in that old episode, and stole his badge, which leads me to believe that the Hotch- Reaper storyline is far from over. It's worth watching that episode to see more of the Reaper, George Foyet, and how he operates.

If I had to take a bet on it, I would say that Hotch is currently not dead. The Reaper liked to watch the suffering, he liked to make it last when he could; and I don't see that changing here. I figure that as things stand, he'll ruin Hotch, but that in the long term, the team will find him and work the puzzle out to catch the Reaper.

Rumours are rife that Gibson is set to not return, but I would have said that of all cast characters, Shemar Moore playing Morgan was most likely to leave, since his struggles are more appropriate to a character set to leave. And on top of that, Hotch mentioned in his final voiceover that he's unsure how much more the team can take.

It's very hard to say who the final victim is, or how the team ends up- but my bets are on Morgan, rather than Hotch, to eventually leave the show, whether by death or a walkout. The fact is that I've been checking the net since the episode aired; if Hotch were killed off and Gibson left the show, I think the ratings would drop ridiculously and the show would suffer hugely. It seems mad to get rid of the rock that holds the team together; it seems sillier still to get rid of him right when everyone loves him most. The creators have put a lot of time making him into a hero and a diligent, honest man. Destroying him does nothing for the show, I think.

But we won't know until September, which is maddening. :D

I like both of those characters, and I hope that neither one leaves.

But I agree, I don't think Hotch is dead. I'm just not sure whether he will torture him for awhile, or that the season will open with someone finding Hotch gravely injured and him being in the hospital near death.

But I could see Morgan debating leaving, but eventually deciding that he needs to stay, because he loves the job, or he's really good at it.

I don't think he's dead, no. I think it might be a case of a lot of beeping waking him up, much like Garcia after she got shot. I figure that he'll survive, but it definitely does make for an interesting story line. It would be such a loss to the show to lose either of them, but it Morgan too is having issues, then the future series could be even better and could show us a lot of character development, which would be very welcome.

And knowing Foyet, there will be something devastating on the horizon. But Foyet was known for calling the cops, and I assume that he will call again to say what he has done.

Or maybe he'll play with Morgan, or the team collectively, in order to maintain control. That would make a great episode for sure. He will definitely hurt Hotch a lot. Though there are also suggestions online that Hotch always carries two guns, which we know is true- but I doubt he would be able to reach the holster on his leg in time to catch Foyet out. And there are also suggestions that the shot we heard was another member of the team who followed Hotch home. There are also suggestions that ever since Foyet escaped, they were all keeping an eye out for each other, and that they had expected him to target Hotch eventually, and so they might be just outside the door.

But that all seems a bit flimsy. I do believe that Hotch has been hurt; but not killed.

I have to say that this last episode reminded me of Of Mice and Men. Anyone else get that vibe?

I have to say that this last episode reminded me of Of Mice and Men. Anyone else get that vibe?

Yes. It was impossibly sad, wasn't it? Apparently it was based on a real murder scenario, the Robert Pickton murders. Though I know about those, and there are some very definitive differences. Still, interesting piece of trivia. :)

Yes, it was a really sad, gorey episode. It was based on the Prostitute Murders out in B.C. Yes, Lucas did remind me of Lenny in "Of Mice and Men". For all you Hotch fans, I'm remaining optomistic for as long as possible. I honestly don't think Hotch has been fatally wounded. I just saw the episode again Sunday night on CTV. Hotch is dictating the Summary of the last days' events. He says the word "ends" after he's been shot. He also says it clear as day, without sluring the word or rushing it. If you can still catch the last 2 or so minutes of the finale, listen to the sound after the shot is fired. You can hear the bullet shattering glass. If Hotch was killed, not only would the screen go dark, but the sound would be cut immediately. So that tells me he's alive.

to Dumbledore1fan: The shooter is George Foyet from Omnivore. He was the guy who injured himself to make it appear like he was the lone survivor of the "Boston Reaper". Plus at the end of the show, he was quoted as saying he'd be more famous than any other Serial Killer. Which leads me to this: He'd gain some media attention for a few months at the most if he killed an FBI agent. However, if Hotch was wounded and Foyet continued to haunt the Public and the FBI, he would be famous. Why? People would be looking over their shoulders. The Media would tell what happened in his last killing sprees to prevent it from happening. he'd be the focus of headlines, etc, etc.
Also, in Season 2, Gideon retired. As stupid as this sounds, He was the Patron of the Team. When he left, Hotch took over the role as the Big Brother. He knew his team members unlike anyone else. If he suspected something was wrong, he would go to them and listen to their problems, wasn't afraid to give them a swift kick if they needed it. Plus, he was fiercely loyal if anyone outside the circle questioned their abilities.

Man, I was sad when that guy shot Hotch! I personally think the shooter was that guy from the episode where he pretended he was victim, but he was really the murderer. He was the one that killed the people on the side of the road. This episode made me very sad. But I did feel bad for Lucas, just because he thought he was a freak. This was definitely one of the best episodes in my opinion. I still can't believe they killed 89 people/

Yup, you're right- or at least, everyone in tv world agrees! The theory goes that the shooter is George Foyet, the Boston Reaper! :agree:

I suppose the mask and what he said ("you should have taken the deal") are the giveaways to that- but it sure was a great way to bring the character back.

I'm surprised and saddened that so few people watch Criminal Minds. It is by far the best criminal investigation show out there. It easily tops CSI, Law & Order, and all other big name shows. The cast is wonderful, the characters are well-developed, and the viewer can't help but be attached to the team. Plus, they do a very good job of spreading the pain. Although Reid may have had a bit more drama than the others, in general, the angst level for each character is about the same. They do a good job of keeping the number of episodes focused on each character about equal, which is very unique and refreshing. I came across the show completely by accident, but since then it is one of the few shows I am completely up to date on. I can't wait for the next season! It's actually somewhat painful.

I do have to say Reid is my favorite character, followed by Hotch as a close second. Reid is a perfect mixture of intelligence and vulnerability, and I loved the whole Georgia/Hankel plot line. I was a bit disappointed with the drug addiction follow-up, though. I think they could have done a bit more with that, but at least they did mention it in a few of the episodes. I also squealed with the Ried anthrax scare in Amplification (although I'm not too sure I was fond of the episode as a whole, considering the whole X-Files ending, government conspiracy!), but I was very disappointed that no one but Morgan visited him in the hospital at the end. It's very out of character for the BAU, they are such a close-knit team. I would have expected at least Garcia to be there, since she was freaking out about Reid to JJ. The part where Reid leaves a message for his mom was very touching, when he's getting hosed down is wonderful eye candy, and the when he refuses narcotics, I was surprised by his forcefulness. Georgia definitely made Reid more assertive.

HOTCH!!!
I'm assuming that Thomas Gibson isn't going to leave the show; he's sort of the central character, after all. And if he were to leave, an entire ream of Emily/Hotch shippers would be out of business.

And zomg, though I knew the Boston Reaper would be back, since he escaped, I would have thought that he would target them all, like the Fisher King, and not just Hotch.. even if he was the one who was offered the deal... So I assume George Foyet will show up again in early season five.

If Hotch isn't alive, I may stop watching the show. If I do still watch, it will only be for Reid, and so I can rant bitterly at how terrible a decision it was to kill Hotch. Seriously, they can't get rid of him after getting rid of Gideon. Besides, that would make Rossi the Unit Chief (I assume, since he has the most experience), and while Rossi is okay, he still needs to learn how to work as a team. He still has a lot to do before the team trusts him unquestioningly like they do Hotch, and that is essential for them to function as smoothly as they do. I actually wasn't expecting a return of the Reaper, but I am pretty psyched about it now that it's happened.


And on top of that, there are immediate questions about the eyes on the drawings Reid found- someone watching? Or is it connected to that old unsub who shows up at Hotch's apartment later on? His symbol was an eye. Was he involved in what happened in Canada?

Rumours are rife that Gibson is set to not return, but I would have said that of all cast characters, Shemar Moore playing Morgan was most likely to leave, since his struggles are more appropriate to a character set to leave. And on top of that, Hotch mentioned in his final voiceover that he's unsure how much more the team can take.

It's very hard to say who the final victim is, or how the team ends up- but my bets are on Morgan, rather than Hotch, to eventually leave the show, whether by death or a walkout. The fact is that I've been checking the net since the episode aired; if Hotch were killed off and Gibson left the show, I think the ratings would drop ridiculously and the show would suffer hugely. It seems mad to get rid of the rock that holds the team together; it seems sillier still to get rid of him right when everyone loves him most. The creators have put a lot of time making him into a hero and a diligent, honest man. Destroying him does nothing for the show, I think.
I don't believe the Reaper was involved with Canada. As you know, it's based on true events, so I don't think they would mess with that. As for who will leave, is it sure that someone will leave? I know the promos said that one of the team was in danger, but does it actually say anywhere that someone is leaving? Obviously the danger thing was referring to Hotch. If someone is leaving though, I agree it's probably Morgan. They set it up for him to leave, with all his comments through the episode. Although I don't love Morgan, he's grown on me, and I would feel sad to see him leave. I would prefer he left as opposed to Hotch, though.

Yes. It was impossibly sad, wasn't it? Apparently it was based on a real murder scenario, the Robert Pickton murders. Though I know about those, and there are some very definitive differences. Still, interesting piece of trivia. :)
Actually, I've read that most of the episodes are based on true events.

I am a huge Criminal Minds fan. My absolute favorite characters are Emily and Reid. I like how Jane Lynch plays Reids mom, thats the most serious role I've seen her in. I am dying for the next season to come on. I want to see what happens to Hotch. Poor Hotch, so much has happened to him.

I'm surprised and saddened that so few people watch Criminal Minds. It is by far the best criminal investigation show out there.

I completely agree with you; it's criminally underrated. Mind you, it has been seeing some great results recently, so hopefully it's getting to be more pivtoal in the era of crime shows. Nonetheless, I do like it's cult status. There's a huge online community and generally speaking the fans get some input into the show, which would doubtless be lost if it was as big as say, CSI.

I don't believe the Reaper was involved with Canada. As you know, it's based on true events, so I don't think they would mess with that. As for who will leave, is it sure that someone will leave? I know the promos said that one of the team was in danger, but does it actually say anywhere that someone is leaving? Obviously the danger thing was referring to Hotch. If someone is leaving though, I agree it's probably Morgan. They set it up for him to leave, with all his comments through the episode. Although I don't love Morgan, he's grown on me, and I would feel sad to see him leave. I would prefer he left as opposed to Hotch, though.


I don't either really, but it is an interesting analogy for us; we had a hint the whole way through the episode of what was about to happen. The Eye was blatantly there for us to see.

Neither is it sure that someone will leave. There were just lots of rumours and writers were talking about leaving and the entire online community was a bit hectic for a while. It seems to have calmed down now, and filming on season five has begun, with Thomas Gibson still involved. Hopefully that will make for some great dramatic scenes in the early episodes of the series, allowing us to get to know the characters even better.

I am a huge Criminal Minds fan. My absolute favorite characters are Emily and Reid. I like how Jane Lynch plays Reids mom, thats the most serious role I've seen her in. I am dying for the next season to come on. I want to see what happens to Hotch. Poor Hotch, so much has happened to him.

Jane Lynch does a really great job. She's just so vulnerable at the worst possible moments, and it terrifies Reid beyond anything else. I assume that it might be because he can't understand what's going on in her head. He knows what's happening, but he can't fully intertwine himself with it.

Jane Lynch does a really great job. She's just so vulnerable at the worst possible moments, and it terrifies Reid beyond anything else. I assume that it might be because he can't understand what's going on in her head. He knows what's happening, but he can't fully intertwine himself with it.

