Season 11 Anticipation More Stabs, etc...

[ForeverAlone]

I have had this discussion on other forums about Rossi's age. He was supposed to be 52 when he came back in 2007, making him 60 this year. However, it has been stated more than once that Rossi fought in the the Tet Offensive, which was in 1968. So if we accept THAT to be canon, Rossi could be no younger than 65 or 66 this year. In either case, Rossi is due for mandatory retirement if this show adhered to realism at all.But I would be surprised if they wanted to pull that realism card now, though I will give them props if they do.

And it shows, that like Hotch, the writers can't even get age continuity right for some of its characters.

Edited August 13, 2015 by ForeverAlone

[normasm]

Actually, he would have been required to retire at age 57, unless there were special circumstances.

[rapgodminho]

I have a headcanon that Rossi's actually gone completely senile and the BAU are just humoring him by letting him hang around Quantico because they feel bad for him. And whenever he makes a suggestion it's always really bad and a nonsensical idea so they all just force a smile and nod awkwardly like that's nice Rossi and then just try and move on. It makes the show quite a big more entertaining.

[Danielg342]

LOL. Nice idea rapgodmindho, although it doesn't quite explain why they'd let him carry a gun.

Unless this is all just Rossi's hallucinations. That would be one strange twist.

[ForeverAlone]

That would be like if Criminal Minds ended up like St. Elsewhere (older reference for older people). :) :) :)

[normasm]

FA, it's all in Reid's mind as he gazes into his snow globe...

[smoker]

I'm a little bit out of the loop, does this mean there's going to be a season 12? 

nobody knows about season 12, I guess it all depends in season 11 numbers

[ForeverAlone]

Hmmm... I still think Morgan will be the one leaving the BAU. But just for fun, here are some ideas of how they could write out all of the regular cast.

 

Morgan: cheesy route is he decides to leave the BAU to settle down and get married. But what would he exactly do with his life? I don't see him as a house husband, though I imagine he could have a lucrative career as a civilian security consultant or something. Otherwise a better route is that he is offered a field office SAC position somewhere (and just for cheesy fun, Savannah finds a good job in the same city) and decides to finally ascend the leadership ladder.

 

Hotch: he reaches a psychological breaking point in the aftermath of "Mr. Scratch" and decides to leave the FBI entirely or get transferred into a more predictable, psychologically easier job (like the white collar crime task force he had the opportunity in season 3).

 

Rossi: easy one. He hits mandatory retirement and leaves.

 

JJ: easy one: She decides to either leave the FBI entirely or transition into a job with predictable hours and limited travel, since she is a parent to two young children.

 

Reid: Sure, there could be something with his mother. But I like to imagine he just gets an amazing job offer (say a professorship at a prestigious university) or he uses his prodigious genius to better humanity in some way (high profile non profit or tech job). I want to see Reid moving on up to bigger and better things.

 

Penelope: this one is the hardest. Sure you can make the case how she is presented now just makes her too emotionally immature and unstable for the job (and you would be right). But maybe she just decides to move on and try something else, again, like a job at a prestigious tech company or something.

[Cobalt Stargazer]

Reid: Sure, there could be something with his mother. But I like to imagine he just gets an amazing job offer (say a professorship at a prestigious university) or he uses his prodigious genius to better humanity in some way (high profile non profit or tech job). I want to see Reid moving on up to bigger and better things.

 

Admittedly, my in-canon ending for Reid involves reconnecting with Elle somehow, even if its just as friends. He should be able to use that big brain of his and be respected for it, even if it isn't by catching serial killers.

[zannej]

I know that 57 is mandatory retirement for covered positions and my father's assistant officer in charge was able to stay on beyond that age because he turned in his gun and stayed at his desk.

It would be funny if they had an episode where Rossi and Garcia mentioned something about pulling some strings-- where Rossi passed some sort of physical and did so well on the shooting range that he put younger agents to shame (there can be special dispensations if a person can prove they are fit enough), or he has to give up his gun / or maybe Garcia did something with the computer files to make Rossi's age appear younger so he doesn't get kicked. Like maybe she hacked in such a way that if they ever try to see what his age is and if its time for his retirement, it blocks it and shows in his file that its not time for retirement.

