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Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 1

It Takes a Village

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AIRED: Sep 21, 2011

8.8

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EPISODE REVIEWS
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Episode Summary

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In the seventh season premiere, the members of the BAU are questioned by a Senate Committee for their retaliatory actions after the assumed death and disappearance of Emily Prentiss, but a familiar face could help them win their case and keep the team together.

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (14)

Prentiss - back from the 'dead'!! Great start of the new season!

9.0

By Tasja82, Mar 06, 2013

Ok, although is was a great episode and a great way to start of the season. I'm having doubts about Morgan. The first few seasons I really liked him, but he is so damn arrogant! He thinks he's knows everything best and I don't like it! And how JJ 'tries' to be a profiler?!?! Come on, really!? Go back to the beginning when it was right!!! That said .. great having Prentiss back, even this is her last season!!moreless
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Fantastic episode but some worries...

8.0

By KathleenKile, Dec 30, 2011

This was a great beginning to season 7 what with JJ and Emily both being back full time but it worries me that Reid didn't request to be reinstated with the team. What's with that? Also, I felt like it was kind of fast, what with getting rid of Doyle and accomplices with a shootout so the only surviving is Declan. Other that those things, awesome start to what I hope is an amazing season and I really hope Spencer Reid comes back in Season 8 or CBS will be losing a lot of viewers (me included...)moreless
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wonderful beginning (possible spoiler alert)

10

By KassiSmith1, Nov 27, 2011

this is one of the best episodes I have seen. When I thought Emily Prentiss had died i didnt know if i would continue watching it was bad enough jj left but then prentiss i dont like when they bring in new agents its never the same with someone new who has no idea how close the team is to a family for one another. but when emily walked in my jaw dropped. such an amazing start for a new season. the team is back.moreless
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Back from the Abyss

9.5

By pretty_sure, Nov 27, 2011

Now, this was how you Start a season. When it comes to crime shows I normally don't do season premieres, because I just want them to get beck to normal cases, and crime fighting, but this is a premiere I'm glad I didn't miss!

It had twists and turns, and I would have been completely shocked that Emily was back, if it had not been ruined by tvguide and the cbs promo's for the premiere, but I digress.

The writing was amazing, as always. The actor was great, at it's best in a while for sure! And it had an ending I didn't see coming, but that worked out for Emily to stay on.

Lastly, I'm glad to see the cast back the way it's meant to be, JJ and Emily should have never left, and here's hoping they never do again!moreless
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What a fantastic start!!

9.5

By akram112, Nov 19, 2011

Man this was one of the best premieres of this show. Partly because of what everyone wanted and waited: the unification of all cast members. Excellent acting. Well directed. My favorite character Reid has a new kick-ass side that just upped the coolness factor. No one messes with the resident super-genius. Morgan's moments with Emily were pretty good. JJ seemed back to her old cheerful self.. Penelope was lovable as always, Rossi doesnt get enough content and Hotch looks malnourished. Overall, eagerly awaiting this season!! Good work!!moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Thomas Gibson	Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner
Joe Mantegna	Senior SSA David Rossi
Matthew Gray Gubler	SSA Dr. Spencer Reid
Shemar Moore	SSA Derek Morgan
Paget Brewster	SSA Emily Prentiss
A.J. Cook	SSA Jennifer "JJ" Jareau

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

EDIT

Mark Moses	Cramer	Guest Star
Ursula Brooks	Chloe Donaghy	Guest Star
Robin Atkin Downes	Lachlan McDermott	Guest Star
Jayne Atkinson	Section Chief Erin Strauss	Recurring Role
Timothy V. Murphy	Ian Doyle	Recurring Role

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Episode Photos

FBI Section Chief Director Erin Strauss...

© 2011 CBS Corporation
Prentiss (Paget Brewster) and Hotchner ...

© 2011 CBS Corporation
Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness), JJ (A.J. Coo...

© 2011 CBS Corporation
Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) and Reid (Mat...

© 2011 CBS Corporation

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (2)
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- When JJ and Morgan are staking out Doyle, Reid calls JJ's cell phone. The back light on her iPhone is actually locked rather than shown as an active call screen.
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- During the closed-door Senate hearing, Senator Cramer says to SSA David Rossi, "..., but I'm not the one on trial, Agent."
  
  An U.S. Senate hearing is not a trial, as it is a hearing. A better phrasing might have been, "I'm not the one under investigation (or review)."
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QUOTES (6)
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- Cramer: Do you realize what you've done?
  JJ: Yes, we put an international criminal with terrorist connections in federal custody.
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- Rossi: Well, that's a good look. Seen Jack yet?
  Hotchner: No.
  Rossi: Well, he'll love that beard.
  Hotchner: Yeah, we Skyped every day. Not a fan.
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- Prentiss: The only people I know who could accomplish that mission just walked out. They do their jobs with integrity and most importantly they honor their oath; I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
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- Prentiss: I haven't seen Ashley.
  JJ: Uh, well, she transferred to Andi Swann's unit.
  Prentiss: Good for her!
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- Reid: A young boy's live was at stake. I ran the probability of his survival and it wasn't good. If you want to punish me for taking a risk, then I encourage you do do that, but do not put the rest of my team on trial for something that I suggested.
  Cramer: Calm down, Agent.
  Reid: This is calm...and it's Doctor!
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- JJ: Queen Elizabeth 1 said, "The past cannot be cured."
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NOTES (2)
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- The title of this episode is a possible reference to the book entitled It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us that was written by Hillary Rodham Clinton in 1996.
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- Beginning with this episode, Ed Bernero was credited as Consultant rather than Executive Producer for the series.
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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- ADD ALLUSIONS from this episode.