It’s been a long time since I wrote about Criminal Minds. I seem to have mentioned it in pieces about as varied topics as NCIS, Weeds, Dark Blue, Eleventh Hour, and Cold Case, but it’s been a long time since I’ve directly addressed our favorite Behavioral Analysis Unit. Well, that’s about to change.

Like a number of shows that I watch, Criminal Minds doesn’t go heavy on a continuing story line. Some might even turn their noses up at it. But, like I said about Law & Order: SVU before this, procedurals can only really get noticed for their cast of characters.

Um … have you met Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler)? Hotch (Thomas Gibson)? Morgan (Shemar Moore)? JJ (A.J. Cook)? And yes, I suppose even Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness), and Prentiss (Paget Brewster), too, although I could go either way on them. And while Rossi (Joe Mantegna) doesn’t do the show any favors, do you recall hearing the name Supervisory Special Agent Jason Gideon (Mandy Patinkin) ever? And yet, it’s an NBC affiliate (USA Network) that claims to have cornered the market on great characters? Please. Read the rest of this entry »

Aryeh S. is back guest clacking for us again this week ….

I’ve never watched a single episode of any incarnation of CSI. But clearly, the show works on numerous levels; its success as a franchise speaks volumes about the ability of its creators to apply a tried and true formula to multiple cities, with multiple casts.

But not all smash hits a franchise does make. Case in point: Criminal Minds. No, I haven’t heard rumors of a spin-off in the works. But the show has taken some casting hits, and the results have been a little rocky for a show that relies on its luminous cast to shine.

Aaron Hotchner, played brilliantly by Thomas Gibson (I still can’t believe he’s from Dharma & Greg), is exactly what you want in a Behavioral Analysis Unit Chief. He’s smart, decisive, and not afraid to storm ahead into an armed situation. But allow me the opportunity to indulge a question that has nagged at me for awhile now, one that my wife won’t let me ask her anymore: who’s the real head of the team these days?

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CBS

(Season 4, Episode 4)

If you’ve been playing along at home, you must have seen Jane’s interview with Wil Wheaton about his appearance on Criminal Minds. We finally got a look at his episode Wednesday night, and it seemed like a good one to toss out there for discussion. I’ll say going in that I consider myself a casual fan of the show. I always watch it, but it only makes it to the “watch live” list on occasion. I’m not actively internet stalking the cast, like I do with Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki from Supernatural. Just kidding … mostly. Anyway, my creepy internet habits aside, my look at the episode is after the jump.

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