smoker

It's been awhile since I last watched an episode of Criminal Minds or wrote something about it, but this is a special time, so here I go... @Danielg342, you need to know how much your reviews have meant to me in these last times. I’ve always thought alike in many things, but from season 11 (when it was evident to me the show was finished even for its Messer Age standard) till this last week, every time I've wanted to check the quality or interest of one episode I found myself searching for your mark, that awesome capital letter. Somehow it helped me to control my hype and not drowning on my own disappointment. Your reviews reflect completely my feelings and never fail to put a smile on my face. Thank you very much for all that @Danielg342! Well, I am gonna focus on the series finale now. There are many reruns here and it’s been a very long time since I felt the urge to do a proper rewatch, and that's it, I watched the pilot of the show this afternoon, as a send-off. Of course, the pilot is still awesome, it doesn’t look dated and actors are amazing. Only quality writing and good work get that. Somehow, this rewatch served to refresh why I loved this show and more important, it made me feel I am right to be angry about the stupid and careless way Erica Messer led this show to the most absolute putrefaction. Changing the tone in the wrong way, lazy and bad writing, exorbitant nepotism, embarrassing characters and situations, evident lack of interest everywhere (production, writing, acting...). I knew the finale would be horrible, but I never saw that coming. KV personal relationship with EM has been a letal infection to this show. The premise of Penelope being the key stone and heart of the show is disgusting and makes no sense, it's a slap in the face of the fans. I'll have to keep rewatching first seasons to get the bad taste out of my mouth.

I love this subject, this one and "marriage in the BAU" are great and endless discussions. Sooo "But why take it out on JJ ?" Weeell, I do have an answer and it's this chat: "JJ: You know what I think it is? You're mad that Hotch and I controlled our micro expressions at the hospital, and you weren't able to detect our deception. Reid: You think this is about my profiling skills? Jennifer, listen, the only reason you were able to manage my perceptions is because I trusted you." Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/view_episode_scripts.php?tv-show=criminal-minds&episode=s07e02 Anyway, Reid behaves petulantly before and after he calls her off, for all the reasons you have already pointed out. Obviously, Hotch was the unit chief at the time and sometimes he had to made strategic choices, it was his duty and responsibility, period. And every time a team member had a problem with that it sounded ridiculous and childish. I won't deny Hotch failed in pointing those attitudes several times in Bernero's age, but their immaturity has been disgusting in late seasons. I consider this (as many other issues) a writing problem or a "Messer" problem... And sorry for any grammar mistake.

sorry, I edited my previous comment I understand you, I drop the show after Hotch was written out

I am afraid we'lI never know ;P "Nepotism hurting stories", I was talking about Messer, AJ and KV friendship. It's hurt characters. KV was allowed to change Garcia (I can't say what I think without being offensive) , AJ and Messer turned JJ in Alias 2.0 and JM has been allowed to change Rossi's personality from charming jerk to emo grandpa (vets and soapy plots included). Real life favoritism should stay away from scripts. I figured that out after reading some interviews and statements. Season eleven was really careless in that matter. A whole month is hard to swallow, but I guess it's better than MGG leaving :(

I do, most of times. I mean, pregnancies or things like MGG's accident around season 5, I don't mind. Actors are human beings. But keeping around Will because of AJC's pregnancy; NEPOTISM hurting stories, characters (García, JJ, Rossi and even Reid lately), soundtrack! I neither liked the awful writing around Hotch's absence when TG wasn't around because of his deal to work less days. Sometimes the character disappeared without any reason. And I really did have a problem with their personal lives, they were pure emo" or pure crap. hahahaha so sorry, the bottom line is: writing sucks more than usual when outside events happen.

Sorry for any grammar mistake, it's being a while. Season 6 finale was quite open to possible absences. I think Hotch's plot is related to TG's renewal negotiations. I remember it was closed when the premiere was already being filmed. Anyway, even if I do agree with you I found it interesting enough, I would like a bit more of that Hotch instead of the crap we got about "boot camp" JJ. About the number of team members, I didn't get it either. I like episode 11x01 because they played with a smaller team and it worked wonderfully. I understand AJ and PB were coming back, one of those real life things we have to be understanding, but I wish it was done (written) differently, as always. I missed more leadership from Hotch here. Moreover, JJ was rude and mean and totally blinded by hubris. I didn't mind Reid being angry about it, but I disliked the childish attitude. It was a tactical decision, stop being so self-centered both of you!

