Criminal Minds (TV Series)

Minimal Loss (2008)

Joe Mantegna: David Rossi

Photos 

Quotes 

• Aaron Hotchner : I know I can't go in there.

  David Rossi : [nods]  I'm going.

  Aaron Hotchner : If something happens to Prentiss or Reid, I... I don't know...

  David Rossi : You're not alone.

• Aaron Hotchner : Dave, they've left the choice of negotiators up to me.

  David Rossi : I taught most of the hostage negotiation unit. You want a recommendation?

  Aaron Hotchner : I'm making you the lead negotiator.

  David Rossi : Me?

  Aaron Hotchner : Why go to the students when I have the teacher?

  David Rossi : Because the teacher is emotionally involved. So is the agent in command.

  Aaron Hotchner : I know I am. This is a unique situation. We have two agents who could affect the outcome on the inside.

  David Rossi : True, but I can't be objective; I know them too well!

  Aaron Hotchner : This outcome depends as much on our ability to predict the moves of Prentiss and Reid as Cyrus. That's why you're the best man for the job!

  David Rossi : Assuming that Reid and Prentiss are still in a condition to make moves!

  Aaron Hotchner : I know how bad this is; that's why I want you doing the talking.

  David Rossi : All right.

• David Rossi : No one's going to try to force you out of here, trust me.

  Benjamin Cyrus : Trust is earned.

  David Rossi : It is.

• Christopher Cole : I don't understand. Why did you let them go?

  Dr. Spencer Reid : They weren't prepared to do what needs to be done.

  Christopher Cole : You're not one of us! You don't know what it takes to be prepared!

  Benjamin Cyrus : Listen to him.

  [to Reid] 

  Benjamin Cyrus : Tell him.

  Dr. Spencer Reid : They failed the test. They... they had a chance to prove their faith when Cyrus told them that they'd sacrificed themselves for God, but instead they showed they weren't worthy. That's why he wants the media to bear witness to your true final act of sacrifice.

  Christopher Cole : How do you know that?

  Dr. Spencer Reid : I'm always looking for signs of things to come.

  David Rossi : Reid's talking to us. He wants a sign when we're coming in. He's telling us this is it! Time has run out! We've got to go in!

• Reporter : ...turned deadly when the Colorado state police officers tried to serve a warrant. Colorado Attorney General Jim Wells says the reclusive cult has been the subject of a six-month weapons investigation.

  Derek Morgan : Six months. We didn't check?

  Jennifer Jareau : No, we checked. I had ATF call Wells. He told ATF there were no pending state investigations. He lied.

  David Rossi : Why?

  Jennifer Jareau : Wells is challenging the governor in the next election. He thought that ATF was about to poach his big election-launching weapons bust. Now, it's clear he didn't know there were FBI agents there. He just thought that the best time to serve a state warrant was when the kids were safe inside the school being interviewed.

• David Rossi : What do we know about the sect?

  Penelope Garcia : Liberty Ranch was founded in 1980 by Libertarian Leo Kane. He created it as a self-sustaining commune.

  Derek Morgan : Libertarians believe that everyone has the right to do what they want as long as they aren't infringing on the rights of others.

  David Rossi : But Libertarians aren't religious. Clearly this sect abandoned Libertarian principles.

  Aaron Hotchner : Benjamin Cyrus, the current leader, introduced religion eight years ago when Kane left.

• Aaron Hotchner : Hey, Dan. You know Dave Rossi.

  Dan Torre : Sure.

  David Rossi : We've been here before, haven't we?

  Dan Torre : Waco. Ruby Ridge. Freemen standoff. Let's hope someone listens to you guys this time.

  David Rossi : Oh, they did more than listen. They put us in charge.

• Dan Torre : I've sent the state police packing. They started this mess. Lost a man in the process. Hope that's okay.

  Aaron Hotchner : If you hadn't, we would have.

  Dan Torre : Good. County sheriffs have had no run-ins with the sect, so we're using them as support. We've had no contact with them so far. They've got power; solar. We can shoot out the panels if you think...

  David Rossi : No, no. That's an escalation.

  Dan Torre : Okay. But that means they have access to the news.

  Aaron Hotchner : I'll get JJ to talk to the press.

• David Rossi : We call this the minimal loss scenario. Every person we get out is a life saved. We won't save them all. All of us have to be prepared to accept that situation.

