SVU Season 18 Thoughts

Criminal Minds Season 14

There have been several episodes with characters having flashbacks and none of them feature Hotch at all, which makes me sad! No-one even mentions him anymore, which just makes me sad! They could have little moments like “Do you remember when we worked a similar case and Hotch did/said X to help us figure out who the unsub is”… 

The episode focused on JJ’s hometown and her relationship with her sister was an interesting one. I mostly just have it on as background noise, though some episodes do draw me in.  One of my best friends bought Seasons 2-8 after I got her Season 1, which she has yet to finish. I am so excited for her to watch the finale, it is excellent! 

Into the Gotchaverse!

Because @hotchley has just celebrated a birthday, I thought it was the perfect time to post this! I have taken inspiration from several writers @themetaphorgirl from her PSOLC series for the triplets’ nicknames and Spencer not being able to master pronunciation of foreign languages, @hotchley or someone else I think came up with the strawberry allergy and any similarities to @winterscaptain a joyful future series are accidental ( and can be changed if needed). 

Birthday

Hotch yawned, stretched and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Rolling over, he found his wife’s side of the bed empty but still warm.

As he awoke, he tuned in to the sounds of chatter, laughter, giggling and cupboards and drawers being opened and closed that carried up the stairs from the kitchen.

« Mama! We have to put chocolate chips in! They are Dada’s favourite! » Scarlett ordered loudly. «  Oh, and strawberries too, of course! », she added.

Hotch had come to expect nothing less of his Type A, opinionated four year-old daughter who would quite likely be running the country someday.

« Maybe we could put banana in instead, Lettie? », Stella suggested, looking for middle ground and a way to keep everyone happy.

«  No, not stwawbewwies! Dada’s super ‘llergic, ‘member! We don’t want him to have to go to hostipal, not on his biwfday! » Theo piped up, sounding worried. Hotch could picture his son pushing his floppy blonde hair out of his eyes and biting his lip.

“ If you three don’t quiet down, you’ll wake your Dada up!”, his wife reprimanded his three youngest gently. “ And definitely no strawberries in the pancakes, Scarlett. We do not want a repeat of the 4th of July picnic, thank you very much.”, she added.

“Yeah, hard pass on that one! And we all know that Dad’s a grumpy bear before he’s had his morning coffee”, his eldest added.

It was enough of a birthday gift to have his eldest home from college, though he wasn’t far away, between his studies, his long distance girlfriend and enjoying life, visits home were not as frequent as he would have liked.

“Who wants to help me make coffee? Unless you’ve already made some, Penny?”, he questioned his stepmother, attempting to keep at least one of his siblings from making too much mess.

“ Not yet, sweetheart, I’m still on my herbal tea health kick, but you go right ahead. Stella, you go and help Jack, OK?”, she replied.

“Yes, Mama!”, Stella replied.

Hotch could picture her grabbing Jack’s hand and could hear them move her step-stool over to the proper area of the counter.

“We need, coffee beans, water in the jug, a mug, a spoon and a… filter, right, Jack-Jack?”, she enumerated.

If anyone became followed in his footsteps and became a profiler, it would be her, Hotch mused, as her attention to detail was second to none and her memory could rival Reid’s one day.

His thoughts were interrupted by a blur of short, dark, wavy hair flinging itself at him. The owner of the hair looked up at him, frowning slightly.

“Uh, Dada, you should be sleeping! But you’re awake, so you can read me books, right?” Scarlett declared. “Happy birthday, by the way!”, she added, rushing out of the room before he could answer, then dashed back with an armful of books.

Hotch proceeded to read all about Peppa’s adventures with her brother George and the well-meaning but pretty incompetent Daddy Pig.

