Criminal Minds

Criminal Minds
[DVD Criminal]

Criminal Minds is a modern, fascinating procedural crime series about the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. The BAU team members study the crime scene and pull together clues that enable them to establish psychological profiles of the criminals, to think as they do, and ultimately move one step ahead of the next crime to capture the "unsub" (unknown subject). Initially starring Mandy Patinkin as Jason Gideon; Joe Mantegna was added to the team (as David Rossi) when Patinkin left the series (early in the third season). Team members include Unit Chief Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner (Thomas Gibson, of Dharma & Greg), Lola Gladini as sex-crimes expert Elle Greenway (who left the series in season two), Paget Brewster as multi-lingual Emily Prentiss, Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) a man with a private history we later learn about, young genius Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler), uber computer tech Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) -- a very colorful character, and media liaison Jennifer "J.J." Jareau (A.J. Cook, who left the series early in season six). There are the occasional criminals who carry over between episodes, but for the most part each crime is resolved each week. The storylines are the main stars, but the histories of the characters and their interaction with each other are important as well and add to the flavor of the show. This is an intelligent, suspenseful series following characters we come to care about. -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[Also available are several Criminal Minds tie-in novels, which you will find listed in the TV Tie-Ins booklist here on BookGuide]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this series ] | [ official Criminal Minds web site ]

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