My favorite character on Criminal Minds is Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler). He started out as just a know-it-all whiz with numbers, but Gubler plays his complex character with such ease he is a joy to watch. His talents are on full display in episodes like “The Big Game” where Dr. Reid is kidnapped by a schizophrenic serial killer (James Vander Beek). In “Revelations” a tortured and drugged Dr. Reid uses his knowledge of schizophrenia (his mother has the disease) to survive the ordeal. After that, Spencer begins to change. He is much quieter, less sure of himself, and shows a deeper degree of humility. The rest of the cast — Shamar Moore, Paget Brewster, A.J. Cook, and Kirsten Vangsness — all give solid performances which add to the strength of the show.

Criminal Minds is a great psychological drama. Paramount has presented the second season in Dolby7 Digital 5.1 surround sound with a clear picture in 16x9. Four episodes (“The Fisher King, Part 2”, “The Perfect Storm,” “Profiler, Profiled,” and “Revelations”) include interesting commentary tracks from various members of the cast and crew. Disc six offers up four featurettes: “Profilers, Profiled” is a series of interviews with selected cast and crew, including Patinkin, Gubler, Moore, and executive producer Edward Allen Bernero; “The Physical Evidence” takes a look at what the creative team has done to make the show different for season two; “Behavioral Science: Real-Life Criminal Minds” is a look at how accurate the show may or may not be; and “Meet Kirsten Vangsness” is a humorous meet and greet with the actress who plays Penelope Garcia. A gag reel is included, which is more amusing than the norm given the show’s seriousness, and two deleted scenes.