While they were in the middle of yet another story about Peppa being bossy, Stella knocked on the door, waiting to be told it was OK to come in. Hotch nodded and gestured to her to join him on the bed. She entered, with Penelope following behind, wearing her purple silk pyjamas, matching robe and co-ordinated glasses. Her hair was pulled back in a simple braid, but she looked beautiful. She was bearing the special breakfast tray, which had a plate of pancakes on it ( thankfully strawberry-free), a glass of juice, a mug of coffee that bore the inscription that the drinker was the world’s best father, a vase with a small sunflower in it, plus all the cards that his children and his wife had made or bought him. Jack arrived a moment later, carrying Theo.

Penelope settled the tray in front of him, deftly scooping Scarlett up and out of the way before kissing him and positioning herself next to him, then placing Scarlett in her lap. Stella cautiously reached out from his other side to put her arms around his neck and give him a gentle kiss.

“Joyeux anniversaire, papa chéri! Bon appétit!”, she whispered excitedly. “ Auntie Emily helped me learn it, it means happy birthday, darling daddy. And bon appétit means bon appétit, of course!”, she explained eagerly.

“Why thank you, principessa”, Hotch replied, using the nickname that Rossi had chosen when Stella was born. “ How’s my Italian accent? Is it better than Uncle Spencer’s?” he asked, smiling at his clever daughter.

Stella just smiled and nodded, twirling one of her long brown curls around her finger, ever tactful about his former colleague’s ability to actually speak foreign languages that he could read and understand perfectly.

Meanwhile, his boys had settled by his feet.

“Happy birthday, old man!”, teased his eldest, grinning cheekily.

“Jack Thomas Hotchner! Don’t call people old, it’s wude! Happy biwfday, super young Dada!”Theo countered indignantly. “ Oh, and careful with the coffee, it’s hot!”, he added, brown eyes wide with concern as his father lifted the mug to his lips.

“Thanks for the compliment and the heads-up, buddy”, he replied, smiling at his children’s antics.

Once he had finished his delicious breakfast and the tray had been safely placed on the nightstand, out of the way, he began opening his cards. Scarlett got bored and burrowed under the covers, while Theo, still sitting near the end of the bed with Jack, had wrapped himself in the throw that was there, wearing it like a hooded cape.

“Oooh, present time now, Aaron!” his wife declared cheerfully.

“Oh look, I think you have some gifts already, as those strange lumps weren’t in our bed this morning!” she added, indicating the spots where Scarlett was hiding and Theo was sitting.

“Ah yes, bed lumps, just what I always wanted!” Hotch declared, prodding and tickling the bulge closest to him as his wife went to get the undoubtedly enormous stash of presents she had purchased for him.

The strange comforter-covered gift let out a giggle and poked out its head.

“ Am I a good surprise, Dada?”, she enquired.

“Yes, passerotta, you’re always a great surprise!” he replied.

“ Now, how about that lump that’s growing next to Jack, hmm?” he announced to the room.

He patted it gently and the fleecy dome wriggled, dislodging the blanket.

“Oh, a Theodore Atticus Morgan Hotchner, what a lovely surprise!”, he declared, which made Theo smile widely, activating the dimples that all of his siblings had inherited from him.

“ I fink Mama has some weally weally good pwopew pwesents fow you too” he added, regaining his usual quiet and serious tone.

As if on cue, Penelope returned, arms laden with beribboned gift bags and several deftly wrapped boxes. Every year she outdid herself, and, by now, he was starting to get used to being thoroughly spoiled, hugged, kissed and made a fuss of all day.

Gotcha! Reunited, Part 1

So here is the first part of my post Season 15 fic, where Hotch returns to Quantico, bumps into Penelope and they renew their friendship, which deepens into something more… I don’t know how to do the “Keep reading” cut off thing, sorry. Any ideas for an overall and chapter titles gratefully appreciated!

« Auntie Nellie-Pie! Auntie Nellie-Pie! »

Penelope swivelled around, eyes wide and mouth agape as she scanned the stationery aisle of the supermarket for the source of the voice which contrasted so sharply with the childlike nickname that nobody had called her for almost a decade.

Her eyes fell on a tall youth with green eyes, hair the colour of wet sand and a smile she would recognise anywhere, as it was accompanied by familiar dimples in his cheeks.

