Reminder: I’m on Criminal Minds tonight

Tonight at 9pm et/pt on CBS, you can catch my episode of Criminal Minds, Paradise.

A serial killer who disguises his victims’ demise by creating car accidents to mask their earlier deaths is the subject of a BAU manhunt, on CRIMINAL MINDS, Wednesday, Oct. 22 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. William Mapother (“Lost”) and Wil Wheaton (“Numb3rs”) guest star.

I worked with William Mapother and Robin Lively for much of the story. You can read an interview with William, but be warned that it’s a little spoilerish. Also, the Criminal Minds Fanatic blog has some pictures and a huge pile of spoilers.

I kept a production diary when I worked on the show, and after it airs tonight, I’ll start posting it. I think it will eventually run four posts, after I cut it up. Here’s a spoiler-free excerpt:

We did the table read for Paradise during a lunch break while they were filming Minimal Loss. One of the regulars, I forget who, almost couldn’t make it, and Luke Perry was going to fill in for him. I recall thinking that it would have been so cool to work – even in a table read – with him, but why in the world would he want to spend his lunch hour filling in for a series regular? By the time I was done with my episode, I totally understood. The cast and crew of Criminal Minds made me feel like I was part of their family, and I never wanted to leave.

I’m really proud of this episode and my work in it. I felt great when we shot it, like I’d done what the script demanded, and everyone seemed very happy with the quality of the work.

So, of course, now that the show is airing in 10 hours, I’m terrified that I’m going to suck. Sigh.

Oh, and a warning to people who haven’t seen the show yet: I’m sure there will be spoilers in this post from our dear friends in Canuckistan, who saw the show last night.

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84 thoughts on “Reminder: I’m on Criminal Minds tonight”

You totally rocked it tonight!!!

Just caught the episode. nice job. why so mean? I’m guessing not a recuring role. I hope you land some more jobs, it’s good to see you on the TV again.

You were great! I especially loved the little twinge of disgust when you looked at the woman tied to the bed. Very subtle and very effective.
Also, love the Jonathan Frakes hair and beard. Seriously. It works for you.

No suckage, Wil.
On the other hand, my performances in Acting I class…
Any advice?
Gilder in San Antonio

Just finished watching it (East Coast!) and I have to say that little move you played on the dude who came into your office after the FBI guy left was very cool. A little petulant, a little “go away and let me play with my toys!” Very much in keeping with what the main cast said was the profile and dude. You nailed it.
Also, the part where you’re taunting Robin Lively’s character? Seriously chilling, and made me shiver. Very glad you didn’t over do the creepy because because it was all about rage and I think I like seeing you rage about.
A+ Would see again.

What do you know…You didn’t suck.
=)

Dang, Wil, not sure I want to meet you now – you can be too damn scary! LOL
Say, why did they have you get killed at the end??? You weren’t wearing a red shirt! *ducks and runs*
Seriously though, you did do a great job. You should think about an extended role of the same ilk. Would be a hit!
Look forward to your next role!

No worries Wil, definately didn’t suck. In fact, you were quite creepy, for the lack of a better word. But hey, I’m all for casting against type. I don’t think I’ve seen you play a bad guy before, so it was interesting to see. I thought the end of the episode was a bit weak. Your character runs away and then gets hit by a truck. The heck? But that’s not really something you have control over. Otherwise, well done!

Didn’t anyone ever tell you to look both ways before you cross the street?
Awesome job. Thanks for sharing your gift with us.

You were uber-creepy, sir! I just wish I hadn’t watched the Scrubs pilot within the last few days. Your exit was shot in a way that reminded me of when JD got hit by the truck. If it wasn’t for that, I promise I wouldn’t have laughed!

Well, I watched and you totally did not blow. You were awesome, even if there wasn’t quite as much of you as I would have liked! Super super creepy.

Wil, you rocked it! I had to miss the first half of the show, but never have I rooted so hard for a TV psychopath! You crazy!

i just happened to stumble across it channel surfing after the World Series was over. fine job Wil. tough way to end your serial killin’ career tho.
ouch

Damn Wil, you’re creeping me out and you haven’t even shown up on screen yet. (Watching on tape delay).

Hi! I haven’t followed your blog at all but used to read it from time to time a couple of years back, when you’d just started.
You always seemed so nice and friendly and I enjoyed reading it and yes, I grew up with Star Trek TNG. 😀
Anyway, I understand how tough it can be with work, as an actor, and I really think you did a great job yesterday!
I hope you get some good chances from this!

The performance was totally awesome!! Very convincing and my husband could not believe that it was you really playing someone that evil. Good work indeed!

Crap, this reminder posted after I checked the blog yesterday morning. Wil, in the future, if you could, please give us a day or so notice so we can be sure to get the TiVo set up!
So… does anyone know where I can watch this full episode online? If not, I suppose I can hit the torrents…
Thanks in advance!

