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

[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.

[murf1307.livejournal.com]

Like, when they're talking about Doctor Who on the jet -- I lol'd but was kind of annoyed by her "I shouldn't have asked," until I realized "Oh yeah, normal people are supposed to be weirded out and intimidated by Reid's nerdy awesomsauce."

[autumn-mourning.livejournal.com]

I get the same reactions when I try to talk to people about Doctor Who. I'm thinkin' that might be not just a Reid thing. Haha.

[danikos-realms.livejournal.com]

As for Seaver, well, I started off thinking the same thing you do, but she's starting to win me over.

Yeah, okay, maybe I jumped to conclusions. I'm not going to stop watching anyway, so maybe things will start making more sense and it'll all fall into a nice pattern. ;)

[ficdirectory.livejournal.com]

My favorites of season 6 are definitely:

The Longest Night
Coda
Reflections of Desire
Into The Woods.

Not wholly impressed with this season, but there have been some good episodes. Yay for that!

[murf1307.livejournal.com]

Into the Woods scared the crap out of me. That poor little boy...and then that bastard gets away!

[thecowboycliche.livejournal.com]

Coda and Reflections of Desire are my two favorites this season. Not a huge fan of the any of the rest of them. Corazon had a lot of Reid in it but he was also in pain the whole dang time. :/

[sharingcoldfeet.livejournal.com]

Coda was amazing. I adored it. But I couldn't figure out if I wanted to be mad a Seaver for her comment to Reid or high-five her.