CM's Season 6

[danikos-realms.livejournal.com]

I’ve reached episode 16 of Criminal Mind’s last season, and I can sum it up in a couple of words: what the fudge? I’m not trying to offend anyone’s sensibilities, but I though this show was a huge deal in the USA. What the heck are they doing lately? And what’s up with the spin-off?

The Rant

From the very beginning, the season has seemed rushed, overly dramatic and very little about the team and the criminals — as it was, as it should be, and the reasons why I even bother to watch when it’s not even aired in my country at decent hours.

Whatever, I thought, they’re focussing more on the team itself this season; I could live with that. But then they stopped showing the team! JJ is gone (I liked her, although I was not a huge fan), and Prentiss is on the same track . . .

Or, at least, that’s what I hear. I’m willing to pay good fic to anyone who tells me it’s a lie and means it.

Plus, the criminals stopped being interesting psychos to being simply psychos (bonus points for the one with the mummy’s issues, though), and everything is getting more and more makeshift by the episode. I only watch out of sheer loyalty for the veterans and hope it’ll change.

Furthermore, they simply won’t develop any of the main character’s stories. They throw us a bone every now and then (Morgan’s Ellie and Reid’s headaches and Garcia’s struggle with the job and Prentiss’s past) but where is the development, the background, the cathartic scenes these lovely actors do so well? When I think of Thomas Gibson in episode 5.09...! This season is seriously lacking.

Then, behold, the final blow that wrenched my heart: Ashley Seaver. I feel like crying.

The actress is beautiful, nice and competent so far (sort of aiming at replacing JJ, though, isn’t she? With the way she looks and all. . .), but where the hell does her character fit?

Ashley has no experience whatsoever, despite her rather dramatic background, which leads me to the conclusion that the whole plot is to get a pretty face to replace JJ and get Reid laid. Which I do not appreciate, because this show used to have standards and now they’re trying to convince the audience (an intelligent audience, I might add, if they enjoy this type of production) that this is believable.

They called her for her unique insight? She was profiling in her second episode! Not even Reid did that!! And the big boys – Hotch, Morgan and Rossi – actually listened? Please . . .

Plus, what kind of writers present a character’s whole back story in a single episode and get her involved in the main plot, before we even got to care for her? Which, admittedly, I totally could, IF SHE WAS BELIEVABLE. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but, “Hello, Mary Sue.”

I hope – I really do, with all my CM-loving heart – that they back on the horse before the mess it all up (and that they kick Ashley Seaver back into the Academy, where she should have stayed).

Now, what do you think? Am I being unreasonable, picky, bitch-y? I really do welcome any kind of opinions, because this cannot seriously be as bad as it looks . . . Anyway, that’s my two cents. I’m really disappointed with this season.

Comments

[x-forgetromeo.livejournal.com]

I'm gonna get hailed on from above for this, but whatever. This isn't aimed directly at you, OP, but at the common opinions on Seaver throughout the fandom.

1) People who go to those ~super secret cast chats~ have said that EAB was planning on bringing on Seaver as far back as season five. Before AJ or Paget were fired. SHE IS NOT A REPLACEMENT. SHE WAS ALREADY IN THE WORKS BEFORE ANY OF THIS WENT DOWN.

2) Saying that "she's replacing JJ, with how she looks and all" or calling Seaver "Not!JJ" or "Replacement!JJ" is not only crappy for Seaver's character, it's crappy for JJ as well. When people do that, they're diminishing JJ to the role of The Blonde-Haired Blue-Eyed Girl, and she was so much more than that. Their personalities are vastly different, and comparing the two is just...not cool.

3) The writers, the showrunners, the make-up artists, and the actors themselves have all said that there will be no Reid/Seaver romance. Would anyone like a notarized document saying so? Would that make it official for everyone?
+ 3.5) She shouldn't be judged based on her relationship to Reid.

4) She cannot catch a break. If she's nice to Reid, everyone freaks out and wants her to get her hands off their man. If she's not Miss Sunshine to him, everyone freaks out because OMG THAT BITCH HURT MY BOY'S FEELINGS. If she says something n00b-ish, everyone's like UGH DO YOU NOT KNOW ANYTHING. If she's seen studying aka trying to better herself for the job, everyone's like OMG WTF WHY ARE YOU EVEN. It's ridiculous.

