AJ Cook returns to Criminal Minds! Sort of.

[jl-decker.livejournal.com]

A little late, but...

Criminal Minds fans got some exciting news this week! Along with some not so exciting news. I know all of us want to bring JJ back to the show, and guess what? That’s happening! Although maybe not in the way we would like.

Comments

[murf1307.livejournal.com]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

There are no words. Kill Prentiss? Not going to work out, at all. CBS seems hell-bent on ruining the show. First JJ leaving, now Prentiss leaving/dying, and this...this *thing* they're taunting us with with Reid. I swear, they're trying to spiral the show out so they can end it and FORCE us to watch the spinoff.

One hope, though: if Reid goes the Zack Addy route, I'm hoping he takes the rest of the team down with him in an explosive blaze of glory. If they break Reid, Reid better go down in the greatest fucking serial killer ever book. Because he's just that damn brilliant.

/end conspiracy ranting.

[doritosaddict.livejournal.com]

I'm not quite sure what to think atm... Yes, we want JJ back, but we want her back for eternity, not 1 episode. And I don't even wanna think about Prentiss' leaving:(

[wonderssap.livejournal.com]

The saddest part is that we'll have to watch JJ returning just to leave again and this time taking Prentiss along with her. :(

[jeweledvixen.livejournal.com]

What CBS has done to Criminal Minds is the biggest piece of WTFery I've ever seen on T.V. They have taken a fantastic, popular show and gutted it just to launch a spin-off. If they kill Emily, I will probably not watch again. If they take out Reid, I definitely will never watch it again. Right now, I'm doubting my ability to sit through even one episode of the spin-off.

[yamair.livejournal.com]

It really is crazy! This was such an awesome show, it's amazing how they've driven it into the ground. The writing is so lacking this season, the team lacks chemistry, JJ is gone, the stories are trite, the introduction of the new agent wasn't handled well, and now Prentiss is leaving. For shame.

[berillo.livejournal.com]

I started to watch this show because of the kick-ass women (I'm currently somewhere in the beginning of season six), since so many shows are lacking in that specific area. thus I was absolutely gutted when JJ up and went. However, while I understand some people might be thrilled at seeing JJ again for an episode, I'm not. It raises my hope that she might even be returning for more episodes in the unforeseeable future, and that makes it rather hard for me to accept the fact that she's gone for good.

Also, the only thought that came to mind when reading the article was 'Damn, surely not at Emily's funeral'--if CBS is actually killing her off.

[yamair.livejournal.com]

This show really has gone to shit, I'm shocked that Prentiss is leaving! When was this decided and announced!? Is it AJ's twitter that has brought it to light, or has there been an official statement?

I haven't watched the last two episodes, the show just isn't the same but it's still on my list, however with Prentiss now leaving I'm finally done with it. The JJ debacle was bad enough, but to also throw Prentiss under the bus to finance that stupid spin-off!?

Has anyone even watched an episode of the spin-off? How is it fairing in America, are the ratings good? I haven't been interested in it at all. And it pisses me off that female characters/actors are being treated so shabbily, as if they have no/less value.

They should have promoted Prentiss and had her head the spin-off imo.

[matchstick-139.livejournal.com]

Back when AJ Cook got the axe, Paget was also pulled in for contract negotiations. The offer was a limited run of episodes this season as opposed to a full season, as well as a pilot "opt out" so she can shop around for a new show as CBS didn't seem forthcoming with an offer for longer than the current season. At the time it looked like they were looking for a graceful way to get rid of the Prentiss character.

As it stands, everything is up in the air. No one knows if Paget has found a new show and will therefore be leaving permanently, or if CBS would be willing to keep her on if she doesn't film a pilot that gets picked up.

So I guess the short answer to your question is that this was decided and announced back in the summer.

[yamair.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info. I didn't follow all the news about JJ's departure, so I had no idea that Paget was also facing the axe. It's so sad, I really hope she gets work, she's a great actress and did a wonderful job portraying Prentiss. I'd like to see her in one of my other shows, Fringe or Broadwalk Empire. CBS are making a big mistake here.

[azurehart.livejournal.com]

I used to love this show, but I haven't watched a single episode since they got rid of JJ. No I wasn't watching just for that character, but to me it seems like TPTB are intent on whittling away the good parts of the show, until there is nothing left.

[andalisays.livejournal.com]

I still watch the episodes, in some dire hope that maybe I'll...acclimate or something. But I can't. The writing is awful, and the new girl's acting is shit. I was heartbroken when JJ left but Prentiss too...it's just unacceptable to me. As a woman who wants to be law enforcement, it is so infuriating to see these strong, capable, gun-toting woman cast aside as though they are nothing more than interchangeable eye candy. This show worked so well because of the team dynamic, the wonderful ensemble cast - and CBS has ruined it. They have thrown away almost everything that made CM great. I am irritated and angry, but more than anything I'm just sad. It's such a shame the way they have destroyed this wonderful show that already had fantastic ratings.

...Wow, sorry, I just wrote a freaking novel.

[yamair.livejournal.com]

I still watch the episodes, in some dire hope that maybe I'll...acclimate or something.

This was me right up until that terrible voodoo episode. I really gave the show a chance, even when I wanted to quit I forced myself to watch partly because I love the CM fandom, but after that ep I gave up. Terrible writing.

it is so infuriating to see these strong, capable, gun-toting woman cast aside as though they are nothing more than interchangeable eye candy.

It really leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Part of the reason why I got into the show was because of the good female characters, and now in one swoop they've thrown most of them out like they're worthless. It's insulting.

[lilylynnicons.livejournal.com]

I'm just so sad....

Why CBS? Why?

[angleico315678.livejournal.com]

Wow. Fuck it. Looks like we're all going to have to find a new favorite show.

Bye bye Prentiss, it was good having you.

[pinkpolarity.livejournal.com]

Wait, WHAT?!?

I've been watching for Garcia, but if they kill Prentiss I'm out. This makes me incredibly sad-- this show was first on my TiVo to watch, one of the only shows I'd watch without feeling the need to stop and surf the internet in the middle of it-- and they've just completely gutted it. I understand why they're doing it, this dumbed-down shit seems to sell (look at the shitpile they've made of the CSI franchise, I caught an ep of the CSI mothership the other day and it was completely unwatchable, but it gets huge ratings), but it's depressing as hell for anyone who actually likes good TV.

Wow, now I'm down to *one* current scripted show that I think is worth giving a fuck about.

[ladylinners.livejournal.com]

Two of my friends and I are out when Prentiss leaves. CBS has destroyed this show and brining in newbie was just, NO *shakes head*

I will definitley be boycotting the spin-off and I'm questioning weather or not to still watch CBS shows. CBS - they kick out AJ and Paget and give Charlie Sheen a raise! WTF! What's wrong with them?!

[shatteredwolf.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty pissed off with this. This show has gone to hell in a hand basket. I can hardly watch it since JJ left. Not Emily too.

My Mother is very pissed off at it. She said the only thing worth it would be buying all the old seasons and living in that. Since this new crap is not flying well with her.