Hope you've enjoyed today's episode, and remember that it was the 1st of the last 3 episodes of the season... 2nd to last next week!
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
CRIMINAL MINDS Season 9 - 922. Fatal - Comments Thread
Hope you've enjoyed today's episode, and remember that it was the 1st of the last 3 episodes of the season... 2nd to last next week!
Ok... where to begin!
ReplyDeleteFirst many cudo's to Bruce Zimmerman for writing a great mental Criminal Minds case. Thank you Bruce for also writing the team as a true "TEAM".... every member was at their best, and highlighted to perfection.... there wasn't an overuse of anyone... Bravo!
The case had a few twists and turns that left you scratching your head... And I loved all the references to past episodes and even Final Destination with the twist about the shuttle the unsub missed 20 yrs ago.... Again BRAVO Bruce!
As for Jatch! Poor Aaron brought low by a 3rd grade girl! LOL Loved the interaction on his 'profiling' Jack was adorable... The poor teacher looked 'busted'. Could this mean??????? Nah....... would they? Nah...............but maybe? Nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... Time will tell..... :) Little girl was adorable and TG's facial expressions were perfect and priceless... :) Rossi was GREAT!!!!
Only problem I saw was..... WHERE was Garcia's baking???? Come on people, such an event and NO cookies.... NO cupcakes.... ahhhhhhhhh well... it's not that big a problem really... Cuteness without the sappy abounded! LOVED IT!
Uh oh it looks as if Beth may have some competition. LOL about that little girl outing her teacher. The poor teacher how will she ever face Jack's dad again.
DeleteLove love loved.... both their 'embarassed' faces and the blushing... Rossi's 'cat' comment was priceless too.... :D Just loved the whole interactions this week...
DeleteAlthough... No Garcia baked goodies! *sigh*... ohhh well... :D
Good episode,but I sort of wish they could have held off a little longer revealing the unsub. So happy Hotch finally got some decent screen time. I absolutely loved the scene at the end with the kids. Thank goodness they didn't feel the need to stick JJ in it some where.
ReplyDeleteI was also very happy with Reid's screen time. And it was wonderful not having Morgan and JJ dominating the episode.Unfortunately these days even nanosecond of JJ on my screen is too much.
I absolutely LOVED Reid/Morgan and Detective and Reid's comments about reading War and Peace in Russian no less.... LOL Classic Reigan!
ReplyDeleteBarbara that was one of my favorite scenes. I love it when Reid is allowed to show off one of his unique abilities. I was so happy with his contributions to the case.
DeleteIt was nice to see Morgan showing off Reid's genius for once!
DeleteI loved the episode. Plenty of Hotch, Hotch and Rossi together is always great, Rossi got a good scene, light on Super JJ, good Reid, Reid's hair classically messy, just enough Garcia and minimal Morgan. At least a bit of Blake. The scene with the teacher was really cute.
ReplyDeleteWell done profiling and plot.
I just finished my re-watch; I love chatting with friends during the eps but I miss stuff. *cracks knuckles* Here goes!
ReplyDeleteIt was a very interesting start to the ep and I was hooked. On top of that, I get a Hotch/Rossi scene with Dave in Hotch's office calling him "Aaron". Be still my foolish slash FF heart! But then we get to see the unsub right away. I had my "Oh sh*t" moment.
Yet, it was played out very well. As a friend pointed out to me, in some of the eps when we see the unsub right away, we get to see the team solve the case as the unsub devolves into his psychosis. And I agree whole-heartedly with the rest of the fine reviewers before me that it was wonderful to see the whole team doing their thing. It was a very balanced, well thought out ep on writer Bruce Zimmerman's part and I applauded him as well. And I loved the back references to past eps, especially the "Max Poole" in the Round Table scene (which I missed in my first watch) and a bit of shout out to other past eps with Blake spying the camera at the coffee shop. Like a few Twitter friends noted, ala "The Internet is Forever". Bruce had some great touches in this ep. And to have my Hotch break in a door! After so little Hotch the past few eps was gold!
Honestly, I thought what Morgan and JJ told Harding on the dock was a ruse. After my re-watch, I realized that was the OMG thing that Garcia mentioned. And again, like some of my other savvy reviewers around here, I thought it was terrific balance of Garcia in the ep. Karma/Fate is a b*tch. However, it made a great wrap-up to the case. My only complaint: once again Morgan and JJ take down the unsub. Are they really the only two members of this team that can do that??