5) It was necessary to get her backstory in her first episode. The fact that her dad was a serial killer is the reason she was needed for the case. And I'm pretty sure that there is a lot more to her than her serial killer daddy.

srs bsns, ~it's just a TV show~, idgaf. It sucks that people are so hateful of this character. She's around for good, everyone.

[evil-authoress.livejournal.com]

I'm just stopping by to say that I agree with you on all points, and also that you've posted my new favorite gif.

[calendae.livejournal.com]

Dude. Totally. I'm not totally on board with Seaver yet, because they haven't done much with her, but I'm willing to give her a chance and I actually think she'll be really interesting once they are finished with the exit storylines and can actually capitalize on what I feel is potential.

[cupcakery.livejournal.com]

FLAWLESS.

[kosaginolegion.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Pretty much this. I think most of the problems I see with Seaver is based on the writing, which honestly has not been as good as it used to be. But a lot of the reaction I see to her seems to be of the sort where she simply can't cut a break no matter what.

[x-forgetromeo.livejournal.com]

Other than that, yes, season six has been shit. It's been getting better lately, though. "Remembrance of Things Past" through "Reflections of Desire" are some of the worst episodes of the series. ROD was the first time I didn't fight my roommate on mocking the show while I watched because it was so ridiculous.

[danikos-realms.livejournal.com]

Oh, sorry. See reply above. I guess we agree on one point, then.

[tragicllyhip.livejournal.com]

I'm actually enjoying this season lately and I absolutely loved the last ep Vahalla. ratings don't seem to be changing, so hopefully I'm not alone. Cast changes aside, which suck, i'm still enjoying the rest of it

[danikos-realms.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm not going to stop watching just yet, just because the last few episodes weren't to my liking. Still, I haven't enjoyed it and hope it gets better. ;)

[sydninicole.livejournal.com]

the show started going down hill long before season six even started. i don't know, this show used to scare me and the crimes/criminals/cast all seem so underwhelming now. every now and then there is a really amazing episode, but not often. i still watch every week because i have been watching for years and i love the characters but really...it's just blah.

[danikos-realms.livejournal.com]

That's sort of what I feel about this season. Meh...

[murf1307.livejournal.com]

I think -- maybe because I'm new to the show (mainlined the series in December and January so I'm at least caught up) -- that the season's okay. The only episode that made me facepalm was "The Thirteenth Step," and a couple of my favorites are present here ("Reflection of Desire" and "Coda"). I kinda like the Prentiss arc -- and Gubler directed the next episode, Prentiss's last, so, if Prentiss shuffles off the mortal coil, she's at least in good hands next week.

As for Seaver, well, I started off thinking the same thing you do, but she's starting to win me over. She's learning, and, while I'm not pleased they felt the need to bring in a pretty blonde girl who's essentially an intern, she's doing okay. She gets enough Captain Obvious moments to balance out the shiny and the angsty background -- plus, for the daughter of a serial killer, she seems remarkably well adjusted.

Also, I don't see the Reid/Seaver at all. He probably thinks she's pretty (she is), but I'm seeing nothing on her end, given their interactions are essentially:

Reid: *says something nerdybrilliant*
Seaver: *looks confused*

So, really, I'm not too worried.

[x-forgetromeo.livejournal.com]

I'm lol'ing so hard at

Reid: *says something nerdybrilliant*
Seaver: *looks confused*

Because it's so true.

[diemme.livejournal.com]

I think this is the weakest season to date. The promos are tantalizing and gripping but the episodes just haven't been hitting the mark. One or two episodes have been pure garbage and many elements of this secret nemesis storyline are clichéd.

My beef with Seaver is the character is so unbelievably dull. In the beginning I wondered if the writers were going for a sort of "Wonder Twins" relationship with her and Reid. That would have been preferable than this wistful washout vibe. She's here and staying so make her interesting.

I agree that the writing has been off for most of the team this season. Morgan seems almost obnoxiously authoritative and big brotherly this season to the point that I was glad Prentiss told him to back off. Garcia has been a bit too much at times while Hotch has under reacted.

