JenJenBosco

I understand that. I suppose it's different for life or death, but they did approve his vacation time, and he has an entire team of people that can work without him. Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you might not like your birthday off, most companies don't think about it, but I can imagine that some people do plan their vacation time to include their birthday. Although, maybe I just think that way because the owner of my company said that when he worked for someone else, he didn't like working his birthday, which was why when he started his own company, he made the employee's birthday a holiday. -> I think the idea is that work is work, no one likes to work all of the time, and even less when they have something to celebrate. My biggest point is that he took the time off...he requested it, they approved it, and Gideon should never have called him, especially because it was his birthday. I mean, it's different than Spencer, who was working on his birthday, didn't ask for it off, they had the cake for him, but when it was interrupted, no one said anything because he didn't request it off. If he had been at home, and got called in, he would have gone in because he didn't take it off. -> completely different than Hotch's situation, as he asked for the time off. I don't think it's unprofessional at all, and I don't think it should be frowned on. It's not frowned on to have Christmas off or New Year's or any other typical office holidays, and if you have vacation time, it should be allowed. But maybe that's just me.

I never really considered how this episode could forecast his relationships with Haley and Rossi, could you explain a little more? Also, Yes, I do think Gideon played on Hotch's respect for him too much, and knew that Hotch would do whatever Gideon thought was best. I'd love to hear your thoughts about this situation with Haley and Jessica because I have always wondered how Jessica feels about Hotch going back to work after losing Haley. I also wondered how that conversation went, and what other people thought or think about Hotch's decision. Also, yes, it was his birthday. He took off, he should be allowed to take off. FYI, at my company, your birthday is considered a paid holiday. -> given there drop everything and go philosophy at the BAU, this should be the case for the BAU.

Charm and Harm: We see the unsub from the very beginning in this one with his victims. I liked the beginning scene at the BAU: Elle: What? Morgan: We've only been here an hour. You've made 2 calls. Elle: And? Morgan: You hate the phone, Elle. Elle: I don't hate the phone. Spencer: Actually, you do. Did you know that alexander graham bell and eli gray Simultaneously invented electronic sound transmission devices? It came down to a race betwixt the two. Elle: Yes, and bell beat gray to the patent office by a matter of hours. Common knowledge. Morgan: Why are you acting so weird? Elle: We're sitting with a guy who knows That there are 800 kernels of corn On the average cob... Spencer: Ranged in 16 separate rows. Elle: And you're calling me weird? Morgan: You're getting some loving, aren't you. I knew it. You got a boyfriend. Elle: You are basing this on what exactly, That I don't like the phone? That's all you got, that's your best? You've been a profiler for how long, derek, and that's-That's weak. JJ: What's weak? Spencer: Morgan thinks Elle has a boyfriend. Elle: Nothing Morgan: Nothing. See! You just denied it. JJ: Do you? Elle: It's more fun not to answer that question. Morgan: That right there is a yes, baby. I knew it. I told you. Spencer: She doesn't want to admit to anything, man. Reid, trust me. You've got a lot to learn. I liked that there were still able to have a thoughtful discussion on the killer, even knowing who he was from the beginning. I liked the pairings in this one. Having Elle and Morgan on a road-trip was very interesting. I liked their banter that started at the beginning and continued throughout the road-trip. I like Hotch's discussion with the ex wife, and Spencer and Gideon's discussion with the father. It's funny that Spencer had to remind Gideon that the father wasn't the unsub. Because the father protected him and he didn't have to take responsibility. I liked the banter behind Hotch and Garcia in this one. It was enjoyable. "I'm sorry are you saying that a ten year old killed his own mom." "Well, it is a common theory that boys fixate on their mothers since they are their introduction to love." "And if that mother had a negative influence on him, in this case she was an adulteress, it not only invalidated the father, but also the son." This conversation that continues on with the whole team on the phone, is interesting, especially because this theme continues on in many serial killers. It's weird that his father knew what happened, and let it continue on, protecting him...just like the mother in blood hungry. It's disturbing that he killed his mother at ten...how many people did he kill before he was found out? Also, I liked that the last one was a fighter. That she was looking for a way to save herself, instead of hoping for the authorities to save her. -> I really enjoy the fighters. I also liked the camera angles when he tries to kill someone, it's partially shown from the victims point of view. Morgan shot the Unsub this time...is this the first time he killed the unsub? I can't remember. Up Next: Secret and Lies

