SSAHotchner

Legacy No Way Out II: The Evolution of Frank

Open Season (even though it contains the wonderful scene with the BAU ladies and Brad "the REAL FBI agent" ) Legacy No Way Out: The Evolution of Frank

Honor Among Thieves Distress The Boogeyman

Derailed

Whoops, I haven't been here in awhile. Voting for The Fox and A Real Rain to go. Okay, that's what I get for not reading the whole thread before I replied. Sorry, guys. COMPULSION

1. Hotch 2. Reid 3. Prentiss 4. JJ (seasons 1-6) 5. Garcia (seasons 1-5) 6. Rossi 7. Elle 8. Morgan 9. Gideon 10. Jordan Todd 11. Blake Morgan, Garcia and JJ from the past couple of seasons would all be at the bottom of my list. I hated Seaver so she does not get on my list at all. And currently Anderson and Gina would be ahead of Morgan, Garcia and JJ, too.

Plain Sight and The Popular Kids. I love Broken Mirror. It contains one of my favorite exchanges, the scene in the kitchen with Morgan, Reid and Elle and then Hotch comes in. Dr. Spencer Reid: I'm just saying it's possible. I don't know everything. I mean, despite the fact that you think that I do. Special Agent Derek Morgan: I never said that. When have I ever said that? Dr. Spencer Reid: Every day since I met you! Elle Greenway: This morning at breakfast... Agent Aaron Hotch: Yesterday when he beat you at cards. Um... we've got one minute. Special Agent Derek Morgan: Anybody ever heard of sarcasm? Dr. Spencer Reid, Elle Greenway: Mm-hmm.

Plain Sight The Popular Kids

At the risk of this comment being moved to another thread deemed more appropriate, I just want to add that I saw some earlier episodes on ION and A&E this week (yes, I know I have all the DVDs and shouldn't be watching CM on those channels), and I was stunned by how much I liked JJ. I know that I always did like her, even though many thought her as bland or more so than Blake back then, but I was taken aback by the realization that I can barely stand her now. Even in this finale where I did feel that there were good things for each of the team, it still felt like JJ was taking charge where she shouldn't be. JJ was attributed insight and skills that others were denied. I'm just so, so tired of so much JJ. Had she hugged Reid or been solicitous of him, it would have been appropriate, but even then I think I would have felt, "oh OF COURSE IT'S JJ that gets the scene with Reid!" I don't want to feel this way, but this is what Erica and her writers have done to the character. AJ thinks she is a stronger/better character, but in reality she is pushy, cold, arrogant...and this has totally backfired. In stead of more viewers liking her, they've managed to turn away the ones that actually liked her from the start.

ForeverAlone. I wonder if the decision to not renew Jeanne's contract happened long ago, whoever's decision it was. One thing that bothered me when the cast was on The Talk to promote 200 was that Jeanne barely spoke or smiled. She really seemed to distance herself from the rest. I had thought that as the newest character and one not given much to do, there was little interest in her. It seemed to me that she knew that and held back. I felt it was kind of a slap in the face to her, but then AJ and Shemar monopolized that whole show, too. But like Lola's departure, I don't think we'll ever get the whole story on Jeanne. If it was her choice to leave, I don't blame her.

I liked it, and you all know how much I criticize Erica. I didn't notice the credits at the beginning and haven't watched it again yet. Did she write this one alone? Anyway, I thought it was quite suspenseful and kept me concerned for every member of the team. I'm sorry to see Blake go. I really grew to like her. And I so wish she would have hugged Reid before leaving his apartment. The two had a really nice connection and I will miss that. I found the story about her son to be touching. The thing with Garcia and the gun didn't bother me as I had thought it would based on the preview. I'm just so relieved that Reid is safe and well. I, too, was disappointed that we didn't see what happened with Rossi and Blake when they came back from the commercial. Again, glad they are safe, but I wanted to see how they got out of that situation. As always, I could have used more Hotch, but what we got was good. Any time I get to see Hotch take out a bad guy is a good time for me. This finale surpasses those from seasons 5-8 for me. The case made sense. It was the kind of case the team would have actually been called to work on. No spies. No unbelievable terrorist plots. No over the top unsub. Overall, I'm satisfied. I'm just sad about Blake leaving. A year ago I would have said, "Don't replace her," but after having JJ crammed down our throats all season, I don't really want to see her as the only female profiler all next year. I would be thrilled to have Katie Cole or Andi Swan, but since they both lead teams of their own, it doesn't seem likely that they'd step down from being in charge of their own units to take a subordinate position in the BAU. But we'll have to wait and see what they decide to do with the cast.

This is my favorite episode as well. I really enjoyed the commentary on this one, too. (I have all the DVDs and watch them frequently, but right now I'm enjoying going through the commentaries. I'm about halfway through season 4 now.) I loved the different ways each character saw the events and each other, and Sophie's changing accent is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Do you think Nate's version of Coswell is correct or was it colored, as some have suggested, by his own attraction to Sophie?

