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CRIMINAL MINDS “JJ” Review

CRIMINAL MINDS (CBS) JJ

Say what you will about CRIMINAL MINDS, but damn, do they know how to make an exit.

“JJ” is the name of the second episode of the sixth season. It is the last time AJ Cook will appear. CBS decided to let her go, as well as reduce the number of Paget Brewster’s episodes because they needed to cut costs. I’ll get to that in a minute.

The main case was centred round Kate Joyce, an nineteen year old girl who disappeared when she was on vacation in Atlantic Beach with two guys and never came home. After interrogating the two guys (including one brilliant scene, filled with tension where Morgan wears Sid, the blonde jock jerk, down almost to tears) JJ helps solve the case.

Examining the pictures Sid took, she notices Kate’s phone in the background in a photo taken after they allegedly dropped her off…except her parents found the phone in her bedroom.

Jimmy (the other guy) brought his boat out and left Kate in the middle ocean, where she has been surviving for the last three days in shark infested waters, clinging on to a buoy.

This would have been a standard but solid episode of Criminal Minds, if it had not been for the fact that it was JJ (and AJ’s) swansong of an episode. It was not so much JJ leaving the team as AJ leaving the show. She even gave a voiceover out of character.

The writers of the show were clearly behind her all the way. They made coy references to why she might be getting transferred: “Maybe she asked for a raise,” Reid said, only to be shot with an eye rolling glare from Prentiss, to JJ’s unwillingness to leave the team she has come to love: “How am I supposed to tell them I’m leaving when I don’t want to go?” to Hotchner (or the team behind Criminal Minds)’s last words: “I’m hoping I can get you back.”

Even Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) sobbed, and I’d guess that there was more Kirsten than Penelope in those tears.

Whether or how they are going to replace her, I don’t know. I don’t envy the actress who has to try to fill in JJ’s shoes.

“Everything is going to be fine,” JJ said to Penelope at the top of the episode as she gets in the elevator. Maybe, but it won’t be the same.

What did you think of the episode? Did you share tears for JJ/AJ? How do you think her exit was handled? And what was your favorite JJ moment in Criminal Minds? Mine was when she shot James ‘Colby’ Baylor in season 3. Through a freaking glass door!

Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

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Author: | September 30, 2010 | 30 Comments

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  • JANET POWERS

    Bring JJ back

  • Dora Duchon

    I didn’t know anything about this until I watched the episode. The way they ended it, I thought they were going to create a spin-off! So I checked on-line and found out that she had been fired to cut costs – as well as cutting Paget Brewster’s episodes. My two favorite characters.
    If they wanted to save money, they should have cut Tom Gibson or Joe Montegna. I keep wondering why the show “needs” both of them. Their characters seem redundant to me. Especially Montegna. He should just be called in as a consultant once in awhile. And both of those men probably make a lot more money than the young women who got the axe.
    This used to be one of my favorite shows, but I’m not going to watch it anymore. Now it’s just another male-centered joke.

  • Bethany

    I cried, and I agree–there was a lot more real life reaction than in-character. Definitely shone through, in a good and heartbreaking way. I’ll definitely miss JJ!

  • Barbara Lynch

    I think you are absolutely correct in that the writers added some truthful zingers. I also detected truth in Hotch’s remark about “hoping to get her back”. Thought I saw his mouth quiver, as though holding back tears.

    What a shame – this comes down to money. This is a great show, and they want to sabotage it. Maybe they should take some of the money thrown away on crap like the “Defenders”, and funnel it into this successful show to keep the team, which is like a family the way it is.

  • Pat

    I am very disappointed at what is happening to Criminal Minds……they are totally ruining a wonderful show!!! You are going to lose a lot of viewers for your mistake!!!

  • Rowena

    Oh Dear. Really? JJ? wow. And truly because of money? Then, why make a spin off? (Which, btw, doesn’t seem to be spinning off well. I don’t know anyone who’s watching it.) CBS may want to reconsider their decision in letting go key characters to an otherwise excellent, very creative TV show. Changing a well known and highly praised recipe, changes the flavour of the dish. Keeping out an essential ingredient to a great show can spell diaster in ratings. I think CBS should listen to us Criminal Mind fans. JJ’s character should not have been let go.