Machismo: First, I find it odd that an FBI team can travel across the border or that they would be sent across the border. I totally laugh at Hotch not knowing what to do with Jack. "You're holding him like a cantaloupe." "What you think you can do better?" -> I always wonder how Jessica feels about him staying with the job and her having to job everything to take care of Jack after what happens to Haley. I always thought Haley started having problems with Hotch's job after the fisher king, did not realize it was shown in the first season as well. "It's your wife." I understand her frustrations, and Gideon shouldn't have called Hotch, but on the other hand, her passive aggressiveness is unnecessary and only furthers the problem. Also, note that Gideon was never going to let Hotch go back home after a couple of hours for the briefing, as he says, "Hotch, call her from the car." I liked the relation of what Hotch was dealing with to the theme of family with the case. I also feeling like Spencer can learn to read, write, and understand a foreign language, but can't speak it. That makes sense, given that he learns from books and not experience. I liked his look at Elle, to get it right after she says, "Face it, you're only a Genius in English." I loved that Garcia distracted things, and then "Do you want my genius or not?" and Elle's response, "Yes, get on with it." -> she clearly wants to focus on work. I liked the profile, half the team was sitting and it felt more like a conversation. I like the craziness at the misunderstanding at the station...sometimes, it happens. It's nice that things aren't perfect. It's also interesting that it feels like they had two profile type scenes. I also liked that Elle had a unique contribution by being able to speak to the people since she knows Spanish. I also liked that Elle and JJ were helpful due to being women because of the type of case. I also liked that the women who was the stressor was a fighter and convinced others to speak out. It's an interesting commentary about rape since many women struggle with coming forward with it because they don't believe that anything would be done. I have found this case as a good case. There was a lot of discussion about the man that's responsible for the crimes, and I really enjoy the discussions in multiple scenes. I like the organisation of the Man, and that it wasn't just random killing in a spree like many serial killers seem to do lately. I don't know how I feel about the ending though. Up next: Charm and Harm.

I've been writing my replies as I watch each episode, which is why I remember the details and the names of the episodes. I definitely think think the same about JJ's hair as well. Anyway, I am still in season one, Machismo is next when I get the chance.

I knew they set her up in the apartment in their name, but I didn't know if she still talked them after that because it's been so long since I watched the Maeve arc. The comparison to Cindee was that she knew she was being stalked, and threatened, at least that's what I remember. I thought she found out she was stalked and asked for help, and Morgan told her to move, cut herself off from the family, and not contact anyone, even when she got to safety. The problem was that her stalker captured her before she could get away. Also, I am fairly certain her stalker and her "husband" are one in the same. Although I concede that perhaps Cindee doesn't belong in the comparison. Also, yes, the FBI was already helping by the time Micheal was killed. However, even after she was told, they wanted her to go to a safe house, but she wasn't interested.

Ah I see now. I understand that Cary running could be considered hiding just like Cindee, but both were looking to start their lives over elsewhere...continue to work,have friends, have a life, in Cary's case, a husband, whereas Maeve completely cut herself off in hiding (Did she even talk to her parents?) and rarely even went outside. To me that's a little more like hiding, than the other two. Although I do agree about Lila, even if she, like Maeve or Cary, had gotten letters or threats for months, I doubt she'd go into hiding or start her life elsewhere. Lila was the most likely to continue on with her life, regardless. I do understand why Maeve and Lila acted so differently, and their reactions made complete sense for their personalities. Also, was Cindee's stalker husband the same stalker that caused her to run because that's what I assumed, that she tried to run, but it didn't make it very far. Instead, he saw she was running and attacked knowing that no one would come looking for her? (Because Morgan told her that she had to completely cut herself off). Also, I am aware that Cindee didn't succeed, I was merely stating that she tried to run, even if she failed.

I like your comparison for Lila to Maeve. It's definitely true. I never saw either one of them as very trusting, and both had reasons not to be. I also agree about the ways that they were drawn to Spencer. I understand the differences in their stalkers, and feel that it would be interesting if the show had discussed the differences. Just like the comparison between Cary and Cindee, both of whom had men following them who believed the women were in love with them. However, I was comparing their responses as victims: Lila refused to stop living her life, Maeve went into hiding (although stayed in the area), Cindee decided to go into hiding away from home (hoping he wouldn't follow her), and Cary moved elsewhere, but didn't go into hiding, instead continued her life. That's something that is interesting to me. The different responses by the victims, since the stalkers are relatively the same all of them were in love with the victim (aside from Maeve's). It's interesting how easy it is to fall into this situation, and yet not know what the right answer is in terms of response. Would it be better to run, to hide, or to continue living regardless. It's interesting that regardless of it being a male or female stalker, the situation really shows a lot about the victim.