However, with that little, little flaw, Bruce more than redeemed himself with his "Career Day" scene at the end. In my little world, I'll take away from this ep that was Hotch and Rossi in the beginning; Hotch and Rossi on the jet; and Hotch with Jack with Uncle Dave delivering a classic Rossi line at the end! As I tweeted to Rick Dunkle and Virgil Williams, the wily ol' Bruce Zimmerman "out Jack-ed" the young studs!
One thing I noticed: Greg St. John was not the DP (Director of Photography) for this ep. Darcy Spires was. It's obvious to me that Darcy has learned from THE best in Greg and she did a fantastic job. Kudos Darcy!!! And Larry Teng delivered his usual rock solid direction. The CM crew rocks once again!!
I too loved the final scene! Sorry Ms. Springer; but Hotch already has someone keeping the other side of the bed warm! GO Beth! *ducks from fire I'll get* And good grief! Cade has grown SO much and I love his rockin' new hair cut!!
Rockie's final grade: A- (sorry Bruce; you lost Rockie points on the Morgan/JJ takedown. Again.)
A good, competent Criminal Minds episode. Although we saw the unsub early on, there was plenty of teamwork and actual profiling and the premise of the case was interesting. I was very pleased that they showed Reid as the brilliant profiler he is and not just the spouter of facts. Garcia was toned down and the work she did on her magic computer was fairly believable for once. And YAY!! JJ was not all over it - though it was disappointing that Actionwoman had to do the take down with Morgan yet again. I even liked the light moment with Hotch and Jack at the end. Usually they do these family moments appallingly but this one was pretty cute without being sappy. I had been afraid that they would reference the odious Beth but Hurrah! Not even a mention. Overall a good solid episode.
ReplyDeleteI fear though that this reprieve from the omnipresent Actionwoman is temporary - with 2 agents going down in Angels, I am willing to bet that Demons will finish up this flawed "JJ" season by being all about her and Garcia. Hope I am wrong.
I read in another blog that JJ filming time was really heavy in the two last episodes, while Gubler was there just for a few days. So my take is that next Wednesday both Reid and Morgan will be shot, and since Morgan has a contract for season 10 he won't be in great danger. Then the next episode will be all about how JJ showing up her action hero abilities while Garcia yet again finds impossible information no one not even out of boredom would ever write on a computer so she would find it later. Well, I think next Wednesday the season will be over...
DeleteYes I saw that too. I think Reid will only figure in #24 with a few hospital bed shots and then they will leave it hanging over the summer whether he survives. I simply cannot take any more of JJ so I'm not excited about Demons!
DeleteI think that too much is being read into what BTS pics we've seen. Rumors are running rampant. And at this time (sit down I'm gonna shock you all.... :D) I think the best thing is to wait and see. I don't think MGG is going anywhere. Personally I see JT leaving and it being a subtle 'leaving' as She realized that she wants to be with her husband. Maybe the something sad in the past is in reference to her. Garcia has been toned down a bit... and while I'm a loud voice against Super JJ, she too has been toned down a bit. I want to be hopeful that all the comments and all the complaints that have been posted on this blog as well as twitter, and other message boards about JJ/Morgan, lack of team, lack of cohesion etc has been heard by the writers/producers and they're doing something about it.
DeleteFor now, I will enjoy the fabulous episode Bruce Zimmerman and Larry Teng gave us last night, and judge 9.23 and 9.24 when I see them. Trust me, if they 'suck' I will voice my opinion unadbashedly.
Thanks!
Well, I liked the episode. There were a few things I didn't like, such as the silly arrest of the unsub performed again by JJ&Morgan, and all alone, because, you know, they are soooo good. And I could have lived without the ending scene and that bunch of kids. But I appreciate that the team worked the case. I wish they wouldn't rely so much on Garcia's unrealistic findings, and I seriously wish that JJ would just disappear, since I can't stand her scenes, no matter with who she is paired. I am totally willing to skip Reid and Hotch if that woman is in a scene. But after all we've seen since that dreadful 200 episode this episode looks great. It may be one of the few I would say I will re-watch, eventually. Breen Frazier is the last survivor of the old writers, and even though back then he was so not my favourite, right now he looks like the best of the entire writers team.
ReplyDeleteGuys honestly relax enough with talking about JJ this was a good episode and not because JJ didn't have that much screen time. What I mean is if JJ had even a few more lines would you still not enjoy the case? Also, don't aim everything at JJ aim it at Messer because its her decision on who get screen time. Yea having the whole team get a lot of screen time was good and therefore just shut up. You have to talk crap about JJ after every episode? No! Leave her behind. it was a mistake but not JJ's. Case was great team banter was great. That's all you need
ReplyDeleteSadly the massive overexposure this season of a once loved but now ruined character means the amount of screen time she gets is a factor in how good the episode is! I would gladly leave her behind as as you say! I think the point has to be made that many fans dislike what they have done to JJ.
