Saturday, November 1, 2014

CRIMINAL MINDS Season 10 - 1006. Boxed In - Review

I want to start this episode review with a statement for Mr. Williams first. Last year I reviewed "Rabid" and well you weren't happy with it. For this episode however, Mr. Williams let me start this review with saying "IF I COULD KISS YOU I WOULD" – You my friend have given this long time Criminal Minds fan one helluva well written episode! And the combination of you and Thomas working together, well Dynamic Duo comes to mind.

This episode opens up with what seems to be an ordinary pumpkin patch in a nice rural area, with nice normal families milling around looking for their "perfect" pumpkins. We quickly to find out, however that things are anything but "normal" at this family pumpkin patch. We see a Mom trying to pick out a pumpkin only to realize that her son Tyler is not at her side. Every parent's worst nightmare plays out and we follow Mom as she frantically calls for and searches for her son. Thank God, young Tyler is apparently safe, but we soon find out that there's more than pumpkins inhabiting this particular patch. Tyler has apparently found a sleeping skeleton. Fortunately Mom quickly realizes that it's a little boy in desperate need of help, for as she tries to see what's wrong with the boy he begins screaming "Let me Out, Let me Out". Oh what horrors has this little one been through?

(By the way, on side note, little boy playing Tyler was just too cute for words. Great casting!)

We are then transported to our very own Unit Chief's office where we see a less than stoic Aaron Hotchner frantically (yes I said frantically) giving Garcia orders about what needs to be done, as he's also trying to quickly get out of the office, backpedaling out the door while thanking her for something else she's done for him. Garcia in true fashion shrugs off the promise of "owing her again" and shoes him out of office. This fan is absolutely "floored" by the eager happiness which Hotch is displaying in these scenes. It's a rarity for sure, but so wonderful to see. I have to say thank you again Virgil for lightening up our all to stoic Unit Chief. And thank you Thomas for giving us another glance at Aaron the man, the father, the friend that this fan has missed since the early seasons! (Is Merlin's magic afoot here?).

We next see Hotch pulling up to a psychic's house in the pouring rain? (Say What?) SSA Aaron Hotchner going to a psychic? Has Garcia finally pulled him over to the "schmush" side? Will we now have Hotch wearing Pink? Be still my heart! (Breath, Mordred, Breath).

Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yes, Hotch pulls up to a psychic's house and seeing the establishment is closed he worriedly tells the occupant he's a friend of Penelope's. We are greeted with "Madam Bouvier" (Yep, definitely a friend of Penelope's), or well the cross dressing manly interpretation of Madam Bouvier, who is expertly played by Cornelius Jones Jr. Right from first meeting one can tell that Madam is indeed sizing our Hotchrocket up. Gotta love the "appreciative" look Madam Bouvier gives to Hotch and the lovely blush that creep up Hotch's face when "he" realizes the Madam is liking what she sees. The scene of Hotch looking around the parlor was cute, yet you can almost feel Hotch's nervousness at being there. What followed next though my friends had this fan laughing my butt off, to the point of tears? First having "anyone" call Hotch "Child" is hysterical! Secondly, Madam Bouvier's not so subtle appreciation of the fine form of Aaron Hotchner and the whole "read your palm" interaction and Hotch's blatant nervousness had me in stitches. Hotch? Nervous? By the gods I never thought I'd see it but there it was, in all its glory. But all that paled in comparison to the wonderfully delivered line by Madam Bouvier gives after Hotch left, "Mm-mmm G-Man" and the scrumptious looks that she gave him, is priceless all around.

We break to Hotch excitedly coming home. I loved seeing Jack's drawings taped all over the wall behind the couch. Seeing Hotch again with Jack and so lighthearted and happy was really perfect. Cade Owens has grown so much since we've first seen him back in Season 2, and tonight he was stellar! Seeing Hotch, Jessica and Jack happy and smiling was a balm for the soul. The best part of the family scene was Hotch first giving Jack the costume that we now know Madam Bouvier gave him, and both of their excitement about the costume. I absolutely adored Hotch saying to Jack in a Darth Vader voice "Jack, I am your Father". Was perfect! But sadly, perfect is once again interrupted by duty.

Onto the case. First the lights going out in the Roundtable Room was "spooky". Great job, creating the ambiance Thomas. The horrible pictures we see of poor Joshua Parker, and Garcia's explaining what was done to the boy made my parental heart cringe. I noticed that Hotch tells the team then "why" Joshua wasn't reported missing, that the boy was a constant disciplinary problem and runaway, so the police never filed the report as a possible abduction or missing child. There is a good balance between all the team in discussing the case and fleshing out early questions. Same goes for their time on the jet. The cast all worked well and seamlessly in these scenes, which for me is a testament to the director's ability to know his actors and what each is capable of. Thomas gets an A+ for that.

