Criminal Minds (2005– ) and Matthew Gray Gubler
Photo courtesy of Greg2600 / Wikimedia Commons
Matthew Gray Gubler, star of Criminal Minds (2005– ), is known for directing 12 episodes throughout the series.
Over the years, Criminal Minds (2005– ) has become a favorite television show for many, featuring beloved cast members like Joe Mantegna, Aisha Tyler, Shemar Moore, and— most importantly —Matthew Gray Gubler.
For those unfamiliar, the show follows a group of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) profilers as they attempt to solve some of the country's most complicated and dangerous crimes. These cases often involve a very dangerous criminal at the center, and the group must use their profiling skills to identify who exactly the criminal(s) might be through behavioral cues.
This show has gained popularity for many reasons, including the fact that almost every episode depicts a different crime scene for the agents to solve. While the characters do have their own personal plots, the show's structure makes it easy to join into its story at any point.
The plot of each episode can range from a simple murderer striking fear into a small town to sick and twisted criminals performing horrible acts of violence and using mental warfare. Many fans do not know, however, that star Matthew Gray Gubler has directed and starred in 12 different episodes throughout the seasons, many of them containing the sickest and most twisted plots.
One of the most well-known episodes directed by Gubler is “The Lesson,” which appears in season eight. This cryptic name is a precursor to the plot, as it features a traumatized man who begins kidnapping men and women and turning them into real-life puppets.
Of the episodes directed by Gubler, many focus on mental health and the impact it can have on one's life. This episode falls under that category, as the man at the center of this crime is deeply troubled and demonstrates how the decline of mental health can lead to dangerous illusions that can get out of hand.
The first episode directed by Gray Gubler is found in season five under the name of “Mosley Lane,” and stars the iconic Evan Peters. Many find this episode to be his best one. The plot follows a little girl’s disappearance and the connections between a circus and the disappearance of many other children over the years. Unlike many episodes within this show, this one gives us a happier ending.
While the episodes directed by Gray Gubler have no connection to each other, he does manage to connect the show's overarching plot into his episodes. This is especially seen in the episode “Lauren,” which appears in season six. A recurring main character, Emily Prentiss, has a troubled past that is not revealed until this episode, when she interacts with her nemesis from a previous point in her life.
When Prentiss is kidnapped in this episode, the team believes she has been murdered. It is later revealed that she faked her own death in this episode, thus many viewers applaud Gubler for creating a clever story with a shocking twist.
The other episodes directed by Gubler are also very entertaining and contain similarly clever moments. Although I have been a fan of this show for many years, I only recently learned that there were episodes directed by him. If you are a long-time fan, I highly recommend rewatching these episodes with the knowledge that Gubler was on the creative side.