DeleteGianna,
DeleteWhile I understand what you are saying about not ripping every episode apart just because JJ is in the episode. I happen to agree that Erica Messer and in part AJC (she asked for her character to change like this too) has ruined a once much beloved character. That said, it is unnecessary to use hostile wording to get your point across.... One thing on this board is we 'never' tell another poster to 'just shut up'... EVERYONE here is able to voice their opinions politely and curteously.
Thanks.
Gianna wrote:
Delete" Yea having the whole team get a lot of screen time was good and therefore just shut up. You have to talk crap about JJ after every episode? No! Leave her behind. it was a mistake but not JJ's. Case was great team banter was great. That's all you need"
Please do not tell people to shut up. Everyone who post here can express their opinions openly, as long as they are polite and respectful to cast, crew and other fans.
CMRT Admin
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteTammy,
DeletePlease, I understand being frustrated, honest I do.... but cursing on the board isn't going to get your opinion any more clearly across. Neither is being disparaging to Cast or crew including writers.
I do think TPTB read these boards, and blogs and twitter feeds, and with the last few episodes they have toned down and shifted things to appeal to the fans. Or at least I like to think so. However, reading rants and ravings with cursing will not garner any positive actions... Being concise, factual, and explanatory in your reasons for your opinions will...
Thanks so Much.
To Tammi Laura,
DeleteIf you want to comment here, be sure you're polite to everybody: fans, actors, writers, producers and crew, AND be more careful with which words you use, because rant or not, swearing words and un-politeness will have your post removed again.
Same goes to everybody else. For everybody too, Barbara's advice is sound, worth a read.
CMRT Admin.
Actually I didn't know I cursed, sorry!! OOOPPSS!! but yeah I am incredibly frustrated
DeleteHi Tammy,
DeleteWe we all get frustrated... and sometimes I'll admit it takes alot for me not to go off seeing as I often type faster then I think.... SO, anyways, welcome to the blog... Pick up a stool have a seat and enjoy the fun here... :)
BTW... check out the Interview from Erica and the Sneek Peek for Angels.... Seems there maybe ALOT of Happy CM fans after the next two weeks... :)
Generally speaking, I really enjoyed this episode. I know it had the hated premise of showing the unsub before the credits, but on occasion, we even saw that in earlier episodes, and I am more willing to forgive it when I like the story.
ReplyDeleteI personally thought there was a fair amount of profiling, and it was interesting to see the entire team tease out what was going on, how the unsub was selecting victims, and why he chose the victims he did. I thought everyone had something valuable to do, and even though there was a fair amount of unsub, it didn't feel disproportionate.
Since the unsub seemingly selected his victims at random, I particularly liked how they (or should I say, Reid) discovered where the unsub found them, and likely how he tracked them down to kill them later. It was nice to see Reid use his brain, and his speed reading ability to good use, though I still disagree with the show turning Reid into a language expert, when he clearly wasn't in the early seasons. But that is more of a minor quibble.
I personally found the unsub's motive interesting and it was different than what we have seen in the past. It was interesting to see the team interact with potential victims, from Rossi talking to the woman who was subsequently murdered, to the woman who was an intended victim. Good on Hotch for deducing that the killer's focus likely shifted. And even though Penelope did find the unsub with her computer skills, it still required the team to profile the unsub to provide information for her to focus on.
There were some quibbles of course. Arsenic poisoning takes a lot longer to kill someone, though I guess a massive dose of arsenic could kill someone quicker. And while I found the twist of fate with the airport shuttle crash to be very fascinating and an interesting comment on the unsub's belief in fate, there is no way in hell the information about the shuttle bus attendance from 20 years ago would have been online for Penelope to find.
It was nice to see Hotch's gentle side with career day. It didn't actually feel cloying or annoying to me at all. And I had to love that little girl at the end who profiled that Jack's teacher was attracted to Hotch, and she was willing to say that in front of anyone. You have to love little kids and their lack of filter. This episode had some nice interaction between Hotch and Rossi, and that was a nice change of pace from the previous episodes this season.
Oh and I liked Reid's callback to season 3 "About Face" when referencing unsubs who forecast the victims' death. At least we know some of the writers have watched some of the earlier season. :)
So overall, I liked it, and the story kept me interested.
I thought it was a great episode, despite seeing the unsub early. Agreed that giving Hotch more time was very entertaining and I loved the kids at the end. Great scene! Especially the little girl..she was awesome!
