Category: Criminal Minds

Procedural dramas have been a part of our TV routine for quite some time now. We’re talking about decades, not years. The system is very simple and effective, as proved by tons of TV series of the genre. The main character – most likely a mastermind that knows a lot about investigation and analysis. Some series used a rookie main character that learned from experienced partners and became somewhat of an idol closer to the end of the season or series. Other TV shows incorporate multiple main characters that interact with each other often in a funny or rival way.

The stories and relationships of the main characters are the only details that are continuous, consecutive and are present across all of the episodes. Everything else is used episodically. Each time we will be presented with a new case, new villain and new plot twists that lead to the case being solved and closed. A very simple formula that rarely fails to deliver. Some raise concerns that new plot each time makes the viewer lose interest, but that is not completely true. Even if we know that everything is going to be fine at the end of the episode, the most prominent writers and directors never fail to amaze the viewers with thrilling moments that make one forget that everything is supposed to be fine.

Criminal Minds qualifies for the procedural drama genre, however, is quite unique in its structure and style of narration. Most of the series of said genre focus on the crime and the ways to solve it. Criminal Minds focuses on the criminals themselves and the episode is spent on identifying who that criminal is. The main characters of the series are the Behavioral Analysis Unit from Quantico, Virginia. Profiling the unknown subject is the most interesting part of the series and keeps the viewers engaged for more than 10 years now. The series premiered in the distant 2005 and naturally, there have been many changes to the cast and characters within the show. Spencer Reid, however, is one of the few characters that appeared and played a major role in every season. Matthew Gray Gubler, who plays Reid is accompanied by A.J. Cook and Kirsten Vangsness in that regard.

The show has full 12 seasons released and in April 2017 it was renewed for the thirteenth by the CBS. The huge popularity of the show has also resulted in two attempts of creating a spin-off series. Hence, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior was released in 2011. The show, however, only got as high as the 39th spot in rankings with an average audience of 10.5 million viewers. This was not enough to keep it going and the spin-off was shut down after the first season.
Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders was another attempt by CBS to expand the franchise. This time the show received even lower ratings. Season 1 ended up on 46th spot and Season 2 became only 56th. Despite lasting for full two seasons, low ratings and decreasing number of viewers resulted in the cancellation of this spin-off as well.

The main series is still going strong in terms of ratings and views. The story is progressing constantly, however, the format almost never changes and this is what keeps the show authentic. The cast is always at its best and the characters breathe through the screen, all thanks to the efforts of actors. Dr. Reid is definitely that genius that is making the show brilliant and as of season 12, he is still a dominant force of BAU Quantico, Virginia.
The controversy of the show is worth a thousand-page book. Critics point out that violence and dark tone is the highlight of the show. The fans, however, stay loyal and say that the real life is not a tiny bit brighter than the series shows it and the ability to make it look realistically horrific and feel so good when the case is solved. Criminal Minds deserves the highest marks on that department.