All Purpose Criminal Minds

[Nate Grey]

I'm surprised this hasn't been put up yet. I missed the first ep, but I caught the second one yesterday (flipping back and forth between it and "Lost"), and it was actually quite good. I thought it would simply be The Mandy Patinkin show, but its actually a really good ensamble show.

Thomas Gibson and Patinkin are basically reunited from their Chicago Hope days, and seem to work together just fine. Gibson is definately not Nyland nor Greg from Dharma and Greg here, he really works as the leader of the unit who seems to be have the world on his shoulders. Patinkin's Gideon is more of a teacher than a spotlight teacher, encouraging and helping the other characters to think for themselves. I really like the dynamics of this show.

Also, I just found out that the premiere came in #4 in the Nielsons, so CBS may have a keeper here.

[Steve]

I watched the premiere last week and yesterday's episode.

Very solid show. I really enjoyed it.

And I agree about the ensemble cast.

Definitely added to my watch list.

I'd say this and Prison Break are the two most solid new shows so far.

Highly recommended.

[Nate Grey]

I watched the premiere last week and yesterday's episode.

Very solid show. I really enjoyed it.

And I agree about the ensemble cast.

Definitely added to my watch list.

I'd say this and Prison Break are the two most solid new shows so far.

Highly recommended.

I have yet to watch Prison Break, but I'll make it a point to see it.

But yeah, Criminal Minds has a strong cast. I just hope Patinkin can stay with it from beginning to end.

[Matt K]

What channel and time is it on?

[Steve]

What channel and time is it on?
It's against Lost (9pm), on CBS.

[Matt K]

Ah, that's why I didn't know it was on. It'll probably be my summer show (if they let it rerun in the summer).

[Nate Grey]

Ah, that's why I didn't know it was on. It'll probably be my summer show (if they let it rerun in the summer).

Coming in at #4 is pretty good, but I can't help but think it'll still get moved to a more "comfortable" time slot in the future, either before Lost or a day before or after at the same time.

[Steve]

I think Criminal Minds is a much better fit with CSI and Without A Trace on Thursday nights, so maybe they can switch Survivor with it. CBS can let Survivor duke it out with the other survivors (Lost).

But somehow I doubt it.

[borateen]

I caught the last half hour of this week's episode, and I really enjoyed what I saw. So far I've liked Patinkin in everything I've seen him in, and this is no exception.

[Dennis K]

Smart, well-written and with an excellent cast, what's not to like? Definitely a must see for me already.

[SPAfreak]

So far I've liked Patinkin in everything I've seen him in, and this is no exception.

No doubt. The real question is this: When will he sing on the show and why?

[Loren]

It's against Lost (9pm), on CBS.

That's how I missed it.

Then again, I'd only planned on watching for one thing, and it's something y'all might be able to answer. I know the characters work for the FBI, but do they work out of DC? And I take it they handle crimes all over the country?

[Steve]

That's how I missed it.

Then again, I'd only planned on watching for one thing, and it's something y'all might be able to answer. I know the characters work for the FBI, but do they work out of DC? And I take it they handle crimes all over the country?
Not sure where they're based but the BAU team does travel around country solving cases.

DC would be a good bet though, since the main FBI headquarters (J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building) is located there, no?

[Bard]

The real question is this: When will he sing on the show and why?

I've heard him sing "Danny Boy" and although he has a great voice, I wasn't too impressed. Maybe I'm just not a vaudville-type person. . .

[Grant]

I heard someone I went to college with is in this show. I guess he plays a doctor or something. He was also the intern that got macheted in The Life Aquatic.

[SPAfreak]

I've heard him sing "Danny Boy" and although he has a great voice, I wasn't too impressed. Maybe I'm just not a vaudville-type person. . .

I can't say that I ever was either. He just seems to end up singing at some point during his projects.

[Steve]

I heard someone I went to college with is in this show. I guess he plays a doctor or something. He was also the intern that got macheted in The Life Aquatic.
That'd be Matthew Gray Gubler (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1693763/), who plays Dr. Spencer Reid.

[Grant]

That'd be Matthew Gray Gubler (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1693763/), who plays Dr. Spencer Reid.

Yeah. That's him. Is he any good on the show?

[Nate Grey]

Yeah. That's him. Is he any good on the show?

Oh, that guy. Yeah, he's the "rookie." If Gideon is the teacher, Reid is definately his student, or at least that's how it came across in the ep I saw. He WAS the one who figured out what was going on in the end, after all.

[Steve]

Yeah. That's him. Is he any good on the show?
Totally. He's probably my second favorite character, after Patinkin's.