ReplyDeleteIn the preview for next show it showed JJ and Morgan going down with gun fire all around...
Now we have to wait two weeks :(
9.23 Angels airs next week 5/7
Delete9.24 Demons airs following week 5/14
Gonna be a long 20,160 minutes.
JJ is not one of the two agents who goes down.
DeleteIt is definitely Morgan and i think the other is Reid
DeleteGreat episode. Loved the Hotch/Rossi scenes in the beginning and end. Hotch with Jack's class was great. I thought the episode was very good and different. Nice interesting twist at the end with the shuttle van crashing and killing everyone on it. That was cool. I had no problem with JJ/Morgan arresting the unsub. Hotch and Blake went to save the girl who was originally going to be the next victim and Hotch was the one that deduced that his purpose had shifted and subsequently sent Morgan and JJ to the shipping yard. Though not my fave characters, I like JJ and Morgan. I've always liked JJ and I like her character now. It's always nice to see a strong female character....good role model for young girls. Everyone has their fave characters..mine are Hotch and Reid. My husband actually likes JJ and Morgan best as do several of my male friends that watch the show. So, to each their own. It is a large ensemble cast and everyone has their moments to shine. Reid even had a couple of takedowns this year. Also, I remember a couple of seasons ago, probably S7, where Hotch was the one at all the final scenes and usually shooting the unsubs. I remember people making comments about all the extra paperwork he must have with all the unsubs he was shooting. At any rate, bring on the finale!
ReplyDeleteWho portrayed the teacher at the end? Loved that last scene, lol
ReplyDeleteMs. Springer was played by Tristin Rupp. In the BTS post of this episode, we added several photos she published while filming. Hope it helps!
DeleteI agree with all the positive comments. I want to say thanks to everyone at CM because it seems they no longer have the team members humiliating and mocking Reid for being who he is. The cool kids mocking the nerd dynamic seems to be gone...I hope for good. No irrelevant, ridiculous fact spouting which was another way of mocking the character. To make it worse, they often used to show Reid accepting the bullying, missing the point...never showing the intense pain that a target feels when bullied. It was a terrible scenario to put in front of teenage and younger girls all the time. It made it seem okay, in their favorite show. Schools are trying to stamp out such behavior, and here are the adults doing it to a beloved character. Anyway, long ramble but I want to say thanks. This week was perfect. They showed Reid as an adult member of the team, using his special abilities without dominating the episode....and not getting humiliated for being who he is. Thank you CM.
ReplyDeleteI really loved it, I'm loving the new JJ. I just think if something like what she went through happened to you then you would change, your whole life would be affected by what happened.
ReplyDeleteI loved the episode, I thought having Case/ Jack there was really cute, personally I don't think there is enough Jack in the show. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge JJ fan but there's more of HEnry in the show than Jack.
Acting was great and I'm not looking forward to next week's episode for Morgan and Reid getting shot!!
I liked the episode, and I had been prepared to not like the rest of the season. I was pleasantly surprised. There was, for a change, a good use of all the team in a realistic and not so robotic way. But I was disappointed in seeing the unsub so soon and that it had to be Morgan and JJ AGAIN taking down the unsub. There are several qualified members of the team. Must it always be these two? Reid had some strong moments and even Blake got something to do. Thank you. It was hard for me to be serious about the unsub because it was after all Kevin from The Office. I couldn't quite remove that image from my mind no matter how hard he may have tried to appear different. I kind of question the death scenes. I don't think the crew did good research on killing by arsenic. But they got their point across.
ReplyDeleteI loved the scene at the end with the school kids. I loved that Hotch found a way to show how they profile without involving the gory details of the kinds of folks they have to profile and why. It was fun, cute and Hotch was wonderful. I could not get over how Cade Owen has grown in one year! I know he's not much of an actor, but I'll always have a tender spot in my heart for him because he's Hotch's son and has been so sweet. He seems to have picked up his father's gift of being able to read people because he's been able to make friends with those who had bullied him. I just find him to be adorable. For once a personal scene tacked on at the end didn't feel cloying and annoying. Good job, Bruce. Please use this as a model for future scripts. We want to see the whole team involved in solving the case. Not just one or 2 agents and not Garcia swooping in and saving the day on her computer. If that's all that was needed they'd just hire a bunch of computer nerds to solve the cases. This episode had a much more natural feel about it.
IM WAITING TO SEE WHAT GOES ON
ReplyDeleteI HOPE NOONE DIES THAT WOULD BE SAD
ReplyDelete