Apartment Pants

i just re-watched the episode of criminal minds where prentiss dies-but-really-goes-into-wit-sec, and dear god.  it’s no less devastating knowing she lived, or that paget would return to the show the next season.  seeing everyone’s reactions at the hospital was just as devastating - if not more - as the first time i watched.  especially penelope (kristen vangsness’s reaction alone was worthy of an emmy nod), and hotch and jj (whose reactions were no less genuine and moving than if they hadn’t known the truth).

Criminal Minds - “Run” (7x24)

I can’t believe I just watched Emily’s last episode.  I don’t always like new additions to casts, and I was not happy about Elle leaving, so I was skeptical of whoever her replacement would be.  But I loved Emily Prentiss from the second she started at the BAU.  I love all her complexities - she’s tough but vulnerable, she’s confident but insecure, she’s brave but scared, she’s smart but gets in her own way sometimes.  Paget has played Emily perfectly.  And I have no doubt that Criminal Minds will be a lesser show without her (as it so clearly stumbled when it cut her and JJ before coming to its senses).  

The rest I’m putting under a cut because it’s not all positive, and it’s not even really about the finale that much.

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Criminal Minds - “Profiling 101” (7x22)

The undergrad lecture is an awesome a great tactic to convey info to the audience.  I love this episode already.  And I wish I had gone to a lecture like that in college.

This West Coast Classic killer is super creepy.

It always makes me really emotional when victims fought against their killers and then the cops/agents comment on it.  LIke Rossi’s “atta girl” - almost lost it right there.

Haha, each character’s dialogue seems particularly on point tonight (JJ’s line about having tech analysts and press liaisons comes to mind).  I see you stepping up your game, writers.

Both Reid and Garcia think they’re the “resident genius” - love it!!

Oh, Gideon!

I love Emily’s curly hair.  Seriously, look more perfect.  Ugh.  I can’t believe you’re leaving me.

OMG, I am sitting here wishing the BAU gave a lecture at my college.  It’s hard to remember they’re fake.

“Pump your breaks, sweet cakes, cause I’m bringing it home.”  Garcia, I love you.

206 is actually an area code in Seattle.  And JJ knew how to pronounce “Spokane” (spo-can, not spo-cane) earlier.  Someone’s doing their research.

OMG this killer is all kinds of awful.  101 victims.  Horrifying.  Nice little pun or whatever though - “profiling 101” and 101 victims.

Rossi has always been the weak link of the show to me, not because he’s not good, but he just irks me sometimes.  But he’s pretty great in this episode.  Can’t even imagine having to tell all those families that their daughters, wives, and mothers were victims of this killer. (and the fact that he’s not dying his hair these days is helping a lot.)  So I may have to reevaluate my position on Rossi.

And now only two more episodes until Emily is gone forever.  I refuse to accept it.

Musings on Criminal Minds

“I Love You, Tommy Brown” (7x17)

Teri Polo!  I love her.  She was good as the unhinged pedophile.  Creep-tastic.  I liked the shots of Seattle, too.   

But, okay, the most important part of this otherwise run-of-the-mill episode was Penelope and Kevin.  I was wondering why Derek was kinda cold to Kevin when he came to ask for Derek’s advice, but I guess Penelope later explained it (it was because they aren’t friends)?  Or maybe it was just because they’re both dudes?  I admit a part of me was hoping Derek would declare his love for Penelope.  Even though I love their friendship and don’t want that to change.  Anyway, Kristen Vangsness was really good when she was telling Derek why she didn’t want Kevin to propose.  I don’t like it when she cries; she makes me too sad.  

“Foundation” (7x18)

This episode was a truly outstanding hour of television.  

I mean, I love Criminal Minds, and I’ve loved it since the pilot.  Period.  At the same time, I also don’t usually think it’s an exceptional show.  It often doesn’t even stand out among the procedurals, let alone among all of the TV shows.  I do, however, think almost all of the actors are exceptional.  And it’s got some other good things going for it, like I love how different Emily, JJ, and Penelope are.  They portray genuinely different types of women, and I feel like that’s something not all shows do very well.  Basically, the show has potential to be amazing, and it frustrates me when I see opportunities wasted.  But tonight was one of those episodes where they was able to put together all the individual pieces and create a one of the best episodes of the series.  

Derek and JJ with the kid, Angel, were both amazing.  JJ speaking Spanish was such a good moment.  She just sounded so sincere and concerned.  And Derek’s rapport with Angel was sheer perfection.  Mentioning his own past, just ugh.  I think if I was Angel, that’s really the only thing Derek could have said to me to really get through to me.  To make me willing to confide in him, to make me trust him.  And when Angel grabbed Derek’s hand, that was just… why don’t you rip my heart right on out.  

I loved Hotch, too.  He’s always so calm and stoic, but not in a cold way.  More  like in a “I’m observing every detail and missing nothing, so you can put your trust and your loved one’s life in my hands and know that I’m not letting my emotions get in the way of me doing absolutely everything I can to save him or her” way.  Like when he was talking to the missing kid’s parents and they asked him “Are you saying Billy was taken because he’s polite?,” he knew just how to answer.  ”I’m not saying that it’s his fault, or yours.”  He knew what they needed to hear.

 By the end I was emotionally exhausted.  (And also cheering that they kept the viewers guessing right along with the team about if that woman’s dad was the unsub.)  And when I’m spent after a show is over, I know I’ve just watched something above the usual fare.  So four for you, Criminal Minds.  My expectations for the rest of the season (and especially Emily’s goodbye) are high.  

I hate goodbyes

I officially hate Criminal Minds.  Because when I watch, all I can think about is Emily leaving at the end of the season.  So I’m basically watching a tragedy unfold in slow motion.  And there’s absolutely nothing I can do to stop it.  I already had to survive losing her once; I don’t know if I can take it again.  

That last scene in this week’s episode (“A Thin Line,” 7x15) with Emily and Derek was just too much.  Too perfect.  It made me remember how miserable the show was without her (and JJ), and how fucking fantastic it was when they came back.  Like going from seeing the world in black and white to seeing the world in color.

Lola Glaudini on this week’s SVU (which was a pretty good episode, I thought, if only I cared even a tiny bit about Amaro’s family).  Makes me miss her as Elle Greenaway on Criminal Minds.  I was sad when she left… I mean, Paget Brewster is about as good of a replacement as I could have asked for, but still.  

(Source: karimygoddess)