What is it about crime shows that keeps us hooked, not only episode after episode, but season after season? CSI: Crime Scene Investigation lasted fifteen seasons, produced a TV movie, and spawned three spin-offs. Criminal Minds is close on its heels, with eleven seasons and two spin-offs.
Starting on Thursday 21 January at 21:30 on M-Net, Criminal Minds Season 11 introduces new faces and, of course, new crimes. But before we tune in, we’re taking a closer look at what it is about crime shows, and Criminal Minds, that makes us love them so much.
Cathartic
Good triumphs over evil, as the FBI's Behavioural Analysis Unit (BAU) continually catch the bad guys. As much as we love the antiheroes parading through TV these days, along with triumphant villains we love to hate, it’s reassuring to watch the bad guys get caught every now and again.
Creative
The basic premise might always be the same: a crime is committed, an investigation is launched, the bad guy is caught. But the crimes are always different and diverse, making you marvel at the amount of ways writers find to off people.
Angle
Although crime shows generally have the same premise, they tend to each have a different approach. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation emphasises forensic analysis; Cold Case works on unresolved crimes, and Motive reveals both killer and victim at the beginning of each episode. Psychology is Criminal Minds’ unique angle, as the BAU uses behavioural profiling to catch their criminal.
Action
We love the complexity and drama that pulls us into the lives of the team, but we also love escapism and entertainment in the form of generally oultandish action sequences. They’re a staple of most crime shows; and Criminal Minds is no exception, keeping you on the edge of your seat, with shots of adrenallin-fuelled action.
Characters
We wouldn’t care about anything in the show, if we didn’t care about the people meting out justice. Each member of the BAU has their own story to tell, fleshing out the show by creating character-driven drama. Combined with all the other elements, it’s little wonder we become so devoted to these shows.  Â
Reliable
You can invest in the characters, because they tend to stick around. While the story or the actors’ lives may call for certain characters to leave shows through death or other means, most crime shows, Criminal Minds included, don’t kill off main, and much-loved, characters every five minutes.
What do you love about crime shows? Share your thoughts on social media and tune in for Criminal Minds Season 11 every Thursday at 21:30 on M-Net from 21 January.