Throwback Thursday: ‘The Umbrella Academy,’ ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,’ and the End of ‘Criminal Minds’

For this week, February 14th-20th, our Throwback Thursday celebrates the iconic TV program, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. This PBS afternoon special premiered back in 1968 and for decades has taught children how to be kind, thoughtful human beings. 

In our TV Moments, we say goodbye to some important characters on ER and Downton Abbey. We also look at a life-altering moment on Moesha.

Most importantly, we said a fond farewell to the beloved team at the BAU when Criminal Minds aired its series finale in 2020. 

Fasten your seatbelts…it’s going to be a bumpy ride through TV history.

Major TV Moments:

He’s Her Brother? What? (Moesha Season 5 Episode 15, “Color Him Father”) (February 14, 2000)

The character of Dorian was introduced to the show as Moesha’s cousin. However, on “Color Him Father” while Dorian plans his 17th birthday party it is revealed that he is in fact Moesha’s half-brother.

The two characters share a father. It turns out Moesha’s father had an affair that resulted in the birth of Dorian. To keep the secret everyone said Dorian was Moesha’s cousin.

After finding out the secret, Dorian uses the information to his advantage and guilts their father into making his birthday more and more extravagant.  This reveal changes the whole family dynamic on the show.

The Stabbing of Lucy Knight and John Carter (ER Season 6 Episode 14, “All in the Family”) (February 17, 2000)

After an ER patient suffering from schizophrenia has a breakdown, Dr. Weaver finds Lucy and Carter.

The doctors all jump into action and race to save their colleagues after they’ve been severely stabbed. While Carter’s injuries only threaten his kidney, Lucy isn’t as lucky and she ends up dying. 

The whole vibe of the ER is never the same after this attack — doctors and nurses are skittish and protections are put in place to further protect them. The most affected is, of course, Carter who loved Lucy and felt responsible for the whole situation.

Matthew Dies After the Birth of His Child (Downton Abbey Season 3 Episode 9, “A Journey to the Highlands”) (February 17, 2013)

After struggling to conceive, Mary and Matthew are excitedly awaiting the arrival of their bundle of joy on the Season 3 finale. As soon as Mary gets off the train from Scotland, she goes into labor. 

Matthew returns in time, and both he and Mary are ecstatic to welcome the new heir of Downton.

The episode ends with Matthew rushing back to Downton from the hospital with the news of his son’s birth. He swerves to avoid another car which results in a fatal car accident.

Fans are still shocked that the show would give Mary a child while simultaneously taking away her husband. 

TV Premieres:

While the premieres are few they are memorable. From the 1968 classic Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, all the way up to 2019’s The Umbrella Academy TV has been teaching and entertaining us for over 50 years.

Here are a few TV shows that premiered this week in TV History:

• 1958 – The Dick Clark Show
• 1968 – Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
• 1999 – The Planet’s Funniest Animals
• 2004 – Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
• 2009 – Eastbound & Down
• 2011 – Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior
• 2014 – The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
• 2019 – The Umbrella Academy

TV Finales:

Criminal Minds Season 15 Episode 10, “And in the End” (February 19, 2020)

In true series finale fashion, Criminal Minds goes the ghostly visit route with Dr. Reid as he suffers from a brain injury sustained while trying to capture the elusive, Everett Lynch.

These ghosts help him to decide whether he should live or die. It’s a nice way to bring back characters of old and reminisce on the show as a whole. 

Fans get to see Hotchner, Gideon, Morgan, and Diane as they help bring Dr. Reid back to the land of the living. At the end of the show, it’s a true farewell to one of the BAU’s own — Garcia is moving on to greener pastures. 

Overall, for a show that has mesmerized audiences for 15 years, the finale gives us what we love the most about these characters. We get to watch them take down an unsub that has been haunting them for some time and they come together for a couple of their own in a true family fashion. 

Tell-Tale TV Archives:

This week we have some really great content to look at from our archives. First and foremost, we have a feature article about #Olicity from Arrow. 

Then there is a list of reasons why you should be watching SEAL Team. Finally, we spoke with Jack Messina about Manifest.

2017

Arrow: Where Has Olicity Gone?

2018

10 Reasons You Should Be Watching ‘SEAL Team’

2019

Jack Messina Talks ‘Manifest’ Season 1 [Exclusive Interview]

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What are some major TV premieres, finales, or moments you remember? Sound off in the comments below and your choice just might be featured in a future Throwback Thursday column.

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