The procedural crime school Criminal Minds is a hugely popular and successful show that has been airing for 15 years. After 15 seasons, the show has ended, leaving many fans to reflect on what made this show so special and unique.
Many Criminal Minds fans consider the show the best procedural crime show there is. And while there are many elements to Criminal Minds that set it apart from similar shows, there are also several other programs that are just as enjoyable. When comparing television shows, it's important to consider what makes each one enjoyable, so let's check out some reasons Criminal Minds is the best and a few other shows that might be even better.
Alternative: Lie To Me
Lie to Me is a show that ended way too soon. Though this show only lasted for 3 seasons, it quickly set itself apart from other crime shows.The main character on the show was Cal, an expert in deception.
As Cal interviewed people about crimes, he would observe their body language, facial expressions, and tone to determine whether or not they were being truthful. Most of the science presented in the show was accurate, allowing viewers to learn a new skill while they watched the show.
Best: Diversity In Crimes
Many crime shows become fairly predictable. The crimes may follow a pattern and usually revolve around the same type of crime. That is not the case with Criminal Minds.
There are a number of varied crimes and criminals on Criminal Minds. From cannibals to terrorists to kidnappers to serial killers, Criminal Minds has seen it all.
Alternative: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Another long-running crime show with a huge following is Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. This show follows a group of detectives who work in NYC, investigating sexually based crimes.
SVU often uses its episodes to mirror real life and provide commentary on relevant crimes. But fans of the show can be satisfied as the perpetrators of these crimes are almost always caught and convicted, something that, unfortunately, is far less common in real life.
Best: Reoccuring Criminals
In many procedural crime shows, the criminals appear in one episode, are apprehended, and then are never seen again. One thing that makes Criminal Minds unique is that there are several criminals who appear in more than one episode. This has led to some incredible ongoing storylines that have majorly impacted the show.
The first example that comes to mind is the notorious serial killer "The Reaper." The Reaper appeared in several episodes, outsmarting the main characters and causing them to believe he was a victim. His story arch majorly impacted the story as he killed Hotchner's wife, something that had a long-lasting effect on the characters in the story.
Alternative: Pushing Daisies
Another crime show that disappeared way too quickly was Pushing Daisies. With only 2 seasons, this show managed to make an impact and create a lasting impression on fans. This crime show is tonally different from many others. It is quirky and campy, leaving viewers smiling as they watch.
The show focuses on a piemaker named Ned who has the ability to revive the dead. However, if Ned leaves the revived alive for more than one minute, something else will die in their place. Ned uses this ability to assist an investigator in solving murders by bringing back the victims to gain as much information as he can in one minute. The show also features musical numbers and a complicated love story.
Best: Referencing Previous Cases
One reason many people enjoy procedural crime shows is that one can typically watch an episode without having ever seen any of the other episodes and understand what is going on. This is because the episodes generally exist in isolation from the other episodes.
While causal viewers can certainly say the same for Criminal Minds, they will be missing some aspects if they don't watch the entire series. That is because the characters from Criminal Minds sometimes reference previous cases, creating more interconnectivity between the crimes, and providing additional context for the viewer. Small details like this can have a big impact on one's enjoyment when watching a crime show.
Alternative: Psych
Psych has a massive following. The show ran for 8 seasons and after much demand from fans, a plan for a series of movies was created. Much of the show's success is due to the strong cast of characters in the show. Fans watched these characters grow and develop over the years.
The main character is Shawn Spencer, a man with incredible observation skills who pretends to be a psychic detective to serve as a consultant to the Santa Barbara Police Department. Many of the crimes in this show are grand and eccentric, giving the show the feel of an adult Scooby-Doo.
Best: Insight Into The Criminal
The television show is named Criminal Minds because the show explores the mindset of the criminals. The main cast of characters is a group of FBI profilers who predict the actions of criminals in an attempt to catch them.
People are fascinated with criminals, and this show allows fans to explore that fascination and gain insight into the mind of a criminal from the safety of their homes. The show also references real-life criminals, drawing a connection between reality and fantasy to provide additional context to fans.
Alternative: Monk
Another long-running detective show is Monk. This show focused on a brilliant detective with OCD whose meticulous attention to detail allowed him to solve complex crimes.
After the murder of his wife, Monk's condition worsened and he lost his job as a detective, later becoming a valuable consultant for the department. This police show is hilarious, heartwarming, and engaging.
Best: Character Development
One of Criminals Minds' greatest successes is the character development on the show. The members of the BAU are given background stories and long-running plotlines.
Their personal struggles and relationships with lovers and family members are highlighted in the show, allowing fans to become invested in these profilers. The connection to the characters adds a level of investment and creates high stakes for the show as no one wants to see these agents harmed.