CRIMINAL MINDS: Erica Messer Chat

The CMRT chat room has been so fortunate this week to host two Criminal Minds writers! Last night, we had a spur of the moment chat with writer and co-executive producer Erica Messer. What a fun time we have had this week chatting with both Erica and Kim Harrison. Both ladies were gracious with their time and were so upbeat and fun to talk with!

Erica was happy to have done so much writing in Season 5 and she gave us some really great episodes. Of course, we can't wait to see what tonight's finale brings! We spoke a little about the Criminal Minds season finale titled 'Our Darkest Hour', but honestly, we didn't want to be spoiled too much! We did find out that Tim Curry was amazing to work with and is super creepy in this episode.

We talked a lot about what everyone's favourite eps were this year and the winner was clearly '100'. Can you guess which part Erica wrote? We're not going to spill the beans just yet! Rumour has it, there will be 15 minutes of extras on the Criminal Minds Season 5 DVD's just for '100' and they will break it down for you!

We discussed each of the episodes Erica wrote in Season 5. Erica talked about how she and Simon Mirren wanted to give MGG something "right up his alley" with 'Mosley Lane' and how the episode was "...half our show, half this other world he created." She spoke of how timeless the unsubs from 'Mosley Lane' were. We also discussed this season's casting quite a bit and how the show gets such great guests and what a wonderful casting team Criminal Minds has.

Erica informed us, that even though she wasn't aware of it when she was writing the episode, the car wreck she wrote in 'Retaliation' was one that she had actually been in and she realised that during filming. We talked about how much the characters have grown not only since Season 1 of Criminal Minds, but also within this season. How Hotch and JJ have this closeness now as they are the only working parents on the team and they have both lost someone close. We told Erica how we love to see the girls portrayed in stronger roles and how we love to see them together.

We spoke with Erica and confessed our addiction to CM, but said that we were all ok with it. She was ok with it too and said it was healthier than other addictions! We are so glad she understands and keeps giving us great stories to be addicted to!

You could tell how very much Erica loves what she is doing, writing for a team who is also a family. She was such a joy to talk with. All of our guests here at the CMRT have been wonderful and we are so honoured that they have taken time to discuss their work with us. Despite having a short break, I got the impression that Erica was ready to get back to work writing fantastic episodes for Season 6 of Criminal Minds!

Be sure to tune into the Criminal Minds season finale for some "spooky Bernero" directing of Erica Messer's 'Our Darkest Hour' - tonight on CBS! Thank you again Erica, it was such a pleasure to chat with you!

Criminal Minds - Kim Harrison Chat

The CMRT had the pleasure of hosting Criminal Minds own Kim Harrison for a chat this past Sunday. For those of you unfamiliar with Kim, she is Ed Bernero's assistant. However, Kim will be moving to a different position this coming season as a member of the Criminal Minds writing staff! Congrats Kim!!!

Kim and her writing partner, Ryan Gibson, wrote the episode "A Solitary Man" for Season 5. This was such a great ep with the creepiness factor grabbing our attention right from the beginning. Kim spoke with us about how much she enjoyed writing a "really sick and creepy" episode and how she and her partner shared several 'Can you believe this?' moments during production. It was a dream come true for them.

Kim told us that one of her favourite things about the production of 'A Solitary Man' was her involvement with the casting of the episode - how it felt to hear the words they had put on paper come to life and what a thrill that was. She spoke of finally being able to put pen to paper and write the voices of the characters that she has known for so long. Kim said the easiest for her to write was Prentiss and the most challenging was Hotch. Kim said she "...was so honored to finally write for these characters." and we think she did a great job!

Of course, Kim pointed out something we were already aware of - that the entire CM crew is amazing! How comfortable they made her feel while on set and how helpful they were. We have heard this many times from different sources, so obviously, they must be the best crew in the business.

Another thing we discussed was the scene between Reid and Rossi when Rossi sent Reid down into the ditch. We were told MGG did struggle a bit with getting up and down the slope so they kept it to as few takes as possible. We talked about the darkness not only of the show, but also of the job of real profilers and how if you don't have a sense of humor it is a tough thing to get through each day. We, as fans, really appreciate the bits of comic relief that are added to dark episodes.

Kim spoke of how amazing the guest cast was. When Kim was asked about actors she would like to see cast in one of her episodes, she said the list was long. When asked if there was anyone she would like to direct one of her eps, her answer was Edward Allen Bernero and she also said "Gubler did a great job, I'd love to work with him." With Kim's creepy writing and Matthew's style of directing, I would love to see that!

I know Ed will miss having Kim as his assistant, but we are so happy that she will be writing for Criminal Minds and can't wait to see what she has in store for us in Season 6! Thanks again to Kim Harrison for chatting with the CMRT and for giving us such a great Criminal Minds episode this season. We look forward to many more!

Thank You Kim Harrison!

The Criminal Minds Round Table would like to thank Kim Harrison, new CM scribe and writer of 5.17- "Solitary Man", for joining us in the CMRT Chatroom today. We had a very interesting chat with Kim and a summary of that chat will be posted soon. Stay tuned!