I think it's also because there are genetic tendencies to it, and he's afraid that he will turn into his mother. He already knows he isn't normal, and is afraid it will go past the tipping point where he'll have to end up in a home as well.

Yup, that too. He comments on it in one episode, saying that he knows what it's like to fear your own mind, which is a good way of bringing his concern to the fore. It's nice to see him facing those challenges, because it shows a lot of his sensitivity, as opposed to over-highlighting his extreme intelligence. He's not just a tool.

I really enjoyed the season primere! (Sorry, I probaley spelled that wrong, my spelling stinks! :p) Anyways, I'm still pondering on why Hotch didn't tell Prentiss what happened to him with Foyuette. And poor Reid got shot. :( I hope everyone enjoyed the premiere as much as I did, even though it definitely wasn't one of their strongest episdoes! :)

Yeah, I enjoyed it too. I thought it was interesting how the whole team didn't know about Hotch at the beginning, and there was a whole second story. I assumed that the Reaper would be the only one.

I don't really know what I think about the season 5 premeire episode. I'd read about it on one of the show's sites before it aired so I knew ahead of time that there was going to be another case besides the Reaper. But I was rather dissapointed that they didn't catch him at the end like they've always done before when a case carries over into the new season. And Foyet going after Haley came out of nowhere...I don't know what to think about that. I! Really! Don't! Like! Haley! so in a way I'm glad she's out of the picture but it's a bit sad to see Hotch loose his family like that. Poor Hotch...he's my favorite.

I thought the cop out was having Foyet deliver him to the hospital. That sort of defeated a lot of the purpose to me, but I do like the fact that Foyet is still out there, and that in the second episode Hotch is displaying difficulties in moving on, determined to analyse Foyet in the same way as every other killer.

I can't believe I never posted in this thread. I love CM so much. It's not just another criminal investigation series, it's one of the most intelligent and feminist shows ever. The thing I love best about Criminal Minds is that it doesn't treat its viewers as though they were stupid. And the team! :love: I love the dynamics and how there are friendships between women and men and women without any rivalries or romantic melodrama.

Ahem, enough gushing. This week's episode was brilliant and it managed what very few TV shows ever accomplished, it made me cry.

I can't believe I never posted in this thread. I love CM so much. It's not just another criminal investigation series, it's one of the most intelligent and feminist shows ever. The thing I love best about Criminal Minds is that it doesn't treat its viewers as though they were stupid. And the team! :love: I love the dynamics and how there are friendships between women and men and women without any rivalries or romantic melodrama.

Couldn't agree more :) I love the team (they are so different and also so alike) and their interactions, what really makes the series the best in my opinion on criminal investigation.

ok, I haven't been reading the last comments because I think you posted some spoilers. I am watching season 4 right now.
I like the show, but sometimes there's too much fantasy. Having a character like Reid that knows absolutely everything they need to know, that can crack up any code is soooo convenient. Then Having a hacker like Garcia who can get her way into any database or computer in a matter of seconds is sooo convenient. Rossi's character: the cop who basically knows everything about profiling and who wrote every book and everybody knows and respect. Cliche. They end up solving cases in hours. That's what I don't like about the show. Very unrealistic.
I love: Hotch. The relationship between Garcia and Morgan. Sometimes I like Reid's naivety, but sometimes he just resembles Sheldon too much. The fact that they travel all over the country.

Anyone seen the latest episode? I really liked it.

Usually it's dolls and puppets coming alive - a common horror motive. How they turned it around - both horrible and ingenuous.

And Reid was on fire! Also, he still misses Gideon, awwwww.

Yeah, I enjoyed the episode too.

It was also kind of creepy how the doctor (aka Commander Riker) seemed so normal, yet not only did he abuse his daughter and all of those other girls, but he gave her electroshock therapy to prevent her from telling anyone, permanently damaging her.

I too can't believe I only today checked the tv section of Cosforums for discussion on CM. Criminal Minds is my current favourite tv series. I loved it since it first aired in Germany. We are currently in season 4 (last episode was the one with the sociopath 9-year old who killed his 7-year old brother) But thanks to the internet I'm up to date on season 5 as the US is now. :D

My favourite character is, and has been from the beginning, Hotch. I really, really like his character. I seem to have this thing for the dark, brooding, serious guy in a suit. And the fact that Thomas Gibson is good looking doesn't hurt either. :lol: Second favourite is Reid, then Prentiss. But I love them all.

I thought the cop out was having Foyet deliver him to the hospital. That sort of defeated a lot of the purpose to me, but I do like the fact that Foyet is still out there, and that in the second episode Hotch is displaying difficulties in moving on, determined to analyse Foyet in the same way as every other killer.But Foyet didn't want Hotch to die. He wanted to torture him emotionally and psychologically. He wanted to manipulate and control him, play his mind games. For that, Hotch had to be alive, therefor Foyet had to deliver him to the Hospital otherwise there was the risk of Hotch dying from the blood loss.

Anyone seen the latest episode? I really liked it.

Usually it's dolls and puppets coming alive - a common horror motive. How they turned it around - both horrible and ingenuous.

And Reid was on fire! Also, he still misses Gideon, awwwww. Uncanny Valley was one of the best episodes this season, if not overall. It was good old classical Criminal Minds without personal drama for the main characters. Not that I mind the personal drama, it makes for good tv, but it's good to have episodes in between that don't.

I am looking forward to this weeks episode which is supposed to have some background info on JJ.

Ahhh... I forgot all about it!!! I watched House's new episode but I forgot about the other series.... I can't even remember what happened in the last one before the break

What did you all think of last nights episode?

Kids really need to see that episode, because it's something that really happens.

I thought it was a terrific episode. Especially the beginning was well done. And I loved that Hotch took the case just because JJ had the feeling that something was wrong.

You guys, did I miss anything or was the power transferral from Morgan to Hotch really smooth and not actually commented on in the show? I really expected this to cause more friction because Rossi warned Hotch several times that Morgan was a leader and couldn't go back to following someone else.

I thought it was a terrific episode. Especially the beginning was well done. And I loved that Hotch took the case just because JJ had the feeling that something was wrong. It was a solid, good episode, IMO. The case itself wasn't as good as last week's but still it was an interesting and engaging subject. And it was important to maybe make some people aware that things like that acutally do happen. I read on our newspaper recently that they had a huge problem with this choking game stuff in France. Many teenagers died. :(

What I liked best about this episode: Garcia rocked!! And the Hotch/JJ interaction, especially the final scene on the plane. Yes, I am a sap. :)

You guys, did I miss anything or was the power transferral from Morgan to Hotch really smooth and not actually commented on in the show? I really expected this to cause more friction because Rossi warned Hotch several times that Morgan was a leader and couldn't go back to following someone else.They didn't make a big deal of Hotch regaining his Unit leader position from Morgan. And why should they? It was clear from the beginning that the switch was temporary. Morgan himself had said so. I think Rossi was just concerned about what might happen, that the situation might cause friction in the team. That's why he warned Hotch and that's why he approached Morgan later to ask him what he will do. Morgan said he'll do whatever Hotch needs. I can imagine he is somewhat relieved to be rid of all the extra-work and responsibility that position included. I don't think it will come up again and cause problems later. It would just be redundant since we've had a couple of episodes since without any problems. Plus, this series is about the profiling and them catching serial killers not about inter-team intrigue (we have enough of that already with Strauss)

I also enjoyed the episode and liked the twist at the end. But it was crazy to me that the kids would actually do this, especially after what happened at the beginning. Just to win a dumb contest?

I don't know whether it was mentioned in a previous episode of this show or whether I read it somewhere else but apparently teenagers have a similar profile as sociopaths. :lol: Hormones. I can see them making no connection between the game and the deaths of their classmates. Besides, I doubt that the families released details, they probably only new that they committed suicide.

I don't know whether it was mentioned in a previous episode of this show or whether I read it somewhere else but apparently teenagers have a similar profile as sociopaths. :lol: Hormones. I can see them making no connection between the game and the deaths of their classmates. Besides, I doubt that the families released details, they probably only new that they committed suicide.
But didn't Morgan and Reid go into the school to tell the students specifically that their classmates died from playing the game? To prevent them from doing the same mistake? They even explained how it happens. The medical details, I mean. I guess most of them do know that strangulation or hanging yourself leads to death, but likely they think it involves actually "kicking the chair from under you". I suppose they wrongfully think as long as their feet are on the ground and their hands free they have control over the situation.

Yeah, I guess lots of times teenagers believe that nothing will happen to them, even given evidence to the contrary. That doesn't make it smart.

When are the new ones on? Wensday?
At 10:00pm?
I always forget about it.

So, the new episode "Parasite" will air tonight. I don't know exactly when, I guess sometime 9/10 p.m. depending on your time-zone.

I liked Public Enemy, although I wonder why they put so much emphasis on JJ and her issues lately. Maybe it is an attempt to give the character more depth but it could also be that something is up. :scared:

I liked Public Enemy, although I wonder why they put so much emphasis on JJ and her issues lately. Maybe it is an attempt to give the character more depth but it could also be that something is up. :scared:

Who is that?

I have yet to learn the names lol.

Hodgens(is that right?) is the only one I know.

I was watching something else when it was on, thought it was on at 10:00, because I changed it there and the show looked like some other show:grumble: Or I wasn't in the mood to wait for commercials to see. I could have forgetton about it being on also, been tired lately.

JJ is the team's liaison with the media. She's the blonde who is married to the Louisiana cop from a previous season.

Yeah, I guess lots of times teenagers believe that nothing will happen to them, even given evidence to the contrary. That doesn't make it smart.
Yea and ain't that the truth. A lot of them think that they're invincible at that stage in life. And it certainly isn't the smart thing for them to be doing.

I liked Public Enemy, although I wonder why they put so much emphasis on JJ and her issues lately. Maybe it is an attempt to give the character more depth but it could also be that something is up. :scared:
I liked Public Enemy much better than last week's episode. I noticed the new focus on JJ too. Maybe they just want to make up for neglecting her for so long. I don't think however that a big storyline is up for her, if that's what you mean. They just had that with Hotch. I don't see them doing that with another character anytime soon. But who knows?

I liked that we saw a bit more Rossi.

I liked that we saw a bit more Rossi.

For me it's always a bit hit and miss with Rossi. Sometimes I can't stand his character (not the actor, love him), sometimes he works for me within the context of the episode. But then, I still miss Gideon.

For me it's always a bit hit and miss with Rossi. Sometimes I can't stand his character (not the actor, love him), sometimes he works for me within the context of the episode. But then, I still miss Gideon.
Ah, well. I like Rossi. Yes he is a bit arrogant, abrasive and annoying at times, but that's exactly what I find interesting. He is an edgy character, not your streamlined too-good to be true guy. Well, all of them have their edges in a way. That's why I have become so attached to the characters. I start out watching a show because of the concept and after a while it's all about the characters for me.

As for Gideon: He was an intriguing character and certainly fell into the edgy category. But sometimes he was hogging screentime and that annoyed me. And he was so much a loner. I feel Rossi fits into the team much better. The dynamics has improved, IMO. So, I didn't want Gideon gone, but when he was, I noticed I didn't miss him.

I would like to know more backstory for Rossi other than "has been married a couple of times and earns millions with his books on serial killers". Same for Prentiss. We don't know much about her other than that her mother is an embassador and she grew up on different countries. Come to think of it: didn't they say sometime that Prentiss speaks all these languages? Seven or so? They never really used that on the show.

