Although the police drama has remained the backbone of television programming this is not intended to infer the format and thematic foundation has remained the same through the half century this genre has occupied this status. At one time the focus was on the individual, the police officer or most commonly a detective, dedicated to probing a mystery to gather the clues necessary to flush out the criminal and bring him to justice. During the last few years there has been a major paradigm shift to a group approach particularly concentrating on the application of forensic science in criminal investigation. While many networks have jumped on this bandwagon CBS, a perennial leader in police procedural dramas, has come up with a nicely constructed alternative; ‘Criminal Minds’. Most shows currently running rely on the examination of the infinitesimal clues afforded by the physical evidence this series focuses on the application of the psychological elements of the men perpetrating the most heinous crimes imaginable. This series follows the exploits of the elite division of the FBI, the Behavioral Analysis Unit. It is up to these highly trained professionals to consistently due the unimaginable, crawl into the dark and perverse recesses of the criminal’s mind in order to capture him and bring him to justice. In most cases the unknown subject of the investigation, the ‘Unsub’, as he is known within the context of the series, is most often a serial killer. Of all the types of criminal behavior has attracted the most public attention. Over a century ago the tabloid magazines regaled the public with the horrendous murders of Jack the Ripper. Since then serial killers like Charles Manson, Ted Bundy and David Berkowitz have been popular sources of novels and movies. These are monsters far more frightening for the reality than figures of the imagination like Freddie Kruger and Leather face. Each week ‘Criminal Minds’ portrays the illustrious BAU as they work to protect the public from these sinister figures. The move from the physical to psychological provides as refreshingly different approach to the crime drama and even the sixth season under consideration here remains one of the most intriguing series on TV. It’s still going strong as it enters its seventh season although this is very much a year to reorient the characters and underlying thematic foundation but ultimately the quality has not been compromised.

As mentioned this is a season is one where the producers decided to mix things up a bit. Although the series is s proven, consistent performer it has been on for six years and was starting to show signs of its age. In a well consider, preemptive move they felt that it was better to take the series in a new direction rather than waiting for the fans to lose interest. The plan was successful pulling up the all important ratings to break the top ten for the first time in the run of the show. It also generated sufficient interest to generate a spin-off albeit one of far less popularity. This season starts off with a powerful punch. In the conclusion of the fifth season’s cliffhanger guest villain Tim Curry as the serial killer, Billy Flynn, better known by his nom de voyage, ‘The Prince of Darkness’. The performance by Curry is intense, exactly what fans of the series have come to expect. The first of the thematic changes is a shakeup of the cast. The Unit’s public relations liaison, J.J. Jareau (A.J. Cook), is forced to accept a promotion she previous declined to work for the Pentagon. Section Chief Director Erin Strauss (Jayne Atkinson). Unit Supervisory Agent Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) tries to intercede but the success of the unit has made them prime targets for intra-agency pouching. For ultimate good of the team and a chance to spend more time with her young son J.J. reluctantly accepts and leaves the Unit. Initially, her position is covered by the team’s hacker extraordinaire, Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness). She is so anxious to maintain the integrity of the group in the absence of J.J. that Garcia is willing to put aside her trademarked flamboyant style in favor of more business appropriate attire and demeanor. As always she is fully supported by her best friend and team field supervisor, Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore). This change altered the dynamic presented by Garcia moving her from comic relief and exposition to a role more involved in the dramatic impact of the stories it also permits Vangsness to stretch considerably as an actress.

Another major change set in motion in this season is the expanded back story of Special Agent Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster). One thread reveals that she was a covert operative whose past begins to catch up with her. By the end of the season she is forced to fake her own death. This departure necessitates the addition of a new character, Ashley Seaver (Rachel Nichols), FBI cadet brought in to help out on a case. Her particular expertise is the fact that her biological father was a highly effective serial killer. With all these changes it was a sound idea for the producers to retain a couple of core characters intact. Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) whose multiple degrees make him a walking reference library. In this season the writers did lighten up on Reid’s lack of social skills allowing him to interact in a more normal fashion with others. Then there is David Rossi (David Rossi) who was one of the founders of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. While Reid represents intellect Rossi is the most experienced profiler with decades of field work and scholastic study backing him up.

This was one of the best seasons of the series to date. The changes will take time for diehard fans to acclimate to but ultimately it is worth it. This season not only expertly avoided the much dreaded doldrums that has derailed many excellent series but it reinvigorated one on the best produced series on television allowing it to continue on in style.