After riding a heart-pounding roller coaster for ten episodes, culminating in Haley Hotchner’s funeral, our very own Hotch has returned to the BAU for some soul-cleansing psycho hunting. But in what capacity? Well, the truth is that it wasn’t quite clear for most of last night’s episode. I mean, sure, Hotch appeared to be spearheading things here and there, but given that I couldn’t imagine that he’d be returned to his mantle so soon after everything with The Reaper, I wasn’t sure if it was he, or Morgan, who was calling the shots.
Let’s just review the reality for a moment. Hotch was basically muscled out of his job by Chief Strauss after Haley and son Jack went into federal protection. In came Morgan to assume the leadership role, and while there wasn’t much to base this on, he seemed to do a pretty okay job. I mean, they still managed to close some cases with him in charge, so what other criteria is there? But with Hotch making the somewhat unwise (and definitely unsupported by the brass) decision to jump back in at the BAU, what was his role meant to be?
Apparently, unit chief. Yes, while it wasn’t clear to me for the first 55 minutes, the closing scene between Hotch and Morgan solidified what I feared most: Hotch is back in charge. What? Does that even make sense? How is he prepared to lead this team so soon after killing The Reaper and burying his wife? And how can Strauss allow him to assume the position when she was against his returning in the first place?
Not only that, but what about a little focus on everything that he’d just been through? Except for a mention by Rossi in the beginning about how quickly Hotch could be home after his first case back, and the scene at the end, no nod was given to the fact that Hotch is now a single parent, or that he just experienced a rather traumatic event. That was such a disappointment. On a show that traditionally does continuity well, even when dealing with the unexpected disappearance of a main character like Gideon, this was even more so unsatisfactory. There shouldn’t even be closure on this, although at least closure would be paying it some respect — this should be a constant going forward for Hotch, at least in the form of Jack waiting at home for him.
The close did leave me with the impression that there may be some responsibility sharing in store for Hotch and Morgan, but certainly not a power-sharing arrangement that would allow Hotch time to raise his son. I just don’t get it … why did the show spend so much time building this mountain if they weren’t going to put in the same care getting Hotch down the other side of it? Was this really all just to explain Meredith Monroe (Haley) off the show? Or worse, just for ratings?
Because if either is the case, then Criminal Minds has egregiously sinned. I hope, instead, that the sin belongs to just this one episode, and that all will be made right next time. Otherwise, there are going to be a lot of unhappy people out there … myself included.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Dec 17, 2009 @ 09:00 EST5EDT
I agree with your assessment of this episode. I was wondering if they cut out some key scenes, because at the end I was left saying “huh?” It wasn’t just the scene between Morgan and Hotch, the scene when they found the blond boy didn’t seem to flow either.
I agree about the Morgan/Hotch scene, since Morgan seemed to be running the show. I did notice that he was back to calling Garcia “baby girl” and such, so maybe that should have been a clue, but if do, it was a weak one. I disagree a little on Hotch not having been affected by the situation– when they realized that Joe’s family had been taken hostage, it seemed like Hotch looked more pained than usual, but that could have just been my impression.
Also, I agree with Cheryl on the boy scene– I was not happy that they found the blond boy in his underwear, the father didn’t even hug him until the quoting voiceover came on….something just left me feeling “huh”?
I think that the writers were hired from the first and second grade. Poor show, even the actors appeared confused. The whole thing appeared to be thrown together in a hurry. Istill blame the writers and production staff. Correct me is I am wrong.
I’m going to change my mind. It’s Christmastime. I’ll just say that I’d rather go back to the old Criminal Minds. I just don’t understand what is going on. Who is in charge? Well I think no one at this time. Lets just hope that it gets better. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*POST AUTHOR*
Sorry the show’s been disappointing you, but in your spirit, let’s hope the new year brings better stories!