Come to think of it: didn't they say sometime that Prentiss speaks all these languages? Seven or so? They never really used that on the show.

Her mother is a diplomat, so they moved a lot with Prentiss was a kid. And they used her linguistic skills right in the first episode with her, when she spoke Arabic with the terrorist in Guantanamo Bay.

So what did everyone think about this week's episode, with Matthew Gray Gruber (Spencer) directing?

I thought it was interesting, and I liked the direction. But I wanted a little more motivation from the couple. Why were they kidnapping the kids? Why 8 years old? Did they just play house all day?

I thought it was a good episode. Not their best, but their best is amazing. I think its the best show on tv. I thought Gubler would include himself more in the show, but I liked his line at the end, when he was speaking with the mom. It made him seem more human.

So what did everyone think about this week's episode, with Matthew Gray Gruber (Spencer) directing?

I thought it was interesting, and I liked the direction. But I wanted a little more motivation from the couple. Why were they kidnapping the kids? Why 8 years old? Did they just play house all day?

I agree, there was little information about the couple's motivation. And the team didn't really give their usual elaborate profile, either. But sometimes that is just the way it is, you'll never know what makes certain people crack.

It wasn't the best episode but it was a very good one. MGG was really good at bringing out the emotional impact of the issue. When Charlie told the parents that their son had died only one day before...wow, what a sucker punch! And I really approve of how the women of the team worked together. JJ's indignation at Morgan's suggestion that she was only feeling that way because she's a mother and then Prentiss' intervention - that was awesome.

I liked the episode better than the two previous ones, but I too was bugged that it wasn't really said why the couple did what they did. And what exactly was the nature of the dynamic between the two? The woman seemed to be the dominant one but what made the man tick to be subservient to her wishes? Overall the episode was good, interesting and emotional, but this tiny bit was missing, IMO.

I agree, there was little information about the couple's motivation. And the team didn't really give their usual elaborate profile, either. But sometimes that is just the way it is, you'll never know what makes certain people crack. True, there was no classic profile briefing where it is all laid out neatly infront of the local cops. But this time, the team wasn't called in by local authorities to help with a case. It was their case, they were the only ones in charge, so the profiling happened during their conversations, IMO. They profiled the whole time, so to speak.

It wasn't the best episode but it was a very good one. MGG was really good at bringing out the emotional impact of the issue. Yes, he did very good.

When Charlie told the parents that their son had died only one day before...wow, what a sucker punch! I almost wished Charlie hadn't told them. He didn't mean any harm. I guess he wanted to tell the parents that their son was a hero, dying to protect a little girl, but it was really hard to know that they just came one day late. After they had been unsure about their son's fate for years, they were so close to see him again and missed it. :(

And I really approve of how the women of the team worked together. JJ's indignation at Morgan's suggestion that she was only feeling that way because she's a mother and then Prentiss' intervention - that was awesome.That was my favorite scene. I do like seeing more of JJ, but it seems to be a bit "unbalanced" for want of a better word. After woefully neglecting her for years, she seems to be center stage in every episode lately.

I almost wished Charlie hadn't told them. He didn't mean any harm. I guess he wanted to tell the parents that their son was a hero, dying to protect a little girl, but it was really hard to know that they just came one day late. After they had been unsure about their son's fate for years, they were so close to see him again and missed it. :(

I think there was some nice symbolism involved there; Charlie's mother had conssitently belieed he was alive, and he made it through. But it was all abo
ut the luck of the draw; the other boy did not. Those are the turns fate takes, and I think it pointed out that Charlie will always have to live with the fact that somehow, he made it through, but others were not so lucky.

It really struck a chord with me. I think CM is getting better and better consistently. Honestly, some of the most recent episodes have astounded me. It must be hard to retain originality, but the creators are doing a wonderful, wonderful job!!

I find the current season somewhat wanting. The episodes are still good, the team dynamics are great but somehow the edge is missing. I hope the second half of the season picks up a bit.

I find the current season somewhat wanting. The episodes are still good, the team dynamics are great but somehow the edge is missing. I hope the second half of the season picks up a bit.

You're definitely not alone in thinking that. There are a ton of people who feel that since Hotch was dislodged and then came back on board, things were a bit stilty. To be honest, my least favcourite episode this season was "100". So many people adored it, but overall I didn't like it at all. I think they could have made great things of it and they didn't. It was as though all mention of Foyet was left out for 8 episodes and then suddenly we were led to believe that every character was always workig the case, with no external mention of it at all. I found that too hard to accept really. And it did nothing for me in terms of the team dynamic.

The other thing I'm seeing more of is that Hotch, Rossi and Prentiss are spending more time together after a case, with the rest of the team left outside a little.

You're right that the edge is missing- but the storylines are getting cleverer and cleverer. The doll one crepped me out! :)

The doll episode was really, very creepy. It had some rather obvious turning points but I really liked the idea behind it and that they subverted the common 'dolls come alive' horror motive.

To be honest, my least favcourite episode this season was "100". So many people adored it, but overall I didn't like it at all. I think they could have made great things of it and they didn't.
I am different. I loved 100. But then again, I am a sap and I cried throughout the whole thing. And I am a Hotch-fan, so I am biased towards episodes and storylines that involve the character. I loved that they tried something new with the Foyet story-arc. The only problem I had was that it seemed a wee bit dragged out. I guess that was because they wanted the conclusion in the 100th episode, thus it spanned 9 episodes whereas half of it would have been better.

It was as though all mention of Foyet was left out for 8 episodes and then suddenly we were led to believe that every character was always workig the case, with no external mention of it at all. I found that too hard to accept really. And it did nothing for me in terms of the team dynamic.I don't think they meant to imply that the team worked the case all the time. They really hadn't much to go by in the first place. Just the combination of meds Foyet had to take due to his injuries and - as I understood it - they were searching for people with that exact combination nationwide using computer search engines. So it's not like the agents actually were working on it constantly. But Foyet was mentioned once in a while. Or at least it was referred to the case. Hotch looking through the Foyet-files. Rossi talking to Hotch about it. They just didn't harp on it constantly, which was good, IMO. They concentrated on the case of the week, but subtly and from time to time we got reminded of the Foyet issue.

How did you like the latest episode? I actually liked it even better than Mosley Lane. Maybe because it had more of the things I like about CM. It had a bit of humour with the scene between Rossi and Reid at the begining. There wasn't that much humour this season, so while the scene in itself might have been a bit lame, I still enjoyed it and it was played so well. And instead of one character having the focus, it was evened out. It was a team episode, which is always good in my book too. And I love the heart to heart Prentiss and Morgan had at the end.

The doll episode was really, very creepy. It had some rather obvious turning points but I really liked the idea behind it and that they subverted the common 'dolls come alive' horror motive.

Yes. It was a real table turner in that regard. So creepy! And I love the episodes where you can't just classify the killer as "evil". There's something more, and I like that about Criminal Minds.

I am different. I loved 100. But then again, I am a sap and I cried throughout the whole thing. And I am a Hotch-fan, so I am biased towards episodes and storylines that involve the character. I loved that they tried something new with the Foyet story-arc. The only problem I had was that it seemed a wee bit dragged out. I guess that was because they wanted the conclusion in the 100th episode, thus it spanned 9 episodes whereas half of it would have been better.

Yes, I agree with you on all of this; I am a huge Hotch fan, and so you can inagine my disappointment when it just didn't 100% work for me. I mean, I liked it, there were moments where it was astounding, like when Hotch finally finished FOyet off and it was so brutal but honestly a perfect representation of what I think Hotch must have felt at that stage.


I don't think they meant to imply that the team worked the case all the time. They really hadn't much to go by in the first place. Just the combination of meds Foyet had to take due to his injuries and - as I understood it - they were searching for people with that exact combination nationwide using computer search engines. So it's not like the agents actually were working on it constantly. But Foyet was mentioned once in a while. Or at least it was referred to the case. Hotch looking through the Foyet-files. Rossi talking to Hotch about it. They just didn't harp on it constantly, which was good, IMO. They concentrated on the case of the week, but subtly and from time to time we got reminded of the Foyet issue.

This is very true. I liked that it didn't take centre stage for eight episodes, which would have become horrifically boring very quickly. I guess that in my heart, I just wanted more from it. I wanted Hotch not to be dropped to hospital by Foyet. I really wanted it to be a battle between the two of them, and I know that I eventually got that in spades, but it just was not what I had been picturing. Maybe that's it in truth; I just expected a different take on it?

How did you like the latest episode? I actually liked it even better than Mosley Lane. Maybe because it had more of the things I like about CM. It had a bit of humour with the scene between Rossi and Reid at the begining. There wasn't that much humour this season, so while the scene in itself might have been a bit lame, I still enjoyed it and it was played so well. And instead of one character having the focus, it was evened out. It was a team episode, which is always good in my book too. And I love the heart to heart Prentiss and Morgan had at the end.

It's on my list of "Things to Watch Before Tomorrow Comes and I have to Study", so I'll get back to you on this!!! I did love Mosley Lane though- it was a different way of seeing a situation like that, which is what I always love about CM anyway, but I thought this was done well. In a way it was nice to get out from underneath the profile and see the actual situation as it is. But since it was such an interesting case, seeing more of that profile would have been awesome too; it's not too often that we see a female unsub. I would have been happy either way I think!

I guess that in my heart, I just wanted more from it. I wanted Hotch not to be dropped to hospital by Foyet. I really wanted it to be a battle between the two of them, and I know that I eventually got that in spades, but it just was not what I had been picturing. Maybe that's it in truth; I just expected a different take on it?That must be the difference between us. :) I didn't picture any scenario and just went with it, asking myself what happened next.


It's on my list of "Things to Watch Before Tomorrow Comes and I have to Study", so I'll get back to you on this!!! I did love Mosley Lane though- it was a different way of seeing a situation like that, which is what I always love about CM anyway, but I thought this was done well. In a way it was nice to get out from underneath the profile and see the actual situation as it is. But since it was such an interesting case, seeing more of that profile would have been awesome too; it's not too often that we see a female unsub. I would have been happy either way I think!I hope I didn' t spoil anything for you then. I liked Mosley Lane a lot. It was a good episode. The involvement of Charlie's mom, the children, the re-enactment of the girls' abduction.. all of that was good.

I've gradually become a fan over a number of years--and I even like the dynamic with the mini-Joan of Arcadia reunion going on with Mantegna and Steenburgen. However, if Tamblyn shows up next year as some sort of profiler, I'll begin to smell a rat (even though I am a Tamblyn fan).

Garcia has become my second favorite TV drama tech and computer mage behind Abbie on NCIS.

I've gradually become a fan over a number of years--and I even like the dynamic with the mini-Joan of Arcadia reunion going on with Mantegna and Steenburgen. Steenburgen? She's not on Criminal Minds. And I haven't heard of her joining either.

Garcia has become my second favorite TV drama tech and computer mage behind Abbie on NCIS.Garcia rocks. As does Abby, but I've stopped watching NCIS some time ago because there is one character who's grating on my nerves, I just can't get over it. :cool:

What do you think about the upcoming spin-off? I'm a bit meh about it. I mean, do we really need another team of profilers? There are only so many stories you can tell in variations and if the writers have new and fresh stuff up on their sleeves, why don't they just use these to maintain the good quality of the original CM? I'm a bit apprehensive about the whole thing. I just hope, the standard of the originial CM doesn't suffer because the producers put all their focus on the new "baby". And I have to admit that I haven't quite understood the concept of the new show either. A BAU team outside of the BAU but still FBI but without the rules consisting of rogue agents, ex-cons gone religious and gang bangers. :hmm:

Steenburgen plays the new director of the FBI. I'd have to see who they cast in the spin-off before I made any judgments. So, which character annoys you on NCIS? Is it Tim, Tony, Ziva, or that new recurring lawyer?