[Guesswht]

I think Shemar and/or AJ are leaving and it has something to do with all the lovely "opinions" about them.

[thewhiteowl]

What does "opinions" mean? Is it some how different from regular plain  ol' opinions?

[SSAHotchner]

If it's Hotch or Reid, I'm done. Nobody else would bother me. I love Rossi, but he really is too old to be running around with the team. I'd be happy if they'd put him in the section chief role. I'm hoping this is like some of the past teasers where the team member in jeopardy turns out to be someone not really with the team like when they killed off Strauss or shot Will. 

[ForeverAlone]

I hope I like this arc more than the "Ebay for serial killers" story from last season.

 

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/14/spoiler-room-vampire-diaries-agents-shield-ncis-la-spoilers

[Danielg342]

Considering how woeful their representation and understanding of the Intertnet (surprise surprise), I'm very apprehensive about them delving into the “post-Silk Road” story. They should stick to serial killers and leave the cyber stuff to CSI.

[Bookish Jen]

Admittedly, my in-canon ending for Reid involves reconnecting with Elle somehow, even if its just as friends. He should be able to use that big brain of his and be respected for it, even if it isn't by catching serial killers.

Thank goodness we have your wonderfully written fan fic to show Reid and Elle so much more than friends. La sigh.

FA, it's all in Reid's mind as he gazes into his snow globe...

Or wakes up next to a brought-back-life Suzanne Pleshette.

[Guesswht]

What does "opinions" mean? Is it some how different from regular plain  ol' opinions?

Yes. "Opinion" = bashing. Everyone who's not Reid-MGG, Hotch-TG or Kate-jlh is being hated on.

 

I mean: JJ!!!, Morgan!!, Garcia!, Gideon, Rossi, Prentiss, Elle

Edited August 16, 2015 by Guesswht

[zannej]

I'm guessing you're quoting someone I have on ignore, whiteowl, so I can only assume it was meant with disdain and trying to insult people. Probably best to not even respond.

 

Rossi becoming section chief would be interesting. I don't think that is a "covered" position, but I don't know. The writers would then have to find a way to have him involved with the team more often. Although, I think he would hate the paperwork and politics so he wouldn't want the job. Hotch would be more likely to take the section chief job-- but then it would make it harder for him to be there with the team.

[thewhiteowl]

@zannej,  You are right, I was just curious. ; )

[missmycat]

Thank goodness we have your wonderfully written fan fic to show Reid and Elle so much more than friends. La sigh.

Or wakes up next to a brought-back-life Suzanne Pleshette.

And on that note I'd dearly love to wake up one day to discover that Ed Bernero stepping down and Erica MESSer being made CM's show runner(ruiner) was nothing but a horrible nightmare.And that CM still had writers such as Andrew Wilder and Chris Mundy instead ones such as Janine Sherman Barrois(thank goodness she is at least no longer with our show) and Kimberly Harrison(why the *Bleep* didn't Dunderhead take her with him over to the spin off).And finally have it be that CBS wasn't really so stupid as to decide to mess with a near perfect cast.Which of course would mean we'd probably still have the character of Emily Prentiss as well as the original JJ (instead of that obnoxious know it all Mary sue that frequently gets shoved down our throats.)

[BookWoman56]

If the hint about a regular cast member leaving does turn out to be correct, then Reid is the only character whose departure would automatically make me stop watching. For the rest of the characters, my thoughts on their potential leaving are fairly neutral.
 

Hotch: Don't care. I've never particularly liked the character and am ambivalent on TG as an actor.
 

JJ: My only concern with her leaving is that the idea of having only male field agents does not sit well. If they bring in another female agent to replace her, then she's in the same category as Hotch.
 

Rossi: I like Rossi, but prefer the snarkier version of him as opposed to the affectionate grandpa of late. If he retires, it's not a dealbreaker in any way for me, but would prefer he stay even if in a more administrative capacity.

 

Garcia: I'm not rooting for her to leave, but the inappropriate comments need to go far, far away, as does her magical computer and her unwillingness to look at the crime scene photos, etc.

 

Morgan: I have an active dislike of his character and so for me, this would be the best choice if an agent has to leave.