[danikos-realms.livejournal.com]

*nods* I basically agree with you...

[poisonarrows.livejournal.com]

This isn't aimed at the OP, but I feel like CM fans are incredibly picky in general. Nothing's ever good enough, and no one's ever satisfied. We all have individual tastes, and the writers can't cater to everyone all the time. And I mean, I've enjoyed this season for the most part. I haven't liked the wonky personal storylines (and I do think Seaver's integration into the team was a bit too smooth and they missed the potential for a really interesting subplot with her, but maybe that's still coming), but the super creepy and dark main plotlines? Totally enjoying.

[the-gubette.livejournal.com]

My issue with this season is...

Reflections of Desire - pure rip-off of Psycho (albeit fairly well-done)
Thirteenth step - pure rip-off of Natural Born Killers (horribly done)
Sense Memory - pure rip-off of Perfume: Story of a Murderer (I hated the movie, but I'd rather watch it again than this episode)

With so many recycled ideas in Hollywood already, I have always looked to CM for original plotlines. Even basing stories on actual serial killers would be better than this poorly written copies. It's not like we've run out of serial killers to base stories on.

Seaver is a waste of space. She's nice, and pretty, and I love Rachel Nichols, but she has absolutely no purpose on the team. I would have liked it better if she actually had replaced JJ, because at least then she'd have a purpose other than to stand around and look confused. It's wasting Nichols's talent.

[goddessdster.livejournal.com]

In complete agreement with you here. I don't have an opinion about Nichols, except that others were excited she was joining the show and I though, "well, okay..." and then...WAT? WAT? I had heard they were introducing a new character because new characters bring conflict (such as they did with Pretiss and Rossi), except, um, where is the conflict?

And I have to say "Don't blame the character if the writing is bad," is a poor rationale. If the writing is bad, the character is bad.

I do disagree about Reflections of Desire. It was a rip-off. It was also a-may-zing. I wish Sense memory had been nothing but 45 minutes of Prentiss stalking around her apartment with Sergio and talking to Reid on the phone. that was way more riveting than whatever was going on with the unsub.

[sugakane-01.livejournal.com]

My two cents (or half cent or whatever its worth :D)

Seaver, for me (and a lot of fans) is a giant, flashing neon sign that represents everything that's going downhill with the show. She's a symptom, not the problem, but unfortunately she's a symptom that was pretty much forced on the audience at the worst possible time in the worst possible way. Forcing a character on an unwilling audience is unfair to the actress, the character and the audience. Forcing a poorly written character on the audience is just seven different types of unfair.

Seaver has no business in the BAU period. From the very first show they've told us the BAU is supposed to be an ELITE group of FBI agents and they only take the best of the best. When Prentiss showed up in his office Hotch's EXACT words to her were "Profiling is a specialty, we can't just let anyone who wants to give it a whirl." And Emily was a FULLY qualified agent with experience AND the proper paperwork and he STILL didn't want to let her on the team. But Seaver, whose only claim to fame is her time on the obstacle course and her childhood trauma gets accepted easy as pie? Sorry but that flies in the face of the show's history and the character's history. Look at how little trust he put in Jordan Todd and she was an accomplished agent. Hotch wouldn't want Seaver near his team, period, end of story. ESPECIALLY after how she screwed up in her first outing with the team. Exceptions are being made for her and they aren't showing WHY exceptions are being made for her.

Then there's the fact that she brings NOTHING to the table. Everyone on the team has a specialty. Rossi's is interrogation and negotiotion, Hotch has SWAT and tactile experience, Morgan's is bombs and obsessional crimes, Emily's is interrogation, Penny is the tech genius, Reid is their "expert on everything" but more specifically he rocks the geographical profile like nobody's business, Seaver...is just there. She serves no purpose at this point and that's the problem. We knew who everyone was and what they did from the word go(even JJ outlined her purpose when she introduced herself to Elle...heck we knew Elle's area of expertise was sex crimes five minutes after we met her!) And yeah, there HAS been enough time because we knew what Rossi and Prentiss were experts in by their second episode! It just feels like the writers don't know what direction to take Seaver in (she CAN'T replace JJ because she can't fill that emotional role for the team but she can't be what would be her "natural" role as the one they protect and are protective of because Reid's got that spot on lock, she's got no point and no place as of yet) and as a result I don't know how I'm supposed to see her and quite frankly, haven't been given a reason to invest in or be interested in her. Sorry if I offended any Seaver fans but that's how I feel.