Steenburgen plays the new director of the FBI. Ah, yes, I just checked. But she will be on the spin-off mainly, won't she?

I'd have to see who they cast in the spin-off before I made any judgments. Well, there's Forest Whittaker as the lead and he's definitely an amazing actor. I don't know any of the other actor's (well, except Steenburgen). I guess I will decide whether I give the spin-off a shot when I've seen the next CM episode (5x18 The Fight) which will introduce the new team.


So, which character annoys you on NCIS? Is it Tim, Tony, Ziva, or that new recurring lawyer?Errm, it's Tony. :whistle: I know he's a fan favorite and for good reason. He is a good guy, has his heart in the right place, is loyal and smart and funny and brave. But he has to comment on virtually EVERYTHING and always makes some sort of joke in a quite cocky way. Which was quite amusing at the beginning but it grew tiresome for me. It's just that I sometimes think "oh, Tony, why can't you just keep your mouth shut for once?" :lol: It became that annoying that I really had to stop looking, although the show is great.

On CM, I really love each character. There is not one that annoys or bores me.

Yeah, the only really annoying long-term charcter on CM committed murder and got booted from the team.

What do you think about the upcoming spin-off? I'm a bit meh about it. I mean, do we really need another team of profilers? There are only so many stories you can tell in variations and if the writers have new and fresh stuff up on their sleeves, why don't they just use these to maintain the good quality of the original CM? I'm a bit apprehensive about the whole thing. I just hope, the standard of the originial CM doesn't suffer because the producers put all their focus on the new "baby". And I have to admit that I haven't quite understood the concept of the new show either. A BAU team outside of the BAU but still FBI but without the rules consisting of rogue agents, ex-cons gone religious and gang bangers. :hmm:

I think it has the potential to turn into some kind of thing not unlike the CSI spinoffs; and those had some decent characters that branched out somewhat. But the premise is the same and I never understood what purpose such over-involvement had. I do not have a vested interest in the spinoff, but I'll see what it's like because I think Forest Whitaker is wonderful.

Yeah, the only really annoying long-term charcter on CM committed murder and got booted from the team.

This I valiantly agree with and actually thought I was alone in that. Thank you. :huggles:

Yeah, the only really annoying long-term charcter on CM committed murder and got booted from the team.

I missed this. When did this happen and who was the character?
I have only been watching for about 2-3 seasons and Gideon is the only one I remember leaving. He didn't murder anyone did he? If I remember correctly an old friend of his was murdered at his house and he left the team because of his guilt and other unresolved issues.

Yeah, the only really annoying long-term charcter on CM committed murder and got booted from the team.:lol: I don't mind her actually. But I prefer Emily by far, so it's fine by me how it turned out.

I think it has the potential to turn into some kind of thing not unlike the CSI spinoffs; and those had some decent characters that branched out somewhat. But the premise is the same and I never understood what purpose such over-involvement had. I do not have a vested interest in the spinoff, but I'll see what it's like because I think Forest Whitaker is wonderful.
Out of pure curiosity I'll likely watch the first couple of episodes and when the show manages to get me attached to the characters (after a while I mainly watch a series because of the characters :blush: ), then I'll keep on watching. But I wouldn't feel something was missing if there was no spin-off. I never really got into the CSI spin-offs and stuck to the original (that is until Grissom left). As I said, I only hope the spin-off doesn't come at the expense of the original show.


I missed this. When did this happen and who was the character?
I have only been watching for about 2-3 seasons and Gideon is the only one I remember leaving. He didn't murder anyone did he? If I remember correctly an old friend of his was murdered at his house and he left the team because of his guilt and other unresolved issues.It happened at the beginning of season two. The character was Elle Greenaway. In case you haven't watched season one I put this under spoiler tags:

She was shot in her own home in the season one finale, but survived. However, she obviously was left with some kind of trauma. When they had a case of a rapist who attacked women in their homes, it affected her greatly. The BAU laid out a trap and used Elle as a bait (not the best decision in the first place, IMO, but oh well), she lost her nerves and the unsub had to be released from custody. Then she went on and shot him in cold blood, claiming self defense. Hotch and Gideon didn't believe her but they had no real evidence. Elle was allowed back to work provided she saw a therapist, but she missed the first session. Hotch then presented her with the alternative to turn her batch and gun in or be fired. She choose to leave on her own terms.

Emily Prentiss then replaced her mid-way season two.

:lol: I don't mind her actually. But I prefer Emily by far, so it's fine by me how it turned out.




It happened at the beginning of season two. The character was Elle Greenaway. In case you haven't watched season one I put this under spoiler tags:

She was shot in her own home in the season one finale, but survived. However, she obviously was left with some kind of trauma. When they had a case of a rapist who attacked women in their homes, it affected her greatly. The BAU laid out a trap and used Elle as a bait (not the best decision in the first place, IMO, but oh well), she lost her nerves and the unsub had to be released from custody. Then she went on and shot him in cold blood, claiming self defense. Hotch and Gideon didn't believe her but they had no real evidence. Elle was allowed back to work provided she saw a therapist, but she missed the first session. Hotch then presented her with the alternative to turn her batch and gun in or be fired. She choose to leave on her own terms.

Emily Prentiss then replaced her mid-way season two.

Thanks. No I havn't seen the early seasons. How many have there been? The first season that I watched was the one where Gideon left. I have watched it since then. Last night's episode, here in Australia, was the one about the con artist who started forgetting which identity he was and killing people to keep his many identities secret. Is that part of the latest season or are we way behind?

Thanks. No I havn't seen the early seasons. How many have there been? The first season that I watched was the one where Gideon left. I have watched it since then. Last night's episode, here in Australia, was the one about the con artist who started forgetting which identity he was and killing people to keep his many identities secret. Is that part of the latest season or are we way behind?No, Australia is not behind. The series is in its fifth season, and the con artist episode is from this current season.

I had thinky thoughts about the spin-off episode 'The Fight' and forgot to post them here.

Well, that was one bad episode and lesson 101 in how to not introduce your spin-off team. There has to be some plausibility and this episode lacked exactly that.

We never heard of Cooper before. Okay, that worked with Rossi but Rossi was retired, so that his name wouldn't come up. Introducing the man as a legend was plausible. The sudden appearance of Cooper's character is far from credible. We never ever got the impression that the BAU has several teams that all do the same thing. It's possible and plausible in theory but it has never been mentioned. Otherwise they wouldn't call in our team when they're on holidays. Prentiss wanted to get on this specific team because they were the profilers. She didn't want to get on one team of many. So yeah, strange scenario from the very start. Back to Cooper. He's been in business a while and he's buddy-buddy with Hotch - HOTCH OF ALL PEOPLE - and yet he's never been mentioned in passing. Since the spin-off has been planned for quite some time this is rather surprising. And bad writing.

Cooper is apparently also a super special snowflake. Hotch gets in trouble for the smallest breach of procedure but Cooper not only managed to make Strauss smile FOR DEFYING HER AND IGNORING HER ORDERS, he had also free hand at founding the FBI's A-Team. Because the people he chose are NOT REALISTIC for this universe. At all. Strauss would rather eat living kittens than employ a mere FBI cadet, a foreigner with an interesting and colourful background in the sniper business and an ex prisoner.

And there is Cooper himself. I'm usually a very big fan of Forest Whitaker but he delivered the weakest performance of them all, which is really hard to believe but there it was. He overacted like whoa. We didn't learn why the team is made up the way it is, why the people are doing this job and why the hell Cooper was allowed to go against procedure in the first place. We don't know what they're good at either.

The only woman on the team is apparently Reid and Garcia combined...only not really. I know only one thing: I don't like her. She pushed all my wrong buttons (Mary Sue alert) and that's an accomplishment, seeing that she didn't have much to do. Also, one woman on the team, really?

Prophet is the computer geek/street cred guy/calm centre? Or something. It wasn't really explained. It would have been cool to learn why he had been in prison for six years. I really liked him best and would give the spin-off a try for him only. He seems to be the only one who isn't weird and strangely unhinged, and that's saying something, since he is an ex convict.

British guy was annoyingly super British. And he is apparently an idiot with a hero complex because he could have let the roof team know via radio that their suspect hadn't fallen off the roof. Instead he took his chances and waited for Prentiss to risk her life so that he could save it. Awesome. NOT. I know, it was done so that sniper guy could have his shining moment in a series that is usually about mind work, not shooting expertise, but it was stupid. So was his flirting with Prentiss. It felt extremely forced.

It didn't help that our team was dumbed down and acted out of character so that the spin-off team could prove their qualities. Hotch isn't the kind of guy who lets others take away his mobile while he's in conversation with his superior, no way. And he does not smile benignly when other agents challenge said superior and clap him on the back afterwards. The touching as part of the male bonding ritual - mom doesn't like it! Morgan coming into the girl's room and asking the female agent (WHATEVER HER NAME IS) what she's doing - bzuh? He's a profiler, it's usually his job to go through the victim's room. Inane dialogue was inane. Reid was suspiciously absent, so that WHATEVER HER NAME IS could be hyper intelligent and extremely eloquent for him.

So all in all, I do not really want. Except for Prophet (the actor played Captain Patterson in Generation Kill and he was really amazing, so I may have a soft spot for him). And I'm still crying a little inside that Forest Whitaker is so horribly bad in this role.

Well, on the characters, I can understand them not revealing everything about their backgrounds on the pilot. It gives them more room for character development in the show itself.

But I also don't understand how exactly the new team will fit into the overall picture. I always assumed there was more than one BAU team, otherwise they couldn't all take vacation at the same time. But I thought they were all based out of Quantico, with maybe a few other profilers at some field offices.

I had thinky thoughts about the spin-off episode 'The Fight' and forgot to post them here.

Well, that was one bad episode and lesson 101 in how to not introduce your spin-off team. There has to be some plausibility and this episode lacked exactly that.

We never heard of Cooper before. Okay, that worked with Rossi but Rossi was retired, so that his name wouldn't come up. Introducing the man as a legend was plausible. The sudden appearance of Cooper's character is far from credible. We never ever got the impression that the BAU has several teams that all do the same thing. It's possible and plausible in theory but it has never been mentioned. Otherwise they wouldn't call in our team when they're on holidays. Prentiss wanted to get on this specific team because they were the profilers. She didn't want to get on one team of many. So yeah, strange scenario from the very start. Back to Cooper. He's been in business a while and he's buddy-buddy with Hotch - HOTCH OF ALL PEOPLE - and yet he's never been mentioned in passing. Since the spin-off has been planned for quite some time this is rather surprising. And bad writing.

Cooper is apparently also a super special snowflake. Hotch gets in trouble for the smallest breach of procedure but Cooper not only managed to make Strauss smile FOR DEFYING HER AND IGNORING HER ORDERS, he had also free hand at founding the FBI's A-Team. Because the people he chose are NOT REALISTIC for this universe. At all. Strauss would rather eat living kittens than employ a mere FBI cadet, a foreigner with an interesting and colourful background in the sniper business and an ex prisoner.

And there is Cooper himself. I'm usually a very big fan of Forest Whitaker but he delivered the weakest performance of them all, which is really hard to believe but there it was. He overacted like whoa. We didn't learn why the team is made up the way it is, why the people are doing this job and why the hell Cooper was allowed to go against procedure in the first place. We don't know what they're good at either.

