I don't think this bodes well for Sean

[a_blackpanther]

This is the discussion post for Episode 8x23 and 8xx24 - "Brothers Hotchner" and "the Replicator". Watch out for SPOILERS in the comments.

Comments

[techbychance.livejournal.com]

This might not have been the most spectacular finale we’ve ever seen but I enjoyed it because they tied up ends nicely, actually bothered with continuity, had nice emotional scenes and the family theme written all over it. I love that they didn’t leave us with a cliffhanger.

I’m not sure whether I like the pillow talk between Hotch and Beth - on the one hand it was funny and it’s always a treat to see a happy and relaxed Hotch but on the other hand it kind of felt out of place to me. Also, Jack’s starting to ping me like a future psychopath, I sure hope he doesn’t grow up to be one of the BAU’s future “clients”.

The amount of tension between the Hotchner brothers surprised me but I have to admit I enjoyed their quibbling and I like how they referenced back to Sean‘s absence from Haley‘s funeral. Not sure if I’m happy with yet another ex-addict in the extended family (Reid, Strauss, now Sean) - they could have come up with something different but at least it fit in with the storyline. Same goes for yet another death of a spouse (Haley, Rossi’s ex-wife, Maeve, now Strauss) but it was done well imho - sad and touching with a side of Rossi-angst, but not overly dramatic.

On a side note I think Brothers Hotchner should be renamed into the episode with the ugly wallpapers. If that’s a new interior trend I’m really glad that I’ve missed it so far.

Rossi’s line that he liked JJ better when she wasn’t a profiler was funny because it played with an opinion voiced by so many fans about JJ. I liked this little in-joke much better than the side blow to Prentiss being in the right place - far away from Washington, though I do appreciate the reference. Another cookie was one that I always enjoy - Agent Anderson, and even with a few lines of dialog.

The Replicator case was interesting, especially that they made him an insider from the FBI with a long history. That made sense and explained a lot. Also, he was kind of the anti-Reid, a genius gone unsub. There were several parallels between the Replicator and Reid and I don’t think they are coincidence but rather intentional.

I especially enjoyed the manipulation of the helicopter and dazed Hotch and Reid. Also, Blake in chains? Mmmhhhh. Too bad we don’t have a CM kink meme anymore… Drugged Rossi seemed a bit strange to me but at least they didn’t forget the glass with Morgan’s prints the Replicator had taken and I liked the scene where the paramedics took away a sedated Dave.

Another highlight was the Hotchalance the senator received and while I’m not the biggest fan of Kevin, I enjoy him and Garcia teaming up their computer magic. I just wish that Garcia would learn to get more to the point and focus on the essential facts, especially in high stress situations. The scene with her via cam and JJ and Blake was funny, though.

Something else I liked was how the funeral was done, that they showed just how people dissolved afterwards but spared us the usual part with honors, speeches, the flag, salutes and everything but went straight to the private funeral feast at Rossi’s place. I liked his toast to family and I think they should make it a tradition to end each season with a little celebration at Rossi’s place, this worked very well for me the last two times.

[hotaruofkonoha.livejournal.com]

I think Jack's problem is, well, that kid isn't the best child actor. I've noticed this recently in the episodes he's been in.