Danielg342

That would be funny. Seeing Hotch navigating the dating minefield is something we haven't seen, and would be the perfect contrast to the character we know. He likes to be able to control everything and believes every action has a logical reaction to it- and in the dating world (where I'm at right now), we all know that *nothing* ever seems to work out the way we think it would. I can just picture Hotch complaining about how he had such a wonderful date and wondering why she isn't calling him back...with Morgan and Rossi chuckling, knowing that's just "part of the game". It's a rational storyline, I won't argue that. My only problem with the storylines for Reid is that they're almost always ones that are sad- we never get to see him experience some real joy in his life. Perhaps if he met a girl in rehab then I'd accept the storyline.

Hey, if Hotch is available now, can we bring back that teacher who had the hots for him in "Fatal". That might be fun.

I hate “Zoe's Reprise” because they killed off a character- Zoe Hawkes- who could have been a great character. Amy Davidson really nailed it, as Zoe cute, adorable and intelligent without going over the top- all things Garcia should be... Anyhow, I do agree with most of the other picks for “introductory” episodes, though I think there is one we're missing- “L.D.S.K.” This was the first episode that broke out of the show's mould of being simply “cerebral” mysteries- we got some action thrown in there too. Plus it's a really great episode to define just how good a charcter Reid is and how good a character Hotch once was.

I was going to say, "Netflix? Why bother with that when you can get torrents for free?" *shifty eyes* *receives a message from Garcia* (this might not be good...uh oh) :p Anyhow, which episodes would be on my re-watch list? This is a tough one, and tomorrow my list is likely going to be different, but here goes (in no particular order): 1) "LDSK"- If there's an episode that can get anyone into CM, it'd be this one. 2) "Broken Mirror"- My first one, and very good at creating intensity without much "action". Plus Elisabeth Harnois... 3) "Minimal Loss"- Gripping from start to finish, and the whole "negotiate with the criminal" thing was interesting. They need to do this more. 4) "Damaged"- Best said as "the day Rossi truly joined the team" since this episode perfectly captures just what it means to be a team. Plus Chester Hardwick, Hotch getting ready to kick some ass and Reid thwarting it all at the end. 5) "Secrets and Lies"- Although I still rack my head figuring out "the reveal", seeing the FBI branch out to find a rouge CIA agent gave the episode that rare "exotic, outside of the box" vibe, something it should do more. 6) "Elephant's Memory"- Reid's most touching moment, if only because there isn't a soul that couldn't relate to his experience in some way. 7) "Profiler, Profiled"- This may be the only time Morgan has the spotlight and the episode was an honest effort, with that final scene with Carl Buford perhaps being Morgan's finest moment in the series. 8) "Seven Seconds"- Another "outside of the box" episode, plus it spun a grand tale of child abuse and infidelity and tied it all together nicely. One of the show's best written episodes. 9) "100"- Foyet may have been "Superman" in his abilities, but this is still an intense, heartbreaking episode. 10) "To Hell...and Back"- Okay, so they're technically two episodes...but they're two parts of the same story. It gets my vote because the team gets to cross into my native Canada (though Sarnia is a much bigger town than Hotch and the writers give it credit for), the sly Robert Pickton references (and Morgan's pitch-perfect criticism of the episode's investigation, which mirrored the criticism of the Pickton investigation) and, last but not least, Lily Kershaw's memorable turn as Kelly Shane (I'll likely be voted down on this but I don't care). There was just a lot to like.

Good to see Gideon and Rossi in the same photo. Now if we could only get them in the same scene...

Sounds to me based on the spoiler that the team won't have any issues with the Kate Callahan hire, but it also sounds like Callahan will eventually be in "way over her head". I'm okay with that- if Callahan will eventually take over the team I want to see flashes of her brilliance but a steep, steep learning curve, and I think that's what we'll get.

Hewitt's here to revitalize the show in much the same manner that Ted Danson revitalized the original CSI, though I agree- I don't want any Kate Callahan power plays until at least Season 11. She's too new to be believably nipping at Hotch's heels, and, theoretically at least, if Hotch's role is in trouble, Morgan would have the inside track to replace him, not Callahan.

The article I read said that the team met her before- at the karaoke night last season- and saw her schmoozing with a criminal, with the team being surprised by it. That sounds to me like she fooled the team into thinking she's associating with criminals when she really wasn't.

Messer sounds like your typical TV producer- always thinking up something "cool" without seeing if it makes sense first. Typical, but by no means bright.

Aren't they profilers?, able to snuff out someone faking it versus the real deal? That was their explanation about why The Replicator couldn't have been in the BAU- they'd snuff it out. So how is Kate able to fool them in an undercover operation?

I posted this before so I'll just post it again: My issue with Erin Strauss, early on, was that the show clearly painted her as a "villain" and I hate it when characters are so "cut and dry", because no one in real life ever is. I never understood what Strauss' motivation was for wanting to get rid of Hotch, or even to antagonize the entire team. I also believed the show pandered to political correctness in placing a woman in the role (many shows these days seem to stick a woman in a minor but "superior" role if the central figure is male). I did like that she got character development- the alcoholism storyline, eventually seeing what the team goes through, becoming sympathetic with the team (and Hotch) and ultimately helping them out (as seen in "The Replicator"). Still, I would have enjoyed it more if her initial presentation wasn't so slanted.