The only woman on the team is apparently Reid and Garcia combined...only not really. I know only one thing: I don't like her. She pushed all my wrong buttons (Mary Sue alert) and that's an accomplishment, seeing that she didn't have much to do. Also, one woman on the team, really?

Prophet is the computer geek/street cred guy/calm centre? Or something. It wasn't really explained. It would have been cool to learn why he had been in prison for six years. I really liked him best and would give the spin-off a try for him only. He seems to be the only one who isn't weird and strangely unhinged, and that's saying something, since he is an ex convict.

British guy was annoyingly super British. And he is apparently an idiot with a hero complex because he could have let the roof team know via radio that their suspect hadn't fallen off the roof. Instead he took his chances and waited for Prentiss to risk her life so that he could save it. Awesome. NOT. I know, it was done so that sniper guy could have his shining moment in a series that is usually about mind work, not shooting expertise, but it was stupid. So was his flirting with Prentiss. It felt extremely forced.

It didn't help that our team was dumbed down and acted out of character so that the spin-off team could prove their qualities. Hotch isn't the kind of guy who lets others take away his mobile while he's in conversation with his superior, no way. And he does not smile benignly when other agents challenge said superior and clap him on the back afterwards. The touching as part of the male bonding ritual - mom doesn't like it! Morgan coming into the girl's room and asking the female agent (WHATEVER HER NAME IS) what she's doing - bzuh? He's a profiler, it's usually his job to go through the victim's room. Inane dialogue was inane. Reid was suspiciously absent, so that WHATEVER HER NAME IS could be hyper intelligent and extremely eloquent for him.

So all in all, I do not really want. Except for Prophet (the actor played Captain Patterson in Generation Kill and he was really amazing, so I may have a soft spot for him). And I'm still crying a little inside that Forest Whitaker is so horribly bad in this role.

Moriath, I agree with almost everything you said. There were a couple of plotholes, OOC moments and a new team I personally really don't care for at all.

Just like I said before this episode aired, I don't really understand the concept of the spin-off and this backdoor pilot hasn't really made it more clear for me.

As for the questions you have about the new team and its members, I think featherfish81 is right, that will be explained once the spin-off goes on air regularly.

About the other teams, IIRC, they did mention other teams once or twice, they just were never shown.

I did not mind Hotch and Rossi being friends with Cooper though. First of all, "new guy on the show butting heads with the established members" is an old cliché and I was glad they didn't go there. Secondly, it wouldn't have made sense to introduce a new character which the producers wanted to be liked by the audience - the audience is supposed to watch the new show after all - and have him at odds with our beloved CM characters.

The whole execution of this episode is a pity, because I found the case to be interesting. Too bad they forgot about one half of the case eventually and concentrated only on the other half.

It's only good we got this week's episode, which I highly enjoyed. It was the closest to good old CM we have gotten this season. Good team interaction. Good screentime for all of them. A good deal of profiling (not the strongest profiling they ever did, but more than we've had in other epis). Contrary to what the promo made us believe not too much action. A good guest star (the Sheriff). Some light banter, some good Reid ribbing and some funny one liners. My favorite would have to be this Rossi: You don't hear "popular" and "decapitation" in one sentence very often.

As for the questions you have about the new team and its members, I think featherfish81 is right, that will be explained once the spin-off goes on air regularly.

That's very probable but not a very smart move, in my view. A spin-off episode is supposed to make me interested in the new team, no? I am not interested if the entire crew consists of special snowflakes just because. They didn't have to go into detail but a few teasers would have been nice.

I did not mind Hotch and Rossi being friends with Cooper though.

Rossi and Cooper I would have bought. But Hotch isn't the back-slapping kind. He is not even friends in the conventional way with any of his team mates. He may trust them with his life and he may care deeply for them but he does not mingle.

I fully agree about last week's episode. That's how I like my series. More of that, please.

That's very probable but not a very smart move, in my view. A spin-off episode is supposed to make me interested in the new team, no? I am not interested if the entire crew consists of special snowflakes just because. They didn't have to go into detail but a few teasers would have been nice.I guess they thought it would make people interested to have the questions that arose answered and therefore tune in when the spin-off starts. But I agree, I am not interested in these characters either. Admittedly, I was quite averse about a spin-off from the moment I first heard about it. Thus I might have been biased against the whole thing from the get go.

Rossi and Cooper I would have bought. But Hotch isn't the back-slapping kind. He is not even friends in the conventional way with any of his team mates. He may trust them with his life and he may care deeply for them but he does not mingle.Agreed, Hotch doesn't mingle. But there's a difference between his team mates and the likes of Rossi and Cooper. Hotch is the unit chief and the superior so he wouldn't go back-slapping with Morgon, Reid or Prentiss. With Rossi it's different. IIRC, they even hugged when Rossi returned to the BAU in season 3 (I recall that because it was so unusual and because Strauss' reaction made me laugh so hard). Again, IIRC, Rossi is the only one who calls Hotch by his first name once in a while. Therefore, I think Hotch does have a couple of people he considers friends and he would be more open with them, IMO.

What a cool episode this was!

So much character interaction and the team being awesome together. :wow:

Poor Garcia for having to go through this but how great was it to see more of her and Derek's friendship? And the girls night out? So nice to see them doing things together during their time off. Did we ever learn anything about Prentiss' love life before? Even though they referred to this horribly clichéd character from the spin-off team, I liked that we got some insight into her dating preferences. :lol:

Morgan's "Working on wife number four?" to Rossi made me laugh. Well-placed teasing among people who like each other and care for each other.

The case wasn't the most intriguing case ever but I liked the setting and the local restrictions under which the team operated.

Does anyone know what is happening with the new spin-off? I don't see it on the Fall Schedule. Mid-season replacement, maybe?

Does anyone know what is happening with the new spin-off? I don't see it on the Fall Schedule. Mid-season replacement, maybe?

Wiki says the pilot comes in 2011.

Ah, thanks.

CBS news: they really did the unthinkable and messed with the perfect cast. For 'creative reasons' they let go AJ Cook and will do the same next year with Paget Brewster. Why they think they have to cut the ladies is not exactly beyond me but I don't think that introducing a new and hotter character is a good reason. (Which I am afraid will happen.) And why not get rid of Rossi? :grumble:

CBS news: they really did the unthinkable and messed with the perfect cast. For 'creative reasons' they let go AJ Cook and will do the same next year with Paget Brewster. Why they think they have to cut the ladies is not exactly beyond me but I don't think that introducing a new and hotter character is a good reason. (Which I am afraid will happen.) And why not get rid of Rossi? :grumble:
Seriously, what the heck? Huge *facepalm* by CBS there. Sounds like a money issue excuse to me... I think :relax:. Could be wrong there -- but it certainly seems to be that way.

On a somewhat separate note... it seems as if they've caught the 'lame' bug there :yuhup: -- getting rid of Cold Case, and now this... not good CBS, not good at all :no:.

Sounds like a money issue excuse to me...

Well, they just invested in a spin-off that was torn apart by critics and viewers alike. And I bet that Forest Whitaker earns as much as AJ and Page together, if not more.

This news has been depressing me since I first learnt about it two weeks ago. At first I thought (hoped) it was a fluke to keep CM in the news during summer hiatus. But unfortunately it looks like it's true. :(

Prentiss is my third fave character and I hate she will be in a reduced number of episodes next season and it will be her last season too.

Why mess with perfection anyway? The team was perfect as it was. Cast and characters alike. The chemistry was great, the team dynamic one of the things I loved most about CM. That will be gone now. I have a feeling they are destroying one of my favourite shows and I also feel like season six is going to be the end anyway.

Creative reasons? Laughable. If they want to change things, stir things up, freshen things up, why not come up with new and fresh storylines? Changing the cast? Bringing in new eye-candy? What an original idea. :rollseyes:

I don't want them to cut or get rid of ANY of the team. They are all valuable and they all have their fans, so I honestly think suggesting to get rid of character X, Y, Z instead of JJ and Prentiss isn't a solution.

The spin-off, I'm not at all interested in and I likely won't watch. However, I don't think it has anything to do with trimming down the CM cast. Both shows would have their own, independent, budgets. :sigh:

I could live very well without Rossi. :whistle: But of course, they're cutting actresses not actors. And he's their big name who replaced Mandy.

I could live very well without Rossi. :whistle: But of course, they're cutting actresses not actors. And he's their big name who replaced Mandy.
Ha, ha, I see. Well, I like Rossi and I think he adds to the whole dynamic. The team wouldn't be the same without him as it won't be the same without JJ (or Emily after this season :( ) But you're right, them axing and possibly eventually replacing JJ and Prentiss does smell a bit of sexism.

The question I'm still asking myself is: Why change the team at all? From what I know the show did excellent rating wise the past two years. It's audience even increased in number. At the moment there doesn't seem to be need to freshen up the show. At least not by changing around personell. They should rather wrack their brains for interesting cases and storylines, IMO.

Well, they just invested in a spin-off that was torn apart by critics and viewers alike. And I bet that Forest Whitaker earns as much as AJ and Page together, if not more.
Ah. Good point there Moriath.

@ Ronjalina: Yea, why mess with something that isn't broken? It just doesn't make that much sense to me at all :hmm:...

The question I'm still asking myself is: Why change the team at all?

Well, this season was a bit uninspired and incoherent. There was no big bad serial killer, no overall story arc, not even a tiny one. Don't get me wrong, I still love the series but this season was the weakest so far. Instead of shaking up the format storywise they choose the easiest path and change the cast. Which can go very, very wrong and tick off the fans. I'm not amused by all this, especially since it's hitting the women. And there aren't a lot of shows around in which female characters are not involved with any of their team mates and like each other on top of that. The show might respect the characters but CBS sure doesn't respect the actresses.

Well, this season was a bit uninspired and incoherent. There was no big bad serial killer, no overall story arc, not even a tiny one. Don't get me wrong, I still love the series but this season was the weakest so far. Instead of shaking up the format storywise they choose the easiest path and change the cast. Which can go very, very wrong and tick off the fans. I'm not amused by all this, especially since it's hitting the women. And there aren't a lot of shows around in which female characters are not involved with any of their team mates and like each other on top of that. The show might respect the characters but CBS sure doesn't respect the actresses.
Agreed. A shame on their end to go and choose the easy way out there... instead of trying their best and change the format somewhat. Like you said, there aren't a lot of shows out there that have female characters who are not involved with any of their team mates and like each other on top of that... so in the end, it's CBS's loss and the fans' loss as well.

At this point I don't think CBS cares. But anyway, A J Cook has been a good sport about her character being axed, which I think is awesome. She's a good actress and I hope to see her in other shows soon. Whatever replacement they introduce to the show will have big shoes to fill. When JJ was on pregnancy leave, Criminal Minds was definitely missing something, so JJ isn't as peripheral as many people may think.

At this point I don't think CBS cares. But anyway, A J Cook has been a good sport about her character being axed, which I think is awesome. She's a good actress and I hope to see her in other shows soon. Whatever replacement they introduce to the show will have big shoes to fill. When JJ was on pregnancy leave, Criminal Minds was definitely missing something, so JJ isn't as peripheral as many people may think.
That's what I figure as well. Cool, it's good to see that she's handled it as well as she has -- good for her :). Definitely... they'll have a long way to go in terms of filling them since her character was very well done.

Ah... maybe it was the writing then at that point :hmm:...

I quite like Criminal Minds. It's an interesting show, taking a different perspective on solving a crime. My favourite character thus far is Dr Spencer Reid, though I am sad to her A.J Cook (JJ) being dropped from the show. And it is also rumored that this will be Pagent Brewster (Emily Prentiss) last season on CM, which sucks because she was such a good character on the show.

