And you thought the last episode was scary and graphic?

[a_blackpanther]

This is the discussion post for episode 5x05 "Cradle to Grave".  Watch out for SPOILERS in the comments.

Comments

[jujuberry136.livejournal.com]

That makes sense, but isn't it supposed to be a temporary thing? I mean, if you're going to demote then later (theoretically) then why promote someone who wants to advance?

And also, doesn't Rossi have seniority? I know Morgan has seniority on the team, but Rossi's worked for the Bureau longer (even with the temporary retirement).

[grey-bard.livejournal.com]

No, but even if it is temporary, it's a good opportunity. The fact that he *can* lead a team, and has successfully led such a prestigious one would help him in the future.

Plus, seniority does not automatically equal promotion. Obviously, senior people would get looked at first, and people might object to getting passed over, but you *can* promote a promising relatively senior person even if they aren't the most senior person.

[took-skye.livejournal.com]

As far as Rossi...I'm pretty sure Strauss would firebomb the BAU if Hotch even suggested that one, hahaha! He seems the only person Strauss disliked more than Hotch...you remember the nasty little scowl on her face when he came back and called her "Erin"?

Strauss wants people under her she feels she can easily control, someone she can keep under her thumb...Morgan, she likely feels, is someone who will play by the rules because he's bright, driven, and still could have promotions ahead of him...ones, unlike the New York office one, he might really want to take. Rossi doesn't believe in rules, not the political kind any way, nor are promotions even a factor for him and Hotch already bent some rules in the past and, when Strauss assured Hotch he'd never be promoted past the BAU, he replied with "Why would I want to leave the BAU?"

Morgan has seniority over the other team members and still, presumably, would be willing to "play ball" bureaucratically...he's the perfect puppet replacement all around - he will follow Hotch, stay loyal to Hotch, but appear a good choice to Strauss and other higher-ups.

[grey-bard.livejournal.com]

Yes. This. As far as Hotch is concerned, this could be as close as they get to a win/win/win situation.

[elliptic-eye.livejournal.com]

Okay, now, that makes sense. I'm still a bit thrown that the option didn't even come up in their discussion, but that reasoning makes the decision about a thousand percent more interesting to me.