 

Tertiary characters: Section chiefs, spouses, significant others, children, parents, siblings: don't care if they leave, with the exception of Diana Reid, largely because I enjoy seeing Jane Lynch in a dramatic role rather than comedy.

 

It's really much less important to me who leaves or doesn't leave than it is that the show focuses on the team as a whole instead of singling out one or two characters to solve everything all the time, and that they return to more actual profiling instead of kicking down doors and shooting the unsubs. No matter how well the cast works together or doesn't, in its current state it's barely distinguishable from any of the standard procedurals.

 

[missmycat]

For me it would definitely be MGG/Reid's departure from the show that would make me quit watching.And while I admit I don't find Hotch to be as compelling of a character as he was in the earlier season(tbh though the same could be said about all of them) I still consider his character one of those I really like. So I am hoping it isn't him.Likewise I am still fond enough of Morgan to not want him to leave. I think character wise Rossi would make a lot of sense,but I sure would miss him. The bottom line for me is the only character/cast member that could leave and me miss the least of all(if any) would be KV/Garcia or AJC/JJ.

 

 

And on another note, I have been thinking of MGG's demeanor in this interview.We all know that Matthew would only behave in the utmost professional manner,even if he was unhappy at the prospect of them losing another longtime cast member. However he came across as genuinely excited about this so called exit episode.Which sort of makes me believe that whoever it is, their absence will only be temporary. But than again I could be wrong about the whole thing,especially since this was a written interview and we have no way of gauging his true demeanor when he did it.

[secnarf]

A couple of articles on the upcoming season - minimal spoilers though.

http://www.breathecast.com/articles/criminal-minds-season-11-premiere-synopsis-bau-searching-for-kate-s-replacement-30586/

http://www.designntrend.com/articles/59153/20150818/criminal-minds-cbs-season-11-paget-brewster-speaks-return-show-spoilers.htm

[smoker]

I've just seen some pictures of the new episode they are filming, 11x05 "Night watch"

I don't know if it's my imagination but it looks like Mr Scratch is coming back.

[normasm]

I've seen some nice shots of a funeral in a very ornate church, is that what you mean? If so, why does that indicate Mr. Scratch? (Just asking, not arguing, btw)

[smoker]

I've seen some nice shots of a funeral in a very ornate church, is that what you mean? If so, why does that indicate Mr. Scratch? (Just asking, not arguing, btw)

There is a skyline shot with some trees

The shape of some of the trees makes me think of mr scratch's claws

Edited August 20, 2015 by smoker

[ForeverAlone]

First look at Aisha Tyler's character.

 

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/20/criminal-minds-aisha-tyler-season-11-photo

[missmycat]

I've just seen some pictures of the new episode they are filming, 11x05 "Night watch"

I don't know if it's my imagination but it looks like Mr Scratch is coming back.

I am hoping it isn't. Thomas Gibson is directing it. I would rather they'd let Matthew direct any follow up episode to Mr. Scratch. IMO Matthew was able to get one of the best performances out of Thomas Gibson I have seen in quite a while. Speaking of Matthew directing I am hoping to hear real soon that he'll be directing 2 this season.

[Bookish Jen]

I am hoping it isn't. Thomas Gibson is directing it. I would rather they'd let Matthew direct any follow up episode to Mr. Scratch. IMO Matthew was able to get one of the best performances out of Thomas Gibson I have seen in quite a while. Speaking of Matthew directing I am hoping to hear real soon that he'll be directing 2 this season.

Yes to this. I expected Matthew to direct a follow-up to Mr. Scratch. It just makes sense. That being said, I do hope the follow-up deals with any PTSD Hotch might have experienced due to the hallucinations he suffered.

 

And yes to Matthew directing at least two episodes this season. He's really grown in this area.

[missmycat]

First look at Aisha Tyler's character.

 

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/20/criminal-minds-aisha-tyler-season-11-photo

Here are my observations: Is she honestly going to be doing something that can't be handle by one of the regular BAU team members.In fact haven't some of them been called upon to do something similar in the past. And will this be putting even more emphasis on the unsubs.Which is something we definitely don't need.However if she ends up putting the emphasis back on the team(and I mean the whole team not just EM's favorites) and the profiling than she will be welcome additon.

