I'm not adverse to new characters - I think Rossi and Prentiss are both examples of how it can work well, and really change the dynamic in ways that work, despite any naysaying at the time.
However, I don't think they've handled the introduction or the use of Seaver well, and that's due mostly to poor writing (which has been an issue since they let all their seasoned writers go) and to some extent bad timing.
Even if Seaver was planned all along, and had nothing to do with JJ or Prentiss getting kicked to the curb, the reason for her being on the team now makes no sense. She's not there to "replace" JJ. They don't have (or even seem to need) a new media liaison or screener for cases. Garcia has been asked to take on that function. I'm not even going to get into my thoughts on that, because it's a whole other topic/discussion. The bottom line is, Seaver is not doing JJ's job. She's profiling.
At no point last year or this year did they say they were short a profiler. In fact, we heard rumblings about budget cuts to the BAU. We've been told over and over again that the BAU is elite. Not just anyone can work there. They've spent five years telling us this. The pilot episode showed Elle, a seasoned agent, willing to jump through hoops to join the team. Prentiss almost didn't make it (she wouldn't have, if Hotch had had his way), and she had 10 years of experience. We could argue an exception was made back in the day for Reid, but we didn't see it happen, and one could argue that at the time a) Gideon had pull; and b) Reid was clearly exceptional and needed to be snatched up before anyone got him. Doesn't matter. He was already a member of the team when we met him. And he's clearly earned his spot since he joined. And we take that as a given, because it happened before our time. We don't know the details and likely never will.
But now, five years later, we know this team, we know these people and the challenges they face and the skills they're expected to bring to the table, and we know something about how their world operates.
And they have a case where they think they could use input from someone who grew up as the child of a serial killer. So they bring her in as a consultant. Again, I'm not getting into the logic of that storyline. It happens. She provides a smidgen of insight, figures out by accident who the killer is because she disobeys a direct order and is stuck in his house, and it doesn't end well (I don't even want to think about his daughter's therapy bills). That should be the end of her story. What other credentials does she bring to the table that would warrant keeping her on? She runs an obstacle course really well. She's recovering from a concussion that apparently makes it impossible for her to do class work, but doesn't prevent her from physical activity. And that's it. That's what the writers have given us to work with. She hasn't even graduated yet.
In the real world (or one which at least is plausible), she'd be told thanks for your help, try not to screw up the next time, and good luck at the academy. Maybe give us a call after you finish.
In this bizarro Season 6 world, she decides she'd rather stay with the BAU than go back to class, and that request is approved. Why? Honestly, why? I'd maybe buy it if they'd agreed to take her on as an intern. Or this was a routine work placement arrangement as part of her classes. Maybe. But that isn't the case - at least the audience hasn't been told so.
So I don't get it. Every other member of that team has had to earn their place (or, in Reid's case - and again this is speculation because we don't know how he got there - he showed such potential that they waived the regular requirements). But this young woman, who so far brings nothing exceptional to the table (and that's not a disparagement - she's clearly bright, but she's not a genius and she's not experienced), is handed a spot on a team where arguably they needed someone who could screen their cases, handle logistics and speak to the media, not an extra profiler.
My two cents part one
However, I don't think they've handled the introduction or the use of Seaver well, and that's due mostly to poor writing (which has been an issue since they let all their seasoned writers go) and to some extent bad timing.
Even if Seaver was planned all along, and had nothing to do with JJ or Prentiss getting kicked to the curb, the reason for her being on the team now makes no sense. She's not there to "replace" JJ. They don't have (or even seem to need) a new media liaison or screener for cases. Garcia has been asked to take on that function. I'm not even going to get into my thoughts on that, because it's a whole other topic/discussion. The bottom line is, Seaver is not doing JJ's job. She's profiling.
At no point last year or this year did they say they were short a profiler. In fact, we heard rumblings about budget cuts to the BAU. We've been told over and over again that the BAU is elite. Not just anyone can work there. They've spent five years telling us this. The pilot episode showed Elle, a seasoned agent, willing to jump through hoops to join the team. Prentiss almost didn't make it (she wouldn't have, if Hotch had had his way), and she had 10 years of experience. We could argue an exception was made back in the day for Reid, but we didn't see it happen, and one could argue that at the time a) Gideon had pull; and b) Reid was clearly exceptional and needed to be snatched up before anyone got him. Doesn't matter. He was already a member of the team when we met him. And he's clearly earned his spot since he joined. And we take that as a given, because it happened before our time. We don't know the details and likely never will.
But now, five years later, we know this team, we know these people and the challenges they face and the skills they're expected to bring to the table, and we know something about how their world operates.
And they have a case where they think they could use input from someone who grew up as the child of a serial killer. So they bring her in as a consultant. Again, I'm not getting into the logic of that storyline. It happens. She provides a smidgen of insight, figures out by accident who the killer is because she disobeys a direct order and is stuck in his house, and it doesn't end well (I don't even want to think about his daughter's therapy bills). That should be the end of her story. What other credentials does she bring to the table that would warrant keeping her on? She runs an obstacle course really well. She's recovering from a concussion that apparently makes it impossible for her to do class work, but doesn't prevent her from physical activity. And that's it. That's what the writers have given us to work with. She hasn't even graduated yet.
In the real world (or one which at least is plausible), she'd be told thanks for your help, try not to screw up the next time, and good luck at the academy. Maybe give us a call after you finish.
In this bizarro Season 6 world, she decides she'd rather stay with the BAU than go back to class, and that request is approved. Why? Honestly, why? I'd maybe buy it if they'd agreed to take her on as an intern. Or this was a routine work placement arrangement as part of her classes. Maybe. But that isn't the case - at least the audience hasn't been told so.
So I don't get it. Every other member of that team has had to earn their place (or, in Reid's case - and again this is speculation because we don't know how he got there - he showed such potential that they waived the regular requirements). But this young woman, who so far brings nothing exceptional to the table (and that's not a disparagement - she's clearly bright, but she's not a genius and she's not experienced), is handed a spot on a team where arguably they needed someone who could screen their cases, handle logistics and speak to the media, not an extra profiler.