She promptly dropped the notebook she’d been examining as it dawned on her who the teenager was.

« Oh my goodness, it can’t be! But it is! Jackers! I thought I’d never see you again! »

Potential purchases forgotten on the floor, she rushed to embrace him.

« Oh, Aunt Penny, I’m glad to see you too, but I also enjoy breathing! » Jack exclaimed as she pulled back to cup his face after hugging him close.

«  Oh, sorry, sweetheart! It’s just been so long! You have no idea how devastated I was when your dad just vanished with you overnight. How is that dad of yours anyway? You probably get this all the time, but you look so much like him! »

« Yeah, dad’s fine. Old but fine! Are you still with the BAU? » he questioned.

« Oh no, I gave that up recently. Everyone decided to leave so I am now an IT freelancer. So much less gross than the cases I had to present to your dad and the team. You’re starting high school, right? » she inquired.

«  Yeah, going to be a freshman! Dad thought it best to stay where we were until I finished middle school, though we were both itching to come back-hey, Dad! Over here! » He signalled to his father who had reached the end of the aisle, with a look of concern etched upon his face.

« Hey, buddy, did you find what you nee-uh, Penelope! What a lovely surprise! »

Aaron’s jaw fell open and his eyes grew larger as he recognised the blonde woman wearing an outfit that looked like a parrot and a peacock had mated.

A second later, he was engulfed in a cloud of fair curls, glittery jewellery and an affectionate embrace.

« Hello Si…um, Hotch, sorry! » she chirped, wiping away the traces of scarlet lipstick from his cheek that she had impulsively kissed, as she pulled away from her former boss.

« It’s so good to see you! When you left without saying goodbye, which I completely understand, time was of the essence and your priority was and always should be your son, but I think you remember how well I handle change… » she trailed off, biting her lip as her eyes welled up and averting her gaze from his.

« If you’re still the same Penelope Garcia I knew back then, that would either be a) extremely badly or b) not at all » he replied, his tone full of affectionate teasing and a small smile playing on his lips, activating his dimple.

« Are you stil living in your apartment? » he asked.

« Indeed I am, I’m a creature of habit, Si… Sorry, I must stop calling you that! How about you, where are you and Jack staying? »

« We’ve found a house near the high school, not too far from Jess’s and close to my work. We’ll have to have you and the rest of the team for a housewarming. »

« Oh, that would be lovely! Rossi is up to his eyeballs in grandpa duties, as Joy had two more boys back-to-back, and he re-married Hayden a few years ago, JJ and Will moved back to New Orleans with my darling godsons, as Will has got a new job as head of the police force. Spencer is teaching at the university while also studying for degree number 563, Emily has settled in London, she does simultaneous translation for immigrants, Morgan is still in Chicago, he’s made a real name for himself doing house renovations and Savannah has just had a little girl called Charlotte. Tara’s training to teach psych at high school, she’s going to be awesome! Do you remember Matt Simmons? He’s opened a gym and Luke Alvez is a personal trainer there. As for me, I’m teaching coding classes at the community centre, being a freelance tech help person as well as giving internet safety talks in schools. How about you, former fearless leader? »

« I’ll be teaching law and criminology at the local university. I already noticed that Spencer’s going to be my colleague, so that will be interesting. It’s so great to hear everyone’s news, you really were the lynchpin that connected everyone. Look, you’ll have to come round for drinks and dinner to catch up properly-would Thursday evening at 8 suit you? »

« Sure, Sir, oops, Hotch! » she replied, eyes lighting up and a wide smile spreading across her face.

The two exchanged numbers and addresses before parting ways.

Well into Season 3 of Downton Abbey! Mary and Edith have stopped being witches with b’s to eachother. Love Matthew looking out for Tom and saying they have to stick together against their fiery wives was very sweet. I know how it all ends with Edith and Anthony Strallan, which sucks, but am waiting impatiently for Mary and Matthew’s wedding! 

