Criminal Minds

I was eagerly anticipating this episode, and it didn't disappoint. Another emotional and outstanding episode. It handled the aftermath very well.



After last week's episode, I'm sure many were afraid that there was a possibility that we could be losing Hotch. I'm just so glad, thrilled, and elated that he (The Magnificent Thomas Gibson) isn't leaving the show. Rejoice!



What I really loved, was the bonding in this episode. They all really came together and showed their support for Hotch. It just shows how much they care for him, and what he means to the the entire team. The comforting Rossi gave with his wise and encouraging words definitely helped ease the pain Hotch was feeling.



Hotch is such a integral part of the team. He has a strong presence, a natural leader, and is gifted at what he does. The team respects him very much, and the thought of losing him would've greatly affected them.



The home invasion case was a intriguing one, but not something we really haven't seen before.



This week, to me, was mostly about the team supportiveness/bonding, and Hotch.

Soapy Minds

This is the first season of Criminal Minds that has been feeble. It used to have interesting cases, a strong and well-used ensemble cast, a sense of urgency. This season has been pulled all out of shape by its focus on (arguably) the weakest character. Not one of the other characters has survived. They are there to support GIbson, who has dominated this season without any discernible impact. So I'm giving up. There's nothing here. Not even Mantegna, an actor I admire, can justify the amount of time this series is taking out of my week, or balance out the disappointment of watching something that used to be good struggling on in this depleted way. I sincerely hope that it gets better.

To be honest, I was never a big fan of the character of Hayley Hotchner. I found her annoying in a multitude of ways but Meredith Monroe did a superb job in Hayley's 'final moments' with Foyet in "100" (in fact, in the whole episode) and the funeral sequence here was very sad indeed. I loved the way Hotch spoke about his and Hayley's life together. The choice of pallbearers was interesting though. Where was Hotch's brother? Surely he would be there on such an occasion? And how well does Hotch actually know either Kevin or Will? Don't get me wrong, I really like these two characters but would you honestly choose people you barely knew to act in such a capacity?



As usual, the scenes involving Jack were touching. He has a heart melting effect whenever he appears on the screen and his watching of his birthday film was a 'tissue' moment.



I am constantly mistrustful of Erin Strauss. Arriving at Hotch's home complete with every offer under the sun he would need to take early retirement from the bureau just looked to me as though she was simply trying to engineer another way to get rid of him. Or perhaps I am being harsh? ... I don't think so though because she seemed both surprised and put out when he was not able to give her an immediate answer so I suspect she's being her usual manipulative self.



The team investigating a case without Hotch was pretty much secondary in this one as their leader tried to sort out his future. The case wasn't all that interesting anyway.



A good episode and well acted by Thomas Gibson and Jayne Atkinson. A bit lacklustre in the 'crime' department though. Writers, be careful.

This was really a touching episode as it showed an emotional side of Hotch. And that Hotch has always been like a two dimensional character. But has since this year, show a different side of him. As he is overcoming the death of his wife. And trying to raise his son Jack, as a single dad. But we know that Hotch will come back to the BAU as that is who is he. And Morgan knows that Hotch is better being the lead agent, than Morgan is. Hotch's second family if you can call it that, is the BAU. Rossi I think has changed and become more of a team player. And a human over it. Welcome back Hotch, your BAU family needs you!

The BAU team is called away to Nashville to solve an escalating series of homicides involving upscale brunettes. Periodically, the storyline flashes to Hotch dealing with Jack and their loss of Haley. In one scene, Section Chief Strauss appears at Hotch's door with an offer of retirement and full pension. She bluntly states that she thought he should decide then and there, but she was wrong. Hotch wanted time to "consider all his options."



Meanwhile, back in Nashville, the BAU team is hot on the trail of a serial killer who forces his victims to have a romantic evening and then brutally murders them. They put the pieces together and catch the unsub just before he kills another victim. Prentiss has more than a few unkind words for unsub as she has one hand on his throat and the other hand wrapped around her Glock pointed at his head.



After returning, Rossi finds Hotch at the cemetery and asks him what he is going to do. He tells Rossi that Haley would want him to "catch the bad guys" since that is what he does with a passion.



Overall, an excellent episode. It looks like another chapter in the life of BAU is about to begin. It also doesn't look as if Section Chief Strauss is going to get rid of Hotch without a fight. Hopefully, she will end up on the wrong side of her desk!

After all that happened in the previous episode, it would be hard for the writers to follow up with something equally tragic. However, they somehow found a way. The first two minutes got me sniffling, and I even saw my 49-year-old mother shed a few tears. The case itself was not as important as the shifting that occurred between characters in this episode. Morgan realizing that he had to step down, Hotch having to choose between the team and his son (which took a bit longer than the team would probably like to admit), Prentiss showing a bit of a vindictive side, and the emotional understanding between Rossi and Morgan. A great episode, good tension, definitely worth watching.

That opening sequence the funeral, so sad, your worst nightmare. Seing all the team there to support him was great.



The case was a little thin but better than it has been while this case is sort of a mixture between three cases we had in season one and two, while this won't be noticed by any one but long time fans (just thought it should be noted) am looking foward to next week when we have our whole team back with everyone in there correct given positions.