Crap, this reminder posted after I checked the blog yesterday morning. Wil, in the future, if you could, please give us a day or so notice so I can be sure to get the TiVo set up!
So…. does anyone know where I can watch this full episode online? If not, I suppose I can hit the torrents…
Thanks in advance!

Wow, that was a quite a job of acting, No Wesley Crusher about it. Uh, you were acting right…oh mommie. Totally trembling, Just Kidding! Thats actually the best I’ve seen you act in recent memory anyway. The show was really good and it was nice to find A.J. Cook still alive last I saw her Michael Ironside the bloodsucker 86d her. I must admit I haven’t been watching CBS for a long time. My only criticism of the episode was at the very end. I thought the end scene where they look down and see you in the road was kinda cliche, reminiscent of Matlock or Murder She Wrote or some crap. I would have preferred a Tarantino ending, he would have had a mid air dismemberment as you were thrown by the impact or something it would have been totally awesome, anyway. It would’ve been sufficient to just have a shoe in the road or a hummel that fell from his pocket and a big blood river to the back of the semi. You know your building a hell of a great morbid death resume, eaten by a giant snake, death by lava, now, death by Peterbuilt, keep up the good work.

Wow, that was a quite a job of acting, No Wesley Crusher about it. Uh, you were acting right…oh mommie. Totally trembling, Just Kidding! Thats actually the best I’ve seen you act in recent memory anyway. The show was really good and it was nice to find A.J. Cook still alive last I saw her Michael Ironside the bloodsucker 86d her. I must admit I haven’t been watching CBS for a long time. My only criticism of the episode was at the very end. I thought the end scene where they look down and see you in the road was kinda cliche, reminiscent of Matlock or Murder She Wrote or some crap. I would have preferred a Tarantino ending he would have a mid air dismemberment as you were thrown by the impact or something it would have been totally awesome, anyway. If your going to die in a movie a Tarantino death is the coolest way to go. Otherwise, It would’ve been sufficient to just have a shoe in the road or a hummel that fell from your characters pocket and a big blood river to the back of the semi. You know your building a hell of a great morbid death resume, eaten by a giant snake, death by lava, now, death by Peterbuilt, keep up the good work.

Wow, that was a quite a job of acting, No Wesley Crusher about it. Uh, you were acting right…oh mommie. Totally trembling, Just Kidding! Thats actually the best I’ve seen you act in recent memory anyway. The show was really good and it was nice to find A.J. Cook still alive last I saw her Michael Ironside the bloodsucker 86d her. I must admit I haven’t been watching CBS for a long time. My only criticism of the episode was at the very end. I thought the end scene where they look down and see you in the road was kinda cliche, reminiscent of Matlock or Murder She Wrote or some crap. I would have preferred a Tarantino ending he would have had a mid air dismemberment as you were thrown by the impact or something it would have been totally awesome, anyway. If your going to die in a movie a Tarantino death is the coolest way to go. Otherwise, It would’ve been sufficient to just have a shoe in the road or a hummel figurine that fell from your characters pocket and a big blood river to the back of the semi.
You know your building a hell of a great morbid death resume, eaten by a giant snake, Lava on the head, now, death by Peterbuilt, keep up the good work.

Dude – don’t care what you think, you’re still as good an Actor as you are a Writer (caps intentional).
Must say that your characters’ ick factor seems to have gone up exponentially since Numb3rs, though!
Kudos, sir, for a job well done, as always!

Mr. Wheaton,
I haven’t been that creeped out by a network tv show in a very long time. It ranks right up there with my nine-year-old self watching Night Gallery.
Kudos!
Ignatz

Is it going to be on again because I have work tonight. 🙁

I watched last night and I must admit you played a sicko very well. I wish you continued success.

Hawt, in a dreadfully horrid sort of way… excellent!
P.S. Double-checked the TV listings in my area of Canuckistan, and CM was not on Tuesday night – must just be for those special central-type people only…

I was able to watch Paradise last night and the show was (as usual) quite well done. I was impressed with your role — I have to admit to not having seen you on the screen much since your teen days, but I was very impressed with the level of creepy you left me with. My daughter is currently watching TNG and is always pleased when it’s a “Wesley” episode — so while she won’t be seeing *this* performance for some years (she’s 13), it was fascinating for me to move from a first season TNG ep to Paradise within the same couple of hours. I’m curious — what role are you most proud of since you left TNG? I’d love to show my daughter another piece you did in a different role :>. One of her favorite things is to see an actor she knows in one role in something entirely different (So Rene from Odo to his evil role on Stargate was a special treat for her ;>).

Dude you were so awesome last night! Very, very creepy

I haven’t actually gotten to watch the episode yet, but now I’m really psyched about it!

Enjoyed your performance, but as with most guests of that show you didn’t get nearly enough screen time.
Your big scene (“someone always gives up”) was very well played. It captured the sociopathic nature of the character really well.
Hope to see your work again soon.