Seaver is a symptom of a much bigger problem. Criminal Minds has gotten away from what made it awesome in the first place. Outside of The Reaper arc there has been very few shining moments recently. Core relationships between the characters have put on the backburner in favor of the UnSub of the Week type storytelling. There's almost no real bonding moments anymore (when was the last really good Reid/Hotch moment or Prentiss/Rossi?) yet they keep telling us how much of a "family" they are. If you came late to the CM party you'd never be able to tell. And the UnSubs themselves used to be more interesting...there hasn't been a truly interesting UnSub in FOREVER. Foyet is about the best they've had recently. It's like they're going for a gimmick of the week format one week its the "Natural Born Killers" couple, one week its Annie Wilkes from Misery...uh I mean a "motivational" speaker. Its eyeroll worthy.

I love CM, but the train has been sliding off the track for awhile now. Most of the problems are rooted in the writing and the direction they are choosing to take the show in (cheap, gimmick plots over character driven stories). Watch a couple of reruns then watch the newer episodes and its almost like watching two completely different shows. :(

[thecowboycliche.livejournal.com]

FWIW, I do agree with everything you've said about Seaver here. It makes perfect sense to me. I think what I like about her is actually the actress, who seems really awesome, so it's helped the character to grow on me. But you're not wrong at all. She IS just there, I agree. She could have been written into the show a hundred times better. I don't see why she couldn't have been a full fledged agent when she entered at least.

Also, fantastic point about Prentiss. It's probably due to the fact that most of the writers now are new and it seems like they haven't watched any of the older episodes, so they have no clue.

[goddessdster.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I have to agree with you in your disappointment with this season. The storylines have been shoddy, the unsubs far less interesting as a whole, and several episodes have been downright forgettable.

I also don't like Seaver. Not because she's "not JJ," because nobody could be JJ, but because her character is personifying one of the main weaknesses of this season: the poor character writing. If you introduce a new character, you want her to actually have chemistry with the other characters. You want her to have something that sets her apart (aside from her backstory) and makes the viewer notice her and root for her. Mostly it seems as if people are rooting for her because they want to root for her and not because of anything she has actually done as a character. Good for them, if that's how they roll. I have no problem with requiring more from my television entertainment. You want me to root for Seaver? Make her a character worth rooting for.

In short, saying "It's not the character's fault the writing is bad," makes no sense. The character is the result of the writing. The writing is the character. If one is below par, the other follows suit.

Anyway. I think the great thing about fandom is that we all have these wildly varying opinions based on our distinct personalities. I don't think having an opinion and wanting a TV show you love to be as good as it used to be is asking too much, and it certainly doesn't make you unreasonable, picky, or bitchy.

[a_blackpanther]

Unfortunately, I think it probably has to do with the fact that most of the original team of writers is gone and that this seasons seems to have been written by one-off writers. I assume this is cheaper for the network, but it's really bad for the show.

However, I really really loved the last ep, it felt like old CM for me.

[sharingcoldfeet.livejournal.com]

Seaver's dancing on a thin line... that's about to break.

I kind of want to hate her on principal, just 'cause it really does seem like she's a replacement for JJ. It's cool if she's not... but it really seems like she is. Bad choice, whoeverthefuck is in charge.

And, while I enjoy the... attempt to make her background "interesting" and I do like how they have her father as a serial killer, at times it feels a bit forced, like "wtf, Mary-Sue. w.t.f."

And Reid already slept with JJ... so he better not sleep with Seaver too. ;) I mean, did you SEE how he reacted to JJ leaving? "They can't take us away from us." <333333333

[evil-authoress.livejournal.com]

And Reid already slept with JJ...

I didn't know that "Redskins tickets" were code for "having sex." Man, they snuck that one right past me.

