Criminal Minds - TV-14
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: CBS Cast: Thomas Gibson, Mandy Patinkin, Lola Glaudini
Genre: Drama
Available on: 
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Common Sense Note
Parents should know that this show contains some realistic violence and many characters in a great deal of emotional distress. While it's unlikely that there will be many on-screen deaths in this show, there is more of a chance of seeing a character beg for his or her life, which can be just as troubling. Some of the killers are sexual predators.
Families who watch together may want to talk about the level of violence featured on the show as it relates to its content. How realistic are the program's storylines? Does the level of violence portrayed on the show contribute or detract from the show's quality? Why is it that crime procedurals such as this show are so popular right now?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Elliot Panek
CRIMINAL MINDS follows a team of FBI psychological profilers as they track down mentally disturbed serial killers. Mandy Patinkin plays Jason Gideon, the ostensible leader of the group, who is recovering from a mental breakdown he suffered when a previous bust went horribly awry. In their detective work, the profilers use some traditional methods, such as interviewing suspects and the now-omnipresent forensic techniques made popular by C.S.I. However, the hallmark of this group is their encyclopedic knowledge of the human mind and patterns of behavior. Through hard work, the use of new technology, and plenty of lateral thinking, they are able to read the minds of the killers, predict their next move, and foil their plans all while learning a lesson or two.
All of this should sound pretty familiar. The show is quite derivative of other procedurals, namely C.S.I. and the other CBS nerd-as-hero detective drama, Numb3rs. There are some good values here -- the show lauds diligence, teamwork, and book smarts. However, it could cultivate an unrealistic fear of a violent world full of psychopathic killers. The recurring characters fail to be compelling. Their relationships are underdeveloped and their dialogue isn't much more than a pastiche of witless banter and hackneyed truisms. Even Gideon isn't really fleshed out enough to elicit sympathy. The show is too busy feeding us new puzzles and shocking us with grisly violence to bother with complex characterization. While the show provides the suspense and shrewdness expected of a crime procedural, its lack of unique characters severely limit its potential to engage an audience.
Fans are fortunate to have a bounty of related shows from which to sample, including The Closer and Law and Order: Criminal Intent.
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Sexual ContentSome serial killers' crimes stem from a sexual deviance. |
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ViolenceFrighteningly realistic depictions of injury and murder. |
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Social BehaviorPraises intelligence and hard work, but may make viewers overly suspicious of others. |
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