Edited August 20, 2015 by missmycat

[amensisterfriend]

I definitely agree that any of the team members could do this (they've all been interchangeable for a depressingly long time anyway and seem to fill more or less the same roles, so I've started to forget any of them even ostensibly have specialties or areas of expertise). That said, I do think seeing someone assess the caught criminals and debating ideas of sanity vs insanity, which issues count as legitimate mental illnesses, who's truly fit to stand trial etc. could be potentially really interesting to me...if they do it well. Which, let's face it, they might not :) 

[ForeverAlone]

In reality, most of the team members SHOULDN'T be able to do this, because they don't have the specific training for it, and that is not the focus of their job. Granted, we saw Morgan doing this in "25 to Life", but I called BS on that one. This team spends most of their time catching criminals, but we haven't seen much interaction with them when it comes to purposes of trials. They could testify to their area of expertise in how their profiling caught the unsubs, but they don't spend the time evaluating their competence to stand trial. That is a separate area of forensic psychology, and Reid is probably the only one  on that team who might have a degree in forensic psychology. We have seen no evidence that any of the other team members have academic degrees like that. 

[amensisterfriend]

You're right, FA, but I guess it's just one of those things I'd be willing to suspend my disbelief on (as opposed to certain other aspects of the show, but I've rambled about those elsewhere!) They're going into their 11th season and the creative well seems to have been running dry for a while now, so if this added dimension serves to make the show more interesting and show us aspects of criminal profiling that we haven't been privy to in a million other episodes, I'd be willing to ignore that that's not a role this team would play in real life. 

[missmycat]

In reality, most of the team members SHOULDN'T be able to do this, because they don't have the specific training for it, and that is not the focus of their job. Granted, we saw Morgan doing this in "25 to Life", but I called BS on that one. This team spends most of their time catching criminals, but we haven't seen much interaction with them when it comes to purposes of trials. They could testify to their area of expertise in how their profiling caught the unsubs, but they don't spend the time evaluating their competence to stand trial. That is a separate area of forensic psychology, and Reid is probably the only one  on that team who might have a degree in forensic psychology. We have seen no evidence that any of the other team members have academic degrees like that. 

Good Point FA. And I definitely agree about Reid.To me it would certainly make sense for the 2 of them to work together in that area.However I will not hold my breath waiting for it to happen.

[missmycat]

You're right, FA, but I guess it's just one of those things I'd be willing to suspend my disbelief on (as opposed to certain other aspects of the show, but I've rambled about those elsewhere!) They're going into their 11th season and the creative well seems to have been running dry for a while now, so if this added dimension serves to make the show more interesting and show us aspects of criminal profiling that we haven't been privy to in a million other episodes, I'd be willing to ignore that that's not a role this team would play in real life. 

Same here. I have heard from some long time fans who have felt CM has gotten boring these past couple of seasons.I hate to admit to feeling the same way.And I do feel it's because they've put way too much focus on the unsubs.And they have way too many of this so called personal stories that have nothing to do with the episode as a whole.And I would also blame it on the fact that some of the more compelling characters(Reid) are constantly being made to take a backseat to certain lackluster characters.(JJ/Garcia)

Edited August 20, 2015 by missmycat

[SSAHotchner]

I'm fine with them introducing a character who does this, but even more so than the BAU, this position would be unlikely to be chasing the unsubs. The way the character is described, it would be someone who dealt with the unsubs after they're caught. I don't have a problem with Aisha. I have liked her the few times I have seen her in something. I love her speaking voice. I haven't made a stink about the characters they've introduced, except for Seaver, who didn't belong in the BAU, and Beth, whom I just plain hate. I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt. I'm just saying that the way they described her character, she wouldn't actually be a part of the BAU. 

[ForeverAlone]

Well, let's be honest. The real BAU's mission is not to CHASE unsubs. Meaning, that for the vast, vast majority of the time, the BAU is not the one kicking down doors. When I first started watching Criminal Minds, I was just baffled that cerebral crime fighters like profilers were kicking down doors and waving around guns. 