[yaba324.livejournal.com]

I'm new to the show but even I have noticed that the quality of the writing has diminished slightly since S4 (excluding some episodes in S5 and S6 such as "100", S5 finale, and some recent S6 episodes). I think sugarkane_01 definitely summed up the problem with Seaver nicely. She is a "symptom" of a much bigger problem, if there is one and the_gubette is right when she mentioned that Seaver is a waste of Nichols' talent thus far. I've seen her in several things, including the last season of Alias, which she made infinitely better.

I wish they would have either waited to introduce her after this Prentiss story arc concluded OR introduced her for those three episodes and then brought her back when the Prentiss story arc was resolved a.k.a after next episode. It's unfortunate but I do feel like her introduction was really rushed and as someone mentioned previously "forced" onto an audience that was already as I understand really pissed off at the cast changes that occurred in the beginning of S6 and are still apparently going on. It just wasn't planned well and I feel like they could have prevented something this ridiculous by just having her guest star for those three eps and then bringing her on full time sometime later in the season when she could be properly introduced, even if it would mean the show would go on summer hiatus shortly after. At least that way, I think the audience would be able to distinguish better between poor writing/planning and poor acting, (the latter of which for me isn't the real issue, because I *do* think it's lack of good material for her...but that's just me).

Finally, I am the select few who saw a tiny bit of potential for some Reid/Seaver romance or at the very least friendship, especially in her first appearance, but since then, the idea has dwindled for me and as a Reid-fan *cough*obsesser*cough* I really just want him to find someone who he can spend time with outside the team. I *really* want him to find a nice girl, even if apparently the writers have done everything they can to ensure the audience that it will not be Seaver. I'm basing this off the ridiculously mean comment she made in the beginning of "Coda" (I think) when Reid was discussing Dr. Who and Bill and Ted's Big Adventure...that really turned me off. I totally saw this as an attempt from the writers to integrate her character by having her be "annoyed" with Reid like the other team members seem to be occasionally but it failed...I felt like she hasn't yet earned the right to be irked by him :P. I personally like his little rants but that's just me.

Anyway, I am relatively new to this fandom, I did a crash course in CM over the winter break and have since been watching reruns on ION and A&E so I'm a bit passionate about discussing it. Hope you guys don't mind my rambling. It's nice to see so many opinions floating around :D.

[thecowboycliche.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on Reid and romance, although I think I'm dreaming about a real romance actually forming. That's what fic is for (or RP in my case lol).

I totally saw this as an attempt from the writers to integrate her character by having her be "annoyed" with Reid like the other team members seem to be occasionally but it failed...I felt like she hasn't yet earned the right to be irked by him

LOL yes. That whole scene threw me off because she had been so close to him in previous episodes, especially in her first appearance. I'm wondering if the writers heard backlash from fans about NO ROMANCE OMG and decided to go in a different direction. Idk if they even listen to fans. Pretty sure they don't. Anyway! According to Ed Bernero, Reid and Seaver are supposed to become "pals" but no romance. Of course, he also said that Rachel would not be joining the cast full time and look how that turned out. He has his full of shit moments. I'm still in support of Reid/Seaver, despite that hiccup in the last ep. We'll see where they go from here I guess.

[poeticpathetic.livejournal.com]

I don't think the fans are giving the writers time to develop this Seaver character to their liking, and when it comes down to it, no matter what the writers do with Seaver, no one will like her because they're all so fucking butthurt about JJ leaving. She's in a lose-lose situation here. I basically agree with the first commenter way up top there.

[e-rousset.livejournal.com]

I wanted to put in my two cents.

First, I don’t hate Seaver (at all) but I don’t think her character, the way she was introduced to the team, makes sense.

I wasn’t a JJ fan, I think she was a great character but I wasn’t a fan.
I’m pointing that out to precise that my problems with Seaver are not related to JJ (or even Prentiss) leaving, and I hope I didn't offend the JJ fans.
It would be too easy to think that everyone who dislikes Seaver is ‘just’ missing JJ/Prentiss.