I really wish they had used Lila as a comparison point in the Maeve situation because they dealt with the same thing in different ways. Spencer should have learned Something From this situation with Lila that could have applied to the Maeve situation. It's interesting that they managed to make Lila and Maeve so different in response. I still wished he'd saved Maeve. Also, I wish they had made the comparison to Cindy (Morgan's cousin) who also had a stalker and chose to run and the woman in the Crossing, who moved away to attempt to diffuse the situation, only for him to follow her. I always find it interesting that the police can't do anything about stalkers until they do something. Even the fact that Lila didn't know she had a stalker can show how easy it is to be oblivious to the possible danger. I also love that in the stalker situations we see on the show, they are different kinds of stalkers. Maggie was in love with Lila, while Diane was jealous and wanted to be Maeve not be with her. I don't know, I just really wished they had brought about Lila when dealing with Maeve. I love that it was made clear that Lila and Spencer were attracted to each other before she became a victim, it shows that she didn't just like him because he saved her life. Also, I love his total confusion of this girl hitting on him, and he's got this look like, 'wait, is this actually happening'/ Like I said before, I love the big brother-ness in this episode. Sometimes I see it, sometimes I don't, but here, like in Derailed, I definitely do. I really wish there had been conversation between the two when Morgan was crossing the professional line, especially because he was the one that said 'No Harm, No Foul', I wonder if he was thinking that when he dealt with Tamara. Yes, I love the natural default being wrong. Sometimes, we assume the wrong thing, which is why when I first watched I was surprised. I also love Lila's non reaction to finding out her best friend is her dangerous stalker. And again, I wish the outcome had been different, he could have taken down Diane, too, but I think being more emotionally involved hurt his chances at saving Maeve. -> there's a reason people personally involved aren't allowed to work the case. Although, I feel like they don't follow that rule much. Yes, Spencer is adorable....And I would love to read your reunion story. I think that would be interesting. I'm surprised that she's never mentioned when they go to LA.

So, I am watching Somebody's Watching today. I have to say that I think Spencer is totally adorable in this episode, and I love the teasing between Morgan and Reid about Lila. I love Gideon's uncomfortableness at the woman hitting on him. Although I was annoyed that he interrupted Spencer learning about art from Lila. He's too cute. Also, "Do I look 12 years old to you?" "Maybe 14." I loved that it was a different start, and shows that they do other things like seminars for police departments. I loved the focus on the victim and victims in this one, rather than too much on the unsub. I liked the different take on a stalker case turning into a delusional assassin. It's interesting the Spencer gets involved with a stalker victim when in the future he does the same thing with Maeve. Also, it's interesting that the assume it's a male (just like with Maeve) and it turns out to be a woman. I love the moment between Spencer and Lila about the drink, and Spencer watches her away and notices that Morgan sees him watching her. Morgan walks over and says, "You don't mind sharing with me, do you?" Spencer's looking away, and takes a drink and tells him to shut up. I think it's funny. I also loved Morgan concern for Reid when he sees the photos of him with Lila. I liked the collage thing, and how that was a key to the puzzle. I liked that Spencer was probably the only could see it. I don't think anyone else could have seen it. "I'm not going to just stop living my life. I'm just not." -The exact opposite of Maeve, which I find interesting. "Lila, I'm begging of you, will you please just get out of the pool?" "Really, Spence, you should live a little." -> I've listened twice, I think she does say Spence, so it's not only JJ and Maeve, after all. "Live a little? I've known you 48 hours and I feel like I've aged ten years!" "Uh, I can't be that bad." "Yes, No, you are that bad." "Fine, will you help me out at least?" -> I can't believe he fell for that. I like that he tries to be honorable, but clearly, fails. I really enjoy when there are misdirects in the unsub, I like that we see Mags in the beginning of the show...but don't know that it's her until the end, although it should have been obvious since she gave her the notes and had access. "How'd she get in the house?" "She has keys." -> Don't give keys to friends...they might be stalkers. I liked that Spencer took her down peacefully, and even when she was begging for him to kill her, he still got her help instead. "Lila, believe me when I say this, I've never known a normal day in my entire life." -> totally true of what we know of Spencer. I loved the last two scenes. The one with Lila and Spencer, Spencer and Morgan. They were cute. "There's some things you can't control, even with that big old brain of yours. No Harm, No Foul." I loved the comment on relationships being hard enough on the team. Shows why most of them are single, and I think that makes a lot of sense. Up next: Machismo.

