Many “Criminal Minds” viewers were lured to Mandy Patinkin’s Jason Gideon character by the backstory of the first Unit Chief on the programme. Over the course of the 47 episodes in which he appeared, Patinkin’s portrayal of the commander of the Behavioral Analysis Unit gave the character a special vulnerability. That was just one of the numerous factors that made the actor’s decision to leave the programme, according to IMDb, a hard one for fans to take. Other than the nebulous “creative differences” explanation, Patinkin never provided a specific explanation for why she quit “Criminal Minds” after Season 2. However, it was implied from Patinkin’s post-exodus comments that he didn’t like the frequently violent content of the show.
Of course, Patinkin fans were familiar with his work before his brief appearance on “Criminal Minds.” His portrayal of the furious Spaniard Inigo Montoya in “The Princess Bride” served as many people’s introduction to him. It’s still difficult to see him without hearing in your brain over and over, “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.” Patinkin entered the world of TV dramas, including a 60-episode run on “Chicago Hope,” after taking on prominent roles in movies like “Alien Nation” and “Dick Tracy.”
Patinkin kept watching “Criminal Minds,” indicating that he was still bitten by the TV drama bug. But with his abrupt departure, some fans might have been curious about Mandy Patinkin.
He took a tour on the indie film train
After giving “Criminal Minds” fans two seasons of Jason Gideon’s emotional roller coaster, Patinkin returned to the big screen in modest roles in a number of smaller movies. Zach Braff, for instance, directed and featured in “Wish I Was Here.” The father of the main character, Gabe, who is battling cancer, is portrayed by Patinkin. With a role in “Ali and Nino,” Patinkin maintained his streak of independent movies. In “Before You Know It,” he played playwright/performer Mel Garner.
Patinkin also made appearances in larger studio movies. He appeared in “The Queen of Spain,” a 2016 sequel to the 1998 film “The Girl of Your Dreams,” alongside Penelope Cruz and the rest of the cast. Following “The Queen of Spain,” Patinkin co-starred in “Wonder,” which was based on the R.J. Palacio book of the same name. In the movie “Wonder,” a young child with Treacher Collins syndrome is starting kindergarten for the first time. Patinkin portrays Mr. Tushman, the boy’s school’s principal.
Patinkin helped save the free world on multiple occasions
The majority of fans undoubtedly view Patinkin’s portrayal of Saul Berenson in “Homeland” as his most important performance since “Criminal Minds.” The programme was undoubtedly one of Showtime’s best productions to date and, possibly, one of the greatest drama series ever. The 96-episode, eight-season, Emmy Award-winning drama centres on Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes), a CIA agent who must contend with her bipolar disorder while foiling terrorist schemes. Even though he loves Carrie and serves as her employer and mentor, Patinkin’s character occasionally exhibits signs of irritation with the careless agent. In fact, the two are essentially adversaries and even have a father-daughter relationship, which mirrors Carrie’s mental state.
The most fascinating aspect of Patinkin’s Saul is how he meticulously manages his own several concerns, including a troubled marriage, his on-again, off-again connection with Carrie, and the enormous burden of aiding in the preservation of freedom. Every time Saul appeared on the screen, viewers couldn’t take their eyes off of Patinkin due to his outstanding performance. The series finale left the plot unfinished, with Carrie replacing Saul as his new snitch inside the Kremlin of Moscow. Fans can only hope that the story will be continued in the near future.
Patinkin gladly passed judgment, even if it wasn’t legal
For many admirers, Mandy Patinkin now plainly belongs on television. He once again demonstrated his ability to give each character he plays his own distinct presence in “The Good Fight,” a series on Paramount Plus. The actor played the eccentric judge Hal Wackner in nine episodes of the courtroom drama, a spin-off of “The Good Wife,” during Season 5.
According to Deadline, when “The Good Fight” resumed for his first job after “Homeland,” Patinkin emerged from confinement after the coronavirus epidemic cut short the fourth season. Hal Wackner opens a fictitious, non-legal court in the back of his copy shop in his episodes of “The Good Fight.” The fictitious court turns into a spectacle that not only amuses the public but also influences their opinions. The legal team from Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart nevertheless finds itself arguing cases in front of Judge Wackner despite the fact that the character’s “decisions” have no real legal consequences.