Yeah I'm horrified that they're changing the team, I mean they are perfect together..well I do not like Rossi very much and would like to have Gideon back because he is awesome but still... And what about this stupid new spin-off show? (seriously I hate that team)
Will it somehow replace the original serie? :scared:

Yeah I'm horrified that they're changing the team, I mean they are perfect together..well I do not like Rossi very much and would like to have Gideon back because he is awesome but still... And what about this stupid new spin-off show? (seriously I hate that team)
Will it somehow replace the original serie? :scared:No, the spin-off won't replace the original (and as far as I am concerned one and only CM ;) ), it's an additional series. Just like the CSI spin-offs N.Y. and Miami or the NCIS LA.

Kirsten Vangsness will actually star in both shows in her role as Garcia. I guess it makes sense to have several teams sharing one technical analyst. But I agree, I too am apalled they change the team. I want all of them, they mesh together so well. But I will keep on watching. As long as Hotch and Reid are one the show, I'm fine.

oh okay I've been searching EVERYWHERE for proof that the spin-off wouldn't replace the original series but I've found none so THANKS! Yeah now that you say it...I was convinced that it would replace it when I saw that Garcia would join the new team...don't know why...probably because in my mind, she is a part of the team. :hmm:

Yeah they can't sack Reid...or Garcia, she's awesome :D

Is the new show about that team that joined up with Hotch's when they were solving that crime with the missing teenage girls and their fathers?
The one where the fathers and homeless guys had to fight in an old swimming pool.
Their team leader had funny eyes and defied the boss to go with Hotch.

Yep snugglepot, that's the new team...personally I didn't like anyone of them...and I kind of hated the kid who looked like Gideon only younger and uglier... :grumble:

I couldn't care less about how the actors look. I'm just very disappointed with the concept for the spin-off. Renegade agents with questionable reputations in the relatively realistic Criminal Minds universe - that doesn't compute. It's bound to be preposterous. Adding to that, the spin-off episode was the worst CM episode ever - hands down.

Of course I do not care about how the actors look, I was merely describing him. ;) It was just something about him that irritated me to death... :hmm:

Although Matthew Gray Gubler is a very pretty boy :agree:

But I agree that it was the worst episode ever... There was NO chemistry between the actors at all, there was no interesting characters, no explanation for all the decisions that they made... I know I won't watch it.

Of course I do not care about how the actors look, I was merely describing him. ;) It was just something about him that irritated me to death... :hmm:

Although Matthew Gray Gubler is a very pretty boy :agree:

But I agree that it was the worst episode ever... There was NO chemistry between the actors at all, there was no interesting characters, no explanation for all the decisions that they made... I know I won't watch it.
Bummer -- that bad, eh? Same here... it just isn't the same show anymore.

I couldn't care less about how the actors look. I'm just very disappointed with the concept for the spin-off. Renegade agents with questionable reputations in the relatively realistic Criminal Minds universe - that doesn't compute. It's bound to be preposterous. Adding to that, the spin-off episode was the worst CM episode ever - hands down.Agreed. :agree:

I'd don't understand why the chick was leaving.


I like how the one super smart dude finally cut that hair of his, his long hair made him look dirty(any guy with long hair looks dirty too me, no offense to anyone, I think it has more to do with knowing someone with long hair and he was irritating and gross)...

I wasn't very fond of the episode last night, seemed kind of lazily written:hmm:
I also wanted to punch those parents, they were rude people.

I'd don't understand why the chick was leaving.


I like how the one super smart dude finally cut that hair of his, his long hair made him look dirty(any guy with long hair looks dirty too me, no offense to anyone, I think it has more to do with knowing someone with long hair and he was irritating and gross)...

I wasn't very fond of the episode last night, seemed kind of lazily written:hmm:
I also wanted to punch those parents, they were rude people.
Me neither... :hmm: It really makes no sense to me.

Bummer, the last ep that I saw of the show seemed that way too me too.

I think this episode made perfect sense. The writers had to write JJ out, neither the actors nor the staff really wanted to. So that's why an outside force - the Pentagon - forces her to leave. The entire episode was a big **** you to CBS. I laughed when Garcia was all, "I feel no longer safe with you gone." and JJ answered along the lines of, "There lots of big men around." Which is exactly the point. They cut A.J. and Paget but wouldn't even dream of cutting one of the male actors. :rolleyes:

I think this episode made perfect sense. The writers had to write JJ out, neither the actors nor the staff really wanted to. So that's why an outside force - the Pentagon - forces her to leave. The entire episode was a big **** you to CBS. I laughed when Garcia was all, "I feel no longer safe with you gone." and JJ answered along the lines of, "There lots of big men around." Which is exactly the point. They cut A.J. and Paget but wouldn't even dream of cutting one of the male actors. :rolleyes:
Ah... thanks for clearing that up Moriath. I really hate when writers go and do that :grumble:.

I think this episode made perfect sense. The writers had to write JJ out, neither the actors nor the staff really wanted to. So that's why an outside force - the Pentagon - forces her to leave. The entire episode was a big **** you to CBS. I laughed when Garcia was all, "I feel no longer safe with you gone." and JJ answered along the lines of, "There lots of big men around." Which is exactly the point. They cut A.J. and Paget but wouldn't even dream of cutting one of the male actors. :rolleyes:

Yeah, I thought that was really interesting, too. I know she isn't the first actor who's been forced to leave a show, but it's the first time I remember the writers actually putting it into the script (though I'm not exactly a TV historian, so it's entirely possible it's happened before). It definitely left the possibility open that she would return, though, which I hope happens.

I wasn't very fond of the episode last night, seemed kind of lazily written:hmm:
I also wanted to punch those parents, they were rude people.The parents were scared out of their minds about their daughter though. On top of that, they had just lost their son to leukemia a couple of years ago. Thank God I don't know how it feels to lose a child, let alone two, but it's certainly the most horrible and devastating thing to experience. Therefore, I personally don't blame the parents for being a bit rude.

I think this episode made perfect sense. The writers had to write JJ out, neither the actors nor the staff really wanted to. So that's why an outside force - the Pentagon - forces her to leave. The entire episode was a big **** you to CBS. I laughed when Garcia was all, "I feel no longer safe with you gone." and JJ answered along the lines of, "There lots of big men around." Which is exactly the point. They cut A.J. and Paget but wouldn't even dream of cutting one of the male actors. :rolleyes::agree: Except for the part with cutting one of the males. I don't want any of them cut. I didn't want JJ or Prentiss to be cut either. :(

As sad as I was to see JJ/AJ go, it was almost funny how many jabs at the CBS executives the writers took. I think they managed to voice the feelings of the actors, producers, writers, crew and fans. And the emotions shown by the actors were certainly genuine. Still they didn't overdo it, it was never cheesy, which I am really grateful for.

As for the case itself, I found it to be executed very good. It wasn't exactly new and from what I read on other boards there had been a similar real life case a couple of years back (but then again, they do depict cases based on real life on CM). I liked that they were playing mind games again, trying to break the suspects psychologically, rather than shooting and action. There was actual profiling going on. I liked the different approaches of interrogation and all of that under time pressure. And I loved that it was a team episode where - while JJ did have a prominent role - still each other character got his/her due and contributed to the case.

Overall, I think the first two episodes were a good start into season 6. I had a couple of issues with last week's episode, but it was better than the season 5 cliffhanger finale, IMO. Still, I'm going to miss JJ/AJ.

Except for the part with cutting one of the males. I don't want any of them cut. I didn't want JJ or Prentiss to be cut either.

Well, no. I wouldn't want them to cut anyone (apart from Rossi, ahem) but cutting the female characters apparently seemed acceptable. Garcia only survived the cut because she's such a fan favourite.

And - surprise! - they are going to introduce a new female character. She's an FBI cadet, blonde, hot and young, of course. I can't believe they go there and have a cadet on the team. Gone are the days when the BAU was a unit where you had to have experience if you thought of applying. But that was before the spin-off.

Well, no. I wouldn't want them to cut anyone (apart from Rossi, ahem) but cutting the female characters apparently seemed acceptable. Garcia only survived the cut because she's such a fan favourite. Ts, ts, ts. I like my Rossi, so hands off. :lol: And I'll never understand why they thought they had to cut JJ and Prentiss. It's a stupid decision.

And - surprise! - they are going to introduce a new female character. She's an FBI cadet, blonde, hot and young, of course. I can't believe they go there and have a cadet on the team. Gone are the days when the BAU was a unit where you had to have experience if you thought of applying. But that was before the spin-off.From what I've read she'll only be in three episodes though. Not a regular. But who knows?

Ts, ts, ts. I like my Rossi, so hands off. :lol: And I'll never understand why they thought they had to cut JJ and Prentiss. It's a stupid decision.

From what I've read she'll only be in three episodes though. Not a regular. But who knows?

I think they only say it's three episodes to test the waters. I bet that she'll become a reoccurring character at the very least.

The parents were scared out of their minds about their daughter though. On top of that, they had just lost their son to leukemia a couple of years ago. Thank God I don't know how it feels to lose a child, let alone two, but it's certainly the most horrible and devastating thing to experience. Therefore, I personally don't blame the parents for being a bit rude.



I get that, just it seems to me if they were that worried and afraid they'd have went and looked for her themselves instead of waiting for other people to find her.
Just seems to me that if they're gunna complain about the way these people are doing there job then they should have tried on there own.


Who is A.J?

I don't really know the names of the characters yet.

I think they only say it's three episodes to test the waters. I bet that she'll become a reoccurring character at the very least.Oh, I'm sure these three episodes are to test the waters. I think I could live with a recurring character. The way Strauss is a recurring character or Garcia's boyfriend. Since they will eventually cut Prentiss too, I would want another female character on the show, but I would want someone ... well, someone like them. Like JJ and Prentiss. Strong, intelligent, independent, warm, compassionate, confident, competent and not taking any nonsense from the "boys" ;) And maybe we will be surprised and the new character will be like that and we will like her. But I am afraid she might as well be some kind of "look I'm the rookie and need all the male guidance" kind of character. I hope it's not. It would be so unlike CM.

I get that, just it seems to me if they were that worried and afraid they'd have went and looked for her themselves instead of waiting for other people to find her.
Just seems to me that if they're gunna complain about the way these people are doing there job then they should have tried on there own. The two suspects who knew where their daughter was were at the police station, so I guess for them that was the place to be.


Who is A.J?

I don't really know the names of the characters yet.A.J. Cook is the actress who played JJ.

Oh, I'm sure these three episodes are to test the waters. I think I could live with a recurring character. The way Strauss is a recurring character or Garcia's boyfriend. Since they will eventually cut Prentiss too, I would want another female character on the show, but I would want someone ... well, someone like them. Like JJ and Prentiss. Strong, intelligent, independent, warm, compassionate, confident, competent and not taking any nonsense from the "boys" ;) And maybe we will be surprised and the new character will be like that and we will like her. But I am afraid she might as well be some kind of "look I'm the rookie and need all the male guidance" kind of character. I hope it's not. It would be so unlike CM.



A.J. Cook is the actress who played JJ.

:lol: Thanks, I was getting confused, I was all I don't remember there even being an A.J:hmm:

Prentiss is leaving too??? WHAT!!!???:(:(:(


The two suspects who knew where their daughter was were at the police station, so I guess for them that was the place to be.

I guess.



Last nights episode was gross, why do they have to show all that??
:grumble:

I did like the episode.

