My favorite show on television is Criminal Minds. I enjoy watching the team fight to end crime and put sadistic killers in prison. The interaction of the Criminal Minds team is part of what makes the television series so appealing. The characters are not only co-workers but friends, who all have unique bonds with one another. In addition to their personal relationships with each other, they also have special talents in which they excel. Garcia is a genius when it comes to technology, Dr. Reid has a photographic memory, Hoch has uncanny leadership skills and so forth. When you combine the team’s gifts and the unmistakable bond between them, they are unstoppable.
Another characteristic that makes the show interesting is that we get a glimpse into the characters personal lives, which makes us feel as if we can relate to what they go through. Hoch was going through a divorce as a result of never having time for his family at home. You can empathize with Hoch in this situation; because his job is so vital to saving lives he cannot be with his family as often as he would like. Scenarios like this make the team of “superheroes” seem much more humanized, and are one part of the television show that appropriately emulates real life.
Unfortunately, Criminal Minds is nothing more than a fantasy. Many of the reasons I am attracted to the show are some of the most prominent reasons that it is unlike real life. I am sure that there is a team in the FBI that work diligently on solving special cases and profiling criminals, but I doubt they are all best friends and care for each other as it is portrayed on Criminal Minds. I do not doubt that there are some people in our world (perhaps even in our government) who have incredible talents like that of Dr. Reid. The chances that there is really a team out there like the one portrayed on Criminal Minds is very unlikely.
Finally, Criminal Minds is unlike real life because unfortunately, the good guys do not always win. In real life mysteries go unsolved, bodies remain missing, and sometimes the killer does not fit the profile. It is probably the saddest reality, but the most truthful. In real life there is not always a happy ending.