[Deathstroke]

The show has been given the go-ahead order for a full 22 episode season.

[Dennis K]

Criminal Minds & My Name Is Earl are the only two new shows that I've found worth watching.

[Steve]

More episodes? Excellent! Along with Commander in Chief, Criminal Minds is the king of the crop regarding new shows. Both are pretty solid.

[Nate Grey]

Mandy suddenly quit, but decides to return to wrap up his storyline. (http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Mandy-Patinkin/800018559)

Dang! I started watching this show cause of him. I wonder if Shemar Moore will be back, too?

[Dennis K]

So who should replace Patinkin, and who will actually end up with the job? I'm guessing Judd Hirsch may actually end up with the job (or does he have a job on a current TV show that I'm not aware of), but being a Star Trek geek, I think Brent Spiner would be an excellent addition.

[Nate Grey]

So who should replace Patinkin, and who will actually end up with the job? I'm guessing Judd Hirsch may actually end up with the job (or does he have a job on a current TV show that I'm not aware of), but being a Star Trek geek, I think Brent Spiner would be an excellent addition.

That is so creepy, I was thinking the same thing about Brent Spiner. He needs a chance to shine. I was even thinking if there's a spinoff, like "Criminal Minds: New York" ( :D) he should be the lead.

Judd Hirsch? He's the dad on Numb3rs. Unless that's not getting picked up for another season, his future in acting is secure.

[SPAfreak]

Criminal Minds might be an ensemble show in theory but I'm wary of its chances without Patinkin. Almost all of the other characters can be swapped out without too much of a ripple effect but Gideon is pretty much the linchpin. Patinkin has really left the show in a bit of a lurch.

[Nate Grey]

Criminal Minds might be an ensemble show in theory but I'm wary of its chances without Patinkin. Almost all of the other characters can be swapped out without too much of a ripple effect but Gideon is pretty much the linchpin. Patinkin has really left the show in a bit of a lurch.

Pretty much. They kinda proved that too when they replaced, um, what's her name with what's her name.

Or they can do like Chicago Hope did initially: replace him with Jamey Sheridan? :D

[SPAfreak]

Pretty much. They kinda proved that too when they replaced, um, what's her name with what's her name.

Or they can do like Chicago Hope did initially: replace him with Jamey Sheridan? :D

Lola Gladolini with Paget Brewster. I have no idea what the character's names are. Again, you see my point.

Reid is really the only other character it would be hard to replace, at least in my mind. But without Gideon Reid might be a little more adrift on the show. It could be interesting to watch him without that stabilizing influence. They might route him down the schizophrenia road. Other than Reid you have tough boss trying to balance his family with work, tough guy, the woman trying to prove herself in a man's world, really hot girl and Garcia. Or nerdy tech geek. I personally love the show and I love the way these particular characters interact. But it would still work with other people.

Elle. Elle was the name of Lola's character. I still can't remember Paget's name. It might have been Emily.

[Nate Grey]

Lola Gladolini with Paget Brewster. I have no idea what the character's names are. Again, you see my point.

I hated to see Lola go, she reminded me of a girl I sorta dated. Paget has a passing resemblance to [a younger] Sean Young.

Reid is really the only other character it would be hard to replace, at least in my mind. But without Gideon Reid might be a little more adrift on the show. It could be interesting to watch him without that stabilizing influence. They might route him down the schizophrenia road.

I have a hard time with the names, and until you said schizophrenia I didn't know who you were talking about. :D Yeah, Reid is pretty interesting, but he's essentially "maladjusted young genius", following the niches you provided. He'd be hard to replace, but not impossible. You'd just have to have another maladjusted young genius with a different angle/hangup. Maybe maladjusted is the wrong word, he just seemed, initially, oblivious to tact and human nuances. Getting captured and tortured ironically made him more open to learning. But yeah, I always saw him as Gideon's unofficial "heir" so to speak. I wonder if they'll still go that route with whomever they replace Gideon with?

Other than Reid you have tough boss trying to balance his family with work, tough guy, the woman trying to prove herself in a man's world, really hot girl and Garcia. Or nerdy tech geek. I personally love the show and I love the way these particular characters interact. But it would still work with other people.

I love nerdy tech geek. She's cute.

But I'm telling ya: replace Giger with Data! *fingers crossed*

[Subotai]

Patinkin must've been getting a decent paycheque, because I just don't see Criminal Minds as creatively fulfilling as Dead Like Me.

