I've often thought that average crime dramas that seem to last years are because they're used to shape the public's perception of certain people and subjects.

I was watching one of the earlier Criminal Minds episodes the other day and it was about satanic ritual killings. The characters kept repeating the line that "no satanic ritual killing has ever actually taken place despite what people believe".

I thought that was such a bold statement to make and wondered why the writers felt it so important to emphasize.