Danielg342

...and just like the junk about Morgellon's and Yellowknife, the show will stick the misinformation in Reid's mouth just to mislead people into thinking it's true.

...and it's totally random too. I know she doesn't get much in the way of real characterization, but it's jarring to go from “Mary Sue” to kidnap victim in one episode. Makes her idiocy feel...convenient. On the other hand, if he had known better Hotch might fire JJ...she does have a proclivity of being kidnapped lately.

I somehow doubt, unless Jennifer Love Hewitt's baby was entirely unexpected, that Hewitt is leaving the show. You had to think that when CBS signed her, CBS asked her to commit for a couple of years, not just one, because Hewitt isn't the kind of actress you trot out for just one year, and whatever delay this pregnancy will bring, CBS will work it into the show. Based on estimates, it would seem that Hewitt would return just in time for November sweeps, which would be perfect timing. Could CBS change their minds? Perhaps, especially since the ratings haven't improved since last season, but I can't see an about face happen so abruptly. The show has signed a bona fide star, that's someone you milk for as much as you can before you give up on them. Surely CBS would have a word with Erica Messer first and talk to her about using the character more before CBS would think of pulling the plug. Plus, it already seems like the big storyline this season will involve Kate Callahan. She's had her big introductory episode, we've seen her niece, we've seen her grieve over her sister and we've seen her niece and her friend trade selfies with another “boy”. I mean, Callahan has had more to do in half a year than Alex Blake had in two years. It would make no sense to dump her now.

Yeah. That was probably one of show's most glaring changes. I mean, I understand that after the divorce and death of Haley he'd be depressed, but that shouldn't mean that he should become a robot. Not sure who gave him that advice.

I'd agree too...Heyerdahl even looks like Hugo Strange. Then again, it is Wiki...who knows how accurate it is.

According to Wiki, Gruber played a character known only as “The Electrocutioner”: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrocutioner#In_other_media That, and Teresa Lisbon- no matter what- always wound up being Patrick Jane's lackey. Robin Tunney made the character confident and authoritative, but that was all on the acting- when you boiled down to what choices the character made, Lisbon ultimately always went along with Jane, going so far as to give up a new job she actually liked because Jane “needed” to work with her.

LOL...would have been funny. I guess they were afraid of offending network censors...but then again, there are ways around it. For example, why not sprinkle the script with references to “sheets”, like sheet music and “sheets of records” and the like?

I loved that scene, since Reid totally believed her when she talked about the guy and was believably spooked. (As an aside, if they hadn't screwed up with Reid and Garcia after around S5 or so, they'd have made a fine pairing, at least platonically...the two actors play off each other so well) I understand why the show decided to have Garcia be the one who struggles with the images that she sees- since the show wanted to portray someone who'd have a "normal" reaction to such things, and "normally" we'd all react with horror when we see mutilated bodies- but I still think they could have done that in other ways. This is where having a media liaison is vital because the public- who would actually represent "normalcy"- would be the ones who would openly wonder why a serial killer is running around collecting eyes and would harass the BAU about what they're doing about it. If the show had bothered with world-building, it would be easy to portray "normal" reactions without making a team member have to be unbelievable. Furthermore...this show in its early days was quite liberal about adding comedic bits, if only to add levity to a show that deals with really intense topics. Why couldn't someone with morbid humour work?

So I guess if Director Lang is dead that means that Jim Gordon can go back to the GCPD...if this were another kind of show, I'd say it'd be up in the air but it's a procedural and things rarely ever change so I'm betting by February he's back to being a detective. Still, this actually was a pretty good episode. I thought for the longest while that it'd be another predictable procedural considering the misdirection was pretty simple- "no, it can't be an inmate, it has to be a staff member...and what staff member had medical knowledge? Dorothy Duncan!"- but then I enjoyed that the twist in itself was a twist (Duncan was actually an inmate, and a victim herself) and I had no idea that Gruber was behind all of it. For all the faults this show has in creating its mysteries, Gruber's real situation was very well hidden and I liked it. Great to see Bullock with such unbridled affection for Gordon and unflappable loyalty...he's a man you really want on your side. I loved how he browbeat the insecurity out of Director Lang...if Lang had lived, he might have been easier on Gordon, and Gordon has Bullock to thank for that. A truly special character he is. The Penguin...quite clear that Oswald Cobblepot has yet to learn how to truly be a mob boss. He tried his best to show dominance over the fisherman but the fisherman rightfully called him out on it- Cobblepot has to learn that in some situations, bluffing people isn't enough, you actually *need* leverage. He bit off more than he could chew and he got caught for it. It's a rare moment of weakness for a character that had been in the ascendancy for a while, so hopefully it'll be great character development for him. I might have liked it a bit more if Maroni had actually walked away from the prison cell and told him to rot there for a few more days, but I'll let that go. (The "you stink" not-hug was pretty funny, I must say) The Butch subplot was also pretty nice, though I agree with others that more time should have been focused on it. We hardly knew Saviano so when he was coolly blown off (something the show telegraphed badly with Butch babbling about stealing the prime cuts from him) we had hardly had a chance to really feel what the big time betrayal it actually was. Saviano and Butch were supposed to be long-time buddies, so I can imagine Butch must be guilt-stricken to have to off his long-time friend...even though he knew he had to, because in the mob, you only keep people around when they're useful to you. Only getting to know Saviano in this one episode lessens the power such a moment should have, but I do understand in the grand scheme of things it's a small action in what will be a very big war. The Ivy/Selina story...this should have been an episode all of its own. They really didn't do too much with it and a storyline was there so I don't know why they had to cram it in here. Finally...as much as I liked seeing Erin Richards actually get to act for a change, the Barbara/Montoya story was ridiculous. I get it...Barbara is a weak little waif who needs Jimmy to protect her...*yawn*. At this stage, I might think the only way Barbara gets redeemed is if she becomes a criminal...that might be worth watching. ETA- Liked Leslie Thompkins, although I thought Morena Baccharin downplayed her a little bit tonight. I'm hoping things pick up soon. Overall, pretty good tonight.