I absolutely love this show. Every single character appeals to me in some way, and when JJ left, I was extremely moved. Such a sad episode. However, I would say that so far "Revelations" was the hardest episode for me to watch... with Spencer Reid kidnapped. He is definitely my favorite member of the BAU.

This truly is one of very few TV shows that I put effort into watching.
Loveee it.

:
Prentiss is leaving too??? WHAT!!!???:(:(:(Sorry, now I've spoiled it for you, but we've actually discussed it on this thread a couple of pages back. Prentiss will be in a reduced number of episodes this season and, according to the actresses twitter account, it will be her last. Maybe they'll change their minds. I still hold some hope for her. Things can change so quickly on tv these days.

Last nights episode was gross, why do they have to show all that??
:grumble:

I did like the episode.I liked last night's episode too. Travanti, who played the Unsub, was really very good. And I liked the profiling too. Again it wasn't too much action (I don't mind some action, but it just shouldn't dominate the episode) but the team figuring out together what happened. And again all characters got their due. Althoug it was a Rossi episode, each one had good scenes. That's always very important for me personally. :) All in all, I'm happy with season 6.

I like criminal minds, its a really good show.

I'm just always left wondering how many decade-spanning, life-troubling cases Rossi amassed over the years. :rotfl:

I'm just always left wondering how many decade-spanning, life-troubling cases Rossi amassed over the years. :rotfl:Well, he's older, there would be some. :lol:

Yep, there would have to be. Look, I love Penelope Garcia, but even to shoehorn her into doing half of JJ's job is rather an insult to both characters and seems to be just a reminder that the network are cheap idiots. Plus, what are they going to do next season? Is Penny actually going out into the field with a gun after Prentiss leaves?:rolleyes:

Yep, there would have to be. Look, I love Penelope Garcia, but even to shoehorn her into doing half of JJ's job is rather an insult to both characters and seems to be just a reminder that the network are cheap idiots. Plus, what are they going to do next season? Is Penny actually going out into the field with a gun after Prentiss leaves?:rolleyes:

Nah, I'm quite confident that they'll introduce a younger, hotter female replacement for Prentiss.

If they can afford shopping for younger talent with an established pedigree (which they'd need to avoid a fan revolt) why couldn't they spend some of that money on Paget Brewster and AJ Cook this year? They're owning their night, why destabilize it? Boredom?

Yep, there would have to be. Look, I love Penelope Garcia, but even to shoehorn her into doing half of JJ's job is rather an insult to both characters and seems to be just a reminder that the network are cheap idiots. Plus, what are they going to do next season? Is Penny actually going out into the field with a gun after Prentiss leaves?:rolleyes:I don't think that's going to happen. :lol: From what I understood, only part of JJ's job will be covered by Garcia and she will operate mainly out of Quantico. Only occasionally she will accompany them, but she's done that in previous seasons too.

I agree that it seemed such a silly move to have Garcia try to fill in JJ's shoes. It made for some humor and some sweet and tender character moments, and I'm all for that, but it seemed a bit too much suspension of disbelief. Garcia, as Hotch pointed out, does not have the training for certain aspects of the job. She is no agent, she's a civil employee of the FBI and I doubt she would be allowed to do the job JJ did, right? And considering all of this, I still can't believe Hotch allowed her to even try. It seemed a bit OOC.

That being said, I did enjoy this episode. I remain thrilled with how season 6 unfolds so far and, I hate to say it, it works without JJ too. I miss her and I wish she would still be on the team, but it's not like the show is destroyed without her. Of course we still have Prentiss and I don't know what's going to happen once she's gone. :( I don't want some young, hot replacement for Prentiss. I'm not a man, but from what I can see, Prentiss is hot enough. And Prentiss, or rather the actress playing her, is roughly my age. It's great to see someone over 40 to have such a role on tv, I really don't want another 25 year old shoving it into my face how completely outdated I am, thank you very much.

Before they tabbed Tamblyn to be a med student on House, I made jokes about a mini Joan of Arcadia reunion with her as a new probationary agent. I hope they're even that lucky with recasting--and they WILL need recasting if they drop Prentiss, Vangess can't balance the entire team by herself. I was never a huge fan of Paget Brewster's (though I immensely preferred her to Lola Glaudini). However, I will definitely miss her if she leaves.

As an aside, what's with Reid's new wanna-be Stones haircut? If they alter it some, he might grow into it, but it just seems odd. The one bad thing about Jane Lynch being such a hot property these days is it's almost certain we'll never see her again as Reid's mother.

I hope that they might bring Reid's mum back. Their relationship is so heartbreakingly precious.

And I've grown to like Prentiss. I'd like to know more about her, though, before her character is removed from the show.

I seem to be the odd one out here, I like Rossi very much and Prentiss is my third fave character (after Hotch and Reid). :lol:

Jane Lynch is wonderful and I too loved the mother/son relationship between Prof. Reid and Dr. Reid. Allegedly, this seasons theme is "secrets" and Reid's is supposed to be connected with his "genetic past", so it would make sense to have his mom back in at least one episode, right? I'm sure Lynch's involvement with "Glee" would still allow her to guest star on another show once in a while *looks hopeful*.

I hope against hope, but that seems like it's not very likely to happen. Do we know about Mr. Professor Reid or Mr. and Mrs. Garcia? Those three would seem to be very interesting people (though I think both Garcias have been dead for two decades). Reid is probably my favorite character followed by Hoch and Garcia. If I were to rank the characters in order of preference, Prentiss would probably be last (excepting Greenway) but I've still grown to appreciate her.

I hope against hope, but that seems like it's not very likely to happen. Do we know about Mr. Professor Reid or Mr. and Mrs. Garcia? Those three would seem to be very interesting people (though I think both Garcias have been dead for two decades). Reid is probably my favorite character followed by Hoch and Garcia. If I were to rank the characters in order of preference, Prentiss would probably be last (excepting Greenway) but I've still grown to appreciate her.

Wasn't there an episode when Reid thought his father was a killer? Something to do with a child who was murdered in Reid's neighbourhood?
Reid met his father and found out the truth about what had happened. I can't remember but I think Reid's parents might have killed the man who murdered the child.
Is this correct or have I mixed up and remembered the wrong team member?
I thought it was Reid because he went to visit his mother and asked her questions about that little boy who was murdered.

I don't think the vigilante was Reid's father, but I do remember that episode. His mother was part of the execution of a Little League coach who was abusing his players (and Reid might have become one of his victims if they hadn't acted). It could be that the guy wielding the bat was Reid's father, but I didn't think so.

I don't think the vigilante was Reid's father, but I do remember that episode. His mother was part of the execution of a Little League coach who was abusing his players (and Reid might have become one of his victims if they hadn't acted). It could be that the guy wielding the bat was Reid's father, but I didn't think so.

That's the episode I remember.
I forget how it ended though. There was someone killing the paedophile/killer, I thought it was Reid's father or mother.

No, it was the neighbor (whose son died) who killed the pedophile. Reid's dad helped cover it up, and the sheriff also looked the other way. I think Reid saw his dad burning some bloody clothes or something, which was why he thought his dad was the killer, but he just helped clean up after it was over.

No, it was the neighbor (whose son died) who killed the pedophile. Reid's dad helped cover it up, and the sheriff also looked the other way. I think Reid saw his dad burning some bloody clothes or something, which was why he thought his dad was the killer, but he just helped clean up after it was over.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

Has anyone seen the latest episode? I skipped the one before that because it got horrible reviews. I'd like to know if this one's worth it.

Has anyone seen the latest episode? I skipped the one before that because it got horrible reviews. I'd like to know if this one's worth it.
I personally think yes. It might even be the best episode of season 6 so far, or at least on par with "JJ", "Remembrance of Things Past" and "Compromising Positions" (yes, I specifically did look those titles up :D ). Admittedly, Awesome-Hotch is always a plus for me, so I might be biased, but I think the case was interesting, the profilers were "paired up" differently for once, and we're dealing with a pack but it was much better explained/profiled than in this one episode in season 5. The whole episode had a good flow, there was also some humor and it was suspensefull (although a certain part of it might have been a bit predictable). Have fun watching it and if you do, please let me know if I was wrong with my assessment. :)

I didn't care much for the Halloween-episode either. It was boring and didn't really flow that well. But if you're a sap like I am, there are two absolutely cute Daddy-Hotch and Jack scenes. Very cheesy, yes, but .. oh well :blush:

I thought the ep was okay, but the contrast between Sheriff Ugly-Dad and SuperSingleDad Hotch was treading a fine line. Still, a decent episode.

A Reid story arc again - I like it.

But it did seem odd to me that the doctor went from nothing on the MRI to a psychosomatic cause. Couldn't it have been, say, a migraine? I'm not a doctor, but it seems like there have to be other options than a brain tumor (which is what I assume they were checking for on the MRI) or psychosomatic.

I missed the Reid arc, again.

So, this villain for Prentiss (presumably to write her off the show because CBS suits can be shortsightedly cheap). Have we seen storylines with him and her British former boss before, or is this new cloth to get rid of her?

I think it's new, though it might have been mentioned in passing.

Anyone watch the new spinoff? I thought it was okay, but hasn't blown me away yet. I'll probably give it one or two episodes to see if it grows on me.

Even though I wasn't impressed when they introduced the new cast in the original, I wanted to see how they did in their own episode. I wasn't impressed with the NCIS:LA cast in their introduction, either, but it's actually pretty good.

Anyone watch the new spinoff? I thought it was okay, but hasn't blown me away yet. I'll probably give it one or two episodes to see if it grows on me.

I didn't watch it and never will. The Criminal Minds spin-off episode was hands down the worst episode of the show, so I'll pass on the actual spin-off. My friend tried the pilot and she was not impressed at all. Despite the recasts, the whole show is still a mess nobody apart from the network wanted to begin with.

Wow, what an episode. So many questions:Does Hotch know?
And can JJ come back for good?
Does this mean Emily will get to come back someday? I really hope so. I'm still not a huge fan of the new girl.

Wow, what an episode. So many questions:


As for your first question:

Does Hotch know?
My first impression when viewing was that, yes, he does know. I thought at first he and JJ together schemed Emily's fake death and her going into hiding. But I'm not sure about that. Someone provided the scripted text between JJ and Hotch on the Criminal Minds Fanatics Blog. Obviousley it went like:

JJ: We have done all we could
Hotch: I know

Now that could mean JJ only wanted to console a grieving Hotch that they have done everything they could to save Emily's life but just didn't. But the look Hotch gave JJ at Emily's "funeral" clearly told me that he at least suspects what went on. I wonder if the future episodes will give us an answer


As for your second question: I think there is a chance and I really hope so. Although, with the changes and the development the show has taken this season (mainly since mid-season), I personally might be out after the end of this season.

Does this mean Emily will get to come back someday? I really hope so. I'm still not a huge fan of the new girl. I don't like the new girl either. She annoys me a lot. I am afraid Emily won't come back. I just have this feeling that Paget has long since decided to leave for good after how she has been treated by the network and producers. And I think everybody knows but can't say anything because TPTB want the audience keep on guessing. Plus, Paget has a role in a pilot for a comedy now, which might get picked up. I wish her all the best, but for me it's very sad. Prentiss is my second fave (tied with Reid) :upset:

That look odd with all this put under spoiler tags. LoL

The new girl hasn't caught on and with the big deal they've made of how difficult JJ's job was in past seasons even bringing in a temporary replacement for AJ Cook's maternity leave--seeing Garcia do six jobs at once that are only tangentially related is cute in a way, but it kind of bugs me.

