Why I Completely Stopped Watching "Criminal Minds" | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why I Completely Stopped Watching "Criminal Minds"

It's entire premise is built on an inaccurate and hurtful view of mental illness.

3431
Why I Completely Stopped Watching "Criminal Minds"
fas30s30gyochecfettpet1.blogspot.com

Everyone has their crap TV show. I could write hundreds of articles about why no one should watch "America's Next Top Model" literally ever, and yet I'm pretty sure I've seen every season at least nine times. "Criminal Minds" used to be the same way for me. Sure, I knew it was crap, but come on, if you don't love Spencer Reid, you're lying. But after a while, it got harder and harder to watch.

Every single episode seemed to prey on my worst fears, poke and prod at my insecurities, confirm the voices in my head that assure me I am a bad person because I have a mental illness. I am accustomed to the popular media misunderstanding mental illness, and I do my best to give them the benefit of the doubt, lest I also be stigmatized for being "too sensitive" (we just can't win for losing). But "Criminal Minds" doesn't simply "misunderstand." Its entire premise is built on an inaccurate and hurtful view of mental illness.

Not only are mental illnesses incorrectly portrayed in the show (apparently OCD is when you have a mildly clean house, according to Hotch), but the entire idea of the show is dangerous. Criminal profiling is shady dealings at best, and it's more likely just straight up psuedoscience. But even if we decide to look past that blatant misrepresentation of the degree of certainty in psychology, it's still concerning. Because who are the "unsubs?" They're different. Their way of thinking must inherently differ from the general population's, otherwise the BAU wouldn't be able to generate a unique profile. So what's so dangerous about portraying criminals as objectively different?

It helps create an "us" vs. "them" barrier that isn't real.

"Criminal Minds" assumes that there are criminals, and then there are normal people. The suspects are so profoundly "other" that we can assure ourselves we could never be like them in any way. But all criminals are human. And we, the viewers, are human. So what separates us from the killers? The answer for most people, especially the BAU, is that they must be sick.

It's easy to think this. Empathetic, almost. Instead of believing that these unsubs are inherently evil people, we give them the benefit of the doubt. As a friend once put it, "You want to feel bad for them, because they're clearly so sick, but you can't excuse it either, because that's how they all are." And that right there is why I hate the show so much. Nearly every single suspect is mentally ill, and it is convincing kind, intelligent people that all criminals must be sick.

I could rattle off numbers to you about how people with mental illness are several times less likely to commit a violent crime than a neurotypical person, or about how people with mental illness actually represent a disproportionately large percentage of victims of violent crimes, but that stuff probably won't stop you from watching the show, right? Because it's good! You'll tell me all about the BAU characters, how you watch it mostly just because you love Garcia (who doesn't?) and how the show isn't really about the unsubs, but about the team.

To which I can only say this: pick something unusual about yourself, something the media picks on or misrepresents. Maybe you're bisexual, or in a sorority or a ginger. OK, now imagine there was an entire show dedicated to explaining why you are inherently different, deficient and dangerous. It sounds ridiculous, right? That's because it is. But people will tell you that the main characters (who are of course all straight, anti-Greek or natural blondes) are the real point of the show. It doesn't matter that there would be no show at all without the assumed depravity of bisexuals, sorority girls or gingers. It doesn't matter that there is absolutely no science to support anything that's said in the show. And worst of all, it doesn't matter that people actually believe the false information the show is spreading.

Well it matters to me. And I hope it matters to you. Because even if you don't have a mental illness, someone you know does, and odds are, you don't go around thinking they're a serial killer. They're your RA, your professor, your best friend, and they deserve better than "Criminal Minds."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times "Parks and Recreation" Summed Up Your Library Experience

"I've only slept nine hours over the past four days, so I'm right on the verge of a nervous breakdown." - Leslie Knope

1044
Parks and Recreation excitedly gathered around a laptop at a table in an office setting.

The library. Club lib. The place every college student goes when they want to try and be a productive member of society. Who better to explain your experience than Parks and Rec?

1. When you've finally found the energy to leave your dorm room and walk into the lib like

Keep Reading...Show less
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

27032
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

11349
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments