Watch Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders
- TV-14
- 2016
- 2 Seasons
-
6.1 (5,882)
Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders is a crime drama television series that premiered on CBS in March 2016. This American police procedural show is a spin-off from the original Criminal Minds series and was produced by Erica Messer, who also produced the original show. The series is set in the FBI's International Response Team (IRT), a division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that specializes in investigating crimes involving American citizens in foreign countries. The show stars Gary Sinise as Jack Garrett, the head of the IRT, who is a former Marine and experienced FBI agent. The other members of his team include Tyler James Williams as Russ "Monty" Montgomery, a technical analyst; Daniel Henney as Matt Simmons, an agent from the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU); and Alana de la Garza as Clara Seger, a cultural anthropologist. Together, they travel around the world to solve complex cases and bring criminals to justice. The premise of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders centers around the IRT team being deployed to different countries to investigate crimes that involve American citizens. These cases often involve kidnapping, murder, human trafficking, and other heinous crimes. The team is tasked with understanding the cultural and political dynamics of the country they are investigating to help them solve the case. This often leads to confrontations with local authorities who have different priorities and procedures. Throughout the series, viewers are shown a glimpse into the personal lives of the team members. We see how the stress of their work affects their relationships with their families and loved ones. There are also several storylines about how the team members cope with the traumatic events that they witness in the course of their work. One of the strengths of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders is the show's ability to take viewers to different parts of the world. The series is shot on location, and the production team does an excellent job of showcasing the unique cultural and geographical characteristics of each country. From the bustling streets of Hong Kong to the historical landmarks of Italy, the viewer is transported to a different world with every episode. This not only adds to the show's visual appeal but also helps to make the crimes being investigated feel more real and urgent. The show is also effective at building tension and suspense. The team faces great obstacles in each episode, and viewers are kept on the edge of their seats wondering if they will be able to solve the case and save the victim(s). The series is a testament to the strength of procedural dramas as it follows a very specific formula - an unpredictable crime is committed, the team investigates using specialized skills, they track down the perpetrator(s), and they bring them to justice. As with many crime dramas, there is a significant amount of violence and disturbing subject matter in each episode. The team frequently deals with murderers and serial killers, and the show does not shy away from graphic depictions of violence. This may not be suitable for all viewers, and the show's content warnings should be taken into consideration before watching. Unfortunately, despite its strengths, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders was canceled after only two seasons. While the show had its loyal fan base, it was unable to replicate the success of the original series. The characters were not as fully developed as those in the parent show, and the cases were not as sophisticated. Nonetheless, it was a valuable addition to the Criminal Minds franchise, and it was an exciting opportunity to see the BAU team taking their skills out of the country. In conclusion, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders is a crime procedural drama that will keep viewers entertained throughout its short run. The show succeeded in transporting viewers around the world while maintaining its focus on solving high-stakes crimes. It may not have lived up to the original, but it's still a fascinating series for fans of the original show and for anyone interested in international crime and politics.