I must say I liked the fluidity of the whole episode. Going from scene to scene seemed flawless. We were not "treated" to too early a view of who the unsub was or why. Yes, we saw him but we were still wondering how this all came about. The darkness of the Unsub washing out the "box" heightened the awareness that this Unsub wasn't done yet. The Unsub scenes shot in light and shadow made it possible to "see" without really knowing who and what he was.

The assigned tasks for each team member was done well. JJ and Reid were excellent at the Hospital talking to the victim's doctor. Reid, pleasantly carried that conversation and his working through that the boy was held in a box was wonderful. Hotch and Rossi at the station was just a wonderful look into the symmetry and knowledge that their years' experience bring to any investigation. Of course what is a Rossi scene without a little "snarkiness"? But that was tapered with understanding and compassion. Billy Dec provided a very realistic portrayal of the detective.

One thing I do want to point out is, so far Kate's introduction has been wonderful. She's brash, crass, snarky and I get the feeling that overall she wouldn't mind meeting out her "own" brand of justice. (I think Rossi would partner with her for that) And I can't say that I disagree with her about some of the unsubs we're shown. But she's professional and does her job well. She and Morgan were excellent in dealing with the diversionary unsub Rodney Tanner. Gotta love it when you can get a perv to squirm because his life was going to get a whole lot tougher in jail.

Only people who have children, I think can understand and appreciate the absolute rightness of the family scene with Hunter's family, who turns out to be the "next" victim. How many of us out there can say we've had that same dinnertime interaction in real life. Mom, making sure Hunter took care of his chores, Hunter rolling his eyes and taking short cuts to get out to his friends, and Hunter stealing those eggs, brings back memories...

                       I absolutely remember dialogue so similar to this when I was that age:

                       Hunter: "I don't know why you make these things. I hate 'em."
                       Mother: "Because I am your mother and your suffering is very important to me."

                       And my mother took great pride in making us squirm.

Seriously though, Braden Fitzgerald did a fabulous job in the role of Hunter. And Travis Gibson was equally wonderful in his role as Hunter's friend Jake McCauley. That biking/egging the houses scene is every child wildest wish. Ah, the good old days! The whole mood was set for Hunter's kidnapping and done in such a way that you were on the edge of your seat wondering "what was going to happen". Thomas clearly ramped up the tension and suspense by shooting Hunter hiding in the bushes the way he did. And by god it worked so well. Bravo!

I liked Hotch opening up a bit about his regrets with Jack, we rarely if ever have seen that and it was refreshing. Finding out that he's "never" missed a Halloween until then, but has missed some other Holidays and a birthday and the sadness that came over his face, made me "hurt" for that lost time for him. I know I'm somewhat alone in my thoughts, but I felt that JJ was the perfect pairing with Hotch for those revelations, as well as the happy and good natured joking between them. JJ more than anyone else on the team would understand from a parent's perspective how Hotch felt. And the fact that they've known each other so long made talking to her about it easier. Yes I know Kate's a mother too, but as she's new to the team I do not believe Hotch would be that open with her as of yet. Hotch's goofy face and his comment "we absolutely should" with regard to using web shooters at the FBI was priceless. What I love about Thomas is that he's able to go from stoic and all business to loving and goofy in the blink of an eye. It also helps that at least in my opinion Hotch talking about Jack is his trigger for "the inner child" to come out in him. And yet, for all the lighthearted moments the reality of why they're in San Diego comes right back home. They find out Hunter was abducted.

Watching Hunter be unceremoniously dumped in that hole in the ground and covered up actually "hurt" coming from a parent's point of view. The scene was so well written and so well portrayed on screen as a fan and a parent my heart clenched.

One of the absolutely best lines in the episode has to be when David Rossi is interviewing the egging victim. This guy was annoying with his desire to "not want to help". And Rossi's line "Well I'm sorry for the inconvenience Sir, but I'm sure the parents of the missing child don't really care. And frankly, neither do I." is so priceless and so spot on. Rossi has this way of being nice to someone while at the same time he's ripping them apart.

Another point in that scene, Reid has this way of saying absolutely "nothing" yet the viewers can see his wheels spinning in thought. By having him do that with the egged garage doors as well as seeing that brilliant eidetic memory of his repeating verbatim what the dead victim's mother said in her statements from several years ago, we're able to piece together that the boys taken weren't all such "good boys" and there's a correlation between them and the unsub because of that.

I very much liked the way the profile was given. Having some of the team still at the abduction site, and Rossi and Callahan back at the police station quite simply "worked". And it was nice to see change working well. Shannon Lorance and Pamela Reed were spot on as he Unsub's mother and sister. I liked how Hotch and Kate interviewed the sister and managed to piece more of the puzzle together about the horrors she and her brother went through as children. Listening to both of their chilling tales about the life those two kids had was heart wrenching. Rossi, taking the lead in interviewing the mother with JJ was very well done, and it worked for me. Virgil and Thomas did a wonderful job of conveying their childhood horror, within those two scenes.

