Tonight’s episode of Criminal Minds featured a unique and interesting un-sub – but the real story tonight was that we really felt the loss of JJ for the first time. Did it deliver? Let’s discuss.
The team was heading to Akron, Ohio, where someone was killing married couples. Garcia offered to go with the team since they were one person short, and she knew they’d need a communications liaison since JJ departed two episodes ago. She argued that her job overlapped the most with JJ’s and she was the one who wrote the program JJ had been using. She said she was willing to learn and even tone down her wardrobe choices. This is where I first knew this was a bad idea. Agent Hotcher accepted her offer, and they were off to Akron.
Dressed much more professionally to face the media, Garcia tries her hardest but struggles mightily. Hotchner comes outside and helps her out before she gets herself in trouble. This would be a theme throughout the episode; she’s just not cut out to be the new JJ. She’s perfect in her role as the sassy one, the nerdy one, the techy one. Each time Hotcher approaches her, she’s floundering and feeling the pressure. At one point, she even whispers “I miss you JJ.” She looks different, she’s acting different, and she’s failing to meet expectations. This is not going well for her.
As for the case, it was a good one, but it took a back seat to the Garcia storyline in my eyes. The un-sub opening fire at a swingers party was by far the most shocking moment yet this season on the show.
The breakthrough for Garcia comes when Morgan tells her “you need to go O.G.; Original Garcia.” She takes his advice, puts her glasses on, changes into an outfit that’s more her style, works her magic and makes a phone call that saves the day. Prentiss gives us a tense moment when she puts herself right in harms way and approaches the un-sub in a bar, and is forced to take drastic action when she realizes what she’s gotten herself into.
In the final scene, Hotchner goes to Garcia and tells her they need her, and that they’ll find a way to split the job up so it doesn’t drive her crazy like it did here, and so she can resume her normal duties. He also tells her that she didn’t let him down in any way, which means a lot to her. So, the Garcia experiment failed. To be honest, this is good news. It’ll be okay if she can pitch in here and there to help replace JJ, but sticking to her sassy/nerdy/techy role is the best option for her, and ultimately for the good of the show. Grade: B
What did you think? Let’s hear it!
I think Garcia is great…..she has more to give than she has been credited. I was so glad to see her add to the storyline. She is a very large part of this series, In my opinion.
I think Garcia is great…..she has more to give than she has been credited. I was so glad to see her add to the storyline. She is a very large part of this series, In my opinion.
I agree that Garcia should stick to her original role. It is better if the team splits duties. That said, I thought more should have been said in the review about Reid's role in this episode. He had quite a bit to do and his contribution towards the end was significant. He really helped with this case and that should have been acknowledged.
I enjoyed the Morgan/Garcia scene but miss the Morgan/Reid friendship. It seems like the writer's have abandoned them to give more time to Morgan/Garcia. I really would love to see more of Morgan/Reid like they used to be. I like the brother type relationship they have and miss it.
They are apparently trying to keep production costs down by having characters multitasking.
I hope this is just a temporary experiment until they find new charcaters and new actors.
I suggest Lauren Lee Smith as communications liaison and ,to replace the soon-to-depart Paget Brewster…MICHELLE YEOH("Tomorrow Never Dies").