Transcript Of Criminal Minds Set Report’s Chat With Sharon Lee Watson

Yesterday, Criminal Minds Executive Producer, and Writer Of “Alchemy” Sharon Lee Watson participated in the Criminal Minds Set Report Weekly Chat. The chat centered mostly around “Alchemy” and her collaboration with Director/Star Matthew Gray Gubler. We were lucky enough to have 3 of our questions answered during the chat.

Sharon Lee Watson ‏@sleewatson

Hey, everyone! Welcome to the chat. Bring on the questions!

@peculiarlyRene
#AskSharon Searched for the actress who played last night’s unsub. Angela Bettis was magnificent. Who was the brilliant person to cast her?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

That was all Gubler. He showed me a youtube video of her work and she was amazing!

@VLJH ‏

What inspired you to have Rossi be Reid’s confidant in “Alchemy?”

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

Rossi has a comforting, paternal aura that I think was important for an episode in which Reid is hurting.

@mng_molly

#AskSharon What’s something you’d like to see in season 9?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

First, we need to get a season 9!! Assuming we do, I’d love to explore more about the personal lives of our characters.

@gublerfanlori

#AskSharon will the dream sequence finally allow Reid to start healing?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

Yes, that was the idea. Part of the reason his healing stalled, was because he wasn’t allowing himself to sleep and dream.

@mggforever

#AskSharon this is ur 2nd time working with @GUBLERNATION, correct me if i`m wrong but what is it like to work with him

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

He’s amazing!! Very collaborative and dedicated to creating the best episode possible.

@annclauc

#AskSharon What inspired Alchemy?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

It started with the idea of grief and the possibility of never recovering from it. That led to the UnSub story and then Reid.

@VLJH

#AskSharon Thanks for chatting! What did you enjoy most about “Alchemy” as you worked on the script?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

Figuring out how to work a scene with Reid and Maeve into the script.

@spencer_borup

#asksharon When do you plan to get back to the copycat killer? The suspense is killing me!

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

Very, very soon!! You’ll know everything within the next few weeks!

@whotheunsub

#AskSharon What was your favorite line from Alchemy?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

Hard to say. I’d have to say Rossi’s line,”That’s the fourth Mrs. Rossi if I’m not careful.” and Maeve’s very last line.

@LuvForGubler

#AskSharon Did you watch Alchemy on TV yet?? How does it feel to see your own work on TV like that?

Sharon Lee Watson

Yes, I saw it last night! It’s actually hard to watch my own work. All I think of are the things that could’ve been better.

@AeolianMinor

#AskSharon what was the inspiration for the flesh behind the wall scene?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

I’m not really sure! I knew I needed something scary to happen in the hallway and this just came into my head. Weird, huh?

@HopeBraswell

#AskSharon How do you come up with the name of each episode?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

Titles are actually really hard for me. I usually wait until the last minute, well after the script is written.

@JenniferJareau2

#AskSharon If you have a storyline idea what’s the process to get it approved?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

It’s approved first by the other writers, then we submit the idea to the studio and network.

@rickdunkle

Was the wall breathing a metaphor for how there should be a door put in connecting the offices of @iKimHarrison & @rickdunkle ? #asksharon

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

YES. ABSOLUTELY. You read my mind.

@mggforever

#AskSharon more details about Blake and Strauss`s relationship?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

You’ll get details in episode 23, “Brothers Hotchner” written by the awesome @rickdunkle

@KeepDifferent

What is your favourite book? #AskSharon

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

I have a lot but The Great Gatsby is always on the list.

@WedNightGirls

#AskSharon will we have more sassy Rossi in the next episodes? LOL

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

I hope so. Love sassy Rossi!

@annajespersen1

#AskSharon Is the dialogue ever altered from the script during filming, if so do you get input from the crew?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

Yes, it gets altered, especially if the dialogue doesn’t make sense for the way the scene is blocked on the day of filming.