With Garcia doing some familial tracking, finally we know the Unsub 's name, John Bidwell. Finding out that the mother indeed murdered the abusive father/husband to save the Unsub as a child was a twist I was not expecting, and for a moment I felt sorry for him just a little bit. But then we see Hunter begging to be let out of that box and ultimately being beaten for it, and all sympathy washed away.

I loved seeing Hotch somewhat projecting his own parental anxiety at this guy. Hotch being "rough" with an unsub, is nearly as good as a Hotchalanche. Silently seething Hotch in Unsub's house is quite frankly scarier than Jason Meyers in Halloween. And who said unsubs were smart? This idiot couldn't feel Hotch's disgust if the dots were connected for him. I liked seeing Hotch, Rossi and JJ work the unsub until finally Hotch gives the nod to bring in his mother. Sad scene between mother and son but so brilliantly done. Dave, Hotch and JJ working together to move the car to get to the boy, and Hotch without hesitation jumping in that hole to get to Hunter showcased the frantic need these agents felt to save that child. Add to that how all three stayed around Hunter until he was safely reunited with his parents and we the viewers can tell, cases involving children mean just a little bit more to this group!

Of course watching John's mother ask so sadly if she could say goodbye to her son, was so sad. It is true I think, a Mother's love knows no boundaries. The scene cutting to Joshua waking up to his parents and his parent's joy at having their son back with them, was also very moving especially with the music of TAPS "What have I done" playing in background. That my friends was a perfect musical score for the ending of this episode.

In the end we are treated to a smiling Aaron Hotchner marveling at the bright dawning of a new day on the jet. Yet, we are also reminded of Aaron's fears when the joy of returning to Jack's side is for even the briefest of moments clouded by the fear of where is he, when Aaron opens Jack's bedroom door and Jack's not in bed. I at least felt Aaron's fear and anxiety in that moment. Thank god Jessica is there to laugh it off because Aaron missed his son on the couch, Jack having fallen to sleep after desperately trying to stay awake to show his Dad his costume. Aaron's smile at his son's love for him and his love for his son could light up Times Square. It is a tender loving moment that lets us, the viewers, know that while SSA Aaron Hotchner is tough as nails and ready to battle the evil the team sees daily, Aaron Hotchner is if nothing else a loving caring father to his son.

So, in case any of you missed the fact, I thought this episode was well written, wonderfully directed, brilliantly acted and had the added bonus of a great musical score. Who says Myth and Magic doesn't exist? What we got in this episode was a wonderful combination of both!

Merlin once said, "In order for magic to exist one simply has to Believe". Thank you Virgil and Thomas, as well as everyone involved in bringing this episode to life, for keeping the magic alive, and making us believe!


Mordred's rating: Solid 10 out of 10.

Thank you for reading!