Really? That's surprising, although I did notice when I went to Belize that Netflix had different shows and some shows available in the US weren't available there. I'm sorry about that. I wonder where else in Canada you might be able to watch? Besides having to buy the DVDs.

That sounds great! I love the discussions that have been happening.

You can always binge watch on Netflix. It works.

I have noticed that. I get the sense that he believes in the justice system, and therefore thinks it's better to talk them down if possible. I also think that Reid is the member of the team that really relies more on his talking ability and his brain rather than his gun and physical abilities. He had trouble shooting at first, so I also believe that he'd rather not shoot because he trusts his talking over his shooting...although I think that does start to change over the seasons, but I believe that he prefers talking whenever possible. Do you agree? I also agree with your analysis, I think it makes sense that Reid is a knight fighting for the greater good. Also, I like your ideas about the rest of the team.

I love your post. I agree with it so much. For me, I always believed that Reid is more reckless with his life because he doesn't have anyone at home and nothing to lose. Whereas, Hotch, for example, killed Foyett because he couldn't lose Jack, too. At least that was how it played to me. Yes, he was angry, but he knew that Foyett was dangerous, that he could get out of prison, again, and do the same thing, except this time actually kill Jack, too. I think the anger and knowing that led Hotch to justify killing Foyett. As for Rossi and even, Elle, both of them have seen the justice system fail fairly often. In the Real Rain, Elle even mentions it. That for me shows a propensity for allowing themselves to kill an unsub because, at the very least, they were getting someone dangerous off the streets. I think we see both Rossi and Elle kill for revenge. I also wish we saw more fallout from whenever they kill an unsub. An investigation or some sort of comment from the upper people wondering why the Unsub dies in various cases. Or some sort of discussion among the members. At the end of LDSK, Gideon told Reid that he did what he had to do, it was necessary. It would be interesting if there was more discussions like that. I feel like the only time we saw fallout was Elle, and a little bit of Hotch when there was the inquiry about what happened with Foyett. I feel like there should be more. I would really love to know what is the thought process in each of the team's minds whenever they've had to kill an unsub or whenever they've had to choose talking them down over killing the unsub. I would also like to know how they decide the direness of needing to kill the unsub to save lives versus talking them down. That would be interesting. Also, agree that a discussion on what separates a justified killer from a serial one would be interesting.

Ahh, I see. I don't remember Morgan's incident, but I do remember that JJ killed the unsub in the Forever People without proper reason. As for Reid this season, I haven't watched since the first Reidless Episode last year...when I spoiled myself and found out where he was going for the rest of the season...so I didn't think about that. Although, after everything, I could totally see him not hesitating. Also, I know it's off topic, but it does pertain to an episode in season one, so I hope that helps. Personally, I am surprised that the conversation hasn't come up on the show more often, especially since they deal with the worst of the worst every day. You'd think that they'd at least consider it every once in awhile. But then again, maybe not, especially since they do sometimes have to kill the unsub to save the final victim. Does anyone know how often they kill the unsub?

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. To be fair, I am a little out of my depth with the later seasons because I haven't seen them in a while, and I struggle to want to re-watch 200 or the Forever People because I didn't like them at all the first time. However, I will get there, eventually.

Morgan did? Hmm-mmm, I don't remember that. It's been a while since I have seen the season six premiere. Also, when did JJ consider killing an Unsub rather than let that person see trial? I don't remember this.

Me too. I also love that Reid mentions that thing about repetitive learning, which explains why he's always coming up with more facts and figures and knows so many things, because anxious to learn more.

I remember that one, and I actually really liked it, which was part of why I wish that they had done more trial episodes. There's been many different types of unsubs, and victims, that would be interesting to see in a trial setting. They could even do flashbacks to the case so it isn't too much trial. I wish that they could go back to past cases and do those trials or catch up with the victims, kind of like seeing Rebecca in the season two finale...she turned her life around and seemed to be doing well until Frank killed her. Poor girl, two years held captive by her bio dad, and then a year later gets killed. I liked the continuity of that, as well.

