Criminal Minds - The Hunt - Review: "Season Recap"

Opening Quote:
Spoken by Kate Callahan - "The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything." Albert Einstein

Closing Quote:
Also spoken by Kate Callahan - "Life is about choices. Some we regret, some we're proud of. We are what we chose to be." Graham Brown

The finale itself:

Thanks to an interview done with Kirsten Vangsness, we were already aware of Jennifer Love Hewitt's departure about a month in advance. So, it wasn't a shocker to see this finale based around her and her niece, Meg. Erica Messer, as well, spoiled basically the entire finale in all of her interviews. Based on all of this, and the fact that it was yet another finale based around a Sex Trafficking Ring, none of it felt original and exciting. Kate's maternal instinct was nice to see throughout, as well as Hotch doing anything and everything to find Meg and Markayla, as a Unit Chief would. Also, I love Kate's husband, Chris. Greg Grunberg is a great actor and he brought some well needed depth to this episode and that character. I was elated to see him again in the finale. I like how Kate was investigated the traffickers on her own. However, I'm still peeved around this whole arc. It was a truly unrealistic approach for this season. An FBI agent would have more surveillance over her children than anyone. It would be ridiculously hard to abduct their daughter this way, and not have the FBI know about it as soon as it was happening.

Other than that, this finale was quite forgettable. JJ's press conference was enjoyable. The 69 joke was pretty funny (I'm immature, apparently). The scene where Meg knocks out the tail lights while she's in the trunk of the car was a nice homage to the show Psych, whether they meant to reference it or not. Hotch's and Rossi's interrogation scenes were great, as always. Creepy quote award goes to: "You know what's great about the internet? It's therapy for sick minds. Before, you thought you were alone. But now, one click, and you'll realize you've got family." "You don't have the balls needed to kill, so you pawned that off on others." Way to shut him down, Rossi. Although, I wasn't such a fan of Rossi asking, "Are you dumb, Alex?" because that ultimately made me think he was asking that of Blake. Reid finding out JJ is pregnant was adorable! Kate's goodbye scene was emotional, but I'm upset that she got to have a heartfelt goodbye with Hotch when Blake was shoved at the back of the plane and Hotch just stared at her from afar. As well, she's also welcome to come back in Season 12, which ties into my next point.

The season overall:

If we take a look back to my first official article, I made a list of my hopes and dreams for the show this season. Based on that list, here's what happened and didn't:
- In some cases, we did receive actual, lengthy profiles of the unsubs. In other, we got a lot of gore simply for shock value. Unfortunately, I'd say we had more episodes with terrible profiles than decent profiled cases.
- We still have no real backstory on Garcia and her parents.
- Despite a few great chances to do so, still nothing on Hotch's abusive past.
- Nothing about Morgan's father.
- We did get that one, 10-second Blake reference at the beginning of the season, yet no mention of her after that, and about 3 Prentiss mentions this season.
- We learned more about Rossi's deceased son, which was actually really sweet. A nice sendoff for Harrison was had as well.
- Gideon's sendoff, however, was completely unnecessary and although the flashback were phenomenal, the actual case of that episode was dismal.
- Hotch & Garcia moments were adorable, when they happened.
- Rossi & Reid moments were scarce, but were completely welcomed with me when they were on screen.

- We did not get a pure psychopath again (one like Frank, Foyet, etc.) and Rossi still does not have a nemesis. I suppose it's for the best, because he did lose a few friends this year.
- I agree with some commentators about Hotch not acting as much like a Unit Chief this season. His moments with Jack, I thought, were much more important to the show. Mr. Scratch seems to be a fan favourite, and although we got no signs of trauma afterwards, people seemed to love that episode and what happened. I, for one, was not a fan.
- Yet another season goes by with Morgan & Garcia remaining in the dark towards each other and their real feelings for one another. Sam was not brought back at all, and the one episode Savannah was in, was actually kind of nice. But there has been no development in either of those relationships, so it's only fair that we seem them together at some point soon!
- No Will was shown either, because Josh Stewart was apparently busy. It would've been nice to see him though, especially in episodes like If The Shoe Fits and The Forever People.
- How many times is Hotch going to witness these brunette-agents leave? Elle, Emily, Blake, and now Kate. This is terrible.
- Overall, a disappointing season in my opinion. Especially considering Season 9 had some truly amazing episodes that got me completely in love with the show and the characters. Yet another female agent left the show, and due to A.J. Cook's pregnancy, she will be leaving too.

Hopes for a Season 11:

My biggest, newest worry if the show does get renewed, is based on Erica Messer. Now that Beyond Borders has been picked up, all of her focus will be on that show and not this one. I find it quite worrisome that Criminal Minds might continue alongside the spinoff. Adding on to my worries, another woman has left the show. They cannot let JJ be the only female agent in the field. Even so, JJ's going to go on maternity leave soon too! They're going to have to fill both of those spots for the time being, either with an old face from the team, or someone new. Either way, as long as they try and stick to their roots, focus on the cases and then tell some great stories about these characters' lives. I do however think Season 11 should be the last one. I don't see them coming up with any more truly shocking and unique tales of unsubs much longer, and character development for these guys could be completed by the end of Season 11, the way I see it. So, Criminal Minds, if you're listening, the key to a successful season 11 would be to not focus on getting a completely new character (try to get an old one, or if you do get a new one, please try and make her original), create some new and exciting cases with excellent, lengthy profiles where we truly watch the team get puzzled and challenged by their actions and behaviours, and develop our loveable profilers to the best of your abilities, because there are still things we do not know about these guys, even in season 10.

So, the big question, what did YOU think of The Hunt? How about season X - did you enjoy it or were you disappointed? If we were to get an 11th season, what would you want most to happen? Leave some comments down below!

And a big THANK YOU to those that have stuck with me since the beginning. I know my reviews have changed a bit since then, but it really means a lot to me that some of you have continued to read my thoughts and opinions on the show I once called my absolute favourite. I want nothing more than to see it succeed, but they have to do it right!