When the crime drama “Criminal Minds” first premiered in 2005, it set the stage for a long running series that is still airing as we speak. We’ve watched characters come and go, and a few new one have made their entrance, giving us something to hold onto as the original cast began to leave the show one by one. Regardless of the brilliant unfolding of multiple story lines, it’s hard to beat the first season, and here’s why.
The thrill of a new and exciting series
During the first season, we didn’t know quite what to expect. Mandy Patinkin, the mysterious Jason Gideon seemed to have a past that gave him hidden wisdom that he shared at rare and opportune moments. It was exciting to wonder about his character, and to watch it unfold through the years and new seasons, but as we got to know him better, he was cool, but the wonder was gone. Aaron Hotchner, the team leader played by Thomas Gibson had a cool exterior and a calculating mind and we waited with bated breath to see a glimpse of human emotion or a sense of humor. It seemed like a challenge, but it’s one we loved.
Finding out how far the writers were going to take the shock value
The show featured at least one new serial killer per episode, and in some cases, there were two or more working together. After a few seasons, the audience had a good idea what to expect. A psychopathic killer was going to stalk and murder helpless victims, but still, the writers were creative in conjuring new and shocking scenarios. We must admit that the first season was the best because it introduced the plot and kept it going. The material delivered a new concept with a team of FBI specialists that included brilliant profilers who used the scant clues that they had to figure out who the psycho killer was, and how to track them down before they struck again.
What makes season 1 the best?
Every season of “Criminal Minds” has been spectacular in its own way, but the first season is still the best. It gave us our introduction to the team that fans came to know and admire. It was fresh, new and held a greater shock value because we didn’t yet know quite what to expect in each episode. We were still learning about the characters with intrigue as we watched their backstories unfold on the series. Audiences were still filled with a wonder about the new series that focused on the good guys trying to save the innocent from a multitude of insane rampages by crazed killers. The intrigue was thrilling, but as the seasons rolled on, we knew what to expect and the shock value had long since dwindled away. The series changed as the Hotch left his post. Gideon’s exit was more than some fans could take and the absence of the old standards left us with a series that we could predict with a fair degree of accuracy.
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