  • P. Skinner

    Bring JJ back!!!!! They could have found another way to cut costs. JJ is essential to the team. She is the heart and soul. I think AJ Cook is a fabulous actress and did not deserve to be the one to get cut. They could have cut back on Joe Montegna’s role as Dora mentioned as his role is rather redundant to Thomas Gibson’s. Cutting Hotchner’s would also be a terrible idea. When Gideon left, they should have left the cast as it was. They were the perfect team. Nothing like a network f*****g with perfection.

  • Sharon

    I agree with the majority. There were better ways for CBS to save money.Cut costs, lose viewers.
    This was the last episode for me.

  • Sally

    Criminal Minds was always about the team and acted as a family and several shows reflect that. We got to see over all of these years the growth of the characters which meant more than them solving the case. It was the dinamic that made this different. If the show needed to cut costs there were better ways than cutting people. Reduce the travel to all over have more based around the eastern US. Hotchner(Gibson) off some of the shows to spend with Jack since he is a single parent instead of his sister in-law doing all the work. Rossi(Montegna) replace the character of the Bureau Chief and one have him on more limited. Don’t have all of the cast travel to every scene, some could have stayed on set with Garcia. There are always better ways then cutting heads. Because you are messing with the success of the show for this. So the shareholders are not making enough money, do more merchandising then. The last change that brought in Rossi and Prentice improved the show from Elle and Gideon it is closer knit now and not everything is the case it is much more. I love this show and look forward to it each week but last night it broke my heart for AJ Cook to leave and now they are also going to reduce the appearances of Prentice. Why not just tell us you will be cancelled at the end of the season because of how this will change the show.

    • Lisa

      Though I said in a separate comment that I did not think JJ was that vital of a player, I do think she was part of the whole – and the whole was good. I agree with all of the alternative ideas you presented. What a shame that the decision-makers didn’t come up with – or possibly accept – some of these ideas.

  • JOY

    One of the best left the show…what’s going onnnn??? This show is absolutely one of the BEST on TV…so what’s with the “cutting costs”…c’monnnnn,we all know better than that!!! When you have the best actors..you PAY THEM!!!!! ;-O

  • Darcy

    First, will miss JJ. I wish AJ Cook all the best. CBS is not being smart here, they should not try to fix something that wasn’t broken.Love the giant middle finger the writer, Erica Messer did at CBS! That was one great exit.

    Sorry but Dora comment at cutting is ridiculous. Gibson play the central character! If CM were to lose Gibson then you can close the door on CM!

    Will still watch my favorite show, will not be the same without JJ but all family lose members, people move away, die. Why shouldn’t the BAU TV family be different?

  • Jackie

    I love this show and was really upset to see JJ go.
    I agree- they should axe Montegna. They really don;t need him.
    I cried- and am not ashamed to admit it.
    Was a good exit- but I really hope they bring her back!!

  • Glenys Porter

    Big mistake. I’m disgusted with whomever made this decision. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

  • KT

    I liked it. Felt like CM was pwn*d CBS a bit. Kind of biting their thumbs at the network.

  • Donna Gazley

    It seems that being “brain dead” is a prerequisite for the higher ups in show biz too..why is it the girls have to go? Cost cutting??? Ridiculous.. Criminal Minds is one of the best shows CBS has and they are ridding themselves of one of the best characters and cutting the others role…who’s the next one?..Kristen?

  • Robert Taylor

    I did not like yhe fact that A J Cook was forced to leave for so called financial reasons.

  • Eula Monahan

    Big error. Watching JJ leaving was like watching a very sad movie.
    Criminal Minds is one of the best shows on TV today. However, it is on the same time as Law and Order SVU also a great show. Taking JJ off the show and replacing her with someone else might just push watchers to another network. I wish A.J.Cook the best and I am sure she will be OK; however, will Criminal Minds be OK?