I loved Andi Swan and Katie Cole. I would so much rather see a strong character like that on the team than the new JJ or even Blake. I also like Maggie Callahan in The Aftermath. Zoe Hawkes from Zoe's Reprise is my favorite victim. With such a short time on screen she is able to make you really like her. Second would be Regina Lampert in Unknown Subject. And I like the kids in Damaged, especially at the end when they're so grateful to Rossi for solving their parents' murder and returning the family home to them.

I just watched reruns of some of the Friends episodes with Paget this afternoon. Although I hated her hair, she is really good. I'd love to see her get something on television again. She's just so likeable.

Morgan didn't appear to be in as much peril as Reid, at least not to me. Maybe it's because of all of the spoilers on this subject. I know he's popular, but he does absolutely nothing for me. I don't dislike Shemar or the character of Morgan, but I honestly don't think I'd miss him at all if he were to leave. My favorite line about Morgan is from Broken Mirror when the unsub refers to him as "just a pumped up side of beef." I prefer smart men. He's no doofus, but the show emphasizes his physical prowess. I find the characters of Hotch and Reid so much more interesting. Unfortunately, Erica does not. I think the reason so many newer viewers don't value or like Reid much is because he is so poorly written these days. The attitude of the writers toward the character comes through loud and clear. Those of us who have watched all the seasons can appreciate the characters based on how they were originally conceived.

I didn't like this as well as the rest of you did. I'm tired of the stereotyping of small t0wn and/or southern people as ignorant, which of course is not exclusive to CM. I'm tired of Hollywood always portraying Christians as hypocritical, crazy fanatics. Not that I think the preacher was actually a Christian, but anyone who claims to be a believer on TV is always a nutcase or a complete idiot, and often, as in this case, corrupt. As for the team, again we had Hotch taking a backseat to JJ. Why was JJ taking the lead on interviewing the preacher? I can barely stand to look at her anymore, or Garcia. I want to see strong, dynamic, team leader Hotch. The good parts for me were Reid, Rossi and Blake. They finally gave Rossi something of substance that showed his experience. And I have really grown to like Blake. I'll be a little sorry if she doesn't return. I don't think her part is necessary to the show, but I love the dynamic between her and Reid. She's the only one who treats him respectfully these days. And since I can barely stand the other two female characters, I would miss Blake. I will admit that for once it wasn't obvious who the unsub was, but I don't think this episode was great. It was better overall than much of this season and pretty much all of last season, but for me it was just good, not great. I've kind of fallen into the same mindset as some of the others here who are just so tired of so much focus on JJ, Morgan and Garcia that it's hard to enjoy the show.

Cheer up, Missmycat. At least you won't have to worry all summer about whether or not Reid survives. But I still think Erica sucks and is incapable of writing a good finale...or anything else.

There is no need for Garcia to be in the field. How I wish they'd get rid of Erica.

OldDog I seem to be in agreement with you on Beth. I can't stand her. I just feel that the way Jack's teacher got to meet Hotch and develop some interest in him was a much more natural and believable way to introduce a possible romance. That is not to say that I want to see that happen, but anybody who's been through the kind of circumstances Hotch has would be so cautious about someone who approached him as Beth did and the fact that she appeared to have been stalking him. He's seen too much in his career and he would never jeopardize Jack's safety by hooking up with someone who just approached him on the street. It would have to be gradual. And I just hate Beth's giggly ways. But I liked Austin. I'm not saying she's right for Reid but she was a cute girl that gave him some confidence. I hated that they killed off Maeve. In some ways I think that Erica felt they had a great success with 100 where Haley is killed so why not try to replicate that with Reid's love interest? I would love for Reid to meet a woman that was actually impressed by his intellect and his role in the BAU. It doesn't have to be an instant love match, because it really couldn't for him. But it would be so refreshing to see a woman respond positively to him instead of rolling her eyes when he speaks. Maybe Erica and her minions can't understand this, but many woman would be very attracted to a character like Reid.

Oh, I agree that Jason Alexander was horrible, Willowy, but I still loved Rossi's big finish to the episode. I just love the snarkiness of Rossi. And the case was more interesting than most of what we've gotten for the past 3 1/2, well, call it 4, seasons. I enjoyed the dynamic between Morgan and Jordan Todd, and the way Reid figured out the puzzle. Overall it was a good episode with a poor choice of actor for the unsub. Can anyone ever look at JA in anything and not think of George Costanza? He could be one of the most talented actors around but I'm still always going to think of him as a weasel.

