I can’t stop watching Criminal Minds. On the surface, this is a tad disturbing. And I don’t mean the show which is way more than a tad disturbing. I mean the fact that I can’t stop watching the show. In each episode of this fictional drama, members of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) are presented with a serial killer’s case. The shows are full of terror, violence and a bit of interpersonal drama between the cast members. For awhile I told myself I was drawn to the relationships, not the gore. Then though, I realized something.

In each and every episode, the case is solved. The killer is brought to justice. And not just that- this show is the very definition of formulaic. The show opens with the killer murdering a victim. The opening credits role. The BAU is presented with the case and they hop on their private jet to reach the scene as soon as possible. Shortly after landing, the killer strikes again. And then another victim is taken but not killed. The BAU does their thing and twenty three minutes later they find the killer and the victim moments before it would be too late. This is the plot every single time. I mean every.single.time.

I’ve decided the predictability of this show is what makes me come back to it again and again. As a mom, everything is up in the air right now. It is summer so each week and almost each day brings with it a new schedule. In the fall, we will have a high schooler and a middle schooler so the girl’s lives are changing faster and faster. Their questions and concerns are all new and I struggle to know the answers. All this change can be a bit exhausting.

So enter… the predictable crime drama. If you haven’t tried this slightly bizarre form of self-soothing, I highly recommend it. And if you have, let me know where I should turn after I watch all that Criminal Minds has to offer.