I had already forgotten about Rossi's lost daughter and the horrible travesty "Amelia Porter"

hahaha, ok, in my defense, I checked their average viewers here (uploaded file), I guessed they post accurate data. Although, I don't understand why Nielsen ratings and numer of viewers aren't "equivalent" somehow. And my soft spot for season 10 is because of: Mr Scratch (of course!) A place at the table (only TG and Ed Asner, but they are amazing) Rock Creek Park (I love it!) Lockdown (I like it, a lot) Nelson's Sparrow (the plot in the past, Ben Savage was great) While season 11: The Job (I really like it) Devil's backbone ( I love it) Internal Affairs (only Hotch's subplot, totally biased, I know) The storm (missed chance) Hostage (holes in the plot, but entertaining) Plus I didn't enjoy Entropy. I guess it's my problem, but I didn't see anything special about it. Aside of that, I hated Derek's removal plot and there were episodes which made me feel ashamed, like Outlaw. However, season 10 never made me feel that way.

Agree about that. I think it's because she was close to Reid and she had her own life outside the team (husband, isn't it? and teaching), it was pretty real and weird at the same time. I am not going to defend season 10 as a whole, as I said I'm a bit biased about it, but seasons have been losing viewers since season 7. Actually, season 10 scored better numbers than seasons 8 and 9.

I couldn't say which one (8 or 9) is better, but I have a soft spot for season 10. However, I really hate season 11, even if there are 5 - 6 episodes I can rewatch and even enjoy. But I think the rest of episodes are a shame. Moreover, I thought season 10 was above season 8 and 9, so I was waiting for an improvement in season 11. Especially, after the premiere (11x01). I really loved it and I thought it would mark the tone for the rest of the season... my own hype was a curse, I guess... About Alex Blake, I like her better now, I liked her professionalism and seriousness, though. Tara and Adam Rodríguez's character are a waste of minutes. The murder of Maeve was ridiculous (in my opinion, of course), but I love Hotch and Morgan in "Zugzwang", I also hate the way they played Reid's grief, but I won't elaborate that right now.

Glad for you guys! (crossing my fingers, I hope they don't pull a Gideon on Hotch)

I have to agree with you, normasm, I hope it's good enough, usually I get bored easily by that kind of repetitive action shows. I hope there was a decent/interesting fast paced plot. Moreover, it reminds me a bit of "The unit". At least, TG's role reminds me of Robert Patrick's in that show.

thanks!! I'm glad he's back :)

Frankly I don't know anything about that either, but even if JLH hooked in some twitter discussion, her attitude or her presence in season 10 did not affect ratings. Ratings have been lower every season no matter what. It's been organic. And it's quite usual nowadays, we could see shows achieving 20 million viewers easily in early 2000s, even some shows pushing 40M every week. Numbers are really low now, some shows with these numbers 15 years ago would have struggled to stay alive. The show is still profitable and that's it. It feels like fictional tv shows are begining some kind crisis. There are too many shows around between traditional television and streaming and sadly, many of them have a really poor quality. So, I understand why producers are keeping some long-running tv shows, they are almost like a pair of comfy old slippers.

That would be great, Rossi or Prentiss, I've always seen them as his closest friends. It would have been great for other characters too. I would have loved knowing something about Elle, she had a good relationship with Reid and I can picture them keeping some contact. Even Morgan could get some mention instead of a calculated pre-SWAT premiere appearance, it would have been a nice touch if they talk about him working as an instructor in the FBI academy or something safe but related to the FBI or if he's just restoring and selling houses... I think Hotch's exit could have been better written. I don't think their idea was bad (under the situation), but it was bad executed. Anyway, that also happens to other plots and characters. I am glad they didn't kill the character and after "Gideon" it would be nice if Hotch and his family are left alone.