In a journey to a place most presidential candidates don’t even visit, the BAU on Criminal Minds took their fancy jet and went to catch a serial killer up in Alaska. I loved seeing everyone in their casual gear (Reid looked like he was dressed for the Wild West, not the Great White North), but what’s the deal with those sleeveless vests? Do they really insulate against the cold, or are they just for style purposes?
For all of us who’ve been complaining that lately this show has failed to highlight the characters, last night did a great job addressing our concerns, starting with the end of girls’ night out. Although we only got a glimpse, I thought we were provided with some great insight into Prentiss, JJ, and Garcia by seeing them outside of a work environment. And with Prentiss the writers for once went a bit further, with her brief conversation about a guy. I would greedily like more, but I was very pleased with the scene.
You Garcia/Morgan fans out there definitely have what to be thankful for. I’m not into their relationship, but last night’s episode was heavy on the sensitive aspect of their friendship, last seen in depth during the season three arc when Garcia was attacked and left for dead. There is definite substance there, and while I may not find myself rooting for more screen time for them, I definitely appreciate how well the two actors work together, and how smart it was for the writers to have the two of them grow so close over the years.
Where I think the “character development” is wrong to filter in is with the serial killers. I feel like the last handful of cases we’ve seen have been more about humanizing the killers than analyzing their motivations. I’m not sure how to better explain myself, but certainly the twisted psyches of the last half-dozen or so crazies have been toned down, to allow for the hour-long show to develop them or their victims as people, instead of better spending that time with the BAU as the team tries to dissect their poisoned minds. It’s one of the strengths of the show that I feel is being neglected.
I’ve always wanted to take issue with the notion that everything a person does is rooted in something that can be categorized. To the extent that, if there’s no pattern — as it seemed at one point last night — the Unsub must be disorganized. Why is that? I mean, maybe that’s part of the reason why they (the show’s advisors) are criminologists and I just watch TV, but isn’t it possible for a killer to have enough control over themselves to act in a manner so as not to be easily labeled? Or better yet, couldn’t they just be so homicidally inclined that there is no preference, method, or routine? That’s never made much sense to me.
I have a little joke to share with you. When the team was reviewing the pictures of the mutilated animals that were thought to have been the victims of a rabid bear, and Hotch said, “We need to adjust the profile,” I thought, “A bear did it!” … I thought it was funny.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on May 13, 2010 @ 15:00 EST5EDT
The episode was okay, but at the end I couldn’t focus on the story. My attention was drawn to Reid’s big, puffy, purple scarf. It was distracting.
*POST AUTHOR*
My eye was drawn to Reid’s wooden-handled pistol sticking out of his old, leather holster. ;)
I could care less is Reid wore a purple puffy scarf or not. Must be that someone is more interested in Reid than the story. I am happy that the Morgan Garcia relationship is back on track. Still I don’t understand why Hotch is back in charge, but that is okay. I will watch this show now, even is they have a show at the top of the north pole. Prentiss is beginning to have a life beyond C.I., good. I was begining to have many problems with the writing, still not perfect, but better. I know you don’t care much for the Morgan-Garcia, but it brings some happiness to a show that is loaded with so much sadness and pain. They play off of each other too well to end it