[missmycat]

Well, let's be honest. The real BAU's mission is not to CHASE unsubs. Meaning, that for the vast, vast majority of the time, the BAU is not the one kicking down doors. When I first started watching Criminal Minds, I was just baffled that cerebral crime fighters like profilers were kicking down doors and waving around guns. 

True, But at least back in the earlier seasons it was done on a smaller scale. And the main focus was the team profiling and trying to get into the heads of the unsubs

[normasm]

Yes, with the exception of Tabula Rasa and the Edge of Winter, the function of the BAU in the aftermath of profiling (Morgan determining if the girl could be a credible witness, Hotch testifying that the profile showed who the Unsub was), we don't see the BAU doing anything but profiling (realistic), and going in, guns drawn on the takedown (supremely unrealistic). I really enjoyed both of these episodes, one back in the golden age and one in a recent season, because they held a lot more of the psychological thrill of a case. I highly resent that they have to bring in a new character to show more of this kind of function of the BAU; why can't they just write more like these past cases with the core cast?!

[ForeverAlone]

Well...they are bringing in a temporary new character to cover for JJ's absence. What would you rather have the new character be/do?

[Cobalt Stargazer]

Maybe they could have her be the media liaison instead, since that was JJ's original job. That'd be novel. ;-)

[normasm]

Well...they are bringing in a temporary new character to cover for JJ's absence. What would you rather have the new character be/do?

As a forensic psychologist, she performs a completely different function than JJ; JJ doesn't do competency for trial evaluation. Also, Aisha's character wouldn't be used as media liaison in place of JJ because JJ hasn't been media liaison for years. If JJ will come back and be the media liaison, that would be terrific, IMO.

[Droogie]

The more I think about it, the more I think I want the series to end (regardless of whether it ends this season or after a few more), with some angst. That would leave us gasping and guessing and speculating, and that could be a great thing. Someone shot, someone declaring their love for another, someone snapping -- some of the best stories end before we want them to.

[zannej]

I hope this is the right place to put this since it involves the new temporary character.. Anyway, I got extremely bored and made a South Park version of Dr. Lewis and I'd like opinions on which one looks more accurate. I did the first one when I only had side-view pictures of the awful wig and then I made the 2nd one after seeing the wig, but the options in the create-a-character studio are very limited. I did what I could for editing in MS Paint, but couldn't do things just the way I wanted.

 

Which one would you pick?

 

1.

or

2.

 

Edit to add 3.

Edited August 22, 2015 by zannej

[normasm]

2.

[missmycat]

I would also pick #2

[zannej]

Thanks! I now have a third option after I took a better look at this pic

 

3.

[SSAHotchner]

Well, let's be honest. The real BAU's mission is not to CHASE unsubs. Meaning, that for the vast, vast majority of the time, the BAU is not the one kicking down doors. When I first started watching Criminal Minds, I was just baffled that cerebral crime fighters like profilers were kicking down doors and waving around guns. 

I knew someone would bring this up. That's why I said that this position, even more so than the BAU, would be unlikely to be chasing the unsubs. 

[jaytee1812]

I hope this is the right place to put this since it involves the new temporary character.. Anyway, I got extremely bored and made a South Park version of Dr. Lewis and I'd like opinions on which one looks more accurate. I did the first one when I only had side-view pictures of the awful wig and then I made the 2nd one after seeing the wig, but the options in the create-a-character studio are very limited. I did what I could for editing in MS Paint, but couldn't do things just the way I wanted.

 

Which one would you pick?

 

1.

or

2.

I think they're all pretty insulting.

[Cobalt Stargazer]

I hope this is the right place to put this since it involves the new temporary character.. Anyway, I got extremely bored and made a South Park version of Dr. Lewis and I'd like opinions on which one looks more accurate. I did the first one when I only had side-view pictures of the awful wig and then I made the 2nd one after seeing the wig, but the options in the create-a-character studio are very limited. I did what I could for editing in MS Paint, but couldn't do things just the way I wanted.

 

Which one would you pick?

 

1.

or

2.

 

 

I think they're all pretty insulting.

 

The law of averages says I'm going to regret asking this, but insulting? Totally seriously, unless you have some innate bias against South Park, how do you come to that conclusion?