I am not overly fond of the cop-based dramas like Law & Order and other similar shows. I should mention that I do enjoy criminal profiling and shows that deal with serial killers. I have never watched CSI or any of the other incarnations of that show, and I had never checked out the show Criminal Minds before either. I was looking forward to checking Criminal Minds out though, because I’ve liked Mandy Patinkin ever since he was in The Princess Bride.

Paramount released Criminal Minds – The Second Season on October 2, 2007. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this show though I knew I liked the cast, or what I knew of them. I had heard that CSI was rather unrealistic in some of the ways they approach a crime scene, so I was hoping that Criminal Minds would be more realistic. What I found was an entertaining show with characters that had depth, interesting histories and back stories, and so much more.

Going into the Second Season without watching the first, I spent the first few episodes figuring out who was who, what their strengths and weaknesses were, and what they brought to the group, since the show is about a group of profilers, who work for a special division of the FBI. Their division analyzes the most notorious criminal minds in the country. Though I was still feeling my way around, something most shows guide you through during the first season, it did not take long for me to become addicted to this show.

The group that Criminal Minds focuses on are the profilers who are called in when local law enforcement needs help solving violent crimes. Each member of the group has a special skill that he/she brings to the table. Jason Gideon (Patinkin) is one of the most likeable and knowledgeable characters on the show. He’s the guy that everyone goes to when they need a suspect interrogated. He’s smart and knows how to get them to talk. Whether it’s playing “good cop, bad cop” or making up false news stories to show incidents that have not yet happened (i.e. a bomb), Gideon can usually get the suspect to spill the beans.

Sadly, this is the last season Gideon will be with the show. This week also marked Patinkin’s departure from Criminal Minds. Frankly, I’m not sure how the show will work without him, but that’s a discussion to be had when the review set for Season Three is available. The rumor mill is abuzz with information that Patinkin might have made a “mistake” and want back in the show. I guess only time will tell.

Moving on, the head of the team is Special Agent Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner (Thomas Gibson). He is a bit of an annoying pain in the ass, but if you can get past that, he has his reliable moments. Hotch is great at organizing the team and their thoughts. He also is the person to call when a brick wall is hit in a case as he often seems to think outside the box. Hotch may not be anyone’s favorite, but he’s an integral part of the team and the show would be lost without him.

Derek Morgan is the member of the team who seems to be the show’s heartthrob. Played by Shemar Moore, not even the ladies of the show can keep from complimenting Morgan on his buff look. He’s not all bulk and no brains though. Morgan is the one you send out in the field, but he’s also a reliable profiler, who can often help to establish the “unsubs (unidentified subject’s)” characteristics and is usually also the one to track them down.

The last male on the team is the mind of the team. He’s kind of quirky, which may be caused by what actor Matthew Gray Gubler likes to call a mix of mild schizophrenia and Asperger’s Syndrome. Gubler plays Dr. Spencer Reid. Reid knows all the technical, scientific, and historical facts about nearly any type of subject. He’s socially awkward though liked by those on the team. He comes off sometimes as a know-it-all, but his knowledge and intelligent help figure out patterns, puzzles, and motives when it comes to the cases. This, in turn, helps to identify the “unsub”. Reid is one of my favorite characters because he’s a nice guy. You can see he’s had struggles in life, but he’s goodhearted and his nervous tendencies are endearing.

The women of the show have various purposes and aspects that help to enhance those of the men on the show. Jennifer Jarrou (A.J. Cook), affectionately known as JJ, is the beauty with brains. While she doesn’t necessarily stand out for her skills, she does seem to be one of the female field agents. She seems to work a lot with both Morgan and Reid. This can sometimes get JJ into trouble.

Elle Greenaway (Lola Glaudini) focuses more on the crime that was committed against her (in season 1) and how it affects her ability to function. In this season, she goes a bit overboard when hunting out unsubs and this ultimately leads to her resignation, making room for a new member of the team, Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster). Prentiss has political connections, and Hotch is certain this is how she got into FBI, so this season she has to try and establish the fact that her skill, not her connections, got her on the team. Luckily, Emily is a smart girl and most of the team is able to accept her presence faster than Hotch does.

The final member of the group is my favorite. Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) is absolutely hilarious to watch on television. As the computer whiz she can find any record, any list, any computer generated object such as web feeds and other data. If the team needs anything technical, they call Garcia. Of course, Morgan can’t help but get in a little flirting because Garcia thinks he’s hot. The two banter away and despite not seeing her as Morgan’s type, you can’t help but hope they get together.

Season Two of Criminal Minds features plenty of interesting cases. There is a Guantanamo Bay prisoner, who knows about a planned terrorist attack, an Ohio college campus rapist, a traveling serial killer with a sharp mind, a bomber who hates anything technology related (so it seems), and someone who is killing young children in the woods. There are 23 episodes on this 6-DVD Box Set. This box set is also filled with plenty of extras including four featurettes (“Meet Kirsten Vangsness”, “The Behavioral Science of Criminal Minds”, “The Physical Evidence”, and “Profilers Profiled”), audio commentary on multiple episodes, a gag reel, and deleted scenes.

Criminal Minds is featured in widescreen with a crisp, clear picture. The sound is 5.1 Dolby, which is perfect with the surround sound on your television, DVD or Home Entertainment system. The music can get a little loud though, especially when watching it on a big screen, but that makes the show even more intense.

Bottom Line: If you like serial killers and criminal profiling then you need to get Criminal Minds – The Second Season to add to your collection. This show is unlike any other on television with amazing acting, great storylines, and intense characters who will keep you wanting more.

Overall Rating:

Technorati Tags: Mandy Patinkin, Criminal Minds, DVD, Box Set, TV Show, CBS, Paramount, Season Two

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