TV Lifespans: The future for Criminal Minds season 13 and beyond
We’ve already reported at length on the CBS series’ ratings, but we’re not here in this article to debate the show’s renewal / cancellation odds. Maybe we’re speaking out of naivete but we do believe that a 14th season of Criminal Minds. The larger question we wonder from here is whether or not Criminal Minds season 14 is going to mark the end of the road. Are we going to be done with the BAU after next season, provided that there is a next season?
The first thing to obviously note here is that when gauging the long-term future of Criminal Minds, it’s not all up to the cast members themselves. The powers that be over at CBS have a lot of say in this, and they are probably a little more reluctant to keep the show long-term than a series like NCIS or Hawaii Five-0, which they have a greater ownership stake in thanks to the studio. Add to this rising costs for a series this long into its run and there is reason to worry about the long-term future of Criminal Minds.
Here’s what our own desired endgame for the series is: Get it to season 15, and then wrap things up with a batch of episodes that really plays homage to the show’s history and the entire world you’ve created. Also use that season to take even greater risks and interesting stories. Feature more long-term arcs, bring in more characters from some of the canceled spin-off series, and offer up a proper series finale that pays tribute to the entire series. We know that it’ll be tough to get back every former cast member best on the way some of them left, but it’d be nice to at least see some turn back up.
We feel like there should be some sort of unwritten rule that any time that you have a show that lasts more than a decade, it should be the responsibility of the network in order to craft the strongest ending possible. We know that television is obviously a business, but shouldn’t there also be a way to appeal to people who have gone on the entire journey with you, as well?
Do you think that Criminal Minds should last for at least a couple more seasons? Share now in the attached comments! Meanwhile, remember that you can also like CarterMatt on Facebook in the event you do want more insight regarding the series. (Photo: CBS.)