Is this character a replacement for JJ ? For Prentiss ? For both women ? For no one ?
Truthfully that’s beside the point, at least for me.
Yes, it’s sad to see those two women go (I wish we hadn’t lost them, it’s a real pity). But I was fully expecting to see a new woman on the show as soon as I learned about AJ and Paget in June 2010.
I was open minded if a bit apprehensive (and I already felt bad for the actress who would take the role, no matter who the actress was going to be).

What matters when I see Seaver is not who she is or is not replacing. What matters when I see Seaver is Seaver herself.

Regarding the issues some of you mentioned :
- I don’t have a single problem with Seaver playing ‘captain obvious’. She’s a trainee so it doesn’t bother me. For me it's realistic.
- I also don’t have a problem with what she said to Reid in ‘Coda’ and I’m saying that as a big Reid fan.
Actually it relieved me because I don’t want to see romance on this show and I was afraid (at first) that they might be going down that road.
Glad to see this doesn’t seem to be the case.
I just took her comment as her not being used to Reid, it didn’t bother me and it didn’t make me dislike Seaver.

My problem lies with how this character was introduced.
I’m not saying that this show is always realistic, but in their own canon the BAU has always been an elite team. Very few people could ever hope to have a shot at getting a place there.
This has been pointed out many times before by the fans, so I won’t go back to that in details, no need.

What I’m really afraid of is Seaver playing the part of the profiler way too quickly.
I don’t mind when she’s in the background asking questions, and I preferred her in ‘Coda’ because she was acting like a trainee (she asked questions and she we saw her studying).
As long as the writers make her act like a trainee, or a novice, I won’t mind too much. Just let her ask questions (about the Unit, about some serial killers, about specific MO…), let her take notes and let her study.

But when I see her participating in the profiles (even if it’s not much), I have a real problem. She shouldn’t be able to participate in those kinds of activities.
And I’m afraid the writers are going to give her a more important role, and the role of a profiler, very quickly.

So, all in all, I’m not a hater (and it’s sad to see that everyone who has a problem with Seaver is labeled as such).
Seaver’s character is not a “bad character”, she’s likable, but I really wished she hadn’t joined the team. For me it doesn’t make sense.
I hoped the writers would have introduced an older, more experienced woman on the team. I would have appreciated that much more.

So, I’m just going to hope the writers won’t show us ‘profiler Seaver’ anytime soon. Let her stick to her current role (and not the one of a profiler) and I’ll deal with it.
Not interesting some fans might say, but I still prefer that and I’m certainly not the one who rooted for a cadet/junior agent to join the team.

I also hope the writers won’t write romance for the main characters, even if it's with another, new, character who is not a team member.
This show is not about romance, there’s simply no time to deal with that in a realistic way.
I don’t want the writers to try (once again) to introduce a new character who is supposed to play the part of a potential love interest, even if it’s temporary.
Leave romance aside for the main characters please, it’s best left to our imagination (and to fanfiction).

[danikos-realms.livejournal.com]

What matters when I see Seaver is not who she is or is not replacing. What matters when I see Seaver is Seaver herself. Yes, exactly. I can't help but to feel that she's not living up to her potential in a series of this quality.

And I’m afraid the writers are going to give her a more important role, and the role of a profiler, very quickly. And when is that believable? That's an issue I'm afraid will wreck the general good planning and realism of this show.

So, I’m just going to hope the writers won’t show us ‘profiler Seaver’ anytime soon. They already have. It's offensive to anyone who watches and towards the older characters (NOT actors, characters) too.

This show is not about romance, there’s simply no time to deal with that in a realistic way. Agreed, once again.

[ginevra17.livejournal.com]

OMG, I think I love you!!!! *___*

I just finished catching up with season 6 and I think exactly the same things as you!
1) The spin-off. Seriously? SERIOUSLY?! The CBS say they don't have money enough to make all the characters stay in the show - so they decide to kick away JJ and Emily - and then they start a spin-off?! EPIC FAIL.
2) Agent Seaver. I don't have anything against her - the character is interesting enough and the actress is really good and I really REALLY like her - but she does look like a "JJ's replacement", right? I mean, phisically they kind of look alike! I'm sure she's not JJ's replacement, but sure it does look like it, especially because of the way they introduced the character in the show.
3) The psychos. You're totally right. You know, when I first started watching the show the thing I loved the most was their job; I mean, we didn't see the killers right from the beginning, we got to "discover" them toghether with the team, through their profiling work. Now we always see the killer from the beginning and this takes some action away from the episodes, in my opinion.