I've always had this thought about Garcia: Since she's held to be the comic relief, I've wondered if she could have been the character to make quips about the UnSub's motives and actions (“he used a chainsaw? What? Was a knife not handy?”). I know some would find it tasteless and insensitive, but I think it would be a lot more fun watching that than the emotionally weak girl we get that after ten years still needs pictures of dolls and cute animals to get her through pictures she should be used to seeing already. I also think the show should have someone who's willing to say what others- on the show or even in the audience- are thinking but won't say out loud; as well as a satirical commentary on just how pathetic the UnSubs truly are. Would that work or am I off on the deep end here?

I agree, those factors were very much in play...I just wonder if the failings of the original spin-off could have been avoided if they had properly thought it through, not rushed things to get on CBS' "spin-off craze". Which is why I hope this time around it'll be better because it's not being made under those circumstances.

I seem to recall when the original spinoff was getting off the ground, the CM cast was pretty vocal about their disdain for it, with Shemar Moore himself saying "this s*** ain't easy." Of course, I think "Suspect Behavior" arose at a time when CBS was drunk on creating spinoffs, since it started to be talked about at the time that startup of the Miami and New York versions of CSI was still a recent memory and NCIS: Los Angeles was also just starting, so perhaps CBS was of the mindset that every hit it had needed to be spun off so they didn't think the original spinoff through. So, hopefully, maybe this time, with many of those other spinoffs off the air (and only two other new ones starting this year), CBS' motivations are entirely creative (or at least they've thought it out better) and they're in a better position to try again; plus with so few spinoffs on the air, the public might be more receptive to it.

I did, and that was essentially my point. The “reward” point comes from the fact that in many stories, especially with teens, a kiss like that tends to occur only after the (typically male) hero “proves” his worth to the (typically female) suitor, with this huge scene at the end where the hero, anticipating “the kiss” gets the reward. Now, while it can be argued that Bruce proves his worth to Selina, it didn't come under the subtext of Bruce doing it thinking “Selina's going to kiss me if I help her out!” Bruce, instead, did it naturally, out of the goodness of his heart, because he knew Selina was a friend and it's the right thing to do to save your friends (I also think Bruce was also motivated by ensuring his own survival, but that's another point). The show also didn't make a big scene where “the kiss” happened- it just happened all of a sudden, and while it was a dramatic moment at the end, both actors sold it the right way- they looked at each other like their relationship was now “real”, and that the pair are obligated to each other. They could have had Bruce been excited about being kissed, and they could have had Bruce jump up and down for joy after he “scored” but doing that would undermine the impact of what he did. If anything, the show at least teaches us that being truly selfless is the only way you really get rewarded- and that's a wonderful lesson to teach, especially for kids. Yeah, there might be some backstory involving Banion (the dead guy) and Falcone that we won't know about...Falcone is right that it's a given everyone wants his job, and while he could have dispatched Banion discreetly, doing it at dinner where everyone's watching is a nice reminder to them that he's the boss and he'll spare no lengths to deal with any attempt to undermine it. It's also a great WTF scene- imagine what the other people are thinking when they think they're just going to have a nice dinner and all of a sudden one of their guys drops dead in his pasta because Falcone is making a point. Great reminder to the family that no matter where they are, they should never feel “complacent”. Thus, it's one of my favourite scenes because in being so subtle it says so much. (As an aside, one of my reactions would be “free pasta!” before I remembered that there's a dead guy's blood and guts in there. Then I would feel bad for the dishwasher...I can picture many an argument with Falcone asking him to dispose of his “undesirables” in a better manner)

Oops, my bad. I must have crossed up the “60s” there... :p. Anyhow, I still think Spader at least looks like he could pass off as the dad to a character played by Katherine Heigl or Lola Glaudini. I miss Glaudini too. I think she'd work great- she'd have a great snarkfest with Spader. The official party line was that Edward Allen Bernero- who took over the show after Season 1- wanted to “spice things up” by bringing in a new agent, and it just so happened that Glaudini wanted to leave. In addition to that, Glaudini's character didn't get much to do until her exit arc (then again, in S1 it could be argued that none of the characters really had much to do in terms of distinct character arcs). So it's possible she chose that path, but I wonder if that is true.

