So long, farewell . . .
Typing this quickly so that my revision doesn't spot me and make me go back . . .
Thoughts on In Birth and Death, Criminal Minds 3x02
Gideon: like so many others, I just didn't miss him. I'd almost forgotten about him by the time the end of the episode came. I did want them to kill him off - mainly so there wouldn't be endless speculation about him returning. I really don't think he is coming back and the show doesn't need him. From him being such a pivotal character at the beginning, he became the one that could just slip out.
At first I was annoyed that he got that "hey - I'm walking away to find my bliss . . . " ending. It made me feel short changed. However, I've reflected on it and now it seems much more fitting and far less heroic. And possibly more of a punch in the guts to Reid than him finding a mangled corpse.
Gideon stood him up, with no explanation and then just walked away from him. In the end, it was all about Gideon. How self-centred to assume that Reid would come and seek him out. Gideon manipulated him right to the end and revealed himself to be far less generous than he had made out. He walked away from his biological son (Stephen), his pseudo-wife (Hotch) and his pseudo-son (Reid) without a real care for how any of them would take the abandonment. If he had killed himself, strangely I would have found that more forgiveable - suicidal folks usually believe the world will not miss them. Gideon knew damn well that Reid would miss him and miss him enough to come looking for him. C'mon Gideon, you owed him more than that.
Reid: Bless his little cotton socks. The Volvo was just him and I bet it doesn't have many outings. For someone who is afraid of the dark, driving through the woods at night time on his own must have been hellish. (Well done, Gideon). And the pre-emptive use of the PTSD cardigan was a great cookie. Thanks Ed. He'll survive - that's what he does, but being abandoned yet again is going to hurt. I wish the final shot had been of Reid with his lip wobbling at Gideon's letter, rather than Mandy's sunny drive out of everyone's life.
And there was Spencer Reid telling them about the school days of Spencer Reid. Just a few lines, but very poignant.
Hotch: Ahh, Hotch. Taking one for Gideon - who just left him high and dry. Both of his "spouses" left him and I wonder which departure will hurt more. Haley came across as such a witch in this episode - but then passive-aggressive has been her MO all the way through. Telling him his suspension, which must have been such a killer blow, was a blessing in disguise just showed how little she understood about him. And the guilty ringing handbag - something is definitely up. Letting him come back to an empty house was cold - although he probably suspected it.
Part of me hopes she ran off with Jason Gideon, but I doubt it . . . .
Other Things: Prentiss was great (nice house, Emily) and I had a huge grin on my face when Hotch turned up at her door. It was great to see the team come back together and be pleased to see each other. I wonder if this was originally going to span a few more episodes, but Mandy's departure forced them to condense it. Anyway, she had great courage in going into the house and it was nice to root for her so much. Garcia was fabulous and her interfering with the transfers etc was a nice touch. This team mean so much to her.
The unsub was disturbingly attractive and the crime of the week pretty creepy. Although if I find a lost child, I take them to a shop assistant, or police officer - not follow them into a deserted area . . .
All in all, a great episode and things look good for this Season.
Thoughts on In Birth and Death, Criminal Minds 3x02
Gideon: like so many others, I just didn't miss him. I'd almost forgotten about him by the time the end of the episode came. I did want them to kill him off - mainly so there wouldn't be endless speculation about him returning. I really don't think he is coming back and the show doesn't need him. From him being such a pivotal character at the beginning, he became the one that could just slip out.
At first I was annoyed that he got that "hey - I'm walking away to find my bliss . . . " ending. It made me feel short changed. However, I've reflected on it and now it seems much more fitting and far less heroic. And possibly more of a punch in the guts to Reid than him finding a mangled corpse.
Gideon stood him up, with no explanation and then just walked away from him. In the end, it was all about Gideon. How self-centred to assume that Reid would come and seek him out. Gideon manipulated him right to the end and revealed himself to be far less generous than he had made out. He walked away from his biological son (Stephen), his pseudo-wife (Hotch) and his pseudo-son (Reid) without a real care for how any of them would take the abandonment. If he had killed himself, strangely I would have found that more forgiveable - suicidal folks usually believe the world will not miss them. Gideon knew damn well that Reid would miss him and miss him enough to come looking for him. C'mon Gideon, you owed him more than that.
Reid: Bless his little cotton socks. The Volvo was just him and I bet it doesn't have many outings. For someone who is afraid of the dark, driving through the woods at night time on his own must have been hellish. (Well done, Gideon). And the pre-emptive use of the PTSD cardigan was a great cookie. Thanks Ed. He'll survive - that's what he does, but being abandoned yet again is going to hurt. I wish the final shot had been of Reid with his lip wobbling at Gideon's letter, rather than Mandy's sunny drive out of everyone's life.
And there was Spencer Reid telling them about the school days of Spencer Reid. Just a few lines, but very poignant.
Hotch: Ahh, Hotch. Taking one for Gideon - who just left him high and dry. Both of his "spouses" left him and I wonder which departure will hurt more. Haley came across as such a witch in this episode - but then passive-aggressive has been her MO all the way through. Telling him his suspension, which must have been such a killer blow, was a blessing in disguise just showed how little she understood about him. And the guilty ringing handbag - something is definitely up. Letting him come back to an empty house was cold - although he probably suspected it.
Part of me hopes she ran off with Jason Gideon, but I doubt it . . . .
Other Things: Prentiss was great (nice house, Emily) and I had a huge grin on my face when Hotch turned up at her door. It was great to see the team come back together and be pleased to see each other. I wonder if this was originally going to span a few more episodes, but Mandy's departure forced them to condense it. Anyway, she had great courage in going into the house and it was nice to root for her so much. Garcia was fabulous and her interfering with the transfers etc was a nice touch. This team mean so much to her.
The unsub was disturbingly attractive and the crime of the week pretty creepy. Although if I find a lost child, I take them to a shop assistant, or police officer - not follow them into a deserted area . . .
All in all, a great episode and things look good for this Season.