by Maggie Jo Rellihan

Typical. It’s 10 O’clock and I’m just now starting my homework.

I could complain, but I know it’s my fault. I babysit two or three times a week after school- depending on my rotation. On the days I don’t babysit, I have physical therapy. Regardless of what day it is, I consistently get home at 7 pm every night. I eat, shower, and watch episode after episode of the CBS TV show, Criminal Minds. I’m obsessed.

OK, in my defense, it is so addicting. Once I start an episode, I think to myself, “Okay just one more and then I’ll start my homework.” Then of course, it ends up being a two part episode so obviously I HAVE to watch for another hour! It just becomes a cycle. I can’t help it. I’m addicted.

Honestly though, the cast could not be more loveable. Reed is super smart. I would marry him any day. Hotch is the tough guy and leader of the team. Although he’s strict, you learn that he’s secretly kind of a teddy bear. Prentiss is always solving the cases and just being awesome. JJ is the spokesperson of the group who deals with any press/media involvement. Morgan is the bad boy/hottie. Rossi is super smart. Gideon is a sweetheart. And of course there is the lovable, corky, technical analyst, Penelope “baby girl” Garcia, who saves the day one file-hack at a time. It’s a little worrisome how many times I have found myself subconsciously thinking I was inside the action and part of the team.

Hypothetically speaking, I guess I do spend a lot of time with them.

I can honestly say that I have seen every episode of every single season until this very day. During the ‘Criminal Minds off-season,’ I continue to watch reruns religiously. My whole family shares my love for the show so we never struggle with the whole who-controls-the-remote conflict. Although this may be hard to believe, the only other shows I watch on TV are Pretty Little Liars (everyone’s guilty pleasure and you know it), CSI: Miami/ New York/ Crime Scene Investigation, Law & Order, and Without a Trace. I am willing to settle for these other shows but I only watch them 20% of the time. The other 80% is dedicated to my true love.

At one point last year, I made a Facebook group with acquaintances, friends, family, and coworkers that I learned loved Criminal Minds as much as I do (so if you share this common interest, LMK and I’ll add you to the fan club). Inside the group, we post about the new episodes and our favorite parts. We post YouTube clips and I’ll admit, I’m guilty of spontaneously uploading a few pretty embarrassing ‘photo booth pics.’ Then I would relate the caption to an episode or something. It all worked out.

So, STA, there you have it! Criminal Minds is not “just a show” for me anymore. It is an obsession. And how couldn’t it be? It’s humorous, educational, a little scary sometimes (in a good way), and addicting (also, in a good way). If you are ever searching for a good must-see, watch it. Give it a chance. You won’t regret it.