Other sad moments in this episode were that scene where jack was watching the home movies of hios mum on the tv and says he misses her and asks if he can sleep in his dad's bed that was sad.



Can't wait for next week, oh and feel free to pm me on this subject but has anyone noticed how much weight Paget Brewster (emily) has lost she looked beautiful and healthy but now she's starting to er towards a size zero, hopefully she's just had the flu or something minor and not coming under the pressures of hollywood.



My Line Is always open let me know what you think.

Bella

A good episode, again one in the "human" element (the team, their concern for Hotch, their doubts about whether he will leave the BAU to raise Jack) took center stage. I think the scene in which the team had to leave the wake and head for Nashville (leaving Hotch behind) was very well played - especially the part when we see Hotch left alone on the balcony. The mixed feelings - loneliness, Hotch's desire to help out and his decision to do what is best for his son - were almost palpable.



Overall, a good episode. I'm glad they decided not to drag the whole "will he leave the team or not" issue over a multiple apisode arc. There was one thing though which I found was handled in a not-too-believable way - Hailey's sister Jessica does not harbour any kind of resentment for Hotch? I mean OK, yes, they were close, she's Jack's aunt and all - but I found the way in which she volunteered to look after Jack whenever Hotch is away a little too convenient. I would have thought it natural for her to blame Hotch (even a little) for what happened to Hailey - of course, it wouldn't have been a rational reaction but a grief-induced one...nevertheless...I think they glossed over that part a little too quickly. Oh, and one more thing - I honestly don't think Strauss has actually turned into Hotch's number one fan and defender. Anyone else got the feeling that she is simply using what happened to make sure Hotch is out of the FBI once and for all? I for one felt she was really eager to slam the door in his face, so to say.

Little Jack was heartbreaking, watching his birthday video, wearing his tiny suit, blowing his mommy a kiss before leaving the gravesite...



What Hotch said at the funeral was great. Talking about how Haley was his best friend since they met, how she lived her life with love, how they both love Jack so much. To be honest I never liked Haley, I thought she was whiny and demanding and didn't understand Hotch at all, but it sucks that she was killed off because she provided a great source of non-death-and-crime conflict for Hotch. As much as I adore Jack/Cade Owens, how much of that can a four year old who clearly worships his daddy provide?



The pallbearers were a nice touch. Morgan, Rossi, Kevin, and Will, along with Anderson (not entirely sure why he was there, the only times he's interacted with Hotch have been when Elle was shot and when JJ was tracking Foyet) and an older gentleman who may have been Haley's father but was never identified.



What was with Strauss backing Hotch, though? Yes, he's been through something no one should, but after sending in a spy to the BAU (though Emily proved herself earnest in abour a hundred different ways) and trying to get Hotch fired... suddenly she's his advocate? Getting the FBI Director to approve early retirement papers for Hotch, fully vested, full pension and health benefits? It's very out of what little character we know of her.



It's great that Hotch isn't leaving the team, but, honestly, I never expected him to. Things like that always come out in spoilers beforehand, and, as much as I try to avoid spoilers, I always end up finding out about these types of things long before they happen.

The start of the episode.. Stunning writing. It only needed few words and I was already crying. It was such an emotional start and the way the episode was build up.. Beautiful. The way the words, music and image worked together to great such an heavy, emotional atmosphere. The way those elements were just put together to have massive effect. I mean, it was so perfectly done.



And the case.. I most say, it was from the start to see that Prentiss is taking it more personally. The emotion, rage on her face in the plane.. and the end, when they get the man.. that was really powerful scene, with so much rage.



And Rossi.. looking after Hotch.. and after everyone else.. Great episode.

The case this week while very good and interesting wasn't really a departure from many they've done in the past.



The greatness of the episode came again this week from the regular characters.



Hotch's eulogy at the funeral was very touching and accurately showed the way that he and Haley have always been together.



Rossi's conversations with Hotch at the beginning and the end of the episode were both very good. He's so wise, at the beginning he told Hotch to ask himself what kind of father he wanted to be, and then at the end he knew without asking that Hotch was coming back. Hotch could've given up everything and quit, but he realized in the end that it's who he is and he has to keep true to himself in order to be true to his son. Besides if he gave it all up Foyet (the Reaper) would've won after all.



Morgan and Rossi's conversation was good too. I liked it when Morgan said he'd do whatever Hotch needed him to do. It was the Morgan that we've loved for five years to be willing to step down and be there for Hotch. I'm sure they'll have issues, but they'll work them out. Reid was involved in the entire case too, which was a definite plus.



Basically all is right with my CM world again! Lol

In the aftermath of the tragedy of the previous episode, this episode sees one team member on the brink of a possible retirement, and as such, it was really emotional and gripping.



The case was quite interesting, although not my favorite by any means, but the side plot of Hotchner was very sad and terrible, which was quite interesting.



I thought Jack was really cute and would like to see more of him in the show!



I would recommend this episode because it is a really sad one and is a fitting follow-up of the last episode, but not the most impressive episode, in terms of the case, in my opinion.