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@ocstabler @valentinesfrog @dandelionsunset1210 @carisisrolledupsleeves @theonethinginlife @arthdoesart @toastbaby @themetaphorgirl @fragolinaa

@miggylol

Series 5, episode 3. Elliot's goodbye to Jet.

I can't express enough how right they got this for Elliot's character. He stays at HQ because he knows her. He knows he'd do the same thing, come back when everyone would be gathering for your send off drinks and get your stuff alone. But he won't let her do that, after hiding herself away for the last couple of weeks.

He wants her to know that he cares about her, that he'll miss her and that's all he really needs to say in this scene. It's just enough of what Elliot would give. He wouldn't make it overly emotional but he'd want her to know she's valued and she meant something to him. And the tiny moment of levity to cut the emotion of the moment when they hug. He doesn't want her to cry or get upset. He just wants her to know. He doesn't find it easy to get the words out but he knows he needs to do it.

Jet probably saw some of the worst days of Elliot's life in the aftermath of Kathy's death. And she became part of that little family they forged together in OCCB. Losing her is a huge loss to the show because it was so nice to have her and Bell there as part of the original team. But, the ever change crew on this show makes the loss a little easier. We've gone through a lot of others working for the team and I'm glad that they gave Jet a really good reason and purpose to go. Although it's never shown on screen, I imagine that Elliot would be so proud of the work she's doing for the FBI and accounting for the murdered women, making them a priority. It's the same sort of dedication and passion that he has for his work.

Sage green/stars/paperback ( ideally my Kindle!)/piercings just one hole in each ear, no tattoos/ both, but with a preference for drawing/Saturn/Ancient Greece/ both sound awesome, haven’t been to either/light academia/indie aesthetic/stargazing/strawberries/ necklaces/ introvert/dragons/ ocean/ like both, but favourite is rose gold or copper/ dawn/ early bird/ both, with a preference for baking/ dagger

Rules: bold your preference

Tagged by the utterly brilliant @mjn-air. Thank you 😊

|| sage green or baby blue || moon or stars || paperback or hardback || piercings or tattoos none|| drawing or writing || saturn (o)r and jupiter || ancient greece or ancient egypt || prague or amsterdam || dark academia or light academia || indie aesthetic or cottagecore || stargazing or late night drives || strawberries or watermelons || rings or necklaces || extrovert or introvert || dragons or griffins || ocean or mountains || silver or gold || dawn or dusk || early bird or night owl || cook or bake || dagger (or) and sword ||

sorry to advice you to lower drastically your expectation for now on 'cause season 24-25 (and current 2) new showrunner sucks royally, can't write svu storylines nor he's able to write/develop new characters', quality is going down especially after ep9 :/

I know we get a Carisi-Rollins wedding, so there’s that to look forward to. Your Honour, I love them! Shame the character development/creation and plotlines decline after early Season 24. I have also been watching OC, which had a pretty dreadful third Season, so as long as it’s not as bad as that, I’ll live. Thanks for the heads up though!

Her character is one of the reasons I got so into Criminal Minds! In a lesser show, she’d have been the dumb, blonde secretary and her role would be played by a stereotypical nerdy guy! As a short, curvy blonde who is very empathetic, I was so happy to see her on screen!

I am in love with Penelope Garcia. Obviously.

As a plus size woman, i love having plus size representation in the media. It’s really hard to find.

Most of the time, if there’s a plus size character at all, their only character trait is that they’re big. They’re always pictured eating and talking about how much they love eating.

I love Penelope Garcia because I want representation.

Because Hollywood is unfair to people who wear anything bigger than a size 2.

Because Penelope has a successful career.

Because Penelope built healthy relationships, platonic and romantic.

Because Penelope wasn’t held back by being big.

Because Penelope isn’t just fat.

She’s a person.

Because Penelope is beautiful and funny and sweet and has amazing characterization!!

Bless the Criminal Minds writers and casting agents, and bless Kirsten Vangsness for the amazing character that she embodied and gave to people like me to look up to.

Bernie's not the only one with magical powers..... well, I guess he's just a Detective through and through.