Round Table Mondays: Bit Parts
"There are no small roles, only small actors." -Constantin Stanislavski
I think most of us are in agreement that what makes Criminal Minds memorable is the characters. We tune in each week to watch our Band of Seven battle the monsters.
And of course, the guest stars are an essential ingredient. Whether it's the Cop Of The Week or the Latest Monster, characters like Cal McGee the OCD cop and Floyd Feylinn Farrel the Lucky Cannibal stick in our minds.
But there's a third group I'd like to discuss.
This group is the "bit players". Actors whose names are usually listed in the end credits, who may only have a few lines but who frequently bring to the episode a bit of depth and texture. They are not usually well known (although there are exceptions) and their names are not the ones drawing the viewer but they bring flavor to the story in the same way a dash of salt enhances all the other ingredients to a dish.
Frequently these characters are witnesses who provide information that could have as easily been one of the team, or one of the local cops saying "We talked to a witness who said....". Sometimes they're the friends or family of victims. Sometimes they're just part of the "living scenery".
To illustrate who I'm talking about, some examples would be:
In "What Fresh Hell" Mr. Lomax, the unsub's envious neighbor. "His yard never has any crabgrass".
In "Identity" the store clerk - most awesome bystander ever! - who sees the abduction and runs back into the store. You think she's running to call 911 until she comes back out with a shotgun as big as she is.
In "Zoe's Reprise", the cynical-eyed, cigarette smoking crime reporter. I think I might have a teensy crush on her.
It seems to me that CM has always had good bit parts that added to the overall quality of the show. It also seems to me that there has been a lack of them in the current season, which may be why some of the episodes seem (IMO) curiously flat. It's as if something is missing, but you can't put your finger on it - and I think maybe one factor is a lack of good bit parts.
So, what do you think?
Who were some of your favorite "bit players" on CM?
Do you think they actually contributed to the storyline, or was their purpose to add depth, interest, or even a touch of comic relief to the episode?
Did their part add to the characterization of any of the main characters?
Do you think that there has been a shortage of these characters in Season 7? And if so, do you think this has taken something away from the depth or texture of the show?
I think most of us are in agreement that what makes Criminal Minds memorable is the characters. We tune in each week to watch our Band of Seven battle the monsters.
And of course, the guest stars are an essential ingredient. Whether it's the Cop Of The Week or the Latest Monster, characters like Cal McGee the OCD cop and Floyd Feylinn Farrel the Lucky Cannibal stick in our minds.
But there's a third group I'd like to discuss.
This group is the "bit players". Actors whose names are usually listed in the end credits, who may only have a few lines but who frequently bring to the episode a bit of depth and texture. They are not usually well known (although there are exceptions) and their names are not the ones drawing the viewer but they bring flavor to the story in the same way a dash of salt enhances all the other ingredients to a dish.
Frequently these characters are witnesses who provide information that could have as easily been one of the team, or one of the local cops saying "We talked to a witness who said....". Sometimes they're the friends or family of victims. Sometimes they're just part of the "living scenery".
To illustrate who I'm talking about, some examples would be:
In "What Fresh Hell" Mr. Lomax, the unsub's envious neighbor. "His yard never has any crabgrass".
In "Identity" the store clerk - most awesome bystander ever! - who sees the abduction and runs back into the store. You think she's running to call 911 until she comes back out with a shotgun as big as she is.
In "Zoe's Reprise", the cynical-eyed, cigarette smoking crime reporter. I think I might have a teensy crush on her.
It seems to me that CM has always had good bit parts that added to the overall quality of the show. It also seems to me that there has been a lack of them in the current season, which may be why some of the episodes seem (IMO) curiously flat. It's as if something is missing, but you can't put your finger on it - and I think maybe one factor is a lack of good bit parts.
So, what do you think?
Who were some of your favorite "bit players" on CM?
Do you think they actually contributed to the storyline, or was their purpose to add depth, interest, or even a touch of comic relief to the episode?
Did their part add to the characterization of any of the main characters?
Do you think that there has been a shortage of these characters in Season 7? And if so, do you think this has taken something away from the depth or texture of the show?