observations

[ohshiznaps.livejournal.com]

I was watching some early-season re-runs on A&E last night, and the early episodes of the show make me smile. i'm glad to see the show progress to where it is now.

here are a few things i noticed that are different from now, feel free to add on/ discuss:

Hotch and Elle chemistry. 

Reid's combed back, shorter hair

Reid's short sleeved button up plaid shirts

Morgan with hair.

Hotch making jokes

"Spence" / oddly maternal JJ

green screen flash backs to unsub behavior while explaining

Comments

[brabbel.livejournal.com]

Totally agree with the Reid comments - his hairstyle (although I prefer his season 2-4 haircut rather than the overly geeky short hair of season 1), his clothes, his behaviour that comes across as far more self-assured nowadays (small wonder, I mean it's been 4 years, but I guess I never saw the transition)...

And Hotch joking: Boy, do I love his introduction of the team in "Extreme aggressor". He's much more relaxed, actually smiles on the job. But then again, it's a believable development, given all that's happened to him: his private life's in a shambles with the estrangement and separation from Haley, Gideon leaving the BAU put pressure on him, then of course the whole Foyet story... It's sad to see, but I guess I love his character all the more for it.

Gideon: I still miss him. Although he was never really a part of the team like Hotch or Rossi (at least now) are his contributions were unique.

What I miss most so is the focus on the psychological side - I loved the interrogations done by Gideon or Hotch. Nowadays they just let Morgan do his thing in intimidating the witnesses and/or suspects, but there are rarely cases where the interviews actually lead to suspects/victims any more. They're usually found via routine (i.e. otherwise often portrayed in TV) investigation and/or Garcia's doing her magic. But I'd love to see more episodes like "Lessons Learned" or "Riding the Lightening". Actually, come to think of it, I prefer the episodes where the perpetrator's known from the start and has to be convinced to give up his secrets so to speak...

Elle: I don't miss her. I'd like to know what happened to her afterwards, but Prentiss fits better into the team IMO. I never saw much chemistry between Elle and Hotch (neither between Prentiss and Hotch, TBH), but I liked their parting scene in "Boogeyman". I didn't mind her straight-forwardness - but she practically had no facial expression, it was like she wore a mask all the time. And that got a bit tiresome.