That doesn't surprise me- every workplace has its fair share of backstabbers and cutthroat artists- I work in a window factory and I deal with it every day. That part of Strauss' character I don't have a problem with. The problem I have is that the show didn't give me any sense what's motivating her to sabotage Hotch's and Gideon's careers. As "House" showed, even the a-hole can be sympathetic, and Strauss deserved that opportunity. The other part of that is that while others may view Strauss as "the bad guy" (or "bad woman" if you will), Strauss herself will not see herself that way- nobody does. In Strauss' mind, what she's doing is the right thing to do, and I wanted to get a sense of that. Perhaps something like that is a pipe dream given how simplistic the show draws out its characters, but I always like having the option to interpret characters the way I'd like instead of the show deciding for me who I should and shouldn't root for (within reason, though).

My issue with Erin Strauss, early on, was that the show clearly painted her as a "villain" and I hate it when characters are so "cut and dry", because no one in real life ever is. I never understood what Strauss' motivation was for wanting to get rid of Hotch, or even to antagonize the entire team. I also believed the show pandered to political correctness in placing a woman in the role (many shows these days seem to stick a woman in a minor but "superior" role if the central figure is male). I did like that she got character development- the alcoholism storyline, eventually seeing what the team goes through, becoming sympathetic with the team (and Hotch) and ultimately helping them out (as seen in "The Replicator"). Still, I would have enjoyed it more if her initial presentation wasn't so slanted.

...and then Season 10 opens with Reid climbing out of Callahan's bed... :p

I'd have to see it onscreen first, but the one character I'd see Hewitt interacting with the best would be Reid, because they're both geeks with that lovable awkwardness. I just can't see her relating too much to the other characters.

Totally forgot some of those appearances, although I still don't think it happens often enough. I had a thought coming across an old clip of "The Popular Kids", where Morgan tackles Reid and the UnSub. It's one of my favourite scenes, but it also shows how the series has changed- in the early years, Season One in particular, you had the profilers make "predictions" about the UnSub and his character, with some being bold. They tended to border on the psychic, and in cases like "The Popular Kids" or "The Crossing" (where the woman was coached about what would happen to her if she got kidnapped, which she did) it unnecessarily put the lives of civilians and agents in danger. I doubt if they occurred in real life that the FBI would be pleased- even if you think the UnSub's got a lousy shot, that's not something you take a chance on- so I'm kind of glad they moved away from that in later years, even though the scenes were entertaining. Still, given the substitute has been gorn and other contrivances, I'm not convinced it's much of an improvement.

Perhaps I should qualify it and say that I hope she doesn't replace anyone of prominence this season- next year or the year after that is when I can accept her gradually taking over from some of the other characters, who I think at this stage might be better off going on the outs (especially David Rossi- it's no longer believable that he'd be a fit in the field). As for Reid, if he gets paired with Callahan, his star would benefit as Callahan's screen time increases (since likely his would too).

I wonder, with all the guest stars CM is able to bring in, why hasn't one played a detective, a sheriff or a simple police officer? I guess it's just not "sexy" enough, although I think it could be meaty if it's done right. At the other end, why not a special guest star playing the victim the team rescues? That would be a meaty role, for sure. I just wish the producers would think outside of the box more often and not always have these high profile guests be the bad guys.

I don't think it'll be any kind of special secret that this will become Jennifer Love Hewitt's show, for better or for worse. Let's be honest with ourselves, Hewitt's the biggest name the show has ever had- even bigger than, I'd say, Mandy Patinkin in his day- so I'm prepared for the time she'll take over. I only hope that it becomes gradual and it's not at the expense of other characters, but I'd like to think that since Hewitt knows a thing or two about getting a hit on TV, she already knows not to force herself right away. Oh, and if Hewitt can make Reid the breakout star he deserves to be, then all the better. :)

She can act too- Lily was one of my favourite victims in the series, Kelly Shane. I'd love to see her again. I like the list, but I must ask- why didn't I make the list? I'm positive I must have contributed to it, unless I'm thinking of a different one.

So if they accept guest writers, does this mean I can forward them my stories? :-p Anyhow...in general I never developed much of a hatred for any of the writers, since each seems to have their fair share of epics and clunkers. I'm not sure I'd call any of these guys “great”, though, because I don't think there's a cliche these writers won't go into the well for.

Yeah...I didn't make it up. It's even in the Urban Dictionary. Exactly...and I don't even think it's that bad anymore. I don't recall a scene in recent years where Morgan has done anything except refer to Garcia as "babygirl"...a lot of the flirtatious banter- which seemed to occur when no one else was around- happened in S2 and S3...I hardly hear it now.

I guess I'm the exception (sort of- I mean, I also dig her boobs...she's not “Jennifer Love Huge Tits” for nothing :p) in that I like her as an actress, so I see this as the potential for “Prentiss Pt. 2”, where a great actress props up shoddy writing. I know there's the fear that since Erica Messer didn't want her they won't develop her, but since this is Hewitt, one of the biggest stars in television, I can't see that happening since I doubt Hewitt would sign on if she had doubts about how the writers/producers would handle her. That said, I do want her to “grow” into the role gradually and not become “the star” right away. Someone mentioned she's great at being vulnerable and I think we ought to see that in full force in the beginning, as she learns just how tough life in the BAU really is. If she starts “knowing all the answers” I'll be turned off right away.