As to the end of the episode:

I think they realized that they'd have a full-scale fan revolt if they offed Prentiss outright, so they left the door open. I haven't heard anything about next year's pick-up or who's signed and who's not.:sigh: Reid's probably my favorite character, followed by Garcia and then it's a mess. I don't think the spin-off's doing all that well, so they may be shrinking back into themselves soon. Maybe they can spend the money they were burning on the spinoff (and some of the Sheen money) on getting AJ Cook back as JJ full-time.

Back to the episode itself: One thing to be aware of--I didn't see Doyle's body when the team crashed in. Did anyone? I think he might be back for the season finale.

The visuals of the conversation between JJ and Hoch would seem to support the idea that Hoch knew, but the text does not. I think they're leaving that as an open question as well. People I was watching the episode with were actually rooting for that sniper to take out the new agent before eliminating the informant (the guy who I always remember as Pepe from Nash Bridges).

I watched this last episode after quitting when JJ left and I'm somewhat glad I did. This whole background story for Prentiss seemed really contrived. Sure, there had always been hints that she had more experience than your average special agent but this entire plot was too much on the ridiculous side for me. And the new girl, I can't stand looking at her, I really can't. She's the epitome of the special snowflake and it hurts me that she's in my beloved series.

As for Doyle: I think he got away. If he had been dead, there would have been no reason for Emily to fake her death and go into hiding.


As for the conversation between JJ and Hotch: One of the make-up artists tweets a lot. Someone asked her if the whole team knows that Emily was alive and she said that only JJ and Hotch knows. So, he knows. Would make for a very interesting storyline in the future. The impact on Hotch of keeping such a secret. The repercussions when the team finds out that Emily is alive ...


As I said, I don't like the new girl either. She annoys me tremendously and I hope she'll be gone come season 7, but I'm afraid she'll stick around. I had been quite happy with how season 6 started, but somehow it has gone downhill from then. Namely from the first Seaver-episode onwards (coincidence?) I can't even put my finger on the reason and there have been some good episodes, but something just seems to be missing overall. I always thought I'd keep watching as long as Hotch is on the show, but I am not happy with the writing lately. Hotch has been largely reduced to a background character, "new girl" annoys me, I miss JJ a lot, and Prentiss leaving hurts me very much. I might finish this season, but I guess then it's that for me.

Moriath--sorry, I've never heard the "special snowflake" descriptor before. Would you care to elaborate for the uninitiated (maybe that's just me)?

It doesn't seem that many of the folks who post on this thread like the new character. Hopefully, she will turn out to be a failed and abandoned experiment, but I don't get that impression from the way they're handling developments this season.

mgg directed last nights show! i love him! he is so funny. it was a great show, wasnt it? wow! i cant believe she actually creamated that boy!

Moriath--sorry, I've never heard the "special snowflake" descriptor before. Would you care to elaborate for the uninitiated (maybe that's just me)?

It doesn't seem that many of the folks who post on this thread like the new character. Hopefully, she will turn out to be a failed and abandoned experiment, but I don't get that impression from the way they're handling developments this season.

A special snowflake is a character that starkly stands out and even draws the attention of all others character on him or herself. This character does not have to be a Mary Sue. In the new girl's case it's the fact that she's A Serial-Killer's Daughter - which was mentioned about fifteen times in her first episode. She's also oh so devoted to her training that she can join an elite unit of special agents before graduating. It's ridiculous that they broke their own rules here because we already had a change of team members when Prentiss came in and we were told that any team member had to be experienced and extraordinarily qualified. New girl is neither, in my view, which is why they repeat what makes her a special snowflake so often.

Ah hah--See, I've only been sporadically catching episodes this year. I didn't hear her RIDICULOUS backstory. Yikes. Now, I really hope the character disappears after this year or gets exiled to the clanky spinoff somehow.

I agree with everyone on here, this new character just irks me. The fact that she hasn't even graduated yet, and already she is helping out the BAU. Honestly, just plain stupid. I thought at first that she would be in that one episode, then when she was on the next one I was like..." WHAT THE ****!!! (And a whole lot more cursing)." I really hope they get rid of her soon.

As for the most recent episode, I thought it was amazing. Though I am saddened by the fact Prentiss is gone. But I was fairly happy with the back story. Plus, Doyle! Wow, I love that man, even if he is evil..that accent more than makes up for it. I truly hope we get to see more of him. :D

I have a feeling I'm going to love this thread!

"Special snowflake" - I had never heard that description before, either, but it is perfect. And I think we all have the same objection - that being a Serial Killer's Daughter doesn't automatically make her a great profiler, especially a good enough one to join the BAU. And other than that, the character doesn't have a lot of depth, though they keep trying to bring her in to the picture.

She is the network's solution to the fan gripes about releasing the other actreses (well, that and Garcia doing a dozen jobs at once).

Perhaps things will change now that they realize the character isn't being received very well.

I don't know about all of you, but I can't even remember New-Girl's name (henceforth she is forever christened as New-Girl to me). I can't stand her, and sometimes I mistake her for JJ when I'm really tired, which aggravates me to no end. I wish I could just forward this thread to the producers and say, "Look! We don't like her that much! I swear. Please please please bring JJ back?!?!?!" :D

My teacher (known as Freelantzer on CoS) watched an episode after I kept going on and on about how it's my favorite show. She said it was too scary. I've been watching it for two years now, I'm the biggest scaredy cat I know (I still sleep with a night-light), and even I don't think it's scary. But that got me thinking. Is CM a particularly frightening show?

In the Netherlands we are a bit behind so I haven't really seen much of Seaver yet. She's just doing things that the other characters could do as well.

But I heared that AJ Cook will be returning as full time cast member. Thankfully.

Do any of you follow the actors on twitter? They're constantly posting pictures of themselves, the crew, and the set. But now that they're done filming the season, I'd imagine that those aren't going to be showing up for a while.

My teacher (known as Freelantzer on CoS) watched an episode after I kept going on and on about how it's my favorite show. She said it was too scary. I've been watching it for two years now, I'm the biggest scaredy cat I know (I still sleep with a night-light), and even I don't think it's scary. But that got me thinking. Is CM a particularly frightening show?

I think some episodes are scarier than others. The scary part is that it's people you can identify with - normal families, single women, college students - who are stalked and killed for something they can't control, or just because some psychopath happened to see them. So it's more of a feeling that it can happen to you, as opposed to some of the other shows where people had some secret life or were hookers or druggies or something like that, which is sad, but not as frightening.

I love Criminal Minds. I hate TV and never watch it excpet for when there's Criminal MInds on :rotfl:

and I might just have a HUGE MASSIVE EPIC CRUSH on Matthew Gray Gubler. just might ;)

I'm glad JJ is coming back, but if they wanted it to be an end-of-episode shocker, they probably should have left it out of the promo material. Hopefully no one else leaves, unless it's Seaver, who I'm ambivalent about. Though of course I'd rather have Emily back than Seaver.

Not only AJ is coming back, Paget Brewster is going to return to the show as well. Makes you question why the network was so set on ruining a perfectly good show when they're retracting all the changes now anyway. There seems to have been no purpose whatsoever apart from writing the older female characters out and a fresh, new blond girl in. Since this spectacularly failed they're apparently trying to retrieve the fans they lost with these shenanigans. I won't return to the series, to be honest, the last season was uninspired and boring.

I think i liked the idea of the new girl character more then the execution. The idea of a character whose father was a serial killer was an interesting addition, but then it never went anywhere. There were a few episodes where minor things were related to that but overall it was introduced and then that was that.

I am not a huge fan of this show meaning i have never really watched it regularly, but i have seen a lot of it. This season seems to be as good as anyone has been.

Well, they just told the actress who plays Agent Seaver that she will not be returning to the next season, and JJ is coming back. Thomas Gibson (Hotch) hasn't had his contract renewed yet either. I hate these uncertainties. They drive me insane.

my husband and I watch this show quite a lot. Yes, some episodes seem scarier than others. I was pretty upset when Hotch's wife was killed. I watch them on A&E, not sure if it's on another channel.
Who's the new girl everyone is talking about?

my husband and I watch this show quite a lot. Yes, some episodes seem scarier than others. I was pretty upset when Hotch's wife was killed. I watch them on A&E, not sure if it's on another channel.
Who's the new girl everyone is talking about?

They brought in an FBI recruit for a case because her father was a serial killer. This fact was repeated about ten times in case anyone forgot it. Unfortunately, this kind of thing doesn't really work in Criminal Minds because certain parameters were established early on. For instance, when they brought in Prentiss it was made clear that one has to have an amazing reputation and outstanding skills to make it into the unit. Introducing an FBI rookie to the team because of who her father was (and, in the end, it wasn't even important for the case) just really stretched my suspense of disbelief. I think they tried to establish a romantic connection between Reid and her but this failed, too.

Criminal Minds is the best TV show I ever had watch in my life! :D I have Series 1-5 on DVD :)

I never used to watch Criminal Minds, but a few months ago, I was watching Without A Trace nonstop on ION. They would have five hours of Without A Trace and then a few hours of Criminal Minds, but I never watched Criminal Minds because I thought the main character was the skinny, dorky guy. But then I saw a commercial for the episode where the two brothers hunt people in the woods, and when I watched it, I was hooked.

tomorrow starts season 7. Hotch's wife Elly was killed near the end of season 6. That was hard to watch.
They are supposed to be going after Prentiss' killer. I didn't know she was killed.

tomorrow starts season 7. Hotch's wife Elly was killed near the end of season 6. That was hard to watch.
They are supposed to be going after Prentiss' killer. I didn't know she was killed.

I thought she was killed earlier?
There has been, at least, one whole season with Hotch as a single dad.

Haley died in Season 5.

I thought she was killed earlier?
There has been, at least, one whole season with Hotch as a single dad.

agreed!

I've definitely seen a whole series with Hotch as a single dad!

In the UK they usually run from Jan to June - so we are way behind the US.

Ahh, I didn't know that! I watch the show on A&E or ION and they are reruns. Anyway, I saw the fist episode of season 7 and I didn't like Reed's haircut. Too scruffy.

It did look a little dopey, but I think this is more a reflection of the things Gubler's going after as an actor in other venues, and not his portrayal of Reid. He's still my favorite character on the show and I hope they have a reason to lure Jane Lynch back to play his mother. She was great in the three episodes we've seen so far.

Basically, they pulled a John Crichton "Game Reset" on us. Fine with me, the group seems to work well together and I plan to enjoy the current (and probably last) season of the show.

Was Jane Lynch also in Boston Legal? she looked familiar when I saw her on Criminal Minds.

Would Jane Lynch be able to come back? Now that Glee is so successful?

Would Jane Lynch be able to come back? Now that Glee is so successful?

I think she would be, if the schedules of the shows didn't overlap too much. For Criminal Minds it would be a guest appearance only, anyway.

I'm glad Emily is back, I like her much better than Meghan (or whatever her name was). But JJ's a profiler now? That could be interesting.

I thought that the series opener was brilliant...... and I so wish hotch had kept the beard!

I decided to give this show another chance, now that the experiment failed and everything's back to normal. It's almost like visiting old friends and it's so good to see the team back together. Hotch looks surprisingly old and haggard though. :scared:

I liked the beard, though!

I know what you mean - he did look older, and more haggard. I suppose that's what running the BAU does to a person...

Remember when JJ went on maternity leave and they auditioned a temp replacement and she showed her the ropes? JJ always did a bit of triage profiling in sorting through all the potential cases for the ones that needed the most immediate attention. She's just participating more in the individual cases now. Every so often, they have a really tragic one where you just feel sorry for everyone involved. This latest episode, everyone was a victim.

That beard also reflects a movie role he took over hiatus, though.

can you give me any info on the movie please?