That said, I'm still watching the show because I love the characters (the ones still in it)... And mostly because I adore Reid XD

[hotch-fan.livejournal.com]

I'm a little late, but here are my thoughts.

I agree that this season has not been as good as the others. I think the producers and writers are forgetting what this show is about, what makes it different from other crime shows. Profiles. I think they've been focus more and more in the ugly details and gruesome crime scenes photos rather than profiles. Why the Unsub does what he does and according to that how to stop him. Of course there have been profiles, but not like in the first seasons.

About Seaver, I don't hate her I think it's too soon, but I have problems with the incredibly and dumb way she came intro the team and the way the writers are handling the character, as many have mentioned, but I'm still pretty open minded toward her.
It also bothers me how they are trying to force her into the team. The way she talked to Reid (Clarified, was not a big deal for me, but I still think she shouldn't have said that), Prentiss training her or whatever and Rossi playing video games with her in his office (That is a little weird to me, being the same Rossi who didn't know what was a PDA in the third season, Lol! I know this is dumb) But it's as if the writers were screaming "Hey, look at how good and fast she fits on the team, she belongs here!" That in my opinion, makes her more harm than good, because what, isn't she entering the same team Rossi and Prentiss enter? Because sure as hell don't seem like she is.

In conclusion, I hope the writer start to write the whole thing (Seaver's character included) better and more credible.

-Sorry if there is any misspelling, english is not my first language.-

[freddie-mac.livejournal.com]

Haven't seen S6 yet, but after reading the comments here (and elsewhere), I've got a few questions:
Is this the last season for CM, or can it be resurrected?
Will the spin-off revitalize or cannibalize CM?

I'm also struck by the number of shows in S6/7 that seem to be struggling: CM, House, Bones ... I'm hopeful that CM (House, and Bones) will be re-energized and use S7 to remind us why this show was so captivating, but realistically I think we may have entered the downward spiral.

My two cents part one

[westmoon.livejournal.com]

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.

Re: My two cents part one

[dragonladyk.livejournal.com]

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.

Actually, that's exactly what they said in, like, episode one or two. It was sometime in first season, but yeah, Gideon completely got the exceptions made for Reid. And they stated that exceptions were made for Reid due to his other talents again in Seaver's first episode.

DragonLady

My two cents - part two

[westmoon.livejournal.com]

And that's what bugs me. If they'd handled her inclusion properly I don't think there would be nearly as much angst and handwringing as we've seen. And if this really had been planned all along (according to the official story) and they had all this time to think about how to introduce her, they really had no excuse. Because they were able to deal with Mandy and Lola's absences just fine. But geez, giving her this weak intro, announcing the character's full time status the very same day as A.J.'s last episode and contradicting themselves all over the place as to the reasons for cast changes and long term plans is like waving a red flag in front of a bull for a lot of fans.

I don't dislike her as a character. I love Rachel Nichols. But for gods sake, in a season that's weak already, suffering from poor writing and off the wall characterization, on top of dealing with fan disappointment over two characters being removed from the team because of studio decisions, they haven't even been able to give us a plausible reason as to why she's there - and they've written themselves into a corner and I don't see how they can get out of it. I'd love to see them make Seaver work, as she's clearly here to stay. I just don't see the current crop of writers being able to fix this any time soon.

At this stage I just want to see them woo back the old guard - Andrew Wilder especially - and give us decent writing again.

Re: My two cents - part two

[x-forgetromeo.livejournal.com]

Oh god if Andrew Wilder and Chris Mundy came back I would legit weep with joy.

[blue-sunflowers.livejournal.com]

ITA with everything you said about Seaver, though I think everything else has been fairly decent. She just sucks the fun out of every scene she's in though, making things appear worse than they are. Seaver's like the squashed bug on the windshield of CM. The windshield's fine, but you can't stop getting annoyed at the bug guts you can't look around.

Here's hoping CM will wash her off soon.