(Aside: you know, I wonder where the C's left arm sticks out...maybe it's a hybrid "tongue-arm" that's always sticking out of his mouth. Or maybe I think about animated characters a bit too much)

If it wasn't for that ending- for both JJ's bookend and the case- this very much would have gone into the "F" pile. Talk about your missed opportunities.

I first thought the concept was very interesting- an "honour killer" who wanted to create a movement where he sees the power brokers as the "disease" where only he is "The Cure". Something like that is a wonderful idea that one could easily make a book about, or even an entire series.

With someone who's out to cleanse society of its ills, you really could start asking questions about "who really is the 'bad guy' "? Certainly a serial killer who targets those who harm society could make a riveting arc for this series.

Maybe even one that culminates in Episode 300.

...but, no, we just had to have yet another UnSub with family issues. I won't get into them because by now, they're all the same.

Erica, can we stop having childhood trauma or scorned children or dysfunctional families as a reason for these killings? It's, um, overkill at this stage.

The only thing I will credit is that this episode actually had the UnSub complete his task, instead of the BAU stopping him at the last minute. So I have to give the show credit for creating a bad guy who outsmarted the BAU and got to finish his endgame.

It still doesn't make up for about thirty minutes of a missed opportunity and the same recycled story this show likes to tell. Imagination isn't a thing in the hallways of CM these days.

Which brings me to Emily Prentiss.

...uh...

...erm...

...um...

...er...

How many different ways can I say "I did not see that coming?"

Prentiss has been involved in some weird stuff- the guy who killed himself in "False Flag" as well as being kidnapped by Mr. Scratch and that whole business with Reid in jail- but I didn't think I saw anything that merited Prentiss' relief of duty. Usually there are more signs sprinkled throughout the season of such a move, so kudos to the CM staff for truly pulling the rug from underneath us.

Problem is, I haven't been invested enough in this show to care and, while this turn of events is shocking, I'm not really at the edge of my seat as I was when Hotch had his problems, because the show was much better then.

I mean, I hope this storyline has some juice, and it looks like it could.

...but, I do think I know how it will end. The scheming Assistant Director will be exposed to have done some shady things by the BAU, forcing the Assistant Director's resignation and getting Prentiss back into the Unit Chief's chair.

Unless Prentiss is leaving the show again, which would be only another groaner. How many times does CM want to have this dance with Emily Prentiss and Paget Brewster where she's in and then out and then in again...seriously?

Also at fault is that this schemer is someone we've never met before. How can I care for a character I've never met before? Should I care about her just because she's nixing Prentiss' career for her own gain?

Besides...where's Mateo Cruz in all this? Shouldn't he have a say in what happens to Prentiss?

I really think something like this should have at least been a season finale cliffhanger, like what happened with Erin Strauss. Then there could at least be some mystery about whether or not Prentiss returns to the team.

Right now, the only way this story works is in a multi-episode arc, because that's what this deserves. I'm not sure we'll get that.

So I have some restrained optimism at this development. This show will tell me how it will go.