I liked this episode, but I question the manor in which the victims died. Did they research arsenic at all? I would think that a dose large enough to kill them so quickly would produce much quicker reactions/symptoms. And even if it worked slower, they would be really sick and not just vomit once and die. Loved that Rossi, Hotch, Blake and Reid got some stuff to do in this episode. I know it's childish, but I love it when Rossi curses about the unsubs. He's such a character! Loved the pairing of Blake and Reid. It started out so well, but of course it had to be Morgan and JJ taking down the unsub AGAIN. Sheesh. Can't we ever get a break from the two of them? Love, love, LOVED the scene at the end with Hotch and Jack's classmates. Hotch is such a sweetheart. It was a pleasure to see him in a light moment. I barely recognized Jack. The little cherub has really grown! And I loved that they suggested the teacher was attracted to Hotch. Who wouldn't be? It was a much more natural meeting for Hotch and a potential date. I always hated the way they forced the instant romance between Hotch and Beth, whom I totally despise. This was much more believable. If they meet from time to time and slowly discover they have common interests, that would be great. If nothing develops, so be it. Nothing lost. But at least it wasn't crammed down our throats with everyone speculating about it and saying how great the woman was right away. Lastly, he was a sympathetic character, but I was somewhat amused by the unsub being Kevin from The Office. He did an okay job, but it's kind of hard for me to take him seriously.

I have to say Floyd Feylinn gets my vote for creepiest unsub. I know in recent seasons they've come up with some pretty bizarre ways to torture and kill victims, but I really despise that kind of writing where it's all about shock and gore. Floyd was creepy without showing us everything. We never saw him lay a hand on a victim and yet it still creeped you out completely. And one of my all-time favorite CM moments is the scene where the priest says, "God is in all of us." and Floyd says with a creepy grin, "So it Tracy Lambert." So evil. I also love Professor Rothschild in Masterpiece. I thought Jason Alexander's acting was way over the top, but it was worth it all for Rossi's line at the end, "I'm gonna lean in and tell you to say hello to your scumbag brother." Loved it!!! I know what you mean about the more sympathetic unsubs. I don't want the writers to always give us an excuse for why a killer is a killer. I don't want them to always try to drum up sympathy for the unsubs, but occasionally it works. And I agree with the poster who chose Megan from Pleasure is My Business. That is one of my favorite episodes. I adore Hotch in that one. When she says, "How could your wife have left you?" That's what I think, too. I don't excuse her actions, but I sure did sympathize with her. Her father was really pricky. She's a beautiful woman, too. She would have made a good agent.

I like Blake, too, although they rarely give her anything significant to do. But I wouldn't be sad if she were gone, unlike when Prentiss left. I don't know what to think about the finale, but I've learned my lesson and will not look forward to it or any other episode anymore. They'd be fools to kill off Reid, but part of me wishes MGG would get a really fantastic role in another show or film and just walk. He clearly is unappreciated there.

I loved JJ prior to season 8. I was so happy when they brought her back. I loved her role as media liaison. She did show compassion for the victims, their families and even her fellow team members. She wasn't gushy with it, but you could see it was there. She was sensitive to Will's grief at losing his father and his not wanting to let his dad down by being unable to solve the case. You could see some interest there. However, once they brought him back the interest never felt real. I liked the way she was able to stand up to the press under pressure. I liked her real concern for Garcia in Penelope. At the end when she said, "you do whatever it takes to protect your family" it was totally believable. I liked the way she handled the mom of the missing boy in The Instincts. It was never overly gushy, but you could see that her empathy was real. She had good relationships with everyone on the team, especially Emily and Reid. It's just such a shame what they have done to her character and especially that she and the writers actually think it's better. She comes across as cold, pushy and a know-it-all now. So sad.

My first interest on CM was also Reid, but like Willowy I fell in love with Hotch one day and that was it for me. I can watch those early seasons over and over and never tire of them, but I watch the current episodes and just shake my head at how they have killed the show in just a few years. But I'm still hanging in there. I love the green screen effects of the early seasons, and fortunately they have brought some of that back this season. I miss the early seasons because you could really see the profilers, even Morgan, putting themselves into the mindset of the perpetrators and working out the profiles. The current writers don't know how to write those scenes and the actors have become so robotic at giving the profile. I do blame both the writers and the actors for the way these scenes have deteriorated, but perhaps if they didn't write them so that each person has one line and then it bounces to the next person, the actors would have more to work with. I guess one could argue that it's become formulaic and stale, but I still think the writing is 99% to blame. Those scenes giving the profile in the early season seemed much more natural. Zannej, the episode in the woods was Open Season in Season 2. I find that one hard to watch. I know it's just a different way to kill victims and those two killers are not necessarily any worse that any other unsub on the show, but this is one of the ones that I just have a harder time enjoying, if you will. On the other hand, the beginning of the episode has one of my very favorite CM moments when JJ, Garcia and Emily are at the bar. "This is Brad, a REAL FBI AGENT!" Love, love LOVE that scene.