  Derek Morgan : Cults are structured like pyramids. You got the leader at the top. Diehard believers beneath. The biggest group, the base, followers.

  [drawing a triangle to illustrate, he circles "followers"] 

  Derek Morgan : Women and children. These are the people we can save.

  Aaron Hotchner : The "trickle, flow, gush" strategy is designed to get base followers out. First one or two, then three or four, then as many as we can as fast as we can. And if at any point it starts to go bad, we go in.

  David Rossi : The leaders are charismatic sociopaths who target those most susceptible to their seduction. They have the ability to see what each person needs, and then become that thing. We have to undermine their perception that we're an invading army laying siege to their home.

  Dan Torre : We'll lose the fatigues. Rancher's clothes work for you? Like we did at the Freemen standoff?

  David Rossi : Perfect. Anything we can do to de-militarize situation.

• Benjamin Cyrus : This is Benjamin Cyrus. Who am I talking to?

  David Rossi : David Rossi. I'm an FBI agent. We sent the state police away. There's just us and the local sheriff. All we want to do is resolve this before anyone else gets hurt.

  Benjamin Cyrus : Then leave us alone.

  David Rossi : I'm afraid we can't do that, Benjamin. One of the police bled out on the way to the hospital. So let's just stop this before things get worse. Please, just put down your guns and come out.

  Benjamin Cyrus : We're believers, Dave. We believe that God says what He means and means what He says. His laws don't depend on what state you live in.

  David Rossi : I have no issue with your beliefs.

  Benjamin Cyrus : You don't, but the state does.

  David Rossi : I can't answer for other people.

  Benjamin Cyrus : Oh, God will answer for everyone in the final battle I've forseen.

  David Rossi : That's why I'm here. To make sure that this is not that battle.

  Benjamin Cyrus : We shall see.

• David Rossi : Now, the three Child Services workers.

  Benjamin Cyrus : One of them is dead. It wasn't us.

  David Rossi : I need a name to inform the family.

  Benjamin Cyrus : Her name was Nancy Lunde.

  David Rossi : Okay. Now, please, Benjamin, send out your wounded. I promise you they'll be well taken care of.

  Benjamin Cyrus : With enough supplies, we can tend to our own.

  David Rossi : Okay. I need a few hours to put it together. I'll bring them up myself at first light.

• David Rossi : I'm gonna confirm the kids, Prentiss, and Reid are okay.

  Derek Morgan : Rossi, at least let me come with you.

  David Rossi : No. This is about building trust. I go alone.

• David Rossi : I'd hoped you'd let me take the children.

  Benjamin Cyrus : Nah, they're our protection. I remember Waco. We all do.

  David Rossi : This isn't Waco.

  Benjamin Cyrus : They stay for now, while I pray for God's guidance. Please don't try to force us out.

• David Rossi : Reid and Prentiss are okay.

  Derek Morgan : What about Cyrus?

  David Rossi : He's too calm. But, it... it's like he was waiting for this to happen. And now that it has, he feels vindicated.

  Techie : I got a signal. I'm getting a signal here.

  Benjamin Cyrus : [to his congregation]  We will be with Him soon. We have drank the poison together.

• Benjamin Cyrus : Mothers... fathers... children, though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we fear no evil, for thou art with us.

  David Rossi : [listening through the bugs]  This doesn't fit. I looked him in the eye. He was calm, lucid.

  Aaron Hotchner : They're committing mass suicide.

  David Rossi : We don't know that for sure.

  Derek Morgan : Rossi, he just said it.

  Dan Torre : We're ready to go.

  David Rossi : If we go in there, people are gonna die.

  Aaron Hotchner : People are already dying.

• David Rossi : Jim Jones pulled the same stunt! They did a test run just like this years before they did the real thing.

  Aaron Hotchner : [to Torre]  Prepare your men to go in.

  Benjamin Cyrus : Be still. There was no poison.

  Aaron Hotchner : Dan.

  Benjamin Cyrus : Instead, a test of faith. Because your adversary, the devil, waltzes about as a roaring lion, choosing whom he may devour. Watch each other for signs of weakness. You are your brother's keeper.

  Aaron Hotchner : Tell 'em to stand down.

  Dan Torre : Yes, sir.

  [to Rossi] 

  Dan Torre : Nice call.