You missed the compulsory crocodile. Can't have a moat without some dangerous animals patrolling it. :P

I think I got multiple toothaches reading the description for Monty. Talk about your glurge- is there any checkbox for “character that pulls at your heartstrings” the casting director didn't check? “Mack knew Monty’s big brain was only matched by his even bigger heart and recruited him to the team.” Blech.

My apologies, ForeverAlone, I misread it. I liked “Rabid”, and I have a strong opinion on CM's portrayal of victims (since so many people get the wrong idea about CM) so I got defensive. Sorry.

Forgot about those. I will say I wouldn't count "The Lesson" or "Epilogue" as examples since they're not "single gender" examples, but that's semantics.The other thing about "Rabid" too is that I believe it's the first attempt (in an omnivore setting) the show has made to have a male character play the victim from virtually the outset of when we see him- it's not like "Omnivore" where we discover at the last moment that the last victim is male or we don't see him until the final moment (like in "A Real Rain"). I think my point still holds that, more often than not, the woman gets saved ("Legacy", "Open Season", "To Hell...and Back", "Magnum Opus", "The Itch", "Scared to Death", "God Complex", "Parasite", "The Thirteenth Step", among others). Not that I think the show's propensity for "final female victims" is inherently a bad thing- I found a lot of those episodes enjoyable, which is the main part. The only time I had an issue with victim selection was when it's obvious the show pandered to political correctness, as what we're seeing in S10 (and what we saw in the first half of S8) and the unbelievable amount of male victims (overpowered by females no less) that we've been seeing.

My point was not that it was the first case with male and female victims. I know that there were many of them. My point is this: -The show, as we already know, will show multiple victims getting killed (or show us multiple bodies). -However- and this was more prevalent in later seasons than in S1, which had escaped my mind- typically at the end of episodes there's one victim the team saves from the UnSub from getting killed. -In episodes where the victims were both genders, almost always that last victim the team saves is a woman -“Rabid”, however, is the first time since “A Real Rain” (I should amend my other post) where the last victim the team saves is a male.

In fairness, Reid's trauma occurred on a farm outside of Atlanta, not in the city itself. Plus, I think last year they had an episode in Chicago (unrelated to Morgan's troubles) and there was a line where Morgan was on the phone apologizing to his mother that he never had time to see her, so it's not like they forget all the time. Plus, I could buy team members not being fazed about going back to a city- they do so many cases, eventually every city will have its “difficulties” so they need to be able to get past that. Furthermore, unless they go back to the neighbourhood that gave them the creeps, it shouldn't be too hard to avoid thinking of the issue. When it comes to “The Forever People”, my only hope is that if Reid is somewhere near Las Vegas they at least have a line where he's talking to his mother or that he at least says something about her. Because it wouldn't seem right if he just “forgot” he had family in the area.

One of the good points about “Rabid” is that it was the first time (other than Reid) CM had a mixture of male and female victims and the “final victim” (who was saved) was a male. Previously they were all female.

Since my Yellowknife post has been getting quite a few hits, I thought I'd share this picture from one of Yellowknife's beach volleyball seasons, from "Aboriginal Day" on June 27, 2013: Yup, it sure is nothing but "moose and bears" up there... *sigh*

Nothing official yet, obviously, but its episode order was cut from 20 to 17, which TVbytheNumbers says is a good indicator it will get canned. Which...going forward, might not be a good sign for the CM spinoff. Stalker was often compared (wrongly I think) to CM and the fact that it failed may indicate to CBS that the public might not want more clones. Of course, Stalker- from what I saw (the pilot and 01.06)- suffered from weak writing and weaker characters, so the spinoff might have a chance if it avoids that.

Now I seem to remember the discussion about the JJ/Morgan show. Thanks MCatry. I will say that this time around there's no guarantee that this new spinoff will be the JJ/Morgan idea, which, upon reading about the article, was pure speculation by a single journalist. Not that I think it'd be a good idea anyway...I always maintained that the first spinoff should have been about the JTF-12 team that Doyle hunted down, because that had a workable premise (profiling terrorists) and would have been a natural landing spot for Prentiss. I still hold out hope that could be what we'll get, but I doubt it. Of course, I always believed the best “spin off” to CM would be a show centered around Reid. He has a lot of quirks that just begs for someone to expand on them, and I think Matthew Gray Gubler is great enough as an actor that he can hold down his own show. Only issue is that Elementary went into the toilet pretty quickly and CBS might be leery about creating another show about a “quirky investigator” but I think Reid and Gubler would be much more likeable than Johnny Lee Miller's Sherlock and I would hope Reid's show would have much better writers.

Can you provide me a link? I can't find that article.