sorry but the post was late

[tryxkittie.livejournal.com]

This is the discussion post for Episode 6x07 - "Middle Man". Watch out for SPOILERS in the comments.

Comments

[goddessdster.livejournal.com]

If they'd put Hotch out there to do mental gymnastics with the unsub would you still be calling it bait? Or BAMF?

I'm so glad you pointed that out.

[ladymalchav.livejournal.com]

I am really tired of all this... I don't even know what to call it... reverse sexism, I guess. Every time Prentiss goes out on her own, or is in danger in any way, they call 'SEXISM! DAMSEL IN DISTRESS! BAIT!' But when the men do the same thing, it's just 'Awesome!'

It's like they're trying too hard. They want to see sexism when Criminal Minds is actually the best show out there in terms of that kind of thing! And it pisses me off! Girls can be awesome and not labeled in terms of what the men are 'making' them do! THAT's sexism!

[goddessdster.livejournal.com]

Technically, it's not reverse sexism, but just viewers who possibly feel Prentiss is used as "bait" because she is beautiful and female, which is a type of sexism one sees a lot on TV shows. If the only time we ever saw Prentiss shine were in these moments, then I would agree with them, but she is a strong character in her own right, and going out into dangerous situations is a part of her character. If JJ or Garcia were to do it, however, I would be screaming "BAIT!" as well.

I just liked that you pointed out the language use is off, because it's not considered "bait" when Hotch or ANY of the male characters do it. And each character does it with regularity. Well done.

[parisntripfan.livejournal.com]

Interesting point. And it is not just CM fandom that does this. It is something I have seen time and time again in show after after show.

I love that Hotch is willing to throw Emily in there - to use the fact that as a strong, independent woman she scares the crap out of some of the unsubs against them. If that were the only thing he used her for, it might be a problem, but Emily contributes to the team in other ways as well. Just like very other member of the team.


To me it is more that the show is trying to show how important Prentiss is to the team. And knowing what I know about what is going on behind the scenes I don't blame them one bit. In fact, I love them for it. It's just they are being a bit, heavy handed about it. (But then, I don't think the people at CBS are giving them much choice. Sometimes when you dealing with the network PTB you have to in your face.)

[a_blackpanther]

I get what everyone else is saying, but they have put Emily directly in the line of fire this season more than any other, and considering the stuff that's going on behind the scenes every time i'm just waiting for someone to actually shoot her. Which pulls me out of the story immediately.