JMO, I definitely agree. I would love to see a couple of trial episode, ala Tabula Rasa. I really wish that we had seen a few more of those kinds of episodes and really get into the effects of the victims, their families, the agents, the killer, at a trial, how they feel seeing justice play out in the court room.

That's true, I kind of forgot about that since it's been awhile, and I have only seen it once. Although, I do remember the conversation about whether or not Rossi took the law into his own hands by egging the killer to pick up the gun. I was going to mention him, but forgot.

You know, now that you mention it, maybe they wanted to bring Max Ryan in instead of Rossi, but couldn't get the actor? I wonder what it would be like if it had been Ryan all of these years instead of Rossi? Anyway, I would be interested in seeing those two react because they are a lot alike, and especially now that Rossi's learned to be a team player. Either way, I like both of them, and it would be fun to see Max again. This was the first time the subject was brought up, but I do wonder if any of the characters consider it. We know that poor Elle did, we know that Hotch gave in once because of killing the Reaper. Has anyone else? I do wonder about the other characters, especially Spencer, because around his 30th birthday he does question why he's on the team, I wonder if this question came up, too. I think you're right about Hotch, this is the first time he mentioned it (wondering about it) to Gideon, who's prompt reply about not letting the unsubs get into his head, which I think would be different than if the conversation had been with Rossi, who, as you stated, believes that Evil needs to be stopped at all costs... Overall, I really liked this episode, glad you do, too.

A Real Rain I like this episode. It brings up an issue that some people struggle with. They want to believe in the system, but it isn’t infallible. There are failures. Some people get away with it, while some people get punished unfairly. I found it interesting that some people believed that he shouldn’t be caught since he was going after bad people, and it made sense that Hotch felt he had to kill the unsub. I feel like Hotch was questioning that it might be necessary, also one of the guys mentioned to Reid that he’d give him six years before he questions whether or not the guy was doing the right thing. Both of these things are interesting to me. Do you think any member of the team ever think that? I loved the team scenes, the roundtable, the plane scene, the dinner scene. It was all really great. Interesting that Gideon, like Rossi later on, shrugs and says, “What’s vacation time?” I liked that JJ was so nice to Reid, offering to show him around, and helping during the dinner. I liked their friendship here. I like that Reid mentions something from before he’s born, and Gideon says, “You weren’t even born.” Reid shrugs, “I read a lot.” I thought Elle bringing up how many rapists walked during her sex crime days, and then she ends up killing a rapist…is very interesting. As if the idea of vigilantism was already a thought in her mind…well possibly. It was kind of a sad ending. The song at the end, made it sadder. Overall, it was a very thought provoking episode. Up Next: Somebody’s Watching…which I love because of Spencer.

The Tribe: I really liked the beginning of this episode, the thing with Shawn and Hotch, as well as the conversation with the girls. I also enjoyed the professional attire for the team, and the thought that they are a stronger pack than going after the pack that killed. Also, I liked that Hotch referred to Reid as Agent. For whatever reason, I like it better that way. I also liked the dynamic of Blackwolf with Hotch. It was very interesting. I also liked the conversation with Blackwolf about the 21 feet thing with guns. I still really enjoy the change in scenery behind someone talking to explain things as well as the slides into the next scenes. I also liked the discussion on cults, and the blood feud that the cult was trying to start. Thought control, brainwashing, ect…was interesting when talking about cults. I liked the conversational sense of the profile scene, and their attempts to see reactions from Ingrid and Blackwolf at the crime scenes when the team was trying to figure out what they knew. Interesting note, they are pretty good about making the team have equal time, but in this episode, I noticed it was big on Hotch. The idea of each team member needing a centric seems weird to me on this type of show, but this is the first time it seems like it was a centric. Although it was a good centric, and still includes plenty of the other characters. I definitely liked the ending, the people tied up and the conversation at the end with Hotch dubbed as ‘Captain America’. I also enjoyed Hotch realizing that Shawn has to do things his own way. Also, interesting the Hotch clearly seemed to take care of Shawn, and I think it sheds light on his relationship with Reid over the years. Maybe it’s just because I know though. Anyways, I enjoyed it overall.