[SPAfreak]

I have a hard time with the names, and until you said schizophrenia I didn't know who you were talking about. :D Yeah, Reid is pretty interesting, but he's essentially "maladjusted young genius", following the niches you provided. He'd be hard to replace, but not impossible. You'd just have to have another maladjusted young genius with a different angle/hangup. Maybe maladjusted is the wrong word, he just seemed, initially, oblivious to tact and human nuances. Getting captured and tortured ironically made him more open to learning. But yeah, I always saw him as Gideon's unofficial "heir" so to speak. I wonder if they'll still go that route with whomever they replace Gideon with?


Whoever they replace Gideon with he'll probably be confrontational with Reid. There is also the chance that he will be a plant by the senator who placed Paget's character and wants Hotch removed. The first real step will be to see if they kill off Gideon.

I'll tell you what. They should replace Gideon with Goren.

But if we're going to go with realistic choices (and Star Trek actors) I'd go with Avery Brooks. I want to see Sisko acting again.

[SPAfreak]

Patinkin must've been getting a decent paycheque, because I just don't see Criminal Minds as creatively fulfilling as Dead Like Me.

I always got the impression that the entire cast was slightly frustrated with Dead Like Me after Fuller left. The show was pure magic when he was at the helm. Once he left the show was good but it was going in a less interesting direction.

I think his leaving had more to do with some slight to his ego than pay disputes.

[Nate Grey]

Whoever they replace Gideon with he'll probably be confrontational with Reid.

I was thinking the same thing. And if not confrontational, no patience for Reid's behavior. At least at first. I can see a newbie mistaking Reid for needing hand holding.

There is also the chance that he will be a plant by the senator who placed Paget's character and wants Hotch removed.

Wow. Missed THAT episode. News to me.

The first real step will be to see if they kill off Gideon.

I wonder...I mean from the sound of it, Patinkin suddenly quit cause he found out they were writing his character out. If it was in a way where he could return whenever they changed their mind, I think he would have stuck around and we wouldn't be hearing about it till it happened on the tube. Probably. I wonder if they planned to kill off Gideon, but changed it to getting the character off the canvas alive and intact to get Patinkin to return for his final scenes.

All conjecture, but makes ya wonder.

I'll tell you what. They should replace Gideon with Goren.

LOL That would be too good. I think he has another year to go on his L&O:CI contract, though. He could surprise us and renew for more years, you never know.

But if we're going to go with realistic choices (and Star Trek actors) I'd go with Avery Brooks. I want to see Sisko acting again.

I hadn't considered that. That would be awesome!
Sisko > Data

[Pól Rua]

I have yet to watch Prison Break, but I'll make it a point to see it.

But yeah, Criminal Minds has a strong cast. I just hope Patinkin can stay with it from beginning to end.

Prison Break started out pretty damn well, but it was designed to last for two seasons and then end. The problem is, halfway through season 2, they decided it was gonna go for three seasons, and from then on, they've just been treading water.
It's totally blown my interest in the show.

[SPAfreak]

Wow. Missed THAT episode. News to me.

It was the last scene in the season finale. It came out of nowhere.

[Nate Grey]

Unless its been posted elsewhere (news, blogs, etc.), my FIRST time hearing who was replacing Mandy Patinkin on Criminal Minds was...the Emmys. When they were introducing one of the presenters, Joe Mantegna, and announced him as the new star of Criminal Minds. Wow. Then I find out that in the first (or second) ep Hotch resigns, and Prentiss is transferred. So no Patinkin, no Gibson, no Padget (who just GOT there!).

Well, I'm glad Shemar Moore and Matthew Grey are sticking around.

[SPAfreak]

Unless its been posted elsewhere (news, blogs, etc.), my FIRST time hearing who was replacing Mandy Patinkin on Criminal Minds was...the Emmys. When they were introducing one of the presenters, Joe Mantegna, and announced him as the new star of Criminal Minds. Wow. Then I find out that in the first (or second) ep Hotch resigns, and Prentiss is transferred. So no Patinkin, no Gibson, no Padget (who just GOT there!).

Well, I'm glad Shemar Moore and Matthew Grey are sticking around.

I've known about Mantegna for a while but I didn't know about Paget or Gibson. Now I'm afraid to watch the show.

[Nate Grey]

I've known about Mantegna for a while but I didn't know about Paget or Gibson. Now I'm afraid to watch the show.

Well I'm going by an episode description (http://www.tv.com/criminal-minds/in-birth-and-death/episode/992898/summary.html?tag=ep_list;ep_title;1) , so maybe its part of a storyline and they're in the background as a sort of transition thing. Maybe Gibson and Pagett AREN'T actually leaving!

*fingers crossed*