@gublerfanlori

#AskSharon do you prefer writing creepy ones like Alchemy and Heathridge Manor, or case driven ones like True Genius and Magnificent Light

Sharon Lee Watson

I like both! Mixing it up helps keeps things fresher as a writer.

@Just_Jasper

As there any issue about getting the Rossi ‘bad acid trip’ joke through? #AskSharon

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

No, not at all. And he delivered that line so well.

@TRDye76

Will Aaron always be so dry? Can he open some vulnerability? #AskSharon

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

Stay tuned for ep 23, ‘Brothers Hotchner.’

@NittyMcNitpickr

#AskSharon Why did Reid say he didn’t know how to dance when talking to Rossi? He danced in last year’s finale.

Sharon Lee Watson

I can’t dance either but sometimes I dance. Hope that makes sense.

@MGG3980

#AskSharon This episode felt a little like the Shining was that a reference used.

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

You’re not wrong. Matthew and I both love the Shining. For me, it’s the best horror movie ever made.

@BAU_United

#AskSharon Do you have any nice plans for the hiatus? You all deserve a relaxing break

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

Right after this chat, I’m leaving the office and won’t be back till season 9!

@gublerfanlori

#AskSharon did you write Alchemy knowing. @GUBLERNATION would be directing it, or was it luck of the draw?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

I knew Matthew would be directing it so it was written with him in mind.

@Just_Jasper

Why are we on ep 21 still with no substantial focus on Blake? #AskSharon

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

Because we’ll focusing on her in a major way in the last two episodes. We’ve just been saving her up.

@sassysis57

Is it fun to write lines for Garcia?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

Yes, especially because Kiersten is SO GOOD at delivering a mouthful of dialogue.

@wordofwyrd

#AskSharon there’s been a lot of female unsubs this season, is this on purpose?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

In some ways, yes. It wasn’t a conscious choice to have a certain # of female unsubs but we do try to vary them.

@einberg_kristi

#asksharon best part writing an episode?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

I like writing the first draft, when anything is possible and before all the notes.

@Mistree5smurf

#AskSharon what do you think of the #CM9 campaign?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

It’s awesome!! Hopefully it gets us picked up!

@sassysis57

Any chance we will see a case worked between the CM team and Emily (Paget) from the UK? #AskSharon

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

Great idea. Would love to go London for a case.

@Kaitlicana

#AskSharon will there be more focus on Jj in this season or season 9?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

Check out next weeks episode, “Nanny Dearest”

@Doggymolly

#AskSharon We love CM in the UK and this season has been amazing (so far) What has been the hardest episode to write?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

Of all my CM episodes, ‘True Genius’ was the hardest to write because all the Zodiac codes had to be accurate.

@lintusflower

#AskSharon do you prefer writing sad episodes, funny episodes, or creepy ones?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

All of the above. The ideal episodes have a little bit of everything.

@NittyMcNitpickr

#AskSharon Btw, Claudia was cool as the cop— great to see her again. Did you see her in The Hidden (with Kyle MacLachlan)?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

I did not see The Hidden but I agree – Claudia was terrific.

@antonialerner21

#AskSharon what is the source of the information about profiling? is it all true?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

The source is our amazing FBI consultant, @jimclemente. It is all true.

@Fasten8Designs

#asksharon How do you keep track of the back stories of all of these characters and how do you decide what to bring into a future storyline?

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

We have a great support staff that keeps track of everything. It’s usually a writer’s personal choice of what to bring back

@AVFerreira

Would you like to write an episode that was out fo the usual parameters for CM? Something Darin-Morganesque? #AskSharon

Sharon Lee Watson ‏

YES!!! Would love that. Darin Morgan wrote my favorite x-files episodes.

@TwilighttilDawn

#AskSharon Thank you for writting such emotional scenes about Reid’s loss. @JoeMantegna and @GUBLERNATION scenes were wonderful!

Sharon Lee Watson

You’re welcome. And thank you for watching!

Sharon Lee Watson

My time is up! Great chatting with you all. Thanks for all the awesome questions. Let’s all make noise and get the show back for season 9!