*I want also say a HUGE thank you to my friend and cohort Merlin, without whose help this review wouldn't be possible. Thank you my friend!*

~~~~Mordred

Friday, October 31, 2014

CRIMINAL MINDS Season 10 - Staff and Crew Halloween Costume Contest - Photos

Each year, October 31st is one of the funniest days at the Criminal Minds set due to the traditional Staff and Crew Halloween Costume Contest... and again they've allowed us snoop!

God we thought they broke the mold after him. - Photo by John Hatchitt
Halloween at Criminal Minds. Our Script Supervisor and Production Designer.
- Photo by Harry Bring
There are some classics running around here today. - Photo by John Hatchitt
Script. 1st AD. Director. Pam. Stacey. Tawnia. - Photo by Harry Bring
This is the best day to work Criminal minds @criminalmindsrt @CM_SetReport @PamLeonte @scriptclay
- Photo by Liz Graham
Loving my job today !! #CriminalMinds happy Halloween [1/2] - Photo by Pam Leonte
Loving my job today !! #CriminalMinds happy Halloween [1/2] - Photo by Pam Leonte
Our CM Art Director dressed as half me and half Glenn Kershaw for Halloween. With our
favorites sayings or course ;-) - Photo by Harry Bring
Writer's Ebola Ward Staff - Photo by Harry Bring
Halloween Prank from the writers wing. - Photo by Ian Woolf
Two of our AD's Rachel and Sarah did a number with their costumes.
- Photo by John Hatchitt
Attacked by SuperAssistantDirector - Photo by Kirsten Vangsness
Halloween at #criminalminds is just getting started. - Photo by CM_SetReport
The #criminalminds writers office! - Photo by CM_SetReport
#Halloweenspam #criminalminds [1/2] - Photo by CM_SetReport
#Halloweenspam #criminalminds [2/2] - Photo by CM_SetReport
#Halloweenspam #criminalminds - Photo by CM_SetReport
#Halloweenspam #criminalminds - Photo by CM_SetReport
#Halloweenspam #criminalminds - Photo by CM_SetReport
#Halloweenspam #criminalminds - Photo by CM_SetReport
Erica Messer and her daughter Lily - Photo by Harry Bring
And the winners are! Craig from Art, Rachel and Sarah as the Grady twins, and Brigitte as fleabag.
- Photo by CM_SetReport

Criminal Minds Staff and Crew Costume Contest awards went to...
  • Craig from the Art Department as "Half Harry, half Glenn"
  • ADs Rachel and Sarah as "Grady Twins"
  • Brigitte as "Fleabag"
Congratulations to the winners, and specially Congratulations are due to all for pulling off such a fun and colorful event during working hours. And a big Thank You for letting us in the fun!

CRIMINAL MINDS Season 10 - 1005. If The Shoe Fits - Promo Photos





Wednesday, October 29, 2014

CRIMINAL MINDS Season 10 - 1005. If The Shoe Fits - Promo Video


CRIMINAL MINDS Season 10 - 1005. If The Shoe Fits - CTV Promo Video


CRIMINAL MINDS Season 10 - 1006. Boxed In - Comments Thread

This thread is open for you all to post comments and talk about tonight's new CRIMINAL MINDS episode, titled 'Boxed In', directed by Thomas Gibson and written by Virgil Williams.

Hope you've enjoyed today's episode, and remember that next week we'll have a brand new one!

CRIMINAL MINDS Season 10 - BTS: 1011. The Forever People

This post may contain spoilers, probably small, but they may be big too; proceed with caution!
This post will be updated when more images of our dear gang are shared from the set.



While location scouting in the desert. USC is Everywhere! - Photo by Harry Bring
It's going down at today's read through for #CriminalMinds EP#10x11 "Forever People," written by Breen Frazier.
- Photo by CM_SetReport 
The #CBSInstagramTakeover is happening. Right now. And it's awesome: http://instagram.com/crimmindscbs  @ajcookofficial - Photo by CrimMinds_CBS
I’ve seen this sign a few times! #setlife #CriminalMinds #CBSInstagramTakeover - Photo by CrimMinds_CBS
Lady LOVE! #selfie - Photo by CrimMinds_CBS
Yes, Shemar is about to say what’s up to you! #yourbabyboy @shemarfmoore - Photo by CrimMinds_CBS
Joe in the middle of telling a hilarious joke in-between scenes on set #funny - Photo by CrimMinds_CBS
Shemar and Matthew chilling on the plane #heartthrobs #criminalminds - Photo by CrimMinds_CBS
It's a Garcia kind of day. @CM_SetReport - Photo by Joe Mantegna
These shadows appeared on the hillside this morning before shooting. By the time I got outside, they were gone.
- Photo by John Hatchitt 
Our writer for Ep 1011 "The forever people" Breen Frazier having a tranquil moment
before the chaos storm hits. - Photo by John Hatchitt
Favorite shot of the day, Shemar's workouts have nothing on this girl.
- Photo by John Hatchitt
The quiet before the storm. #CriminalMinds - Photo by CM_SetReport
A closed set for @shemarmoore is no laughing matter.
#CriminalMinds EP#10x11 Day 5of8. - Photo by CM_SetReport
Sneak peek! #criminalminds - Photo by CM_SetReport
Tonight's episode of #Criminalminds will be water cooler worthy. #getexcited #CM10
- Photo by CM_SetReport 
#CriminalMinds MVP is coming to a TV screen near you #TONIGHT.
- Photo by CM_SetReport
Oh to be a fly on the wall in Aaron Hotchner's office. #CriminalMinds #CM10 #soon
- Photo by CM_SetReport 
Their time to shine has finally arrived! #CriminalMinds starts now! #SeasonX #action
- Photo by CM_SetReport 
Grab your cocktails (or age appropriate beverages) and settle in. It's show time!
#CriminalMinds #tonight #seasonX - Photo by CM_SetReport
Boy ain't gonna catch shit dressed in this get-up. - Photo by John Hatchitt
@rickdunkle getting notes! #CriminalMinds - Photo by Kim Harrison
#TGIF - Photo by AJ Cook
Now we are back to the outfit that catches bad guys, sometimes... - Photo by John Hatchitt
Happy Friday all u aj lovers. - Photo by John Hatchitt
No new episode tonight but our DP Greg St. John's took this super "cool" photo. Pun intended. - Photo by AJ Cook
BTS "The Forever People". Airs tomorrow at 9pm on @CBS #CriminalMinds - Photo by AJ Cook