  • cheriecalgary

    I agree that it was a bad decision to cut JJ from the show. Good on the writers for pointing out the issues through dialog.
    I don’t agree with dora that they should have cut Tom Gibson or Joe Montegna. They should have just cut Joe Montegna.

    I missed Gideon when he left, but agree they should have just left the team this way instead of adding Montegna. Call him in now and then as a consultant, and leave the rest alone.

  • Tricia

    Why in the world do they need to save money?? It is one of the top shows and I can’t even imagine that any of the women make what the men do. I’m sure there were other ways.

    Not sure if I am even going to watch it anymore. BRING HER BACK!!!

  • Lisa

    I thought this episode was kind of boring and corny – so much so that I questioned whether different writers were used for this episode. Though I like the entire cast of characters, I really don’t think she contributed THAT much. It is not my intention to be mean. Lastly, I questioned whether or not her final words on the show were HER actual thoughts. I would be very surprised if she was given that much freedom to be honest – especially when it seemed to be against the higher ups/decision-makers of the show.

  • http://www.lisatarves.com Lisa Tarves

    Criminal Minds has always been an awesome show with JJ being one of the main reasons for my watching it…even in reruns!! She is an incredible actress and brought a real down-to-earth element to the show. Her character truly cared, and you felt it. This whole new “creative direction” thing is frustrating. CBS did it with Ghost Whisperer too and look how well that worked out! Just leave the characters and story lines alone when they’re working! Whoever is making these ridiculous decisions STOP!! You don’t need to fix things that aren’t broken!!

  • Tony Lathan

    Silly decision. I for one will stop watching

  • ABG

    …finally watched the JJ episode today (10/12) – not sure if I wanted to hang on to JJ being on the show or if I was really busy. I think the former. Like most of the posters, I too do not know why they felt the need to cut characters to cut costs on a show that clearly is watched by many; and must be bringing in the dollars for the network. I will watch to see how the show rebounds from the JJ character’s absence.

  • becky

    Im with you guys!! Its supposed to be a family!! Its not the same with out her!! I know they are hoping we will forget about her but it soo not like that cause its almost like losing a friend (cheesy ya i know) but this is so much worse then losing gidion!!! BRING HER BACK!!! and double her salary!!!

  • Pam Deacon

    You have lost my viewing for getting rid of JJ out of Criminal Minds she was great. Why do the networks continue to do this when they have a great show. Too much testerone in the room you nit wits. Your gonna loose alot of viewers.

  • Dina

    Hotch & JJ are my favorites. I am not watching anymore. I look at the “known” actors they have been getting for villians, and they could cut costs by using unkowns. There are a lot of ways to do this; however, as a female viewer, losing the women in the show is not the way to go. I don’t need to watch another boys club.
    Why do a spin off if you can not afford to keep this going? That tells me there is no reason 2 watch the spin off b/c it will be cancelled due to budgetary reasons.
    Look how successful this show has been and for how long, not many make it to a 6th season, so why mess up the formula now?

  • Anonymous

    Want JJ back on the team….the team is only good if all of them are there…..cut other shows…..NOT PEOPLE….to save money…..

  • http://KR Katherine

    Getting rid of Gibson is a ridiculous comment. He is the best and most powerful actor on the show. I also like Gubler, Moore and Brewster. When Patinkin left the show went down a notch. But with Gibson, Gubler, Moore, etc. it helped keep it interesting and intelligent. Now that Garcia is on the series a lot more, it has gone down two notches. Whose idea was that! This is a well directed, intelligent show. Baby girl has got to go back to her crib. (Moore calling her “baby girl” is annoying.) I loved this show in the early seasons, now I’m close to not watching it anymore. Hope this show goes back to creativity!

  • Sportsgirl744

    I want JJ back but I also noticed in this episode that Prentiss shirt was low cut and when she asked the blonde guy if he was hungry it looked like she purposely showed her cleavage….idk if it was just me or??

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