Coming off the back of 15 original seasons plus the freshly released third season of the sequel series, it’s about time we talk about what gives Criminal Minds its star power. Crime shows often garner cult followings. The success of shows like Law and Order, CSI, and NCIS prove that there’s something about this genre that keeps people coming back. But even alongside its competitors, Criminal Minds has something special. Whether it’s the tight-knit group of characters or the cases that keep you on the edge of your seat, watch one episode and you won’t turn back.
A Team and a Family
Whenever Criminal Minds comes up in conversation, the most common praise of the show is its characters. Right out of the gate, the show hooks viewers by introducing a group of people that couldn’t be more different, yet somehow work like one person. The first season consisted of Gideon (Mandy Patinkin), Hotch (Thomas Gibson), Elle (Lola Glaudini), Morgan (Shemar Moore), Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler), Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness), and JJ (A. J. Cook). In the following seasons, Prentiss (Paget Brewster) and Rossi (Joe Montegna) would quickly became fan favorites, fitting in as if they’d been there from the start.
The best part of having such an assortment of characters is that the show is able to capitalize on their unique skills. Reid’s photographic memory and hyper-specific knowledge have saved the team more than once. Hotch is the strict voice of reason but his soft side comes out when his team is involved. Then, of course, there’s the hacking fairy godmother that is Garcia. This range of specialties combined into one team allows for each character to take the lead in different ways, making everything feel like an ensemble effort not a one-man show with supporting characters.
Their distinctive personalities also make their dynamics as a group more interesting. As the seasons went on, fans zeroed in on pairs within the group. Morgan and Garcia’s flirting had fans shipping the pair hard. JJ and Prentiss’s left people wishing they could find a friend just like them. And Morgan and Reid quickly became a staple pair in spite of — and because of — their contrasting characters. There’s even a whole prank war between the two in season seven. What’s not to love?
But despite the banter within the team, the genuine care between them is what drew loyal fans. As criminal profilers, the team has been put through every horrible situation imaginable. They’ve found themselves and their loved ones personally involved in cases far beyond what their job duties specify. Through it all, we’ve watched them become more than colleagues but a support system. From helping Reid through addiction to celebrating JJ’s pregnancy, the ups and downs turned them into a real family and that is clear through the screen.
Into the Minds of Unsubs
We’ve had shows about the legal sides of crime as well as the forensics side. All of these offer interesting material for a show but Criminal Mind‘s focus on the psychological aspects of crime was and is a breath of fresh air. Following a group of criminal profilers means going deep into the minds of the killers, or the unsubs. Each case probes at issues of humanity and uncovers what it is that makes people commit unspeakable acts. Viewers are constantly left asking themselves “Why?”
Some of the cases in the show last one episode while others span across several episodes. Some unsubs have even made reappearances over the years, keeping the team from getting too comfortable even with their successes. Just as the profiling team is full of different personalities, each unsub has a unique MO that makes each episode feel like its own little movie. Unlike other shows where the focus is on forensics or criminal justice, Criminal Minds isn’t limited to any particular environment.
Probing the mind of a killer means following them wherever they might be. Some cases see the team interacting heavily with police, others find them working with doctors and scientists against bioterrorism. The common denominator is that each case is scary in a way that creeps up on you slowly. Even after the case is cleared up and the team has boarded the jet back home, you’ll feel a lingering sense of unrest.
It’s All About Balance
Found family and psychological intrigue are clearly two of the biggest selling points Criminal Minds has. But striking the perfect balance of the two isn’t always easy. Some shows like NCIS lean into the comedy more. Others have little to no levity. Criminal Minds manages to do both. The cases in each episode don’t hold back in terms of darkness and intensity. But it’s the moments of downtime between the characters that prevent this intensity from bogging down the show. A small moment of flirting between Morgan and Garcia or a crack in Hotch’s harsh exterior is enough to reset your mind for just a minute.
Balance of personal backstories for characters and work-related plots is another key factor for a crime show. The technical aspects of cases are what keeps people on the edge of their seats. But for character-driven watchers, myself included, that isn’t enough to keep them hooked on a show. Criminal Minds has been able to slowly reveal each character’s backstory over the course of several seasons. Letting viewers into their personal lives builds a connection with the audience. Whenever the team is in danger, it feels like a friend on the screen that we need to know will be okay.
Criminal Minds balances personal life and cases further by letting each bleed into the other. Multiple cases have had a deeply personal effect on the characters, leaving them struggling to separate their emotions from their work. In fact, many times team members have become victims themselves. This reversal of roles between the ones needing saving and the ones doing the saving humanizes the characters. That’s the real appeal of the show. Criminal Minds is more than your typical crime show. It’s a show about what drives us as humans, and what makes us good or evil.
